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Post by aztecdan8 on Apr 27, 2024 6:49:30 GMT -8
Is Lamont Butler on track to get his degree in May? I would imagine he is. He's reported to be a very good student. On a "happier" note based on your question ... many of our players get GREAT grades - AND - graduate. Just off the top of my head recently, I've read of Jaedon, Keshad, Nate, Arop all having 4.0 - or really close - GPAs. Ledee's has a 4.0 in his MBA program.... and OH! ... we have players getting graduate degrees as well. While many are conflicted, some are sad, a few are mad about the Butler decision ... and/or how he and his dad handled it ... SO MUCH to be proud of with this program and the kids ... that leave as men. No program has finer players and people all around but particularly off the court than we do. As I continue to get older, that means more and more to me and makes me prouder as time goes on of our Aztec Basketball program as a whole and of each individual in it. We don't just win, we do it with class ... we really do it "the right way".
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Post by aztecterrier on Apr 27, 2024 12:04:39 GMT -8
Sounds like most people are fine with being a P5 feeder program. I know it’s a reality now but I am going sugar coat it. What are we supposed to do? Piss and moan or do the best we can with what we have. If I was a billionaire our problems would all be solved. What we're not supposed to do is congratulate and thank people who leave, and say "We can't wait to welcome you back into the fold "
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Post by Cwag on Apr 27, 2024 12:11:59 GMT -8
What are we supposed to do? Piss and moan or do the best we can with what we have. If I was a billionaire our problems would all be solved. What we're not supposed to do is congratulate and thank people who leave, and say "We can't wait to welcome you back into the fold " So glad you didn't say we should be small minded and petty over a sport and bitter towards the players doing what they think is best for their lives. It's a game folks. Seems to me some are taking this just a bit too seriously and need some perspective.
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Post by aztecterrier on Apr 27, 2024 12:12:29 GMT -8
Being a school that develops talent and feeds into blue bloods (Arizona, Kentucky) is just a natural evolution of our program. Look at the bright side. Kids will come here, as HS or Transfers, then work their way up to Power 4 or Power 2 programs. We will make adjustments, with the changing landscape. This is such a a losing, defeatist, small time, also ran attitude. "Happy" to be a feeder school?
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Post by aztecterrier on Apr 27, 2024 12:17:24 GMT -8
If true, then I believe, the dad, with more life experiences and trying to advise son, take the money (bird in hand), as there are few sure things in life are. Two I can name are: 1. Family 2. Money Those are what matter, when all said and done, at the end of the day (or on your death bed). Lamont and Keshad will always be welcomed in SD and SDSU. Let's not forget in the pros, players switch teams like a swinger party -- it's just a natural part of the game, these days. Don't hate the players, hate the game? I’ll disagree. Legacy is something money can’t buy. If Lamont stayed and really went off next year and led SDSU to another deep run in the tournament he would have been an all time great with a key to the city and his jersey retired to the rafters. Now there is no chance of that. He will have a few hundred grand extra than what he would have made at SDSU. He and Keshad can come back to SDSU but they won’t be received like they would have if they would have finished their careers as Aztecs and not Wildcats. That will get spent and be gone. Everyone has different priorities but loyalty and legacy should be at the top of the list. Many Aztec fans and students don't understand that San Diego IS NOT a town full of sports fans. The Padres are, in part, a draw right now as a reaction to the Chargers leaving. Fans showing they are San Diego loyal. Most of us are not NFL, NHL,NBA fans because San Diego doesn't have a stake in the game. We are San Diego fans, first and foremost. Once you understand that, it's easier to see how Butler leaving diminishes his legacy and status.
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Post by lemkotir on Apr 27, 2024 14:12:56 GMT -8
Being a school that develops talent and feeds into blue bloods (Arizona, Kentucky) is just a natural evolution of our program. Look at the bright side. Kids will come here, as HS or Transfers, then work their way up to Power 4 or Power 2 programs. We will make adjustments, with the changing landscape. This is such a a losing, defeatist, small time, also ran attitude. "Happy" to be a feeder school? Not "Happy", I would say. Rather, I think I was indirectly trying to acknowledge two things: 1. we are in a pecking order, among all the 355 D-1 men's basketball schools 2. recognize and celebrate our players are good enough to move to bluest of blue bloods in men's basketball programs Would I love to have all our players stayed for 4 years -- of course, that would be a lot of misplaced hopium in today's money-driven world with our NIL budget. Again, I go back to my earlier post, everyone is trying to move up in the game: be it players, schools and conferences. SDSU, too, has been trying to move up to a power conference, who on this board is trying fault it for being dis-loyal to the MWC? (Okay, not the best example, hopefully you get the point). Maybe I sound like an excrement by saying this, at the end of the day, loyalty is nice and all, but financial security is "sure" thing, if Lamont becomes penniless and homeless, who among you will take care of him and his interests? I think most of can cry loyalty card, but when $300k to 500k is dangle in front of you (again, I don't know how much Lamont is getting), and it's your last chance to make that money, you going to turn it down? I doubt most would.
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Post by lemkotir on Apr 27, 2024 14:15:01 GMT -8
I’ll disagree. Legacy is something money can’t buy. If Lamont stayed and really went off next year and led SDSU to another deep run in the tournament he would have been an all time great with a key to the city and his jersey retired to the rafters. Now there is no chance of that. He will have a few hundred grand extra than what he would have made at SDSU. He and Keshad can come back to SDSU but they won’t be received like they would have if they would have finished their careers as Aztecs and not Wildcats. That will get spent and be gone. Everyone has different priorities but loyalty and legacy should be at the top of the list. Many Aztec fans and students don't understand that San Diego IS NOT a town full of sports fans. The Padres are, in part, a draw right now as a reaction to the Chargers leaving. Fans showing they are San Diego loyal. Most of us are not NFL, NHL,NBA fans because San Diego doesn't have a stake in the game. We are San Diego fans, first and foremost. Once you understand that, it's easier to see how Butler leaving diminishes his legacy and status. Loyalty--- again... what did the Gywnn family get, for staying loyal to the Padres. Yea, people can say nice things about Tony Gwynn, and I would too, but talk is cheap. At work, we call it show me the cash, so my family and interests can be taken care of.
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Post by lemkotir on Apr 27, 2024 14:17:34 GMT -8
What we're not supposed to do is congratulate and thank people who leave, and say "We can't wait to welcome you back into the fold " So glad you didn't say we should be small minded and petty over a sport and bitter towards the players doing what they think is best for their lives. It's a game folks. Seems to me some are taking this just a bit too seriously and need some perspective. 100% agree with aztecterrier's take. It's just like any employee and employer relationship. When it is mutually beneficial, we love each other and let's hold hands and sing kumbaya. As soon as you are a liability or no longer serve the other's needs, best of luck or wishes, and nice knowing ya!
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Post by aztecterrier on Apr 27, 2024 14:28:11 GMT -8
Many Aztec fans and students don't understand that San Diego IS NOT a town full of sports fans. The Padres are, in part, a draw right now as a reaction to the Chargers leaving. Fans showing they are San Diego loyal. Most of us are not NFL, NHL,NBA fans because San Diego doesn't have a stake in the game. We are San Diego fans, first and foremost. Once you understand that, it's easier to see how Butler leaving diminishes his legacy and status. Loyalty--- again... what did the Gywnn family get, for staying loyal to the Padres. Yea, people can say nice things about Tony Gwynn, and I would too, but talk is cheap. At work, we call it show me the cash, so my family and interests can be taken care of. Ask Tony Gwynn Jr. what it's meant to his life and career that TG was loyal to San Diego. His answer would be: far more than nothing.
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Post by sdsustoner on Apr 27, 2024 14:35:53 GMT -8
Just went to the Kentucky boards to see how they felt
I was pleasantly surprised at the level of respect Blueblood fans have of the program at San Diego State. As a dude who survived the Emerald 8 this is huge in my eyes
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Post by laaztec on Apr 27, 2024 14:49:12 GMT -8
Simps enjoy this. Wildcat for life. Traded a legacy for $300,000
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Post by junior on Apr 27, 2024 15:00:26 GMT -8
… happy we won't have to watch him cough up the ball on SLOBs and BLOBs anymore. And there are plenty of defensive standouts left to cover his absence. His experience, however is really not replaceable. Anyway, he's gone now, hope he gets what he wants. It's a tough world out there.
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Post by lemkotir on Apr 27, 2024 15:04:46 GMT -8
Loyalty--- again... what did the Gywnn family get, for staying loyal to the Padres. Yea, people can say nice things about Tony Gwynn, and I would too, but talk is cheap. At work, we call it show me the cash, so my family and interests can be taken care of. Ask Tony Gwynn Jr. what it's meant to his life and career that TG was loyal to San Diego. His answer would be: far more than nothing. I am taking the money 998 out of 1000 times, over loyalty. Money is just a "tool" that enable so many things, and if properly handled/invested, in this LATE STAGE CAPITALISM, it's a difference maker.
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Post by lemkotir on Apr 27, 2024 15:07:28 GMT -8
Simps enjoy this. Wildcat for life. Traded a legacy for $300,000 More than that if you listened to Ziegler's interview: - Higher visibility (SEC, "East Coast" broadcasting on ESPN)
- Potential "home run" swing for NBA draft next year
- Experience a new team system that being rebuilt by now BYU coach, instead of being stuck in SDSU he knows what he's getting
- Just try something new, you know
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Post by lemkotir on Apr 27, 2024 15:09:53 GMT -8
Simps enjoy this. Wildcat for life. Traded a legacy for $300,000 More than that if you listened to Ziegler's interview: - Higher visibility (SEC, "East Coast" broadcasting on ESPN)
- Potential "home run" swing for NBA draft next year
- Experience a new team system that being rebuilt by now BYU coach, instead of being stuck in SDSU he knows what he's getting
- Just try something new, you know
I believe Lamont is a big fan and models his game after Sacramento King's De'Aaron Fox - similar height and build, but Fox is way better offensive player. Guess where Fox went to college? www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/4066259/deaaron-fox
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Post by aztecterrier on Apr 27, 2024 15:12:14 GMT -8
Ask Tony Gwynn Jr. what it's meant to his life and career that TG was loyal to San Diego. His answer would be: far more than nothing. I am taking the money 998 out of 1000 times, over loyalty. Money is just a "tool" that enable so many things, and if properly handled/invested, in this LATE STAGE CAPITALISM, it's a difference maker. I thought you wanted to use TG as an example? That point failed so why not move the goalposts, right? Fine. Name ANOTHER San Diego / SDSU legend that did not benefit from showing loyalty. I don't mind. I'll win that point too.
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Post by wakelaunch on Apr 27, 2024 15:19:20 GMT -8
Many Aztec fans and students don't understand that San Diego IS NOT a town full of sports fans. The Padres are, in part, a draw right now as a reaction to the Chargers leaving. Fans showing they are San Diego loyal. Most of us are not NFL, NHL,NBA fans because San Diego doesn't have a stake in the game. We are San Diego fans, first and foremost. Once you understand that, it's easier to see how Butler leaving diminishes his legacy and status. Loyalty--- again... what did the Gywnn family get, for staying loyal to the Padres. Yea, people can say nice things about Tony Gwynn, and I would too, but talk is cheap. At work, we call it show me the cash, so my family and interests can be taken care of. Good to see money is the only thing you value. Gwynn made millions off of being a local SDer. He got car deals, etc. His son was set up for life. He got to be a sports broadcaster. He got a head coaching job with no coaching experience. He got to keep a college coaching job even though he wasn't winning. He was well taken care of by the community.
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Post by laaztec on Apr 27, 2024 15:22:15 GMT -8
Simps enjoy this. Wildcat for life. Traded a legacy for $300,000 More than that if you listened to Ziegler's interview: - Higher visibility (SEC, "East Coast" broadcasting on ESPN)
- Potential "home run" swing for NBA draft next year
- Experience a new team system that being rebuilt by now BYU coach, instead of being stuck in SDSU he knows what he's getting
- Just try something new, you know
Exposure for what? Can’t get more exposure than the final four and the national championship game. Also We were on big CBS a number of times last year. If he’s good enough to play in the NBA, the NBA scout would find him at SDSU. We aren’t a secret. All those points are just excuses to make it look like it wasn’t done for money. The only point that holds up is try something new.
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Post by wakelaunch on Apr 27, 2024 15:23:09 GMT -8
More than that if you listened to Ziegler's interview: - Higher visibility (SEC, "East Coast" broadcasting on ESPN)
- Potential "home run" swing for NBA draft next year
- Experience a new team system that being rebuilt by now BYU coach, instead of being stuck in SDSU he knows what he's getting
- Just try something new, you know
I believe Lamont is a big fan and models his game after Sacramento King's De'Aaron Fox - similar height and build, but Fox is way better offensive player. Guess where Fox went to college? www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/4066259/deaaron-foxHe is not even remotely close to Fox as far as game goes.
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Post by I Enjoy Aztecs Basketball on Apr 27, 2024 15:24:02 GMT -8
I'm sure anyone who knows him personally will root for him just as much as before (Dutch, his teammates, etc).
But I don't know him and he knows that he's trading some good will within the city for extra cash. That's the decision he made. Seems straightforward to me. And it's probably the correct decision (depending on the money). If Miles Byrd goes off this year, I'd want Keshad and Lamont to tell him that Aztecs fans are gonna be pissed if he leaves, otherwise the transfer decision is super simple. Incentivizing leaving and being happy folks are transferring to blue bloods makes no sense to me.
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