Chiney: Basketball Players Hate UConn

[BroadwayVa]

It is not always with ease Broadway. Just ask KML, Faris, or Chong. Those are the most recent ones. There may be others. However, I have seen where WNBA coaches have said Uconn players are more pro prepared than many other players from other schools.

You are correct, of course, those you mention and others didn't "slide" into the WNBA --they may have made the WNBA easier than others--but they struggled a bit, that's true. You mentioned 2 that gave me a surprise that they even made the WNBA--had they played for nearly any other team --they 'd be lobbists in the state legislature.

 

[mhshuskies]

She didn't say UConn's FANS aren't cocky or arrogant. We definitely have that reputation.

But the difference is with UCONN fans it is "no brag, just fact".

 

[JordyG]

I'll start worrying when they stop hating UConn.....

Hear, hear.

 

[j66kicker]

I translated hate to envy and jealousy.

I dunno. I hate Tennessee, and pretty sure there is nothing there to be envious or jealous of. Or ever was. Ever. Way back when, we beat them the first time we ever played, and we beat them for the NC the second time we ever played. TN was never ahead in our head-to-head record. Never.

"Hate" in sports is usually a begrudging sign of respect

Although it could have some origins in something along the lines of "respect" (gag), I'm pretty sure that respect no longer exists. And I still hate them.

What I really hate is when the sports teams I hate get so bad that its hard to hate them anymore.

Dunno about that either. Tennessee got so bad as to not be any type of threat - any way, shape or form. And I still hate them.

I think we should allow that in sports sometimes there can be just pure, genuine hate.

 

[EricSD]

I dunno. I hate Tennessee, and pretty sure there is nothing there to be envious or jealous of. Or ever was. Ever. Way back when, we beat them the first time we ever played, and we beat them for the NC the second time we ever played. TN was never ahead in our head-to-head record. Never.

Although it could have some origins in something along the lines of "respect" (gag), I'm pretty sure that respect no longer exists. And I still hate them.
Dunno about that either. Tennessee got so bad as to not be any type of threat - any way, shape or form. And I still hate them.

I think we should allow that in sports sometimes there can be just pure, genuine hate.

I would like your post 100 times if I could. Tennessee could to 0-1,000 for the next 25 years and I'd be thrilled. I will never root for them to have any kind of success and don't feel sorry for them in the least.

 

[cbraarj]

I doubt Chiney hates Uconn --it's like me since the Fab 5 came along Mich are the teams I love to hate--why? They were so dominant. However, unlike Uconn the brought their flaunting to an art form. I, am/was an ND fan for year, but in the race for the NC --I dislike everything ND or Green, starting to feel the same about USC. Now the Miss st thing--I cannot pull up enough to even moderately dislike Miss St--it was a one shot.
I'm sure Chiney and nearly ever top WCBB team hate the thought of playing a Geno team--you may get embarrassed by 30 point--it doesn't matter that Geno doesn't play to the score--but to you the score is embarrassing. I supposed that could create a certain hate.
I still like ALL Stanford players--they play to win.

Mississippi State beat Uconn and South Carolina never did and wont this year!

 

[Dabber]

She most definitely lacks both the tact and maturity of her older sister (and playing ability when push comes to shove). Classic case of "foot in mouth" - - - - - - - - note to me: probably should have said Nike instead of foot!

 

[donalddoowop]

You are correct, of course, those you mention and others didn't "slide" into the WNBA --they may have made the WNBA easier than others--but they struggled a bit, that's true. You mentioned 2 that gave me a surprise that they even made the WNBA--had they played for nearly any other team --they 'd be lobbists in the state legislature.

Agreed. The two to which I believe you are referring surprised me by making a WNBA team. That's a result of very good coaching, putting what was learned from that coaching and determination from the players, imo.

 

[donalddoowop]

I believe one of the most impressive statements an opposing player can make is that in spite of Uconn's success, their players are not cocky or arrogant. That is a huge positive. Arrogance is turning me off in men's sports and some women basketball players are starting to emulate the men. Just saying

 

[Padutch5]

She didn't say UConn's FANS aren't cocky or arrogant. We definitely have that reputation.

I don't know about that( uconn fans being cocky). Certainly it doesn't seem to be so for fans at the final fours over the years. Yes opponents seem to feel overwhelmed by our numbers of fans. Tennessee fans always are arrogant. Maybe UCONN fans are older in general, but I've never seen or heard that at final fours. What I have heard is surprise at how UCONN fans cheer opposing players in introductions and for great plays or great players.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I believe one of the most impressive statements an opposing player can make is that in spite of Uconn's success, their players are not cocky or arrogant. That is a huge positive. Arrogance is turning me off in men's sports and some women basketball players are starting to emulate the men. Just saying

The credit of the NON arrogant attitude goes to Christine Dailey--she puts on a charm school on how a Uconn player MUST act and talk and dress. Early on those who go before a TV camera --you shall note--all know the right words to speak to the media.
That is no accident--that is training and program demanded.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Mississippi State beat Uconn and South Carolina never did and wont this year!

Son of a Gun---USC didn't beat UConn for the NC in 2017?? You got to be kidding this kidder. Memory isn't great but I was sure Aja got 32 points in the win and Danger was the top rebounder for Uconn with 15--
Obviously you are pulling my legs---not too hard on the left one --it's all mechanical.

 

[cbraarj]

BV, wasnt talking about NC game.

 

[Monte]

WHY would you not hate any team who always beats you? I was a Brooklyn Dodger fan.
WHY did I hate the New York Yankees?

 

[Golden Husky]

Heard Chiney Ogwumike on ESPN radio this morning. Her co-host asked her whether the players hate UConn. She hemmed and hawed, and claimed she had to have her Connecticut (Sun) hat on, etc. But he prodded, and she finally said that, yes - everybody hates UConn. After she fessed up she got more enthusiastic about it. Said what really pisses you off is the UConn players aren't even cocky or arrogant. But you're basically playing a "pro team."

When asked whether UConn is "bad for the game" she gave a definitive, "No." Said the only way we could have had such a great final 4 this year - to experience the extreme joy in seeing UConn get beat - is for UConn to be so dominant.

She did issue a disclaimer.clarification: She LOVES the STATE of Connecticut. It's only UConn she hates.

Churlish Chiney

 

[CBus13]

Churlish Chiney

Chiney is not Churlish. She says "Everyone–What's a softer word for hate? Everyone dislikes Uconn. It's bad because they tend to say that Uconn's bad for the game because everyone dislikes Uconn. NO! Everyone dislikes Uconn because they just can't beat them. It's motivation for us, so yeah, it's Uconn vs the the world of women's basketball." (then she is asked if they are cocky) she responds by saying "No! that's the thing. They aren't cocky, they are just that much more talented..."

 

[VAMike23]

Moreover, in re: "hate" and Chiney:

Chiney already qualified her usage of the word "hate" quite well, but let's not forget also that upon fouling out of a Stanford-UCONN game a while back she promptly went over to the Connecticut bench and gave Geno a big hug! It was surreal, and hilarious. IIRC, Geno didn't know what hit him - he just had a big grin on his face.

Clearly Chiney does not "hate" UCONN or its coaches/players at a personal level, at all. It's purely a competitive thing, a psychological thing for motivation, etc. Chiney is a classy and ebullient young woman whose positive bearing shows up in everything she does.

 

[SVCBeercats]

"Hate" in sports is usually a begrudging sign of respect

So several BY'ers usually begrudging respect Tennessee?

 

[SVCBeercats]

What I really hate is when the sports teams I hate get so bad that its hard to hate them anymore.

For me this is so true. Some Steelers' fan expressed his opinion that Baltimore vs. Steelers was the big Steelers' rivalry for him. Another fan with great fervor stressed Cleveland was and is the big rivalry. The Cleveland Clowns? For me there has to be competition for a rivalry to exist. You are right!

 

[Nuyoika]

What I really hate is when the sports teams I hate get so bad that its hard to hate them anymore.

That's the worst.

 

[CL82]

So several BY'ers usually respect Tennessee?

I respect the Lady Vols accomplishments. I dislike some administrative and personal decisions made over the years.

Do I hate them? Nah, they are too far removed from relevancy to warrant that.

 

[Nuyoika]

Chiney is not Churlish. She says "Everyone–What's a softer word for hate? Everyone dislikes Uconn. It's bad because they tend to say that Uconn's bad for the game because everyone dislikes Uconn. NO! Everyone dislikes Uconn because they just can't beat them. It's motivation for us, so yeah, it's Uconn vs the the world of women's basketball." (then she is asked if they are cocky) she responds by saying "No! that's the thing. They aren't cocky, they are just that much more talented..."

The truly best of the best always get coined as being "bad for the sport". It is in no way a new narrative. I was @ Jimmy Z's the other night having a garbage plate and they have sports memorabilia all over the walls and I loo up and notice a framed Sports Illustrated with the title: "Are the Bulls So good They're Bad for the NBA" So I decided to see if the web had this old piece online.

I ended up finding a web version here: https://www.si.com/vault/1997/03/10...-can-catch-the-bulls-is-that-good-for-the-nba that's from 1997... 20 years apart. Honestly, when it comes to WCBB most of the media doesn't even think up new story lines or put any effort into it. Even Geno has mentioned that quite a few times, saying write about someone else... we are easy to write about.

 

[JoePgh]

I recently came across a re-run of ESPN's "30 for 30" episode entitled "I Hate Christian Laettner". For those few of you who don't recall, Christian Laettner was the 6-11 Duke men's basketball player from the early 90's who was thought to be one of the best college players of all time when he played at Duke. He also was white and had a Diana-type personality that made him easy to hate, particularly when his Duke team beat other teams like the Fab Five and UNLV. Although he was from a very middle-class family (not really "privileged" as most people think of Duke students), and was never involved in any off-court misbehavior, he was seen as emblematic of the privileged preppy who could never win any sympathy, even when his Duke team was the underdog in terms of talent to many of the teams that they played.

Right after he graduated in 1992, he became the sole member of the US Olympic team who did not yet have NBA experience. He was chosen for that role over Shaquille O'Neal. Does that remind you of Stewie?

I think that is what Chiney means by "hate" -- the hate reserved for people or teams who succeed after being privileged, as opposed to those who succeed by emulating David against Goliath. UConn WCBB will always be Goliath, and who ever roots for Goliath to win? This is true even in cases such as last year, when UConn was not Goliath in its talent level as compared to other elite teams. The fact that UConn beat so many other elite teams despite its seemingly inferior talent certainly contributes to its Goliath image, with all of its negative and "hate-able" aspects.

But really, that kind of "hate" is a compliment, and should be viewed as such by the players and coaches who have earned it.

 

[Bigpetunia]

The entire "tone" of the podcast that was dedicated to "hatred" of one's most-feared opponents was exactly appropriate. Chiney is a delight, hugely talented, highly articulate, and an intensely fun sparring partner in a debate of this kind. These are the very things that make sports rivalries so damn much fun. Me? I hate Notre Dame...period! Naturally, my hatred is an outgrowth of my respect...they're consistently good. But I mainly hate them because writers and commentators, eternally under the spell of some romanticized legend of yore, fall all over themselves trying to "anoint" them champions of something or other, especially football, before they've earned a thing. I used to hate Tennessee, but, as others have correctly pointed out, that's no real fun anymore. I'd be pleased to see them become once again worthy of my hatred, but I ain't holdin' my breath on that one. Anyway, any denigrating comments about Chiney as a result of this interview are, in my opinion, totally out of place here.

 

[CL82]

I recently came across a re-run of ESPN's "30 for 30" episode entitled "I Hate Christian Laettner". For those few of you who don't recall, Christian Laettner was the 6-11 Duke men's basketball player from the early 90's who was thought to be one of the best college players of all time when he played at Duke. He also was white and had a Diana-type personality that made him easy to hate, particularly when his Duke team beat other teams like the Fab Five and UNLV. Although he was from a very middle-class family (not really "privileged" as most people think of Duke students), and was never involved in any off-court misbehavior, he was seen as emblematic of the privileged preppy who could never win any sympathy, even when his Duke team was the underdog in terms of talent to many of the teams that they played.

Right after he graduated in 1992, he became the sole member of the US Olympic team who did not yet have NBA experience. He was chosen for that role over Shaquille O'Neal. Does that remind you of Stewie?

I think that is what Chiney means by "hate" -- the hate reserved for people or teams who succeed after being privileged, as opposed to those who succeed by emulating David against Goliath. UConn WCBB will always be Goliath, and who ever roots for Goliath to win? This is true even in cases such as last year, when UConn was not Goliath in its talent level as compared to other elite teams. The fact that UConn beat so many other elite teams despite its seemingly inferior talent certainly contributes to its Goliath image, with all of its negative and "hate-able" aspects.

But really, that kind of "hate" is a compliment, and should be viewed as such by the players and coaches who have earned it.

Please don't compare Stewie to Laettner. He was a phenomenally dirty player. He wasn't even liked by his teammates.

He's remembered for stomping of the chest of UK player Aminu Timberlake. He had done the same previously to UConn's own Rod Sellers. Seller's took some offense to it as seen below:

So no, Laettner is no Brianna Stewart. Not by a long shot.