Showing posts with label John Wooden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Wooden. Show all posts
10.24.2020
Those Southern Californians, They're So Laid Back
While we are on the subject of Bill Walton, I found this little tidbit that is slightly disturbing.
John Wooden coached UCLA for 27 years, beginning in 1947, and won 620 games, 10 national titles (including seven consecutive titles from 1966-1973) and 88 straight games at one point.
Gene Bartow replaced "The Wizard of Westwood" in 1975, and led the Bruins to a 52-9 record during two seasons as head coach. But Bartow could not replicate Wooden's penchant for winning titles and left the program amid threats to take his life if he continued coaching at the school.
I guess UCLA students don't apply their "Life is a Beach" approach to winning basketball programs that fail to net national titles.
7.19.2018
Wooden and Walton: A Relationship Remembered
June 6, 2010
Bill Walton arguably was John Wooden’s greatest player at UCLA, and there were several to choose from. Bill Walton inarguably was John Wooden’s greatest pain in the neck, the oil slick on the great basketball coach’s pristine seas.
While playing for Wooden at UCLA from 1971-74, the Helix High graduate became a rebel, a vehement Vietnam War protester, and the coach, who passed away Friday at the age of 99, didn’t exactly find Walton’s political leanings interesting or appropriate.
7.13.2018
Ramsay, Wooden, and Walton
June 6, 2010
It was always startling, never surprising, for the high school coach to look up and see the historic but humble man in the corner of the gym, doing what he loved. That would be watching young people practice basketball.
Tim Wolf found his way to the bench at Martinsville High 23 years ago and soon after discovered that one of the great coaching perks in America came with the job. John Wooden, a Los Angeles institution but an Indiana lifer, loved to come home.
7.12.2018
Walton and Wooden Reunite
One molded young men into the greatest winning tradition his sport has ever known. The other became the best player in America.
John Wooden and Bill Walton. Is it really 20 years since they took their act to the top of the polls?
5.17.2017
Walton and Wooden -- Almost as Good as Auerbach and Russell
Midway through the second half of the 1973 NCAA Tournament championship game at The Arena, UCLA guard Greg Lee spoke up during a timeout.
"Greg said to Coach Wooden, 'C'mon Coach, we've got a 20-point lead, can somebody else besides Bill shoot for a while?'" recalled the subject of Lee's plea, center Bill Walton. "And Coach Wooden looked around and said, 'Why?'"
9.21.2016
Walton to Wooden: Maybe You Should Coach the Celtics
June 29, 1986
It has been a year now since Big Red met Little Red. A year ago here, at a celebrity tennis tournament, Bill Walton phoned Red Auerbach to talk business, and it was love at first sound.
"It was like being recruited by UCLA," Walton said the other day. "As soon as (the Boston Celtics) started talking to me, I said: 'Gosh, that's what I want to do. I want to be part of that.' "
It has been a year now since Big Red met Little Red. A year ago here, at a celebrity tennis tournament, Bill Walton phoned Red Auerbach to talk business, and it was love at first sound.
"It was like being recruited by UCLA," Walton said the other day. "As soon as (the Boston Celtics) started talking to me, I said: 'Gosh, that's what I want to do. I want to be part of that.' "
4.07.2016
Walton, Russell, or Kareem?
March 12, 2000
The living room, hallway and den are decked with pictures from his 10 national championship teams at UCLA, plaques, letters, books and artwork, as well as photos of his late wife, Nell, two children, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
4.30.2014
Remembering Wooden
June 6, 2010
LOS ANGELES - The Portland Trail Blazers were making their first trip to Boston in the Bill Walton era, and I was witness to a fascinating ritual.
Walton came out of the scrimmage, removed his shoes, and loosened his laces. When it was time to go back in, he meticulously retied the laces with the precision of an artisan.
When the practice had concluded, I introduced myself to him and asked the question.
"Why did you untie your laces?"
6.05.2010
4.05.2008
Speaking of Wizards, What about the One from Westwood...
The Wizard's Wisdom
John Wooden was known as the "Wizard of Westwood," and he conducted himself much differently from many of today's coaches. He didn't pace the sideline in an expensive suit, eager to bend a ref's ear. He didn't give motivational speeches before a big game. Instead, Wooden sat stoically on the bench, with his trademark rolled program in hand.
Wooden's team played in the Final Four for the first time in 1962. In the succeeding years, his UCLA Bruins would reach the Final Four nearly a dozen more times, winning 10 national titles in the process. Nobody in today's game has come close to that standard.
Much of Wooden's genius happened on the practice court, away from the cameras and large crowds. Bill Walton, one of his star players, remembered UCLA practices as high-paced sessions peppered with such maxims from Wooden as:
*"Never mistake activity for achievement."
*"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."
*"Discipline yourself and others won't need to."
Years later, Walton found himself writing those same lines on his kids' lunch bags before sending them off to school.
A soft-spoken man with deep religious beliefs, Wooden believed that he had a responsibility to teach his players more than the pick-and-roll or how to solve a full-court press. In his Pyramid of Success, he lists such attributes as poise, team spirit, self-control, friendship, loyalty and enthusiasm.
He was intent on passing along those to his players as well.
"Coach taught us self-discipline," wrote Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, another UCLA star and Hall of Famer. "To this day I can see my coach, calm and confident, twisting a game program between his hands, showing that he shared the players' excitement."
Wooden once told National Public Radio: "I seldom was ever off my seat on the bench during the game. I'd tell them, 'Don't look over at me. I prepared you during the week. Now, do your job.'"
John Wooden was known as the "Wizard of Westwood," and he conducted himself much differently from many of today's coaches. He didn't pace the sideline in an expensive suit, eager to bend a ref's ear. He didn't give motivational speeches before a big game. Instead, Wooden sat stoically on the bench, with his trademark rolled program in hand.
Wooden's team played in the Final Four for the first time in 1962. In the succeeding years, his UCLA Bruins would reach the Final Four nearly a dozen more times, winning 10 national titles in the process. Nobody in today's game has come close to that standard.
Much of Wooden's genius happened on the practice court, away from the cameras and large crowds. Bill Walton, one of his star players, remembered UCLA practices as high-paced sessions peppered with such maxims from Wooden as:
*"Never mistake activity for achievement."
*"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."
*"Discipline yourself and others won't need to."
Years later, Walton found himself writing those same lines on his kids' lunch bags before sending them off to school.
A soft-spoken man with deep religious beliefs, Wooden believed that he had a responsibility to teach his players more than the pick-and-roll or how to solve a full-court press. In his Pyramid of Success, he lists such attributes as poise, team spirit, self-control, friendship, loyalty and enthusiasm.
He was intent on passing along those to his players as well.
"Coach taught us self-discipline," wrote Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, another UCLA star and Hall of Famer. "To this day I can see my coach, calm and confident, twisting a game program between his hands, showing that he shared the players' excitement."
Wooden once told National Public Radio: "I seldom was ever off my seat on the bench during the game. I'd tell them, 'Don't look over at me. I prepared you during the week. Now, do your job.'"
Walton and Wooden Health Update
Bill Walton Pinched Nerve in Back
Luke Walton said his father, Bill, still is recovering from a pinched nerve in his back. "His back is all jacked up," Luke Walton said of his father, an All-American at UCLA and a member of the Hall of Fame who now works as a television commentator.
Bill Walton has remained at his San Diego, Calif., home during his recovery."He's going through a tough time right now," Luke Walton said. "He can't go into the arenas and sit in those chairs. He definitely can't get on a plane. He said that's the most painful thing. He can barely get into a car right now."
Walton, playing in an era when freshmen were not eligible for varsity competition, was UCLA's starting center for three years. He helped the Bruins to an 86-4 record, back-to-back 30-0 seasons and two national championships.
John Wooden Broken Wrist & Collar Bone
John Wooden's daughter, Nan Muehlhausen, said that her father is doing much better and an irregular heart beat discovered last month is now under control. He recently had to have a blood transfusion.
The 97-year-old Wooden fell at his Encino home on Feb. 28, hitting his head and breaking his left wrist and collarbone.
His wrist is in a cast and his arm is in a sling.
Former UCLA players Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Warren and Andy Hill have also stopped by to cheer up Wooden. Bill Walton has called him or emailed him just about everyday.
Luke Walton said his father, Bill, still is recovering from a pinched nerve in his back. "His back is all jacked up," Luke Walton said of his father, an All-American at UCLA and a member of the Hall of Fame who now works as a television commentator.
Bill Walton has remained at his San Diego, Calif., home during his recovery."He's going through a tough time right now," Luke Walton said. "He can't go into the arenas and sit in those chairs. He definitely can't get on a plane. He said that's the most painful thing. He can barely get into a car right now."
Walton, playing in an era when freshmen were not eligible for varsity competition, was UCLA's starting center for three years. He helped the Bruins to an 86-4 record, back-to-back 30-0 seasons and two national championships.
John Wooden Broken Wrist & Collar Bone
John Wooden's daughter, Nan Muehlhausen, said that her father is doing much better and an irregular heart beat discovered last month is now under control. He recently had to have a blood transfusion.
The 97-year-old Wooden fell at his Encino home on Feb. 28, hitting his head and breaking his left wrist and collarbone.
His wrist is in a cast and his arm is in a sling.
Former UCLA players Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Warren and Andy Hill have also stopped by to cheer up Wooden. Bill Walton has called him or emailed him just about everyday.
3.02.2008
Coach Wooden Update
Wooden on mend, feeling well
Former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden might be released from an area hospital on Wednesday, his daughter Nan Muehlhausen said.
Wooden, 97, was feeling well Monday and had lunch in a chair in his hospital room. He fell in his Encino condo on Thursday and broke his wrist and collarbone. Doctors are still trying to manage the pain with different medications, which have made him drowsy, Muehlhausen said.
"He had a little bit of a rapid heart rate (on Sunday), but the cardiologist has been in," Muehlhausen said. "He's fine now.
"His vitals are good. He's doing well considering his age."
A cast around Wooden's wrist had to be removed because of swelling, and his wrist was wrapped in a bandage on Monday. He'll be fit for a plaster cast before he leaves.
Bruins coach Ben Howland visited Wooden on Monday.
You can email him your well wishes here:
http://www.coachwooden.com/
Former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden might be released from an area hospital on Wednesday, his daughter Nan Muehlhausen said.
Wooden, 97, was feeling well Monday and had lunch in a chair in his hospital room. He fell in his Encino condo on Thursday and broke his wrist and collarbone. Doctors are still trying to manage the pain with different medications, which have made him drowsy, Muehlhausen said.
"He had a little bit of a rapid heart rate (on Sunday), but the cardiologist has been in," Muehlhausen said. "He's fine now.
"His vitals are good. He's doing well considering his age."
A cast around Wooden's wrist had to be removed because of swelling, and his wrist was wrapped in a bandage on Monday. He'll be fit for a plaster cast before he leaves.
Bruins coach Ben Howland visited Wooden on Monday.
You can email him your well wishes here:
http://www.coachwooden.com/
Wooden Remembers Knight
Before unexpectedly resigning this month, Bob Knight was believed to be the last active coach to have matched sideline wits with John Wooden.
Wooden was 62 and Knight 32 on March 24, 1973, when reserve guard Tommy Curtis scored 22 points to help UCLA to a 70-59 victory over Indiana in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament.
Asked his recollections, Wooden said, "I remember Indiana had closed the lead to a couple of points in the second half and they had the ball. One his players drove baseline, only to be called for a charge when Bill [Walton] stepped in his way. Bob complained about that call for the rest of the game. It would have been Bill's third or fourth foul. Instead, the momentum shifted back in our favor. Bob was quite upset. I do remember that."
Two nights later, in the tournament's first Monday night finale, Walton scored 44 points and UCLA routed Memphis State, 87-66, for its seventh consecutive NCAA title and the 75th victory in its 88-game winning streak
Wooden was 62 and Knight 32 on March 24, 1973, when reserve guard Tommy Curtis scored 22 points to help UCLA to a 70-59 victory over Indiana in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament.
Asked his recollections, Wooden said, "I remember Indiana had closed the lead to a couple of points in the second half and they had the ball. One his players drove baseline, only to be called for a charge when Bill [Walton] stepped in his way. Bob complained about that call for the rest of the game. It would have been Bill's third or fourth foul. Instead, the momentum shifted back in our favor. Bob was quite upset. I do remember that."
Two nights later, in the tournament's first Monday night finale, Walton scored 44 points and UCLA routed Memphis State, 87-66, for its seventh consecutive NCAA title and the 75th victory in its 88-game winning streak
3.01.2008
Get Well, Coach Wooden
When Mr. Walton comes to visit, consider his well wishes from all of Celtic Nation.
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