Each one of these men is an outstanding human being as well as a great basketball player. I remember in the 1970s when the Bruins lost a bitterly close game at Notre Dame, breaking their 88-game winning streak. The next weekend, ND played UCLA at Pauley. Coach Wooden unveiled a new starter: MARQUES JOHNSON! Marques shot the lights out that evening, and the Bruins ran the Irish out of LA! A year later, Marques was exceptional when the Bruins defeated Kentucky for the national championship, Coach Wooden's final game.
I always liked Marques Johnson. He came out right about the same time as Larry Bird, and I remember early on they were vying for Top Dog insofar as forwards were concerned, as there was a lot of hype on both guys. Obviously he wasn't Larry Bird, but he had a very good pro career in his own right.
Marques Johnson used to bust both Dr J and Larry Bird's asses! One of the most highly skilled small forwards in the history of the game! Should be in the hall, but, 1) injuries, and 2) being on the very good Bucks teams that didn't make the Finals kept him out of Springfield!
I like the variety of interviews and interviewees. Coaches with this ability to inspire and motivate have always been fascinating to me. I'm not convinced that the "pyramid" was as responsible as his motivational skills for his success. Maybe in 1960 those values & concepts arranged in that kind of hierarchy were unique, but it has to be the impact of the person that results in comments like the ones voiced here by former players.
@HoopsDiva1 , Who am I? I'm an informed observer, fan, and educator. I realize that others criticize Walton for his tendency to dominate the air waves. But in this context, while not knowing K.E. personally, I'm inferring a certain attitude on his part. I applaud the young Walton for protesting an immoral foreign policy and a secret war in Cambodia. Walton agreed to get his hair cut, and he appropriately exercised his first amendment rights. As Wilkes says, "There were real issues."
All the critics & hoopla on this simple post about Wooden and what he meant to his players/kids is about their egos and what they think. If you don't know about Mr Wooden, listen to the men who played for him and don't bother reading the posts.
The teacher does not remain the teacher throughout the totality of the relationship. The pupil can become the teacher later on.. its ok its healthy wooden would agree i think.....
This is fantastic and I watch it often. The real shame is that Coach Cal is now thought of as the best coach in college BB. What an absolute embarrassment to the game of basketball.
Keith Erickson can barely restrain his criticism of Walton for protesting the war on Wilshire Blvd, and he gets in a swipe about his long hair, too. If Walton was standing up for what he believed and if it didn't compromise the team's integrity or excellence, then more than being true to his convictions, Walton was true to Wooden's principle. Erickson, condescending, should watch The Killing Fields for a review of what our government was doing when Walton was in college. B-ball vs. war?
I hoped (and thought) that JW would never leave us. Listening to these memories reminds us that there are some truly noble human beings.
Teacher wooden was a great player in the early days of american hoop... a tenacious defender more than any other a fierce driver to the hoop..
Wisdom is not always obvious. Most times, the message is within THE message.
Kareem natural and humble and intuitive. Well read and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree. An education was of high importance for him.
Each one of these men is an outstanding human being as well as a great basketball player. I remember in the 1970s when the Bruins lost a bitterly close game at Notre Dame, breaking their 88-game winning streak. The next weekend, ND played UCLA at Pauley. Coach Wooden unveiled a new starter: MARQUES JOHNSON! Marques shot the lights out that evening, and the Bruins ran the Irish out of LA! A year later, Marques was exceptional when the Bruins defeated Kentucky for the national championship, Coach Wooden's final game.
Coach Wooden was a great teacher!!!
I'm crying like a baby. And they even mentioned Larry Hollified
Wooden defined a great human
Mr. Wooden was a college basketball icon
Just beautiful. Thanks for posting this.
Simply the greatest
Coach Wooden-the Master....
I always liked Marques Johnson. He came out right about the same time as Larry Bird, and I remember early on they were vying for Top Dog insofar as forwards were concerned, as there was a lot of hype on both guys. Obviously he wasn't Larry Bird, but he had a very good pro career in his own right.
Marques Johnson used to bust both Dr J and Larry Bird's asses! One of the most highly skilled small forwards in the history of the game! Should be in the hall, but, 1) injuries, and 2) being on the very good Bucks teams that didn't make the Finals kept him out of Springfield!
Michael S...Marques came out about four or five years before Bird did
I like the variety of interviews and interviewees. Coaches with this ability to inspire and motivate have always been fascinating to me. I'm not convinced that the "pyramid" was as responsible as his motivational skills for his success. Maybe in 1960 those values & concepts arranged in that kind of hierarchy were unique, but it has to be the impact of the person that results in comments like the ones voiced here by former players.
All of his players listen and look how they speak about John Wooden?
@HoopsDiva1 , Who am I? I'm an informed observer, fan, and educator. I realize that others criticize Walton for his tendency to dominate the air waves. But in this context, while not knowing K.E. personally, I'm inferring a certain attitude on his part. I applaud the young Walton for protesting an immoral foreign policy and a secret war in Cambodia. Walton agreed to get his hair cut, and he appropriately exercised his first amendment rights. As Wilkes says, "There were real issues."
All the critics & hoopla on this simple post about Wooden and what he meant to his players/kids is about their egos and what they think. If you don't know about Mr Wooden, listen to the men who played for him and don't bother reading the posts.
The teacher does not remain the teacher throughout the totality of the relationship. The pupil can become the teacher later on.. its ok its healthy wooden would agree i think.....
Would have been nice to identify all players
To the two people who down voted this video . . . you prove that stupidity exists
This is fantastic and I watch it often. The real shame is that Coach Cal is now thought of as the best coach in college BB. What an absolute embarrassment to the game of basketball.
where is Edgar Lacy - great forward for the '65 Bruins
lowpants94 )776
They Golden Bird will fly in our hearts forever.
Keith Erickson can barely restrain his criticism of Walton for protesting the war on Wilshire Blvd, and he gets in a swipe about his long hair, too. If Walton was standing up for what he believed and if it didn't compromise the team's integrity or excellence, then more than being true to his convictions, Walton was true to Wooden's principle. Erickson, condescending, should watch The Killing Fields for a review of what our government was doing when Walton was in college. B-ball vs. war?
^ I think Bill could take it. He sure as hell was pretty straightforward with his commentary. Read Bill Walton’s judgments on Tommy Curtis.