Given the uncertainty about Phil Jackson’s return to the Lakers and Coach K’s long-time friendship with Kobe, the rumor mill has suggested lately that the head coach of the Blue Devils could be pondering a move to L.A. Coach K already kindly declined what was then the richest coaching offer in American sports history in 2004 to coach the Lakers, so it was no surprise to hear him state at his summer press conference yesterday, “I will never leave Duke until I finish coaching.”
With 29 years in the books at Duke, Coach K is excited to hit the three-decade mark and beyond. He stated about round two of the Laker rumors, “Not that it’s so bad, but I’d rather not go there at all. I don’t want my Duke team — not necessarily my basketball team, but my Duke team, the community — to feel like you’re looking at other things. I’m getting ready to start my 30th year at Duke, and I don’t see the finish line yet. I know the finish line will be there sometime, but it’s not in my vision right now.”
Coach K also addressed the USA Basketball National Team coaching position and noted that the next coach would be announced officially on July 21st in Las Vegas. The Hall of Famer has been offered to continue as National Head Coach, but has not yet given any indications publicly which way he is leaning. He has said that if he does continue with USA Basketball, he has to make sure he does justice to “all three — family, Duke, USA Basketball.”
“If I do it again, it’s not going to be the same experience, which is good, because in order to have that, you couldn’t recreate that experience,” Coach K said. “So what would the new experience be like? Whether you’re a player or a coach, it’s going to be different, and each of the guys who are making decisions as far as if they’re going to play have to look at it that way. The great thing about it is, there’s a camaraderie there, and it’s been a good thing.”
Coach K also discussed the team and his excitement about newcomers Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly, and Seth Curry. When asked about the guard situation, he noted that we have a versatile roster and he’s never been a fan of labeling players as specific positions. He said the team was at its best last year when the ball was in Jon Scheyer’s hands more frequently and also that Kyle Singler would be used almost exclusively on the perimeter. In general, Coach K was fired up about his guys, the season ahead, many seasons ahead at Duke, USA Basketball — And not Hollywood…
Tags: Coach K
