Committing young -- Is it a bad thing?

by Truzenzuzex on May 2, 2008 1:51 PM EDT in Commentary

As the reigning "King of Scold" on this blog, I feel it is incumbent upon me to make a few comments regarding the recent commitment of Michael Avery to an offer Coach Gillispie made to him via his father.

As I wrote earlier, it has become obvious since last year that obtaining the commitment of younger and younger players is no longer a theoretical -- it has become the cutting edge of college basketball recruiting. While many of the higher profile schools are able to recruit in the present fairly easily, non-elite programs or elite programs like Kentucky who have fallen on hard times recently have to be as innovative as possible. When coaches see their peers recruiting classes stuffed full of 5-star players while they fight with smaller universities for decent JUCO's, it is not surprising to see coaches like Gillispie employing every legal tactic to out-maneuver his competition.

Make no mistake -- recruiting this far in the future contains many risks. Verbal commitments, as everyone knows, are non-binding on either the university or the student athlete. That does not mean, however, that they are meaningless. Fortunately, most basketball coaches will live up to their commitment, even though we have seen far less inclination for students to do so -- we only need look at Scotty Hopson's change of heart to see how easy it is for the athletes. For coaches, it is tougher -- if an early recruit doesn't pan out, he will take a lot of flack for backing out on his word (unless, of course, his name is Rick Pitino ) after offering a scholarship so early. Indeed, one or two such back-offs may make future early commitments impossible -- once you get a reputation for doing something like that, your chances drop dramatically.

Be that as it may, many people (including yours truly) are concerned about the propriety of such early commitments. A lot of this is simply due to being old-fashioned and concerned about kids who are four or more years away from being considered an adult making such a big decision about their future so far in advance. But while that is maybe the gut-level response, I'll try to ignore that and look at this objectively. So let's take a look at arguments against and the counter-arguments for such a commitment:

A kid that age is too young to make such an important life decision.

Counter: Because coaches cannot make direct contact with recruits before their junior year in high school, they must go through the young man's parents even to make such an offer. It is therefore impossible for the kid to make this decision without the informed consent of his parent(s)/guardian(s). Kids beginning at ages younger than this are always making life-changing decisions that we forget about -- whether or not to try sex, or drugs, or alcohol. To be a good student or not. To be a good person or not. Is this decision really more important?

Also, it is pretty much impossible for the kid to screw this up. He is making a decision about what college to attend -- for FREE! Gillispie has offered this young man an opportunity to attend the University of Kentucky and play basketball in return for the opportunity to obtain a priceless thing -- a college education. Even if Avery had decided to attend Podunk State University instead of Kentucky, he would still have the opportunity for a free education in return for playing a game. The way I see it, there is simply no way to screw this up no matter what school you choose (unless, of course, it is U of L, UNC or Duke -- then it would be a tragic error in judgment -- I kid, OK?).
The player may plateau and not really be (_fill in your school here_) material.

Counter: How is this bad for the young man? I mean, we are talking about his interests here, not that of the offering school. Schools and coaches know that this is risky, and this is one of the risks.
The player may (_get hurt, do drugs, go to jail, test out to be a moron, decide not to come_)!

Counter: See 2 above.
Kids this young should be concentrating on (_school, being a kid, getting better, etc_).

Counter: Wouldn't it be easier to do all those things if you took the decision about which college to matriculate to off the table? You could ignore all the other advances from coaches and colleges and get yourself ready for your future. Removing this decision from the table early on relieves pressure on the kid. He doesn't have to worry about trying trying to make an impression on college coaches on the sometimes smarmy AAU circuit, which in any case does little to teach fundamental basketball skills. Instead, he can concentrate on fundamentals, playing in events in which his family can participate, and generally minimizing the negative impact and influences (posse, AAU coaches with agendas) of being a big-time, uncommitted prospect.

The best argument that can be made against this process, in my opinion, is that of buyer's remorse. If the kid later decides he made an error in judgment -- maybe his best friend went to a different school, or his parents moved, a girlfriend, or a family situation that makes him want to be closer to home -- it makes it easier for him to excuse backing out of his commitment. Make no mistake, I take a dim view of people who don't live up to their agreements, whether the NCAA considers them binding or not. The opportunities for an ethical breach by both parties are greatly magnified by such an early commitment.

But with that said, the opportunity for setting a good example are also magnified. How much more does it say about a kid (and a coach, for that matter) who kept their agreement over such a long period of time and with so many potential pitfalls? So the opportunity for being an ethical inspiration are also magnified. My feeling is also that this will be more of a test on the coaches than the kids -- sooner or later, something unforeseen is going to reduce the value of such an early commitment that puts real pressure on the coach. Also, what if the coach who accepted his commitment is no longer there? Will his successor be as willing to honor a commitment he did not make?

There are many opportunities for agreements such as this to fail, but none of them appear to be substantially more severe than the same pitfalls which could happen in a normal, junior year recruitment. In the final analysis, it looks to me like those of us (and I do include myself) who are uncomfortable with these situations need to think it through more carefully -- the negatives are there, but how bad can such a decision be when the adults are as involved as this? Do we really expect a kid in his junior year in high school to have better judgment than his parents? I say not likely, although it sometimes does happen. In the end, though, there are many opportunities over the interregnum between the 9th grade and college for this to be corrected. Can we say the same about a kid who waits until the late signing period to make his call?

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Comments

Ups and downs

Clearly there really is no downside to this from the kid's perspective. The only pitfalls in this arrangement fall squarely on the school. We are fans of the school... not the kid. So our concern over these situations can be justified. There are plenty of arguments why this isn't good for the school, but as Tru demonstrates... not many that are detrimental to the child in question.

I may be misremembering (thank you Roger Clemons) but I think Floyd last year was the first instance of taking a commitment from an 8th grader? If that's true, then it will be another 4 years or more before we can really see how these things turn out.

From Kentucky's standpoint, I do think it is (sadly) necessary right now so that we can get a "buzz" going on our recruiting again. *insert obligatory and inflammatory anti-Tubby rant here to increase post count*

by chirop1 on May 2, 2008 2:07 PM EDT 0 recs

Actually ...

that was Floyd's second 8th grader in as many years.

Amazing, eh?

by Truzenzuzex on May 2, 2008 2:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

Still

Necessary or not, detrimental or not, proper or not, personally I still find it nuts, hilarious, and difficult to take seriously.

by kentuckygirl0724 on May 2, 2008 2:12 PM EDT 0 recs

That would really suck!

I was just thinking back to the close of my 8th grade year and my Dad told me as soon as I finished High School I would have to play Basketball for the CATS and receive a free education. That would really SUCK!!!!!!!!

by lccat on May 2, 2008 2:26 PM EDT 0 recs

It's a load to carry

It seems to me that this young man henceforth will have a target on his back and a heavy load to carry. Everywhere he goes, he will be pointed out and whispered about as "the 8th grader who committed to Kentucky." For the next 4 years, he will be evaluated and talked about -- not in terms of his peers -- but in terms of whether he is good enough to play for Kentucky. Much of the comment will be negative. Opposing teams, players and fans will single him out. Let's all hope he can handle it.

by Fortunatus on May 2, 2008 2:33 PM EDT 0 recs

Huge Load to Carry

This will put tremendous pressure on the kid to perform to the expectations of a top of the line D-1 recruit, even as a freshman. On top of that, he probably has no idea of what those expectations are (i.e. teamwork, unselfishness, blocking out, rebounding, leading the team) vs. typical freshman ideals of scoring and dribble penetration.

IF (caps for emphasis) he does handle those expectations for that long, watch out! If not, as Tru iterated earlier, we could have another Adam Williams.

by cpacat on May 2, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

He will ...

... have a lot of company in the relatively near future, unless I miss my guess. Maybe not for UK, but for other programs.

by Truzenzuzex on May 2, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

The linked story about Azubuike

I had to post this:

"This is a nice kid who was a nice college player who will have to learn how to say "nice" in another language, because if his goal is to make money as a basketball player, he won't live again in the United States until he retires.
"

<Sarcasm>
Good call on that one Doyel.
<Sarcasm>

by sylvar on May 2, 2008 2:50 PM EDT 0 recs

Nice jab at the "mohawked" one.

by Ken Howlett on May 2, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

chirop 1

LOL.

That was great.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on May 2, 2008 3:04 PM EDT 0 recs

Uncomfortable but accepting ...

... I think that succintly describes how I feel about such an early committment.

I will add that if one of my children were to rise to such a lofty athletic level I would not allow or encourage them to committ at such a young age. My reasoning is two fold: As Tru notes, so much can change in 4 years, both at the university and within the family circle. Also, the pressure the young person feels may be amped up to an unteneable level. The pressure to perform can be overbearing for a college or professional player much less a 15 year old kid. Th maturity of the player, and the parents, will go a long way in determining how the player ultimately deals with the expected added pressure.

I do think it is possible that the opposite could be true too. As Tru states, the kid may feel relieved to get the committment out of the way, and play free and easy, knowing he doesn't have to impress scouts and coaches in order to recieve a schollie.

The best we as fans can do is hope the kid performs up to the standards we expect in a Kentucky basketball player, and if the kid has a less than stellar game, not crucify him on the message boards and blogs ala Dakota Euton. Of course it helps that Sherman Oaks ( I think that's his hometown) is on the other side of the world, so he won't have to perform in front of the critical eye of UK fans every night.

by Ken Howlett on May 2, 2008 3:12 PM EDT 0 recs

Which is the more pressure...

Playing every night with a UK scholarship in your back pocket or playing every night trying to earn a UK scholarship. I know which one I would prefer. Either way, it's still just a verbal commitment that could be changed on both sides. I'm still not against it as long as parents are involved.

by hoopchi on May 2, 2008 4:21 PM EDT 0 recs

In the end ...

especially since the parents have to initiate any contact, I think it is probably OK for the kid.

I don't worry about the school. We pay Gillispie big bucks to make the right decisions about recruiting. Until he gives me a reason to believe otherwise, I trust him in matters of talent evaluation.

by Truzenzuzex on May 2, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

A verbal is all it is...........

I am sure the actual chances of Avery playing for UK is about 50/50 statistically. The reason that this "could" be different is that he is looking to go to high school in Indiana....much closer to KY than California. That way, UK and Avery can maintain much closer contact over the years.

Also, both Avery and UK have every right to back off the commitment if necessary.

Personally, I feel that going after 8th graders can be tricky....HOWEVER, the kid and his parents put him in the AAU circuit...which in reality is a feeder to colleges and by doing so opens him up to recruitment....so, Coach happens upon Avery literally by accident and expresses that he is impressed....Avery's father makes two attempts to contact Coach G (because Coach can't call him back)and he is finally successful...coach offers...and 3 days later he commmits...wow.

I doubt coach pushed for the commitment...I think the quick commitment was on the Avery family's side of things....

I am disturbed about what Lee Todd said in public actually criticizing this recruitment....it seems very uninformed. Coach offered but I doubt very seriously that he expected a commitment this quick....too bad he could not have kept it quiet for a year.

Finally, what I do hope is that this long term recruiting philosophy will temper at least some of the yearly media speculation of Coach G leaving for another job...he keeps recruiting like this, his dream job will become his reality job....

by Chuck Alexinis on May 2, 2008 4:49 PM EDT 0 recs

BCG

I believe his dream job is already his reality job,has been since he arrived as Coach.

by kykat51 on May 2, 2008 11:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

I agree with you.........

but my point was that with all the injuries and early season struggles along with a transfer or too, it has been kind of a nightmare...it is how you handle it I guess........Go Big Blue.

by Chuck Alexinis on May 3, 2008 8:20 AM EDT up 0 recs

1989 Was A Nightmare, So Was 1953

The 2008 season was actually successful in the same way that 1985 (or 1979) was. Team struggled early but improved and was actually Very Good at EOY.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 8:55 AM EDT up 0 recs

all about recruiting

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080502/SPORTS03/805020541/1029

by kykat51 on May 2, 2008 5:58 PM EDT 0 recs

This is the future.

This will become more and more prevalent. Soon kids will sign up with certain AAU teams in Junior High School and whatever team they play for will funnel their better players to certain elite colleges. The elite colleges will funnel their better players to the NBA.

Oh my gosh! Isn't that already happening? BCG is ahead of his time!!!

by oldkentucky on May 2, 2008 8:10 PM EDT 0 recs

This Won't Happen Often

Gillispie gets paid A LOT to do this so I'll trust his judgement.

But he saw the kid play ONCE. Never talked to him. The kid's Dad called him. TWICE. Finally he connected and Gillispie offered. Soon after, the kid accepted.

I hope that won't happen very often. Pitino saw Caros Toomer practice ONCE and offered him. He accepted soon after. We all know the rest of that story.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 7:56 AM EDT 0 recs

Rare Agreement

I've got a rare agreement with FourtyYearCatFan here. It's certainly a very limited sample, so I'm a bit uneasy.

On the other hand I think some people are very good judges of ability, like right away I can tell if someone is a good software developer by watching them work. Or how Tiger Woods can evaluate a golf club. Perhaps Gillispie has something of that uncanny quality applied to evaluating basketball players.

Let's hope so! Again, it will be interesting to see how Avery turns out.

by EEWildcat on May 3, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Good LHL Article Expressing Several Viewpoints

http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/393152.html

I rarely agree with Lee Todd. I do in this case.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 8:56 AM EDT 0 recs

15 year old 8th grader

I apologize if someone else has already made this point, but....
If this young man is a 15 year old 8th grader, he will be 19 by the time he graduates from high school, meaning he is older than the typical 8th grader, to begin with.

This is May, in three and a half months he will be a 9th grader, and I assume we would all be a lot more comfortable with BG recruiting a 9th grader. So is this anxiety really because BG recruited him approximately 90 days sooner than we think he should have?

Lastly, as Tru so nicely pointed out, the University basketball program bears the risk here, not the student, who can clearly change his mind later if he wants to.

It is not unheard of for very young people to make a commitment to a sport; think of tiny gymnasts who move miles away from their families in order to train with a certain coach, or similar scenarios in other sports like competitive skating. Young musicians and young dancers sometimes make major life changes to work with an esteemed teacher, while child television and movie stars trade elementary school for a tutor on the set.

The point is, kids and parents do make atypical decisions all the time in pursuit of a dream.

by cat woman on May 3, 2008 9:37 AM EDT 0 recs

Regardless Of HS Grade

I don't agree with offering and taking a commitment based on a single observation and never having met or talked to the player.

It's not a good way to do business.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 9:49 AM EDT 0 recs

You know the old saying

You Snooze, You Lose.
Too often in the last several years we have been caught snoozing. This doesn't bother me one bit.

by sylvar on May 3, 2008 10:30 AM EDT up 0 recs

Last Several Years (Let's Say 2004 On)

2004 = #1 rated recruiting class.

2005 = #1 rated JuCo (over TAMU, Gillispie = his 2nd choice) recruit.

2006 = 3 Top 50 recruits and Top 15 class.

2007 = Patterson and Lucas ready to commit in March 2007.

2008 = verbal from HS A-A recruit Draymond Green.

Snoozing?

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Last several years..

04 = no Final Four, terrible class, no chemistry
05 = no Final Four, #1 JuCo WOW WOW WOW
06 = no Final Four, nothing special at all
07 = no Final Four, it took BCG to lock in PP
08 = no Final Four
09+ = ?????????????????

by MyBloodRunsBlue on May 3, 2008 5:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

Snoozing Was Referring To Recruiting

UK won 77% of its games from 2003 thru 2007. And 64% of its NCAA games. No snoozing there either.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 6:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

and..

even when Tubby recruited well on paper, they couldn't make it to the Final Four. Wait, I forgot, Final Fours do not mean anything, it is all about 20 win seasons. I guess there is nothign wrong with settling for good seasons.

by MyBloodRunsBlue on May 3, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

Adolph Rupp

Made 2 FF in his last 20 seasons (1952 thu 1972, no games played in 1953) at UK.

That's 1 FF per 10 seasons. Only in 1951 did the NCAA tournament become THE national championship with all teams being conference champs.

I don't remember the outcry that you espouse.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 8:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

35 years ago?

You climbed in the way back machine and went back 35 years to make a point? good gawd man, why not bring Fogg Alan into the conversation..

Seriously, if you are going to attempt to defend Tubby's failure, you can certainly do better than that.

by MyBloodRunsBlue on May 3, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

Later If U Prefer

UK made 4 FF from 1959 through 1992, then 4 FF from 1993 through 1998.

Which is typical? 4 in 34 years (59 thru 92) or 4 in 6 years (93 thru 98)???

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 9:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Seriously?

You actually believe that going back 50 years ago is more relevant than 10 to 15? OK, whatever floats your boat guy. This we all know... Pitino left UK on top of the basketball world and Tubby, well... we know how that worked out. In all his years of coaching Tubby never signed a player to go the the Final Four (excpet maybe Saul) and Tubby only reached a Final Four thanks to Pitino. He is a good coach, but certainly not in the class of a Pitino, Coach K, Roy Williams and others. Now please.. lets hear once again all about how Tubby won 20 games.

by MyBloodRunsBlue on May 4, 2008 8:00 AM EDT up 0 recs

Your comment is understandable ...

... and I would hope that he doesn't make that a habit, but I do believe it is possible to tell enough about a player's game after watching him once to offer him a scholarship.

It is risky, though, and if he turns out to be wrong, God help him. But that's why he makes the big bucks -- to make calls like this, and to make them correctly.

by Truzenzuzex on May 3, 2008 11:26 AM EDT up 0 recs

I wonder...

how many times Tubby watched Mike Williams and Jared Carter to determine they were good enough to merit a scholarship?

by MyBloodRunsBlue on May 3, 2008 5:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

Jared Carter

Carter was actually a pretty heavily recruited player. Roy Williams was at more than one Scott Co. game to watch him play.

Passing judgment on Carter at this point is impossible since the kid has been hurt since he set foot on campus.

by Ken Howlett on May 3, 2008 5:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

More Than Once

Williams was evaluated several times. Carter more than that.

Carter was offered by North Carolina, Illinois, Ga Tech, Boston College, Cincinnati, etc.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 7:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

OK

well then I guess the number of times one is evaluated doesn't really mean anything.

by MyBloodRunsBlue on May 3, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Bob Gibbons On Mike Williams

Mike Williams | Center
Rank: #93 Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Bishop Ireton High School
Position rank: Center # 14
Ht: 7'0" Wt: 270
Last Updated:5/2/2008
Scouts Grade
87

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

MyBloodRunsBlue on Mike Williams

another 7ft stiff recruited by Tubby.

Nice to see Tubby focus in in the #14 center. Please, continue, you make my points for me..

by MyBloodRunsBlue on May 3, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

UK Land Nothing Close To #14 Rated C In 2008 Or 09

Williams is a solid prospect. Gibbons knows more than a bigot from Louisville (you) does.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 9:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

This ...

... isn't necessary.

I don't see any reason for this member to be referred to as a "bigot." You may not agree with his points. That is fine.

Please stay away from personal comments like this. Let's try to stick to the subject under discussion and not affix labels to members.

by Truzenzuzex on May 4, 2008 7:53 AM EDT up 0 recs

Fair Enough

But I know this individual's identity. The word fits the specific person.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 4, 2008 9:12 AM EDT up 0 recs

I don't care.

Don't bring feuds from other fora into this one, please.

by Truzenzuzex on May 4, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up 0 recs

Solid prospect?

uhm, maybe for EKU. It is better not to award a scholarship than to waste one on a Williams type player.

Now, calling me a bigot is idiotic. You have no idea who I am, what I do or the color of my skin. I live in Florida not Louisville.

Now, had I called you some senile old man who who lives in the past and has an obvious insecurity about his race then I am sure my account would be shut down. News flash old timer, Tubby didn't fail at UK because he is black, he failed because of a poor recruiting shceme and bad assistant coaches. Here is another news flash for you Methuselah, Eddie Sutton, the white guy, was worse.

This makes the third time you have called someone a bigot. But, you will get a free pass as Truz allows your type of offensive posts since you kiss his rear like the rest.

by MyBloodRunsBlue on May 4, 2008 8:11 AM EDT up 0 recs

Lex H-L Article Today

http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/395124.html Very well done. Perhaps the best OTS article I've seen.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 4, 2008 9:13 AM EDT up 0 recs

Enough.

I have addressed this with him. I didn't give anyone a pass, and I'm not going to allow you to retaliate.

And I don't appreciate your comment about me. I'd rethink doing that in the future, if I were you.

Let's drop it and move on, please.

by Truzenzuzex on May 4, 2008 10:59 AM EDT up 0 recs

Billy G

That's why Billy G is paid the big bucks and your posting on ASOB.

Not being rude- just saying that if he feels ok enough with this kid to offer then we should be too.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on May 3, 2008 10:26 AM EDT 0 recs

I Already Said That

But I can still have an OPINION that disagrees with G's decision(s).

by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 2:16 PM EDT 0 recs

No doubt.

Some skepticism is in order. I am personally inclined to wait until he proves worthy of skepticism.

On the other hand, I can't strongly disagree with those who are skeptical in advance. It isn't as if anyone really has a track record on early commitments, and the one time UK has had one, it didn't work out.

by Truzenzuzex on May 3, 2008 3:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

Who hustled whom?

As I read all the info about the dad (attorney/CPA) repeatedly calling BCG, and then the dad doing all the public talking about the conversation, it is possible that BCG has quite another version of what actually happened. It is also significant that Jerry Tipton reported the story and that the Herald-Leader editors decided to put it on the front page. It is also significant that Lee Todd did not know about this before a meeting of the UKAA.

If Gillispie had really seriously offered a scholarship to an 8th grader, I would hope that he would be prescient enough to have tipped off the university president before the news became public. NCAA rules prohibit coaches from talking about such things, but kids and their parents can say anything they want. And they can tell newspapers anything they want.

Newspapers win national prizes by taking on sacred cows in their communities. That's why the Herald-Leader goes after UK basketball. Reporting this story on the front page is another example of the Herald-Leader going after UK basketball.

(I know something about the dynamics of news media reporting. I was a newspaper reporter for 15 years -- Kentucky, North Carolina, Wisconsin -- and then I represented governmental agencies in Kentucky for 25 years.)

I think Gillispie is a victim -- media wise -- in this situation. I suspect Billy was just trying to maintain serious contact, but the kid's CPA/attorney father was trying to nail down the deal. He announced the deal, knowing that under NCAA rules neither UK nor Coach Gillespie could talk about it.

This may be a very cynical analysis, but based on my years of experience dealing with how people behave in such situations, I think it is within the realm of plausibility.

by Fortunatus on May 3, 2008 8:03 PM EDT 0 recs

Great perspective.

That is definitely not something I had even considered. I would agree that it is a real possibility.

Makes me wonder if the kid or the father has dreams of playing basketball at Kentucky?

by BigSkyCat on May 3, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

This can only

be viewed as a good thing. Sure it may seem weird because of the youth factor but it will turn out to be a good thing. Many other top-flight kids will see kids similar to them committing (verbally, etc) and get the idea that Coach G has got something going. It's called buzz and the kids dig it! They want to be where it's hip to be. (okay those slang words date me I know, but I'm not in the kid business! :) )

If having an eighth grader (soon to be in ninth!!!!) commit verbally helps create some recruiting interest then I am all for it. I've seen what Coach G can do with the kids, now I'd like to see him do the same thing with some five star top-10 super-radioactive off the chain from the hizzouse boom shock a laka mofo's. I wouldn't care if he recruited a sentient being from Jupiter's third moon as long as he can ball and represent the Big Blue well.

As for getting stuck with a peach pitt instead of the peach, there are many ways of diplomatically severing ties without coming off as a butthead. Honesty being the number one way.

Rock on Coach G to the bizzle.
(sorry)

by bluecrip on May 3, 2008 10:34 PM EDT 0 recs