[Devils-list] Robinson article today... (was What is UP with Robinso)

[kickice@uhlfan.com]

From:  "Nicole Goulet" <nic@n...>
Date:  Fri Jun 1, 2001  9:20 pm
Subject:  Re: [Devils-list] What is UP with Robinson?
>Are you kidding me.. I'm almost a psychologist (working >on my degree) and I
>have NO friggin idea what's with this team!!!! This is a >guy who's won SIX
>Cups on his own as a player, and if the Devs can't >listen >to HIM.. well, they are hopeless.

NO I am not kidding.

I guess I agree with a LOT written today in this report in The Bergen Record (sorry if that name is wrong - i read it online).  Robinson is laying ALL the blame on others. He should look at himself first. HE'S the head coach - it's up to him to sort this out and shut up whining.


Full story here -
http://www.bergen.com/devils/wojspx02200106021.htm

A few paragraphs from it - 

"The Devils are down two games to one to the Avalanche with a telltale Game 4 tonight. They're struggling to save the Stanley Cup, and just maybe, Larry Robinson could tell everyone there's more for Larry Robinson to do, too. "

"Sometimes, it seems, Robinson believes he's conducting an honors class with the superb talent of his team, where the students are self-starters and he believes it's just his responsibility to supply a structure to the class. Robinson was the right coach at the right time with these Devils, a calm, assured presence for these gifted players desperate for direction.

Still, they aren't a machine. They aren't on autopilot. They're human, and flawed, and Robinson has to react to it."

"This isn't time for him to pass judgment on the ethics of his players. This is time to find a formula for victory. If the Devils need to be inspired, so be it. Inspire them. What gives Robinson the right to take a pass on this primal part of a coach's job description? Ultimately, the performance on the ice is a reflection of the coach's preparation, his ability to communicate his vision. It's not just Robinson's job to reach his players, it's his mandate"

"The Devils profess a deep respect for Robinson, genuinely adore him, but in this instance, they're walking all over him. He isn't going to bench a top line player, and they know it."

"This is no longer just an indictment of his players, but the coach too. Sometimes, Robinson's words suggest he's a passive spectator, paralyzed to create change on the ice. It's no accident. One of the biggest criticisms of Robinson's four years with the Los Angeles Kings was his refusal to carry out threats of benchings for undisciplined players. 

To listen to Robinson tell it, the reluctance of the Kings to work hard made him want to walk out on that job. To listen to the Kings tell it, they were confounded with his constant line changes and endless tinkering. They haven't missed him. Without Robinson a year ago, they had the fourth best record in franchise history. This year, the Kings made a magnificent march to the seventh game of the Western Conference semifinals. Maybe this would've happened with Robinson, but it didn't. It happened with his old assistant, Andy Murray."

"An old superstar still sees the game one way -- his way -- and when players aren't producing, he believes it must be energy or effort when sometimes, this just isn't the case. Everyone is impressed with Robinson's resume, but he can't play the game now. He must coach it. These aren't robots, these are humans. They need to be drilled, disciplined, and yes, they need to be inspired. 

There's a great deal of talent on these Devils, and most of the time, it delivers for Robinson. Together, they won a Cup a year ago, and together, they can still win this one. Together, of course. This is too easy for him, dismissing every loss on the players, insisting that they didn't want it, didn't try, didn't listen to him.

This is on him, too. Larry Robinson is the coach of the New Jersey Devils."



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