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Post by longtimebooster on Apr 28, 2024 4:04:32 GMT -8
Kawhi was leauge ready. Why would he stay any longer that he did? And Butler was Kentucky ready. Your point? |
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Post by longtimebooster on Apr 28, 2024 5:25:55 GMT -8
I've been thinking about all the NIL-related transfer activity that has been roiling the Aztec roster, as well as many others throughout the college hoops landscape.
And I have a few observations that haven't heard many people bring up.
1. The one-and-done recruiting strategy that has been predominant among the blue bloods has clearly hit a wall. Coaches throughout the land have seen teams like SDSU, loaded with 4-and-5-year players, manhandle teams with one or two freshman/sophomore diaper dandies. And coaches with their herd mentality are all now rushing to stock up on upperclassmen.
2. This current NIL/portal-driven recruiting frenzy is something of an oddity due to all the COVID eligibility extensions. Many of the current transfers are only in the portal due to being granted an extra COVID year.
3. It's highly likely that while NIL/portal will continue to churn rosters in college hoops, it will abate somewhat once all the players with extra COVID years term out.
4. Given the landscape, it will be interesting to see how Dutcher responds. I'm thinking he might zig while everyone else is zagging. Stay tuned.
5. Finally, There's so much college-level hoops talent available in the U.S., that it will be nearly impossible for the blue bloods to lock down the sport and monopolize it the way it's happened in college football. While it takes a truly unique player with the right physique, height, athleticism, etc., to play in the NBA, there are dozens of players who are really, really great at the college level, e.g., Jimmer, Heath, Arop, White, Thames, Shepard, Gay, Butler, et. al., ad nauseam, but just don't have the speed, height, shooting acumen, etc., to make it to the League. While it's nice to have NBA talent on the roster, smart coaches can still build successful teams with a collection of gritty players. So for nearly all of these blue bloods tossing around NIL $$$, things won't work out, the alums will continue to be frustrated, and many coaches will go down in flames. Does anyone honestly believe that Kentucky will be any good next year? I don't. You shouldn't either.
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Post by Aztec Since 88 on Apr 28, 2024 7:27:01 GMT -8
Exactly, without the extra year of eligibility many of these players in the portal would be off to Europe or elsewhere to play pro ball as their eligibility would have run out. Very few of them will get the opportunity to play in the NBA, so they are staying in college and collecting the most money they can, because it is more than they will make playing pro ball. I believe next year is the last year for COVID eligibility, so the numbers in the portal will drop because of the that.
Ultimately, LB made a business decision in what he feels is in his and his families best interest. I am bummed to see LB go, but it is the system that is creating these opportunities for players to transfer. He won't be the last one to leave THE MESA just the most recent, it is the new normal in college sports. I hope he does well at Kentucky as it will only help Dutch in recruiting as it will show he can develop players. Time to move on focus on the future and not look back.
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Post by aztecterrier on Apr 28, 2024 7:34:15 GMT -8
Kawhi was leauge ready. Why would he stay any longer that he did? And Butler was Kentucky ready. Your point? Seriously doubt Kentucky will be tournament caliber this season. Also, as a person who worked in finance for twenty years, I don't give a f x x x about players making the best decisions for themselves. I'm an Aztec fan. I care about Aztec basketball and his business decision hurts my team. Bye, Butler. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out Go Aztecs. |
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Post by LostAztec on Apr 28, 2024 7:47:19 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?  Had Butler decided to go pro instead of staying for his extra Covid year I wouldn't have blinked. Leaving to go to another school for money just isn't the student/athlete, college sports that I grew up with. I don't hate the player, but I do hate what the game has become. He turned pro the moment he signed his first NIL contract. Don't kid yourselves. The money has been out in the open for a couple years now and it is the Wild, Wild West. |
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Post by LostAztec on Apr 28, 2024 7:49:37 GMT -8
If I'm Butler I take the payday and go to Kentucky. NIL and the transfer rules have ruined college basketball. You can't be mad at the players for a screwed up system. He won't make much (if any) NBA money, so if I'm him I absolutely make the money while I can. I haven't read through the entire thread, but do we know how much he got paid? If it's 700k or something, that's life changing dollars if well invested/managed I still don't like him leaving, but I can't fault him for it. He's also responsible for some incredible memories and was a key player who took our Aztecs to the national championship... Something I thought was just a pipe dream for our program (plus the S16 this past year) so I think he's given us more than enough I would transfer to a School in a State with low taxes. |
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Post by LostAztec on Apr 28, 2024 8:00:14 GMT -8
Simps enjoy this. Wildcat for life. Traded a legacy for $300,000 You're obviously bitter about this. What if it was you and your family ? Would you be okay being stuck in a place that didn't pay you your max value ? If you stayed in a job just to please the shareholders or customers, you would be miserable and under perform. If you were a bench or practice squad guy, wouldn't you want to transfer down so you could play some ball before your eligibility expires ? Forcing athletes to stay to satiate the fans or Management is act of slavery. |
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Post by aztecterrier on Apr 28, 2024 8:04:12 GMT -8
Simps enjoy this. Wildcat for life. Traded a legacy for $300,000 You're obviously bitter about this. What if it was you and your family ? Would you be okay being stuck in a place that didn't pay you your max value ? If you stayed in a job just to please the shareholders or customers, you would be miserable and under perform. If you were a bench or practice squad guy, wouldn't you want to transfer down so you could play some ball before your eligibility expires ? Forcing athletes to stay to satiate the fans or Management is act of slavery. You don't sound like a fan, more like be a player rep. |
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Post by Section T(urn Up) on Apr 28, 2024 8:07:31 GMT -8
You're obviously bitter about this. What if it was you and your family ? Would you be okay being stuck in a place that didn't pay you your max value ? If you stayed in a job just to please the shareholders or customers, you would be miserable and under perform. If you were a bench or practice squad guy, wouldn't you want to transfer down so you could play some ball before your eligibility expires ? Forcing athletes to stay to satiate the fans or Management is act of slavery. You don't sound like a fan, more like be a player rep. NIL and the transfer portal are devastating blows to the product that is college basketball. They’re also the rights every other student and employee in our country have. Your comments lack perspective, IMO, as do others who fail to grasp the complexity of being a sports fan. It’s ALWAYS been a big business. The labor is just getting a sliver of the pie, now. Heaven forbid you have to sit with these complexities when you turn on a sporting event. |
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Post by aztecterrier on Apr 28, 2024 8:23:22 GMT -8
You don't sound like a fan, more like be a player rep. NIL and the transfer portal are devastating blows to the product that is college basketball. They’re also the rights every other student and employee in our country have. Your comments lack perspective, IMO, as do others who fail to grasp the complexity of being a sports fan. It’s ALWAYS been a big business. The labor is just getting a sliver of the pie, now. Heaven forbid you have to sit with these complexities when you turn on a sporting event. Please. Everyone who cares enough to visit this board understands what's happening. Butler made a business decision. As a fan, it's my prerogative, to let his business decision impact how I feel about him and his legacy as an Aztec. His decision means he will never be an Aztec for life. He will never be a Tony or Kawhi. He will also never be a Junior or Trevor. He's okay with that. So am I. Why aren't you? |
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Post by AzTex on Apr 28, 2024 8:57:58 GMT -8
NIL and the transfer portal are devastating blows to the product that is college basketball. They’re also the rights every other student and employee in our country have. Your comments lack perspective, IMO, as do others who fail to grasp the complexity of being a sports fan. It’s ALWAYS been a big business. The labor is just getting a sliver of the pie, now. Heaven forbid you have to sit with these complexities when you turn on a sporting event. Please. Everyone who cares enough to visit this board understands what's happening. Butler made a business decision. As a fan, it's my prerogative, to let his business decision impact how I feel about him and his legacy as an Aztec. His decision means he will never be an Aztec for life. He will never be a Tony or Kawhi. He will also never be a Junior or Trevor. He's okay with that. So am I. Why aren't you? Intellectually I completely understand why Butler made the decision he did. As a free market capitalist businessman I see that it was the correct financial and economic decision for him and his family. I'd probably encourage my son or grandson to make the same decision (especially if the Aztecs weren't involved).
But, as a fan, emotionally, I feel betrayed. I have always preferred college and other amateur sports over the pros because the players were playing for the love of the sport and the brotherhood with their team mates, not just a paycheck. That is no longer the case.
I know my feelings are contradictory and inconsistent. But, that's the way I feel. The current state of NIL and free transfers is eating away at my love for the college game. It has already made my enjoyment of the Olympic Games die a lot.
While I specifically referenced Butler, my comments apply to all our athletes. I still love the Aztecs and will continue going to the games and rooting for them ... for now at least. But I'm afraid my emotional attachment is going to suffer as this situation gets worse. I hope I'm wrong.
EDIT: Of course I'll always remember and be appreciative of Butler making The Shot. In spite of my disappointment, he will remain one of my favorite players for what he did while he was here.
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Post by Section T(urn Up) on Apr 28, 2024 9:16:36 GMT -8
NIL and the transfer portal are devastating blows to the product that is college basketball. They’re also the rights every other student and employee in our country have. Your comments lack perspective, IMO, as do others who fail to grasp the complexity of being a sports fan. It’s ALWAYS been a big business. The labor is just getting a sliver of the pie, now. Heaven forbid you have to sit with these complexities when you turn on a sporting event. Please. Everyone who cares enough to visit this board understands what's happening. Butler made a business decision. As a fan, it's my prerogative, to let his business decision impact how I feel about him and his legacy as an Aztec. His decision means he will never be an Aztec for life. He will never be a Tony or Kawhi. He will also never be a Junior or Trevor. He's okay with that. So am I. Why aren't you? I don’t take it as personally—he played four years, gave us the best moment our fanbase has had in the process. If he graduates, which I believe is likely though I haven’t seen confirmation of this, he’s no less an Aztec than anybody who goes to grad school, IMO. I’m not gonna let the business of it send me into an emotional spiral that sours the best sporting moment of my life. I’d encourage others not to do so, and the vitriol some in this thread are showing is influential in the greater scheme. I know I’m pissing in the wind, so I’ll leave it at that. Go Aztecs! |
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Post by aztecking on Apr 28, 2024 9:17:53 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. Gwynn Jr had a broadcasting career and endorsements throughout the city cause of his last name. It’s ridiculous to say that loyalty brought that family nothing, utterly ridiculous. |
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Post by FULL_MONTY on Apr 28, 2024 9:20:36 GMT -8
There is a lot of hand wringing for a player that struggled handling the ball against pressure, struggled to feed the post, struggled at the FT line, and struggled from deep. His defense was elite and his ability to finish at the rim is very good. He took the money, and it was the right decision for him, and I wish him the best.
His leaving actually made the roster management much easier for State, Davis' and Byrd's upside is much higher.
JMO.
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Post by aztecking on Apr 28, 2024 9:23:06 GMT -8
I agree. The only thing that’s ridiculous about the whole thing is that Lamont could have been on the Kawhi Gwynn level depending on what happened next year. But he decided to chase money. But that’s his decision. The thing that I don’t understand are people saying it’s all good and you’re still an Aztec for life. People should be upset and voice their displeasure. We do need to focus on who we have. Our team is going to be stacked. It’s going to be fun to watch them develop. You've got to be kidding, bringing up Kawhi as a comparison. Kawhi left after TWO years as an Aztec to CHASE MONEY. Lamont left after FOUR years, which was what we would have all hoped for in the beginning anyway. By the way, I completely respect Kawhi's decision as well. You think both Keshad and Lamont returning for a 10-year reunion of the Final four team will be awkward? lol Lamont especially will be treated like royalty, even by the currently butthurt fans. None of these players owe us fans anything. Times have changed, and I hate the new NCAA environment as much or more so than anybody. But the players aren't to blame here. Better get used to it, because it's going to keep happening everywhere until the rules change or the whole thing implodes. Sadly, I fear it may be the latter. Kawhi didn’t leave to chase money, he left cause he was too good for college and he was highly sought by the NBA. How does that compare to Butler, where the NBA has minimal interest in him? |
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Post by aztecking on Apr 28, 2024 9:24:47 GMT -8
Kawhi was leauge ready. Why would he stay any longer that he did? And Butler was Kentucky ready. Your point? What does that even mean? The Aztecs are a better team right now than Kentucky is. This is a lateral move done for money, simple as that. Kentucky is rebuilding their entire roster with a new coach. What does “Kentucky ready” even mean in that context? |
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Post by lemkotir on Apr 28, 2024 9:24:57 GMT -8
You're obviously bitter about this. What if it was you and your family ? Would you be okay being stuck in a place that didn't pay you your max value ? If you stayed in a job just to please the shareholders or customers, you would be miserable and under perform. If you were a bench or practice squad guy, wouldn't you want to transfer down so you could play some ball before your eligibility expires ? Forcing athletes to stay to satiate the fans or Management is act of slavery. You don't sound like a fan, more like be a player rep. I think we're all fans of SDSU here. We have difference of opinion, and that's ok. I tend to lean on the let players decide what's best for them. Because let's face it, most involved in college basketball/football, from NCAA, athletic conferences, schools, coaching staff/admins, broadcasting companies, and too-many-count faceless entities and agencies all make money off of the players' blood/sweat/tears, all in the name of "student athlete". However, a governing body with rules that bites, would be welcomed, and much needed. As right now, in this NIL era phase, there aren't any! |
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Post by lemkotir on Apr 28, 2024 9:30:56 GMT -8
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. Gwynn Jr had a broadcasting career and endorsements throughout the city cause of his last name. It’s ridiculous to say that loyalty brought that family nothing, utterly ridiculous. Rather take the money, invest it, and let the compounding return and time do their magical effect, and not rely on others or factors not within in my control. Has Gwynn Jr benefitted from a long broadcasting career and various endorsements, off of his pa's name and goodwill with the SD and Padres org? Possibly, but it wouldn't hurt. I wouldn't want to discredit Gwynn Jr's talent, drive and the work he put in to get to where he's today. However, like most relationship, between Gwynn Jr + _________, there is a mutual benefit for both sides. It's the classic theory of trade between two parties, where it happens because both sides feel they gain something or came out not disadvantaged. For the record, I also happen to think Gwynn Jr is a very good broadcaster. |
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Post by lemkotir on Apr 28, 2024 9:33:52 GMT -8
Had Butler decided to go pro instead of staying for his extra Covid year I wouldn't have blinked. Leaving to go to another school for money just isn't the student/athlete, college sports that I grew up with. I don't hate the player, but I do hate what the game has become. He turned pro the moment he signed his first NIL contract. Don't kid yourselves. The money has been out in the open for a couple years now and it is the Wild, Wild West. Don't be surprised if the following players go into the transfer portal after a good/great year: Like jobs, you stay in a role, until you outgrow it or when something else better is out there, to allow you to continue to grow and achieve your career objective(s). As someone who's a people leader, I always tell my direct reports the following: - Always be on the lookout for something better, position or money
- I may be gone in 6-12 months, so don't worry about me, our team and what the company will do
- I hope I work for you one day! Where you are my boss
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Post by aztecking on Apr 28, 2024 9:35:27 GMT -8
Gwynn Jr had a broadcasting career and endorsements throughout the city cause of his last name. It’s ridiculous to say that loyalty brought that family nothing, utterly ridiculous. Rather take the money, invest it, and let the compounding return and time do their magical effect, and not rely on others or factors not within in my control. Has Gwynn Jr benefitted from a long broadcasting career and various endorsements, off of his pa's name and goodwill with the SD and Padres org? Possibly, but it wouldn't hurt. I wouldn't want to discredit Gwynn Jr's talent, drive and the work he put in to get to where he's today. However, like most relationship, between Gwynn Jr + _________, there is a mutual benefit for both sides. It's the classic theory of trade between two parties, where it happens because both sides feel they gain something or came out not disadvantaged. For the record, I also happen to think Gwynn Jr is a very good broadcaster. Frankly, I think you are incredibly naive if you think he would’ve had the same opportunities in this city that he does if his last name was Smith. |
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