First, I am not pro or anti Hawk, just a proud Bronco. Is it just me or do the basketball programs appear way behind in terms of having a clear direction? Would love to see hoops get a shot of energy like hockey and football have received
Hey. Those MAC West first place finishes don't happen by accident pal.
Good point. Feels like the men's program has gotten stuck at a certain level
I think the direction is fine. Talent has come in and performed pretty well. Howard and Stainbrook had/have their personal demons which clearly surfaced in retrospect if not in real time.
Lowe and Paul point to the importance of keeping quality staff. Not always possible considering the shallow purse but a fact.
Times have changed. Watched and listened to Wooden interviewed at the McD all star game that had Lebron among others. It is widely known Wooden didn't care for flash. But he went further in saying "He" likely couldn't coach these kids because of the "me" that exists today. Not that his approach isn't correct or wouldn't work but in that it wouldn't be accepted. And with the one and dones it likely wouldn't take hold either.
I don't disagree with the philosophy. In fact, it prolly is needed more than ever to be the ying to the "me" yang but how you apply it today may be the key.
I recall someone's comment (Couch?) a couple years back about over hearing Farmer talk Hawk out of pulling a kid in the midst of the game. "Coach, let him play through it" was the phrase I believe used.
I think in the past "the gospel" was just received. Now a days it needs to be experienced by way of the false "religions" failing. Then Junior realizes that that "sting" was the result of the failure of his own misdirection and he comes to realize the benefit of the "truth".
Yet some will continue to pull an Alex "Mongo" Karras by lighting their victory cigar by inserting their head into the camp fire. Some never learn or do so much later.
Hence my "harping" on letting the kids play. Yes, discipline, but you need to allow for some allowing for athleticism to be expressed. But emphasize the execution. Behind the back? No look? Not if it's a turnover!
I think you pegged it well GBL. Kids have changed over the last 40 -50 years and how you deal with them has to also. The old style coaching of Wooden, Bo, Woody and (gulp)Cubit don't always work with today's youth.
Today's kids were/are raised in a different world and react differently to instructions, discipline and authority.
(07-22-2013 07:53 AM)Broncobelt Wrote: [ -> ]I think you pegged it well GBL. Kids have changed over the last 40 -50 years and how you deal with them has to also. The old style coaching of Wooden, Bo, Woody and (gulp)Cubit don't always work with today's youth.
Today's kids were/are raised in a different world and react differently to instructions, discipline and authority.
But to be clear I am not advocating a reducing of requiring or instilling such. It is how you do it. David Brown is a good example that it took nearly losing it all to injury before the realization that what Hawk was preaching was relevant.
I have said this at least twice but I was really taken aback when I read that DK, going into his senior year at WMU had finally worked hard enough to be in the best shape of his life. Why wait until your last year?
And that wasnt a statement saying, "I am now in the best shape of my life because I have spent the last 4 years doing so." It was a realization that it was about to close out and if he had any aspirations he better do so now.
Too often the realization for most.
Maybe it's because I dont get to see many games, but it appears as though the program is flat. No, I don't expect march madness every year, just an observation from afar