I have this documentary on VHS somewhere. I should transfer it to DVD. I met Damon at a CBA game between the Fort Wayne Fury and the Connecticut Pride at the Hartford Armory in either 1998 or 1999 and he signed the VHS case for me. Great player ... class act.
@@toddrunyon I’m glad you caught that. It’s pretty obvious Larry Bird and Oscar Robertson are the best players to ever come out of Indiana, but in terms of a High School career Damon had the best run. All time Indiana HS scoring record, 1990 State Champ in front of 41 thousand fans, and made it to the State Finals 3 out of his 4 years.
@@vanmoody I believe Luke was also injured for part of his freshman or sophomore year as well, but you’re correct. He averages over 32 points per game for his HS career.
Lived in Heltonville early 70’s. Very fond memories growing up. Then I graduated from Concord High School, BNL beat Concord in the state championship Damon’s senior year. It was bitter sweet really. Always felt a connection to Heltonville, always will.
I remember waiting on the Bedford square for the bus to get back! I was supposed to be at work in Bloomington but wasn’t going to miss the history. I was a Mitchell Bluejacket, Gold and Blue, hated BNL. I just had to give Damon and Dan Bush their due. Dan is one of the best guys ever from indiana.
I think what hurt Damon is his best game was down low and he didn’t grow past 6’3”. He was over 6’-0” in 8th grade so his game developed as a close to the basket player. The fact that he was able to transition to guard in college and have a really good career is amazing. At the time we didn’t understand that and he didn’t live up to the hype which was completely unfair.
Duke would've crushed them in '92....And they wouldn't have went undefeated in '76 without the worst charging call in history against Alabama in the Final Four.
@@audspop2 Quite making excuses. The 76 team lost one game in two years by 2 points. They beat 10 ranked opponents in 76 including 5 ranked opponents in the post season.
@@HamburgerHelperDeath Making excuses about what? The post was about Teddy Valentine keeping them from winning the title in '92, which is obviously ridiculous. If you're referring to the blown charging call against Bama, I'm sorry, but it really did happen, go watch the tape. It's not like I'm just making up conspiracy theories. Your stats about beating teams by x amount of pts mean nothing. You're obviously a Hoosier fan and have blinders on. You went unbeaten as a result of, again, the worst charging call in history. Congrats! But don't act like it didn't happen. Bad calls happen, it's inevitable, but at least have some integrity and admit it.
I believe IU won more games in the 4 yr career of Damon Bailey than any other four year career. They didn't win the title but they were great as a team and to watch.
yeah it was heart breaking when Alan Henderson got injured during the tournament. They were going to win it that year that and the way the officials screwed them against Duke in the previous years final four
He was like a lot of HS stars who were that 1-3 hybrid, good at all of them, not excellent at any. He really did have a very good career at IU but the expectations couldn't possibly have been met. His knee problems began early (notice the sleeve). I think he had better bounce off the floor as a HS soph than he ever did at IU. It wasn't Knight's job to groom players for the NBA and the motion offense didn't produce players who are good in isolation, and the NBA is an isolation league. I don't buy the argument that Knight "ruined" Damon. Most NBA people's reasons for passing on Damon was their thinking that he couldn't defend well enough. We certainly knew how much Knight valued man to man D.
I got no dog in this fight. He was a solid basketball player. NBA is another story all together. Indiana reminds me of England. Just because you're mad about football doesn't mean your players are the best nor your team the best. Bob K can drive some people nuts. This guy took it well.
My son attended a Damon Bailey camp and when I went to pick him up there was Damon sitting outside the gym....... to this day I have no idea why I didn’t try to talk to him!! Maybe I was in shock!! I don’t know!!
I met Bob Knight on an airplane after getting out of Basic Training for the Air Force. I only said a few words to him and got an autograph. I told him I hoped IU had a great season. That was the 87 yr. In my mind I'd like to think he talked about me all year long as an influence over the team.
Absolutely. That used to be how it was for the regional and semistate. Since they went to class basketball they only play two games during the Regionals.
One more thing....many NCAA tournaments are a crap shoot. Sure they were a contender, but you don't dial yourself in as the champion team regardless how important basketball is to you.
I first saw him in a basketball camp and although I figured he was a good shooter. I was surprised at his athleticism. I saw him again watching a game his freshman year and thought he played well. I do remember thinking he would have been better off at Purdue...
Should've never went to IU. Knight ruined more great H.S. players than any coach ever. Ask Larry Legend about playing for Knight. He lasted about a week and was done. Isaiah got out early, too. Name one great NBA player who played more than 2 yrs for Knight at IU.....I'll wait....and please don't say Quinn Buckner. He was good, so was Calbert Cheney, but not great...Knight just sucked the life out of almost everyone who ever played for him.
I agree with some of your logic. Yes, he was too hard on players and was overly aggressive at times. But he also instilled a work ethic in his players to succeed. I think Isiah Thomas did ok after leaving IU. I don't believe Bird left because Knight was too hard on him. From everything I have read, Bird left because IU was too big and he was homesick.
@@toddrunyon the Bird thing is correct. He didn't stay long enough for Bob to run him off, thank goodness. Bob would've insisted that he change his style and ruined him, too. IT left after sophomore year and is the exception to the rule. Seriously, look at who are considered goat coaches, then look at how many players they coached were great in pros. Even if I give you Isaiah, that's it. Wooden, Zrzyzewiski, John Thompson, Boeheim, etc...they didn't suck their players souls out them and ruin their professional careers. I was talking to Pat Graham about this. He was one of the best h.s. players in Indiana history. Granted, he wouldn't have been a pro, but he told me when he got to IU, Knight insisted he change the fundamentals of his jump shot. Pat said "Wtf is this guy talking about? All I know how to do is shoot! And he's trying to change it?!" Pretty much sums it up, imo.
@@toddrunyon Where you from James? I do have a positive Knight story. I was a little kid, maybe 8 or 9 yrs old, and he came to my h.s. to watch a prospect. I was a die-hard Kentucky fan and happened to be wearing a KY shirt. I got up the nerve to go up to him and ask for his autograph. He glared at me, classic angry Knight and asked where I got that shirt. I almost sh** myself. I said my uncle gave it to me and he just laughed and gave me the autograph. It was awesome! I don't hate the man, just think he's way overrated when it comes to the goat discussion.
These old commercials got me all the way in😂
I have this documentary on VHS somewhere. I should transfer it to DVD. I met Damon at a CBA game between the Fort Wayne Fury and the Connecticut Pride at the Hartford Armory in either 1998 or 1999 and he signed the VHS case for me. Great player ... class act.
BNL class of 1990 here...I remember all this like it was yesterday. Awesome time to be a BNL Star!
Damon.......thanks for the memories!!!
Best Indiana High School hooper of all time
If it wasn't for Covid last yr I think Luke Brown had a shot at breaking Damon's scoring record.
Ever heard of Larry Bird? Jesus
@@brokeleast7827 iilarjeff qualified it with "high school hooper". He didn't state overall career.
@@toddrunyon I’m glad you caught that. It’s pretty obvious Larry Bird and Oscar Robertson are the best players to ever come out of Indiana, but in terms of a High School career Damon had the best run. All time Indiana HS scoring record, 1990 State Champ in front of 41 thousand fans, and made it to the State Finals 3 out of his 4 years.
@@vanmoody I believe Luke was also injured for part of his freshman or sophomore year as well, but you’re correct. He averages over 32 points per game for his HS career.
30 years later and still the all time leader in Indiana.
Lived in Heltonville early 70’s. Very fond memories growing up. Then I graduated from Concord High School, BNL beat Concord in the state championship Damon’s senior year. It was bitter sweet really. Always felt a connection to Heltonville, always will.
Bobby knights style stifled so many careers ..
Thank you for posting this. I had moved away from Indy in 1990 and had never seen it until now.
damon filled gyms like a rock star
I remember waiting on the Bedford square for the bus to get back! I was supposed to be at work in Bloomington but wasn’t going to miss the history. I was a Mitchell Bluejacket, Gold and Blue, hated BNL. I just had to give Damon and Dan Bush their due. Dan is one of the best guys ever from indiana.
41,000 for a high school basketball game!!! Unbeleivable
I played against Damon when I played at Iowa. I had heard all of the stories about him. Great video!
I think what hurt Damon is his best game was down low and he didn’t grow past 6’3”. He was over 6’-0” in 8th grade so his game developed as a close to the basket player. The fact that he was able to transition to guard in college and have a really good career is amazing. At the time we didn’t understand that and he didn’t live up to the hype which was completely unfair.
@@Energyfl00d well said 👍🏿
The hype was like something I've never seen before. In 1992, IU would have been champions if it weren't for one Referee... Teddy Valentine.
Duke would've crushed them in '92....And they wouldn't have went undefeated in '76 without the worst charging call in history against Alabama in the Final Four.
Wtf does Teddy Valentine have to do with anything? He threw him out of a regular season game. How does that translate into a natl title for IU?
@@audspop2 ifa coulda shoulda woulda but they didn’t. Only undefeated college championship team period!
@@audspop2 Quite making excuses. The 76 team lost one game in two years by 2 points. They beat 10 ranked opponents in 76 including 5 ranked opponents in the post season.
@@HamburgerHelperDeath Making excuses about what? The post was about Teddy Valentine keeping them from winning the title in '92, which is obviously ridiculous. If you're referring to the blown charging call against Bama, I'm sorry, but it really did happen, go watch the tape. It's not like I'm just making up conspiracy theories. Your stats about beating teams by x amount of pts mean nothing. You're obviously a Hoosier fan and have blinders on. You went unbeaten as a result of, again, the worst charging call in history. Congrats! But don't act like it didn't happen. Bad calls happen, it's inevitable, but at least have some integrity and admit it.
I met him in the late 90s at a basketball camp.
I believe IU won more games in the 4 yr career of Damon Bailey than any other four year career. They didn't win the title but they were great as a team and to watch.
yeah it was heart breaking when Alan Henderson got injured during the tournament. They were going to win it that year that and the way the officials screwed them against Duke in the previous years final four
@@davidkahil5158 easily could have been a back to back championship team.
He was like a lot of HS stars who were that 1-3 hybrid, good at all of them, not excellent at any. He really did have a very good career at IU but the expectations couldn't possibly have been met. His knee problems began early (notice the sleeve). I think he had better bounce off the floor as a HS soph than he ever did at IU. It wasn't Knight's job to groom players for the NBA and the motion offense didn't produce players who are good in isolation, and the NBA is an isolation league. I don't buy the argument that Knight "ruined" Damon. Most NBA people's reasons for passing on Damon was their thinking that he couldn't defend well enough. We certainly knew how much Knight valued man to man D.
Excellent summary.
I got no dog in this fight. He was a solid basketball player. NBA is another story all together. Indiana reminds me of England. Just because you're mad about football doesn't mean your players are the best nor your team the best. Bob K can drive some people nuts. This guy took it well.
I’ve always said, unless you’re from Indiana you just don’t get it. I’ve been to just about every state and there isn’t even a close second.
Scott Skiles was really good
i love wilt chamberlain + bill russell
Enjoyed watching, but the amount of commercials was insane!
My son attended a Damon Bailey camp and when I went to pick him up there was Damon sitting outside the gym....... to this day I have no idea why I didn’t try to talk to him!! Maybe I was in shock!! I don’t know!!
I met Bob Knight on an airplane after getting out of Basic Training for the Air Force. I only said a few words to him and got an autograph. I told him I hoped IU had a great season. That was the 87 yr. In my mind I'd like to think he talked about me all year long as an influence over the team.
So they played twice in the same day--semi finals AND finals?
Absolutely. That used to be how it was for the regional and semistate. Since they went to class basketball they only play two games during the Regionals.
@@philipnewton3266 Wow..Thank you..When did Indiana go to class basketball?
@@milart12 I believe it was in 1998.
As a Buckeye basketball fan, Damon Bailey was a pest but he was a great guard for The General.
Indiana HS ball looks like D1 bball
One more thing....many NCAA tournaments are a crap shoot. Sure they were a contender, but you don't dial yourself in as the champion team regardless how important basketball is to you.
I first saw him in a basketball camp and although I figured he was a good shooter. I was surprised at his athleticism. I saw him again watching a game his freshman year and thought he played well. I do remember thinking he would have been better off at Purdue...
Should've never went to IU. Knight ruined more great H.S. players than any coach ever. Ask Larry Legend about playing for Knight. He lasted about a week and was done. Isaiah got out early, too. Name one great NBA player who played more than 2 yrs for Knight at IU.....I'll wait....and please don't say Quinn Buckner. He was good, so was Calbert Cheney, but not great...Knight just sucked the life out of almost everyone who ever played for him.
I agree with some of your logic.
Yes, he was too hard on players and was overly aggressive at times.
But he also instilled a work ethic in his players to succeed.
I think Isiah Thomas did ok after leaving IU.
I don't believe Bird left because Knight was too hard on him. From everything I have read, Bird left because IU was too big and he was homesick.
@@toddrunyon the Bird thing is correct. He didn't stay long enough for Bob to run him off, thank goodness. Bob would've insisted that he change his style and ruined him, too. IT left after sophomore year and is the exception to the rule. Seriously, look at who are considered goat coaches, then look at how many players they coached were great in pros. Even if I give you Isaiah, that's it. Wooden, Zrzyzewiski, John Thompson, Boeheim, etc...they didn't suck their players souls out them and ruin their professional careers. I was talking to Pat Graham about this. He was one of the best h.s. players in Indiana history. Granted, he wouldn't have been a pro, but he told me when he got to IU, Knight insisted he change the fundamentals of his jump shot. Pat said "Wtf is this guy talking about? All I know how to do is shoot! And he's trying to change it?!" Pretty much sums it up, imo.
Sorry, left out Dean Smith.
Knight's great with Xs & Os and he helped Landon Turner after his accident. That's great. But the negatives far outweigh the positives.
@@toddrunyon Where you from James? I do have a positive Knight story. I was a little kid, maybe 8 or 9 yrs old, and he came to my h.s. to watch a prospect. I was a die-hard Kentucky fan and happened to be wearing a KY shirt. I got up the nerve to go up to him and ask for his autograph. He glared at me, classic angry Knight and asked where I got that shirt. I almost sh** myself. I said my uncle gave it to me and he just laughed and gave me the autograph. It was awesome! I don't hate the man, just think he's way overrated when it comes to the goat discussion.
screw screw iu athletics
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