Never another like him: Wooden

I've met people, one actually, who did meet John Wooden during his coaching years at UCLA. She was, and remains, in awe of the man. He was simple, down to earth and always had a friendly hello for students on campus who merely wanted to say hello. Championships or not, he was still a teacher and friend, first. Unyielding in his principles on and off the court, no doubt, but a teacher and friend.

I've often told players to 'Be quick, but don't hurry.' Yeah, I stole that from Coach Wooden. Who hasn't?

The UCLA cut I mention more than occasionally at practice? Another byproduct of Wooden. If our KAC Thunder team can run it with just half the effectiveness that Wooden's Bruins did, it would make me happier than any slam dunk. (Not that dunks are coming for our team of hustling "little" guys.)

Coach Wooden lived a long, productive life. He was human, after all, passing before he could hit the century mark. But man, he was as close to an angel in basketball as we ever had. And ever will.