Bazz is a changed man

[selles]

http://www.ctpost.com/uconn/article...-be-a-better-leader-3940763.php?cmpid=twitter

Not used to posting links so sorry if I screwed it up but it's another Duffy article from the CT Post. Yet another article showing that we suffered a serious chemistry hangover last year from the post-Championship season. Great to see the introspection from Shabazz. His attitude is a key to this season.

 

[husky99]

So much talent last year an no chemistry .....

 

[Kitaman]

Good read................ we will see.

 

[Waquoit]

Good read................ we will see.

I agree. But it the words of Elvis, "A little less conversation, a little more action please."

 

[Huskies4ever]

I agree. But it the words of Elvis, "A little less conversation, a little more action please."

The fact he can come out and say, "I was wrong" is very impressive. I'm excited for this season.

 

[ctchamps]

We might as well ban all books challenging free thinking.

I didn't like a lot of the public chatter, but letting it simmer without expression wasn't going to help that team. It would have had it's own set of negative consequences.

As far as action is concerned, Shabazz gutted it out all season with a stress fracture. That was a lot of action vs. a couple of statements he made that we could argue should not have been said in public. I don't think the problem is with SN on this issue but people who are overly sensitive to who should say things, what they should be allowed to say, and how the statements should be made. There are consequences, both positive and negative, with free speech and control of free speech. It isn't black and white. But to focus primarily on a couple of statements Shabazz made and not focus on his playing hurt all season, indicates to me the problem isn't with Shabazz.

 

[Waquoit]

I'm talking about this next year. I love Bazz, I met him in Houston. But we hear pre-season stuff like this all the time and I can't take it seriously anymore. The play is what matters and that's when I'll give the kudos. That leadership will be tested when there is only one ball and three guys wanting to chuck it up. If Bazz can negotiate that minefield, I will be first in line with the props.

 

[ctchamps]

I'm talking about this next year. I love Bazz, I met him in Houston. But we hear pre-season stuff like this all the time and I can't take it seriously anymore. The play is what matters and that's when I'll give the kudos. That leadership will be tested when there is only one ball and three guys wanting to chuck it up. If Bazz can negotiate that minefield, I will be first in line with the props.

When we talk about leadership, we are talking about several things: ability, vision, effort, execution, communication and relating to others. Kemba, Khalid, and Caron demonstrated an ability in all these categories. However, most leaders have some deficiencies. For instance JC was atrocious at expressing himself. He also had trouble relating with certain personalities. In spite of these flaws he was a very successful leader.

Certainly certain people can get more out of a product than others. But that doesn't mean those who can't achieve this should be condemned.

Shabazz is certainly not Kemba and that shouldn't be held against him. It is our problem when we insist that someone fit our wish list when they are incapable of doing this.

 

[ibleedhuskyblue]

I agree. But it the words of Elvis, "A little less conversation, a little more action please."

I agree 100% - However, the season hasn't started yet, so all we can do is "conversate".

 

[huskyhal]

My only concern about this kind of talk is that, in my experience, the more someone talks about being a leader, the less he is one. True leaders don't need to annoint themselves, they just are.

 

[aceboon]

My only concern about this kind of talk is that, in my experience, the more someone talks about being a leader, the less he is one. True leaders don't need to annoint themselves, they just are.

The writers approach the players with questions geared towards a certain topic, this one being leadership and the contrast b/w last year with this. It's not like Bazz is calling up Duffy and saying I want to do a story on how I'm different and plan on showing my leadership abilities this year.

 

[Waquoit]

My only concern about this kind of talk is that, in my experience, the more someone talks about being a leader, the less he is one. True leaders don't need to annoint themselves, they just are.

I agree, hal.

 

[orangehomer]

does the fact that he is still not over the foot injury bug you guys at all? i would think they would at least consider a medical redshirt this year. i can't see playing him until he is able to practice 100% with no pain at all, no swelling no nothing. why risk further injury. a fifth year could help a guy like shabazz, it helped guys like scoop and rautins out quite a bit. he was in a boot so long it seems like it would take a while to get all the strength back in the foot.

 

[aceboon]

I obviously don't have any inside knowledge but just from an outsider's perspective it seems like the team's medical staff didn't do the best in handling this injury. He had a foot injury the most of last season, tried out with the PR team while apparently still dealing with this injury, had to withdraw for more rest on his foot, and now a month or so before practice he gets surgery. Two different scenarios but the now transferred Michael Bradley was walking around for weeks and with a fractured ankle before the doctors finally figured out it was broken and he had his whole season wiped out. As for the redshirt suggestion, if Bazz is going to fully recover after the surgery or at least be 85-90% then I'm sure he probably wants to play and for the team's sake he needs to play. We already so how much strain playing with only one PG puts on the team like last year when Boatright wasn't available, I don't want to see Boat out there having to play 38-40 minutes if Bazz can't go. Despite the postseason ban the team still has something to play for, mainly their coach's job.

does the fact that he is still not over the foot injury bug you guys at all? i would think they would at least consider a medical redshirt this year. i can't see playing him until he is able to practice 100% with no pain at all, no swelling no nothing. why risk further injury. a fifth year could help a guy like shabazz, it helped guys like scoop and rautins out quite a bit. he was in a boot so long it seems like it would take a while to get all the strength back in the foot.

 

[CL82]

My only concern about this kind of talk is that, in my experience, the more someone talks about being a leader, the less he is one. True leaders don't need to annoint themselves, they just are.

Agree. Bazz's heart is in the right place, though. We will see.

 

[partial]

I don't see why napier would want to sit out a year vs maybe not being a hundred percent until a few games into the year. Also anyone could improve with an extra year, but he's a good player already and for the upcoming season it's probably safe to say we'll want all hands on deck.