Unfortunately, X saved their (next-to) worst game for last*

[TrueXUblue]

Is there some sort of law that says you have to document every thought you have about the players' performance? How about having a little tact and not posting something that will do absolutely no good and only piss people off. I can't imagine you thought you'd get a glowing review. No one's asking you to post something you don't feel, just to NOT post something that is not necessary to voice. We all know you are a true fan, Gary (at least I do). BUT, speaking for myself, I feel absolutely horrible for the players, and I think your original comments were like "kicking them when they're down." Negative posting is one thing, being cruel is another.

[xeus]

So, Mr. Rogers, exactly what word describes the quality of our individual performances? Not their effort, not their desire, not their heart, but the actual execution?

See, sadly, you're still missing the point Gary. I just don't feel the need to find a particularly harsh word to describe their individual efforts. Obviously, given the outcome, there is room for disappointment in the game they played. But I don't feel the driving need, that you have amply demonstrated over the years you've been posting, to criticize the players by, for example, calling them out by name to say they were "awful". It's very petty.

[Mr. Neutral]

Two things-

(1) Nothing's ever enough for the Pollyana crowd.

I complimented the players and coaches after the UGA game, and deservedly so.
I complimented the players and coaches after the Purdue game, and deservedly so.
I complimented the players and coaches after the WVU game, and deservedly so.
So, now I criticize what is clearly our worst game of the tourney and one of our worst of the season, and I'm the anti-Christ. It is NEVER enough for the Pollyanas; if we don't bootlick 100% of the time, no matter how the game itself actually went, we're traitors of the first degree.

(2) Apparently, we can't differentiate between good and bad performances.

Recommended reactions:

Win, great game: praise to the heavens
Win, average game: praise to the heavens
Win, poor game: praise to the heavens
Lose, great game: praise to the heavens
Lose, average game: praise to the heavens
Lose, poor game: praise to the heavens

So, if our reactions don't distinguish between wins and losses, or great or poor performances, that doesn't say much about us as discrerning fans.

Let me suggest that you not watch the games at all, and we'll just assume that you're praising to the heavens on that particular day, yes?

Hey, I've got an idea! Let's watch a tape of that Kansas game where X got waxed by, what, 40, and we'll talk about what a fabulous performance that was! Man, won't that be fun!

[Xpectations]

Or perhaps you could have such a reaction yet choose not to post it, or choose not criticize individual players on a public forum. Just a thought.

Tact and compassion doesn't make one a Pollyanna.

You act as though there is this huge segment that wasn't even remotely disappointed with the outcome of the game; that were, in fact, happy anyway.

I'm sure neither of us can name two true fans, nor a single player or coach who wasn't disappointed in the outcome. Yet those thousands of collective people didn't choose to rip our performance -- let alone individualize it -- not because they were blind, but because they could see and understand that their actions have consequences.

It's no one's duty to post exactly what he or she feels. You act as though it is. I believe there is a responsibility to consider whether such postings are useful, necessary or even worthwhile.

[xuhuh!]

next topic

[Mr. Neutral]

<<...but because they could see and understand that their actions have consequences. >>

And exactly (and I mean "exactly") what were those consequences? Did any player come on the board and say he was crushed not by his performance but by my comments? Did any recruit say "I was going to X, but now that I see that fans sometimes criticize players, which they NEVER do anywhere else, I'm going elsewhere"?

Exactly and precisely what confirmable consequences have been the direct result of my initial post? Proof, please.

[Xpectations]

You want consequences? Go look at the number of members, posts and discussions on Xavierhoops.com. That's about as exact, explicit and empirical as it gets.

[Mr. Neutral]

Xpectations-

Posters began checking out and posting on the other board MONTHS AGO when this board was having temporary server problems, NOT following my postgame thread, which has since been edited, but continues to be the subject of criticism from the Pollyanas, thereby keeping the topic alive.

If that's your best shot, you better load up the gun again.

[Evel Knievel]

People left this board because of the negative banter that goes back and forth. Gary you were way out of line by calling out individual players. This board is quickly being pulled under by Gary again. Thank God there is an alternative board now.

[longliveskip]

i guess my take on using the word "awful" for our performance in this game is also going a little too far.
it's does not describe our effort or how we battled.

the problem here is this: most people equate playing "awful" to when teams shoot the ball poorly, and in college basketball, no matter how good you are on defense, if you don't make shots, you're not going to win. however, shooting awful and playing badly are NOT one in the same.

we actually executed pretty well and got good looks at the basket, but they just didn't go in. does that equate to "playing awful"??? i don't think so. we SHOT it bad, but we PLAYED decent.

UCLA just PLAYED better.