Oscar Robertson: Coaches today don't understand basketball
Dave Clark, dclark@cincinnati.com 4:27 p.m. EST February 25, 2016


Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats and Cincinnati Royals star Oscar Robertson said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show that he doesn't think coaches today understand the game of basketball and that they "don’t know anything about defenses."

Quote:More from NJ.com's Randy Miller:

"If I've got a guy who's great shooting the ball outside, don't you want to extend your defense out a little bit?" the 77-year-old Big O said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show. "I just don't think coaches today in basketball understand the game of basketball. They don't know anything about defenses. They don't know what people are doing on the court. They talk about analytical basketball and stuff like that."

"They double-teamed me an awful lot during my career," said Robertson, who in 1960-61 became the first and only player in league history to average a triple double. "I look at games today, and they'll start a defense at the foul line. When I played, they were picking you up when you got the ball inbounds. So it's a different strategy about playing defense."

Robertson acknowledged Curry's greatness, but took another shot at today's game when he was asked by Mike & Mike co-host Mike Greenberg if he's ever seen a better shooter.

"He's shot well because of what's going on in basketball today," Robertson said. "In basketball today, it's almost like if you can dunk or make a three-point shot, you're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

"There have been some great shooters in the past. ... But here again, when I played years ago, if you shot a shot outside and hit it, the next time I'm going to be up on top of you. I'm going to pressure you with three-quarters, half-court defense. But now they don't do that. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as I'm concerned."

Robertson's Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis had its basketball teams of the 1950s honored by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night before an NBA game against the New York Knicks.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../80945006/

(02-25-2016 04:55 PM)ctipton Wrote:  Oscar Robertson: Coaches today don't understand basketball
Dave Clark, dclark@cincinnati.com 4:27 p.m. EST February 25, 2016

The UC Bearcat shakes hands with Bearcats legend Oscar Robertson in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Connecticut Huskies at Fifth Third Arena on the campus of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. At the half, the Bearcats led 29-24.
(Photo: The Enquirer/Sam Greene)

Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats and Cincinnati Royals star Oscar Robertson said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show that he doesn't think coaches today understand the game of basketball and that they "don’t know anything about defenses."

Quote:More from NJ.com's Randy Miller:

"If I've got a guy who's great shooting the ball outside, don't you want to extend your defense out a little bit?" the 77-year-old Big O said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show. "I just don't think coaches today in basketball understand the game of basketball. They don't know anything about defenses. They don't know what people are doing on the court. They talk about analytical basketball and stuff like that."

"They double-teamed me an awful lot during my career," said Robertson, who in 1960-61 became the first and only player in league history to average a triple double. "I look at games today, and they'll start a defense at the foul line. When I played, they were picking you up when you got the ball inbounds. So it's a different strategy about playing defense."

Robertson acknowledged Curry's greatness, but took another shot at today's game when he was asked by Mike & Mike co-host Mike Greenberg if he's ever seen a better shooter.

"He's shot well because of what's going on in basketball today," Robertson said. "In basketball today, it's almost like if you can dunk or make a three-point shot, you're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

"There have been some great shooters in the past. ... But here again, when I played years ago, if you shot a shot outside and hit it, the next time I'm going to be up on top of you. I'm going to pressure you with three-quarters, half-court defense. But now they don't do that. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as I'm concerned."

Robertson's Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis had its basketball teams of the 1950s honored by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night before an NBA game against the New York Knicks.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../80945006/

Oscar was a great player, but he always comes off old and grumpy.

(02-25-2016 05:46 PM)jarr Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 04:55 PM)ctipton Wrote:  Oscar Robertson: Coaches today don't understand basketball
Dave Clark, dclark@cincinnati.com 4:27 p.m. EST February 25, 2016

The UC Bearcat shakes hands with Bearcats legend Oscar Robertson in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Connecticut Huskies at Fifth Third Arena on the campus of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. At the half, the Bearcats led 29-24.
(Photo: The Enquirer/Sam Greene)

Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats and Cincinnati Royals star Oscar Robertson said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show that he doesn't think coaches today understand the game of basketball and that they "don’t know anything about defenses."

Quote:More from NJ.com's Randy Miller:

"If I've got a guy who's great shooting the ball outside, don't you want to extend your defense out a little bit?" the 77-year-old Big O said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show. "I just don't think coaches today in basketball understand the game of basketball. They don't know anything about defenses. They don't know what people are doing on the court. They talk about analytical basketball and stuff like that."

"They double-teamed me an awful lot during my career," said Robertson, who in 1960-61 became the first and only player in league history to average a triple double. "I look at games today, and they'll start a defense at the foul line. When I played, they were picking you up when you got the ball inbounds. So it's a different strategy about playing defense."

Robertson acknowledged Curry's greatness, but took another shot at today's game when he was asked by Mike & Mike co-host Mike Greenberg if he's ever seen a better shooter.

"He's shot well because of what's going on in basketball today," Robertson said. "In basketball today, it's almost like if you can dunk or make a three-point shot, you're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

"There have been some great shooters in the past. ... But here again, when I played years ago, if you shot a shot outside and hit it, the next time I'm going to be up on top of you. I'm going to pressure you with three-quarters, half-court defense. But now they don't do that. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as I'm concerned."

Robertson's Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis had its basketball teams of the 1950s honored by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night before an NBA game against the New York Knicks.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../80945006/

Oscar was a great player, but he always comes off old and grumpy.

Those of us who have reached that age have earned that right.

(02-25-2016 05:59 PM)chatcat Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 05:46 PM)jarr Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 04:55 PM)ctipton Wrote:  Oscar Robertson: Coaches today don't understand basketball
Dave Clark, dclark@cincinnati.com 4:27 p.m. EST February 25, 2016

The UC Bearcat shakes hands with Bearcats legend Oscar Robertson in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Connecticut Huskies at Fifth Third Arena on the campus of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. At the half, the Bearcats led 29-24.
(Photo: The Enquirer/Sam Greene)

Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats and Cincinnati Royals star Oscar Robertson said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show that he doesn't think coaches today understand the game of basketball and that they "don’t know anything about defenses."

Quote:More from NJ.com's Randy Miller:

"If I've got a guy who's great shooting the ball outside, don't you want to extend your defense out a little bit?" the 77-year-old Big O said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show. "I just don't think coaches today in basketball understand the game of basketball. They don't know anything about defenses. They don't know what people are doing on the court. They talk about analytical basketball and stuff like that."

"They double-teamed me an awful lot during my career," said Robertson, who in 1960-61 became the first and only player in league history to average a triple double. "I look at games today, and they'll start a defense at the foul line. When I played, they were picking you up when you got the ball inbounds. So it's a different strategy about playing defense."

Robertson acknowledged Curry's greatness, but took another shot at today's game when he was asked by Mike & Mike co-host Mike Greenberg if he's ever seen a better shooter.

"He's shot well because of what's going on in basketball today," Robertson said. "In basketball today, it's almost like if you can dunk or make a three-point shot, you're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

"There have been some great shooters in the past. ... But here again, when I played years ago, if you shot a shot outside and hit it, the next time I'm going to be up on top of you. I'm going to pressure you with three-quarters, half-court defense. But now they don't do that. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as I'm concerned."

Robertson's Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis had its basketball teams of the 1950s honored by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night before an NBA game against the New York Knicks.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../80945006/

Oscar was a great player, but he always comes off old and grumpy.

Those of us who have reached that age have earned that right.

Breaking: Old person confused by concept of data analytics.

(02-25-2016 05:59 PM)chatcat Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 05:46 PM)jarr Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 04:55 PM)ctipton Wrote:  Oscar Robertson: Coaches today don't understand basketball
Dave Clark, dclark@cincinnati.com 4:27 p.m. EST February 25, 2016

The UC Bearcat shakes hands with Bearcats legend Oscar Robertson in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Connecticut Huskies at Fifth Third Arena on the campus of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. At the half, the Bearcats led 29-24.
(Photo: The Enquirer/Sam Greene)

Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats and Cincinnati Royals star Oscar Robertson said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show that he doesn't think coaches today understand the game of basketball and that they "don’t know anything about defenses."

Quote:More from NJ.com's Randy Miller:

"If I've got a guy who's great shooting the ball outside, don't you want to extend your defense out a little bit?" the 77-year-old Big O said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show. "I just don't think coaches today in basketball understand the game of basketball. They don't know anything about defenses. They don't know what people are doing on the court. They talk about analytical basketball and stuff like that."

"They double-teamed me an awful lot during my career," said Robertson, who in 1960-61 became the first and only player in league history to average a triple double. "I look at games today, and they'll start a defense at the foul line. When I played, they were picking you up when you got the ball inbounds. So it's a different strategy about playing defense."

Robertson acknowledged Curry's greatness, but took another shot at today's game when he was asked by Mike & Mike co-host Mike Greenberg if he's ever seen a better shooter.

"He's shot well because of what's going on in basketball today," Robertson said. "In basketball today, it's almost like if you can dunk or make a three-point shot, you're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

"There have been some great shooters in the past. ... But here again, when I played years ago, if you shot a shot outside and hit it, the next time I'm going to be up on top of you. I'm going to pressure you with three-quarters, half-court defense. But now they don't do that. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as I'm concerned."

Robertson's Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis had its basketball teams of the 1950s honored by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night before an NBA game against the New York Knicks.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../80945006/

Oscar was a great player, but he always comes off old and grumpy.

Those of us who have reached that age have earned that right.

Could not agree with you more.

(02-25-2016 05:46 PM)jarr Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 04:55 PM)ctipton Wrote:  Oscar Robertson: Coaches today don't understand basketball
Dave Clark, dclark@cincinnati.com 4:27 p.m. EST February 25, 2016

The UC Bearcat shakes hands with Bearcats legend Oscar Robertson in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Connecticut Huskies at Fifth Third Arena on the campus of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. At the half, the Bearcats led 29-24.
(Photo: The Enquirer/Sam Greene)

Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats and Cincinnati Royals star Oscar Robertson said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show that he doesn't think coaches today understand the game of basketball and that they "don’t know anything about defenses."

Quote:More from NJ.com's Randy Miller:

"If I've got a guy who's great shooting the ball outside, don't you want to extend your defense out a little bit?" the 77-year-old Big O said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show. "I just don't think coaches today in basketball understand the game of basketball. They don't know anything about defenses. They don't know what people are doing on the court. They talk about analytical basketball and stuff like that."

"They double-teamed me an awful lot during my career," said Robertson, who in 1960-61 became the first and only player in league history to average a triple double. "I look at games today, and they'll start a defense at the foul line. When I played, they were picking you up when you got the ball inbounds. So it's a different strategy about playing defense."

Robertson acknowledged Curry's greatness, but took another shot at today's game when he was asked by Mike & Mike co-host Mike Greenberg if he's ever seen a better shooter.

"He's shot well because of what's going on in basketball today," Robertson said. "In basketball today, it's almost like if you can dunk or make a three-point shot, you're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

"There have been some great shooters in the past. ... But here again, when I played years ago, if you shot a shot outside and hit it, the next time I'm going to be up on top of you. I'm going to pressure you with three-quarters, half-court defense. But now they don't do that. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as I'm concerned."

Robertson's Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis had its basketball teams of the 1950s honored by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night before an NBA game against the New York Knicks.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../80945006/

Oscar was a great player, but he always comes off old and grumpy.

I was at school when O had just left, but went to game to watch him. Best player I ever saw. When I was in CPA business I worked on his taxes. But he is a bitter grumpy person. ******* about every thing. Complains how he was treated on campus. He was treated as a God.

Grumpy bitter old man!

I have listened to Oscar a lot over the years and he was a 9/10 today. GET OFF MY LAWN!!!

(02-25-2016 06:06 PM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 05:59 PM)chatcat Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 05:46 PM)jarr Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 04:55 PM)ctipton Wrote:  Oscar Robertson: Coaches today don't understand basketball
Dave Clark, dclark@cincinnati.com 4:27 p.m. EST February 25, 2016

The UC Bearcat shakes hands with Bearcats legend Oscar Robertson in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Connecticut Huskies at Fifth Third Arena on the campus of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. At the half, the Bearcats led 29-24.
(Photo: The Enquirer/Sam Greene)

Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats and Cincinnati Royals star Oscar Robertson said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show that he doesn't think coaches today understand the game of basketball and that they "don’t know anything about defenses."

Quote:More from NJ.com's Randy Miller:

"If I've got a guy who's great shooting the ball outside, don't you want to extend your defense out a little bit?" the 77-year-old Big O said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show. "I just don't think coaches today in basketball understand the game of basketball. They don't know anything about defenses. They don't know what people are doing on the court. They talk about analytical basketball and stuff like that."

"They double-teamed me an awful lot during my career," said Robertson, who in 1960-61 became the first and only player in league history to average a triple double. "I look at games today, and they'll start a defense at the foul line. When I played, they were picking you up when you got the ball inbounds. So it's a different strategy about playing defense."

Robertson acknowledged Curry's greatness, but took another shot at today's game when he was asked by Mike & Mike co-host Mike Greenberg if he's ever seen a better shooter.

"He's shot well because of what's going on in basketball today," Robertson said. "In basketball today, it's almost like if you can dunk or make a three-point shot, you're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

"There have been some great shooters in the past. ... But here again, when I played years ago, if you shot a shot outside and hit it, the next time I'm going to be up on top of you. I'm going to pressure you with three-quarters, half-court defense. But now they don't do that. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as I'm concerned."

Robertson's Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis had its basketball teams of the 1950s honored by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night before an NBA game against the New York Knicks.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../80945006/

Oscar was a great player, but he always comes off old and grumpy.

Those of us who have reached that age have earned that right.

As a freshman, I was privileged to watch him play at the old Armory Fieldhouse, and I can assure you, he earned that right as a college kid. You youngsters who think the world started revolving only when you were born are badly mistaken.

(02-25-2016 04:55 PM)ctipton Wrote:  Oscar Robertson: Coaches today don't understand basketball
Dave Clark, dclark@cincinnati.com 4:27 p.m. EST February 25, 2016

The UC Bearcat shakes hands with Bearcats legend Oscar Robertson in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Connecticut Huskies at Fifth Third Arena on the campus of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. At the half, the Bearcats led 29-24.
(Photo: The Enquirer/Sam Greene)

Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats and Cincinnati Royals star Oscar Robertson said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show that he doesn't think coaches today understand the game of basketball and that they "don’t know anything about defenses."

Quote:More from NJ.com's Randy Miller:

"If I've got a guy who's great shooting the ball outside, don't you want to extend your defense out a little bit?" the 77-year-old Big O said Thursday during a phone interview on ESPN's Mike & Mike show. "I just don't think coaches today in basketball understand the game of basketball. They don't know anything about defenses. They don't know what people are doing on the court. They talk about analytical basketball and stuff like that."

"They double-teamed me an awful lot during my career," said Robertson, who in 1960-61 became the first and only player in league history to average a triple double. "I look at games today, and they'll start a defense at the foul line. When I played, they were picking you up when you got the ball inbounds. So it's a different strategy about playing defense."

Robertson acknowledged Curry's greatness, but took another shot at today's game when he was asked by Mike & Mike co-host Mike Greenberg if he's ever seen a better shooter.

"He's shot well because of what's going on in basketball today," Robertson said. "In basketball today, it's almost like if you can dunk or make a three-point shot, you're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

"There have been some great shooters in the past. ... But here again, when I played years ago, if you shot a shot outside and hit it, the next time I'm going to be up on top of you. I'm going to pressure you with three-quarters, half-court defense. But now they don't do that. These coaches do not understand the game of basketball, as far as I'm concerned."

Robertson's Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis had its basketball teams of the 1950s honored by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night before an NBA game against the New York Knicks.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../80945006/

Anyone know who the guy is in the picture above who is always sitting next to Oscar at the UC home games?

Oscar is bitter know it all. He has been for as long as I can remember.

I think Oscar is more outraged by the rankings that come out each year that show him no respect in terms of all time players. So in turn he takes any chance he can to diminish the accomplishments of today's players who are crowned top 10 before stringing together more than 2-3 good seasons.

The league has moved away from all around players and turned to specialists, with the exception of a few who can do it all.

Oscar would have put up a hand from his court side seat on that one. Curry is unreal.

@SherwoodStrauss 23 Nov 2015
In sports, people often do the equivalent of, "Hey, machine guns could do some things on the battlefield, but nothing beats the bayonet!"

https://twitter.com/rns_funhouse/status/...0124950528

I do not care one way or the other, one thing I do know, is Oscar would pretty much dominate no matter what era he was in. I mean, seriously?

I don't care what Oscar thinks defenses should be able to do against Curry. If your range extends 10 feet past the three point line and you get your shot off that quickly you're completely unguardable. If you do start picking him up at 35 ft then he's going to beat his guy and either take it hole or get Klay a wide open look.

I like what Seth Greenburg said on Game Day yesterday...he said " Apparently they didn't know how to play defense when he was putting up 34 a game in his day either."

I think Oscar sabotaged his argument by framing it as a coaching thing. What one might reasonably say about today's game versus Oscar's day is that in O's era, there was no 3pt shot. Thus, the calculations that say 34% on your 3's beats 50% on field goals don't apply, and you have to take the ball further in to be effective. Where, without the 'freedom of movement' calls, you'd get clobbered enough to prevent hot streaks.

That said, stats show that in Oscars NBA era, stats had something of a MLB steroid era flavor. Wilt was averaging 40-50, guys were pulling down 20 boards a game, etc. Triple doubles were far more common league wide.

It's also true that nutrition and medicine have improved athletic performance. In 1990 it was ridiculous that the Reds had three guys in the pen that could throw 95mph plus. Now, that's common. Nobody is taking second jobs in the offseason like Big Klu. No one is travelling by bus.

Time warp O into these circumstances and he'd still be exceptional, I'm sure. But they are playing a different game now, and the consensus here that this is more of "Bitter Oscar" is probably right. Jackie Robinson was known to be embittered when he was older, and for good reason. We're just hearing that sort of thing from a guy now 40 year removed from his playing days. In the Twitter era.

I think ones measure should never be compared to another ERA, but rather to ones peers at that time. So compare Babe Ruth not versus Hank Aaron but versus the average player in his ERA.

Compare Oscar versus others in his time not versus Curry.

That said Oscar is just a Grumpy Old Man. I still consider him perhaps the best all around ever but that should not provide an excuse for his attitude.