Talking Basketball with Jerry Norman, assistant to John Wooden at UCLA

Sit back and watch this fascinating interview with Jerry Norman - one of the most influential people to the UCLA basketball program. While Wooden toiled away at UCLA for almost 20 years with modest success, when Jerry Norman joined his staff, they laid waste to the record books and boosted John Wooden to the most NCAA tournament championships of any coach ever.

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[jongib369]

I respect his opinion, he has bball knowledge I could only dream of having. but to say that the game isn't any different is silly IMO. ( palming rules opening up the game, 1 or 2 hand hand checking took out etc etc) has opened up the game to what we see today...to say an average player today would be a star back in the day unless hes talking before the 60s I have a hard time believing. can you elaborate coach?

music is a joke, but 'average' player in 60's

/watch?v=m4_Hgsnncc0&feature=y­outu.be

[jongib369]

*adding to original comment*

So is he basically saying that guys like Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain etc would only be average today if an average player from today would be a star back then? Why do players like Kareem or Artis gilmore beast the league from late 60's/early 70's until late 80's? I'm not saying I know something he doesn't, that would be ridiculous... I just don't get how plenty of stars produce greatly in later era's...Another would be havlicek in the 70s

[bballbreakdown]

That does NOT work both ways.. If Jerry West had 5 months to train, he'd be a beast. And Wilt without question would be the best center today

[bballbreakdown]

I think he's right - and he was talking 50's. No question, if a guy went back in time, able to go through his legs and elevate on his jump shot, he'd be a star

[sam dale]

Coach Nick, extraordinary video. I really enjoy your love for the lost fundamentals and values of the game. I work with VABA(Virginia Basketball Academy) and the Staff and myself would love to watch a video on the importance of coach "Wooden's Pyramid of success" and what players today could learn!

-Thanks Coach Dale

[bballbreakdown]

That would be a great video. I actually had Wooden signed on, but he got sick before I could interview him..

I'll have more from Dean Smith, Tex Winter and others. I'm hoping to get Louie Carnasseca and Jack Ramsay...

[wnec12]

nice to know the history of the sport that the books won't tell, thanks coach!

[ShunyamNiketana]

I don't think he's saying that Robertson, West, or Wilt would be "average" now. He's saying that the players today are so athletic that the 6th or 7th player on a good team today would dominate physically fifty years ago, all other things being equal. For example, the walk-on for Louisville who played so well against Wichita State in the first round of the final four would be an All-American in 1963.

Yes, Havlicek would do well now because he could run so well, but he was only 6'5"..

[busterbrownation]

Well, both skill and athleticism.

As with virtually anything, as technique, teaching, drills, etc., becomes more refined, it's much easier to practice, and therefore, gain skill in.

Athleticism is another large slice of the pie, though. You talk about new breakthroughs in diet and workouts...

[weetton]

skill != athleticism

[corrugated]

Wilt would be a good center today, but Kareem even better. IMO. I think Wilt is vastly overrated, keeping in mind he was a track star athlete etc. That Sky hook of Kareem transcends anytime era.

[bballbreakdown]

I hope I can sit down and do more...

[bballbreakdown]

He graduated college in 52, so that makes him 82 or so. Really sharp -you should hear his observations of NBA teams today!

[chipboy17]

how old IS this guy? SHARP!