Spring Break
Basketball Fever? Turn to college hoops this season
Issue date: 11/20/08
Additionally, in college ball, coaches are the authoritarians. NBA coaches are essentially powerless. They have very little control over the tempo of the game and often sit on the bench for most of the contest, giving general advice to the players. College coaches are much more noticeable and active, always jumping on the sidelines, getting in the ref's ear and yelling at a player who makes a miscue, and can often be seen furiously scribbling notes on a clipboard. As I am writing this, tiny Mt. Saint Mary's University is keeping close with Virginia Tech by playing carefully strategized pick and roll basketball. NBA strategy is not nearly as visible.
NBA coaches also do not have much power over their players. When Allen Iverson made his now infamous "practice speech," where he mocked how unimportant practice is by using the word 20 times in one tirade, he was not suspended even for one game. When Kobe Bryant was caught on tape blasting teammate Andrew Bynum saying "Andrew Bynum? What the f-? Are you kidding me? Andrew Bynum? F-ing ship his ass out. Are you kidding me? . . . Now we're here in this f-ed up position," he did not sit out a game either.
College coaches are not only completely unafraid of suspending players for infractions or violations, but they also have the power to kick players off of their team, even if that player happens to be an integral part of the team. During the 2006-07 season, Boston College coach Al Skinner dismissed star defensive player Sean Williams from a then 13-4, 5-0 in the ACC Boston College team for a drug violation (the NBA didn't care, the Nets still took him in the first round that year). Still, the team dynamic prevailed and Skinner coached that team to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Most college players throw less attitude on the court because every one of their actions can be reflected in the draft picks. Fewer agents will want to pick up a bundle of trouble waiting to explode, let alone a professional team. In the arena of college ball, players are expected to handle themselves well because they have more at stake as individuals at this level than at the professional level. College players hustle more for the ball because their dedication in the game will be rewarded in the future draft time.
NBA coaches also do not have much power over their players. When Allen Iverson made his now infamous "practice speech," where he mocked how unimportant practice is by using the word 20 times in one tirade, he was not suspended even for one game. When Kobe Bryant was caught on tape blasting teammate Andrew Bynum saying "Andrew Bynum? What the f-? Are you kidding me? Andrew Bynum? F-ing ship his ass out. Are you kidding me? . . . Now we're here in this f-ed up position," he did not sit out a game either.
College coaches are not only completely unafraid of suspending players for infractions or violations, but they also have the power to kick players off of their team, even if that player happens to be an integral part of the team. During the 2006-07 season, Boston College coach Al Skinner dismissed star defensive player Sean Williams from a then 13-4, 5-0 in the ACC Boston College team for a drug violation (the NBA didn't care, the Nets still took him in the first round that year). Still, the team dynamic prevailed and Skinner coached that team to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Most college players throw less attitude on the court because every one of their actions can be reflected in the draft picks. Fewer agents will want to pick up a bundle of trouble waiting to explode, let alone a professional team. In the arena of college ball, players are expected to handle themselves well because they have more at stake as individuals at this level than at the professional level. College players hustle more for the ball because their dedication in the game will be rewarded in the future draft time.
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