This Was Linked on Kentuck Sports Radio

[Lloyd Christmas]

This John Henderson guy seems like he is just trying to stir the pot a little more, its funny to me that someone out in Colorado feels compelled to weigh in. This actually aggrevates me to some extent, its like friend of a friend on the other side of town giving his two cents about your family problems at home or something.

Either way, may be for an interesting Friday read. Sorry if you all have already seen it from Matt Jones's blog or there is already a thread on it, feel free to delete if necessary.

http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_5336144

[BigBlueLuke]

"One prominent alumnus who was raised in Kentucky told me not to discount Smith's being an African-American. It's a factor here, and don't think Smith hasn't felt the racist overtones. That's one reason some felt he flirted with the Charlotte Bobcats last year and might explore the NBA again. "

That's gotta be Rex Chapman playing the part of the "prominent alumnus". Dont you guys think?

[blueheretic]

At the end of last season, Smith clashed with Barnhart, who tried to get Smith to make changes on his staff. Smith refused, and the Wildcats did not improve.


This is at least the 2nd article hinting at disagreement between Smith and Barnhart over how to handle "change" this past summer.

Smith may be on more hazardous ground than we know.

[catmandoo25]

It seems like I have seen a couple of articles from the Denver post concerning UK. What's the deal? I'm talking football as well.

[Will Lavender]

blueheretic wrote: At the end of last season, Smith clashed with Barnhart, who tried to get Smith to make changes on his staff. Smith refused, and the Wildcats did not improve.


This is at least the 2nd article hinting at disagreement between Smith and Barnhart over how to handle "change" this past summer.

Smith may be on more hazardous ground than we know.

Nah.

If he were in more hot water than I think he is, he would've already been fired.

[RCS]

Except Chapman works for the Denver Nuggets. It may not be him, but it is a pretty logical leap.

[bleedbluelady]

BigBlueLuke wrote: "One prominent alumnus who was raised in Kentucky told me not to discount Smith's being an African-American. It's a factor here, and don't think Smith hasn't felt the racist overtones. That's one reason some felt he flirted with the Charlotte Bobcats last year and might explore the NBA again. "

That's gotta be Rex Chapman playing the part of the "prominent alumnus". Dont you guys think?




I'm sure Mr. Henderson is implying that. Then there is this...

And if Donovan hasn't listened yet, he might then. One ex-Kentucky player says Donovan would leave Florida for Kentucky. It makes sense. Whoever heard of winning a national title and still not being the No. 1 coach in your own athletic department?

And exactly how would one ex-Kentucky player know this?

IMO, Mr. Henderson is quoting people's opinions as facts. :thumbdown I don't care which side of the Tubby debate you take...this is shoddy journalism. :thumbdown

[Terry L. Wildcat]

bleedbluelady wrote: BigBlueLuke wrote: "One prominent alumnus who was raised in Kentucky told me not to discount Smith's being an African-American. It's a factor here, and don't think Smith hasn't felt the racist overtones. That's one reason some felt he flirted with the Charlotte Bobcats last year and might explore the NBA again. "

That's gotta be Rex Chapman playing the part of the "prominent alumnus". Dont you guys think?




I'm sure Mr. Henderson is implying that. Then there is this...

And if Donovan hasn't listened yet, he might then. One ex-Kentucky player says Donovan would leave Florida for Kentucky. It makes sense. Whoever heard of winning a national title and still not being the No. 1 coach in your own athletic department?

And exactly how would one ex-Kentucky player know this?

IMO, Mr. Henderson is quoting people's opinions as facts. :thumbdown I don't care which side of the Tubby debate you take...this is shoddy journalism. :thumbdown

:cool:Hell, in Colorado they think a field goal is something you kick :rolleyes:

[phoenix]

When I see an article like this, I always ask myself what is the veracity of the named sources in the article.

Oh, wait, there aren't any.:rolleyes:

[bigsky]

You all must be kidding if you don't understand why a Denver writer has some scoop. Bret Bearup, Rex Chapman and Rex's dad Wayne all work for or have a close connection with the Nuggets. There's a big UK connection in Denver. Read the article again with those three in mind and then maybe it will become a little clearer. Who knows Billy D really well? Who had a bad experience with racism while dating a black cheerleaderat UK? Who has talked about the poor talent evaluation and recruiting at UK?

Hmm...

[macdon]

bleedbluelady wrote: BigBlueLuke wrote: "One prominent alumnus who was raised in Kentucky told me not to discount Smith's being an African-American. It's a factor here, and don't think Smith hasn't felt the racist overtones. That's one reason some felt he flirted with the Charlotte Bobcats last year and might explore the NBA again. "

That's gotta be Rex Chapman playing the part of the "prominent alumnus". Dont you guys think?




I'm sure Mr. Henderson is implying that. Then there is this...

And if Donovan hasn't listened yet, he might then. One ex-Kentucky player says Donovan would leave Florida for Kentucky. It makes sense. Whoever heard of winning a national title and still not being the No. 1 coach in your own athletic department?

And exactly how would one ex-Kentucky player know this?

IMO, Mr. Henderson is quoting people's opinions as facts. :thumbdown I don't care which side of the Tubby debate you take...this is shoddy journalism. :thumbdown

I think this is total speculative BS. However I will suggest that one former Cat that might know that Donovan would go to Lexington is John Pelphrey.

[UK Lola]

bigsky wrote: Bret Bearup, Rex Chapman and Rex's dad Wayne all work for or have a close connection with the Nuggets.



From the Denver Nuggets web site:

Advisor to the Nuggets - Bret Bearup

Vice-President of Player Personnel - Rex Chapman

Scout - Wayne Chapman

>Click For Denver Nuggets< (http://www.nba.com/nuggets/staff_directory/staff_directory.html)

[Will Lavender]

bleedbluelady wrote: BigBlueLuke wrote: "One prominent alumnus who was raised in Kentucky told me not to discount Smith's being an African-American. It's a factor here, and don't think Smith hasn't felt the racist overtones. That's one reason some felt he flirted with the Charlotte Bobcats last year and might explore the NBA again. "

That's gotta be Rex Chapman playing the part of the "prominent alumnus". Dont you guys think?




I'm sure Mr. Henderson is implying that. Then there is this...

And if Donovan hasn't listened yet, he might then. One ex-Kentucky player says Donovan would leave Florida for Kentucky. It makes sense. Whoever heard of winning a national title and still not being the No. 1 coach in your own athletic department?

And exactly how would one ex-Kentucky player know this?

IMO, Mr. Henderson is quoting people's opinions as facts. :thumbdown I don't care which side of the Tubby debate you take...this is shoddy journalism. :thumbdown

If the former player is Bret Bearup, then he might actually know.

I'm not sure if Donovan and Bret speak that much anymore, but I know at one point they were very good friends.

I'd love to pick Bret's mind about all this.

[Madiblue]

I replied, mainly because I am tired and frustrated with the depiction of us being 1). racists, 2). racists, 3). fools...i dont know about a lot of you, but I know good basketball, this is not good basketball...over my 40 years I have known a lot of ball players who would have loved to put on the blue and white and represent the commonwealth, but like a lot of us just wasnt good enough! Kentucky basketball has standards, these standards have been passed down from year to year, when these standards are lowered, then the end product is mediocre at best, its almost like giving a job to the lowest bidder, this doesnt always ensure the quality of the performance or product, I am proud we dont not accept mediocrity, in fact keep raising hell to the point maybe those who can control the situation will comprehend this- I am not in favor of headhunting, but it is time to shake things up a bit, these changes must come from Tubby, he is in charge, it is His responsibility! Bottom line --this is unacceptable, I am tired of horseshoes and handgrenades, find out what the problem is and fix it, no more talk, no more excuses I am way past that-job 1 is to take the resources that are given and produce, while this is going on my promise to those in charge is to scream, yell, fight, cuss and mainly support this team, program the way it should be..with all my being-that my friends is how I feel, sorry for the rant! Go Cats

[biglabcatdaddy]

Madiblue wrote: I replied, mainly because I am tired and frustrated with the depiction of us being 1). racists, 2). racists, 3). fools...i dont know about a lot of you, but I know good basketball, this is not good basketball...over my 40 years I have known a lot of ball players who would have loved to put on the blue and white and represent the commonwealth, but like a lot of us just wasnt good enough! Kentucky basketball has standards, these standards have been passed down from year to year, when these standards are lowered, then the end product is mediocre at best, its almost like giving a job to the lowest bidder, this doesnt always ensure the quality of the performance or product, I am proud we dont not accept mediocrity, in fact keep raising hell to the point maybe those who can control the situation will comprehend this- I am not in favor of headhunting, but it is time to shake things up a bit, these changes must come from Tubby, he is in charge, it is His responsibility! Bottom line --this is unacceptable, I am tired of horseshoes and handgrenades, find out what the problem is and fix it, no more talk, no more excuses I am way past that-job 1 is to take the resources that are given and produce, while this is going on my promise to those in charge is to scream, yell, fight, cuss and mainly support this team, program the way it should be..with all my being-that my friends is how I feel, sorry for the rant! Go Cats


Rant away my friend! I too am completely tired of racist assertions. THEY ARE REDICULOUS! When Rick said goodbye the first thought I had was LETS GET TUBBY! 99.99% of the folks who follow the cats do not care what planet the coach is from let alone what his ethnic background is! The other 0.01% are idiots and no one cares a whit what they think! We want to win,to do it with a clean program, and to have fun doing it!

[bleedbluelady]

bigsky wrote: You all must be kidding if you don't understand why a Denver writer has some scoop. Bret Bearup, Rex Chapman and Rex's dad Wayne all work for or have a close connection with the Nuggets. There's a big UK connection in Denver. Read the article again with those three in mind and then maybe it will become a little clearer. Who knows Billy D really well? Who had a bad experience with racism while dating a black cheerleaderat UK? Who has talked about the poor talent evaluation and recruiting at UK?

Hmm...






No, I understood all the UK connections with the Denver Nuggetts. I just still found it hard to believe that Bearup knows what Donovan will do. But heck, maybe that's why Donovan never signed his contract extension. :shrug: I would think the UF boards would be lit up over this claim. Instead they are very smug in thinking Donovan wouldn'teven give UK a thought.

However, from Matt's interview with Mr. Henderson, it seems that Mr. Henderson is backing down a bit about his claims.

[UK Lola]

bleedbluelady wrote: However, from Matt's interview with Mr. Henderson, it seems that Mr. Henderson is backing down a bit about his claims.


I missed the interview on KSR. What did Mr. Henderson say?

Thanks!