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Reactions: Bobby Knight Users upset with timing of Knight storyPosted: Wednesday March 29, 2000 10:56 PM
After a report on Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight, which appeared on CNN Sports Illustrated and CNNSI.com, users flooded our mailboxes with reactions about the story. Many users disagreed with our timing to air the story so close to the beginning of the NCAA tournament. Others were glad the issues about Knight were given more attention. A collection of some of the most interesting responses follows:
I'm an IU grad and live in Indiana. I never hesitate to say that I find Bob Knight's antics boorish and a poor reflection on Indiana University. He's a classic bully whose time has passed when it comes to coaching. I have no respect for anyone who goes through life by getting their way through intimidation of others. Having said that, I believe CNN/SI lowered itself to Knight's level by breaking this story immediately before the NCAA tournament. Why do this? I know you're in the business to sell magazines and this article will certainly achieve that goal. But why make life for the IU basketball program miserable on the eve of the most important time of their season? For heaven's sake, the story has been in the making for a year! This isn't new news. I think it's obvious that Knight's hatred for 99 percent of the media has everything to do with the timing of the publication of this article. You guys thoroughly enjoy giving back to Knight what he's been giving to you for years -- and that's a shame. Two wrongs don't make a right. I'm sorry to say that in my eyes you guys are now on the same reprehensible level that Knight dwells.
I really doubt Neil Reed's story is 100 percent accurate. Coach Knight is a person with two distinct sides of his personality, everybody knows this. But the thing I dislike is the timing of this report. Really! This happened years ago. Come on CNN/SI!
This is so annoying. Everyone in the world knows about his temper. Then they go there and they are shocked that he yells at them. If you can't handle being yelled at -- go somewhere else. I would send my boy to Indiana in a heartbeat. He is the third-best coach of all-time, behind Dean Smith and John Wooden. If you want to be babied, I am sure Northwestern could use a good player or 10. If you want to learn the game of basketball and become a better player, Bobby is the man.
I think it is nothing but irresponsible journalism on the part of CNN/SI. The malicious intent of trying to hurt a group of individuals (Indiana basketball team) by creating a distraction of this nature the week of the tournament is reprehensible. If you want to take out your vendetta against Knight, then do it at another time. The suggestion that the timing is coincidental is not only ridiculous, but also insulting to the average fan's intelligence. While Knight may deserve the criticism, the Hoosiers themselves do not.
If Bob Knight has helped raise over $5 million for the Indiana University library, it's too bad he can't take some time out of his busy schedule to check out some of the reading material to improve his vocabulary. I was always told using profanity only showed your ignorance and revealed a lack of proper upbringing. I guess Knight and President Clinton have at least one thing in common -- the rules are meant for everyone else.
I saw the report on Sports Tonight. I am not surprised by any of Knight's antics. He has done this for years. I am surprised the kids put up with it and more do not speak out against him. Why play for him? I can't believe that the president and faculty administration of IU allows it to go on without any reprimands. Why do the fans put up with it? It must have entertainment value to them. I am also surprised the media puts up with it. Why do you bother to interview him? It's the same old record playing every time -- Bobby Knight against the world or vice versa. I cannot imagine going through life being as miserable as that about coaching a game. I guess he better stay where he's at because you can't treat people like that in the real world without being fired, dragged into court, or getting your face punched in.
No, Bobby Knight is not perfect. His methods may be unorthodox and you may not agree with some of him policies. But if that is the case, then allow me to offer some advice -- don't go to Indiana University to play basketball. It is just that simple. As for you, Mr. Abbott, and the rest of the CNN Sports Illustrated staff, I would have expected such trashy journalism from Jerry Springer, not from CNN/SI. Was this story so pressing that it could not wait for release until after the tournament -- or does that not generate enough advertising revenue? Because that's all that this is about, right?
You either love him or hate him, nothing in between. He is like a snowball that has been rolling down hill so long its impossible to stop. Maybe his actions should have been nipped in the bud a long time ago. The reality is we have created Bob Knight, or at least allowed him to be Bob Knight. On one hand we find his behavior implorable, while on the other, we are drawn to his passion and commitment to the game. I can't condone his actions at times, but I find myself rooting for him. Why, I don't really know, I just do.
President Brand stated on IU's Web site that the accusations were false. Now who are you going to believe? The president of a Big Ten university, or a player who was voted off the team by his own teammates? I am disgusted with CNN Sports Illustrated. I believe an apology should be issued to Coach Knight and the team. I will no longer buy or read Sports Illustrated and will stay away from any CNN related business.
If Bob Knight just looks at someone crooked it's a nationally televised event! Any other coach could kill someone and it wouldn't even get noticed? That's because the media (CNN/SI included) don't go to an Indiana basketball game to cover the game -- they go to pick Bob Knight to death. And whatever happens, no matter how small and insignificant, it gets blown way out of proportion. I see Gene Keady throw his jacket at almost every game but it is never mentioned? Why not? If Knight did it, the media would call for his resignation! I think that the media feels that they will get more attention bashing Knight than they would just covering sports. Tom Tibbett, Lafayette, Ind.
Even though I know this won't be printed, I am going to say it anyway -- you people there at CNN/SI are a disgrace to the sports reporting industry. To come out with this story right before the tournament shows your complete disregard for the Indiana program and it's players and coaches. Coach Knight is a good man and human being. Just look at the players you interviewed! Neil Reed, an underachiever for three years at IU. Richard Mandeville, a career bench player, and Charlie Miller, a player who never played up to expectations. Now, if I were a player like those guys, I would be upset too that I didn't get more time, which is why they have decided to come out and speak against coach Knight. Why don't you interview ex-players such as Isiah Thomas, Calbert Cheaney or Landon Turner? Ask them their opinion too! Or would it take away the impact of this "story?"
I think you guys should start a supermarket magazine that would compete with the "Star" and "Globe". Your timing and sensationalism on this subject is terrible. You have a bunch of good kids trying to concentrate on the tournament and then CNN/SI has to act irresponsibly like this. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
This report makes me sick. Bob Knight should be kicked out and prosecuted for violence. Violence in sports is clearly a growing problem and we now see where it's directly coming from. Eventually, the victims of Bob Knight's violence will spill their frustrations over into their own personal lives which will result in others being abused physically and mentally. If I were a student at Indiana University, I would leave today!
Back when I was a senior in high school, if Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight recruited me, my only question to him would be, "Coach, do you want me to crawl to Bloomington or is it OK if I walk." That was 20 years ago. Today I would still do whatever it takes to learn real basketball from Bobby Knight. All the boys complaining are exactly that -- BOYS. Get the pampers off!
What a shock -- CNN/SI gets the story on the Hoosiers wrong again. I guess that's why I dropped my subscription to your ad-heavy, insight-light magazine when I was in high school. The story this year is that A.J. Guyton is an All-American. The story this year is that the Hoosiers, written off by you gurus in the media, have done far more than anybody expected. The story is that A.J. Guyton has moved into fourth place on IU's all-time scorers list, and Mike Lewis has taken over from Quinn Buckner the mantle of IU's all-time assist leader. The story this year is that Guyton, Lewis, Lynn Washington, Larry Richardson, and Luke Jiminez will walk out of Bloomington with their degrees. The story is not Neil Reed or his player-abusing father or his outright, crybaby lies. Congratulations, CNN/SI.
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