MIKE AND MIKE

in the Magazine

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THE BIG QUESTION:
The General won 902 battles, but when history is written, will it say he won the war? Mike and Mike fire away.

GREENY Bob Knight is on the Mt. Rushmore of college coaches. I don't care how short your list is, his name is on it. But I'm also relieved he got out before he did something that dwarfed the good he did. My fear was he'd end up the Woody Hayes of college hoops, stepping so far over the line that he'd obscure all the good things he did for his kids and the sport.

GOLIC He turned boys into men, and there was never a hint of NCAA violations surrounding his program. His players were true student-athletes, and that's something missing these days. The question is, Did the end justify the means? Sometimes
he did go too far, and I disagree with some of his actions. But I'd still send my son to play for Knight, knowing he'd be okay.

GREENY I would agree he came pretty close—choking Neil Reed comes to mind—hence my relief at his not staying long enough to actually cross the line.

GOLIC That crossed the line.

GREENY It crossed a line, but not so far that he'll be remembered for it over everything else. Knight stood for so many good things beyond basketball that will not be obscured. I will say this, though: I wouldn't send my kids to play for him. I admire him from afar, but he's not someone I'd want to have as an important person in my, or my family's, life.

GOLIC Knight was a coach and a teacher who loved his players and taught them about the game
and life. But it was a tough love, and not everyone agrees with that.

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THE MIKES ON … NBA DEADLINE DEALING
GOLIC The acquisition of Pau Gasol was a fantastic move for the Lakers. And Shaq—who is going to be rejuvenated by being on a good team—could give the Suns that missing piece: a big body in the middle. Now it's a matter of seeing how Dallas responds.

GREENY To me, the important thing is that these trades have renewed fan interest for the season's second half. It's been a long time since the NBA has had any meaningful deadline trades, and now we've had a few that likely will decide the championship.

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INTERVIEW THAT WON'T HAPPEN
Bill Belichick

• Why didn't you kick a field-goal on fourth-and-13?
• Can you expound on that?
• When can I get my camera back?
• Can you expound on that?
• Where did you rush off to with one second left in the game?
• Can you expound on … ah, forget it.

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