(03-24-2016 09:50 PM)BIGDTiger Wrote: Seriously, if Lebron James, Anthony Davis and steph curry were 18 again and signed with Pastner, knowing what we all know about Pastners past, would any of us be excited? I say we'd still not get 5k butts on average in the seats next season
You don't believe that do you? This is good news and Pastner is a great recruiter. I see players wanting to come here to play for him as a good sign. There is no reason to nuke this program from within when we all knew realistically Pastner would have growing pains. No it hasn't been a fairy tale program under Pastner but when you have players like Moore and the Lawsons wanting to play for Pastner you have something to build on.
Yes players transfer out and he hasn't always handled things perfectly, but he is learning. So are the players. Yes we have lost games we should have won and been unprepared at times. We may never reach our level of domination in our league (CUSA) again but it is possible to exceed our NCAA success in the past with Pastner. Most of it is recruiting. Players like that win championships, on every level, and players wanting to play for Pastner is what we need. Pastner just needs to win some big ones.
I realize there are lots that say he never will but if someone handed you 10.6 million dollars would you bet all 10.6 million against Pastner? I wouldn't. I think Pastner still has a huge upside as he has done most everything but win those games and done so without our program cutting corners (at least that I know of) If he wins some big games his upside is going to explode, just look at USCs interest after Joe Jacksons senior year. (By the way, thank you Joe, you are the greatest Tiger player to play here under Pastner)
No Joe didn't develop as a pure point guard, had he things might have been different. Neither did Dajuan Wagner on the college level. Joe was a 2 guard in a PGs body. Had Will Barton been here one more year this would likely be a mute point. Our coach isn't perfect but if I was a booster, I'll be honest, viewing everything, and in lieu of this contract that doesn't allow for flexibility but does have Pastner locked up for years, I would play this hand out.
If we win the big games the program will right itself. Pastner isn''t going to get worse as a coach, at least I don't think so and he has always needed a great bench coach to help mentor him as well as some continuity on staff. I've said that here for years, since he was hired. In seven years I don't know where our program will be but I'll bet Pastner will be successful wherever he is. He works and tries too hard. He can still become our Coach K, he just needs to learn from his mistakes, and win.
We lost most of our goals midseason this year, as many were calling for Pastner to be fired all year. Some like myself didn't renew tickets. I wish I had. No I wouldn't have been able to attend many games (partially why I didn't renew, but in retrospect I didn't help the program I love by not renewing) Maybe while they are down I need to help them get up instead of pointing fingers and wanting to spend everyone elses money in a decision that would essentially nuke this program.
Just my opnion now that this season is over, of course I have supported Memphis Tiger football my entire life so there is that. I've had fun going to Tiger football games even though we never really dominated outside of the DeAngelo years. In a lot of ways I can see the Lawsons paralleling the DeAngelo years and I plan on getting seats next season to take it in.
I realize some think Pastner will never win, maybe you are right, but basketball only take one or two great players to make a great team. Josh needs a team with a regular rotation and to establish each players identity, role and assignments. Once he does we will start to take off, even if some of these guys are 2 or 3*. Part of the problem as strange as it sounds is we have had too many 4 stars who all thought they were the one player this program should run through.
It is why great teams have beaten us. As Josh learns how to develop his teams, individually and together things will eventually turn back around, as long as he can get players like Lawson and Moore I don't think you ask other people to burn 10 million dollars. Yes my opinion has changed, but I've come to terms with the last two seasons and see it all a bit clearer now the the news of the USC negotiations has come out.
As Tiger fans we should be thankful our boosters ponied up and hung onto Pastner. There was good reason I guess why the contract is locked up. We asked him to turn down millions to stay here so had to guarantee his money here. Thank you Pastner for wanting to buo;ld a program here at Memphis, to the point of turning down millions. Yes it hurts to underachieve but that will change, and change soon I believe. It is easy to see what we paid for.
Yes several wanted to hire Pearl then, but we made a decision to go another way as many felt Pearl to be toxic. (Not me and maybe enough hasn't been said about Pastners good qualities) As a few have said, we will see.
I will now return those of you who wish to your regularly scheduled bashing. I feel your pain I really do and I know you are hurting, I'm just trying to point out some positives. As for me I'm done, it is time for me to move on to the present and future and to try to enjoy it instead of reliving the past, and bashing Pastner for learning when he was a known up and comer and had never been a D1 college head coach. Lets ride the storm out, I think we will find out things will be far better, far quicker than blowing it up and rebuilding. Pastner is still young and has no doubt learned a ton during his time here that will hopefully pay off for us soon. jmo
God Bless and Good Night.