Melo Reacts to Syracuse Hiring Gerry McNamara as Head Coach

[Orangezoo]

yeah re friendship. Was part of team of 6 seniors that won a championship back in the stone age, consider them great friends but you know cuz of life...talk maybe twice a year, see them maybe once a year on a good year. Again because of life. That's simply how it works with everyone pulled in what feels like a million different directions.

Now their friendship, whatever it is exactly get re-calibrated a bit as Melo was always the top dog and now here we are years later the roles are reversed. I have no doubt the two of them will negotiate that change without any issues.

Watching these two grow and evolve has been a wonderful sociological experiment for the ages. Melo grad speech wasn't just a great grad speech, it's the BEST I've ever seen of the dozens I've seen in my academic life. So amazing to see him from the kid fighting to get words out to what he's become. Same for Gerry. He was off my radar for years, this year even before all this went down I paid close attention to how he carries himself, speaks, coaches, etc. (my friend lives that way so it was easy).

Much like Melo I'm AMAZED at his evolution and development as a person, public figure and coach. Dude is ready for his moment(s). Hard to focus that athletic intensity into life intensity as one tries to a achieve these career goal. It appears to me these two have mastered it already. Just amazing and I have no doubt they'll negotiate this new phase of their friendship to achieve continued success for themselves, and the good and cool thing, that success leads to our success with the program we all love.

This is gonna be fun ladies and gents, buckle up!

It’s interesting to watch how someone who reached the level of polish and education at younger ages like Etan speak now vs Melo who has grown over time and now see that Melos experience and ability to convey thoughts make him look more like the highly educated professional more than Etan. The journey and experience matters so much.

 

[baggerbob]

yeah re friendship. Was part of team of 6 seniors that won a championship back in the stone age, consider them great friends but you know cuz of life...talk maybe twice a year, see them maybe once a year on a good year. Again because of life. That's simply how it works with everyone pulled in what feels like a million different directions. But, again, still consider them great friends.

As for Melo and Gmac, Now their friendship, whatever it is exactly gets re-calibrated a bit as Melo was always the top dog and now here we are years later the roles are reversed. Because these two are good centered people with concerns for others and can see the big picture beyond themselves, I have no doubt the two of them will negotiate that change without any issues.

Watching these two grow and evolve has been a wonderful sociological experiment for the ages to watch. Melo's grad speech wasn't just a great grad speech, it's the BEST I've ever seen of the dozens I've seen in my academia centered world and life. So amazing to see him from the kid fighting to get words out to what he's become, so well spoken, so interesting, so funny, even so deep with his words (if you haven't seen that speech dig it up).

Same for Gerry. He was off my radar for years, this year even before all this went down I paid close attention to how he carries himself, speaks, coaches, etc. (my friend lives that way so it was easy).

Much like Melo I'm AMAZED at his evolution and development as a person, public figure and coach. Dude is ready for his moment(s). Hard to focus that athletic intensity into refocusing it on the factors associated with life career intensity as one tries to an achieve ones career goals, while simultaneously trying to keep some semblance of balance in one’s life everywhere else.

It appears to me these two have mastered it already. Just amazing and I have no doubt they'll negotiate this new phase of their friendship to achieve continued success for themselves, and the good and cool thing, that success leads to our success with the program we all love.

You get two winners in life like this with the elusive "it" quality to have had the success(es) they both already have achieved, first of all its rare, secondly it's gonna be amazing to see this bravo recreation and second coming of them both doing it here once more, no longer as players but in their new respective roles.

All I can say is buckle up ladies and gents, it's gonna be a fun historic ride! Sign me up

The only senior was Duany.

 

[RedtheGOB]

The only senior was Duany.

Grandma!

 

[Cuseregular]

The only senior was Duany.

the was a part of 6 seniors was referring to my Stone Age not theirs!

 

[albanycuse]

Fascinating interview here... Melo making a great case for why GMAC was the right choice, what he means to the university and community and why Syracuse fans should and will be excited for him. Also as a player's dad, Melo is reiterating what a lot here said about GMAC's work ethic. I love the fact that he is excited that GMAC will hold Kiyan accountable... that word means a lot when it's completely missing and says a lot about the problems with the team the last 5 years or so.

This part doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but he never once mentioned his relationship with GMAC or any sort of closeness with him beyond that they won a title together. No personal anecdotes them... he was basically repeating what anyone on the board would say. Clearly Melo has a TON of respect for GMAC... but they don't seem to be that close.

It really doesn’t matter if they’re tight or not that’s not going to be a factor in winning games. There’s respect there and that’s more important .

 

[GHLF]

The only senior was Duany.

I do not think that was the context, I think it was of personal context as it relates to the writer. I could however be wrong

 

[GHLF]

the was a part of 6 seniors was referring to my Stone Age not theirs!

I should have kept reading I apologize

 

[GoSU96]

Fascinating interview here... Melo making a great case for why GMAC was the right choice, what he means to the university and community and why Syracuse fans should and will be excited for him. Also as a player's dad, Melo is reiterating what a lot here said about GMAC's work ethic. I love the fact that he is excited that GMAC will hold Kiyan accountable... that word means a lot when it's completely missing and says a lot about the problems with the team the last 5 years or so.

This part doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but he never once mentioned his relationship with GMAC or any sort of closeness with him beyond that they won a title together. No personal anecdotes them... he was basically repeating what anyone on the board would say. Clearly Melo has a TON of respect for GMAC... but they don't seem to be that close.

yeah re friendship. Was part of team of 6 seniors that won a championship back in the stone age, consider them great friends but you know cuz of life...talk maybe twice a year, see them maybe once a year on a good year. Again because of life. That's simply how it works with everyone pulled in what feels like a million different directions. But, again, still consider them great friends.

As for Melo and Gmac, Now their friendship, whatever it is exactly gets re-calibrated a bit as Melo was always the top dog and now here we are years later the roles are reversed. Because these two are good centered people with concerns for others and can see the big picture beyond themselves, I have no doubt the two of them will negotiate that change without any issues.

Watching these two grow and evolve has been a wonderful sociological experiment for the ages to watch. Melo's grad speech wasn't just a great grad speech, it's the BEST I've ever seen of the dozens I've seen in my academia centered world and life. So amazing to see him from the kid fighting to get words out to what he's become, so well spoken, so interesting, so funny, even so deep with his words (if you haven't seen that speech dig it up).

Same for Gerry. He was off my radar for years, this year even before all this went down I paid close attention to how he carries himself, speaks, coaches, etc. (my friend lives that way so it was easy).

Much like Melo I'm AMAZED at his evolution and development as a person, public figure and coach. Dude is ready for his moment(s). Hard to focus that athletic intensity into refocusing it on the factors associated with life career intensity as one tries to an achieve ones career goals, while simultaneously trying to keep some semblance of balance in one’s life everywhere else.

It appears to me these two have mastered it already. Just amazing and I have no doubt they'll negotiate this new phase of their friendship to achieve continued success for themselves, and the good and cool thing, that success leads to our success with the program we all love.

You get two winners in life like this with the elusive "it" quality to have had the success(es) they both already have achieved, first of all its rare, secondly it's gonna be amazing to see this bravo recreation and second coming of them both doing it here once more, no longer as players but in their new respective roles.

All I can say is buckle up ladies and gents, it's gonna be a fun historic ride! Sign me up

Memory is getting hazy 23 yrs later and Jake and Bees can probably address it with greater certainty but I don’t think these two were anything beyond teammates.

If I remember correctly there was some friction the first part of the season that needed to get sorted out

Or I could be completely wrong

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Fascinating interview here... Melo making a great case for why GMAC was the right choice, what he means to the university and community and why Syracuse fans should and will be excited for him. Also as a player's dad, Melo is reiterating what a lot here said about GMAC's work ethic. I love the fact that he is excited that GMAC will hold Kiyan accountable... that word means a lot when it's completely missing and says a lot about the problems with the team the last 5 years or so.

This part doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but he never once mentioned his relationship with GMAC or any sort of closeness with him beyond that they won a title together. No personal anecdotes them... he was basically repeating what anyone on the board would say. Clearly Melo has a TON of respect for GMAC... but they don't seem to be that close.

His son staying here tells us all we need to know about his relationship with Gerry.

 

[TrickySU]

So many great parts of this interview, but one that stood out to me besides everything everyone has already mentioned comes at the 5:07 mark:

“He (GMac) is going to have the support. He’s going to have the MACHINE behind him.”

The machine, I assume, is what others on here have reported about backing from donors and money.

Even though many believed that would be the case with Gerry taking over, it’s nice to hear it from Melo. Where it feels Gerry will have all the money and resources he needs to get the players and be successful. Now he just needs to execute his plan.

 

[Cusefan95]

Memory is getting hazy 23 yrs later and Jake and Bees can probably address it with greater certainty but I don’t think these two were anything beyond teammates.

If I remember correctly there was some friction the first part of the season that needed to get sorted out

Or I could be completely wrong

Pretty sure Billy was involved as well in the friction. I’m also very confident that winning a championship tends to make the friction a footnote. I vividly recall Yankees old timers days in the 80s where players who had friction in the 70s acted like best pals - winning the World Series as teammates will do that.

Melo and Gerry may not be hanging out at each other’s houses regularly - but I think that’s way too narrow a definition of friendship based on how men actually relate to each other.

 

[rrlbees]

Memory is getting hazy 23 yrs later and Jake and Bees can probably address it with greater certainty but I don’t think these two were anything beyond teammates.

If I remember correctly there was some friction the first part of the season that needed to get sorted out

Or I could be completely wrong

it was melo wanting billy to be the pg. jb sat them down and asked melo who's been getting him the ball before billy was eligible. they worked thru it and put it behind them. everything ive seen since then they get along fine. you could see it when melo got inducted in the hall of fame. when gmacs number went up in the dome rafters and even that melo interview about gmac coaching kiyan.

 

[mickbird44]

yeah re friendship. Was part of team of 6 seniors that won a championship back in the stone age, consider them great friends but you know cuz of life...talk maybe twice a year, see them maybe once a year on a good year. Again because of life. That's simply how it works with everyone pulled in what feels like a million different directions. But, again, still consider them great friends.

As for Melo and Gmac, Now their friendship, whatever it is exactly gets re-calibrated a bit as Melo was always the top dog and now here we are years later the roles are reversed. Because these two are good centered people with concerns for others and can see the big picture beyond themselves, I have no doubt the two of them will negotiate that change without any issues.

Watching these two grow and evolve has been a wonderful sociological experiment for the ages to watch. Melo's grad speech wasn't just a great grad speech, it's the BEST I've ever seen of the dozens I've seen in my academia centered world and life. So amazing to see him from the kid fighting to get words out to what he's become, so well spoken, so interesting, so funny, even so deep with his words (if you haven't seen that speech dig it up).

Same for Gerry. He was off my radar for years, this year even before all this went down I paid close attention to how he carries himself, speaks, coaches, etc. (my friend lives that way so it was easy).

Much like Melo I'm AMAZED at his evolution and development as a person, public figure and coach. Dude is ready for his moment(s). Hard to focus that athletic intensity into refocusing it on the factors associated with life career intensity as one tries to an achieve ones career goals, while simultaneously trying to keep some semblance of balance in one’s life everywhere else.

It appears to me these two have mastered it already. Just amazing and I have no doubt they'll negotiate this new phase of their friendship to achieve continued success for themselves, and the good and cool thing, that success leads to our success with the program we all love.

You get two winners in life like this with the elusive "it" quality to have had the success(es) they both already have achieved, first of all its rare, secondly it's gonna be amazing to see this bravo recreation and second coming of them both doing it here once more, no longer as players but in their new respective roles.

All I can say is buckle up ladies and gents, it's gonna be a fun historic ride! Sign me up

They both understand the difference between getting by on talent and winning is hardwork and attitude!!

 

[GoSU96]

it was melo wanting billy to be the pg. jb sat them down and asked melo who's been getting him the ball before billy was eligible. they worked thru it and put it behind them. everything ive seen since then they get along fine. you could see it when melo got inducted in the hall of fame. when gmacs number went up in the dome rafters and even that melo interview about gmac coaching kiyan.

Thanks. That seems familiar

 

[OrangeCrush22]

Fascinating interview here... Melo making a great case for why GMAC was the right choice, what he means to the university and community and why Syracuse fans should and will be excited for him. Also as a player's dad, Melo is reiterating what a lot here said about GMAC's work ethic. I love the fact that he is excited that GMAC will hold Kiyan accountable... that word means a lot when it's completely missing and says a lot about the problems with the team the last 5 years or so.

This part doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but he never once mentioned his relationship with GMAC or any sort of closeness with him beyond that they won a title together. No personal anecdotes them... he was basically repeating what anyone on the board would say. Clearly Melo has a TON of respect for GMAC... but they don't seem to be that close.

Carmelo doesn’t win his only championship with out GMac.

 

[shu 49]

and it is GMac!

Yeah or he sits. The bench motivated everyone in pre 2010 times

 

[bballbeadle]

Memory is getting hazy 23 yrs later and Jake and Bees can probably address it with greater certainty but I don’t think these two were anything beyond teammates.

If I remember correctly there was some friction the first part of the season that needed to get sorted out

Or I could be completely wrong

Boeheim said in one of his books that when Billy entered the scene, he had to talk to all 3 of them to get everyone on the same page and working together.

 

[orangecuse]

Carmelo doesn’t win his only championship with out GMac.

Perhaps, more fitting is; JB/SU don't get their only championship since Carmelo was only at SU for a lone season.

 

[twinight]

Perhaps, more fitting is; JB/SU don't get their only championship since Carmelo was only at SU for a lone season.

I'm not sure that's "more fitting" when the subject is Carmelo's feelings about Gerry.

 

[orangecuse]

I'm not sure that's "more fitting" when the subject is Carmelo's feelings about Gerry.

Perhaps. I guess my thought was in mentioning Carmelo doesn't get his "only" championship is odd to me considering he was only at SU for one year. I think saying Carmelo doesn't win "a" championship with GMac is more fitting. Maybe just semantics, but it does take upon a different meaning, though that's just my opinion.

FWIW, I wholeheartedly agree with the premise, GMac played a significant role in that Championship game with those 6 first half threes...no doubt!

 

[twinight]

Perhaps. I guess my thought was in mentioning Carmelo doesn't get his "only" championship is odd to me considering he was only at SU for one year.

Uhm... you're aware he went on to play basketball after Syracuse, correct?

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

ADBB should set an attendance goal for Gerry’s first game. Maybe a limit: 33,633. Then, a one time $10-20 surcharge per ticket with the funds to go directly to NIL.

 

[rrlbees]

ADBB should set an attendance goal for Gerry’s first game. Maybe a limit: 33,633. Then, a one time $10-20 surcharge per ticket with the funds to go directly to NIL.

unfortunately thats not allowed for nil.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

unfortunately thats not allowed for nil.

Can they seek a separate contribution.

 

[hoopsupstate]

ADBB should set an attendance goal for Gerry’s first game. Maybe a limit: 33,633. Then, a one time $10-20 surcharge per ticket with the funds to go directly to NIL.

I don’t think the new renovation will hold 33,000 any more. I think capacity might be slightly over 30,000. It’s sad that we haven’t had a large enough crowd in the past two years to know exactly what the new capacity is.