The CBA's Two W's – Woolpert And Wolf
Woolpert returns to lead Sun Kings; Wolf enters his first season as head coach in Idaho.

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Trying to answer that up-tempo game during opening weekend will be the Idaho Stampede, led by 11-year NBA alum Joe Wolf.

Wolf is entering his first season as a head coach, after serving as an assistant coach for the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and as a volunteer coach for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks under then head coach George Karl (who is now part owner of the Idaho Stampede).

Whether or not Wolf takes after Karl's style of coaching is yet to be determined.

"I was fortunate, two years ago, to have George allow me to be a volunteer coach for the Bucks," stated Wolf. "Whether I will use some of his thoughts or not, I probably will. I think a lot rubbed off on me, and how that will affect me throughout the year will be determined. But I cannot thank George enough for the opportunity because he really instilled in me what a head coach needs to do."

So far, Wolf has signed two former NCAA Champions, in Donald Williams (North Carolina - 1993) and Taliek Brown (Connecticut - 2004). He also brought in forwards Britton Johnsen, who played with the Orlando Magic last season, Kaniel Dickens, a 2004 CBA All-League First Team member, and Sam Clancy, a 2004 CBA All-Star.

Dickens and Clancy both bring CBA experience with them. Williams and Brown do not, which gives Wolf a chance to help players, who are unfamiliar with the CBA or the NBA, adjust to the professional game of basketball while creating a style of play for the Stampede.

"I think the NBA and the CBA game is about adjustments," added Wolf. "My eleven years in the NBA taught me that there is a new opponent every night and that new opponent has different skill sets. Likewise, the different teams we will see in the CBA will have different skill sets with different players of different caliber at each position. So that will dictate what we do in terms of adjustments, and how we play, every night."

One of the biggest adjustments new players face is learning the quarter-point system, which is unique to the CBA.

As a new head coach, Wolf must go through the same learning process as his players, but it is something he is excited about, and he understands how the quarter-point system is an effective tool in not only developing players, but also raising interest among the fans.

"I think it is just an exciting way to play the game," remarked Wolf. "If I am a fan sitting in the seats and understand what the rules are all about, and understand that every quarter is important in getting to the playoffs, then the last three or four minutes of every quarter I am on the edge of my seat saying are we going to get the point or not. So, I just am thrilled about the chance to play, basically, four games in one."

 

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