The Wizard of Westwood is in "grave" condition

[ndpruitt03]

per several reports.

[starrca23]

A great coach and an even better man.

[Mad Dog Madsen]

For those of you who don't know, legendary UCLA coach John Wooden has been hospitalzed.

http://www.lanewsmonitor.com/news/Former-UCLA-basketball-coach-John-Wooden-Is-Critical-1275656067/

[ouleaf]

"Be quick, but don't hurry." ~ John Wooden

[Sooner04]

I wonder who'll continue to put flowers on the grave of Sam Gilbert, the man who operated the slush fund at UCLA during Wooden's tenure, once the old man is gone.

Wooden was a really good coach and a good philosopher, but the DARK shadiness around his program in the 60s and 70s needs to not be forgotten.

[Mad Dog Madsen]

I wonder who'll continue to put flowers on the grave of Sam Gilbert, the man who operated the slush fund at UCLA during Wooden's tenure, once the old man is gone.

Wooden was a really good coach and a good philosopher, but the DARK shadiness around his program in the 60s and 70s needs to not be forgotten.

You could say that about alot of programs. Basketball or football. Even OU isn't squeaky clean.

[Sooner04]

Not denying that at all. But the deification of Wooden over the years has become a little old. The guy didn't accomplish squat at UCLA until Gilbert came onto the scene.

[badger]

Yeah, and Phil Jackson couldn't win 10 titles without Jordan, Kobe and Shaq, but hey, Wooden is almost 100 years old. Let bygones be bygones. While his legacy may include a few dark spots, it is the reason why UCLA fans will never get to enjoy another title run - because they expect every coach to be as good as Wooden, and when he isn't, he gets ousted :P

I almost thought Celtics fans were cursed the same way till they got lucky a few years ago. Alas, Celtics will never find another Red... and unfortunately, they found another title without him :mad:

EDIT: And yes, I know they won another title under another coach, and they have come close with others but really, the ridiculous expectations out there are pretty funny :D

[Collier11]

Can we merge these please Mods...Wooden deserves all the prayers and respect he can get


http://www.soonerfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142013

[Mad Dog Madsen]

Didn't his team(s) win like 88 in a row or something like that? Another record that will never be broken...

[Sooner04]

He's 99. That's a good life.

[Collier11]

Youre starting to take it a little far 04, show some respect or dont post in the thread, its pretty simple. You dont have to like the guy but you also dont have to post in the thread

[stoopified]

Didn't his team(s) win like 88 in a row or something like that? Another record that will never be broken...Exactly 88 from 1971-1973.Streak was broken by ND and that flying dickwheel Digger.

[StoopTroup]

I liked Wooden and have always admired how he handled himself when he seemingly had the College Hoops World by the balls.

I hope he doesn't have any pain and that he doesn't suffer as he heads towards his final journey.

[Sooner04]

Youre starting to take it a little far 04, show some respect or dont post in the thread, its pretty simple. You dont have to like the guy but you also dont have to post in the thread
No disrespect intended. Seriously.

Just saying, the guy is 99 years old. If he dies peacefully after 99 years then he is one EXTREMELY lucky individual. I've seen the other side of that, and it is awful for those involved.

[Collier11]

John Wooden has passed away, RIP!!!

[ndpruitt03]

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/news/story?id=5253601

[goingoneight]

That's one heck of an athletic department upstairs. Bud Wilkinson and now John Wooden... two streaks never to be broken. Can you imagine how much people would HATE a coach who won 10 consecutive National Championships is ANY sport today?

[Sooner95]

What a freggin bummer.. That man ruled. All coaches today can point to him paving the way and setting the ultimate standard in coaching.

RIP Coach Wooden.

[stoopified]

RIP

[Leroy Lizard]

Youre starting to take it a little far 04, show some respect or dont post in the thread, its pretty simple. You dont have to like the guy but you also dont have to post in the thread

Yeah, be classy 04!





:D