Larry Krystkowiak: media backgrounder
- Coached here at the University of Montana for two seasons, going 42-20, not 42-40 as the Milwaukee Bucks Media Guide indicates. He led the Griz to two consecutive NCAA Tournaments and won one tournament game. His biggest wins come over Stanford and Nevada.
- Big Man on Campus. This is the best article I've found on Krystkowiak. It describes the emotion and fire he brings to a team. Just read the first couple paragraphs and tell me he won't be good for an underachieving Bucks team.
- Krystkowiak to guide UM men's basketball. Story on his return to Missoula as a coach instead of a player. Should be taking the same approach to turning the Bucks around.
- "A lot of it has to do with being prepared and finding the right approach. Experience is fantastic, but I think you can get a lot accomplished by being organized and efficient. I think I have what it takes in terms of being organized and getting the program back on track."
- Old school battle: Krysko, Griz have tussled with these Dawgs before. In the '05 tournament, the Griz had many bracketeers on edge has the Griz hung with the Washington Huskies for most of the game. This was largely due to Krysko's coaching. He plays like he coaches and this article describes how he played — and brawled — against the Huskies in 1985.
- Griz basketball wrapup — More than imagined. A reflection piece on LK's best season as a head coach.
- Awakening The Griz: Basketball coach helps restore pride. Another great article on the huge impact Krystkowiak had on the UM program. Before him, the Griz program had no swagger, confidence or pride. The point is: he's come into a situation like the one and done what was needed.
- Quote on his practices and how he managed players dealing with a new coach from the Billing Gazette.
- "Changes can be hard. It's not easy for the players. This was the third head coach for some of them,'' said [former Griz assistant] Huse. "Larry allows the players to be their own person, but when they step between the lines, he expects a full effort ? whether it be games or practice.''
- Sky's the limit for Montana. A preview article on the Griz/Husky game in the '05 tournament. Also includes how he has been doubted before, starting as a college player, and an interesting story on his pro career.
- "We're not flashy. We try to get it done the old-fashioned way."
Kind of like their coach once did. Krystkowiak played the game with a chip on his shoulder, motivated by slights like the one from former Washington State coach George Raveling. Krystkowiak says that as a high school player in Missoula, he attended a WSU camp and was told that Raveling said he was "not big enough to be a post player, not skilled enough to be a wing."
Despite that, he won Big Sky MVP honors three straight times. Then he played 420 games in the NBA, including one year alongside Michael Jordan with the Bulls. But symbolic of Krystkowiak's career, that year happened to be 1995, which Jordan began on the retired list before returning at midseason, only to fall short of the NBA Finals.
"We kicked a field goal between the two three-peats," Krystkowiak jokingly said.
- "We're not flashy. We try to get it done the old-fashioned way."
- Several good players missed '84 Olympic cut. LK did have his doubters but he was good enough to be considered for the 1984 Olympic team. He got the chicken pox and never made the cut.
- Interesting note: he was coached by Del Harris, one of the most respected coaches in the league, for five of the ten years he spent in the NBA. LK was even brought in to play for Harris during his Lakers days; this was the last year of Krysko's career. Del is also the father of Bucks GM Larry Harris.
- He was punched by Shaq.
