Coach Calipari:"It means nothing"
by tenken on Feb 26, 2010 6:12 PM EST
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Just caught the article about Coach Cal saying winning the title means nothing. Now, I will have to strongly disagree with this statement. It means alot. Maybe when he was at Conference USA it didn't mean anything but in the SEC its means alot. Especially when you are considering what we have been through the past few years. Still love the coach. I just have to disagree with this statement. :)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ap-t25-kentucky-calipari&prov=ap&type=lgns
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This shouldn't be a News Flash ....
From the beginnning, It’s been a given that Cal was coming in here to bring us a NC – or at least steer the program in that direction …
ten
I agree! By the way that was my e-mail last night. I forgot to identify myself.:-)
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
That was YOU!?
Thank you so much. I checked it on my phone so I didn’t reply yet but was going to tonight. Thank you very much for your encouragament :)
I have to go
along with Coach Cal. There will be no celebration for hanging number 44 for the SEC, only for # 8. These are great accomplishments but nothing but appetizers for UK fans who are looking to feast on another national championship. Years from now we will not look back and say, 2009/2010 was the year we won our 44th SEC title.
I agree totally!! Especially with the SEC tournament also. Who's
the league champ…the season or the tournament winner? Bottom line….in years past when “winning” the championship was the ticket to the dance, obviously the championship was VERY important. In modern times though….it really is about seeding in the big dance!!
You can't fix "stupid"!
But
we have to stop and smell the roses while they are in bloom. That is all I am saying. Enjoy this moment if it comes tomorrow. Relish it. Its been too long.Believe me, you can take things for granted…….I learned this last year with the Titans. Enjoy each accomplishment. Its important otherwise they wouldn’t call it a conference title.
I agree but continuing with the football anology....no one
remembers who won the NFC or the AFC…..just the Super Bowl. Obviously great accomplishments but in the big picture….just a stepping stone on the way to something MUCH bigger. Think Tubby would have traded a couple of SEC championships for another NCAA?
You can't fix "stupid"!
His comment will probably upset a lot of fans
I am sure of it. But, I think he is focusing on bigger things for the team. :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
tubby used to say winning SEC was goal
and everything else icing on the cake.
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Feb 26, 2010 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
and cake with a hole in it where an NCAA championship should be.......is a doughnut......
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
Never Heard That
I’ve heard him say Winning Championships is his goal.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 28, 2010 8:57 AM EST up reply actions
the HL wrote on march 16, 2007:
Kentucky has no reason to hide or cower in this NCAA Tournament, Smith said. And he didn’t embrace the notion that his players might feel pressure to win for him and themselves.
"No," he said directly. "This time of year, you lighten up. It’s icing on the cake. I don’t see that at all."
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Feb 28, 2010 4:26 PM EST up reply actions
But That DOESN'T SAY He Favors SEC Title Over NCAA
Indeed the most successful teams in NCAA take a “lighter” approach.
Pressure causes teams to play tight.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 28, 2010 6:22 PM EST up reply actions
fair enough...
guess cal is clearly saying he favors NC over SEC title…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 1, 2010 9:41 AM EST up reply actions
Fans wont get happy about this, but the man is trying to teach these kids for the little bit of time he has them that
it is only one small part of what they are trying to accomplish……I understand the context…….it is not a problem
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
Coach-speak
No more, no less. He’s just reiterating to his team via the media what he’s been telling them for the last two months.
What Blue-Aid have you all been drinking
Winning an SEC title is an accomplishment, but I totally agree with Cal on this. It’s about the big picture. Plus the SEC is garbage this year compared to years past. When you can’t sleep at night because you are tossing and turning thinking about the Laettner shot, do you think about the SEC championships we’ve won or the NCAA championships. If we really cared about winning the SEC, Tubby would still be here.
Calipari is wrong if he did, in fact, say the SEC championship means nothing, in proper context.
It is fine for him to think it, but not fine for him to say it. He is the top coach in the SEC, and what kind of message is a comment like this supposed to send to our league and our conference-mates? That they just don’t matter?
We play in the SEC, and we owe the SEC our loyalty and our respect. Disrespecting the league championship like this is not something any coach should do, nor should any coach be so selfish as to imply that the league in which they play is irrelevant. I am hoping that the quote was taken out of context and was not what Calipari really meant.
We are not mercenaries here. The SEC has a proud basketball tradition, and by essentially saying the league championship is meaningless (if that’s what he actually meant) Calipari is being disrespectful of the SEC and the fine schools it represents.
I hope, I really hope, that this was just a misunderstanding. Those of you thinking this was an acceptable comment, if true, should really think about taking off your Big Blue shades for a minute and re-evaluate. A comment like that is unsportsmanlike and wrong, and there is no ethical way to sugar-coat that fact.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Shades Off
You are correct. The SEC has a great tradition and is a great conference. But what I think Cal meant is that no UK fan is going to be happy with another SEC banner in Rupp. I think Cal might be the first coach to understand the insanity that is the UK fan base. That said, I totally agree that he should have kept the thought to himself unless it was taken out of context. The last thing we want is for other teams in the conference looking at Cal like they did Kiffin.
Maybe better to say it this way ...
Every UK fan will be happy with another SEC banner (after all it is a long hard fought battle)
But, what we really strive for at UK is the National Championship
He certainly
put it in the proper context for most UK fans. We are not content to be the big fish in a smaller pond. We will consider this a great season with a deep run in the tournament, otherwise a nice rebuilding year and maybe we will get it right next season. This has nothing to do with Big Blue shades. I don’t see this as an ethical matter at all. If there is a possible downside to his statement it could be used as bulletin board material for an opponent.
I don’t see this as an ethical matter at all. If there is a possible downside to his statement it could be used as bulletin board material for an opponent.
Of course it is. Calipari, as a representative the University of Kentucky owes the SEC the duty of respect, both to the league championship and the teams that comprise it. It is absolutely unethical for him to make comments like this, if in fact he did. That’s why it was news. That’s why people were leading with it.
Again, this assumes that he said that and meant it exactly as represented. My suspicion is that he didn’t. But if he did, it is unquestionably unethical and he should either apologize or clarify it. He is completely wrong to express disrespect for the SEC and its league championship.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Feb 27, 2010 11:15 AM EST up reply actions
I'm certainly glad..
to see that you feel this way. I thought it was a terrible thing to say, and extremely disrespectful. And having read the article, it does not appear to me that he was misquoted or taken out of context. When asked what winning the SEC title would mean to him he said “Nothing”. He went on to say that it’s “all about the seeding”. He doesn’t care about the tradition of the SEC, and honestly I would have to believe he doesn’t care about the proud tradition of Kentucky basketball. He cares about Coach Cal and what he can accomplish. I think he owes the conference and all the teams in it an apology.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Well, thank the Good Lord on high you are not judge, jury, and executioner.
When you start coaching, you can motivate your troops how you see fit. At UK, Cal can do it his way, we pay him a lot of money here to do just that very thing.
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
It was either that or have him paint himself blue, put on gold chains, and
rap……we like the choice he made.
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
Yeah...
the Wildkittens looked really motivated this past Saturday.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Sounds like...
you could say the same for Tru. Why didn’t you respond the same way to him?
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
you might
get better responses from us if you showed a little respect when posting on a rival fans’ site and we might take more kindly to you if you had more to say here than simply belittling our coach and our players as you have done a few places around this blog.
Disagreements are welcome, and in fact, we actually have some really great UT fans that comment here reasonably and make very well-written, very valid points, and we really like them because of the aforementioned respect they show us.
I didn't show any disrespect...
I was, however, accused of being overly judgmental after agreeing with the editor, who is a very reasonable. Please tell me where the “few places around this blog” where I have belittled anyone or been disrepectful. Please, because I would like to have the opportunity to apologize; I just don’t know what you are referring to.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Your disregard of Coach Cal and his understanding of this program are one
Your lack of understanding how he motivates his players is simply ignorance on your part so that is forgiven. Your tone of reference overall is another point, but a lessor one. Tru understands and knows this program inside out so he can critique any time he likes. Outsiders may do so on here as well, differing opinions are welcome….assuming they are presented respectfully.
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
Likewise,
the same can be said of your ignorance as to how Coach Pearl motivates and coaches his team, as well as how he promotes and supports Tennessee athletics in general. I suppose it’s fine for Kentucky fans to make fun of him (I guess because of his appearance?). Again, please show me how what I said was not presented respectfully, specifically in my response to Tru. I take such an accusation to heart.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Well, let's take these one at a time.....
He doesn’t care about the tradition of the SEC, and honestly I would have to believe he doesn’t care about the proud tradition of Kentucky basketball. He cares about Coach Cal and what he can accomplish.
When you have been a Kentucky Fan as long as some of us have, you appreciate someone who takes the program as seriously as Cal does, in ALL aspects. He knows he will be measured by the number of NC banners he hangs in the rafters at Rupp, he hears it from the fans all the time. The reason this man was hired here, is because he gets “it”. Now, not having been a part of this program and understanding what “it” is, makes your statements seem all the more ludicrous. but more than that, you ASSUME that this was the intended point of the statement, with no understanding of the rest of the story.
I think he owes the conference and all the teams in it an apology.
For what reason? Because he stated that he has his team focused on a much higher goal? SEC championships here at Kentucky are not an accomplishment, they are expected. If you win a few down there you will realize, that it is more of an issue when we DONT win the SEC that causes excitement here. Now, that is going to sound pretty arrogant to you, and I will admit it does, but we have a tradition around here that we dont intend to change, no matter who likes it or doesnt, that is just the way it is. Which is another thing that Cal “gets”, and again is exactly why he was hired.
Like I said, Tru spends a large part of his waking hours working this blog, researching and compiling information of all kinds. That is why he made this statement……..
Again, this assumes that he said that and meant it exactly as represented. My suspicion is that he didn’t. But if he did, it is unquestionably unethical and he should either apologize or clarify it.
You want to add a disclaimer to your statements, then they will be taken with the appropriate amount of respect. Until then…..dont show up at the White House just to attempt to fertilize the Rose Garden.
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
Yeah, well....
good luck with “Coach Cal” is all I can say. I hope, for your sake, and the sake of a lot of people who love Kentucky basketball, that you don’t have to be as disillusioned by him as so many others have been. Having said that, I stick by my assertion (which is the same as Tru’s by all indications) that what he said was disrespectful; even if he thought it or felt it was true for the reasons you explain above, he still had no business saying it to the media, and thereby to the other 11 schools in the conference. I don’t see how anyone could not agree that it came off as arrogant and disrespectful. But, you know what they say, “there are none so blind, as those who will not see.”
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Pleading ignorance?
Surely that’s not your reply? Come on now. We are both ladies here; pleading ignorance does not become us. : )
Look, I get that you don’t like Coach Calipari or our players, you are a Vol fan after all, it’s not that hard to figure out or understand, and I actually have no problem whatsoever with you being a Vol fan and the opinions held by you because of said fandom. Obviously, you aren’t really inclined to agree with much of what we say or like much of what our coach does, that’s your opinion and that is just fine by me.
I couldn’t care less about what you think of Coach Cal’s statement about the SEC title being meaningless and that particular post of yours wasn’t what I was referring to when I said disrespectful. What I was referring to are the two offhand one-liner comments in this thread and the one in the fanshot you made, you know, the fanshot about the new Maker’s Mark bottle featuring Coach Calipari?
Now, these may not seem disrespectful to you, but you need to understand that when one takes the comments that you (a UT fan) have made in the SB Nation blogosphere (RTT, in particular) about UK and Coach Cal in addition to the few comments you have made here, well, it gives the comments you make here more meaning and they are seen as disrespectful here.
Up until this point you have made no effort to converse with us in a mutually respectful manner and have made curt, snarky and alluding comments such as how you think we should use Velcro for our banners, you have referred to our players as “Wildkittens” and mocked their motivation, and well, if you are going to continue to make those kinds of comments when you are on a University of Kentucky sports blog, don’t be all shocked when you are met with responses that are less than warm and fuzzy.
Listen, I don’t make the rules for rival fans, they are just universally understood. Or so I thought? : )
I said you missed the one made about
putting Cal’s face on a bottle of Maker’s Mark….and calling Kentucky Bourbon “whiskey”
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
The only thing I ever posted that could be construed (by most reasonable, non-hypersensitive people) to be “curt, snarky, and alluding” was only posted after I was treated rudely and disrespectfully for my agreement with your moderator. So you can accuse me of pleading ignorance if you like, but the fact remains that I came over, made a comment complementing Tru for making a statement that did not blindly adhere to the “Coach Cal is a saint” philosophy so prevalent among Kentucky fans and agreeing with said statement, and was attacked for it. So much for reasoned conversation, I suppose.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
BTW...
I didn’t mock their motivation, I just pointed out that Calipari’s motivation technique obviously was not very successful, even if he is getting paid a lot for them. I think they played very hard, and obviously wanted to win. they are extremely talented. They just are not coached very well.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
gte back to me after the NCAA's about how well "coached" they were.....
in the meantime….continued enjoyment in your mediocrity…..
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
While it was not the politically correct
response to the question and is taken by many to be disrespectful, there is no basis to call it unethical. It is an opinion based upon his stated objective of bringing national prominence back to UK, nothing more. It is not unethical to have an opinion.
I
think its pretty brazen as UK fans to even think that SEC title is not important. Its been four years yall……four years.
The SEC Championship
is one rung in the ladder to the top but not one that has to be stepped on to get there. If your goal is banner #8 it is not important, just an additional badge of success.
Like the man said,
“They only hang banners around here for national championships”……lol…..personally I like his approach. Never settle for something less than you are capable of doing.
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
Better...
hang them up with velcro just in case they need to come back down in a year or two.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
I am going to let that one go, just because I dont take advantage of
anyone’s open ended statements like that without making sure I know who I am insulting….you really dont want to come on here and start doing that kind of thing…it’s not healthy.
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
Not healthy?
That sounds sort of mean! Sense of humor, please?
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
my statement was intended in more of a "mental health" sort of way.....
You know, I have been over to RTT, made comments, and always tried to not only be respectful, but cognizant of where I was before I typed. You might want to try that approach while here…..
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
My contention is...
that I was not disrespectful in my initial comment on Tru’s assertion about Calipari’s statement about winning the SEC title. You then were rude and disrespectful to me, and made disparaging remarks about Coach Pearl. I suppose that it is okay for you, though, because of “where we are”.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Hey, you dress up in gold chains, paint yourself orange, and
rap on national TV……..you open yourself up for those kinds of comments…….there is a big difference in that and expressing an opinion.
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
You keep avoiding my main point....
How is you making fun of Pearl just “expressing an opinion”, and me agreeing with the editor of the site in a reasonable way “disrepectful”? Why can you not just answer that question?
Also, Coach Pearl did not dress up in gold chains and rap on national TV. He did that at a team function, which happened to get taped and put on YouTube. But, by all means, don’t let the facts ruin and good story.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
My statement of "expressing an opinion" was pointed at what
Coach Calipari said, not what I said……my apologies.
And yes, Bruce Pearl did do that, and yes he knew there were cameras there, because ESPN got footage from almost every SEC school’s madness celebration this year.
So the facts do not ruin a story, in this case they support it.
My statement about Pearl is simply that he did what he did, and knew that there could be repercussions from it…..No one in their right mind does not think that someone out there will not make fun of a person who allows themselves to be seen made up like that in public.
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
It wasn't at a "madness celebration"
It was at the team banquet after the season was over. So no, I don’t think he would expect ESPN to be covering it. Either way, what he did was not something he needed to fear “repercussions” from. It’s not like anyone would have any problem with it, other than opposing fans who can’t find anything better to criticize him for.
The underlying story in all of this, as illustrated by Calipari’s comments in the Monday media conference call, is he cannot admit to getting bested by Pearl. And make no mistake, he was out-coached in every way possible, and don’t think he wasn’t royally P.O.’d that the national media pointed it out.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
my apologies.....it was at the "Volscars"......
and wasnt it shown on Volunteer TV??
And you dont think he knew it would be picked up and run by the National media????
Well, maybe you should get used to it, that is if you intend on your program still trying to fight for the spotlight in the SEC, because it is an everyday fact of life around here…..everyone has a camera….and the media are drooling over anything anyone does…..including parading around with half-dressed co-eds, painting yourself up and joining the student section and the above mentioned rapper’s delight……
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
Oh well....
like Bruce said, after Calipari said he wouldn’t do that kind of stuff, and the media asked BP if there was anything Calipari did that he wouldn’t do…“I don’t know what all he’s doing”. That got a pretty big laugh. So, if you ask the average non-avid sports fan who Bruce Pearl is, they might say “Oh, he’s the guy who painted himself orange”, but if you ask them about Calipari, probably the answer would be, “Oh, he’s the cheater”. That may or may not be accurate, but that’s the perception. So, I really don’t care if you make fun of BP’s rapper turn.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
you just made my point for me.....
So, if you ask the average non-avid sports fan
This is why you do not belong in the Big Blue Nation……“average non-avid” gets you exactly the results you folks down there have gotten in basketball for decades…..close but no cigar…..
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
You're right.
I don’t belong in the “Big Blue Nation”, thank God, as it obviously means you have to be arrogant and condescending for no reason.
Obviously I was not saying that I, or other Tennessee fans, are “average non-avid” fans. But, if pretending I did makes you feel like you “won”, then enjoy.
Several people on RTT told me this was a good community to chat with other basketball fans. I guess I’ll just have to take their word for it, because my experience hasn’t been so great. So I’ll just mosey on out. And, no, I won’t let the door hit me on the way out…..
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Thanks for stopping by......
and if you want to chat, it is great….anything else you do at your own expense….if you want to insult Cal….I hear the Memphis blog is accepting members
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
1933-46-48-49-51-54-58-76-78-96-98 "National" Titles Or Trophies
1933, 1954 = Helms Trophy.
1946, 1976 = NIT champs.
1948-49-51-58-78-96-98 = NCAA champs.
UK was SEC CHAMPION each of those years but 1976.
It matters, I think.
I think you're right Forty....it does matter in the context of things
but moreso as a step to the next level……now for the big question, were all of those regular season champs, or SEC tourney champs, or both?
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
Some Both, All But 76 Were SEC Regular Season Champs
Actually MOST were both.
No SECT played in 54, 58 or 78.
UK lost SECT in 96.
by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 2, 2010 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
Did we ever win both and lose the big game if we made it there??
I wasnt sure about 97…..couldnt remember if we won both that year
Resistence Is Futile......We Are Blue
Not 1997
SC won SEC title in 97. Only year UK made NC game without winning SEC.
Won both SEC and SECT in 1984 but lost FF game.
Won both SEC and SECT in 1947 but lost NIT championship game.
Won SEC (but no SECT played) in 1966 but lost NCAA title game.
Ditto in 1975 – SEC champs (no SECT played) but lost NC game.
by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 2, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
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