Originally Posted by
MikeInNorman
......but not an issue of "coaching", per se.
In my opinion, KS is the greatest basketball coach in OU history. KS has coached over a decade's worth of OU teams, and is demonstrably not only the greatest basketball coach in OU history, but the most successful. But, here's the deal: every single one of those teams ended the season as a Kevin Sampson Basketball Team(TM), whether that meant a better record than the talent level, a worse record than the talent level, or indeed, whether the team even wanted to be a KSBBT.
A Kelvin Sampson Basketball Team(TM):
1. Plays very, very, physical defense.
2. Plays very, very, hard on defense.
3. Mentally dominates the opponent on defense with physical play and effort.
4. By God dives after any loose ball within the area code.
5. Is very, very physically and mentally tough on defense.
6. Is very, very, physical and punishing on the defensive boards.
7. In fact, metaphorically "ball dives" on the defensive boards.
8. Knows by heart really difficult defensive schemes like KS's mind-boggling match-up zone wherein sometimes it looks like a zone, sometimes a man, and always confusing to the opponent.
9. Plays very, very, hard on offense.
10. Hits the offensive boards very, very hard, and puts up very, very hard putbacks that may or may not go in.
11. By God does not turn the ball over, no matter what, unless you are the guy who gets to shoot.
12. Runs more "structured" offense than a 1953 girls basketball team.
A KSBBT must be composed of Kelvin Sampson Basketball Players (TM) KSBBPs must dedicate themseves to the accomplishment of the KSBBT goals at the exclusion of all else. Once a player proves that he is willing and capable as a KSBBP, then, and only then, does he earn enough trust and receive permission to do stuff like create and score offensively. If LeBron James was at OU, he would ride the pine until he had dived after enough basketballs.
So, why complain? This is the way Kelvin coaches, it has been very successful, and IT WILL NEVER CHANGE. In fact, unless/until the players we have become KSBBPs, we will not be successful, because no KS team can win without the above foundational traits. So, discuss Xs and Os all you like; it makes no difference at all what schemes we run, what schemes we try, what inbounds plays, what anything. These guys will either sell out to KS's system and become a KSBBT, or they won't.
But come back in late January, and we'll then be able to argue details, because KS will find the 5 guys that are the best KSBBPs, and we'll start rounding into shape.
Hopefully.