(03-11-2018 12:30 AM)jlbphila Wrote: Also, I don't pretend to be a serious journalist. I don't have a ton of time to cultivate sources and dig deep into stories. Like you said, it's mostly opinion.
Kudos to you for acknowledging this.
Quote:As for Tubby, my main beef is why did they bring him here if they weren't prepared to give him time? They should have known the approach he would take. If he's not the right fit, it's an administrative failure.
Because it was a mistake. It was an administrative failure. In addition to him needing time (when he’s already an advanced age which limits any coaching longevity) his recent history has been he doesn’t put the effort to recruit the high level of talent Memphis coaches traditional recruit, specifically the abundance of Memphis kids who are among America’s best basketball players. It was a glaring weakness and when the plans were made to pursue him, the administration should have required control of his staff so that he could only hire people with AD input so he wouldn’t put in a staff of his long time peers (and son) who limit his ability to attract the kinds of players that are not only high level, but with his coaching would allow Memphis to contend and not just put a feather in our hat for being one and done year end and year out.
The guy was 64/65 when hired. Realistically did you expect him to be a long term option? Even if successful, I can’t think anyone expected him to go a decade. If he is a short term coach, why would we EVER want a five year process if his idea of an heir apparent is Saul Smith?
Quote:I also happen to like his style, but I accept it's not for everyone.
That grumpy old man style?
Many people like Tubby’s viewpoint of coaching. He is an old head. I think college basketball is a racket to begin with and I think a coach needs to be able to get his hands dirty without getting his reputation sullied. Tubby mentioned sleeping well because his conscience is clear and I’m wondering how is he sleeping well went he has no chance of making the NCAA tournament! How does he sleep well when his team is not competitive against quality opponents? What’s the point of JUCO players if the two year guys aren’t having an immediate impact in getting you over a hump.
Quote:As for Penny, I'm skeptical. But the first blog I do after he's hired (assuming it happens) will be a positive one citing all the reasons it can work. And I'll be pulling for him to win big.
We all know the issues with bringing Penny in. But as Tiger fans, we know Tubby is a hired gun who has no loyalty to us and Penny is one of us. He may not be able to properly handle the job. But we know basketball has been his career and he would bring a great deal of excitement and attention to us. He has it in his soul to make Memphis (as the city, the region, and the school) better. That alone gives me hope. The kind of hope I don’t have with Tubby Smith who will forever be just passing through.
As far as you blocking Joe on Twitter; I’ll give you my unsolicited opinion. If you will put yourself out there, you get support and you will get opposition. You have been passionate about an unpopular viewpoint. There is nothing wrong with being adamant about the contrary viewpoint. But understand when it is a passionate issue, people will think and speak with their hearts more than their heads. As a guy who wants to build an audience, I hope that you understand you will get people to message you about your opinions. I don’t know if Joe was threatening you with his tweets, but if he was sending you lots of message criticizing you for your opinion and writing, it seems more like you have thin skin than you basically limiting his ability to keep messaging you. Because when you block someone, they know you blocked them and they win because they will always think you can’t handle people calling you wrong. That’s why you use “MUTE” on Twitter if needed because you are being harassed, but let your critics message you and you just take it because are willing to be a focal point as a writer building an audience.
I found out last night TOGC blocked me on Twitter. I have followed him a while because though he is a thorn in many sides around MT.org, I have always respected his opinion.
I will admit I told him to get back on MT.org when the rehabilitation day happened last year. I don’t message TOGC there much so I know he didn’t block me because I was harassing him. Maybe he didn’t like what I tweeted, but he could just unfollow me if that was the case. But BLOCKING me has some sort of symbolic value to say that he was so disgusted with me on Twitter so much he wants to eradicate my existence from that form of social media. So now he is in the rarified air of people like Star Jones, Wendi Thomas, and the Kang to have blocked me on twitter while people like Gary Parrish, Chris Vernon, Dan Wolken, and Geoff Calkins who I have sent hundreds of tweets over the years aggressive criticizing their public opinions and writings never blocked me and will still respond to me now and then. That’s how you earn respect of those who don’t agree with your written opinions.