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| | Friday, September 8 User reactions to Knight interview | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ESPN.com After ESPN's Roy Firestone and Digger Phelps interviewed Bob Knight, ESPN.com wanted to know what users thought about it. Did opinions of Bob Knight change? Did the Indiana coach say something that surprised some? Here's a sampling of how users responded: I admire Bob Knight for having the courage to sit through an hour of what he knows are going to be hard-hitting questions. I can't say he answered all of them with a direct answer, but that was a tough situation for anyone to sit through. President Clinton definitely wasn't able to do it. Brian Kitchens Dallas I felt the interview went in coach Knight's favor the majority of the time. Yes, he could have appeared more contrite, but that would have been an act. He was the same Bob Knight I have been watching grant interviews for years. Only time will tell if he can pull this off, but for the sake of Indiana University and college basketball I hope that he will. If anyone can, he can. I would really miss the intrigue he grants college basketball and would feel sorry for the man who would have to replace him.
Vincennes, Ind. The responses were predictable. The proof will be in Mr. Knight's actions in the future. I am so sick and tired of the behavior of sports personalities in today's society. Every individual, regardless of their status or position in life should be held to the same standards of accountability. Mr. Knight's prolonged and excessive aggressive behavior warranted a one-year suspension and counseling. Steve Buttimer Clifton Park, N.Y. The interview was soft. I applaud the interviewers for asking the tough questions. But, I was extremely disappointed that they allowed Knight to dance around the issues. My feelings toward Knight were confirmed in that he doesn't think that he's wrong. "Pride goes before the fall." Knight's arrogance will be the source of his demise. Tasha Ann Arbor, Mich. Last night's interview was some of the most entertaining television I've ever seen. Bob Knight is a jerk, but a jerk that was allowed to turn into a monster because nobody ever held him accountable for his actions. Therefore, Indiana is partially responsible for letting the Bob Knight situation get to where it is today. That being said, I feel that the university made the proper move by giving him a much overdue warning and giving him a chance to change his ways. Until last night, I didn't realize how enjoyable this could be! Digger asked him some pretty prying questions in that interview...ones that Bobby would not have tolerated a few months ago. You know that he wanted to strangle Digger, you could just see it in his eyes. Watching him bite his lip and put on a happy face made me laugh throughout the entire interview. Please show as many IU games as possible this year and keep the camera on Bobby. I'll be watching! Jim Murray Jacksonville, Fla. Still arrogant and belligerent. R. Talbot Tallahassee, Fla. I think the whole interview was stupid. ESPN seems to be making a big deal of this. I have played for high school and college coaches who screamed, grabbed, and even threw temper tantrums. Is it right? Who knows. I do believe the kids today are a bunch of wimps. They cry about everything. What Knight did was wrong, but I believe it happens. What about the pros? What happens when Bill Parcells abuses a player? True, Knight is a bully, but the kids who play from him are treated like gods. They eat the best food, get the best medical treatment, and all the breaks when it comes to classes. So the kid got his feeling hurt. Report on sports and leave Bobby alone. Let the university handle it -- they pay his salary. Marvin Franklin Raleigh, N.C. The President of IU stated that he gave Bob Knight a second chance based on Bob Knight's sincere reaction to his concerns. Bob Knight does not sincerely believe he did anything wrong. He still says he overreacts "when he is right." He says he is good "most of the time." It's the times that he is not good that are the problem. I want Bob Knight to acknowledge his mistakes not try to diminish their importance. He just does not accept that he is way out of line. His reaction is "I haven't killed anyone." Well, isn't that a nice low bar to set as the standard? He always claims that he is a teacher and he is teaching his players about life as well as basketball. Well he seems to be teaching one or two players a year that if you find yourself in an abusive relationship -- GET OUT. Jamie Ramaker Oakland, Calif. Knight's response to the Neil Reed issue is that the allegations don't completely match up to what the video shows. A) If he didn't watch the video, how does he know what it shows? and B) Isn't that kind of like saying: "the prosecution says I shot the victim four times, but the video tape clearly shows I only shot him three times. Therefore I'm not guilty."? Bob Springer Palm Harbor, Fla.
In my opinion the ESPN interview shows the Bob Knight still doesn't understand what he does that affects people negatively. I think the most telling aspect of the interview was his refusal to view and comment about the Neil Reed tape although he claims he had watched it privately after the practice. His unwillingness to comment on it publicly, even to refute what is on the tape by explaining the context of the situation, continues to demonstrate his unwillingness to accept that he might be the problem and not that so many others are out to get him. With his current attitude and arrogance, I believe that while the description of his legacy might entail comments such as great coach, top five in wins, NCAA champion; it might also include mean SOB, couldn't control his anger, and was eventually an embarrassment to the IU program. Ron Burke Roseville, Minn. Isn't it amazing, yet typical, that the public and even some members of the media attacked Digger and Roy for the "softness" of their questions right after the interview? Both men did a good job handling a man about as tame and predictable as Fusaichi Pegasus. Bobby Knight held true to his character, except he was a little "kinder and gentler" by not tossing Digger and Roy out of the gym for asking questions he didn't like. What did people expect of the interview? Bobby Knight is not going to be broken down on national television by a sports reporter/commentator/former coach. He's not going to cry and say, "forgive me for I have sinned." What ESPN, Digger, Roy and Bobby Knight did yesterday was put in place a public record of foundation which the coach, by his own words, will be committed to for the rest of his coaching career. For us sports fans, it also was interesting to hear not only what he had to say, but also how he said it. Can he live up to the new standards? From a coaching aspect, in the heat of the moment I think Bobby Knight would willingly end his career and explode to prove a point -- that he is right and you are wrong. He appears to be just that passionate about basketball. As an Indiana native and fan, I'm embarrassed by some of the things he has done, but as a person I admire his courage under fire and the passion he has for the love of the game. Hats off to all three men and ESPN for an interesting hour. Kudos to the university president for not firing Bobby Knight and putting him on a game-by-game, day-by-day probation. Kudos also to the media. You've all just helped send Indiana basketball viewership and ticket sales through the roof! Jackie Harrison-Martin Detroit I thought that he dodged a lot of the questions that Roy and Digger asked him. He never said sorry at the end of the interview. They gave him the opportunity to but he decided not to. David Ray Dublin, Ohio I love Bob Knight and I'm not even a Hoosier fan, or basketball fan for that matter. I think Bob Knight's interviews are the most entertaining time and time again, bar none! Also, I had a coach like Bob Knight (physical, loud, berating, etc.) in college. I took to that type of coaching very well. This kind of stuff happens every day all over the country. Bob Knight is not the only person getting physical with a player. Bob Knight is old school and I love it. He teaches toughness. At least that's what I learned from my coach, how to be tough. I thought the interview was great! Bob Knight's answers are always so frank and entertaining, he keeps me laughing. Graham Kuhn Atlanta, Ga. Now that Bob Knight has admitted to the world his imperfections and problems, I think it's time we all let him do his job: coach Indiana University men's basketball. The most significant thing Roy Firestone and Digger Phelps did last night was allow Knight to speak his mind. They didn't back down from him or act as if they were intimidated by him. They did their job, which was to ask the proper and important questions...and they let Knight answer them. No, Knight didn't formally apologize for his actions toward Neil Reed, Jeanette Hartgraves or anybody else. But I don't think that was or should have been the purpose of the interview. Bob Knight believes that he can corral this thing and continue coaching. It's time for the rest of us to let him do just that. Bruce Ciskie Duluth, Minn. I thought Knight was hilarious. He basically thumbed his nose at each question with a smirk or funny answer. He played Phelps and Firestone like a master angler playing a fish. Congratulations Bob, I'm going to like this "new" Knight just as much as the old one. Clyde Farley Kermit, W.Va. I was slightly against the position taken by the Indiana University commission because the apology by Knight seemed very artificial and more obfuscatory than anything else. Then I watched the interview, where questions of his conduct were turned back onto the questioner, where he claimed that everyone has problems with temper, and that, lo and behold, he actually has kept his in check for the last 12 years. Now I believe he needs to be removed for his own safety and those of the people around him. The man is in denial and needs some serious psychological help. Even if he breaks Dean Smith's record, his legacy will always be throwing things at a defenseless woman, choking one of his players and his antics in Puerto Rico. He might be "The General" but anybody who truly cares about Bob Knight the man should be able to see his "motivational tactics" are loud and pronounced cries for help. His interview clearly showed he has no idea of the extent or the repercussions of his actions. Fred Perry Raleigh, N.C.
I think Roy Firestone needs to take some lessons from 'Ms. Manners.' His constant interruptions of Coach Knight and attempts to "bait" him into making him angry reminded me of Jim Gray's interview with Pete Rose. It really took away from what would have been an interesting discussion. Steve Hickey San Jose, Calif. I didn't think the interview went well. The two interviewing were too soft and appeared a little afraid they might offend Knight. Knight made light of their questions in several cases and tried to joke with them about their questions. This was an indication things were going his way. Nice try -- you lose. Larry Page Knightstown, Ind. My commentary is biased. I am a 20-year fan of the Indiana basketball program, and coach Knight in particular. I write this just to be straightforward and fair to anyone who might read my comments. Coach Knight is not a monster. The Firestone interview further confirms this. He flies off the handle and makes very big mistakes. Coach Knight is not a criminal. He goes overboard in his dealings with those who now pass for journalists. Coach Knight is not in need of being fired. He needs to manage his voracious temper and dial back the intensity of his interactions with newspaper writers and television reporters. Jon Michael Los Angeles I thought Roy and Digger were very straightforward and asked the questions that needed to be asked. I don't think Roy should've cut Knight off on the occasions that he did. I know Roy explained that he wanted to get in all of his questions, but he still should've let Knight finish his answers. I am surprised that Knight did not make a public apology last night when he had the perfect opportunity. He says that he has made individual apologies to those he feels he wronged, but I think the public needs to hear "I'm sorry" from him also. He is on public display the majority of the time when his teams play and the youth of today sees his outbursts. I don't think it's too much to ask that he apologize. Chris Augst Rocky Mount, N.C. I believe Roy Firestone erred greatly in not viewing the Neil Reed video prior to conducting his interview. That would seem to be fairly basic background research. It was, in my opinion, very poor preparation on Mr. Firestone's part. Why was their no issue raised regarding only writers who have historically backed coach Knight being present for this interview? Candidly, my opinion of coach Knight was not changed by the interview. He has been allowed to act by his own rules of comportment for most, if not all, of his time at IU. Mike Ward Weston, Fla. I thought I was watching an intervention with Roy and Digger acting as the 12-step program leaders. I fully expected Knight's wife, kids, assistant coaches and players to line up around him and haul him away to some anger management center in Idaho. It was painful to watch and not what I expect from Roy Firestone ... Digger sounded like Knight's father or something. The General must have been thinking 'who are these guys to talk to me like this?' Bobby gets mad, curses and yells just like everybody else. You know who needs anger management? Try Bobby Huggins in Cincinnati. Daniel Vaughan New York City I like Bob Knight. I think he's a great coach. I like that he's "old school." I like that he graduates his players. I think that there are a lot of people out there who want to like coach Knight for some of the same reasons I do. There's one problem though: Bob Knight. He could have been a stand-up guy about everything in the interview, but clearly he was not. If he would have admitted his mistakes specifically, and made the apologies he needed to make, I think Bob Knight could have ended up (assuming of course that he follows the no-tolerance policy) one of the most beloved coaches to coach the game. I, for one, am rooting for him. Patrick Williams College Station, Texas This whole Bobby Knight situation is a joke. I played Division I college basketball and professionally overseas. I grew up watching Bob Knight humiliate and abuse players and everyone applauded his style. I've never encountered a Bob Knight type in my life but if I did you better believe what Latrell Sprewell did wouldn't have been a first. Bob Knight is fortunate he didn't encounter what P.J. Carlesimo did in pushing Spree over the edge. I saw P.J. doing that Bob Knight stuff first-hand every year we played Seton Hall. Coach Knight, your style is outdated and I hope you don't experience a "Latrell retaliation" before you leave. Go and get with P.J. and grow up, there is no place for your actions. D. Smith New York City After seeing the interview, my feelings about Bob Knight have not changed that much. I still feel that he is one of the greatest coaches of all time, and I still feel that the media has blown much of this way out of proportion. There's no reason that he should have been expected to apologize to his supposed "victims" on ESPN. If he apologizes to anyone, it should expected to be done in private, and it's no one's business. He will easily be able to conform to the "zero-tolerance" policy. The media paints this picture of Knight as an out-of-control ogre, unable to surrender to some innate appetite for destruction. He's a very smart man, and I'm willing to bet that he can control his temper. The only problems that Knight might have are with the media. Every reporter in the country is going to try to be the one that coach Knight blows up at -- which is ridiculous, but likely. Andrew LeMar LaGrange, Ill. Coach Knight is still a very arrogant man. His refusal to make a public apology (only the one through his press secretary) as well as his refusal to apologize to Neil Reed leads me to believe that he will never change. He needs to get out of the public eye, to become a "normal" person again, and enjoy life. Good luck. Greg Pyle Muncie, Ind. | ALSO SEE Knight says he needs to control temper 'all the time' Katz: Off-the-court behavior matters Chat wrap: Phelps, Firestone on Knight AUDIO/VIDEO  The tale of the tape between Roy Firestone and Bob Knight.wav: 1316 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Can Bob Knight handle the "zero tolerance" policy?wav: 908 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||