Sad thing is SN will always take the rap for the 2012 season!
His only "transgression" was publicly airing the attitude problems with the team. He wasn't wrong about the team, just the process. I understand that we are conditioned not to air things publicly. This is a family, tribal (maybe genetic) process. It does have advantages in that the world will attack any weakness, therefore exposing internal weakness can be pounced on. But it is also detrimental allowing for physical and mental abuse to run rampant that otherwise might be stopped early in the process. If anyone doesn't accept my contention than explain why families or institutions don't frequently report incidences of abuse!
SN was silenced in expressing his public frustration. I agree with those who feel that airing dirty laundry going on amongst the 2012 team wasn't going to accomplish the desired result. In our viewpoint that turned out to be the case. But hindsight is always better than foresight. Things didn't change because the guys with the attitude problem weren't able to recognize their contributions to team failure. Personally I don't fault Shabazz for trying. When he recognized public embarrassment wasn't going to change the attitude of his team mates, and worse, when he recognized that it only resulted in a negative reaction directed towards him, he pulled back.
Everything in this article points to a kid who thinks and acts outside the box. He is not vindictive or destructive. The opposite is the case. He is helpful and supportive. Read between the lines. Understand the character of people. There wasn't a maturation that took place in the last two seasons. SN demonstrated this leadership in high school. It didn't develop over the last two seasons.
JC aired things about players publicly. SN idolized JC. It's a no brainer why he chose to do something similarly. His mistake was misjudging his "place" in the so called hierarchy of a college bb team. IMO the kid oozes with an amazing amount of character and insight regarding what makes a better society. I would argue that our conception of who has earned the right to speak out needs to be reevaluated with regards to Bazz. Our perception could be the problem.
I will argue that last year does not turn out as positively if a certain player did not transfer. If he chose to remain I believe Bazz would have left. And last season would have been a disaster. Last season was critically important for UConn's future! It is the thread by which so much is at stake, not only for men's basketball and the legacy of the program, but for the universities future direction in athletics.
This is an aspect of last year success that is overlooked.
Too many on this board are so blinded by the incredible past success. Unfortunately for us many viewed them a JC success.
History is littered with programs who took a dive at the end of a legendary career. We were viewed by many in that category.
The mass defection of players, impending sanctions, a coach with a six month contract"and the breakup of our baketball world only increasted the predictions of doom.
In this turmoil a little humble kid from Mass, a small but cocky kid from Chicago and an heretofore unchiever from the west coast all in demand elsewhere decided to stay.
Earlly success ensured the long term coaching stability we needed badly. UConn legecy remained intact and we stand poised to return to the summit.
In the words of Winston Churchill regardind the RAF in the battle of Briton " Never have so many owed so much to so few"
This applies to the SN, RB, DD, OC, and everyone else who played a roll. But it all started with SN.
I
I'm a big KO fan! I started the "Ten Toes In" thread. That hasn't changed. KO deserves all the credit he is getting. But I would argue that SN may have been, and will be, just as pivitol to a positive UConn future.
