(John) Wooden Was Greatest Coach Ever

Foxsports ^ | 6/4/10 | Jeff Goodman

[ICAB9USA]

With all due respect to Bob Knight, Mike Krzyzewski and even Bear Bryant and Vince Lombardi, John Wooden was in a class by himself.

Wooden will go down as the most accomplished coach anywhere. Ever.

The Wizard of Westwood won 10 national titles in a 12-year span, including a remarkable seven consecutive from 1967 through ’73.

Wooden’s success is almost unfathomable.

Wooden passed away on Friday night at the UCLA Medical Center, just months prior to his 100th birthday on Oct. 14.

Wooden was still mentally sharp in his 90s and was spotted at UCLA games and other events.

[ICAB9USA]

.... ping.

_________

“Fail to prepare …. prepare to fail.” --- John Wooden

RIP

[ICAB9USA]

The Greatest Teacher of The Twentieth Century

[gunsequalfreedom]

Quote from John Wooden:

Michael Jordon is by far the best to every play the game of basketball. The biggest change to the game was the elimination of steps, traveling.

[ICAB9USA]

lol

[gunsequalfreedom]

What do you find so funny about that? It is what he said.

[ICAB9USA]

By the way ...... did John Wooden really say that?

[ICAB9USA]

re: What do you find so funny about that? It is what he said.

________

If you don't get it, then you don't know what he (supposedly) said and what you (supposedly) quoted from him.

If John Wooden indeed actually said it, he attributed much of Jordan's "greatness" to traveling/steps and lax refereeing.

Get it yet?

[gunsequalfreedom]

By the way ...... did John Wooden really say that?

I sat next to him for 5 hours on flight from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles. Must admit I did not know who he was when I took my seat. People started walking on the plane asking for his autograph.

After we took off, I said, I suppose I should ask who you are. He had a book with him he had just just written, prerun his publisher had given him to read prior to release. He ended up giving the book to me, signed.

I don't think he intended the statements to be kept secret, after all I was a stranger.

Very nice man. Very down to earth. We talked for a good part of the flight - maybe a couple of hours.

Must admit I am not a big basketball fan, obviously if I did not recognize him. But it was a really nice conversation, not one I have forgotten.

This is the book he gave me.

[gunsequalfreedom]

I don’t see the two as an incongruity.

[Richard Kimball]

Jordan definitely got a different set of rules. He often wouldn't dribble the ball once after crossing the half court line.

I haven't seen that quote, but Wooden was very much a believer in fundamentals. It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that he was disappointed in the special treatment of "star" players by the NBA.

[ICAB9USA]

re: I don’t see the two as an incongruity.

__

"The two" what??

[ICAB9USA]

re: Very nice man. Very down to earth. We talked for a good part of the flight - maybe a couple of hours.

Must admit I am not a big basketball fan, obviously if I did not recognize him. But it was a really nice conversation, not one I have forgotten.

_____

The greatest teacher of the twentieth century. RIP

____

By the way, I agree with the sentiment in post 4, whoever said it. Jordan was not as great as some think.

[ICAB9USA]

re: Jordan definitely got a different set of rules. He often wouldn't dribble the ball once after crossing the half court line.

I haven't seen that quote, but Wooden was very much a believer in fundamentals. It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that he was disappointed in the special treatment of "star" players by the NBA.

____

I totally agree with you.

__

"Fail to prepare .... prepare to fail." --- John Wooden

[ICAB9USA]

re: Wooden was very much a believer in fundamentals. It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that he was disappointed in the special treatment of "star" players by the NBA.

_______

YES..... for your perusal:

____

http://www.mitchhorowitz.com/john-wooden.html

From the Socks Up: The Extraordinary Coaching Life of John Wooden

By Mitch Horowitz

(snip) -- For John Wooden, it all begins from the socks up.

On the eve of his ninety-fourth birthday, the man considered America’s “winningest coach” recalls a simple, but decisive routine that he used with each new season’s players during his twenty-seven years of coaching UCLA’s legendary basketball team to unprecedented victory.

On the first day of practice, the coach would tell his hotshot recruits, “Gentleman, today we’re going to figure out how to put our shoes and socks on.” Some players would blanch. Wooden would calmly explain that most players are benched for blisters, and the easiest way to avoid them is to pay attention to the basics. He would meticulously show them how to roll up their socks and tighten their laces. “I wanted it done consciously, not quickly or casually,” he said. “Otherwise we would not be doing everything possible to prepare in the best way.”

It is pure Wooden – simple yet ingenious, zeroing in on what really matters most.

****

[ICAB9USA]

re: I haven't seen that quote, but Wooden was very much a believer in fundamentals.

______

I haven't seen it either after searching for it.

Knowing Mr. Wooden (from afar) as I have over the years, I am quite sure he would never say something like that publicly. However, it does sound like a sentiment he privately held.

[ICAB9USA]

Jim Murray (sportswriter) once observed respectfully,

“John is so square, he’s divisible by four.”

;-)

[gunsequalfreedom]

I hope I am not out of line posting it.

He is where I heard him say it.

I sat next to him for 5 hours on flight from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles. Must admit I did not know who he was when I took my seat. People started walking on the plane asking for his autograph.

After we took off, I said, I suppose I should ask who you are. He had a book with him he had just just written, prerun his publisher had given him to read prior to release. He ended up giving the book to me, signed.

I don't think he intended the statements to be kept secret, after all I was a stranger.

Very nice man. Very down to earth. We talked for a good part of the flight - maybe a couple of hours.

Must admit I am not a big basketball fan, obviously if I did not recognize him. But it was a really nice conversation, not one I have forgotten.

This is the book he gave me.

[ICAB9USA]

Yes.... I saw post #9 earlier. You were a lucky guy.

Mr Wooden was a gem of a human being.

[BunnySlippers]

Yes, he was. RIP.