Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Zelda Zonk, post: 1981947, member: 966"] I'll restate it then. "Not being a 'JB fan,'" meaning that we/they don't think he walks on water. Being a 'fan' of someone, meaning a 'cheerleading proponent' of that person, more than a simple acceptance/gratitude without being a fanboy. And, that said, it's not like i/we wouldn't defend him in an argument where we disagree with the criticisms. I also said that we all [B]DO[/B] respect the accomplishments. And, in the past, i personally have said within these walls that i 'kinda like him personally, except for when he's arrogant/surly with press, except for the GMac ten games bit.' He's a good guy. Probably a very good guy. I love seeing him on the sidelines of Olympic games. I get a superficial bit of pride from that. I like him in interviews, except i always say that he takes a simple answer and turns it into a punctuation-less paragraph. He just goes and goes... I don't like zone. Wish it were not even a legal defense. So what. That's a comment on what i think of the beauty of the game, not on what we do, or whether or not it's effective sometimes. And on that topic, yes, i do think it's a weapon. Sometimes. But, i also believe it's misleading, how the media portrays it, because it's our 'defining characteristic,' the commentators always discuss it and attribute successes to it that aren't really there. In the SCarolina game, they talked about our zone throughout the game, as if it had been having some effect, and meanwhile the SC defense was doing all the damage against us. Fools gold, too often. We have an effective zone some years. I also dislike how we used to play man, but somehow we are now unable, even against scrub teams. I love Julie. I love the JB and Julie 'team.' I love that we're almost always 'relevant.' But, i'm not going to be satisfied with 9-9 conference records even when we reach a final four. I don't think beating one good team in a postseason run is an illustration of team quality. I don't agree that JB maximizes talent. Not that he 'spoils' it, but there are more than 5 coaches who do more with less. I think, overall, he has been a top 5 recruiter nationally, if we are talking about the sum of a career. But, i think we should have more FF appearances to match. And at the same time, i think it's more complex than that. He doesn't make the shots or miss them. He's the Preparer, and players play the games in the situations in which they're put. But, the prep is critical. I don't think of him as a [I]great[/I] motivator, or strategist. So, there you have it. A mixy, convoluted set of some of my disparate thoughts. And, put all together, i'm quite grateful we have had him. I also wish he did some things differently. Hope that works for you. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?