Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)
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It's Guy West's Third Year: Fortune or Fallout?
Normally it is considered a compliment to be compared to Larry Brown -- but the comparison makes fans in Manhattan, KS excited and queasy. The legendary College and NBA coach was known as a master recruiter, nurturer, and tactician. Brown constantly found ways to make this teams greater than the sum of his parts.
The comparison fits Guy West well. Although West was not involved in basketball at all when he joined Norfolk State -- allegedly to keep the seat warm for another coach -- he learned on the job quickly and brought in quality talent. He had a strong piece in Kyle O'Quinn and guided the school to their first two NCAA berths. At Drexel, West inherited a team with some great role players and one superstar: Femi Ramsey. He turned a hard-luck mid major into a National Champion and helped Ramsey unearth all of his potential.
Of course, that is the rosy side of the Larry Brown comparison. Those familiar with Brown know that he has a tendency to butt heads with players and personnel, a desire to have his own people in place, and a wanderlust where he constantly had eyes other coaching positions. There is a reason Brown took so many teams to the Tournament or Playoffs -- he was constantly switching teams.
See why fans in Manhattan, KS may think the comparison hits a little too close to home?
Granted, circumstances are different with the Wildcats than other teams. West just signed an extension, so maybe he isn't leaving straight away. But the signs are all there. The "my way or the highway" approach to coaching, while very successful on the court, has created tension that has followed West throughout his career. He has had players transfer out of his program or go behind his back and try and get him forcibly removed. He has a tendency to alienate those who are not on board with his program. No one can question his ability to build a team -- both Drexel and Norfolk State have been incredibly successful years after West's departure. But is there a cost for collecting so much talent?
Arguably, yes. Look at West's performance at Norfolk State his third year: in the first year the team was predominantly West's players, the Spartans failed to make the NCAA Tournament and were knocked out of the NIT in the first round. And how about his final year at Drexel, where Ramsey returned for his senior year and West had finally brought in his own players to surround the NBA ready center? Not only were the Dragons knocked out of the CAA Tournament, but they collapsed in the NCAA Tournament due to lack of focus and free throw shooting when they had the talent to make it to the Final Four.
West's teams seem to peak in their second year, and then the distractions start. At Norfolk State & Drexel, there was always the prospect of West bolting to another team. And when locker room problems emerged, it seemed like West was more apt to try and let players police themselves while he looked for a way out.
Which, in a way, brings West's tenure full circle to Larry Brown. There is no question that if West's career continues to be so enchanted that he has the potential to be an all-time great coach. But after so many years of strong recruiting at Kansas State, will he finally be able to take a team of his players to the next level? Or will they flame out and under-perform like West's other squads have in similar circumstances? And what if the Wildcats succeed? West said the reason he came to Kansas State was for the challenge. Will the tug of other "challenges" cause him to leave the bench in Manhattan?
There's a lot to feel good about at Kansas State entering the season. There are lots of talented new faces to match up with West's returning young studs. But fans in Manhattan may want to carpe diem and hold on tight to to the present. If past is prologue, and sometimes that is exactly what it is, the good times might already be over with an NIT Championship. And if they aren't and Kansas State reaches new heights this year? Then how long before West gets the itch and starts eying another team?
There are clouds on the horizon -- are they storm clouds, or the soft covering of a valley full of promise? With West, the answer is probably both.
_____It's Guy West's Third Year: Fortune or Fallout?
Normally it is considered a compliment to be compared to Larry Brown -- but the comparison makes fans in Manhattan, KS excited and queasy. The legendary College and NBA coach was known as a master recruiter, nurturer, and tactician. Brown constantly found ways to make this teams greater than the sum of his parts.
The comparison fits Guy West well. Although West was not involved in basketball at all when he joined Norfolk State -- allegedly to keep the seat warm for another coach -- he learned on the job quickly and brought in quality talent. He had a strong piece in Kyle O'Quinn and guided the school to their first two NCAA berths. At Drexel, West inherited a team with some great role players and one superstar: Femi Ramsey. He turned a hard-luck mid major into a National Champion and helped Ramsey unearth all of his potential.
Of course, that is the rosy side of the Larry Brown comparison. Those familiar with Brown know that he has a tendency to butt heads with players and personnel, a desire to have his own people in place, and a wanderlust where he constantly had eyes other coaching positions. There is a reason Brown took so many teams to the Tournament or Playoffs -- he was constantly switching teams.
See why fans in Manhattan, KS may think the comparison hits a little too close to home?
Granted, circumstances are different with the Wildcats than other teams. West just signed an extension, so maybe he isn't leaving straight away. But the signs are all there. The "my way or the highway" approach to coaching, while very successful on the court, has created tension that has followed West throughout his career. He has had players transfer out of his program or go behind his back and try and get him forcibly removed. He has a tendency to alienate those who are not on board with his program. No one can question his ability to build a team -- both Drexel and Norfolk State have been incredibly successful years after West's departure. But is there a cost for collecting so much talent?
Arguably, yes. Look at West's performance at Norfolk State his third year: in the first year the team was predominantly West's players, the Spartans failed to make the NCAA Tournament and were knocked out of the NIT in the first round. And how about his final year at Drexel, where Ramsey returned for his senior year and West had finally brought in his own players to surround the NBA ready center? Not only were the Dragons knocked out of the CAA Tournament, but they collapsed in the NCAA Tournament due to lack of focus and free throw shooting when they had the talent to make it to the Final Four.
West's teams seem to peak in their second year, and then the distractions start. At Norfolk State & Drexel, there was always the prospect of West bolting to another team. And when locker room problems emerged, it seemed like West was more apt to try and let players police themselves while he looked for a way out.
Which, in a way, brings West's tenure full circle to Larry Brown. There is no question that if West's career continues to be so enchanted that he has the potential to be an all-time great coach. But after so many years of strong recruiting at Kansas State, will he finally be able to take a team of his players to the next level? Or will they flame out and under-perform like West's other squads have in similar circumstances? And what if the Wildcats succeed? West said the reason he came to Kansas State was for the challenge. Will the tug of other "challenges" cause him to leave the bench in Manhattan?
There's a lot to feel good about at Kansas State entering the season. There are lots of talented new faces to match up with West's returning young studs. But fans in Manhattan may want to carpe diem and hold on tight to to the present. If past is prologue, and sometimes that is exactly what it is, the good times might already be over with an NIT Championship. And if they aren't and Kansas State reaches new heights this year? Then how long before West gets the itch and starts eying another team?
There are clouds on the horizon -- are they storm clouds, or the soft covering of a valley full of promise? With West, the answer is probably both.
. Everything looks amazing!
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