Les's comments to reynolds

[tornado]

The natives are restless with the product on the floor......

then why do 10,000 continue to show up?
I know there are some that are unhappy, but due to the message boards and blogs, they have a disproportionately loud (and repetetive) voice...
I think we are a long way from the coach getting fired and starting all over again the way Evansville, NIU, and Drake have done.

[Da Coach]

Turning a blind eye to the problems will accomplish something?...

Give me a break! Where did I say this?

All I am saying is nothing is accomplished by repeating the same gripes a million times.

[That Guy]

Give me a break! Where did I say this?

All I am saying is nothing is accomplished by repeating the same gripes a million times.

You're right, let's start another thread about what Indiana's doing...

[tornado]

Indiana is playing well with their best player out....and Bradley played fairly well with one of our best players out...interesting...
maybe having TB out will end up being a blessing in disguise.
BTW - all the threads discussing Indiana are pretty clearly marked as such, and no law requires to must read them...so why do they seem to bother you? Plus, you have to go back a week to even find one...
Anyway, please don't deprive me of one of life's pleasures....seeing what's left of Bobby Knight's bully pulpit and Kelvin Sampson's den of lies writhe in mediocrity...

[longtimelistener]

then why do 10,000 continue to show up?
I know there are some that are unhappy, but due to the message boards and blogs, they have a disproportionately loud (and repetetive) voice...
I think we are a long way from the coach getting fired and starting all over again the way Evansville, NIU, and Drake have done.

Did you hear the boos on Friday? People can show up and still be unhappy with the program, you know. I mean, before I left Peoria, I was a season ticket holder. I would go because I paid for the tickets and I'm a fan of the team. That doesn't change the fact that I'm displeased with the product on the floor.

"... a long way" is relative. Define that please. Furthermore, I haven't suggested that Jim be fired. Do I question if his seat is getting warmer? Of course.

[Bravesfan]

Turning a blind eye to the problems will accomplish something?

The natives are restless with the product on the floor, and this is a very popular medium to discuss Bradley basketball. When BU basketball is good, people come here to talk about it and find information about it. When BU basketball is struggling, people come here to talk about it and find information about it.

It's still not the coaches' job to have to tell the world who is starting and who's not. NO coach is going to reveal their hand to their opponents!

When it comes to the issue of suspensions, a simple statement one time should be more than enough to suffice people. Gameplay situations, maybe once a week as a "progress report". Otherwise it's not his job to have to spend five hours a day revealing everything.

Honestly, when it comes to the media in particular, they act like they have a God given right to know everything! If you listen to sports talk radio a lot like I do (probably not a good thing!), these people get belligerent if they don't get an instant answer from coaches, and take things personally. Not a good thing to teach kids these days!

[longtimelistener]

Give me a break! Where did I say this?

All I am saying is nothing is accomplished by repeating the same gripes a million times.

And all I'm saying is nothing is accomplished by painting everything a Bradley red color.

I'll give you this DC: You've shown a more objective eye lately (last few games), but many times, the posts by you and tornado resemble the radio team's voice that refuses to look at the program with a critical eye.

So while you didn't say, "turning a blind eye to the problems will accomplish something," it's implied in your posts in combination with the statement, "...constant drumbeat of negativity as if that will accomplish anything."

[Bravesfan]

**Regardless of what some has said, we all expected to be higher than a 6 this year**

Not the national pundits. EVERYONE of them had Bradley finishing in and around sixth. And this while Yahoo Sports (while picking Bradley sixth as well) had listed Les as a coach on the rise in the Valley!

This tells me one thing. They feel he is a very good coach and recruiter, but the experience and chemistry will take awhile to gel.

So far they are all spot on in their predictions!

[BradleyBrave]

Not the national pundits. EVERYONE of them had Bradley finishing in and around sixth. And this while Yahoo Sports (while picking Bradley sixth as well) had listed Les as a coach on the rise in the Valley!

This tells me one thing. They feel he is a very good coach and recruiter, but the experience and chemistry will take awhile to gel.

So far they are all spot on in their predictions!

Let me get this straight - Meeting low expectations (bottom half of our league) means we're on the right path in year 8? So after 8 years, another middle of the road finish (at best) is acceptable? Every other coach this program has had for the last half century has done better, and done it much sooner. You mention in another post that firing the coach and hiring a new one would doom us to Drake or Evansville status for at least 3 years - Are you sure we're not Drake or Evansville already? Our standards of success seem to be in line with theirs.

[longtimelistener]

It's still not the coaches' job to have to tell the world who is starting and who's not. NO coach is going to reveal their hand to their opponents!

When it comes to the issue of suspensions, a simple statement one time should be more than enough to suffice people. Gameplay situations, maybe once a week as a "progress report". Otherwise it's not his job to have to spend five hours a day revealing everything.

Honestly, when it comes to the media in particular, they act like they have a God given right to know everything! If you listen to sports talk radio a lot like I do (probably not a good thing!), these people get belligerent if they don't get an instant answer from coaches, and take things personally. Not a good thing to teach kids these days!

I'm with you ... it's Jim's perogative to not speak to the media. He doesn't have to say anything. Even after a game. He's free to walk into the presser, say, "I have nothing to say" and walk out. Now, the university may have an issue with that, but Jim isn't required to speak to the media unless his employer requires it. And no, he doesn't have to give even a simple statement on suspensions or a weekly "progress report."

Interesting you bring up the media and this alleged "God given right" ... no doubt the media asks tough questions and it sometimes comes off as "we MUST know" and "how dare you not answer our question." But have you noticed the threads asking about details on Jim's contract? I guarantee you Reynolds and/or Wessler asked for those details when the extension was announced. They ask those questions because people want to know. Likewise, when JG was hired and introduced before a crowd of Bradley faculty, staff and supporters, members of the media were in attendance. The Journal Star reporter asked Gerry Shaheen for the details of her contract. When Shaheen blew her off with a response of "Um ... NO," the crowd laughed. Of course, now I've seen posts on this board (don't ask me to find them ... I'm not going looking, but I know I've seen them) asking how long she's under contract. That reporter asked because people want to know. The point: It's not just the media with this attitude you claim. That's society today.

Bradley is under no obligation to talk about contracts or ANYTHING for that matter. I get that. I agree with that. But transparency isn't a bad thing to teach kids either.

[Buesch N Chips]

Isn't the head coach responsible for knowing if his players are going to play and alerting the media?

He's responsible for knowing who is going to play, but has no responsibility whatsoever to make it public. JL is a secretive guy when it comes to game planning. Always has been. Nothing new here.

[Samd2]

I agree with coach, enough is enough !!!
I have been a BU fan my whole life,
I will continue to be, Win or lose.

You support a team with positives, regardless of wins or losses, support is
POSITIVE !!!

You Cub fans should know that !!!

The Glass is half full,

[versace4pres]

Not the national pundits. EVERYONE of them had Bradley finishing in and around sixth. And this while Yahoo Sports (while picking Bradley sixth as well) had listed Les as a coach on the rise in the Valley!

This tells me one thing. They feel he is a very good coach and recruiter, but the experience and chemistry will take awhile to gel.

So far they are all spot on in their predictions!

The way things are going I'll take sixth right now, anything to stay out of Thursday night. After EIGHT years he is a coach on the rise. Well he has had EIGHT years to work out the kinks, maybe now he'll start getting it.

Some coaches simply are not good bench coaches. JL is one of them. He has proven to be a great recruiter and face of the program but he needs someone to help him during the game. CB and SM provided that role for him. What is our record since SM departed? Not very impressive is it?

After the Sweet 16 run how many offers did he receive? How many short lists or long lists was he rumored to be on?

The program is getting solid talent, but we can't crack the top 3 in the Valley after EIGHT years!! Someone needs to be held accountable here and it should start with the HC. I want more for BU. I desire more for BU and after EIGHT years I believe we should be entitled to more.

[flipper]

i thought coach les got paid by the media(WMBD) and has a weekly TV show. he doesn't get compensated by that? i am surprised.

[Da Coach]

And all I'm saying is nothing is accomplished by painting everything a Bradley red color.

I'll give you this DC: You've shown a more objective eye lately (last few games), but many times, the posts by you and tornado resemble the radio team's voice that refuses to look at the program with a critical eye.

So while you didn't say, "turning a blind eye to the problems will accomplish something," it's implied in your posts in combination with the statement, "...constant drumbeat of negativity as if that will accomplish anything."

Nobody here is a paid employee of Bradley, and this site is not affiliated with BU.
So please stop with this kind of guilt by association kind of comment.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and people who don't think that the sky is falling have every right to their opinion as do the those who do.

By the way- am I the only person who thinks all this negative hysteria is exactly like it was in January and early February of 2006, just before Bradley went on to the Sweet 16?
There were threads and posts saying the exact same things as now, and others calling for Jim Les to be fired, and discussing who we should replace him with.
I even recall some here (I won't mention names) who were at least man enough after the 2006 season, to admit they were wrong and congratulate the staff for their success. Others never have.