The Pressure Is on Coack K
With the world watching, recent humiliations in international competition fresh in everyone’s minds, and added expectations from heavily-invested corporate sponsors, it’s more than fair to say that Team USA is facing enormous pressure this summer in Beijing.
Anything but Gold will be considered a failure, and somewhat of an indictment on USA Basketball.
The only person facing even more pressure than the players is their celebrated head coach, Mike Krzyzewski.
Krzyzewski fell short two years ago in his first shot with the professionals. If he cannot win in Beijing with the most talented team he has had, it may be time to wonder if Krzyzewski is little more than an elite college coach.
“Coach knows that his legacy is on the line,” said Shane Battier, who played under Krzyzewski at Duke and with the United States national team.
This is much ado about nothing. Krzyzewski’s heavily-favored (and insanely talented) teams have always done well in big-pressure moments.
Oh, wait…
40 Responses to “The Pressure Is on Coack K”
Jul.7 at 3:16 pm
Phil B says:
if they don’t win gold, i want him gone and quickly. where’s pop?
Jul.7 at 3:17 pm
WeS says:
I doubt any of the games should really be close this year… I just dont see it. I could be wrong, but this team is the best since 92, not comparable, but I think they could beat the 96 team.
Jul.7 at 3:17 pm
Moose says:
USA will do fine in beijing. Check out their team!
Jul.7 at 3:21 pm
Sparker says:
i always thought coach was a coack
Jul.7 at 4:00 pm
Dma says:
i think that stern rigged the olympics too.
Jul.7 at 4:18 pm
Captain America says:
It’s all on the players not the coach. These guys are grown ups.
Jul.7 at 4:54 pm
Diesel says:
Lack of big men is the only thing that scares me. If Dwight gets in foul trouble we don’t have anyone left that body up those 7 footers.
Jul.7 at 4:56 pm
Jackie Moon says:
At the very least, I believe they will be more motivated to win than previous years, especially after watching Nike’s “Road to Redemption” behind the scenes feature of the USA team. This team will do whatever it takes to win. IF they don’t, it won’t be for lack of inspiration or effort.
Jul.7 at 4:56 pm
jdubbs29 says:
Any idea on the competition this year? Who are the big challengers to the US gold? Haven’t heard anything about it yet.
Jul.7 at 4:57 pm
Mo Charlo says:
If anybody could be more corrupt that Don-a-gie, it’s the Chinese government.
Jul.7 at 4:57 pm
Jukai says:
You’re right, Coaching has nothing to do with the sport of basketball.
Jul.7 at 5:09 pm
Sparker says:
it’s always the same. first we hear the americans can’t lose. then they do. then we hear about how fiba sucks and how the international game is flawed and how these games don’t really matter.
Jul.7 at 5:13 pm
tenorca says:
@ jubbs: In Vegas, ‘Merica is the favorite, followed by Argentina, Spain, Russia, and Lithuania. If Ginobli’s out though, Argentina becomes less frightening. The only thing that worries me is BIG teams. With a possibly-hindered Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, we might get dominated inside by teams with oaffy monsters. The only question is if a team of far superior individual players can beat teams who, you know, are actually teams. I hope it’s nothing like the Pistons/Lakers finals that taught us all the answer to that question.
Jul.7 at 5:31 pm
Mendel says:
If USA does not win gold, to me this will be a testament to the state of affiars in America and not just in basketball but across the board. Our world supremecy and dominence will be offically over in my book. The falling dollar and inability to win gold with the crown jewels of basketball should be a wake up call for our nation to how far we have fallen.
Jul.7 at 5:31 pm
Mendel says:
If USA does not win gold, to me this will be a testament to the state of affiars in America and not just in basketball but across the board. Our world supremecy and dominence will be offically over in my book. The falling dollar and inability to win gold with the crown jewels of basketball should be a wake up call for our nation to how far we have fallen.
Jul.7 at 5:47 pm
WeS says:
…OR that we just cant play defense….
Jul.7 at 5:47 pm
BETCATS says:
Coach K should do just fine, and if he doesnt i will steal his american express pin number and buy a jersey of every team besides Team USA
Jul.7 at 6:07 pm
Will says:
“Krzyzewski’s heavily-favored (and insanely talented) teams have always done well in big-pressure moments. Oh, wait… ” If this is meant to imply that his teams usually choke, then you are idiot.
Jul.7 at 6:41 pm
tenorca says:
I just read something on the four letter word claiming that Jason Kidd is the starting PG…over Chris Paul…and Deron Williams. Let’s hope that’s conjecture.
Jul.7 at 7:57 pm
jdubbs says:
Thanks Tenorca. It would be very cool if Slam did a piece on the 2 or 3 main contenders to the US this year with some in-depth analysis…i don’t see anyone else doing that out there (though i’m just talking WW Follower and CNNSI.)
Jul.7 at 7:58 pm
Moose says:
where did you read this??? look at what paul turned NO into, and look at what Kidd turned dallas into. kidd starting looks good about seven years ago, but now . . .?
Jul.7 at 8:18 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Kidd was excellent last summer, and has never lost a game in international play. He deserves to start.
Jul.7 at 8:19 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
Starting 5: Melo, Lebron, Dwight, Kobe & Jason
Jul.7 at 8:49 pm
Nick says:
I like kidd starting. Ever heard the phrase “passing is contagious”? Jason kidd is the ground-zero-pass-a-lot virus. I’m tired and my metaphor sucks, but i know somebody is following me.
Jul.7 at 9:26 pm
Vortex Knight says:
Jason Kidd actually makes sense as a starter in international. From what I’ve heard, most of the Euro teams value crafty veterans over young freak athletes, so Kidd might match up better against the international comp that he does against some of the NBA’s young speed demons. That said, if CP or Deron spend the whole series on the bench while the bigs all foul out, they’re gonna wish they hadn’t wasted so many spots on PGs.
Jul.7 at 9:52 pm
Brandon Hoffman says:
“Kidd was excellent last summer, and has never lost a game in international play. He deserves to start.” AGREED. Chris Paul struggled for long stretches in 2006. His lack of size was a detriment in the much more physical international game. Greece’s guards gave him fits. Kidd’s size and experience will be huge in Beijing.
Jul.7 at 9:56 pm
Brandon Hoffman says:
And I agree that the pressure is mounting for Coach K. The 2004 was poorly constructed (AI, Starbury) so Larry Brown can’t be blamed entirely. Although I prefer to cast most of the blame on him since he played RICHARD JEFFERSON over LeBron and Carmelo! Sorry, I’m still angry about that. But the 2008 team — aside from KG & Duncan — is comprised of the United States’ very best players. There can be no excuses this time.
Jul.7 at 10:00 pm
CDef15 says:
i think the US has too much stars on their team to win it all. what ever happened to getting a good role player?, maybe someone like rip hamilton or shane battier. they also need a lot more big men. dwight howard is gonna get owned just liked he did against detroit, he is one of the dumbest players in the nba. hes just good because hes athletic, he has no clue how to play the game.
Jul.7 at 11:22 pm
Dacre says:
I want to know why it is that if the USA dont win GOLD its such a failure…? Sure you WANT to win…but nothing should be ever taken as given, other countries train, develop and implement strategm for many sports - I dont see why the USA should have ever felt they had a GOLDEN hold on basketball.
Think how often foreign players are coming up in the NBA draft nowadays…every roster has a couple of active high quality europeans/Asiatic-Oceanic/Americana types…Its not NEW people… THE GOLD MEDAL IN THE OLPIMPCS FOR BASKETBALL IS NEVER TAKEN FOR GRANTED.
Jul.8 at 12:29 am
Yunki says:
What the f*ck are you on Dacre, you don’t see why the USA should have ever felt they had a hold on basketball? Are you oblivious to the number of times USA has won Gold?
Jul.8 at 12:30 am
Yunki says:
If USA loses I will stop watching the NBA
Jul.8 at 12:48 am
Nashty says:
No way this team loses. No-freaking-way!
Jul.8 at 8:21 am
mat smith says:
i thinks its good d’antoni is assistant cos he has the most experience with the international game cos of his years in europe
Jul.8 at 8:50 am
Moose says:
but russ, look at what happened this season. he didnt do so well.
Jul.8 at 8:51 am
Moose says:
and then look at chris paul and deron williams. their years were nothing short of incredible.
Jul.8 at 9:57 am
Brandon Hoffman says:
@ Moose - The international game is night and day different from the NBA game.
Jul.8 at 11:36 am
William says:
Team U.S.A should win however it won’t be as easy as most of you think.
Why would you choose three point guards; Kidd, Paul and Williams when you have capable ball handlers in Wade, Bryant and James, but only go in with three genuine big guys; Howard, Bosh and Boozer?
The international game has many skilled big’s, they play zone which limits penetration and allows only five fouls.
Jul.8 at 9:33 pm
chintao says:
Mo Charlo===> If anybody could be more corrupt than the Chinese government, it’s the U.S. government.
Jul.8 at 9:36 pm
chintao says:
Will ===> Wipe the brown off your nose. Krzyzewski’s teams DO choke.
Jul.8 at 9:38 pm
chintao says:
Nick ===> Clanging jumpers is also contagious. If this team goes down, it will be because it goes cold from outside.