Aside from it being Kentucky and all; the big picture is that I feel really sorry for Eric Bledsoe and the path that he took to get where he is. By all accounts he grew up extremely poor. By all accounts he had a terrible family life. By all accounts he is a good guy. It is an absolute shame that he was used by a scumbag like Ford. It is an absolute shame that his father wasn't around, and his mother couldn't provide a supportive and financially stable life for him growing up. For those of you saying that Bledsoe has to bear the brunt of the responsibility; you are correct. Having said that; someone growing up with all the advantages would have to take 100% responsibility. A guy like Bledsoe probably had a 10% chance to do everything he needed to in the classroom. God knows that he didn't have anyone that cared enough to stress how important that is; nor did he have anyone that cared enough to try and watch over him while he was growing up. The one man that he did trust; whored him out.

It makes me really happy to think that Bledsoe will be a millionaire in a few weeks. I will be happy when Kentucky and Cal get demolished; but it is an entirely separate issue altogether. The best thing is that Bledsoe is going to luck into not going into adulthood being dirt poor and having no education. He seems like a good guy; I am thrilled to know that he has a good chance at having a good life ahead of him.

(05-29-2010 07:19 AM)MemphisMojo Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 06:22 AM)missjtiger Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 06:11 AM)ItsDude Wrote:  It's a good thing Bledsoe didn't pick the Tigers.

God was taking care of our tigers in more ways then one when you really stand back and look at everything that happened and the way it happened.

Really? God is involved here?

yes, God is involved in everything.

(05-29-2010 07:23 AM)missjtiger Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 07:19 AM)MemphisMojo Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 06:22 AM)missjtiger Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 06:11 AM)ItsDude Wrote:  It's a good thing Bledsoe didn't pick the Tigers.

God was taking care of our tigers in more ways then one when you really stand back and look at everything that happened and the way it happened.

Really? God is involved here?

yes, God is involved in everything.

just glad you have him on our side.

(05-29-2010 07:22 AM)Stammers Wrote:  Aside from it being Kentucky and all; the big picture is that I feel really sorry for Eric Bledsoe and the path that he took to get where he is. By all accounts he grew up extremely poor. By all accounts he had a terrible family life. By all accounts he is a good guy. It is an absolute shame that he was used by a scumbag like Ford. It is an absolute shame that his father wasn't around, and his mother couldn't provide a supportive and financially stable life for him growing up. For those of you saying that Bledsoe has to bear the brunt of the responsibility; you are correct. Having said that; someone growing up with all the advantages would have to take 100% responsibility. A guy like Bledsoe probably had a 10% chance to do everything he needed to in the classroom. God knows that he didn't have anyone that cared enough to stress how important that is; nor did he have anyone that cared enough to try and watch over him while he was growing up. The one man that he did trust; whored him out.

It makes me really happy to think that Bledsoe will be a millionaire in a few weeks. I will be happy when Kentucky and Cal get demolished; but it is an entirely separate issue altogether. The best thing is that Bledsoe is going to luck into not going into adulthood being dirt poor and having no education. He seems like a good guy; I am thrilled to know that he has a good chance at having a good life ahead of him.

and let's also hope and pray that he has someone smart and honest managing his money.

(05-29-2010 07:24 AM)MemphisMojo Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 07:23 AM)missjtiger Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 07:19 AM)MemphisMojo Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 06:22 AM)missjtiger Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 06:11 AM)ItsDude Wrote:  It's a good thing Bledsoe didn't pick the Tigers.

God was taking care of our tigers in more ways then one when you really stand back and look at everything that happened and the way it happened.

Really? God is involved here?

yes, God is involved in everything.

just glad you have him on our side.

I have nothing to do with it.

(05-29-2010 07:25 AM)missjtiger Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 07:22 AM)Stammers Wrote:  Aside from it being Kentucky and all; the big picture is that I feel really sorry for Eric Bledsoe and the path that he took to get where he is. By all accounts he grew up extremely poor. By all accounts he had a terrible family life. By all accounts he is a good guy. It is an absolute shame that he was used by a scumbag like Ford. It is an absolute shame that his father wasn't around, and his mother couldn't provide a supportive and financially stable life for him growing up. For those of you saying that Bledsoe has to bear the brunt of the responsibility; you are correct. Having said that; someone growing up with all the advantages would have to take 100% responsibility. A guy like Bledsoe probably had a 10% chance to do everything he needed to in the classroom. God knows that he didn't have anyone that cared enough to stress how important that is; nor did he have anyone that cared enough to try and watch over him while he was growing up. The one man that he did trust; whored him out.

It makes me really happy to think that Bledsoe will be a millionaire in a few weeks. I will be happy when Kentucky and Cal get demolished; but it is an entirely separate issue altogether. The best thing is that Bledsoe is going to luck into not going into adulthood being dirt poor and having no education. He seems like a good guy; I am thrilled to know that he has a good chance at having a good life ahead of him.

and let's also hope and pray that he has someone smart and honest managing his money.

100%

I just woke up to Christmas morning in late May.

I can't even describe how awesome it would be if UK had to take down their ill-gotten "Sweet 16" banner.

At least ours was worth it.

(05-29-2010 07:33 AM)Stammers Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 07:25 AM)missjtiger Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 07:22 AM)Stammers Wrote:  Aside from it being Kentucky and all; the big picture is that I feel really sorry for Eric Bledsoe and the path that he took to get where he is. By all accounts he grew up extremely poor. By all accounts he had a terrible family life. By all accounts he is a good guy. It is an absolute shame that he was used by a scumbag like Ford. It is an absolute shame that his father wasn't around, and his mother couldn't provide a supportive and financially stable life for him growing up. For those of you saying that Bledsoe has to bear the brunt of the responsibility; you are correct. Having said that; someone growing up with all the advantages would have to take 100% responsibility. A guy like Bledsoe probably had a 10% chance to do everything he needed to in the classroom. God knows that he didn't have anyone that cared enough to stress how important that is; nor did he have anyone that cared enough to try and watch over him while he was growing up. The one man that he did trust; whored him out.

It makes me really happy to think that Bledsoe will be a millionaire in a few weeks. I will be happy when Kentucky and Cal get demolished; but it is an entirely separate issue altogether. The best thing is that Bledsoe is going to luck into not going into adulthood being dirt poor and having no education. He seems like a good guy; I am thrilled to know that he has a good chance at having a good life ahead of him.

and let's also hope and pray that he has someone smart and honest managing his money.

100%

Odds are pretty good that it will be Leon Rose and WWW. Just guessing

(05-29-2010 03:14 AM)EarthBoundMisfit Wrote:  I aint trying to say he is faking it, but does anyon else have reservations suddenly about X's 'sick mother'?
She may well be for all I know,...it may also be an excuse not to have to answer questions right now.
It may also be an excuse to be negotiating with a NBA tem for a job.

…really?
i know the guy is a scumbag but this is a pretty heady accusation to make.

(05-29-2010 08:26 AM)uofmbrad Wrote:  I can't even describe how awesome it would be if UK had to take down their ill-gotten "Sweet 16" banner.

You mean "Elite Eight".

To use an analogy, I hate being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic due to a multi-car pile up. But in the case of what's possibly about to happen to Kentucky and Coach X, I'm going to pull off on the side of the road and look.

Is anybody around here surprised? What about Cousins? Heck, Wall should have never been ruled eligible. The NCAA is so hypocritical, they made their $$$ now they will hammer Kentucky while Cal moves on to his dream NBA job coaching Rose, Wall, and or Lebron

(05-29-2010 07:22 AM)Stammers Wrote:  Aside from it being Kentucky and all; the big picture is that I feel really sorry for Eric Bledsoe and the path that he took to get where he is. By all accounts he grew up extremely poor. By all accounts he had a terrible family life. By all accounts he is a good guy. It is an absolute shame that he was used by a scumbag like Ford. It is an absolute shame that his father wasn't around, and his mother couldn't provide a supportive and financially stable life for him growing up. For those of you saying that Bledsoe has to bear the brunt of the responsibility; you are correct. Having said that; someone growing up with all the advantages would have to take 100% responsibility. A guy like Bledsoe probably had a 10% chance to do everything he needed to in the classroom. God knows that he didn't have anyone that cared enough to stress how important that is; nor did he have anyone that cared enough to try and watch over him while he was growing up. The one man that he did trust; whored him out.

It makes me really happy to think that Bledsoe will be a millionaire in a few weeks. I will be happy when Kentucky and Cal get demolished; but it is an entirely separate issue altogether. The best thing is that Bledsoe is going to luck into not going into adulthood being dirt poor and having no education. He seems like a good guy; I am thrilled to know that he has a good chance at having a good life ahead of him.

Great post here Stammers--------unfortunately the odds of Eric actually breaking the cycle of poverty with his NBA millions are just as slim as his ascension to that level of play.
The odds are overwhelming that he'll "live large" while employed and "won't know what hit him" when it's over.
I hope I'm wrong.

(05-29-2010 07:22 AM)Stammers Wrote:  Aside from it being Kentucky and all; the big picture is that I feel really sorry for Eric Bledsoe and the path that he took to get where he is. By all accounts he grew up extremely poor. By all accounts he had a terrible family life. By all accounts he is a good guy. It is an absolute shame that he was used by a scumbag like Ford. It is an absolute shame that his father wasn't around, and his mother couldn't provide a supportive and financially stable life for him growing up. For those of you saying that Bledsoe has to bear the brunt of the responsibility; you are correct. Having said that; someone growing up with all the advantages would have to take 100% responsibility. A guy like Bledsoe probably had a 10% chance to do everything he needed to in the classroom. God knows that he didn't have anyone that cared enough to stress how important that is; nor did he have anyone that cared enough to try and watch over him while he was growing up. The one man that he did trust; whored him out.

It makes me really happy to think that Bledsoe will be a millionaire in a few weeks. I will be happy when Kentucky and Cal get demolished; but it is an entirely separate issue altogether. The best thing is that Bledsoe is going to luck into not going into adulthood being dirt poor and having no education. He seems like a good guy; I am thrilled to know that he has a good chance at having a good life ahead of him.

Good post.

(05-29-2010 08:47 AM)ByrdDogX Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 08:26 AM)uofmbrad Wrote:  I can't even describe how awesome it would be if UK had to take down their ill-gotten "Sweet 16" banner.

You mean "Elite Eight".

Ahh...yes...you are correct, sir.

Either way, it would still make my year.

(05-29-2010 07:22 AM)Stammers Wrote:  It makes me really happy to think that Bledsoe will be a millionaire in a few weeks. I will be happy when Kentucky and Cal get demolished; but it is an entirely separate issue altogether. The best thing is that Bledsoe is going to luck into not going into adulthood being dirt poor and having no education. He seems like a good guy; I am thrilled to know that he has a good chance at having a good life ahead of him.

this.

(05-29-2010 09:21 AM)tee bee Wrote:  

(05-29-2010 07:22 AM)Stammers Wrote:  Aside from it being Kentucky and all; the big picture is that I feel really sorry for Eric Bledsoe and the path that he took to get where he is. By all accounts he grew up extremely poor. By all accounts he had a terrible family life. By all accounts he is a good guy. It is an absolute shame that he was used by a scumbag like Ford. It is an absolute shame that his father wasn't around, and his mother couldn't provide a supportive and financially stable life for him growing up. For those of you saying that Bledsoe has to bear the brunt of the responsibility; you are correct. Having said that; someone growing up with all the advantages would have to take 100% responsibility. A guy like Bledsoe probably had a 10% chance to do everything he needed to in the classroom. God knows that he didn't have anyone that cared enough to stress how important that is; nor did he have anyone that cared enough to try and watch over him while he was growing up. The one man that he did trust; whored him out.

It makes me really happy to think that Bledsoe will be a millionaire in a few entirely separate issue altogether. The best thing is that Bledsoe is going to luck into not going into adulthood being dirt poor and having no education. He seems like a good guy; I am thrilled to know that he has a good chance at having a good life ahead of him.

Great post here Stammers--------unfortunately the odds of Eric actually breaking the cycle of poverty with his NBA millions are just as slim as his ascension to that level of play.
The odds are overwhelming that he'll "live large" while employed and "won't know what hit him" when it's over.
I hope I'm wrong.

He should be okay with his money. He's apparently very good at math now.

I hope he is bright enough to realize how he was used and looks for someone responsible to manage things for him. Someone that can be trusted to really have his interest first. Otherwise he will be a repeat story of so many others living the good life and then broke.

I hope that they have enough evidence against Maurice Ford to go after him. Surely his dastardly deeds include some broken laws along the way. Bottom feeders like him need to be held as an example as to what's wrong in youth basketball programs today.

I know there are many fine high school and AAU coaches who mentor the kids, and the rotten apples such as Ford are making it harder for them (as if it wasn't hard enough).

(05-29-2010 07:22 AM)Stammers Wrote:  Aside from it being Kentucky and all; the big picture is that I feel really sorry for Eric Bledsoe and the path that he took to get where he is. By all accounts he grew up extremely poor. By all accounts he had a terrible family life. By all accounts he is a good guy. It is an absolute shame that he was used by a scumbag like Ford. It is an absolute shame that his father wasn't around, and his mother couldn't provide a supportive and financially stable life for him growing up. For those of you saying that Bledsoe has to bear the brunt of the responsibility; you are correct. Having said that; someone growing up with all the advantages would have to take 100% responsibility. A guy like Bledsoe probably had a 10% chance to do everything he needed to in the classroom. God knows that he didn't have anyone that cared enough to stress how important that is; nor did he have anyone that cared enough to try and watch over him while he was growing up. The one man that he did trust; whored him out.

It makes me really happy to think that Bledsoe will be a millionaire in a few weeks. I will be happy when Kentucky and Cal get demolished; but it is an entirely separate issue altogether. The best thing is that Bledsoe is going to luck into not going into adulthood being dirt poor and having no education. He seems like a good guy; I am thrilled to know that he has a good chance at having a good life ahead of him.

Man this is a tough one to talk about. I walk in this world very day and fully get the problems and pitfalls of poverty BUT.....

....to give someone only a 10% to succeed in the classroom is an injustice to kids that grow up in that world and an insult to the people who work with them.

This is a very complicated discussion and potentially an explosive one also.

Don't forget you can understand and empathize with kids who grow up in a tough environment but still have high expectations and demand accountability. To say they only have a 10% chance to succeed is like telling them you will fail because it's tough out there for a poor man.

I know your comments were intended to be supportive but I think the worst thing we can do is be part of a culture that tells kids they will fail because of their background or circumstances. The approach I take with them is to say that I expect them to succeed regardless of the circumstances. NO EXCUSES.

I think we all have the same hope for at-risk kids. Lets all have the same expectations.