tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post7173105808224240770..comments2023-11-02T03:56:06.817-04:00Comments on FeinsteinOnTheBrink: Not wanting to break the story, I can now discuss Dean SmithJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418812412651310398noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-14222331038314226332010-09-17T06:24:57.115-04:002010-09-17T06:24:57.115-04:00Well, I heard about this a while ago from my paren...Well, I heard about this a while ago from my parents but didnt think it would ever get this bad.<br /> <br />Quick story: I was volunteering at the Jordan camp in Vegas a few years ago and Coach Smith was there. Although he knew my parents, I wasnt sure he would remember me as the last time he saw me I was a little kid. When I introduced myself, he knew who I was and insisted he get a pic with Bill, Him and I. He sat and talked with me for 30 min or so. The next year he brought me that same picture back. All the while posing for yet another picture with my son which believe it or not, his middle name is "Dean". I wish him and his family all the best during these difficult times.Docnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-36935984285002202372010-07-18T13:23:56.142-04:002010-07-18T13:23:56.142-04:00Hi, my name is Corbett Foster, I am 11, and I am D...Hi, my name is Corbett Foster, I am 11, and I am Dan Foster's granddaughter. You made the right decision and handle very well. Never doubt the choice you made with your story; it was the right one.Corbett Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11087908204658531507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-58287168972048588572010-07-18T00:15:39.886-04:002010-07-18T00:15:39.886-04:00Hey John:
I respect your decision 100 percent. I...Hey John:<br /><br />I respect your decision 100 percent. It was a classy way to handle this, and a lot of others in this profession would not have sat on that story. Always admired your work going back to the days when we went head to head on a few stories when I worked at the Baltimore Sun. There's always some inner struggle in our business, as I found out when I authored "Caught in the Net" with coach Tates Locke in 1981....you did the right thing with Dean. All the best to you and keep up the great work you do.<br /><br />My best, Bob IbachBob Ibachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07680743302863461397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-45389649155607525162010-07-17T21:52:45.915-04:002010-07-17T21:52:45.915-04:00I am in the business and know a whole lot of write...I am in the business and know a whole lot of writers who would not have sat on this story for this amount of time.<br />They might not have blurted out the real story here, but would have found a a way to get it in print. I admire you for many things; this is just another. Thank you.. SammyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-42281131949737666432010-07-15T21:26:08.972-04:002010-07-15T21:26:08.972-04:00Dean Smith is truly an admirable person
a brief st...Dean Smith is truly an admirable person<br />a brief story<br />i was a young jv coach in nyc when i met him at a clinic--we spoke briefly , but we had some common friends<br />i didn't see him for years--then when he saw me at a game ,he greeted me by name and began a meaningful conversation<br />i wish him all the bestcasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10389705064432265290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-37770957607591092792010-07-13T13:28:50.790-04:002010-07-13T13:28:50.790-04:00Having gone through a similar medical situation wi...Having gone through a similar medical situation with my mother, grandmother, and father-in-law, don't ever question your decision regarding this book. You've made the right choice.ARCstatsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-12407252916028306462010-07-13T10:21:08.946-04:002010-07-13T10:21:08.946-04:00My aunt gave me an autographed biography of Coach ...My aunt gave me an autographed biography of Coach Smith in the late 70s when I was 10 or 11. He signed it "Study hard in school."<br /><br />This same aunt, as well as other family members, have memory problems similar to Coach Smith's. I can't imagine trying to write a book or interview someone in this condition. One minute they remember some minute detail from 20 years ago, the next they can't even remember whom they are talking to.<br /><br />If Coach Smith can't remember Bob Spear, then he is in no shape to reflect on his life accurately or insightfully.<br /><br />I think you have made the right decision. It's sad because while there are numerous other books about Coach Smith, you no doubt would have brought a unique perspective. Unfortunately, like so much of life, timing is everything.Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-12719997696547152482010-07-13T08:56:28.097-04:002010-07-13T08:56:28.097-04:00Book or no book, Coach Smith is a wonderful person...Book or no book, Coach Smith is a wonderful person. I had the good fortune to encounter him several times in the 1990s. He is genuine and sincere. He also has the ability to make you feel that you were the most important person at that moment you spoke with him, whether you were a star player or the person cleaning the floor. A rare and special quality that I have found in only one other person. <br /><br />One of my favorite quotes is, “You should never be proud of doing the right thing. You should just do it.” In an age where everyone wants to draw attention to themselves with the social media phenomenon, it is refreshing.Debbie Carternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-77130526987242588512010-07-12T22:37:49.025-04:002010-07-12T22:37:49.025-04:00John,
While I of course respect your decision to ...John,<br /><br />While I of course respect your decision to decline writing the book, I must confess that it is not entirely clear how you reached that decision. You state that the reason is because you would not be writing it with Dean Smith, as you had agreed. But from what you describe you you did work closely with him for a time. It seems to me like you reached the decision in a vacuum. Did you ask Smith? His family/friends? It seems out of character that you would make this decision without significant input from others who, by your accounts, feel strongly not just that the book be written, but that it be written by you. I'd be interested in hearing more about why you decided to not pursue writing a book about one of the most important people in your professional universe.DH in DCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-5186033272320450942010-07-12T19:06:14.670-04:002010-07-12T19:06:14.670-04:00Damn. I'm one of the few Duke graduates (with ...Damn. I'm one of the few Duke graduates (with completely no connections to UNC or the state of North Carolina, btw) who considers Coach K to be his second-favorite coach. Knowing what Dean Smith did outside the court was always amazing to me. As soon as I heard about the book, I knew it was going to be on my xmas shopping list a LOT someday. So sorry it's not goint to happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-7548010612706271202010-07-12T17:07:25.028-04:002010-07-12T17:07:25.028-04:00Yeah, Woodward's able to get money quotes from...Yeah, Woodward's able to get money quotes from the comatose and half dead, as I recall.charles piercenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-76497086043023936852010-07-12T16:57:12.824-04:002010-07-12T16:57:12.824-04:00Have you spoken with Dean Smith about whether to p...Have you spoken with Dean Smith about whether to proceed with the project (with him in a more limited role than originally planned)? If he says no, don't write the book, then case closed. On the other hand, he may give you the green light to go forward.<br /><br />Also, talk with Bob Woodward, and get his advice.MDBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-89570085388787064812010-07-12T16:23:02.530-04:002010-07-12T16:23:02.530-04:00John, it is very sad that you cannot write the boo...John, it is very sad that you cannot write the book you wanted but I can certainly understand. It is your life, your talents, and it has to be your decision. <br /><br />I grew up right outside of Washington DC when Lefty Driesell was in his glory at Maryland and we HATED North Carolina. I don't remember having anything in particular against Dean Smith other than the fact his team beat us most of the time.<br /><br />Then I went to college at a small school in southwest Virginia and played basketball there. The spring of my freshman year myself and some of my teammates were walking around near the library and all of a sudden Dean Smith appeared - walked right up to us. I could not believe it!<br /><br />Let me tell you, a more gracious, nice man I have never met. He spent 20 minutes just chatting with us, asking us about our team (he knew EVERYTHING about small college ball in Virginia). It was quite an experience. It turns out he was good friends with one of the professors and had just stopped in to say hi and have lunch.<br /><br />Anyway, I still root against North Carolina but I think Dean Smith is an A-1 person. I am very saddened about his health issues and I send my prayers to him and his family.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03572148982033990206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-16499222583435310252010-07-12T15:40:25.087-04:002010-07-12T15:40:25.087-04:00from a TAR HEEL to a DOOKIE the time is now to wri...from a TAR HEEL to a DOOKIE the time is now to write this book .Triadwatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01470318773895235030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-38239951471899381242010-07-12T15:18:00.997-04:002010-07-12T15:18:00.997-04:00Johnny --
That's so sad, and a tragedy with wh...Johnny --<br />That's so sad, and a tragedy with which I'm all too familiar, as you know. Here are my two Dean stories.<br /><br />1) As you know, he made a couple of mistakes in the 1977 Final game that helped Marquette and Al win their national championship. I sent him a Christmas card for the next five years. Once, he actually answered me.<br /><br />2)At the 2002 Final Four, my family and I went to Easter services at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where both Martin Luther Kings had been pastors. The new church is across the street from the one over which they presided. After services, we all went through the old church, which is now a national landmark. Inside, they pipe in recordings of Dr. King's sermons. Way in the back, out of the way, Dean was sitting by himself, listening, with his eyes closed. I've always been touched by that moment.charles piercenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-52269967547305771562010-07-12T15:12:03.833-04:002010-07-12T15:12:03.833-04:00Peripherally involved? No offense, John, but it s...Peripherally involved? No offense, John, but it sounds like you're copping out. Okay, it would have been nice for you to be able to interview the "old" Dean at length, with you transcribing all of his recollections into a nice tidy little book, just like all of your other books. That doesn't have to be the case, however. Now is the time to dig a little deeper, work a little harder, see what kind of researcher/writer you really can be if you don't have full access to your primary source material (it's not like you don't already have a wealth of information from Dean that you can draw upon). Perhaps in the process you'll surprise yourself at what you're able to produce, and write a book that would be truly worthy of Dean Smith. As Bill Guthridge says, this is an important story that completely transcends basketball.MOMUSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-71333428219774521542010-07-12T15:01:19.484-04:002010-07-12T15:01:19.484-04:00I have only observed Dean Smith from afar.... just...I have only observed Dean Smith from afar.... just like most of America, either on TV or in print. I must confess that the lions share of what I've read about him has been in Feinstein books over the years. During that time his life seemed somewhat paradoxical in that he appeared a bit paranoid, yet was absolutely fearless in doing the right thing, either morally, politically, or both. It would seem to me that sommeone who could so spellbindingly write of a dual between Rocco Mediate and Tiger Woods without EVER speaking with one of the participants, could likely come up with a comprehensive, insightful portrait of Dean Smith, given all the water that has passed under that dam in the last thirty years. Particularly with the loving assistance of so many people so close to him. This book needs to be done, and you need to get your rear in gear and do it.John from Indiananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-3018721504879517792010-07-12T13:35:58.928-04:002010-07-12T13:35:58.928-04:00Dean was all about making the world better. As mu...Dean was all about making the world better. As much as he wanted championships, he wanted to teach his players basketball the right way, and in so doing, to teach them about life as well. The positive difference he made in the lives of others is his real legacy, not the number of wins or championships. If the book would further that, then perhaps he would want it written, even without his immediate input.Genehttp://genesmith@dadscustomfurniture.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-6577966761510761872010-07-12T12:42:26.767-04:002010-07-12T12:42:26.767-04:00There's no question this would be a good book,...There's no question this would be a good book, and that you have all the information you need to write it well. That being said, deciding not to go forward is very classy on your part.Dana Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350344882342624735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980010523927297374.post-75444411731796420982010-07-12T11:15:44.660-04:002010-07-12T11:15:44.660-04:00Its unfortunate that Coach Smith's health is f...Its unfortunate that Coach Smith's health is fading....I wish the best to he and his family.<br /><br />That said, his story truly needs to be told. Hopefully you would reconsider your decision to not write it without him. Sounds like it would be a difficult task, but an important one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com