What is the difference?

[Gunsmoke]

What is the difference between taking a realistic approach to something and how and when does it get construed as being pessimistic and whining? It seems the two would be at odds with one another. The reality of the situation is we are Kentucky and we were barely ranked coming into the season, for many reasons made by many people with the power of perception and the mighty pen on their side, then we get beat by ucla and absolutely positively blown out of the gym by memphis of all teams. Yes that year in and year out powerhouse memphis from that highly respected powerhouse of a conference CUSA. That is the reality of the situation. The reality of the situation is how I felt watching us struggle to do anything right in Maui and the glaring weaknesses that were exposed by the now upper eschelon in the basketball world which we are no longer a part of..if you make an honest assessment of who kicked our tails last year and who have already kicked our tails this year. Do I want to win? Heck yes! Do I support UK? Heck yes. Do I call it like I see it and how it is usually determined to be the way I see it? Heck yes! I don't want to see it this way and I don't want it to be this way. Am I saying fire him and him and him? Heck no I am not! I have been around long enough to know who makes those decisions and that they will not ask my opinion. But I have also been around long enough to make my own assessment of strengths and weaknesses and we have too many weaknesses when compared to the now upper eschelon teams like ucla and memphis. Can it change? I sure hope so. Will it?Whoever can let me know when theircrystal ball comes up with the answer.

[ukbob]

Some see glaring weaknesses and are frustrated about them, yet remain cautiously optimistic that improvements will happen. They remain hopeful. I think you and I fall in there.

Some think all is just fine if we give them time.

Some see no way we will compete as long as Smith is the coach. They refuse to see anything else.

I don't see whiners, just a split fan base. Been that way for 10 years and won't change this year.

[Gunsmoke]

PS - I may take a rah rah approach on the football side of it because of the history there or the lack thereof. But this is basketball and we should expect more. There's some reality for you. The real gnashing of the teeth by people will come when or if this thing doesn't get turned around.

[BigblueDrew]

Gunsmoke wrote: PS - I may take a rah rah approach on the football side of it because of the history there or the lack thereof. But this is basketball and we should expect more. There's some reality for you. The real gnashing of the teeth by people will come when or if this thing doesn't get turned around.
I am much the same. My expectations and for football is different. Why because of our history and tradition in that sport. Basketball is and should be different.

[BigBlue75]

ukbob wrote: Some see glaring weaknesses and are frustrated about them, yet remain cautiously optimistic that improvements will happen. They remain hopeful. I think you and I fall in there.

Some think all is just fine if we give them time.

Some see no way we will compete as long as Smith is the coach. They refuse to see anything else.

I don't see whiners, just a split fan base. Been that way for 10 years and won't change this year.




Well, the thread I started earier is there for all to read, and I will let everyone make up their own mind about where they think I stand. Myself, I think I fall somewhere between "cautiously optimistic" and believing that things will be okay.

Certainly, there are weaknesses that need to be addressed and hopefully addressed quickly. However, I think what compounded the situation is the number of games the 'Cats had to play in such a short period of time, with the last three coming in consecutive days, coupled with jet lag and time zone differential. What bothers me is that very few of the fanbase seem to think that makes any difference.

[MSU Cat]

BigBlue75 wrote: ukbob wrote: Some see glaring weaknesses and are frustrated about them, yet remain cautiously optimistic that improvements will happen. They remain hopeful. I think you and I fall in there.

Some think all is just fine if we give them time.

Some see no way we will compete as long as Smith is the coach. They refuse to see anything else.

I don't see whiners, just a split fan base. Been that way for 10 years and won't change this year.




Well, the thread I started earier is there for all to read, and I will let everyone make up their own mind about where they think I stand. Myself, I think I fall somewhere between "cautiously optimistic" and believing that things will be okay.

Certainly, there are weaknesses that need to be addressed and hopefully addressed quickly. However, I think what compounded the situation is the number of games the 'Cats had to play in such a short period of time, with the last three coming in consecutive days, coupled with jet lag and time zone differential. What bothers me is that very few of the fanbase seem to think that makes any difference.

I think that playing that many games in that short of a period does wear you out. But, let's not act like Memphis and UCLA aren't playing games in that short of a period of time. I know, five games in eight days. Let's look at the first three. Should our starters have had to play as many minutes as they did against Miami (OH) Mississippi Valley State? They are a combined 5-9. Bradley had beaten DePaul by 20 and we struggled down the stretch to put them away. The fact of the matter is, we were outclassed by UCLA and Memphis when it came to talent on the floor and that should never happen.I can understand how UCLA is able to recruit like weshould be able to. How on earth Memphis is able to recruit better, more athletic players than we do is beyond me. It falls directly on the shoulders of Tubby Smith.

[HillbillyCat]

They had 2 days rest before they played in Maui, other teams had to fly out there also. No, not for 1 second do I buy the jet lag thing because the jet lag thing affected everybody the same. 3 games in 3 days everybody else also did so I don't buy that either. I played ball for years and years every day for hours. Did I get tired, yes, but I was always ready to go the next day when I was their age. I understand at that level, they're putting out more effort--at least some of them are--but most of the guys are only playing 20-25 minutes per game, sometimes maybe 33-35. Get real people, fatigue isn't your answer, especially when you play 8-9 guys.......



This is just no excuse at all-------------------------------------------------------------

[BigBlue75]

[self-edited] Never mind. Some things are best left unsaid. :rolleyes:

[AugustaDan]

Gunsmoke wrote: What is the difference between taking a realistic approach to something and how and when does it get construed as being pessimistic and whining? This one's easy! In general, a post that includes "I'm being realistic" or "I'm telling it like it is" is being pessimistic and whining. Anyone who feels the need to justify their opinion by couching it in terms of objectivity is trying to cover the fact that they are being overly negative. Similarly, anyone who begins a post with "Maybe I'm being optimistic" is also not being realistic. This almost always helps identify the wheat from the chaff for me.

Your post is a notable exception. :) Wheat, not chaff.:thumbup Of course, the difference is that you say that you are telling it like you see it and not "telling it like it is."

[Spanish Moss]

We all have opinions and I think we should be free to post them. As long as they are not illegal, immoral, obscene or slanderous. This is a message board for opinions and I hope it never becomes ONLY a cheer leading board for our program. There is a place for cheer leading and a place to break down a game, comment on it and agree to disagree if that is where the discussion leads us.

Our coach has a $20 million contract, representing one of the best in all of sports for a coach. A little second guessing from the fans or disagreement as to the state of the program is not going to cause him to lose any sleep. And contrary to some opinions, it will not cause us to lose one single recruit.

The internet is good because the average Joe can express an opinion. It has been known to keep politicans honest and if it causes coaches to work a little harder, isn't that a good thing? If someone posts something that is untrue, somebody will follow up to set them straight. You can count on that.

[DCWildcat]

What is the difference between taking a realistic approach to something and how and when does it get construed as being pessimistic and whining?
Ideally, the tone. In practice, perception. I've benn accused of having biases in completely opposite positions on the same post before, which is kind of exciting.