One incredible stat that perfectly sums up the legendary career of Coach K
The Olympics are officially underway, and there is no bigger story in Rio (besides Zika and the dilapidated Olympic village) than Team USA basketball’s pursuit of a third straight Olympic gold medal. In the process, Mike Krzyzewski is trying to wrap up an era of unprecedented success as he gets set to retire from Team USA and make way for Gregg Popovich, who will take over following Rio.
Simply put, Coach K’s run with Team USA is incredible, and prior to the Americans' opener against China on Saturday, ESPN did an incredible job of compiling stats to show how special this run has been. That includes the fact that during his time with both Team USA and Duke, Krzyzewski has coached more NBA players than 90 percent of all NBA coaches.
The mind-blowing stat accounts for his time with Team USA, as well as the 53 players he coached at Duke (as well as four, like No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram, who are on NBA rosters but haven’t yet made their debuts).
However, as good as ESPN’s list is -- and it’s great -- there is one note that isn’t included, which we wanted to know. That stat: How many current NBA head coaches have coached as many as 53 NBA players, the same number that Coach K has had at Duke alone?
The answer: Not nearly as many as you think.
According to FS1's research department, only 13 current NBA head coaches have coached more NBA players than Krzyzewski (who has never coached in the NBA). Meaning that 17 coaches -- over half the league -- have coached fewer NBA players than Coach K has.
Luke Walton- Los Angeles Lakers
Kenny Atkinson- Brooklyn Nets
David Fizdale- Memphis Grizzlies
Fred Hoiberg- Chicago Bulls
Billy Donovan- Oklahoma City Thunder
Tyronn Lue- Cleveland Cavaliers
Steve Kerr- Golden State Warriors
Earl Watson- Phoenix Suns
Mike Budenholzer- Atlanta Hawks
Quin Snyder- Utah Jazz
Steve Clifford- Charlotte Hornets
Brad Stevens- Boston Celtics
Tom Thibodeau- Minnesota Timberwolves
David Joerger- Sacramento Kings
Jeff Hornacek- New York Knicks
Jason Kidd- Milwaukee Bucks
Frank Vogel- Orlando Magic
Even when considering that Coach K has been at Duke for about 40 years, that number is incredible. It’s especially incredible when you consider the names on the list. Sure, there are some new coaches like Luke Walton, Kenny Atkinson and others, but plenty too who’ve been in the league a while like Frank Vogel (who had little turnover during his years with the Pacers), Brad Stevens, who is entering year four in Boston, and the last two NBA championship coaches, Steve Kerr and Ty Lue.
As ESPN also notes, when you factor in the 52 future-NBA players Krzyzewski has coached as part of Team USA, there are only five coaches currently in the league who have coached more NBA players than him.
Again, it’s unbelievable. And it's just one of the many incredible stats for a truly legendary coach.
Let’s see if Coach K can wrap things up in style these next few weeks in Rio.
(Thanks again to FS1’s Dustyn Waite for helping find that stat)
