All Part of Attending Knight School…An Inexcusable Passing Grade!

by user LastRow

Only in their second game of the year and already Texas Tech has been big news in the college basketball landscape. First, it was that nice little 20-second timeout, that Bob Knight, calls a “suspension” that he handed Jarius Jackson. From that we go to “The Generals” latest act where he made contact with Michael Prince. (one of his players) last night in an attempt to receive eye-contact…In typical Bob Knight fashion. Which brings up the old argument, “Do/Are coaches allowed to touch their players to get their point across?” Well, I guess that could be along the same lines as “Should parents spank their children?”

Well, I for one who agrees with the spanking policy…My ass was beaten more times than Rodney Kings was when I was a youngster. It teaches one better! However, as a former student assistant coach, under three different coaches…I never, ever saw the head man lay a finger on one of our players. Now Bob Knight is a hell of a teacher, but the ways in which he goes about it at times is questionable to say the least. One would think that because he’s such a great teacher he would have better mannerism? The basketball arena is just like a classroom…For us to believe what he did last night and what he’ll continue to do because he’s always done it, well that’s like saying that behavior would be allowed in any classroom. Yeah, sure it would! I can just see if somebody fell asleep in a class that he was teaching. Would the behavior be tolerated outside the basketball arena…Hell No! Texas Tech would have all kinds of pending lawsuits coming from the parents!!! So what then makes this appropriate…? A dismissal would be without question! Not just him, but any professor on any campus, grade school, middle school, high school, or college.

Oh, because it’s basketball and that’s Bob Knight? Since that’s the way he operates, he gets a pass? Is it because when players sign on to play for him we overlook it because we think “They knew what they were getting themselves into?” Yes, they do…They sign on to learn under & play for one of the greatest coaches the game has ever seen. However, they don’t sign on to get physically abused! Now do I call his latest act physical abuse, no, not really…Although it very well could be classified as that! It probably does fit into the definition somehow.

Now I know the player, along with his parents had no problem with Knight exhibiting his right hand cross skills, as he was trying to get some eye contact. Were they honesty going to say otherwise? I mean really! If Michael or his parents had a problem, would they really say? Hopefully, but we all know two things would happen if they did. Michael’s life would be a living hell or Michael would be dismissed from the team for undisclosed reasons because nobody messes with Bob Knight, period!

For all those lip readers out there you could read plain as day, after doing his best Mike Tyson impression, clearly stated…”Look at me!” Just a thought here, why couldn’t he say the same thing, but without going Mike Tyson on his player? You see, there’s not a coach in the country in any sport who doesn’t stress and demand eye contact! However, Bob Knight is the only one that goes about it the way he did…Always has and always will!

Funny thing is, we all know if he had to do the entire situation over again he wouldn’t! This from a man who teaches to his team don’t point the finger at each other…Be accountable for your own actions. Isn’t it about time that you, Bob, start listening to what you’re preaching here? Actions speak louder than words here “General”…Although you can give a shit because you’re Bob Knight…And this is what we’ve come to expect out of you! No wonder why nobody wants to play for you and you lose recruits…Who in their right mind would want to play for you? Although, you can give a shit about that too…Isn’t that right, Bobby? So having said that, isn’t it about time somebody teaches this hard ass teacher a stern lesson before he becomes the all-time wins leader and surpasses a man in Dean Smith who stands for everything that Knight isn’t? Too bad Texas Tech President doesn’t have the onions to do that!

Before I go, let me play devil advocate here. Suppose Micheal Prince went Buster Douglas on Bob’s ass after getting hit…We would be sitting here crucifying him to death. Serious consequences would follow, but why? Prince would just been reacting just as Bob did when “quickly” lifted Michael's chin up and said, “Hold your head up and don't worry about your mistakes.” So what’s the difference…You tell me? Until the next time…

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