Coach Les's Comments After the Game

[BradleyBrave]

Great point! It seems like many people have forgotten that only a couple of these players have actually played two full seasons together......SS/SM and SS/AW. The rest are just ten games into their second season playing together.

Well, it's more or less the same team as last year, with the addition of an all-conference caliber guard in Andrew Warren and the addition of 3 solid freshmen in DSE, MK, and dare I say JE. SS, TB, SM, CR, and EM all logged major minutes last season. WE played with these guys as a freshman, and did play a bit last year. Plus, this team played together in Brazil. I'm not buying the 'haven't played enough together' bit. They've played enough together to not be this awful.

[dogsrus]

Dogsrus, are we going to post snide remarks everytime the poor guy (Les) loses a game? It's profoundly unfair to evualuate a team this early in the season! If we are 3-6 halfway through the Valley schedule, then by all means have at it. Better yet, use the whole summer to gripe if we take two steps back this year. But we're NOT THERE yet!

Many teams have had mediocre non-conference records only to go on and do some significant damage in the conference. Let's wait at least through 5 to 10 games in the Valley, then we can make a better call on whether things are progressing in the right direction or not.

I hope you are correct and we CAN turn this around.

My snide remarks are not towards JL. They are for those that chastize all of us that offer an opinion thats not in line with theirs.

I have ALWAYS shown respect for those that see the glass as half full. I NEVER jump all over some one for yelling "great cruise" while the ship is taking on water.

And for the record I'm NOT making judgements based on a few games/losses. My judgements are being made from, what I see is years of mediocre play and RESULTS save for one GREAT end of year run in 2006.

My or anyones griping, moaning or complaining isn't going to affect the program one iota. Its our only way to release alot of frustration. IF I could go to practice, yell at the guys and makem participate in two-a-days like JL can (you see HE'S upset just like me) I would. But I can't, so you'll have to get used to it until they either turn it around OR when I quit caring enough to just say nothing at all.

IF that happens....THATS when you have problems. You see, the opposite of love isn't hate...its indifference. Right now I still care...when apathy/indifference sets in by the fans, BU will have problems.

[shaunguth]

Well, it's more or less the same team as last year, with the addition of an all-conference caliber guard in Andrew Warren and the addition of 3 solid freshmen in DSE, MK, and dare I say JE. SS, TB, SM, CR, and EM all logged major minutes last season. WE played with these guys as a freshman, and did play a bit last year. Plus, this team played together in Brazil. I'm not buying the 'haven't played enough together' bit. They've played enough together to not be this awful.

TW, DC, and DD also logged major minutes last season. Also, I don't believe AW, DSE, JE, or MK played in Brazil and WE only very limited minutes.

I'm just saying this really is a young team in terms of playing together. I stand by my original statement that "only a couple of these players have actually played two full seasons together". Whether you "buy in" to that or not, I'm just stating a fact.

[dogsrus]

Snide remarks? I agree with dogsrus on every post he's made. He's just spaking the truth and not aboard the fantasy train like some others appear to be. The team that played yesterday will beat exactly two teams in Valley play, Evansville, and maybe Drake. The team that beat Illinois is MIA.

Thanks for the support Chitown....the only thing I would offer though is I don't or won't begrudge anyone that is on EITHER train.....IF somone chooses to ride the "fantasy train" as you put it....I respect that. But when they scold me for NOT buying a ticket for that same train thats a different story.

And when they question my "fandom" I'll show em my frequent flyer miles for following this team from South Padre, to California, Vegas (ouch that ones STILL hurts) and beyond.

I support the Braves...I'm just not really happy right now. JL and I have that in common.

[dogsrus]

TW, DC, and DD also logged major minutes last season. Also, I don't believe AW, DSE, JE, or MK played in Brazil and WE only very limited minutes.

I'm just saying this really is a young team in terms of playing together. I stand by my original statement that "only a couple of these players have actually played two full seasons together". Whether you "buy in" to that or not, I'm just stating a fact.

Thats a good point.....

[Grassman]

I hope you are correct and we CAN turn this around.

My snide remarks are not towards JL. They are for those that chastize all of us that offer an opinion thats not in line with theirs.

I have ALWAYS shown respect for those that see the glass as half full. I NEVER jump all over some one for yelling "great cruise" while the ship is taking on water.

And for the record I'm NOT making judgements based on a few games/losses. My judgements are being made from, what I see is years of mediocre play and RESULTS save for one GREAT end of year run in 2006.

My or anyones griping, moaning or complaining isn't going to affect the program one iota. Its our only way to release alot of frustration. IF I could go to practice, yell at the guys and makem participate in two-a-days like JL can (you see HE'S upset just like me) I would. But I can't, so you'll have to get used to it until they either turn it around OR when I quit caring enough to just say nothing at all.

IF that happens....THATS when you have problems. You see, the opposite of love isn't hate...its indifference. Right now I still care...when apathy/indifference sets in by the fans, BU will have problems.

WOW! Pretty COOL!

[AZ BU Fan]

Most of the posters upset with the lack of progress with BU post 2005-6 haven't been calling for a coup d'etat this year with JL & his coaching staff, a la SM. Rather, there is a lot of frustration building when the same mistakes, errors, lack of discipline and effort show up year after year after year.

I would suspect deep down we all are willing/hoping JL can get things going this year and certainly will give JL his chance next year when about everything, except possibly JW attending BU, should be in BU's favor.

"Let me be clear", JL (or more accurately his players) achieved
"Unprecedented" results in 2005-06. There comes a time, however, when "Change" needs to happen, and to admit "Mistakes have been made".
"Yes we can" and should aspire to better basketball without sacrificing BU's academic integrity.

My personal feeling is players who have significantly succeeded beyond their physical abilities as players in any sport do not make good coaches. I can't back this up with any statistical/historical analysis. I worry they struggle to relate to or understand their players with the same, or even worse, more physical talent than they had, who can't or don't want to exert the same "over the top" dedication and effort they had to display to succeed.

This ultimately leads to frustration and difficulty to coach/lead players. Just a crazy feeling I have. Any psychiatrists out there who care to weigh in on this?

[ser_solace]

My personal feeling is players who have significantly succeeded beyond their physical abilities as players in any sport do not make good coaches. I can't back this up with any statistical/historical analysis. I worry they struggle to relate to or understand their players with the same, or even worse, more physical talent than they had, who can't or don't want to exert the same "over the top" dedication and effort they had to display to succeed.

This ultimately leads to frustration and difficulty to coach/lead players. Just a crazy feeling I have. Any psychiatrists out there who care to weigh in on this?

Here are former small, point guards who I thought had success as coaches:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avery_Johnson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Krzyzewski

I'm not trying to say Coach Les is eventually going to lead us to the NCAA finals or something. But I just don't agree with your arguement about being able to relate to the players.

Because there are a lot of great coaches who were never physically gifted or "overachieved" despite their stature. How do those guys manage to relate to the players and coach those who have greater physical talent?

[ph]

I think an overachieving player can be the result of coaching and/or personal drive.
A player that overachieved due to coaching up might become a better coach than a player that overachieved due to (real or percieved) personal drive alone. In both cases, each new coach will relate best what they personally needed to learn from their coaches to succeed on the court. Those personal lessons may or may not be the best teaching methods for all players, though.

[Beninator]

Most of the posters upset with the lack of progress with BU post 2005-6 haven't been calling for a coup d'etat this year with JL & his coaching staff, a la SM. Rather, there is a lot of frustration building when the same mistakes, errors, lack of discipline and effort show up year after year after year.

I would suspect deep down we all are willing/hoping JL can get things going this year and certainly will give JL his chance next year when about everything, except possibly JW attending BU, should be in BU's favor.

"Let me be clear", JL (or more accurately his players) achieved
"Unprecedented" results in 2005-06. There comes a time, however, when "Change" needs to happen, and to admit "Mistakes have been made".
"Yes we can" and should aspire to better basketball without sacrificing BU's academic integrity.

My personal feeling is players who have significantly succeeded beyond their physical abilities as players in any sport do not make good coaches. I can't back this up with any statistical/historical analysis. I worry they struggle to relate to or understand their players with the same, or even worse, more physical talent than they had, who can't or don't want to exert the same "over the top" dedication and effort they had to display to succeed.

This ultimately leads to frustration and difficulty to coach/lead players. Just a crazy feeling I have. Any psychiatrists out there who care to weigh in on this?

Sure... I'm an amateur psychiatrist and I think that you are full of c***!!

[tornado]

Sure... I'm an amateur psychiatrist ..

Did you hear the one about the lady who went to a psychiatrist for an opinion??
He listened to her story then told her..."I think you are crazy".
So, disappointed, she said..."I think I'd like to have a 2nd opinion"
To which the psychiatrist then answered, "Well ok, then you're also ugly".

[longtimelistener]

Be sure to tip your waiter or waitress while tornado dodges rotten tomatoes.

[tornado]

I have some outstanding lawyer jokes, too

[longtimelistener]

I have some outstanding lawyer jokes, too

JG?

[Beninator]

Well at least it is refreshing to see some humor around here.