Just to be clear

[BradleyJD]

I was accused in another thread of having never said anything "pro-JL".

So, just to set the record straight.

When Jim Les was hired, I was actually quite excited. I thought it was "outside the box", but I thought it could work.

I argued, against the current, on the PJStar board against many many people who felt it was ridiculous to hire a coach with very limited experience.

I posted about staying calm, giving it time to grow. I pleaded many times on that board that Jim would learn on the job and eventually create a winner.

The very night of the WSU game (I think), when BU tanked the game and looked like the team would fall apart during the S16 season, I went on the board and said Jim had done his best postgame ever on the radio.

Jim came out and said he was challenging the team, changing who would get minutes, etc...you all remember that postgame.

and it worked....Jim turned that season around, the team went on that crazy run and I was there (as many were) when BU played in Auburn Hills and beat two powerhouses!!

I pumped Jim, the team, the program, and everything surrounding it up as much as possible. So did many people I know who post on here and on PJStar.

I gave JL even more credit the following year when he rebuilt the offense around the perimeter and did his best coaching job.

However, in the past several seasons as the losses have increased and the level of play and fundamentals has decreased(IMO)....Yes, I have been less positive about the job JL has done and the direction the program is heading.

I think this probably covers how many many BU fans feel about the situation.

Now, there are some on here who will support Jim Les and say he is doing a super job to this very day. That is fine, and I accept that that is your opinion.

For me, I just cannot do that. I want and frankly, expect better for this program.

I realize people feel differently and have different sets of goals or whatever. That is great. The world would be boring if everyone felt the same on every issue.

But don't try and call me out and say I never liked JL or wanted him to do well. That is BS and 100% untrue.

I praise the coaches and team when it's warranted. I will also criticize or question them when it's warranted.

[srw]

And I was one who thought it was a ridiculous hire (still do)

I thought he should have been gone the year before the sweet 16 run.

After the sweet 16 birth, I thought, wow...the guy said he would create crowds at the airport and the SOB did it...Impressive.

I also thought the next year was his best overall coaching job.

But I still kept saying, we arent competitive in the league. JL doesnt seem to care about it.

Then we continued to be mediocre in the league. Then this year happened.

I guess one difference between me and some are that I don't really care what labels are put on me. I love this basketball program and this university.

I believe it has vastly underachieved against its peers in the league, and I want better.

Others think I am wrong, and some reasons are valid....

That said, and i have said this before. Why would Jim, besides a paycheck, want to continue this.

This isnt good for the program, his family, or himself.

Dont the rest of you imagine that if he was that secure and comfortable here, that Tyler would be here....Im just speculating...

But Macs kid didnt do to Iowa State because Mac knew he wouldnt be there very long

[Da Coach]

You don't think injuries had anything to do with it? That maybe JL believes that with a healthy team this would all turn around in a hurry? It's a bit shortsighted to believe otherwise.

And the shot at Tyler Les is just another one of those ridiculous false rumors that the anti-JL's create or believe to justify their position. It is just that, absurd.

[lefty]

You don't think injuries had anything to do with it? That maybe JL believes that with a healthy team this would all turn around in a hurry? It's a bit shortsighted to believe otherwise.

And the shot at Tyler Les is just another one of those ridiculous false rumors that the anti-JL's create or believe to justify their position. It is just that, absurd.

He said he was just speculating...I don't see the harm in that.

[BradleyJD]

I guess one difference between me and some are that I don't really care what labels are put on me. I love this basketball program and this university.

I believe it has vastly underachieved against its peers in the league, and I want better.

Very well said. It's so hard to sit and watch this year after year. We all love the program and the university.

We just want better.

[canadian]

And I was one who thought it was a ridiculous hire (still do)

I thought he should have been gone the year before the sweet 16 run.

After the sweet 16 birth, I thought, wow...the guy said he would create crowds at the airport and the SOB did it...Impressive.

I also thought the next year was his best overall coaching job.

But I still kept saying, we arent competitive in the league. JL doesnt seem to care about it.

Then we continued to be mediocre in the league. Then this year happened.

I guess one difference between me and some are that I don't really care what labels are put on me. I love this basketball program and this university.

I believe it has vastly underachieved against its peers in the league, and I want better.

Others think I am wrong, and some reasons are valid....

That said, and i have said this before. Why would Jim, besides a paycheck, want to continue this.

This isnt good for the program, his family, or himself.

Dont the rest of you imagine that if he was that secure and comfortable here, that Tyler would be here....Im just speculating...

But Macs kid didnt do to Iowa State because Mac knew he wouldnt be there very long

Agreed with this. I admit the goofy "anti" this label or "hater" that label bothered me at one point. I've grown thicker skin

Also, I personally like Jim Les. I have nothing but good things to say about him personally.

[45otseoj]

Leave Tyler Les out of it.

Tyler Les < Doug McDermott

That's not a knock on him either. The kid wanted to play, and he wouldn't have played at Bradley. If he did, people would be yelling favortism. McD is Creighton's best player; no one thinks he is getting favorable treatment.

Also, maybe Tyler wanted to return to the West Coast. He's a good kid with a good jumper, but that's about it.

[Da Coach]

He said he was just speculating...I don't see the harm in that.

He is 100% wrong. We have had enough of these erroneous "speculations" thrown out against Jim Les. Why not actually try to verify what is said before saying something so dumb? Tyler Les had always wanted to play elsewhere, and did not want to play at Bradley under the shadow of his HOF father. It is a total different situation from Greg McDermott, so why even bring that up? Ty Les made his decision a year ago, before any of this stuff that people are using as justification to fire JL.

I think it is actually time to call a time out. Both sides have stated their positions, and the "fire Jim Les" side seems to think they must keep repeating theirs, starting new threads, and shouting down anyone else.

So unless someone actually has some factual information, or something new, this discussion has reached the end.

[MacabreMob]

So unless someone actually has some factual information, or something new, this discussion has reached the end.

Yay!!!!!!

[ph]

You don't think injuries had anything to do with it? That maybe JL believes that with a healthy team this would all turn around in a hurry? It's a bit shortsighted to believe otherwise.

I think its reasonable to believe that JC's injury '07 prevented us from achieving the contending finish that team was playing like.

Beyond that, the injury thing makes JL sound like Dusty Baker coaching the Cubs, "if I had all my guys.."

[Braves4Life]

It will be interesting to see if these threads and several anti-Wessler posts will continue to exist if Les is indeed fired/replaced. Could be A LOT of crow being served.

[Chico]

And I was one who thought it was a ridiculous hire (still do)

I thought he should have been gone the year before the sweet 16 run.

After the sweet 16 birth, I thought, wow...the guy said he would create crowds at the airport and the SOB did it...Impressive.

I also thought the next year was his best overall coaching job.

But I still kept saying, we arent competitive in the league. JL doesnt seem to care about it.

Then we continued to be mediocre in the league. Then this year happened.

I guess one difference between me and some are that I don't really care what labels are put on me. I love this basketball program and this university.

I believe it has vastly underachieved against its peers in the league, and I want better.

Others think I am wrong, and some reasons are valid....

That said, and i have said this before. Why would Jim, besides a paycheck, want to continue this.

This isnt good for the program, his family, or himself.

Dont the rest of you imagine that if he was that secure and comfortable here, that Tyler would be here....Im just speculating...

But Macs kid didnt do to Iowa State because Mac knew he wouldnt be there very long

To say Jim Les doesn't care is ridiculous.

[BradleyJD]

the "fire Jim Les" side seems to think they must keep repeating theirs, starting new threads, and shouting down anyone else.

Really? I started this thread to refute yet another lie posted about me by another poster. It was not to shout anything down, other than an outright lie.

I also do not like being labeled as a "fire Jim Les" side.

My label is the "Please win games" side.

[Da Coach]

I think its reasonable to believe that JC's injury '07 prevented us from achieving the contending finish that team was playing like.

Beyond that, the injury thing makes JL sound like Dusty Baker coaching the Cubs, "if I had all my guys.."

So the injury to Andrew Warren didn't make any difference in 2009? IMO, Bradley would have probably finished 1 or 2 and been an NCAA team. And Daniel Ruffin's injury in 2008 cost Bradley several games and a chance at the NCAA. And even going back further, the broken foot of Phil Gilbert had a huge impact in 2004.
And to say the 2 this year were not significant is amazing. Even DD's injury last year probably cost us several games. But the anti-JL people don't want to hear this so I'll stop now.

[squirrelgotdead]

It will be interesting to see if these threads and several anti-Wessler posts will continue to exist if Les is indeed fired/replaced. Could be A LOT of crow being served.

You know, I seem to remember being appalled at a lot of what Theobald used to write about Molinari, and felt it much more vitriolic, mean and sarcastic than anything Kirk has ever penned. But I never called for his neck, job or moral, ethical uprightness.