He is one of the first names that come to mind when it comes to basketball coach in America: Who is Bobby Knight?
The basketball world lost one of its legendary names. American coach Bobby Knight passed away. His nickname was "General". It is not known whether he took this name because he started his coaching career at the Military Academy or because of his great idol, General Patton, but it is certain that he made valuable contributions to modern basketball.
Knight peaked his career at Indiana University. With his successful results, he was appointed head of the American National Team in the 1984 Olympics, and while he reached the gold medal with the team that included names such as Pat Ewing and Chris Mullin, as well as the only 20-year-old Michael Jordan, he showed us matches that were extraordinary to watch.
While the players on that team dominated the NBA in the following years, Knight repeatedly said, "That was the Real Dream Team." Even the fact that he went to the games with a red v-neck sweater, the color of Indiana, rather than a jacket and tie, set him apart from the others.
Robert Montgomery Knight (October 25, 1940 – November 1, 2023) was an American men's college basketball coach. Nicknamed "the General", he won 902 NCAA Division I men's basketball games, a record at the time of his retirement, and sixth all-time at the time of his death.
So, what were the characteristics of this man whom most basketball authorities call "half crazy"?
First of all, discipline. He was incredibly tough on his players. For him, the integrity and success of the team were always more important than individuals. He could not restrain his anger; His arguments with the referees often turned into shouting matches (he once threw his chair onto the field) and he was frequently sent off. Their relations with the media were at a level that we can call disgraceful. He intimidated even his assistants with his authority.
Young people ask, "How did such a character become a legend?" I can almost hear you say. Let me tell you briefly: He was a tough but solid educator. Over time, he gained an appreciation for his management of one of the programs with the highest graduation rate in the League of Colleges, his insistent follow-up of his students after graduation, his help when they were in trouble, and his efforts to do this without announcing it.
On the field, he was more like an inventor than a coach. The training programs and especially the team defense principles that the General used in the 70s are still in the bedside notes of most coaches today. He is the inventor of the indispensable elements of modern basketball such as the weak side, strong side, ball side, pressure on the ball, and passing channels.
He not only put forward these concepts but also underlined and developed them with incredible work. Considered the father of defense, Knight made another move in the 80s. This time, he brought a new dimension to the attack with the concept of "motion offense". This order, which is based on reading the defense and acting accordingly, was strange at first, but later it became successful.