At the 2:04 mark

[mark79]

near the end of the first half was one of the most memorable moments I have seen since Carmelo. It is JB with his hand and arm tenderly (yes tenderly!) on Dion's back as if to say "son, you just did something special for us and I really appreciate your effort, talent and leadership out there" and then a tender pat on the back almost a little hug. He did not say that I am just making that up but it is one of the most "fatherly" moments I have seen between coach and player from JB in a long, long time.

 

[Banned]

I know its crazy to say but this team is buying into JB more than the 09-10 team did. That means JB can coach u on a different level than his typical dictator role. JB LOVES this team, he can be a teacher and mentor, not a disciplinarian.

 

[SkanSU]

Yes, I made mention of that in another post. I think that they (JB and DW) have both grown and there appears a genuine affection there. ... and it wasn't just last night. I think that JB will push him out the door if a good NBA opportunity presents itself. It is great to see the fantastic chemistry that is occurring within the team and between JB and the team. NICE

What I hate and I don't want to change the direction of this thread b/c it is a good one is Calhoun's approach. I think it was 2 games ago and, I believe, their last loss he came charging out on the floor at a time out to get in a player's face. To me that tells me he is losing it!! and the dour look on his face when they do a close up of him on the bench chewing his gum. I swear he looks toothless.

JB is so happy with this team ... altho he does chew players out. But you can just tell by his general demeanor. This is a great year all around.

 

[JoeSU]

I noticed that too and interpreted the it exactly the same way.

 

[texascpa]

I saw that too and the first thing that popped in my head was "damn, last year, Waiters would have been sitting on a chair and JB would be bent over giving him the riot act."

 

[CusefanATL]

Yes, I made mention of that in another post. I think that they (JB and DW) have both grown and there appears a genuine affection there. ... and it wasn't just last night. I think that JB will push him out the door if a good NBA opportunity presents itself. It is great to see the fantastic chemistry that is occurring within the team and between JB and the team. NICE

What I hate and I don't want to change the direction of this thread b/c it is a good one is Calhoun's approach. I think it was 2 games ago and, I believe, their last loss he came charging out on the floor at a time out to get in a player's face. To me that tells me he is losing it!! and the dour look on his face when they do a close up of him on the bench chewing his gum. I swear he looks toothless.

JB is so happy with this team ... altho he does chew players out. But you can just tell by his general demeanor. This is a great year all around.

The defending natl champ coach is losing it?

I hate uconn and Calhoun...but c'mon

 

[SkanSU]

The defending natl champ coach is losing it?

I hate uconn and Calhoun...but c'mon

I meant with his emotional outbursts ... maybe others have watched him closely over the years and seen similar behavior but that was very surprising to me. Compared to that JB's behavior has been subdued ... has anyone seen JB run out on the court to get in a player's face? ... and I don't care if he is the coach of the defending national champions ... Bobby Knight's behavior on many occasions was despicable and he was a ****load more successful than Calhoun. As I said it seems that, at least on that occasion, Calhoun was (yes) losing it.

and, P.S.: I'm not necessarily a Calhoun-hater

 

[dasher]

I can't say that Bob knight was a ****load more sucessful than Calhoun. They both won 3 national titles. calhoun did it at a school he built. Knight did it at a school that has basketball in it's blood!

 

[mark79]

I saw that too and the first thing that popped in my head was "damn, last year, Waiters would have been sitting on a chair and JB would be bent over giving him the riot act."

Texas, you are so right. My sense of it is that JB really pushes hard on those he feels have potential but he really rewards those who push themselves to improve like Dion. I'd be willing to be that if Paul Harris had worked as hard as Dion he would have received entirely different treatment than he ended up getting. I am SO happy for Dion. This is a true success story in the making.

 

[alphaorange]

I can't say that Bob knight was a ****load more sucessful than Calhoun. They both won 3 national titles. calhoun did it at a school he built. Knight did it at a school that has basketball in it's blood!

How have they done since Knight left? I think you undervalue him.

 

[Orangezoo]

loved that moment... we are starting to ser dion do things that only melo has done over the past decade. he is making plays, seeing the court and dominating in a way i havent seen in a while. he forced the issue a couple times but was more patient than not. that step back jumper... wow. dions the best "dude" in the country on a team the press says has no dude.

 

[DomeStranger]

near the end of the first half was one of the most memorable moments I have seen since Carmelo. It is JB with his hand and arm tenderly (yes tenderly!) on Dion's back as if to say "son, you just did something special for us and I really appreciate your effort, talent and leadership out there" and then a tender pat on the back almost a little hug. He did not say that I am just making that up but it is one of the most "fatherly" moments I have seen between coach and player from JB in a long, long time.

It was a great moment! Good observation and post.

Dion was wound up and winded as one could be at that time and JB knew it. I was wondering if he was going to sub him out for a play just to let him catch his breath but he didn't. I think he was telling him just that. "Catch your breath and settle down we don't need a foul or a turnover here, we just need to close out the half and take this lead and your team into the locker room. Make sure when we get the ball back to wind the clock down and do your thing."

That's how I read into anyway. Another point I was surprised when we got the ball back JB didn't call a TO to set up a play. He had 5 so it would have been a "free TO" anyway. I think it shows how much faith he has in Dion to improvise his own play.

 

[jordoo]

What that moment told me more than anything was that this is Dion's team now and that both he and JB know it.

 

[mark79]

Jordoo, well said. JB knows his prize racehorse when he sees one. Dion is it now. That takes pressure off everyone else as well.

 

[SteveC]

 

[Jake]

near the end of the first half was one of the most memorable moments I have seen since Carmelo. It is JB with his hand and arm tenderly (yes tenderly!) on Dion's back as if to say "son, you just did something special for us and I really appreciate your effort, talent and leadership out there" and then a tender pat on the back almost a little hug. He did not say that I am just making that up but it is one of the most "fatherly" moments I have seen between coach and player from JB in a long, long time.

I'm not sure if you guys are talking about how it was captured on TV or live at the dome. I just saw the replay on espn3 and I can tell you that it was even more interesting live. JB had a smile on his face and called Dion over. Really great moment...the TV version didn't do it justice.

 

[Cheriehoop]

I'm not sure if you guys are talking about how it was captured on TV or live at the dome. I just saw the replay on espn3 and I can tell you that it was even more interesting live. JB had a smile on his face and called Dion over. Really great moment...the TV version didn't do it justice.

What came to my mind immediately and was great to see, is that there is genuine respect and trust between them now and what a difference a year makes. It's really refreshing to see them both so open to change and to not let allow the past interfere with the future. Many people can't or won't do that.

 

[mark79]

I'm not sure if you guys are talking about how it was captured on TV or live at the dome. I just saw the replay on espn3 and I can tell you that it was even more interesting live. JB had a smile on his face and called Dion over. Really great moment...the TV version didn't do it justice.

What struck me the most is JB's physical, tender fatherly kind of contact. Almost like JB totally demonstrating to Dion (as he did to Carmelo) his total support of him.

Jake interesting that you say it was even better in person. I saw JB's facial expressions and even on TV they were not expressions I've seen in a long, long time on the basketball court.

 

[JohnCuse44]

 

[mark79]

Well done John!!

 

[DomeStranger]

Classic JB pic! +1!

 

[Toga]

Yes, I made mention of that in another post. I think that they (JB and DW) have both grown and there appears a genuine affection there. ... and it wasn't just last night. I think that JB will push him out the door if a good NBA opportunity presents itself. It is great to see the fantastic chemistry that is occurring within the team and between JB and the team. NICE

What I hate and I don't want to change the direction of this thread b/c it is a good one is Calhoun's approach. I think it was 2 games ago and, I believe, their last loss he came charging out on the floor at a time out to get in a player's face. To me that tells me he is losing it!! and the dour look on his face when they do a close up of him on the bench chewing his gum. I swear he looks toothless.

JB is so happy with this team ... altho he does chew players out. But you can just tell by his general demeanor. This is a great year all around.

and then there's Roy. Someone needs to wake him when the game is over.

 

[mark79]

I guess he just couldn't wait to get off the court...