Is Duke's Coach K really upset with President Obama?
So is Coach K really criticizing President Obama?
Well, depending on what website you go to this morning, you could sure read it that way.
The right side of the web is pointing to comments Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski made yesterday as kind of a slap-down on the president.
They're saying that the coach was being critical of the president's interest in the tournament when there are more pressing matters at hand.
Fun?
Is it that or was Coach K having some fun because the Big O didn't select Duke to go deep? Further, he picked Duke's nemesis, the University of North Carolina, to win it all.
FOX News played it up with this headline: "Duke coach to Obama: Worry about the economy, not NCAA picks"
And they reported the coach's comments this way:
"Somebody said that we're not in President Obama's Final Four, and as much as I respect what he's doing, really, the economy is something that he should focus on, probably more than the brackets," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said from the Blue Devils' first-round site in Greensboro, N.C.
Gray Lady
The New York Times captured the same quote but called it a "lighthearted moment."
But since they have zero cred with the right, we'll dismiss them for now.
Media Matters
The guys over at Media Matters, admittedly a watchdog for the left, say media outlets are leaving something out -- like what the coach said next.
They write:
"But Krzyzewski was smiling as he said that, and his very next words -- not reported by the AP or Fox -- were 'Why would i care about that? I love the guy, and I think he's gonna be great.'"
Video
Media Matters has no credibility with the right either. And FOX News has no credibility with the left. So who's right?
You gotta watch the video. Our verdict is that the coach was just having some fun.
UPDATE:
President Obama was asked about Coach K's remarks today in an interview with radio talk show host, Ed Schultz. The Atlantic reports that Obama wasn't surprised that Duke's coach didn't like his NCAA picks.
"Coach K, I think, is a great coach, and you know Reggie Love, my assistant, played for Coack K, and so, you know, it's not surprising--I didn't take them to go to the finals. Look, you know, he's a competitive guy. I just don't think they've got the inside game to go all the way, but I look forward to him proving me wrong."
