In the paint

BY STEVEN MARCUS

Some loonies in Indiana want Bob Knight back to coach the Hoosiers, figuring his bully pulpit will make all things right after a messy parting with phone-addict Kevin Sampson, who was bought out for $750,000. Luckily, George Steinbrenner does not run the institution known as Indiana basketball and that Billy Martin-like move will not happen despite what the apologists for Knight are dishing out. And the St. John’s fan hocking me about Knight heading here to replace Norm Roberts can also forget it. Like the guy who coaches the Knicks, Roberts isn’t going anywhere for awhile.

BY STEVEN MARCUS

Fresh air has replaced the stale stench as Pat Knight took over for his father as Texas Tech coach. The son has a sense of humor. ``I joked with the team telling them that Eli Manning is probably sitting up there in New York wondering who the hell the Texas Tech Red Raiders were,’’ Knight told local reporters after an 80-74 loss to Baylor. ``I told them if Eli doesn’t have [ESPN’s] Full Court package he was calling his cable company to see why we were taking all of his publicity the last two days.’’
Knight tried some new plays, showing that he wasn’t his father's proxy. ``Not to be rude,’’ he said, ``but I’m the head coach.’’ I think I might like this kid.

BY STEVEN MARCUS

No fanfare, no tribute, no reflection. Bob Knight quit his job after 902 victories and its about time he did. [Perhaps thre was some fit or event that prompted his departure, time will tell].

If Knight thinks he was making a statement by not finishing a so-so season it raises few significant eyebrows. Knight was a bully first and basketball coach second. Having covered many athletic scoundrels, Knight tops them all, even Billy Martin, the great intimidator.

Knight treated nearly every one in my business as an unnecessary evil. We all made him much more important than he was. That was proven one year in spring training when Knight showed up, wearing his Indiana red sweater on an 80-degree day, in the Mets dining room at Al Lang Stadium to general indifference. He could not transcend his own space and it was novel seeing him sitting by himself waiting to be recognized.

Those who thought they were on his good side were kidding themselves. Knight’s fellow coaches mostly spoke about his graduation rate and winning percentage and forgave his many other trespasses. I submit that more players hated than loved him. Those who revered him are fools.

Knight rarely expressed joy in the achievements his players brought him. He was ever reaching and even when he got to that magical number of 900 victories, he treated it with contempt. He left the game better by leaving it.

BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

The General dismounted his horse and put it in the stable, maybe for the last time yesterday. Chairs everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief.

Bobby Knight resigned as Texas Tech men’s basketball coach. Son Pat Knight has replaced him.

The idea of Knight calling it quits is not surprising, but doing it in the middle of the season was. The 67-year-old Knight coached for 42 years. His 902 wins makes him winningest coach in college basketball history, but with the Red Raiders in the midst of a 12-8 season, Knight apparently lost his furor for coaching.

“He said he was tired and that it was best to go ahead and do it now,” Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance told The Associated Press. “I think Bob is through with coaching. I think he got to the point where it wasn't fun for him.”

Knight, always coaching, helped his team by stepping down. His last coaching decision is one that can work out well for his son and the program.

It gives Pat the chance to inject energy into an inconsistent squad. The players have a chance to get use to Pat and have immediate success under him, with a possible NCAA tournament berth in sight.

I’ve always admirered coach Knight. I’ve read his book and even watched his reality show Knight School. Though he was one of sport’s most controversial figures, you have to respect what he stands for and what he has accomplished. Knight is an old-school, intense drill sergeant. Sure he’s taken his temper over the edge more than a few times but, his intentions are to make his players, respectful, hard working and mature young men.

If they can survive him, the can survive anything. Knight is the coach that pushes to you your limits in hope of eventually pushing you beyond them.

That doesn’t always happen though, but he is not just preparing you for the game each week, but the rest of your life. I am confident the majority of his current and former players will concur.
Knight’s overall success may not be matched, unless disciple Mike Krzyzewski coaches for a long time. Coach K is currently at 787 wins. Still Knight, won three nationals titles and has had a consistent level of success at three schools: Army, Indiana and Texas. He’s always had a high graduation rate and is the only person to coach an undefeated championship team. He’s even won an Olympic gold medal as a head coach, something Krzyzewski hopes to accomplish this summer is Beijing.

Knight’s decision to resign may go down as one of his best. He coached until the end.

BY STEVEN MARCUS

For those of you who missed it, Bob Knight now has 900 Division I victories. But the 67-year-old Texas Tech coach remained stone-faced after the 68-53 triumph over Texas A&M.

ESPN broadcast the post-game ceremony, such as it was. Knight was handed a microphone to address the screaming frenzy of 11,268 fans in Lubbock. ``Our players really played hard tonight against a really good team," Knight said. "You people here tonight, with seats being full for a change, really made one hell of a difference."

Later was later asked to say a few words about reaching 900, most by a male coach in the division. "I'm [expletive] glad it's over – that's a few words," Knight said. "I'm happy that I've been able to coach this long. ... That's a mark of longevity as much as anything else, so I'm just glad I lived this long."

There is every reason to believe he will reach 1,000.

BY STEVEN MARCUS

Is there no end to the boorish behavior of Bob Knight? Apparently not. The Texas Tech coach kicked the scorer’s table in the first half of a victory (the 899th of his ill-ustrious career) against Texas-El Paso. He was annoyed about a charging call against one of his players and his mini-fit resulted in his shoe falling off. Knight also picked up a technical foul a moment later for arguing with officials about a foul call.

After the game, Knight used his 21-month of grandson as a puppet, propping the child atop a table in front of the media. ``You see,'' grandpa Knight said, ``they ask a question and you don’t answer it.’’