Who would want to play for Kim Mulkey ? ESPN

[Plebe]

That is, indeed, a terrible article. My favorite part is when he uses an awful quote from Nicki Minaj, but attributes it to her in a different paragraph so that anyone casually scanning would believe the words came from Kim Mulkey.

Seriously. I'm imagining this discussion in the "Andscape" newsroom:

Editor: "This is a fantastic piece, Writer-With-An-Axe-To-Grind! But since you're framing the piece around the question 'Who would want to play for her?', journalistic ethics would suggest you should seek quotes from some of the many dozens of players who have actually played for her over the past 20-plus years."

Writer: "But that would defeat the purpose of my hit piece. Why don't I just include some random quote from a Nicki Minaj song and pretend that it's relevant?"

Editor (while eating another donut): "Okay fine, whatever."

 

[Bigboote]

The main thing that stood out to me was the word "complicated" because it's the best description of her in my opinion. That's how she is and how she will always be. You either like her or you don't.

I'm right there with you. I still have a lot of respect for Mulkey, but I just couldn't stomach her after the "punch 'em in the nose" event.

But then I saw her soon after her daughter Makenzie lost a baby. I just couldn't bring myself to continue such strong dislike for someone going through the pain Kim was so obviously feeling. I'm still not crazy about her, but she bleeds just like anyone else, and when her heart breaks, it breaks just like anyone else's.

Yeah, I guess I'm a softie, but I yam what I yam.

 

[cancontent]

I'm right there with you. I still have a lot of respect for Mulkey, but I just couldn't stomach her after the "punch 'em in the nose" event.

But then I saw her soon after her daughter Makenzie lost a baby. I just couldn't bring myself to continue such strong dislike for someone going through the pain Kim was so obviously feeling. I'm still not crazy about her, but she bleeds just like anyone else, and when her heart breaks, it breaks just like anyone else's.

Yeah, I guess I'm a softie, but I yam what I yam.

Correction, you're human and empathetic. Being empathetic doesn't mean you like everything about a person. It just means you can see the other side of things.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

This is a terrible article about Kim Mulkey. LSU coach Kim Mulkey and a history of callousness

Not technically an ESPN article?

 

[Gamecockfan77]

You haven't a clue! At present there are only two schools who could possibly win three NCs out of the next five years! They are LSU and So. Carolina, but the odds of that happening are out of sight. The "turmoil" as you've referred to LSU's problems won't be a concern depending on how far the teams goes in March (with or without Reese). NIL, the transfer portal, and a coach's winning record will also be big factors in recruiting.

Now how did you pick those as the only two?

 

[CL82]

The problem I see with "she wins" is that there are many more options to WCBB programs that have raised their level of play and the universities are more apt to fund the right way. The days of Mulkey, Geno, and Pat Summit and those like them being able to dominate are gone. This is a new era and the old school way that used to work....won't. I really believe the NIL puts players in a stronger position than the coaches. It's coming to those who are not willing to change. That is my opinion.....

Wow, I like how you took what is a readily apparent hit piece against Mulkey as an opportunity to smear Auriemma by association.

 

[cancontent]

Not technically an ESPN article?

Isn't Andscape one of ESPN's various divisions/brands of journalism? Like ESPNW?

 

[triaddukefan]

Do you have a daughter that plays basketball?

I respect the coach that Mulkey is, but my dislike of her goes back 42 years.

Ha. I don't have any children. I reread what I wrote. I should have said IF I had a daughter.

 

[JellyBean]

Pretty tacky article to be honest. Coach Mulkey said it best a few years ago about there being "a perception out there about me that everybody has that's so not real. But I'm OK with that because these kids that play for me, the coaches that coach for me, my family that knows me (knows)" That speaks volumes. Agree or disagree with Mulkey, love her or dislike her, there is something admirable about a woman being unbothered by the criticism and narratives others have written for her. Coach Mulkey is always going to keep it 100 with people.

 

[triaddukefan]

There's an old saying, Every Knock Is A Boost. So I wouldn't look too badly upon this coverage hurting WCBB. And, I was just teasing you regarding your daughter.

I was amazed last week when the Reese/Mulkey saga was featured on a segment on CBS Sports Radio last week. A National Sports talk Show that is 99.9% about men's sports.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I was amazed last week when the Reese/Mulkey saga was featured on a segment on CBS Sports Radio last week. A National Sports talk Show that is 99.9% about men's sports.

I know it got mentioned on Pardon The Interruption, might've been on Around The Horn as well. Daily sports talk shows on ESPN.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Ha. I don't have any children. I reread what I wrote. I should have said IF I had a daughter.

Oh ok; I was about to give Dawn your number.

 

[Gordo]

Now how did you pick those as the only two?

I threw darts at a college dart board!

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Isn't Andscape one of ESPN's various divisions/brands of journalism? Like ESPNW?

I didn't realize it was a rebrand of the Undefeated.

I guess it's ESPN in the same way Grantland was ESPN, which is to say a separate editorial shop with a common owner who cross- promoted.

I didn't care for the article but much of what it presented are things that make me not care much for Mulkey so I guess it was a point of view.

 

[Gordo]

I didn't realize it was a rebrand of the Undefeated.

I guess it's ESPN in the same way Grantland was ESPN, which is to say a separate editorial shop with a common owner who cross- promoted.

I didn't care for the article but much of what it presented are things that make me not care much for Mulkey so I guess it was a point of view.

It wasn't written so that you would like Mulkey! Totally the opposite.

 

[DallasDomer]

I wouldn't want my daughter to play for her.

Nor I. She does win but it takes a certain personality to want to play for her. Her biggest attraction now is LSU's nil pool, her history, willingness to schedule weak non conference, and her cut throat attitude towards opponents and any of her own players she's not pleased with. There are many coaches I respect more and not for their wardrobes.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

It wasn't written so that you would like Mulkey! Totally the opposite.

I knew and didn't like those things already, I guess is my point.

Definitely a hit piece.

 

[Jmsdawg]

Just a tawdry smear piece that reads more like a social media post by a South Carolina or Tennessee fan. The bar for "sports journalism" just fell another few notches.

Totally agree. I think a post like that could be written about any top notch coach in any sport.

 

[Tngamecock]

Pretty tacky article to be honest. Coach Mulkey said it best a few years ago about there being "a perception out there about me that everybody has that's so not real. But I'm OK with that because these kids that play for me, the coaches that coach for me, my family that knows me (knows)" That speaks volumes. Agree or disagree with Mulkey, love her or dislike her, there is something admirable about a woman being unbothered by the criticism and narratives others have written for her. Coach Mulkey is always going to keep it 100 with people.

Not a Mulkey fan, but the article was a nothing burger with ketchup.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Totally agree. I think a post like that could be written about any top notch coach in any sport.

Uhm, no. What are they going to say about Dawn vis-a-vis her players? They all love her. Some have questioned Tara's substitution patterns or playing time choices, but I've never heard ANYTHING like this about Tara. Or Scott Reuck. Or Cori Close. Or Geno. Nor have (or would) any of them double down and defend their university in the face of a massive sexual assault coverup scandal.

Sorry, but Mulkey is not like the rest, and there's a reason why this narrative dogs her in a way it doesn't anyone else.

 

[oldude]

So let me chime in here. Above all else, Kim Mulkey is a fierce competitor that will do just about anything to win. The situation with Reese being suspended for 4 games against a tray of cupcakes, and then being eligible tonight for the game against 9th ranked VA Tech brought to mind another Mulkey decision a few years back.

In the 2021 Elite 8 game, with Baylor holding a double digit lead over UConn, Didi Richards went out with an obviously bad injury to her hamstring. Led by Paige, UConn went on a 19-0 run to retake the lead. During that run, Mulkey was frequently shown on camera screaming at Baylor’s trainer to get Richards taped up and back in the game.

Richards was subbed back in the game, dragging her leg around the court for several minutes before Mulkey realized she wasn’t very effective and mercifully took her out. The potential to Richards of incurring a more serious injury was clear. I was shocked that Mulkey would put a player’s health and safety at risk, regardless of the situation.

The comparison between Bobby Knight and Mulkey is apt IMO. Knight and Mulkey are both winners, and for many fans, that’s all that really matters.

 

[nwhoopfan]

The comparison between Bobby Knight and Mulkey is apt IMO. Knight and Mulkey are both winners, and for many fans, that’s all that really matters.

AFAIK Mulkey has only been known to toss jackets. She really needs to step up her game and move to throwing furniture around if she wants to be compared to Knight. Not nearly as adversarial with the media either. I'll never understand how Bobby got as much of a pass as he did for a pattern of absolutely terrible behavior. "Yeah, but he wins" isn't a good enough explanation for me.

 

[oldude]

AFAIK Mulkey has only been known to toss jackets. She really needs to step up her game and move to throwing furniture around if she wants to be compared to Knight. Not nearly as adversarial with the media either. I'll never understand how Bobby got as much of a pass as he did for a pattern of absolutely terrible behavior. "Yeah, but he wins" isn't a good enough explanation for me.

Mulkey can be pretty darn adversarial with the media when she doesn’t like a question, as we’ve seen repeatedly over the past few weeks. But as far as coaches behaving badly, unfortunately we live in a society where a whole lot gets overlooked so long as a coach puts W’s on the board.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

Read through these posts and the ESPN article.

I wasn't a fan of Kim's at all for many years. She won and I knew she was a heck of a coach but she never struck me as someone who I'd ever want to work for or be with in meetings. However, when she won the 2019 title I sensed there was something about her that softened a little and I perceived it was the pain of losing a grandchild and the joy of having one come along. She seemed appreciative and more reflective on the success she just had. Her move to LSU was probably the best for both she and Baylor and suddenly she's a champion again, and last spring I sensed she was glowing in a way after winning that showed she appreciated the moment in an even different fashion.

I think the media painted her more harshly over Griner and Reese than was necessary. Her Griner remarks were poorly worded yet not surprising given her demeanor and disposition. The deal with Reese was largely a media creation. Year ago Gail G. at Duke suspended Lindsay Harding, the starting PG, an entire season for some reason and I don't recall their being that much outcry even after she wouldn't really say what happened. McGraw suspended McBride for the 2011 ND run to the NC game and never gave a public reason to my knowledge. Reese just happened to be the MOP for the winning team and is a social media darling with NIL deals and a strong following. Whatever the reason, there isn't any explanation Kim owes the world. I also felt the press basically forced her into a corner over the Griner situation because, for some reason, she was supposed to have an opinion even after she refused to give one. Her refusal clearly meant she wanted Griner to stay in prison and never come home (sarcasm but that's what was surmised).

None of my explanation means people should like her for being her but rather this is who she is and every big time coach, Geno included, has their faults. Would I want my daughter to play for her? I don't have one and the answer is I don't know but I've not given it any thought until last night and this morning.

Basketball, with the portal and NIL, is becoming a yearly contract deal where there are almost a roster of free agents who will largely turn over at season's end. Recruiting as we knew it is gone forever so I wouldn't worry about her ability to attract recruits as they will come if they want to be part of what she's building and if they don't they will go elsewhere.

 

[Frankus]

I don’t like her over the top attitude- often playing the victim and/or just ultra defensive- but her track record on the court speaks for itself, and she gets elite players to play hard and win at the highest level wherever she goes.

I think her biggest asset is translating her energy, focus and intensity to her players performance. Due to her persona, I suspect her players know what they are getting into, but sign with her because they believe she’ll bring out the best from them on the court and that they’ll win at the highest levels. It’s hard to argue that she doesn’t.

 

[DallasDomer]

I don’t like her over the top attitude- often playing the victim and/or just ultra defensive- but her track record on the court speaks for itself, and she gets elite players to play hard and win at the highest level wherever she goes.

I think her biggest asset is translating her energy, focus and intensity to her players performance. Due to her persona, I suspect her players know what they are getting into, but sign with her because they believe she’ll bring out the best from them on the court and that they’ll win at the highest levels. It’s hard to argue that she doesn’t.

I think she recruits better than she coaches/motivates. Having to bench Reese to get her going is a failure on Mulkey's part. She asserts it all stays in the locker room and then publicly sets her out? That's just the opposite of keeping issues within the team.

I've seen lots of coaches talking loudly to players and sometimes the player transfers but I do not recall a suspension (even though she won't call it that) from a top tier coach.

I have 3 daughters and I would have fought tooth and nail to keep them away from Mulkey based on her coaching and her response to the Baylor sexual assaults. That is likely why I really can't stand her.

 

[GoCardinal]

After catching up, my main question is who has Kim Mulkey developed? To be frank, I also think calling her “real” when she’s misspoken on several issues like sexual assault and COVID is strange. Wins are great and often allow folks to have longer of a proverbial leash. However, it’s naive to think her privilege in other aspects doesn’t provide her with a certain level of protection.

 

[willtalk]

Fans are big hypocrites when it comes to applying standards to coaches. Once a coach gets a certain national image, justified or not, the just get heaped upon the rest of their careers. Personally I believe each coach has their own style along with the positives and negatives tha come with it. Their is room for coaches with all sorts of systems and styles but it seems that some people have major issues and if the do not exist create them with coaches that do not fit their own opinion of how they should run a program.

As the title of this tread suggests, those who do not want to play for a coach do not have guns held to their heads. With the transfer policy as it is now, it is easy for players to transfer. Fans need to keep their personal issues with a coach separate from their jobs as coaches.

 

[Baylorfan]

The problem I see with "she wins" is that there are many more options to WCBB programs that have raised their level of play and the universities are more apt to fund the right way. The days of Mulkey, Geno, and Pat Summit and those like them being able to dominate are gone. This is a new era and the old school way that used to work....won't. I really believe the NIL puts players in a stronger position than the coaches. It's coming to those who are not willing to change. That is my opinion.....

I’m no Mulkey fan, but she is the reigning national champion. so it may not be working for Geno anymore , but unfortunately, it is still working for Kim. I’m burned by her nasty exit from BU.

 

[bballnut90]

After catching up, my main question is who has Kim Mulkey developed?

Brittney Griner improved leaps and bounds while at Baylor. She was raw as a freshman offensively and turned into a powerhouse on both ends by her junior (and senior year).

Lauren Cox also improved leaps and bounds over her career after a slow start where she looked nothing like the #1 recruit.

Odyssey Sims also improved greatly while at Baylor, both as a PG and as a scorer.

Others include Nalyssa Smith, Queen Egbo, Kalani Brown, Alexis Morris, Kristy Wallace, Niya Johnson, and Sophia Young. If people are looking to discredit Kim as a coach, player development isn't the area to do it.