There is no question that the NBA is a global
phenomenon, and synonymous with the sport in all corners of the globe. You
won’t stumble upon a region where people won’t recognize names such as
Magic, Jordan, Bryant, or Lebron. If you add to this the ever-growing
popularity of video game franchises such as those by 2K and EA Sports, then
it becomes obvious that no other basketball league in the world can compete.
However, just because the glamour, presentation, and
quality in other leagues might not be equivalent to that in the NBA, that
doesn’t mean that many don’t prefer other organizations. A good chunk of the
basketball viewing public in the US loves watching NCAA b-ball.
And, while the NBA is all about the players, when it comes
to college basketball, coaches are the true stars.
Mike Krzyzewski
Coach K. Even those not immersed in the sport probably know
to whom this nickname refers to. According to some, this Polish-American is the
best coach alive in all American sports. Three decades as head coach at Duke,
five national championships, and two Olympic medals will bring forward such
accolades.
Many thought it was a big gamble when he took over the US
team in 2005. Thankfully, after a rocky start, the bet paid off, and Olympic
gold was won. If you’re looking to gamble, you can find basketball-themed slots
such as Microgaming’s – Basketball Star, at one of many online casinos, such as
casimba.com. These platforms offer unmatched selections of games,
with free spin rounds, the chance to win progressive jackpots, and the
opportunity to play classic table games against live dealers. On top of all
this, they reward loyalty and provide fantastic promotional offers.
Bobby Knight
The General. Few people have been as polarizing and
intimidating as Mr. Knight. His temper, hard-nosed style, and fiery outbursts
are the stuff of legend. As was his coaching ability. In almost three decades in
Bloomington, Bobby’s Hoosiers won 10 regular-season championships and three
national ones.
In 1984, he took the US team to gold at the Summer Olympics
and is only one of three coaches to win an NIT title, an NCCA title, and an
Olympic gold medal. He is considered as one of the most innovative coaches in
college history for having popularized motion offense. If you’re a fan, you
should check out the book - A Season on the Brink.
John Wooden
You can’t have this list without – the Wizard of Westwood.
A member of the inaugural College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006, he was also
inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame way back in 1961. Having won 10
national championships, including an unprecedented seven straight, it was kind
of hard to keep him out of any HOF.
But it wasn’t just his eye for the game that made him
great. He was also a terrific motivator and
leader of men. He taught young men that academic success was more
than grades and wanted his athletes not to be winners on the court but in life.