Knight Line

A few things you probably didn't know about Bob Knight's contentious Sept. 12 interview on ESPN.

COACH'S CALL
Knight had a hand in selecting his interviewer. His first choice was ESPN analyst Digger Phelps, a close friend, who brokered the interview. But ESPN nixed that idea and offered Knight three alternatives: veteran SportsCenter anchors Bob Ley and Dan Patrick, and Jeremy Schaap. Knight choose Schaap. "Bobby just hates SportsCenter" says Phelps. "Plus, Dick Schaap is a friend of his, so he thought he'd do his kid a favor."

TEAM HUDDLE
Just before the telecast, Knight met at home with Phelps, new Pacers coach Isiah Thomas, former Bloomington sportswriter Bob Hammel and Knight's lawyer to make up list of talking points for Knight to stick to. Phelps also warned Knight to control his temper.

DADDY'S BOY
An ESPN producer warned Jeremy Schaap that should Knight get upset, he'd take swipes at him relating to Schaap's father. Sure enough, at one point a testy Knight told Schaap, "You've got a long way to go to be as good as your dad." Says Schaap, "We were ready for that. Still, that was a real cheap shot."

NO LOVE
When the interview was over, Knight refused to shake Schaap's hand. He left immediately, not bothering to wait for Phelps, who appeared for five minutes on ESPN afterward.