Definitely agree with that....

It's so hard to compare someone who was coaching in the 60's to someone coaching today. Everything about the game is drastically different.

-JD

The case for Coach K
By NED BARNETT, Staff Writer

A Dean Smith-vs.-Mike Krzyzewski debate always starts with a volley of statistics.
Smith has won more games (879) than any coach in history. Krzyzewski has won three national titles -- one more than Smith. Under Smith, Carolina went to 11 Final Fours in 36 years. Krzyzewski has taken Duke to nine in 22 years. Smith's teams went to the NCAA Tournament 23 years in a row. Krzyzewski is the winningest active coach in NCAA Tournament play.

In the end, though, the numbers on both sides cancel each other. What separates the two Hall of Famers is the difference between their eras and themselves.

Smith excelled at a time when individual talent was secondary to the team and players gave automatic attention to the coach. Krzyzewski has risen to the top when star players are more difficult to coach and teams are shaped to accentuate individual talents.

The increase in parity and early exits for the NBA have all but rendered extinct self-perpetuating dynasties like those created by John Wooden, Adolph Rupp and Smith. Yet, Krzyzewski still produces perennial contenders by embracing change instead of tradition. He has a genius for adjusting.

Over the summer, Krzyzewski was once more adapting after Jason Williams, Mike Dunleavy and Carlos Boozer left early for the NBA. But Krzyzewski also has the best recruiting class in the nation. He enjoys making the transition without Duke losing its balance.

"I think cultures continue to change, environments change, and if you want to be successful in each culture, in each environment, you have to anticipate as much change as possible," Krzyzewski said. "Don't spend a lot of time saying 'in the good old days.' What's happening today? How do you make these the good old days?"

Smith achieved what his era allowed: consistent quality. Krzyzewski meets what his era demands: constant renewal. Smith coached the game. Krzyzewski coaches players. Smith taught a system. Krzyzewski studies his team. Smith inspired respect. Krzyzewski respects inspiration.

In such differences lie Krzyzewski's distinction. What he does -- and the times in which he does it -- are more challenging than the tasks and circumstances Smith faced. Krzyzewski would have been a great coach in Smith's era. Smith's strengths wouldn't work as well today.

Indeed, when Smith left coaching in 1997, he seemed to be having trouble relating to today's players. As he gets older, Krzyzewski seems to get better at it.

"One of the great things about college coaching, as opposed to professional coaching, is you get a chance to see kids grow," Krzyzewski said. "Where are they going to be three months from now? I love that part of coaching and figuring out how it all comes together."

The difference between Smith and Krzyzewski is expressed in their books. Smith's "Basketball: Multiple Offenses and Defenses," is the best-selling technical basketball book in history. Krzyzewski's "Leading with the Heart" and "Five-Point Play" are about the karma of leadership and team bonding.

Calling one coach better than another is always a subjective exercise. Certainly, Smith has a powerful record and a legacy of honor and integrity. Smith's innovations changed the college game, and his leadership defined how a college program operates at its best.

But coaching is ultimately about how a leader confronts challenges, develops and inspires talent and achieves the highest goal in his field. Against those measurements, Krzyzewski prevails. He has won more national titles in less time than Smith. His record includes the only thing harder than winning a national championship -- winning it back-to-back.

Krzyzewski's strongest asset -- a work ethic developed at West Point under the scorching direction of Bob Knight -- also has been his obstacle. After the stress of work and a bad back forced him to step down as coach in 1995, he returned in 1996 and reinvented himself and his program. He took a more philosophical approach to his role -- more teacher, less drill sergeant -- and it made his coaching more effective and his impact on players more lasting.

Krzyzewski built his program, watched it collapse and built it again, reaching the championship game in 1999 and winning the title in 2001. In the process, Krzyzewski rebuilt himself and made the transition from a hotshot coach to the greatest ever in the ACC.
Columnist Ned Barnett can be reached at 829-4555 or nbarnett@newsobserver.com