James Harden Praises Coach K for Team USA Success

[Mark Gastineau]

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...usa-after-rio-james-harden-praises-his-style/

Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said Monday he would step down from coaching the USA national team after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Krzyzewski has been the head coach of Team USA since 2005. He led the team to Olympic gold medals in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London. He also won the 2010 world championship and the 2014 World Cup.

Rockets guard James Harden, who played with the gold-medal team in 2012 and the World Cup team in 2014, said Krzyzewski would be missed by everyone involved with USA Basketball.

“He has revamped that entire USA basketball program and built it up the right way,” Harden said. “Every summer is a work in progress. We just try to get better. He has put so much time and effort into it and he is definitely deserving and has earned all the praise he gets.”

Harden said he was impressed with Krzyzewski’s knowledge of the game and his ability to manage his players right from the start.

“I’ve learned everything – leadership, working hard,” Harden said. “One thing I remember is that you have a lot of NBA talent, a lot of high profile athletes in one room on one team. Most coaches would say leave the egos outside and he said, ‘Bring your egos. That’s what makes you who you are. We’ll make it work.’

“By him saying that, you have 12 All-Stars or superstars meshing together and that’s something special. Not a lot of coaches can make that happen.”

 

[JCColsCane]

Great post Mark, and I don't believe Harden is just blowing smoke, he is very sincere about what he is saying.
What "K" has done with the Olympic team goes beyond the call of duty, and I personally don't think it can be replicated.
People have no idea what he has accomplished, until he has gone. I don't think anyone could have molded these "best of the best" like K has, and I still sometimes find it hard to believe that he could gain so much respect from them, have them diving on the floor for loose balls, and being so totally unselfish!!
Lastly, if you have never watched the Olympics because you don't like Pro BB, you have no idea what you are missing. They are must see for real BB fans, the best Coach with the best players in the world, "doing it the right way"!!


JC-OFC

 

[timo0402]

Thanks for posting Mark and great post JC. Haters will never give him the credit he deserves, and that's just the way it is. They'll bury their heads in the sand and call him names and talk about how horrible of a person he is and that he's just selfish.

Meanwhile the rest of the basketball world will continue to praise him for what he's accomplished in his career both on and off the court. He will certainly be praised as he rides off int he sunset in a few years- but let's enjoy the time we have with the greatest to ever do it while we still have him! We're the lucky ones!

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Thanks for posting Mark and great post JC. Haters will never give him the credit he deserves, and that's just the way it is. They'll bury their heads in the sand and call him names and talk about how horrible of a person he is and that he's just selfish.

Meanwhile the rest of the basketball world will continue to praise him for what he's accomplished in his career both on and off the court. He will certainly be praised as he rides off int he sunset in a few years- but let's enjoy the time we have with the greatest to ever do it while we still have him! We're the lucky ones!

Bingo. I'll take LeBron, Carmelo, Kobe, Durant, Harden, etc. praising Coach K all day every day. Their words will always carry far more weight than some unhinged hater on a messageboard

 

[Willcampbell]

What does James Harden know?
OFC

 

[Duke It Out]

But what's the recruiting angle when he is done? I know the Duke brand sells itself, but not to the extent that working with the NBA guys does.

 

[timo0402]

But what's the recruiting angle when he is done? I know the Duke brand sells itself, but not to the extent that working with the NBA guys does.

You serious clark?

 

[dukiejay]

Nice comments from Harden. No matter what anyone tries to say, Coach K's impact on USA basketball has been successful and very substantial. As Duke fans we're beyond blessed.

 

[spotter34]

Bingo. I'll take LeBron, Carmelo, Kobe, Durant, Harden, etc. praising Coach K all day every day. Their words will always carry far more weight than some unhinged hater on a messageboard

What else are they going to say? I'm sure they all really do like coach K. I'm also sure they learned quite a bit from him. HE IS A GREAT COACH. But he has gotten more credit than he deserves for the success he's had with the USA team. The 2004 team got beat because the team was poorly assembled. Mark, you seem to have avoided this article over at the Kentucky site you so frequently visit. So read up!

http://triangleoffense.com/features/ten-years-later-revisiting-team-usas-flop-in-the-2004-olympics/

 

[GAAP_rivals]

What else are they going to say? I'm sure they all really do like coach K. I'm also sure they learned quite a bit from him. HE IS A GREAT COACH. But he has gotten more credit than he deserves for the success he's had with the USA team. The 2004 team got beat because the team was poorly assembled. Mark, you seem to have avoided this article over at the Kentucky site you so frequently visit. So read up!

http://triangleoffense.com/features/ten-years-later-revisiting-team-usas-flop-in-the-2004-olympics/

An unbiased source? Here's a quote from one of this bozo's other "articles":

"Duke’s excellence has long been tainted by an insufferable air of arrogance. This extends from their players, to their snarky, rabid fans (the aptly named “Cameron Crazies”) to their coach who has floated on a holier-than-thou magic carpet en route to 1,000 wins..."

38-1, dude. Deal with it.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

What else are they going to say? I'm sure they all really do like coach K. I'm also sure they learned quite a bit from him. HE IS A GREAT COACH. But he has gotten more credit than he deserves for the success he's had with the USA team. The 2004 team got beat because the team was poorly assembled. Mark, you seem to have avoided this article over at the Kentucky site you so frequently visit. So read up!

http://triangleoffense.com/features/ten-years-later-revisiting-team-usas-flop-in-the-2004-olympics/

Sure, Harden or any of the players wouldn't slam K, but they could glide right through that and make a quick, short, standard compliment. He didn't do that. His praise was quite effusive. It's very plain the USA players and Coach K have tremendous respect for one another...and that's not all that common. And that mutual respect has produced a tight bond that's a very real and important intangible asset for Team USA.

So, Coach is a great coach but he's got more credit than he deserves? Ridiculous. To the victor go the spoils, just the same as he would have gotten hammered if the team didn't win.
What does the article about the 2004 team have to do with K not deserving the credit he was/is due? I suppose you're inferring that anyone could have rectified those problems. I could just as easily say that anyone can win a 1,000 games and 5 championships, but saying it and doing it are two entirely different things.

No, we don't expect any Kentucky or UNC fan to think as highly of Coach K, but if the shoe were on the other foot...I'm sure you would be most accommodating in slurping up the accolades for your own coach.

OFC

 

[LONMUNU]

What else are they going to say? I'm sure they all really do like coach K. I'm also sure they learned quite a bit from him. HE IS A GREAT COACH. But he has gotten more credit than he deserves for the success he's had with the USA team. The 2004 team got beat because the team was poorly assembled. Mark, you seem to have avoided this article over at the Kentucky site you so frequently visit. So read up!

http://triangleoffense.com/features/ten-years-later-revisiting-team-usas-flop-in-the-2004-olympics/

They are 75-1 under K. Enough said.

 

[skysdad]

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...usa-after-rio-james-harden-praises-his-style/

Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said Monday he would step down from coaching the USA national team after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Krzyzewski has been the head coach of Team USA since 2005. He led the team to Olympic gold medals in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London. He also won the 2010 world championship and the 2014 World Cup.

Rockets guard James Harden, who played with the gold-medal team in 2012 and the World Cup team in 2014, said Krzyzewski would be missed by everyone involved with USA Basketball.

“He has revamped that entire USA basketball program and built it up the right way,” Harden said. “Every summer is a work in progress. We just try to get better. He has put so much time and effort into it and he is definitely deserving and has earned all the praise he gets.”

Harden said he was impressed with Krzyzewski’s knowledge of the game and his ability to manage his players right from the start.

“I’ve learned everything – leadership, working hard,” Harden said. “One thing I remember is that you have a lot of NBA talent, a lot of high profile athletes in one room on one team. Most coaches would say leave the egos outside and he said, ‘Bring your egos. That’s what makes you who you are. We’ll make it work.’

“By him saying that, you have 12 All-Stars or superstars meshing together and that’s something special. Not a lot of coaches can make that happen.”

That's very kind and considerate for Harden to say this. Anyone who doesn't respect Coach K or recognize his integrity and character just don't have a clue. They are so blinded by jealousy and envy they end up looking like fools by those who see Coach K for who he really is. We has Duke fans are so blessed to have him for such a long time. I don't really think his total impact will be realized until after he's gone. We need to cherish the time we have left with him no matter how long that may be. Now here's the most important thing about Coach K. No doubt he is the greatest college basketball coach ever but he is just as a great American, father, husband, grandfather and human being as he is a coach. He is not a perfect man. I wish he didn't use profanity but then what would his critics have to whine about. Duke fans are blessed. and we so be grateful. OFC

 

[denniden]

What else are they going to say? I'm sure they all really do like coach K. I'm also sure they learned quite a bit from him. HE IS A GREAT COACH. But he has gotten more credit than he deserves for the success he's had with the USA team. The 2004 team got beat because the team was poorly assembled. Mark, you seem to have avoided this article over at the Kentucky site you so frequently visit. So read up!

http://triangleoffense.com/features/ten-years-later-revisiting-team-usas-flop-in-the-2004-olympics/

It stinks it is not your coach getting the praise doesn't it?

 

[topps coach]

Bingo. I'll take LeBron, Carmelo, Kobe, Durant, Harden, etc. praising Coach K all day every day. Their words will always carry far more weight than some unhinged hater on a messageboard

Come on Mark how can mere NBA players who know K compare to the all knowing Steat or Gary 7.

 

[dbav]

I still remember when Derrick Rose was interviewed at the beginning of K's tenure with the team. I believe he was so impressed that he said something like "I guess I should have gone to Duke". Maybe DevilDJ or someone has that quote.

 

[timo0402]

I still remember when Derrick Rose was interviewed at the beginning of K's tenure with the team. I believe he was so impressed that he said something like "I guess I should have gone to Duke". Maybe DevilDJ or someone has that quote.

I remember that quote.

"If anything (coach K) is a motivational speaker and he really has humor when he talks," said Rose on ESPN Radio. "If anything you are going to listen to him because he is going to be a legend, a Hall of Famer I mean in this game. For him to be coaching me is wonderful. Too bad I didn't go to Duke, but it's great even just being here with him and his staff is great and I am lucky to be on this bus headed to the gym."

 

[Mark Gastineau]

It stinks it is not your coach getting the praise doesn't it?

This is what they're really thinking when they hate on Coach K.

 

[dukiejay]

In their defense, if K's success didn't drive them crazy they'd be a bit off-base anyway.

 

[spotter34]

No Mark, that's not why we hate on coach K. We hate on him because we don't like him or dUKe. Saying that I do respect coach K and dUKe, same as I do Kansas and UNC (well forget UNCheat).

Mark Gastineau came over to our site and posted in a thread on this subject and he arrogantly dismissed any opinion different than his. That's BS. We all have different opinions and they're shaped primarily by who we root for. I'm all for agree to disagree but Mark wouldn't have any of that, and I'm sure you all could care less.

Final thought on the subject, any coach, Cal, Roy, Pitino, Beheim, Jay Wright, and I'm sure a few others, could all have the same success K has had coaching team USA. After 2004 the NBA players were embarrassed and there has been a renewed commitment from the elite players to participate if at all possible (and by elite I don't mean one of the Plumlee boys). That's it. I'd say the same thing about Cal if he was coaching the team.

 

[denniden]

spotter, Give K his due. I know you think any coach could do that same, however HOF coach Larry Brown led USA to an embarrassment. With the best players in the world playing. K and Coleangelo turned around the program. They put things in place to ensure sustained success at all levels of team USA basketball going forward. Coach K did not coach a year for the Dominican team to get a recruit and then quit. He saw the entire process through and even after his coaching duties are done, he will continue on in another role to continue the continuity of the program. I know it is hard to believe that he has done a good job and guys praise him for his work, but the guy has put a lot in to what he has done. I do not doubt other guys could have had success with team USA, but dismissing anything Coach K has accomplished on and off the court with team USA is foolish. Are you foolish?

 

[dbav]

Final thought on the subject, any coach, Cal, Roy, Pitino, Beheim, Jay Wright, and I'm sure a few others, could all have the same success K has had coaching team USA. After 2004 the NBA players were embarrassed and there has been a renewed commitment from the elite players to participate if at all possible (and by elite I don't mean one of the Plumlee boys). That's it. I'd say the same thing about Cal if he was coaching the team.

And that's where you lost me. I don't agree and I don't believe you'd say that about Cal. Other coaches weren't offered because they couldn't inspire. It takes a special coach to inspire players on that level and to manage those personalities.

 

[timo0402]

No Mark, that's not why we hate on coach K. We hate on him because we don't like him or dUKe. Saying that I do respect coach K and dUKe, same as I do Kansas and UNC (well forget UNCheat).

Mark Gastineau came over to our site and posted in a thread on this subject and he arrogantly dismissed any opinion different than his. That's BS. We all have different opinions and they're shaped primarily by who we root for. I'm all for agree to disagree but Mark wouldn't have any of that, and I'm sure you all could care less.

Final thought on the subject, any coach, Cal, Roy, Pitino, Beheim, Jay Wright, and I'm sure a few others, could all have the same success K has had coaching team USA. After 2004 the NBA players were embarrassed and there has been a renewed commitment from the elite players to participate if at all possible (and by elite I don't mean one of the Plumlee boys). That's it. I'd say the same thing about Cal if he was coaching the team.

Except as you're continuing to dismiss why they bought back in. You're dismissing the job of Colangelo and K to bring them back and set up a sustainable program of success for years and years to come. You refuse to acknowledge this. Yes, any coach can win with the most elite players in the world, DUH- you know who admitted that? K. The thing you're not giving him credit for is how to get them to do the point where they're buying in. You're overlooking the single biggest factor of this entire USA Basketball program as it is today.

 

[timo0402]

Jeeze Denn, were we just typing the same thing at the same time?

 

[Mark Gastineau]

I do respect coach K and dUKe, same as I do Kansas and UNC (well forget UNCheat)..

Ha, what a load of crap. In that thread you said the following:

“since coach K has been the coach for the USA's men's team I could care less about the gold medals (unless a Kentucky player is on the team). He's a fine coach but I can't stand him or dUKe and that carries over to whatever they are associated with”

- So you can't stand Team USA because Coach K is in charge? Interesting.

"I don't like him and if one of his teams lose in the Olympics I'll hate it for the players and our reputation but I'll laugh my axx off with him being the coach.”

- Yeah, I can tell you really respect him.

Mark Gastineau came over to our site and posted in a thread on this subject and he arrogantly dismissed any opinion different than his. That's BS. We all have different opinions and they're shaped primarily by who we root for. I'm all for agree to disagree but Mark wouldn't have any of that, and I'm sure you all could care less.

It must be pretty shocking that a reasonable person wouldn't agree with some of the total bullsh!t posted over there like:

"Anyway, I'm not going to sit here and slobber over the guy and whatnot. He took a position that was meant to be a position for more than one and wouldn't get the hell out of the chair. Even dean Smith wouldn't keep that seat and gave it up citing "it's not a position for one guy" only to have K come along and make it his second job for his own selfish reasons. He needs to give it up and quit using USA basketball as his personal accomplishment pedistal.”

"I definitely do not see K leaving and allowing Cal to have it for maybe another 10 years. What K had done to the seat is horrible.”

“Using TEAM USA for personal gain, and he clearly has, is not how it is supposed to be done. This was made clear by some before him who won with them and left them. K didn't make team USA good, the players did when they decided to become part of it. He's getting credit for work he didn't do. I'm not jealous; envious maybe, but not jealous."

"K had made team USA basketball more about "Coach K" than anything even close to what it's supposed to mean, thanks in part to ESPN and his *** kissing followers setting that table. When he's gone we can finally get back to it being about the players and less about his recruiting strategy.”

"K wasn't a factor at all in team USA's success. The entire reason was talent came back into the USA program. K would of struggled bad to win gold with a team of average nba talent”

@spotter34 is an ignorant troll that has no leg to stand on. You can agree to disagree with that fact all you want, but you've been exposed now. This board is all about welcoming outsiders that want to talk about college hoops, not narrow-minded idiots that defend a totally defenseless position. Now stick your tail between your legs and leave.

 

[Willcampbell]

Here we go again. Many threads end up the same way. Can't we just ignore the trolls instead of baiting them to continue? Just sayin'.
OFC

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Here we go again. Many threads end up the same way. Can't we just ignore the trolls instead of baiting them to continue? Just sayin'.
OFC

Would be happy to ignore going forward. Not, however, when a moron calls me out directly on our home board and completely distorts the conversation going on over at Rupp Rafters. The evidence is on my side, and it's all laid out above. That said, if he wants to continue this discussion, I'll be more than happy to put that troll back in his tiny little place.

 

[denniden]

Here we go again. Many threads end up the same way. Can't we just ignore the trolls instead of baiting them to continue? Just sayin'.
OFC

I get that will but there are also a few other options. You can out this guy on ignore or just skip over the parts you don't want to read. I have a number of people on ignore and it is wonderful. : )

 

[GAAP_rivals]

Here we go again. Many threads end up the same way. Can't we just ignore the trolls instead of baiting them to continue? Just sayin'.
OFC

I personally cannot ignore baiting of any kind. In fact, I'm quite a master baiter myself.

 

[denniden]

Jeeze Denn, were we just typing the same thing at the same time?

I like the way you think!

 

[skysdad]

No Mark, that's not why we hate on coach K. We hate on him because we don't like him or dUKe. Saying that I do respect coach K and dUKe, same as I do Kansas and UNC (well forget UNCheat).

Mark Gastineau came over to our site and posted in a thread on this subject and he arrogantly dismissed any opinion different than his. That's BS. We all have different opinions and they're shaped primarily by who we root for. I'm all for agree to disagree but Mark wouldn't have any of that, and I'm sure you all could care less.

Final thought on the subject, any coach, Cal, Roy, Pitino, Beheim, Jay Wright, and I'm sure a few others, could all have the same success K has had coaching team USA. After 2004 the NBA players were embarrassed and there has been a renewed commitment from the elite players to participate if at all possible (and by elite I don't mean one of the Plumlee boys). That's it. I'd say the same thing about Cal if he was coaching the team.

Just can't let go of that blood curdling vicious Laettner stomp or was it the shot can you?. You use the word hate about Coach K and Duke. Hate is a mighty strong word and should not be taken lightly but since you used it I guess you really o hate.Coach K and Duke. Also noticed they you use d instead of D for Duke. I can't help but believe that you are a UK troll and a bitter one at that. I also remember how UK nation felt about Cal when he wasn't the UK Coach. As long as he wins things are just fine. I'll never forget the S.I. cover with the UK player on the front and the word "SHAME" across the top. It really doesn't matter how you win as long as you win, right? So when you use UNCCheat in your post it seems a little hypocritical to me. I remember how wonderful UK nation felt about Billy G. until he couldn't get the job done. I also remember very well the search for a coach when UK hired Billy G. Seems like he was about the third option but once he was hired he was the man UK wanted the whole time. It took me a while to come to the understanding that it is best that one stays on his home board to post simply for the reason of your post here. Like I said to me you're just another bitter troll I will let you know one thing. I will pull for UK whenever you do play for UNC but even then it's hard to do so. HATE. Mighty powerful word. OFC

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

Ha, what a load of crap. In that thread you said the following:

“since coach K has been the coach for the USA's men's team I could care less about the gold medals (unless a Kentucky player is on the team). He's a fine coach but I can't stand him or dUKe and that carries over to whatever they are associated with”

- So you can't stand Team USA because Coach K is in charge? Interesting.

"I don't like him and if one of his teams lose in the Olympics I'll hate it for the players and our reputation but I'll laugh my axx off with him being the coach.”

- Yeah, I can tell you really respect him.



It must be pretty shocking that a reasonable person wouldn't agree with some of the total bullsh!t posted over there like:

"Anyway, I'm not going to sit here and slobber over the guy and whatnot. He took a position that was meant to be a position for more than one and wouldn't get the hell out of the chair. Even dean Smith wouldn't keep that seat and gave it up citing "it's not a position for one guy" only to have K come along and make it his second job for his own selfish reasons. He needs to give it up and quit using USA basketball as his personal accomplishment pedistal.”

"I definitely do not see K leaving and allowing Cal to have it for maybe another 10 years. What K had done to the seat is horrible.”

“Using TEAM USA for personal gain, and he clearly has, is not how it is supposed to be done. This was made clear by some before him who won with them and left them. K didn't make team USA good, the players did when they decided to become part of it. He's getting credit for work he didn't do. I'm not jealous; envious maybe, but not jealous."

"K had made team USA basketball more about "Coach K" than anything even close to what it's supposed to mean, thanks in part to ESPN and his *** kissing followers setting that table. When he's gone we can finally get back to it being about the players and less about his recruiting strategy.”

"K wasn't a factor at all in team USA's success. The entire reason was talent came back into the USA program. K would of struggled bad to win gold with a team of average nba talent”

@spotter34 is an ignorant troll that has no leg to stand on. You can agree to disagree with that fact all you want, but you've been exposed now. This board is all about welcoming outsiders that want to talk about college hoops, not narrow-minded idiots that defend a totally defenseless position. Now stick your tail between your legs and leave.

Great post, Mark! A curb stomping.

OFC

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

No Mark, that's not why we hate on coach K. We hate on him because we don't like him or dUKe. Saying that I do respect coach K and dUKe, same as I do Kansas and UNC (well forget UNCheat).

Mark Gastineau came over to our site and posted in a thread on this subject and he arrogantly dismissed any opinion different than his. That's BS. We all have different opinions and they're shaped primarily by who we root for. I'm all for agree to disagree but Mark wouldn't have any of that, and I'm sure you all could care less.

Final thought on the subject, any coach, Cal, Roy, Pitino, Beheim, Jay Wright, and I'm sure a few others, could all have the same success K has had coaching team USA. After 2004 the NBA players were embarrassed and there has been a renewed commitment from the elite players to participate if at all possible (and by elite I don't mean one of the Plumlee boys). That's it. I'd say the same thing about Cal if he was coaching the team.

That's what you think, not what you know. But what we do know is that K got it done...and that's a fact. The greats always make it look easy, and K is a Legend...another fact.

OFC

 

[boaja1]

Except as you're continuing to dismiss why they bought back in. You're dismissing the job of Colangelo and K to bring them back and set up a sustainable program of success for years and years to come. You refuse to acknowledge this. Yes, any coach can win with the most elite players in the world, DUH- you know who admitted that? K. The thing you're not giving him credit for is how to get them to do the point where they're buying in. You're overlooking the single biggest factor of this entire USA Basketball program as it is today.

This is exactly correct. The 2000 team came very close to losing for the first time with NBA players. You could see USA basketball changing a bit. They weren't playing well together. This led to the collapse at the 2002 World Championship and ultimately the bronze in 2004. They weren't playing as a unit any longer. It took Coach K and Colangelo to put a good system in place to override what had been happening. Just throwing all-stars on a team was no longer good enough against the world. Their had to also be guys on the team that had specific duties like defense, 3 pt shooting, or rebounding. Glue guys. Hopefully this whole setup stays in place after 2016 and K is gone.