Article on Smith

[Chunks06]

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060602/SPORTS06/606020415/1345/SPORTS

[RaleighCat]

So, Tubby basically blames last year on Randolph Morris. That's how I read it, anyway....

"Looking back on it, Smith concedes that dropping Randolph Morris back into the middle of things following his NCAA-mandated, 14-game suspension wreaked havoc with team chemistry and made for some bad karma among the players.

"While he was out, you try your best to be patient, because you know help is on the way," Smith said. "You tell the guys, 'We're going to be okay.'

"But what happens is the perception becomes, 'Oh, he's going to be the savior. He's going to get things turned around,' and that really wasn't the issue, at all. We just didn't have the balance in our attack that we needed to have."

Smith said the problem wasn't so much trying to adapt to Morris, as it was some of the players adapting to Morris being back after he initially declared for the NBA Draft."

How dysfunctional have we become that getting Morris back- our McD's AA center and best post player- would cause problems within the squad? Was there any communication with the team on this? Did Tubby sit down with the team, with the seniors, with the captains, and talk this through? Was Morris' reinstatement a surprise? How did Tubby allow this resentment to fester? Who felt betrayed- certainly not one of our other All Conference caliber big men?

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! Just when I thought it was safe to focus on '07 and look for some positives, I read more about this stuff.

[Cincy110]

I think you are trying to find something that isn't there. Last year is over. Time to move on!!!!!!!

[UKCATZFAN]

Cincy110 wrote: I think you are trying to find something that isn't there. Last year is over. Time to move on!!!!!!!
one who forgets the past are doomed to repeat it

[Cincy110]

I'm not forgetting it, but my lord, move on people. Everyone on here has absolutely mutalated an already mutalated horse. It's over!!!!!

[RP_McMurphy]

I won't ever forget last year. I don't ever want to be embarrassed like we were last year as basketball program and as Kentucky fans. I don't plan on turning the page until the main problem making 2 million plus a year is gone. He's out of Mulligans with this Kentucky fan.

[Buddah]

I don't know if Morris was going to be a saivor, but if you look the alternative if Morris hadn't been able to play. Then I doubt that would be very pretty either. I would care to guess if Morris wasn't able to play, we win only between 10 and 13 games last year, and i think that is being nice. Even though in many ways Morris improved, he was still foul prone and went into outer space sometime, but he did give us something in the post, take him away, and we would be hurting. As far as the article it is just typical tubby speak and little else, used to tide fans over yet another year. But i agree we should all move on, just chalk this season up as a bad one and see what the future holds. If we have a sequal to last season, then UK stays and others move on. Others would take care of that, "unfinished business. "

[RaleighCat]

Cincy110 wrote: I'm not forgetting it, but my lord, move on people. Everyone on here has absolutely mutalated an already mutalated horse. It's over!!!!!

The article is new, and so are Tubby's comments on Morris. That's why I reacted. Good gravy, man, I'd like nothing more than to "move on." Trouble is our coach keeps opening his mouth. Maybe if Tubby quit talking about Morris,competing forthe NIT and watching more video tape....

[Art Vandelay]

The truly depressing part of the article for me is Tubby saying "it's the luck of the draw and the matchups once you get there." Somehow I can't imagine Coach Wooden, Coach Rupp, or any other coach of their ilk attributing success to the luck of the draw. They're not playing poker afterall.

Is there some luck involved? Yes, in the sense that you get a call here, you make a shot there, etc., but you have to first build a championship caliber team. You don't lose twelve games in the regular season and draw UConn in the second round.

I keep waiting, but I never hear Tubby say anything to make me believe he truly has a handle on this thing. Mitch says we aren't satisfied with Conference titles, that we strive for final fours and championships, but I just don't see any intensity or fire in Tubby to get it done. Maybe being the highest paid coach in the NCAA has sapped him of his competitiveness.

[Mark Blueblood]

Gee Raleigh and RP - can't you find a new horse to beat??

I don't think Tubby's "blaming" anybody - he's making what looks to me, to be a pretty objective statement. To me, the word "chemistry" can be construed in a number of ways. Unlike many who post here, I don't have the inside scoop as to what Tubby means when he makes that statement. Don't really care.

I'm amazed that anybody would accuse Tubby of shooting his mouth off. He's the last coach in the game to do that.

And, anybody that doesn't think winning the tournament has a LOT to do with the "luck of the draw" - well, apparently you haven't listened to any coach that's ever commented on the tournament - including the one many of you still make fools of yourself over - Ricky P.

And, I agree with Cincy - get over it and move on. If you're too embarrassed to be seen as a Kentucky fan, well - there's about 300 options out there for you. Have at it!!

[RP_McMurphy]

Dead Horse?

Seems that horse is still cashing a check from the University of Kentucky. So yes it's still germane to the situation. As I have said I will not sit around and go quietly into the night when Isee that my beloved Wildcats are in trouble. If you think I will then you really don't know me.

[Caveman Catfan]

RP_McMurphy wrote: I don't plan on turning the page until the main problem making 2 million plus a year is gone. He's out of Mulligans with this Kentucky fan.

Really? Who'da thunk it? You??????

:?

[Buddah]

From the article:

"I'm 54 years old and have been at this level too long to be considering the NBA," said Smith.

"Now, I'm not going to say, 'No, I would never be interested.' But I am saying, 'I'm not looking for an NBA job.'

Tubby being very slick, who would have thunk it ? not i ? lmao :cool:

[RaleighCat]

Mark Blueblood wrote: If you're too embarrassed to be seen as a Kentucky fan, well - there's about 300 options out there for you. Have at it!!

Too bad I'm just not as "Blueblood" as you. There it is again. As tiresome to me as my stuff is to you. I'm not the fan you are if I don't give Tubby Smith a free pass for everything. And you think you're tired of my stance. Back at ya, brother.

[scathendo]

there's not much new in the article but i agree that if rm coming back was a problem them him not coming back would have been worse.

"I told Rajon, 'I'm not going to sit here and say you're not ready, because I said that to the guys the previous year, and they still did it,' " Smith recounted. "So, you get to the point where you say, 'Maybe I have to approach it differently.' So, you say, 'You're right. You are good enough. Go ahead.' "

what the hell?!?

if my kid were playing for a coach, i would want the coach's honest opinion on wether he was ready or not. it sounds like smith just gave rajon lip service.you can't controlthe decision a kid makesafter you give them advice, but if youhave integrity you tell them what youfeel is the truth! to tell them to go ahead, when you don't really think they are ready is total BS. i'm sure he would have tried a helluva' lot harder to keep him if he didn't think he had a replacement coming in.