CJ Article on Tubby and Chemistry

[KapitalCat]

I saw this article posted on the HOB and wanted to post it here too and get your thoughts. Keep the discussion mature :)but I'd like to know how you all feel about some of the quotes.

I know it's notfair to make broad judgments from quotes but I don't think this little article does Tubby any good, at all. Based upon the quotes, a lot of people will interpret him as saying...."Since I can't get through to these guys I'll just tell them to go on to the NBA whether its what I believe is best for them or not. This only adds fuel to the perception that Tubby has trouble communicating with young kids. I'm not saying I believe that, but its a perception and I don't know if this article helps. I'm sure others will disagree (which is a good thing), and I'd like to know how you feel?

'Maybe I have to approach it differently.' So you say, 'You're right. You are good enough. Go ahead.'



http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060604/SPORTS03/606040525/1002/SPORTS

[BigblueDrew]

I think Coach Smith does a poor job exspressing himself in the media at times.I hope this was one of them. He basically said I told the kid what he wanted to here because he wouldn't have listened to the truth anyway. THAT IS NOT LEADERSHIP. I don't say that as a bash, but I expect the coach of my team to tell the kid what he needs to here(the truth) regardless of the circumstances. Very poorly chosen words by the coach, which seem somewhat out of charecter for him IMO.

[Will Lavender]

BigblueDrew wrote: He basically said I told the kid what he wanted to here because he wouldn't have listened to the truth anyway. THAT IS NOT LEADERSHIP.
I don't understand that comment, Drew.

The truth was that Rajon was good enough. Or I should say, he is good enough. You always tell kids to make the jump if they have the raw talent Rajon does. If you try and do otherwise, then that gets out and it becomes a bane in recruiting. You become "The coach who tells kids to stay in school."

I see nothing whatsoever having to do with leadership in that comment. That's just common sense on Tubby's part. Everybody knew Rajon was going to jump after his sophomore year considering the season he had as a freshman, and he did.

Yes, Rajon had an up and down year, but he'll be a very good pro. Starting next year.

[ukbob]

No college coach could have kept Rondo from getting an agent,IMO. He wanted to leave UK as soon as he got there and had his mind made up as to what he wanted. Good for him

Tubby Smith may have been born at night, but it wasn't last night. He knew it mattered very little what advice he could give RR. The kid was bolting and had his mind made up after the UL game, IMO.

Good for Rondo and good for UK.

[Caveman Catfan]

ukbob wrote: No college coach could have kept Rondo from getting an agent,IMO. He wanted to leave UK as soon as he got there and had his mind made up as to what he wanted. Good for him

Tubby Smith may have been born at night, but it wasn't last night. He knew it mattered very little what advice he could give RR. The kid was bolting and had his mind made up after the UL game, IMO.

Good for Rondo and good for UK.
I agree.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Rondo was gone whether Tubby ave his approval or not............I agree with what Tubby said in the article

[poodoo]

KapitalCat wrote: I saw this article posted on the HOB and wanted to post it here too and get your thoughts. Keep the discussion mature :)but I'd like to know how you all feel about some of the quotes.

I know it's notfair to make broad judgments from quotes but I don't think this little article does Tubby any good, at all. Based upon the quotes, a lot of people will interpret him as saying...."Since I can't get through to these guys I'll just tell them to go on to the NBA whether its what I believe is best for them or not. This only adds fuel to the perception that Tubby has trouble communicating with young kids. I'm not saying I believe that, but its a perception and I don't know if this article helps. I'm sure others will disagree (which is a good thing), and I'd like to know how you feel?

'Maybe I have to approach it differently.' So you say, 'You're right. You are good enough. Go ahead.'



http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060604/SPORTS03/606040525/1002/SPORTS



FWIW, KapitalCat, I do not disagree with you. How did I feel when I read Tubby's comments? I feel the same as you. In other words, my reaction was the same.I did not think they were wise comments to make.

Coaching during games is a Tubby-strength, in my opinion. Talking to the media is not one of his strengths. I understand that Tubby feels frustrated that his players tend not to listen to his advice (as his team was hurt last year by both Azubuike's and Morris' not listening to him). However, what good could possibly come from the comments he made! As you say, the perception some already have in regard to his not being able to communicate with today's players was not aided. How could recruits reading his comments be favorably impressed?

Personally, I wishTubby had said that Rajon, in contrast to both Morris and Azubuike, was good enough to go to the NBA (although he would have also benefited from another year at the college level), which would then probably be verified by Rondo's being drafted in the first round and possibly a lottery pick. That result, of course, would be, noticeably,in stark contrast to what happened with Azubuike and Morris, players Coach Smith had strongly discouraged from declaring for the NBA. That way Tubby comes out "smelling like a rose," telling the players what he really believed, and he is proven right. He missed that opportunity. Go figure. :(Again, I reacted the same as you. :(

[FatCatDaddy]

These comments make Tubby sound like someone who has given up on talking to kids who are thinking of the NBA. Just because two kids do not listen to you is no reason to treat the others differently.Both these players that did not listen to him had their own personal reasons, which will be different than the next. Tubby made himself sound bad with these comments.

[Will Lavender]

FatCatDaddy wrote: These comments make Tubby sound like someone who has given up on talking to kids who are thinking of the NBA. Just because two kids do not listen to you is no reason to treat the others differently.Both these players that did not listen to him had their own personal reasons, which will be different than the next. Tubby made himself sound bad with these comments.
What do you mean, "talking to kids"?

I heard Tubby say in January or early February last year that Rajon was a pro talent. Which he was.

The only conversation that is practical, the only discussion that makes any sense, is one that goes, "I think you can play professionally, so you should try and test the waters."

Clearly Rajon wasn't happy at UK. That's not to say he was a disturbance to team chemistry, but his heart wasn't in it a season ago. And I think Tubby sensed that. For the head coach to go to a kid who is already leaning toward the NBA and say, "Look, I think you should try another season in college," which sounds like what you're suggesting, would be a horrible move on the coach's part. And also a colossal waste of time.

[ukbob]

FatCatDaddy wrote: These comments make Tubby sound like someone who has given up on talking to kids who are thinking of the NBA. Just because two kids do not listen to you is no reason to treat the others differently.Both these players that did not listen to him had their own personal reasons, which will be different than the next. Tubby made himself sound bad with these comments.
I agree that the comments seem, on the surface, to be distant, but who knows what drove this. Kelenna left not because he could not communicate with Tubby, but because his dad was a criminal that owed money to people. Morris left without warning, even to team mates.(Just the fax ma am). Rondo and Tubby did not see eye to eye at all and I think his leaving was a mutual agreement that will benefit both parties in the long run.

I don't like the way he said it but I don't disagree on his feelings totally. You cannot always control outside whispers and influences when they get into a kid's ear. But then again, I always felt player management was one of Tubby's weakest areas.

Tubby has to learn that the world today with the NBA involvement is different. UK fans don't want a team of 4 year players because they feel you cannot win titles with them. What so many of themfail to understand, IMO,is when we do get a prodigy on the roster, you have to make sure he still plays within the confines of the team concept. Pretty fine line there and one we have not done well with so far. Many UK fans just want OTS to change the confines to meet the player and not vice versa. Not sure I agree totally with this however.

Bottom line to me is that I doubt it matter much what Tubby does or says anymore. So many fans have their mind made up anyway that he is a bust for a coach here that whatever he quotes or does is scrutinized and over analyzed to the point of ridiculous.

Just the way it is in UK land these days.