INDIANAPOLIS -- Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in February that it would be easy to say "Nyet' if the New Jersey Nets contacted him about coaching their team, which they will reportedly do.
But he said it wasn't so easy to turn down the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004.
"I was more than tempted. I seriously considered it,'' he told a mass of media Sunday as his team prepared for tonight's national championship game against Butler. "One, because it was the Lakers. Mitch [Kupchak, the GM] is great. It would have been an opportunity to work with Kobe [Bryant]. He and I are very close.
"I guess because I did not accept it, it really speaks to, you know, how much I love Duke and college basketball, but especially Duke. When we were talking a little bit earlier, a few minutes ago, about commitment -- Duke has been committed to me when I wasn't with Knight and Rupp and those guys [as far as win totals]. They were committed to me when we were 38-47. Just from where I'm from, whatever, that will never leave my heart, that type of commitment.
"So I'll be at Duke even after I stop coaching. You know, that's where I'm gonna be."
Citing unnamed sources, NorthJersey.com reports that incoming Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov will offer Krzyzewski between $12 million and $15 million to be the team’s head coach and perhaps its general manager. Despite the paycheck, it could be a hard sell -- the Nets own the NBA's worst record, and are a far cry from contending for titles.
Last summer, Krzyzewski -- who is also the head Olympic coach -- said he will spend the remainder of his coaching career at Duke.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at
Comments
Doubtful
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 15:43 — roiHe's got things at Duke that even the Net's money can't buy. That's a great position to hold. It's certainly worthy of Coach K and what he's done for Duke in many ways.
OTOH, it's hard to say the school isn't committed when the incoming president has to march across campus, kiss your ring, and beg you to stay, lol.
1998
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 12:58 — unc098Good point on the possibility of his desire for a different challenge, however I think if he decided to go "pro" it would probably be with an elite traditional power. He also gets to have his NBA fix coaching the Olympics so in some ways he gets the best of both worlds.
Coaching the Olympic team...
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 13:30 — UNC1998is kind of like coaching an all star game. The difference is national pride. If he can see the difference, and would accept the challenge of building a contender. With both the Nets and Knicks stinking right now.....one will improve and can lock up an advantage in that division. I'm not claiming to be an expert or in his head, but I will say coaches in general have a burning fire of competition in their bellies. Coach K is no different. If they win tonight he'll have a big decision to make. Anybody can say "sure" to coaching the LA Lakers. A coach with confidence and desire might also look at the Nets as an opportunity to prove possible what has been impossible to this point.
I would never say never but
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 20:06 — unc098I would never say never but I agree with Roi that he probably has everything he needs in Durham.
Saban wasn't leaving, either..
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 11:38 — UNC1998Duke's coach is a college basketball icon. If they win tonight he will have cemented himself as an alltime college coaching great. Could it be said that if he doesn't try the Association he' timid? It's a different game, and they wouldn't be playing for national pride. It's about $. If he goes it will be about $, but maybe it will also be about him testing himself in a new setting.