BEARZ77 wrote:If people want to believe what they saw from Kyle last year was "over the top" not much to say to counter that. It is what it is in peoples perception, and if they want to believe it was unique to only a couple Missouri State players in the recent history of Valley basketball, again that's their perogative to. And if it's seen as justifiable to throw those stones in a thread that has nothing to do with that issue but was about impressions of new Bear players in an exhibition game, then I guess that's how these things will be played out now that the season is nigh. Touche.
I don't think you can put all of the outside criticism on Weems, as I've consistently said, his behavior was no more "over the top than that of Cuonzo Martin. And yes, on the sidelines, Martin exhibited poor behavior. He failed to shake hands, he celebrated while going through handshake line. This is, like it or not, unacceptable behavior from a head coach. More than focusing on Weems, I stand by the belief that this type of behavior is directly reflective of the coach. The Miami Hurricane football team is a prime example. When Miami has had coaches that tolerated and even encouraged bad behavior, bad behavior flourished. Whenever the school tries to change that image, the antics disappear. Unfortunately for Miami, they are only as good as their antics and behavior is bad. Miami cycles from being a world beater- thug team, to a mediocre group of polite football players.
As for Weems, I'm sure he's a good guy, most Valley players on every team are good guys. Fans despise these otherwise good guys simply because they play for another team. That fact is unfortunate, as most of these student athletes are upstanding individuals. With regards to Weems and his antics last year, I can understand Bear fans denying he was over the top, but I remember reading a Missouri State blog regarding this subject last year. His behavior was criticized. Today I Googled and Googled but I couldn't find it. I did, however, find another blog recapping the Missouri State/ SIU game in the MVC. Once again, this is a MSU blogger and here is his take on Weems play:
:01.4, 58-56 — With all of his teammates on the baseline, Weems takes Carlton Fay off the dribble. Fay forces Weems right and the Valley Player of the Year lofts up a floater that kisses off the glass and in. If Leonard had “The Shot” against Wichita State, then Weems just completed “The Kiss.”
What I liked was that Weems didn’t chest thump, didn’t taunt, didn’t individually celebrate. He simply stopped Southern Illinois’ heart like Black Mamba did at the end of Kill Bill II with the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique. (He later flying chest bumped with his teammates, but it wasn’t a purely look at me moment. Here is the link:
http://tagsgf.com/2011/03/05/breaking-down-msus-crazy-comeback-w-video/I would add that if local bloggers have commented on his behavior, the criticism has some merit. Then again, it will be interesting to see if his behavior is tolerated this year. I doubt it. Different coach, different expectations.
There are three rules that I live by, never get less than 12 hours sleep, never gamble with a guy who has the same first name as a city and never get involved with a chick with a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Stick to that and everything else is gravy!