Coach K: Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes has the tools to be an incredible point guard
At this point, I’m not sure it would be a surprise to see any person alive today come to a Chiefs game.
Taylor Swift, Henry Winkler and Rob Lowe are just some of the stars who have attended Chiefs games in the past two years. Next season, we may see former Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid was a guest Wednesday on Krzyzewski’s SiriusXM show, “Basketball & Beyond with Coach K,” and he invited the former Duke coach to come to Arrowhead.
“We will,” Coach K said, “and thank you for the invitation.”
The two coaching legends spoke for a half-hour and, near the end of the discussion, Krzyzewski explained why Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes would be an elite basketball player.
“I want to say two things about Mahomes. I love him,” Krzyzewski said. “One, he’d be an incredible point guard because no matter what play you called, he would see in real time what was happening, and he would react to it. I love that about him.”
Reid agreed and added this gem: “He’ll tell you he was a great high school player. He’s not shy about that. All football players think they can play basketball.”
“Yeah,” Krzyzewski responded, “he has to have a decent ego.”
Krzyzewski then brought up the second thing that impresses him about Mahomes.
“Physically, you know, he’s a strong guy,” Krzyzewski said. “I watch him move, he must have, does he do things for balance?”
Reid noted that Mahomes has great core strength.
Krzyzewski said: “Unbelievable. Does he work on that or do you guys work on that?”
Reid then mentioned Mahomes’ work ethic and his trainer Bobby Stroupe.
“He’s a phenomenal worker,” Reid said of Mahomes. “He’s had a strength coach since he was a kid. And that fella travels. He’s traveled up here. And has moved up here, I believe, and works with him, and then our guys do all the core balance stuff likewise.”
Reid appreciates the example Mahomes sets for the rest of the team, especially the younger players. It’s clear that three Super Bowl championships and two NFL MVP awards are not all Mahomes wants in his career.
“I think a lot of it’s God-given, but it’s great for the kids to see how hard he works,” Reid said. “He’s got God-given ability and talent, but he works at it so hard and maximizes. He wants to be greater than he is and he works on that like crazy. (He’s) very humble that way.”
Krzyzewski noted: “You know, when your best players are your best workers it helps a coach a lot.”
This story was originally published March 28, 2024 at 9:45 AM.
