(01-19-2013 08:18 PM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  Without Stephens this team would be in some serious trouble and Coach pretty much acknowledges it

That is the truth. D.J. has been a massive difference maker all season. Without him we would be up **** creek without a paddle.

(01-19-2013 06:00 PM)TigerTimmy Wrote:  L. Jason Smith ‏@TheCAJasonSmith

Pastner: "DJ is one of the five best Tigers of all time." Of course Pastner says that, b/c DJ has saved this team so many times this season.

he not only is not one of the best five of all time, he most likely wouldnt be in the top 30. that being said, he is a very valuable player to have on a team. he changes the game with his leaping ability by changing shots all the time, he plays very very hard. i like him and he is a fan favorite but he isnt in the top five and never will be.

(01-19-2013 06:34 PM)mt-tigerfan Wrote:  He might be one of the top five impact players.

^^^^ this. Its amazing the energy he brings day in and day out.

i think DJ will be the measuring stick of hustle and heart for future tigers for quite some time. We will compare new players and say "He has a little bit of DJ in the way he dove for that ball" . . .

and then we'll argue with each other about it

He's not in my top 5 but he seems to move up with every game.

He said "one of the five best TIGERS of all time," not "one of the five best players to play for the Tigers." There can be a difference in meaning, depending on how you read it.

If you see a Tiger as someone who's a representative of your university and city, who sets the tone with play and attitude, and is generally someone who serves as an example of what you'd want all your players to be like, then I might have to agree that he's in the discussion. Larry Finch is of course the #1 Tiger of all time.

As someone so accurately said on here before... "he never hurts us." And it's really true. In addition to his production, which is decent, he really sets the tone in a way that benefits this team in a huge way. Not to mention a good academic record, good hustle, a good face for the program and the community.

He's a good player, and a great TIGER.

Geoff Caulkins picks up on this:

Quote:Stephens is not and will never be one of the top five Memphis Tigers. And, really, that's not the point. Stephens isn't beloved because he's a limitless basketball talent. He's beloved because he has never let his limitations stand in his way.

He just plays harder than everyone else. He plays as hard anyone you've ever seen in any sport. Memphis fans like to compare him to Michael Wilson because both players can jump real high. But Stephens isn't just a leaper. He's a leaper without caution. He doesn't just fling himself into the air. He flings himself into the fray.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/201...cue-again/

No, not even close. Just because DJ seems to be the only one that even cares about winning sometimes does not make him one of the best..

He may be top 5 tigers to maximize their ability. Top 5 energy guys in tigers history yes.

Oh God people are taking some hyperbole and turning it into a major thing. Pastner also stated that Memphis has the most knowledgeable fans in the country...that's a ridiculous statement, too lol

(01-19-2013 09:22 PM)NJ1 Wrote:  He said "one of the five best TIGERS of all time," not "one of the five best players to play for the Tigers." There can be a difference in meaning, depending on how you read it.

If you see a Tiger as someone who's a representative of your university and city, who sets the tone with play and attitude, and is generally someone who serves as an example of what you'd want all your players to be like, then I might have to agree that he's in the discussion. Larry Finch is of course the #1 Tiger of all time.

As someone so accurately said on here before... "he never hurts us." And it's really true. In addition to his production, which is decent, he really sets the tone in a way that benefits this team in a huge way. Not to mention a good academic record, good hustle, a good face for the program and the community.

He's a good player, and a great TIGER.

I see where you are coming from. Hard to argue with that reasoning.

Maybe Josh meant that he's one of the Top 5 Tigers that he's coached. I love DJ nut he's not in the Top 10 of All Time Tigers IMO

Translated, DJ is the #1 all time Tiger in saving my ass..

(01-19-2013 10:34 PM)callemasIsee-em Wrote:  Translated, DJ is the #1 all time Tiger in saving my ass..

He sure as hell has done that over and over this season.

How about we quit trying to assign a degree or number to DJ and just be fine with saying he is one of the greatest players in Tiger history. Won't matter if someone says he is top 5, top 10 or top 20 someone will argue that you are wrong. I'll put it this way, if I am picking players to be on my team from all the past players I would want DJ on my team. We will be fine without him next year but it won't be the same as he will be sorely missed. The guy has a spirit that infects the players and spectators alike. Can't teach that.

Some of the crap that comes out of Pastner's mouth is mind boggling.

What an insulting statement to anybody who knows anything about Memphis basketball.

And for the record, DJ is one of my favorite players on this team. But he is not even a top 50 all time Tiger.

Elite 8 at least....sorry im drunk

(01-19-2013 11:13 PM)Birmingham Tiger Wrote:  Some of the crap that comes out of Pastner's mouth is mind bottling.

fyp

(01-19-2013 07:10 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Pastner seems to have taken over for Mike Davis as the CUSA coach who says the stupidest things.

Yet he still finds ways to NEVER lose to UAB....Sorry MB, left yourself wide open for that one.

Fearless Energy guy, one of the best I've ever seen.