Morning Coffee Is Not Hot
by Peter Bean on Jun 14, 2007 1:04 AM CDT
in Quick Hits
33 comments
The Oden-Durant draft chatter is heating up, but I find myself unexpectedly disinterested. Since the only drama involves whether Durant goes one or two, the only fans who should be tense about this thing are Trailblazer supporters.
Speaking of which, the 'Blazers official website is polling readers on who they want the franchise to draft (HT: 40AS)
On the one hand, I suppose such a poll isn't the world's worst idea. To beat a dead horse: I've long argued that the Houston Texans made the worst draft decision in sports history when they passed on Vince Young and Reggie Bush.
Yet, that's not really a great comparison, as both Durant and Oden will sell tickets. Given that, what's the point of polling the fans? Aren't you handcuffing yourself, to some extent, if the fans vote heavily for the player other than the one you ultimately decide is best for you? I can understand throwing up a little poll in the corner of your team site, but to have your welcome page a gigantic fan poll billboard seems more than a little myopic.
Kevin Durant may not be worrying about his NBA future, but former standout PJ Tucker is. ESPN.com's Andy Katz recently profiled Tucker's current situation, detailing his struggle to latch on in Toronto and the potential road back to the NBA.
From the moment he arrived at Texas, I had a soft spot for Tucker. His soft hands, fierce hustle, and uncanny scoring ability around the rim made him one of the most endearing Longhorn players in recent memory. AW and I thought he'd have trouble making it in the NBA until he extended his range another 5-8 feet. Though undersized, he's got NBA skills in every other facet of the game. He should have stayed at Texas another year and spent every waking hour improving his jumper. He might not be in the position he is today. Regardless, nothing but best wishes for Tucker from BON.
54b mentioned in a diary that the Texas Sports PR team was working overtime to inflate the accomplishments of the university's big three sports. I didn't click through 54b's link, but did wander over to MB-TF this evening, and sure enough, there it is, the lead story on the front page.
54b's right that it's a lame bit of chest thumping - even for a PR department - but the real disappointment is that they bumped an actual worthy news release from the top in the process. So, instead of highlighting Mack Brown's appearance at an anti-domestic abuse function, we get a nancy pants puff piece on why we shouldn't be disappointed with the Alamo Bowl, a second round hoops exit, and a loss in our home regional of the baseball playoffs.
A milestone indeed.
Speaking of embarrassing second round exits... a more heartwarming story of personal validation. Yes, your humble blog author was thoroughly thrashed in his Hot Blogger Bracket in round two, but he knows, once and for all, that you're not just reading for his looks.
Unlike 54b, this blogger's glass is always half full. Have a great Thursday, boys and girls.
--PB--
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Well,
they certainly aren't voting for your OPPONENT's looks. Um, or his writing. Wait, what the hell happened?
...he linked the poll on his site the same day hegot a Deadspin hit. Thanks, internets. You have no taste in men.
by Holly on Jun 14, 2007 1:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ouch
Well that stung. But I'll be the big man and ignore it.
Anyway, just wanted to thank Peter Bean for some healthy competition. I found this site because of the tournament, and it happens to be an excellent source for Longhorns news. Keep up the good work man.
by Darren on Jun 14, 2007 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it is a lame bit of chest thumping
Let's be honest; inventing reasons to get excited about your team is the JOB of the sports information department.
I'll never forget in 2004, every game preview in the DMN had this little tidbit that came directly from A&M SID office: "QB Reggie McNeal is the only QB in the nation to average over 200 yds passing and 80 yds rushing per game this season."
As the season wore on, it became "70 yds rushing" and then "60 yds rushing" at the end of the year.
If you don't have something to make you stick out and show you're special, you make it up; that's why we have S(pin)I(nformation)D(epartment) offices.
by Beergut on Jun 14, 2007 3:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
btw
am i the only one who thinks the image of texas players dancing and celebrating after barely beating a 7-loss Iowa team is a little ridiculous?
Yes, you won a bowl game. Yes, I expect you to be happy about that.
But the backdrop in that picture on MB.com immediately draws comparisons to pics from the '05 postseason, and then my only reaction is, "Wow, y'all have fallen off."
I think I would've been more relieved than proud of that win over Iowa.
Of course, we have Fran, so I'm not going to know what it feels like to win a bowl game anytime soon.
by Beergut on Jun 14, 2007 3:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Good point -
the stage & pyrotechnics made me cringe - way to much pomp for an Alamo bowl victory.
by burntup on Jun 14, 2007 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
I don't know.
How do opposing teams react at the end of A&M's bowl games the last few years?
Or do they stop celebrating around the 3rd quarter, because their voice gets hoarse and arms get tired?
by EYESofBEVO on Jun 14, 2007 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually was going to say the same thing
The picture is too reminiscent of 2005, but then you see the Alamo bowl logo in the background.
But you cant fault the players for celebrating a good win. Even if it was a bad Iowa team, it was a come from behind victory and for the seniors it was their last victory as a longhorn.
by Wells on Jun 14, 2007 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was just reading for your looks
i'm outta here, 2nd round loser....
by billyzane on Jun 14, 2007 7:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Remember
It ain't over till it's over. If everyone who finishes ahead of Peter is unable to fulfill their duties as Miss Hottest Blogger, then the title passes on to him. And we know how unreliable those bloggers can be. Don't give up on him too soon.
by Meekrob on Jun 14, 2007 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Durant to Portland
I'm pulling for Portland to take Durant. Partly, because I'd like to see him play alongside LaMarcus Aldridge, something we might have seen here in an alternate reality. And partly because the Blazers seem to have purged their criminal element and are on the way up, while the Sonics are still at odds with Seattle over the stadium and other issues. Of course there is the small possibility that Seattle will see fit to trade either Durant or the pick, which could land him in a better spot. The problem with both cities is that they are in the Northwest and we get next to no coverage of them here.
by Caradoc on Jun 14, 2007 9:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
PJ Tucker
Man, I really hope things work out for Tucker. He was one of my favorite players to watch while I was there, and he did amazing things in the low post for someone his size. Unfortunately, he fits into a weird size/skill category for the NBA, and teams have a hard time seeing past that. I can't believe there isn't a place for him on an NBA bench somewhere, I would hope they could use someone with his polish and work ethic.
by dev on Jun 14, 2007 10:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Worst decision?
Granted, passing up both Young and Bush was a colossal blunder on the Texans' part (what's the statute of limitations on being mad at the team for doing that?), but really, worse than Portland picking Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan in 1984?
(And I wonder what might have been had the Rockets picked Jordan over hometown favorite Akeem Olajuwon, but that's another story...)
by wizardimps on Jun 14, 2007 8:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, worse
In hindsight? Taking Bowie over Jordan is easily the worst of all time, and we don't yet know how the Young/Bush thing will play out...
BUT: My argument is based on the fact that Houston basically couldn't lose on their pick. Even if Young sucked as a pro, he's a ridiculously popular figure in Houston, he's a God to this state, he would have won the Texans tens of thousands of new fans (helpful when you're competing with the Cowboys), etc. In other words: he was a zero risk, on the business side of things.
When you throw in the fact that he's ALSO a QUARTERBACK, with huuuuge upside, and it's simply unfathomable that they didn't draft him. Their passing on Bush was just icing on a cake that was already made.
by Peter Bean on Jun 14, 2007 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget....
the fact that they passed on Young only to have to trade draft picks to get Schaub(sp?) during the off-season. I can somewhat understand them passing on Bush, but not VY too....bone-headed!!! At the very minimum, VY fills the seats in the stadium if they draft him.
by Screw O.U. on Jun 14, 2007 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
way worse
At the time, Portland had a great shooting gaurd in Clyde (hall of famer) drafted the previous year and was in serious need of a Center. It made no sense for them to draft another shooting gaurd.
Sam Bowie was supposed to be a great player and many people say that he would have been a hall of famer if not because of injuries. They got unlucky with Sam Bowie's injuries.
by Cyrus on Jun 15, 2007 12:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
if you knew then what you know now...
the Portland pick is only that huge in retrospect. My recollection is that the uproar was fairly faint at first, and limited to the fact that Bowie had been so injury-prone, and the whole Walton saga still hung over that franchise. I can remember stories coming out of practice about how overwhelmingly good Bowie was looking, up until he crashed and burned, and then repeated...
The Texans screwed the pooch so badly because there was (and is) no true indication that Super Workout Mario was going to be a game-changer, an LT-type... Just tell me quickly - what defensive lineman has dominated the game in the last 20 years??? So whether he gets injured, or whether he has a good, or even great career, he's just not going to become the face of your team, and he's not going to become THE team leader.
With Vince, you have a risk - if it fails, you still have bought several years of goodwill and understanding, just because he's Vince Freakin' Young and you're in Texas!!!! If he turns out okay, but the "specialness" doesn't translate to the pros, you've still got the face of your team and of the city. He would have to fail abysmally before he wasn't a huge hit in his hometown. However - if he becomes what everybody who was most familiar with him believes he will, then you have the new face, not only of your team, and of your city, but of the whole league.
You know, the more I type the madder I get... This was not only the worst draft decision ever - it wasn't even close!!
This was like if Austin had an NBA team, and Portland just up and gives them the first pick... and they DIDN'T take Durant... only - they didn't take Oden either!!! They said to themselves, "hmmm, you know, this DJ Strawberry kid had a great workout... That's almost positively going to turn into actual productivity in actual games. I think we'll take him!"
Only it's worse than that!!! Because Durant wasn't already a hometown hero, with thousands thronging to his high school games... but even if he was - IT WAS STILL WORSE!!!!!! Because, as much as we like Kevin, I don't think any of us really believe he was the best college player of all time. But guess what????? MANY OF US THINK VINCE WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only even if we did think that about KD - IT WAS STILL WORSE!!!!! Because they don't live in a basketball-crazy state where the loyalty/connection is to another team, a team which has strained those connections, and is vulnerable to giving up some of that attention/affection... if there was just some reason to do so, like, who knows, a hero with local roots, who's earned an abiding and somewhat rabid, yet unashamed love from a huge following. A hero who always came through in the clutch, who exemplified inspired leadership, who was contagiously personable and highly, highly marketable off the field, and just plain magic on the field... Yeah, someone like that might do it...
The Texans screwed up so royally, it frankly will not matter for a generation. Call it the Vince Young generation. They would have to go out and become a dynasty with multiple Super Bowl trophies to win back all the fans. And then they'd have to hope Vince didn't win any, and in fact, never even got good. Because even if they were winning these Super Bowls (which, by the way, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO, because you do NOT fuck that bad with karma and live to tell the tale from a victory podium!!!), there would still be a sizable, non-Aggie, part of the state's football fanbase that would always think: Just imagine what they'd be if they only had Vince...
by agent orange on Jun 15, 2007 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What he said
You could literally see Agent Orange getting angrier and angrier as he typed.
I've had the exact same experience. At first, you think, "Worst draft pick of this draft! For sure!" Then, as you keep thinking through it, the thing makes less and less sense. You get angry. You start not just to think the Texans are stupid, but you hate them for it.
Seriously, they lost so many potential fans with this pick. And lost out on Vince Young.
Worst. Pick. Ever.
by Peter Bean on Jun 15, 2007 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
The progression from mild-mannered Bruce Banner to the Incredible Hulk was great.
Oh, and its all true.
by Jason Mayer on Jun 15, 2007 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
of course
this might be the last post from agent orange in a while since his computer is sitting in pieces on the street below his window
by Jason Mayer on Jun 15, 2007 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
y'all are gonna say, "There goes Beergut,
dissenting again..."
But in all seriousness, I didn't think the decision to not take Vince was as bad as the decisions to not take Reggie Bush.
Houston needed a player who would be the face of the franchise and sell tickets and put butts in the seats, and Bush would do that.
The reason I thought Houston was smart for not taking Young is b/c I thought being drafted by Houston might be the very worst thing for Vince's career.
As many of you have noted, Vince is a god in Houston. Well, many Texans fans would have been very impatient for their 'god' to turn around the fortunes of the Texans in his first season, and when he failed to do that, turn on him.
That would not have been good for Vince's development.
Even 'patient' Texan fans would have turned on him after his second season, if they didn't start seeing wins.
In Tennessee, Young was a college star who got drafted, not a hometown boy who became a deity, so they could be a little more patient with him; he wasn't supposed to be the savior of the franchise from Day 1.
JMO.
by Beergut on Jun 15, 2007 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couldn't disagree more
Whew. I had agreed with Beergut just about all day.
It's Friday, and I'm outta here, but I have to officially note my disagreement.
Done.
Happy Friday to everyone - Beergut included.
by Peter Bean on Jun 15, 2007 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
houston
The worst thing was the fact that they passed on both of them, because they would both be franchise players, etc. Most Texan fans would have easily forgiven the decision not to take Vince had they taken Bush instead.
But, with all due respect, I think you're overstating the possible impatience with Vince from Texan fans. Of course, we'll never know, but I think most fans would have blamed any team failures more on management and coaching than Vince. He's that beloved.
by Jason Mayer on Jun 15, 2007 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As Jason said
It was more the fact that they passed on both players that is the most frustrating.
Although PB and I would argue that the economic advantage of drafting a hometown hero would push VY over Bush, it is debatable. If they had taken Bush, I would still say they were wrong, but I think there are rational arguments that he was a safer bet.
by Wells on Jun 15, 2007 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beergut....
I just vented and cooled down a little, don't get me started again! :)
I'll jump in the "Completely Disagree With You" ship on this one too... but I understand. I can see how potential Aggie Texans fans would prefer Bush, and I know how difficult it must be to wrap your mind around the fact that the very best college football player who ever strode upon this earth proudly wore the Burnt Orange...
But two things -
the VY Texans fans would certainly have a whoooooole lot of overlap with UT fans, but I don't think they would be limited to just Longhorn fans. For one thing, the hometown factor is huge. It's not just that he came from there, it's that, like you noted - he was like a god there (maybe not THE God, but A god...). And I think there's such a surfeit of goodwill toward him, from both the hometown and the UT contingent, that the scenario you propose just would not happen. The hometown folks would be patient because he's just one of their own. The UT base would be patient because he's Vince and he's earned it. I can tell you that I would switch from every Dallas game just to watch Vince Young struggle, and I'd do it for more than 3 or 4 years. Once you've drunk that VY Kool-Aid, believing in him just comes naturally...
Also, I don't think you fully understand just how Vince Young handles pressure. It's not that he eats it for breakfast, it's that he makes it wet itself and run and whimper when it comes face to face with him... Vince Young is NOT going to be hampered in his development by pressure from any outside source. And whether he was supposed to be the savior of the franchise from Day 1 or not, that's what he's doing. That's what he would have done in Houston. It's not a matter of what he's supposed to do, it's who he is. You might not understand that, I know. It is most definitely not an aggie thing.....
by agent orange on Jun 15, 2007 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
UNC
Also remember that Jordan's role at UNC was subdued to the team concept. His first years, he bowed to the Worthy/Perkins presence and was actually know mainly as a defender. Bowie, on the other hand, had been big news since his sophomore year.
by Caradoc on Jun 15, 2007 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I never thought P.J. Tucker had NBA-talent
it seemed to me that he was the least NBA-ready of all the players who left texas early.*
He thrived in college on hustle points and doing the garbage work to get points, getting the trash baskets and doing the little things to help his team win. That's great in college, but it doesn't translate to the NBA.
Tucker never had the offensive game to play in the NBA. JMO.
*I thought Gibson was the biggest risk, but he was streaky, and when he was hot, he was REALLY HOT (as he showed in the playoffs this year).
by Beergut on Jun 15, 2007 2:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I really don't like you
Not because you discent from everything Longhorns (which you do), but you do it so well. It's hard to argue against your points because you pick points that are, well, right.
But you're not capturing all of PJ. He played harder than anyone I've seen play. When he was in, he was giving 110% (I know, cliche. What are you gonna do?).
It's hard to imagine that there's not a spot on some roster for a guy like Tucker given how bad the NBA really is. When teams that are lower than .500 are making the playoffs, is it hard to imagine that there is not one team that couldn't benefit from PJ's services?
Damnit: Smart aggies. What's the world coming too?
by GoHorns on Jun 15, 2007 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
this guy's not an aggie
the only thing he does that's "aggie" is not capitalize Texas, which really only pisses off his third grade teacher.
by the other Andrew on Jun 15, 2007 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Beergut is welcome here. It's refreshing, almost.
by Peter Bean on Jun 15, 2007 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah...
he's like a visitor from some alternate reality where aggies make sense.
back in b/cs, I'm sure he keeps that part of himself, er, in the closet, so to speak...
by agent orange on Jun 15, 2007 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
PJ with Mavs?
PJ is trying out with Mavs for the summer league. Mavs has the deepest bench IMO, but I'll be happy to see him in a Mavericks jersey. People are saying he has a decent chance to make the team, we'll see.
The fact that you thought Gibson was the biggest risk, says your abilities to evaluate NBA talent!! Not that I have a better evaluation abilities by the way, I never thought Gibson would end up a starter in the big boys league.
by Cyrus on Jun 15, 2007 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also,
If PJ doesn't sign with an NBA team, I'll eat a full onion! He played well in NBADL, and got unlucky with Raptors. I'm almost sure that he'll sign with "somone", maybe not Mavs, but he is just too good not to be at least on the bench of a team.
by Cyrus on Jun 15, 2007 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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