Tubby Smith on Mike and Mike in the morning

[SouthBeachWildcat]

Not sure if this has been posted but I just ran across this flipping through the channels.

[cumberlandredskin]

Give us an update sometime.On the DC station they switch at 9 am to the Tony Kornheiser Show so I can't listen to this. Also on ESPN2 at 6 pm every evening they do a best of the Mike andMike Show from the morning show. It may be worth a look to see if they have Tubbys interview.

[Athens2005]

caught the last 4-5 minutes


Said that the great, athletic bigs is making it easier for coaches to disguise what they're doing, especially defensively.
It is still a "guard's game", but the athletic bigs cause real problems.
Also highlighted 6'8" guys like Brewer, and the problems they cause.

advice to Kelvin Sampson:

tell him to be himself, it's important because he's a tremendous person, a man of integrity. he'll do the right thing, he's been successful everywhere he's been


Q: does being yourself come with a price?

oh, yes, sure you do. We are 22-13, you think the world is coming to an end. I always felt that the same pressure is placed on coaches no matter where you are (Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky), because the pressure is internal, you are measuring yourself everyday. that's why coaches move, not necessarily because of the money, but because of the desire to get better.
it's like a runaway train if you're not comfortable.




IMO, I think the Tulsa/Georgia/Kentucky comment is what bothers some people so much about Tubby. Many think that he does not distinguish b/w the 3 places very well in terms of the expectations.
Please do not blast me for the last comment. I am simply re-stating some of what I've heard/read.

[SouthBeachWildcat]

It was basically asking Tubby on his take on this years final four and the possibility of 2 SEC teams being in the championship game. Tubby went on to say this shows how talented the SEC really is. He talked about how deep Florida was and how confident Billy D is in his bench and his style of play. He talked about how Brady is such a good coach and if he has time to prepare for a game its hard to score on him. Also talked about how good the gameplan was for the Duke game. Next they asked Tubby if he had any advice for Sampson, about going into one one of those elite coaching jobs and the pressures and expectations that come with it. Tubby talked highly of Sampson and told him to just be himself. Not really any talk about the Kentucky program and our team for next year which I was hoping for.

[Houstoncat]

That's basically how I read it when I heard it Athens. Very disappointing that attitude exits with our head coach.

[Art Vandelay]

Athens2005 wrote: caught the last 4-5 minutes


Said that the great, athletic bigs is making it easier for coaches to disguise what they're doing, especially defensively.
It is still a "guard's game", but the athletic bigs cause real problems.
Also highlighted 6'8" guys like Brewer, and the problems they cause.

advice to Kelvin Sampson:

tell him to be himself, it's important because he's a tremendous person, a man of integrity. he'll do the right thing, he's been successful everywhere he's been


Q: does being yourself come with a price?

oh, yes, sure you do. We are 22-13, you think the world is coming to an end. I always felt that the same pressure is placed on coaches no matter where you are (Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky), because the pressure is internal, you are measuring yourself everyday. that's why coaches move, not necessarily because of the money, but because of the desire to get better.
it's like a runaway train if you're not comfortable.




IMO, I think the Tulsa/Georgia/Kentucky comment is what bothers some people so much about Tubby. Many think that he does not distinguish b/w the 3 places very well in terms of the expectations.
Please do not blast me for the last comment. I am simply re-stating some of what I've heard/read.
I bet he didn't have the "Kentucky is like any other school attitude" when he was negotiating that $2.4 mil / year, no bouyout clause, $8 mil bonus contract with UK.

[Wildcat Larry]

Hey, it's just me, but I think this point is being blown way out of proportion. :shrug:

[fanaticfan]

Wildcat Larry wrote: Hey, it's just me, but I think this point is being blown way out of proportion. :shrug:




I agree. It was not a slam on the Ky job. I know that we do expect a lot of our coach and I am sure that the pressure is great. I would assume that coaches at other schools think that the pressure on them is high also. What did everyone want him to say? That coaching at Ky sucked because of the pressure?

[Buddah]

Buck Naked wrote: Athens2005 wrote: caught the last 4-5 minutes


Said that the great, athletic bigs is making it easier for coaches to disguise what they're doing, especially defensively.
It is still a "guard's game", but the athletic bigs cause real problems.
Also highlighted 6'8" guys like Brewer, and the problems they cause.

advice to Kelvin Sampson:

tell him to be himself, it's important because he's a tremendous person, a man of integrity. he'll do the right thing, he's been successful everywhere he's been


Q: does being yourself come with a price?

oh, yes, sure you do. We are 22-13, you think the world is coming to an end. I always felt that the same pressure is placed on coaches no matter where you are (Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky), because the pressure is internal, you are measuring yourself everyday. that's why coaches move, not necessarily because of the money, but because of the desire to get better.
it's like a runaway train if you're not comfortable.




IMO, I think the Tulsa/Georgia/Kentucky comment is what bothers some people so much about Tubby. Many think that he does not distinguish b/w the 3 places very well in terms of the expectations.
Please do not blast me for the last comment. I am simply re-stating some of what I've heard/read.
I bet he didn't have the "Kentucky is like any other school attitude" when he was negotiating that $2.4 mil / year, no bouyout clause, $8 mil bonus contract with UK.


:thumbup:thumbup:thumbupBrillant point, i am sure he didn't... HIs comments gets tiring after a while.probably down deep he looks at this as no different as Tulsa or UGA. very laid back to our 13 loss season... ..

[Kentucky Jim]

Wildcat Larry wrote: Hey, it's just me, but I think this point is being blown way out of proportion. :shrug:
I also agree. I think the point he is trying to make that he has put pressure on himself at all of his stops. We all know that OTS knows the pride and passion at Kentucky and that it's way above that at Georgia and Tulsa.

[Wildcat Larry]

Kentucky Jim wrote: Wildcat Larry wrote: Hey, it's just me, but I think this point is being blown way out of proportion. :shrug:
I also agree. I think the point he is trying to make that he has put pressure on himself at all of his stops. We all know that OTS knows the pride and passion at Kentucky and that it's way above that at Georgia and Tulsa.
However, it does seem to give some folks something to hang their hat on and bring up time and time again. The statement was certainly translated differently by some others than the way I translated it. I'm much closer to your reading on the statement.

[RCS]

If anyone thinks that Tubby does not put more pressure on himself than any UK fan possibly could you are crazy. I think that is his point. He is trying to win every game every place he has been. Just because it is Tulsa does not mean he think he shouldn't win and just because he is at UK doesn't mean he just started thinking he should win games. Tubby clearly did not enjoy this year. He clearly wants to win more games and to think otherwise is crazy.

There is no interview that Tubby could do that people would not have a problem with until he starts winning more. Winning solves all perception issues and makes all your interviews sound better. That is just the reality. If you win the NC there are very few things you can say that people wouldn't think was brilliant; conversely, if you lose 13 games there is not much you can say that some people won't hate. Such is life. Tubby is well aware that UK and Tulsa are not the same thing or he wouldn't have taken the job. You still have to coach at both though and your job is still the same thing, win basketball games, I think that is more what he is talking about.

[Will Lavender]

I understand Tubby's point perfectly.

If you're beholden to a school, then you best put pressure on yourself to win. Doesn't matter which school you're at. Tulsa, Georgia, Holy Cross, Little Sisters of the Emaculate Dashboards. Wherever.

We, as Kentucky fans, scoff at that idea. Always have.

Tulsa? we say. Hah.

But I'm sure Tubby has a place - a big place - in his heart for Tulsa. It's really where he got his start, and I'm sure he felt the same desire to win there as he does at UK.

He didn't magically wake up one morning and say, "Oh, I'm at Kentucky. Now I better REALLY start trying to win games."

If Tubby measured his success, or lack thereof, by the message board culture, he would've been washed out in a year.

The expectations are internal. That's what I think he's saying. And, like Larry, the point is being overblown as is par for the course when Tubby speaks. Those who don't like him (most of whom don't even listen to him, I'd say) line up and start picking apart what he says like they're trying to flak a Supreme Court decision.

It's silly, really.

[Coldstream]

I have no problems on how Tubby handles pressure and expectations. Most people you meet in your lifetime that have been successful for most of their own life have a way of measuring themselves and that includes not judging how they are doing among their peers. They constantly work on themselves and that is the best way to succeed in anything. I applied that in school, athletics and my career. It's fool-proof method of getting what you want out of anything that is important to you.

[audacious1]

Buddah wrote: Buck Naked wrote: Athens2005 wrote: caught the last 4-5 minutes


Said that the great, athletic bigs is making it easier for coaches to disguise what they're doing, especially defensively.
It is still a "guard's game", but the athletic bigs cause real problems.
Also highlighted 6'8" guys like Brewer, and the problems they cause.

advice to Kelvin Sampson:

tell him to be himself, it's important because he's a tremendous person, a man of integrity. he'll do the right thing, he's been successful everywhere he's been


Q: does being yourself come with a price?

oh, yes, sure you do. We are 22-13, you think the world is coming to an end. I always felt that the same pressure is placed on coaches no matter where you are (Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky), because the pressure is internal, you are measuring yourself everyday. that's why coaches move, not necessarily because of the money, but because of the desire to get better.
it's like a runaway train if you're not comfortable.




IMO, I think the Tulsa/Georgia/Kentucky comment is what bothers some people so much about Tubby. Many think that he does not distinguish b/w the 3 places very well in terms of the expectations.
Please do not blast me for the last comment. I am simply re-stating some of what I've heard/read.
I bet he didn't have the "Kentucky is like any other school attitude" when he was negotiating that $2.4 mil / year, no bouyout clause, $8 mil bonus contract with UK.

:thumbup:thumbup:thumbupBrillant point, i am sure he didn't... HIs comments gets tiring after a while.probably down deep he looks at this as no different as Tulsa or UGA. very laid back to our 13 loss season... ..

Ha! You say anything that slams Tubby is "Brillant" (it's spelled, "Brilliant") then try to miscategorize Tubby. You're amazing. Tubby isn't being "laid back" this time around and you know it. If anything, he's agitated, upsetand ready to clean house.

Fans like you make the rest of us look bad. <--That's just my opinion.

[Chunks06]

Will Lavender wrote: I understand Tubby's point perfectly.

If you're beholden to a school, then you best put pressure on yourself to win. Doesn't matter which school you're at. Tulsa, Georgia, Holy Cross, Little Sisters of the Emaculate Dashboards. Wherever.

We, as Kentucky fans, scoff at that idea. Always have.

Tulsa? we say. Hah.

But I'm sure Tubby has a place - a big place - in his heart for Tulsa. It's really where he got his start, and I'm sure he felt the same desire to win there as he does at UK.

He didn't magically wake up one morning and say, "Oh, I'm at Kentucky. Now I better REALLY start trying to win games."

If Tubby measured his success, or lack thereof, by the message board culture, he would've been washed out in a year.

The expectations are internal. That's what I think he's saying. And, like Larry, the point is being overblown as is par for the course when Tubby speaks. Those who don't like him (most of whom don't even listen to him, I'd say) line up and start picking apart what he says like they're trying to flak a Supreme Court decision.

It's silly, really.

I defintly agree with you here Will. Picking apart what he said is ridiculous. That statement should be admirable. It shows his competiveness. Any coach should have this attitude. I coached elementary school for a couple of years and put tons of pressure on myself to win. Thats just the way it is. A coach should give all out effort no matter where he is coaching.

[BigBlue75]

Wildcat Larry wrote: Kentucky Jim wrote: Wildcat Larry wrote: Hey, it's just me, but I think this point is being blown way out of proportion. :shrug:
I also agree. I think the point he is trying to make that he has put pressure on himself at all of his stops. We all know that OTS knows the pride and passion at Kentucky and that it's way above that at Georgia and Tulsa.
However, it does seem to give some folks something to hang their hat on and bring up time and time again. The statement was certainly translated differently by some others than the way I translated it. I'm much closer to your reading on the statement.Agree with the points made above.

[poodoo]

Kentucky Jim wrote: Wildcat Larry wrote: Hey, it's just me, but I think this point is being blown way out of proportion. :shrug:
I also agree. I think the point he is trying to make that he has put pressure on himself at all of his stops. We all know that OTS knows the pride and passion at Kentucky and that it's way above that at Georgia and Tulsa.





Excellently explained, Kentucky Jim. Too, folks, goodness gracious, don't you think Tubby WELL KNOWS that the pressure pride and passion at Kentucky is tens time greater at Kentucky! How could he not know! He is the one that hears and deals with the extreme criticism. Yes, too, he gets paid enough to deal with that, but that alone disproves the notion that heputs them allthe programs in the same "ballpark."

Yes, like you and WildcatLarry, I certainly think his comment has been misinterpreted by some. He was not comparing Kentucky to Georgia and Tulsa. He was just showing the competitor he is (as I have often read about what a competitor Tubby is, how he does not like to lose at anything). His INTERNAL pressure will always be there, wherever he is coaching. That internal pressure to win and do his best is a GOOD THING, folks. As we have struggled this season and after the season, I have repeatedly heard Tubby question himself about his own moves this season. While his coaching this season was not his best, there is nothing even remotely wrong, in my eyes,with what he said in this interview.

[poodoo]

RCS wrote: If anyone thinks that Tubby does not put more pressure on himself than any UK fan possibly could you are crazy. I think that is his point. He is trying to win every game every place he has been. Just because it is Tulsa does not mean he think he shouldn't win and just because he is at UK doesn't mean he just started thinking he should win games. Tubby clearly did not enjoy this year. He clearly wants to win more games and to think otherwise is crazy.

There is no interview that Tubby could do that people would not have a problem with until he starts winning more. Winning solves all perception issues and makes all your interviews sound better. That is just the reality. If you win the NC there are very few things you can say that people wouldn't think was brilliant; conversely, if you lose 13 games there is not much you can say that some people won't hate. Such is life. Tubby is well aware that UK and Tulsa are not the same thing or he wouldn't have taken the job. You still have to coach at both though and your job is still the same thing, win basketball games, I think that is more what he is talking about.



Excellent post, RCS. The best point is that "there is no interview that Tubby could to that people would not have a problem with until he starts winning more." In fact, when we had the double-digit-loss seasons in the past, especially the Team Turmoil year, it got to the point where Tubby would hardly talk to the press, as anything he said was picked apart and twisted in a negative way. T

Those memories return as I read this thread. Having said that, Athens2005, I fully realize you were very sincere when you expressed your concern about the comment. I don't think anyone is blasting you for your concern. I surely hopenot.Perhaps you yourself are no longer bothered by Tubby's comments after reading other reactions and thinking about what we are saying. :)

[Doug Hardin]

I'm not really sure what I can add that Will and others haven't already said, but if you interpret those comments to mean that Tubby doesn't get how important basketball is to UK fans, then I guess you just don't like the guy and are trying to put words in his mouth. He obviously is a competitive person and wants to win at whatever he's doing. The pressure on Tubby is created by himself, which remains constant whether he's playing at High Point or coaching Tulsa, Georgia, UK. He doesn't need (arguably unreasonable) fan expectations to provide extra motivation.

[MudCat]

Will Lavender wrote: I understand Tubby's point perfectly.

If you're beholden to a school, then you best put pressure on yourself to win. Doesn't matter which school you're at. Tulsa, Georgia, Holy Cross, Little Sisters of the Emaculate Dashboards. Wherever.

We, as Kentucky fans, scoff at that idea. Always have.

Tulsa? we say. Hah.

But I'm sure Tubby has a place - a big place - in his heart for Tulsa. It's really where he got his start, and I'm sure he felt the same desire to win there as he does at UK.

He didn't magically wake up one morning and say, "Oh, I'm at Kentucky. Now I better REALLY start trying to win games."

If Tubby measured his success, or lack thereof, by the message board culture, he would've been washed out in a year.

The expectations are internal. That's what I think he's saying. And, like Larry, the point is being overblown as is par for the course when Tubby speaks. Those who don't like him (most of whom don't even listen to him, I'd say) line up and start picking apart what he says like they're trying to flak a Supreme Court decision.

It's silly, really.
Excellent post, Will.

[ares]

Agreed. You people need to back off. He does a good job knows the pressure here and wants to win where ever he is. Don't let your impusivity drive a good coach away. I am sure Florida is not bummed for keeping Billy D around and I am sure Louisville is not ready to fire Pitino. We had a bump but last year and years before we had very good seasons. Please don't be so impulsive.

[scars.of.grace]

Some people will make a big deal out of nothing. The guy can't even breathe without people questioning him or calling for his head. I guess if there are those that are tired of Tubby, I guess I can be tired of the nonsense that spew's out of those people's mouths and computer keyboards. I think some just need to quit acting like Tubby Smith or Kentucky basketball owes them anything.

The day the University of Kentucky gets rid of Tubby Smith is the day the program will make a very huge, very wrong mistake.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: I don't know if anybody cares about perception ... but the perception of Kentucky basketball fans has never been worse (I'll eagerly await the "the perception of UK basketball has never been worse either" comment that is sure to come). I think it's sad.

[Buddah]

Tre Pryor wrote:
Buddah wrote: Buck Naked wrote: Athens2005 wrote: caught the last 4-5 minutes


Said that the great, athletic bigs is making it easier for coaches to disguise what they're doing, especially defensively.Â*Â*
It is still a "guard's game", but the athletic bigs cause real problems.
Also highlighted 6'8" guys like Brewer, and the problems they cause.

advice to Kelvin Sampson:

tell him to be himself, it's important because he's a tremendous person, a man of integrity.Â* he'll do the right thing, he's been successful everywhere he's been


Q:Â* does being yourself come with a price?

oh, yes, sure you do.Â* We are 22-13, you think the world is coming to an end.Â* I always felt that the same pressure is placed on coaches no matter where you are (Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky), because the pressure is internal, you are measuring yourself everyday.Â* that's why coaches move, not necessarily because of the money, but because of the desire to get better.Â*
it's like a runaway train if you're not comfortable.




IMO, I think the Tulsa/Georgia/Kentucky comment is what bothers some people so much about Tubby.Â* Many think that he does not distinguish b/w the 3 places very well in terms of the expectations.
Please do not blast me for the last comment.Â* I am simply re-stating some of what I've heard/read.
I bet he didn't have the "Kentucky is like any other school attitude" when he was negotiating that $2.4 mil / year, no bouyout clause, $8 mil bonus contract with UK.

Â*:thumbup:thumbup:thumbupÂ*Brillant point, i am sure he didn't... HIsÂ* comments gets tiring after a while.probably down deep he looks at this as no different as Tulsa or UGA. very laid back to our 13 lossÂ* season... ..

Ha! You say anything that slams Tubby is "Brillant" (it's spelled, "Brilliant") then try to miscategorize Tubby. You're amazing. Tubby isn't being "laid back" this time around and you know it. If anything, he's agitated, upsetÂ*and ready to clean house.

Fans like you make the rest of us look bad. <--That's just my opinion.


I would hate to make you look bad Tre. I gotcha dawg. :rolleyes:I could care less, cause if next season repeats itself, it will all be moot. I have given Tubby the benifit of the doubt, and hope for the best, but we shall see. TUbby seem bemused by the fact that we lost 13 games this season and should have been more. but whatever.

[audacious1]

You're already pegged, my friend. People around here know where you're coming from.

[BrassowFan]

Athens2005 wrote: oh, yes, sure you do. We are 22-13, you think the world is coming to an end.that's why coaches move, not necessarily because of the money, but because of the desire to get better.
it's like a runaway train if you're not comfortable.

Those are the two comments that I found interesting.

[CatsSaintsFan]

Athens2005 wrote: caught the last 4-5 minutes


Said that the great, athletic bigs is making it easier for coaches to disguise what they're doing, especially defensively.
It is still a "guard's game", but the athletic bigs cause real problems.
Also highlighted 6'8" guys like Brewer, and the problems they cause.

advice to Kelvin Sampson:

tell him to be himself, it's important because he's a tremendous person, a man of integrity. he'll do the right thing, he's been successful everywhere he's been


Q: does being yourself come with a price?

oh, yes, sure you do. We are 22-13, you think the world is coming to an end. I always felt that the same pressure is placed on coaches no matter where you are (Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky), because the pressure is internal, you are measuring yourself everyday. that's why coaches move, not necessarily because of the money, but because of the desire to get better.
it's like a runaway train if you're not comfortable.




IMO, I think the Tulsa/Georgia/Kentucky comment is what bothers some people so much about Tubby. Many think that he does not distinguish b/w the 3 places very well in terms of the expectations.
Please do not blast me for the last comment. I am simply re-stating some of what I've heard/read.

I think it's hilarious that we are over reacting as fans yet he's made comments about never going thru another year like this one. He obviously thinks something needs fixing too.

[ukwebfan]

The evidence is perfectly illustrated in these forums on a daily basis in the off-season or after a loss.

This is not your Dad's NCAA. Only 13 schollys are available with the very best players going pro. George Mason just beat UCONN and UCONN itself was an afterthought just 15 years ago. Duke, Kansas, UNC, Arizona and IU lose in the Sweet 16 round or earlier on a REGULAR BASIS. TV is throwing a lot of money at a lot of schools who in turn attract talented coaches and players.

We are so lucky to have the support and resources we have, PERIOD.

Put two and two together folks geez!

Athens2005 wrote: Q: does being yourself come with a price?

oh, yes, sure you do. We are 22-13, you think the world is coming to an end.

[Buddah]

Tre Pryor wrote:
You're already pegged, my friend. People around here know where you're coming from.

And just where am i coming from ? Just go ahead and call a spade a spade, if you think my comments are racially motivated... :rolleyes: if that is what your infering.. LMAO

No need to hi jack this or any other thread, espeically now that the season is over with. But if it makes you feel any better, alot of my black friends agree with me that the only reason Tubby was even considered for this and probably got this job, was because of UK's precieved past and he was in the right place at the right time, thats fact... you know it and i know it.

but no need to have this discussion, its too taboo.

[allday]

Why when any one says anything to question the all knowing Tubby Smith does someone throw out the race card. This is a freaking joke. That is the last ditch effort of someone who has no defense. I don't care if Tubby is turqouise with a daisy growing out his ***. Recruit better players and players that will play for you instead of causing problems and playing for themselves. Get over it.

[Buddah]

allday wrote:
Why when any one says anything to question the all knowing Tubby Smith does someone throw out the race card. This is a freaking joke. That is the last ditch effort of someone who has no defense. I don't care if Tubby is turqouise with a daisy growing out his ***. Recruit better players and players that will play for you instead of causing problems and playing for themselves. Get over it.

Â*


Its just easier for people to call me a racist, than to defend the lackluster product that is on the floor. Tubby could be green, and by his coaching his season he looked it, but i would still level my criticsms. He just so happens to be black, but he needs to do this job because no one cares about his skin. With that said, if Tubby ever left, two candiates that i would strongly want would be Romar and Mike Anderson from UAB, what do you know..Tre, why not hang around longer than a half a season to gauge someone, thanks.

I have met Tubby before, in fact when he first got the job, he was a very nice and cordial person, who talked to people like they mattered, i caught the tubby charm as well, but that shouldn't excuse what we are watching now. Hopefully he can fix it.

[katfever]

I could care less what he says to be honest. I am more concerned with who will return next season, will we ever recruit and land a top power forward, and will we make a deep run in the tourney next year. He can frickin' read War and Peace on his talk show for all I care if he gets this thing straightened out.

[ukbob]

If you folks don't think he feels pressure here or that he doesn't want to be better here, then I sure don't know what to tell you.

However, I am sure you will continue to pick apart each item accordingly.

Will is more than right. It is silly.

The issue for me is that he should not have to make these adjustments every 3 years after things seem to spiral down. It should be an ongoing process where you learn from mistakes, because mistakes will be made....even at UK....by ANY coach that would be here.

[KY Native in IN]

i think tubby knows it's a marathon and not a sprint...it's one thing to be great for a season or two...but to be great over the long haul is an entirely different endeavor...i've gone back and forth with ole tubby this season, but when you get down to it, he's a good man and a good coach, he's not any happier with the season than anybody in the WCN is...he's just a "keep the cards close to the vest" kind of guy...from what i saw on "the tubby smith show" this week, he expressed that some changes were necessary and it looks like he's ready to make those changes....thank God...literally!...he wants to go back to single digit loss seasons...and you think he doesn't want to revisit what was accomplished in 98??? you're crazy...he's as hungry for #8 as the WCN is! no coach has gotten more than one NC at UK except coach rupp...you think tubby wants to change that? of course he does...and i hope it's next year...i'm ready to let bygones be bygones with ole tubby...he had a down year, let's move on, move forward and kick some serious tail next season! show 'em UK is alive and well and ready to plunder! ...oh, didn't see the mike and mike show, but obviously ole tubby is respected in the media...THAT friends and neighbors, is a GOOD thing! IMO! GO TUBBY, BUT MOST OF ALL...GO CATS! :wildcatface

[BigblueDrew]

I saw the Tubby segment and my take is that Coach Smith is accutely aware of the pressure he is under. I had no problem to his Tulsa, Georgia analogy because I interpreted it to mean he wants to win just as badlyregardless of where he coaches. His reference to a 13 loss season didn't seem flippant to me, I got the impression he knows that that kind of season will not cut it here. My concern is that just because he understands what is expected and that we have problems to address doesn't neccessarily mean he knows how to fix them. I get the impression from hearing Tubby talk this year, that he really has no clue how he, or the program, got in this mess in the first place.

[DCWildcat]

allday wrote: Why when any one says anything to question the all knowing Tubby Smith does someone throw out the race card. This is a freaking joke. That is the last ditch effort of someone who has no defense. I don't care if Tubby is turqouise with a daisy growing out his ***. Recruit better players and players that will play for you instead of causing problems and playing for themselves. Get over it.




This is a ridiculous mischaracterization of Tubby supporters. Yes, there are those believe that his detractors are racist. To a small extent, they're right--Tubby's been getting flack ever since he got here, even after he won the NC. Of course, any supporters who say that all of his detractors are racist is just foolish; Buddah is a great example of a non-racist detractor.

But your first sentence is just as mischaracterizing as that. I'm a Tubby supporter, and I don't think the vast, vast majority of his detractors are racist. Sweeping generalizations are rarely right, and this is a great example.

[blueheretic]

Athens2005 wrote: caught the last 4-5 minutes


Said that the great, athletic bigs is making it easier for coaches to disguise what they're doing, especially defensively.
It is still a "guard's game", but the athletic bigs cause real problems.
Also highlighted 6'8" guys like Brewer, and the problems they cause.

advice to Kelvin Sampson:

tell him to be himself, it's important because he's a tremendous person, a man of integrity. he'll do the right thing, he's been successful everywhere he's been


Q: does being yourself come with a price?

oh, yes, sure you do. We are 22-13, you think the world is coming to an end. I always felt that the same pressure is placed on coaches no matter where you are (Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky), because the pressure is internal, you are measuring yourself everyday. that's why coaches move, not necessarily because of the money, but because of the desire to get better.
it's like a runaway train if you're not comfortable.




IMO, I think the Tulsa/Georgia/Kentucky comment is what bothers some people so much about Tubby. Many think that he does not distinguish b/w the 3 places very well in terms of the expectations.
Please do not blast me for the last comment. I am simply re-stating some of what I've heard/read.



Exactly. Tubby thinks that he is still at Tulsa. That explains his recruiting and much else.

[NotFrank]

Buddah wrote: Tre Pryor wrote:
You're already pegged, my friend. People around here know where you're coming from.

And just where am i coming from ? Just go ahead and call a spade a spade, if you think my comments are racially motivated... :rolleyes: if that is what your infering.. LMAO




I'll go ahead and call a spade a spade...SPADE. There is a spell check feature on this board. If one decides to use big words, one should know how to spell them.

"My black friends..."

Are you freaking kidding me? I listen to rap music...some people are such hypocrites. Keep laughing your *** off...the rest of us will keep laughing at you.

As Heretic implies, there is a ton of room for change/improvement. The majority agree, however they don't make fly-by statements to start arguments for the sake of argument.

[Cincy110]

Buddah wrote: Tre Pryor wrote:
You're already pegged, my friend. People around here know where you're coming from.

And just where am i coming from ? Just go ahead and call a spade a spade, if you think my comments are racially motivated... :rolleyes: if that is what your infering.. LMAO

Where does anyone say anything about racism?? Help me understand.

[Mark Blueblood]

Tre Pryor, you're absolutely right in your comments.

And Buddah - I don't think you've ever given Tubby the "benifit" (it's spelled benefit) of anything. Once again (still?) - you continue to slam our coach (I refuse to refer to him as "your" coach) while you start entire threads about how wonderful other coaches are. (Few, Donovan, et. al., ad nauseum).

And people - Tubby apparently merely said that the pressure comes from within - REGARDLESS of what program a coach is in charge of. I hate to tell you this - but if this was NOT the case - the Tubby Smith's of the world would never rise to the heights of being a coach at the Kentuckys of the world.

Geez - give the guy a break!

[poodoo]

Doug Hardin wrote: He obviously is a competitive person and wants to win at whatever he's doing. The pressure on Tubby is created by himself, which remains constant whether he's playing at High Point or coaching Tulsa, Georgia, UK. He doesn't need (arguably unreasonable) fan expectations to provide extra motivation.





:thumbupto Doug, once again. That's short and to the point. I don't often feel totally sure of anything. However, I feel sure that is EXACTLY what Tubby was saying.

[audacious1]

Buddah wrote: allday wrote:
Why when any one says anything to question the all knowing Tubby Smith does someone throw out the race card. This is a freaking joke. That is the last ditch effort of someone who has no defense. I don't care if Tubby is turqouise with a daisy growing out his ***. Recruit better players and players that will play for you instead of causing problems and playing for themselves. Get over it.




Its just easier for people to call me a racist, than to defend the lackluster product that is on the floor.
Where did anyone call you a racist? You're so defensive, that in and of itself is telling.

[Mark Blueblood]

Well TP - it's often referred to as "immaturity". (Or is it "emmuterity"?)

[Stucat]

Edit--April 1, 2006 6: 25 PM. I will just keep my mouth shut. It is pointless giving your opinion on Kentucky boards anyway. :shock::thumbdown:wildcatface

Mark Blueblood wrote:
Well TP - it's often referred to as "immaturity". (Or is it "emmuterity"?)

[BigBlue75]

Will Lavender wrote: I understand Tubby's point perfectly.

If you're beholden to a school, then you best put pressure on yourself to win. Doesn't matter which school you're at. Tulsa, Georgia, Holy Cross, Little Sisters of the Emaculate Dashboards. Wherever.

We, as Kentucky fans, scoff at that idea. Always have.

Tulsa? we say. Hah.

But I'm sure Tubby has a place - a big place - in his heart for Tulsa. It's really where he got his start, and I'm sure he felt the same desire to win there as he does at UK.

He didn't magically wake up one morning and say, "Oh, I'm at Kentucky. Now I better REALLY start trying to win games."

If Tubby measured his success, or lack thereof, by the message board culture, he would've been washed out in a year.

The expectations are internal. That's what I think he's saying. And, like Larry, the point is being overblown as is par for the course when Tubby speaks. Those who don't like him (most of whom don't even listen to him, I'd say) line up and start picking apart what he says like they're trying to flak a Supreme Court decision.

It's silly, really.

Great post, Will. You nailed it!