Knight comments from Dick Vitale

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published February 5, 2008

Comments from Dick Vitale, ESPN analyst

Knight's legacy:

"He graduated his players but never once faced NCAA violations. He won more games than any in the history of the game, and he really did it, as Frank Sinatra said, My Way. That epitomized Bob Knight.

"To me, what he did at Texas Tech was really special because it is so difficult (there); it's not a basketball hotbed, and to compete with Kansas and Oklahoma and Texas in the Big 12 is so, so difficult, and sometimes that leads to frustration and leads to situations where you just get worn out. I don't know it (haven't talked to him yet), but it's my gut feeling (that's why he resigned now).

"I know what a competitor he is. I know how badly he wants to be the best. I told him on numerous occasions, 'Bob, what you're doing is so special, winning 20 games (there).' But it was never enough. He wants to cut the nets down.

"I don't think this would have happened if ... his son wasn't anointed already as the coach.'

Will the game ever see another coach like Knight?

"No. He's unique. He's just about getting in the gym, rolling up the sleeves and busting your gut. ... He's from the old school, and it made no difference if you're a superstar or the last kid on the team. He was going to bust your gut every day."

Brian Landman, Times staff writer

[Last modified February 5, 2008, 01:12:30]