The NBA has appointed legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski as its particular adviser to basketball operations, the league introduced Wednesday. Right here’s what you must know:
- Within the position, Krzyzewski, 76, will “present counsel to the league workplace, NBA group executives and different leaders throughout the league on a number of points associated to the sport,” the NBA mentioned in a launch.
- Throughout his 42-year teaching profession at Duke, Krzyzewski obtained a number of alternatives to educate within the NBA however remained with the Blue Devils till his retirement after the 2021-22 season.
- He additionally coached the U.S. males’s nationwide basketball group from 2005 to 2016, main Staff USA to gold medals on the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Krzyzewski was named USA Basketball’s Nationwide Coach of the Yr a document seven instances.
- Krzyzewski is about to attend a gathering of NBA basic managers subsequent week in Chicago to start within the new consulting capability with the league.
Coach Ok named Particular Adviser to NBA Basketball Operations! pic.twitter.com/nEjguijoSb
— Duke Males’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) May 10, 2023
The Athletic’s immediate evaluation:
Why this position is smart for Krzyzewski
As a result of it permits him to scratch his basketball itch — one thing he alluded to having when The Athletic spoke to him in February — in a method that doesn’t meddle or intrude with what his successor, Jon Scheyer, is doing at Duke. He pressured throughout his transition away from teaching that Duke can be Scheyer’s program now, and stepping into the weeds there in any respect would seemingly go in opposition to these needs.
GO DEEPER
Coach K’s second act: raising funds, speaking gigs, Duke games on TV
Nonetheless, for somebody who coached for over 45 years of his life to simply stroll away and don’t have any connection to that sport is … powerful, if not borderline inconceivable. Krzyzewski clearly attends some Duke practices and maintains relationships together with his former gamers — each in school and ranging skilled ranges — nevertheless it’s kind of just like the distinction between pinch-hitting and being a fixture within the lineup. Now, he is aware of he’ll be immediately impacting the sport by way of conferences with homeowners, executives and folk in any respect ranges of the NBA.
The opposite attention-grabbing factor to observe right here is, does this foretell one thing else for Krzyzewski’s future? In his later years at Duke, Krzyzewski turned one thing of an unofficial voice for school basketball, somebody who railed in opposition to the NCAA’s shortcomings and wished protections for the integrity of the sport. Does slipping into this position on the NBA degree permit him to tip his toes into these waters, so to talk, earlier than making an attempt to do one thing comparable on the school degree? That’s hypothesis on my half, nevertheless it does make sense given his stature and curiosity in positioning the sport for long-term viability. — Marks
What they’re saying
“This can be a great alternative to deepen my connection to the NBA and take part in conversations about additional strengthening the league and the sport,” Krzyzewski mentioned in a press release. “Even in my retirement from teaching, my ardour for the game has by no means been greater. This position will allow me to remain engaged with basketball on the highest degree.”
The NBA’s president of league operations Byron Spruell mentioned: “We’re honored to have Coach Ok be a part of the NBA household and share his huge expertise and experience with the league and our groups.
“As a preeminent coach and famend chief who cares deeply in regards to the sport of basketball, he’s uniquely suited to drive discussions and supply insights in regards to the current and way forward for the NBA.”
Backstory
Krzyzewski, or “Coach Ok,” has a lifetime deal as a college ambassador at Duke and has maintained his workplace within the Schwartz-Butters Athletic Heart adjoining to Cameron Indoor Stadium. His new title with the NBA will not be anticipated to influence his position as an envoy for Duke.
Krzyzewski, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame coach, began his profession at Military (1975-80) earlier than heading to Duke, the place he constructed one of the elite school basketball applications within the nation. He gained back-to-back nationwide titles in 1991 and 1992, then added championships in 2001, 2010 and 2015.
He additionally led Duke to fifteen ACC event championships and 13 Remaining 4 appearances. His 1,202 profession wins are probably the most of any coach in school basketball historical past, males’s or girls’s.
Required studying
- Mike Krzyzewski finds purpose, peace in life after Duke basketball retirement
- The final walk of Mike Krzyzewski’s career
- The untold stories of Coach K: Wine trips, all-night film sessions and uncommon empathy
(Picture: Bob Donnan / USA At the moment)
