05:01 AM ET 03.04 | Forget the national title. That's what Texas Coach Rick Barnes said, in a way. "We would love to win a national championship, but we're not obsessed with it because we're obsessed with these guys trying to live their NBA dream. What's happened to Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, T.J. Ford -- I'd give up a national title for all our guys to be able to live their dream." Now, before everyone jumps on the "Fire Rick Barnes" bandwagon, remember he's the one behind Texas' rise to elite status in basketball. This is Barnes' 12th season at Texas. He has taken the Longhorns to 11 NCAA Tournaments, including five Sweet 16 appearances in the last seven years, two Elite 8 appearances in the past four years and one Final Four. Dallas Morning News The Link
The Link In the most recent issue of ESPN the Magazine, Texas men's basketball coach Rick Barnes was quoted saying the following: "We would love to win a national championship, but we're not obsessed with it because we're obsessed with these guys trying to live their NBA dream. What's happened to Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, T.J. Ford - I'd give up a national title for all our guys to be able to live their dream." Now, before everyone jumps on the "Fire Rick Barnes" bandwagon, remember he's the one behind Texas' rise to elite status in basketball. This is Barnes' 12th season at Texas. He has taken the Longhorns to 11 NCAA Tournaments, including five Sweet 16 appearances in the last seven years, two Elite 8 appearances in the past four years and one Final Four. The point I think Barnes is trying to get across is that he wants his players to have a future in the NBA, not that he doesn't want to win an NCAA title. I think the way he phrased it, it came off sounding wrong. Why would a coach of his stature not want to win a national title? It's what every team dreams of in every sport. But, having interviewed Mack Brown, Barnes and (baseball coach) Augie Garrido, I've gathered that besides winning games and championships, the coaches care more about what their players achieve after they've left Texas. And in order for athletes to reach those professional goals - be it in athletics or elsewhere - the coaches want to act as their stepping stones. I realize there is an easy counter-argument, however. Why would Barnes say such a crazy thing? People might think that if Barnes isn't obsessed with winning a championship then why bother coaching any top-notch program at any school? Could this attitude be the reason Texas - which arguably has wasted one of the most talented squads in the nation - has spiraled down the tube this season when they were projected to make a Final Four run?
Deloss needs to have a come to Jesus meeting with Rick. He is not paid $2 mil a year to run an NBA camp. Can you imagine what would happen if Mack Brown said something like that?
Being a goal and an obsession are two different things. I would have hoped that he had said getting the kids a degree was his first obsession rather than live their NBA dream.
Seeing these guys make it in the NBA is not my dream for my Texas basketball team. I like to see them go on and do well, but I care about my basketball team and I want them to win a championship. If that is not Rick's #1 goal, we need to find someone who has that as his #1 goal. Rick can go work with NBA prospects and help them reach their NBA goals elsewhere.
There are more than 2 scenarios so it is dumb quote. I hope Rick didn't really mean that and was using it to recruit. I pay money to have season tickets to hope the team does well and I would pick Texas basketball success over success at other levels. That doesn't mean I don't want them to have success after Texas, but as a donor and long-time season ticket holder, I am concerned with Texas basketball winning something.
I think what he is saying, is he is not so obsessed with winning a championship that he is going to try to convince TJ, Lamarcus, and Durant to return to school for another year when it is in their best interest to go to the NBA and fulfill their dream.
I know what he was trying to say, but you just dont say it like that. Im pretty sure he was speaking directly to Tristan Thompson.. Who is already committed, so he is coming. I think he just doesn't want recruits backing out of coming here after seeing us struggle with so much talent. I understand what you meant, Rick. But damn homie, dont say it like that. Dont you know HornFans will rip you apart?
Nothing in that quote says anything to the effect that he's teaching players to be NBA players and not teaching them to win at this level. The three examples cited are all people who left after or even before their sophmore years. Since he referred to those three by name, I think a fair assumption is that he was referring to decisions to enter the draft. He could conceivably be referring to adopting a method of instruction for players that doesn't care at all about team goals and merely works to develop the skills of a few select individuals for the next level, but I really doubt it. If anyone ses him, be sure to ask.
I want BOTH - to win a title and see our boys excel in the pros. Although misstated, there is a correct attitude among all 3 coaches at Texas, that they want their kids to do well after they graduate/leave Texas - they don't want this to be the best experience they have in their lives and they want to prepare them for the future. Surely, you cannot fault any of them, including Barnes for that. Maybe he's starting to realize that this team wasn't as good as we all initially thought, or they just aren't gelling, but where he's different from Mack and Augie is in this year's current ability to bring out the best in his players and instill a team-first attitude which will translate into success. If Hamilton is going to keep jacking 3's from long range, an assortment of guys are going to drive recklessly through the lane and throw up an off balance shot and Pittman continues to be completely lost in the game plan except for the times he's hacking at guys or brushing them off with an off-hand, this team is not going to accomplish anything meaningful. Get the kids to believe in team-first, disciplined basketball (which we've definitely lost sight of this season) and greatness/accolades/and the big paycheck will follow.
Rick you can always coach in the D league. That is their sole goal, to make the NBA. At TEXAS, we want a National Title!!! He needs to talk to Mack about how to do an interview cuz obviously the answer he gave unnecessarily draws the ire of the fanbase
When I hear about all the talent this team has, I have to laugh. It's like the folks raving on earlier in the season about the incredible depth on this team. A lot of potential and athletic ability at certain positions yes, but talent? Really? My interpretation of talent on the court equates to a sound all around game, not the inconsistencies and glaring deficiencies this team exhibits time after time. This combined with some players on the roster that have no business in the rotation of a ranked Division 1 program adds up to a sum total of above average at best.
Of course that is what Rick would want us to believe: The talent level is over-rated. Amazing how every publication in the country had Avery Bradley as the #1 or #2 prospect and Jordan Hamilton was a top 10 talent. Not to mention J'Covan being in the top 50-60 range. Could it possibly be the coaching once the talent gets here? Can we even consider that possibility for a second that the mighty Rick may have pissed this season away? Is it even possible?
Oh, Rick has totally screwed the pooch this year. No two ways about it. However, I still think the talent has been overrated. Bradley, who was supposedly one of the best if not THE best recruit in the country, cannot dribble a lick, he is an absolutely TERRIBLE passer and can't hit a free throw. I love the guy, but he is completely overrated. Doesnt mean he sucks, by any stretch. But, it's not like he has a John Wall like impact on the game. We have absoutely NO shotblocking presence, and as a team, we are not very good three point shooters. The only thing resembling a true point guard, could not shoot at all. Barnes has underachieved big time this year. But, to say we have top 10 talent is a huge stretch. We never had any business being ranked #1, that's for sure. It's not ALL on Barnes, but some of it is. Two of our best basketball players didn't play organized basketball last year.
bierce - are you serious? Ok, sorry, Bradley was 4th on one of your lists and 6th on the other. He was 4th on rivals as well. So, he is not #1/2, but he is top 5. But thanks for taking a completely trivial matter to attempt to take away from my very legitimate point. Updog and mars, I appreciate the well-thought out responses. Both of your posts make sense.
Generally, people aren't obsessed with things they can't do. For example, I'm not obsessed with backflips.
If Barnes indeed has been quoted in a way that doesn't come across in print the way he really feels, he should make sure he corrects it publicly. And DeLoss should ensure this happens. Hook'em!!!
As a High School coach I'd love to win a state championship, but I'm not obsessed with it. I am obsessed with my players graduating and either playing at the next level, or at the very least move on to college. I am as competitive as any coach you will find, but if I never win a state championship, and most of my players graduate and go on to be productive citizens, then I'm fine with that. I, like Coach Barnes, work everyday to figure out how to improve my team so that hopefully one day I will be able to win a state championship. But, that day may never come. Should I now expect hate mail and For Sale signs in my yard. Come on people. I think 99% of coaches want what's best for their players and then hopefully the team accomplishments will come. And to whoever said that winning a National Championship would somehow change your life......How is it going to change your life?
