Bobby Knight, the fiery coach who guided the US men’s basketball team to gold in the 1984 Summer Olympics and was NCAA basketball‘s frowning face, died yesterday. 83 years old.
Wednesday night, Knight’s family announced it online.
It said, “Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington, surrounded by his family, with heavy hearts that we share.” Please respect our privacy as Coach requested a private family meeting, which is underway. We appreciate all the well wishes and prayers. The amazing husband, father, friend, and coach he was will always be remembered and celebrated.
Knight was one of the most successful sports coaches after 42 seasons at Army, Indiana, and Texas Tech. Indiana won three NCAA titles under him: 1976, 1981, and 1987.
The Hall of Fame coach listened to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” to celebrate his 880th win in 2007, a Division I men’s coaching record. The coach didn’t care what others thought.
Known as “The General,” he was fired from Indiana in 2000 for his attitude. He was previously charged with hitting a Puerto Rican policeman, throwing a chair across the court, and grabbing a player’s neck.
His 1984 Los Angeles team was the last amateur American men’s basketball Olympic gold medalist. Opposition was inevitable.
Knight benched future Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and John Stockton but kept Indiana sophomore Steve Alford.
A month before the Games, the Olympic squad trounced NBA players 8-0 in exhibition play. Many pros came and went, including Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, and Isiah Thomas.
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With an average of 32.1 points per game, the US won eight straight Olympic games. The Dream Team was the only men’s team to win the Olympics with 43.75 points per game in 60 years.
Of captaining the Olympic team, Knight wrote, “I’ll never have a greater honor.” He regretted not coaching the 1980 Olympic team, which the US embargo prohibited from competing in Moscow.
Knight added that he gave each of the 12 contestants inspirational eight-by-ten and three-by-five images of an Olympic gold medal before the Games. A budget-friendly one. a mattress cover.
Future Dream Team players Patrick Ewing (11), Chris Mullin (11.6), and Michael Jordan (17.1) scored most.
Knight said, “You’re the best player, so I’ll demand and expect more from you.” I’ll yell at you sometimes when you don’t deserve it. I just chat with others.
Knight made Jordan cry after the Americans’ narrowest game, an 11-point win over West Germany, and urged him to apologize to his teammates for his six turnovers.
In March 1991, Jordan said, “I don’t know if I would have done (the 1984 Olympics) if I knew what Knight was going to be like,” according to Sam Smith’s “The Jordan Rules.”
Knight reportedly spoke with Portland Trail Blazers general manager Stu Inman six weeks before the Olympics during team training.
Knight pushed Inman, whose Blazers had the second NBA Draft pick, saying, “You have to take Jordan.”
“We need a center, Bob,” Inman replied.
Knight said, “Well, play him at center.”
The Blazers selected center Sam Bowie first, the Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon, and the Bulls Jordan at number three.
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