Coach K: Final Four is College Hoops’ Best Day

Coach K Calls Final Four ‘Sacred Ground’

Legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, affectionately known as Coach K, shared his deep love for college basketball’s pinnacle event, the Final Four, during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. Krzyzewski declared the Final Four as the “best day in college basketball,” a sentiment he has expressed many times throughout his storied career.

McAfee presented Coach K with a piece of the 1997-1997 Duke practice floor, a symbolic gift that brought a smile to the Hall of Fame coach’s face. “I just got wood, you know. I got I just got wood,” McAfee joked, holding the floor piece. Coach K was visibly touched, calling the gift “phenomenal.” He expressed his intention to use the wood to “bop” during discussions, reminiscent of a traditional Duke tradition.

The Significance of the Final Four

The conversation quickly turned to the importance of reaching the Final Four. McAfee questioned whether only winning the national championship truly matters, or if making it to the Final Four is an accomplishment in itself. Coach K emphasized that the Final Four is “sacred ground” for coaches and a massive achievement for any program.

“Making it to these final four teams is an insane accomplishment. Or should we only be talking about, which we seem to only do, the national champion at the end of it and final four is just kind of a part of the process.”

He explained that while the national championship is the ultimate prize, reaching the Final Four signifies winning a region and is a banner-worthy achievement for many programs. “So many programs have never been able to achieve it. And when you do, you’re a champion. You put up a championship banner from that region,” Krzyzewski stated.

Lucas Oil Stadium: A Premier Venue

The discussion then shifted to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the venue for the upcoming Final Four. Coach K praised the stadium, calling it the “best one” and highlighting how well it is set up for basketball. He noted the atmosphere that permeates the entire city of Indianapolis during the event, making it a unique experience for fans and players alike.

However, Coach K also humorously recounted a downside of playing in domes: the requirement for head coaches to sit on a stool during games. “The only thing I don’t like about the domes is the head coach has to sit on a damn stool,” he quipped. He felt it hindered his ability to communicate with his staff and receive input during games, even suggesting it might have cost them wins.

Duke’s Enduring Fanbase and ‘Hateable’ Players

The conversation touched upon Duke’s widespread fanbase, with McAfee acknowledging that Duke has fans “everywhere, man.” Coach K agreed, noting that while they have many supporters, they also have plenty of detractors, a common trait for highly successful programs.

McAfee brought up Duke’s history of having players who were sometimes perceived as “hateable” by opponents, referencing players like Grayson Allen and JJ Redick. Coach K defended these players, explaining that their competitiveness and success often drew ire. “You’re not going to be hated if you’re not good obviously in sports,” he said. He added that these star players often took the pressure off their teammates, handling the spotlight and criticism effectively.

JJ Redick’s Coaching Transition

The discussion then pivoted to former Duke star JJ Redick and his transition into coaching the Los Angeles Lakers. Coach K expressed his full support for Redick’s move, highlighting his competitiveness, intelligence, and preparation.

“He’s so damn competitive and he’s really smart and unbelievably prepared.”

Krzyzewski mentioned that he spoke with Redick extensively when he was considering the coaching opportunity. He believed Redick’s success in broadcasting was a natural extension of his love for the game and his competitive spirit. “When we talked about, you know, he says, ‘Coach, you think I’m nuts for doing?’ I said, ‘No, you you if that’s what you want to do, you do it,'” Coach K recalled.

He also touched on the Lakers’ decision to hire Redick after Danny Hurley turned down the job. Coach K felt it was a great move by the Lakers’ front office, recognizing Redick’s deep understanding of the NBA from his 15-year playing career.

NBA Load Management and Tanking Concerns

The conversation broadened to discuss current issues in the NBA, including load management and the controversial practice of “tanking.” Coach K acknowledged that the NBA is in a strong financial and exposure position but continues to evolve.

He addressed the concerns about players resting too often, mentioning how it impacts fan experience. Richard Jefferson’s comments about players being “pampered” were brought up, contrasting modern player care with the tougher, old-school approach. Coach K suggested that former players like Jefferson, if currently playing, would likely embrace the current player-friendly environment.

Regarding tanking, Coach K noted that the league is actively looking for solutions. He differentiated between genuine rebuilding and intentional losing, citing the Detroit Pistons as an example of a team in a rebuilding phase. “There will be new policies in place to have an effect on the draft,” he stated, indicating that the league is exploring ways to ensure competitive balance.

The discussion also highlighted the difficulty for smaller market teams to attract free agents, making the draft and trades crucial for team building. The current lottery system, with its low odds for improvement through losing, was also scrutinized as a potential disincentive for tanking.

The All-Star Game and Future of the NBA

Coach K praised the recent NBA All-Star Game, calling it “a lot better this year” and competitive. He applauded the players’ association and Andre Iguodala for their efforts in making the event more engaging.

Looking ahead, Coach K expressed confidence in NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s commitment to addressing the league’s challenges, particularly tanking. “We believe in Adam Silver. We appreciate Adam Silver,” he said.

Arizona’s Caleb Love Impresses

Before concluding, Coach K was asked about Arizona freshman Caleb Love’s performance. He described Love as “spectacular” and noted his strength and ability to play football, indicating a well-rounded athletic profile.

The segment ended with a humorous exchange about Coach K’s own past athletic endeavors, with McAfee showing clips of him tackling players in football, a surprising revelation for the basketball icon.

Source: Coach K says the Final Four is the BEST DAY in college basketball 👏 | The Pat McAfee Show (YouTube)