Boy, does Roy Williams stink as a coach. Mike Krzyzewski too. Hey, also throw in Thad Matta.
Changes with new blood are drastically needed.
Because 11-7, 1-4 smells to the high heavens when as coach you can pick and choose which standouts throughout the country will join your team.
Because 3-2 is outright incomprehensible given the Goliath stature of the most recognizable figure and program in NCAA basketball.
Because 2-4 and eighth place in conference screams unacceptable.
Isn't cherrypicking wonderful?
Why not install Cal Baptist's Rick (16-0) Croy in Chapel Hill?
Or move Cal Maritime's Bryan (17-4) Rooney into Durham.
Just hire CCSF's Justin (18-1) Labagh to take over in Columbus.
Every time a list of the top coaches is presented, it always contains the most successful over time, replete with the legends of today. Also, it's the guys running programs with the best facilities and largest budgets. Now correlation doesn't imply causation but as Damon Runyon is credited with saying: "The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that's the way to bet" especially when 'Best Of' lists are being compiled.
This is not a knock at anyone nor any attempt to belittle achievements but who is to say that Croy, Rooney and Labagh or many of their similar level brethren wouldn't achieve the same, if not better, if given the opportunity?
Of course, we will never know.
Joe Sheehan's important article "History, Not Hagiography" comes into play here. Do take a look.
Just keep in mind this line from my favorite film "Harvey" in which the chief psychiatrist at a sanitarium experiences an epiphany: "Flyspecks - flyspecks! I've been spending my life among flyspecks - while miracles have been leaning on lamp posts at Eighteenth and Fairfax!"
Enjoy and respect the achievements of those in and around your neighborhood who are working wonders with kids.
And all this doesn't even delve into those coaches whose 'miracles' include posting .500 records yet with the barest of talent.
Or those who are having the greatest positive impact on the lives of their charges.
Talk about the unsung.
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Croy could win at ANY level... he is that good.
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