Napier Takes a Dig at Transfers

[JaYnYcE]

Kemba wpuldn't say anything like that about his former teammates. Kemba was a leader. Okafor was a leader. Ricky Moore was a leader. Khalid was a leader. Maybe I just have a different eye but I don't see any similarities between Khalid and Shabazz. More power to the people who do.


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[Huskies4ever]

Kids are going to be kids, and if asked a question directly, i hardly think they are "mature" enough to deflect or answer in a PC way. while, as an adult, i probably wish he didn't say that, it's nothing we all haven't thought about the guys who abandoned the ship. and some of us have thought (and said) much worse...

He took a dig. Posters here fired shots. If any of us fans feel hurt or betrayed, imagine how Shabazz feels. These guys were like brothers to him.

 

[Huskies4ever]

Kemba wpuldn't say anything like that about his former teammates. Kemba was a leader. Okafor was a leader. Ricky Moore was a leader. Khalid was a leader.

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Napier is a leader. You don't have to like it. I know Calhoun does.

 

[babysheep]

Who cares if he calls out AO and RS for leaving? They're gone now, so team morale can only go up when he makes comments like this for his not fearing making his feelings, as THE veteran leader of the team, public.

And who cares what Kemba would say? The real litmus test is what Calhoun thinks about it, and I don't think any of us have to wonder how JC feels about the situation.

 

[mauconnfan]

Please don't ever compare Shabazz Napier to one of the greatest, most competitive point guards in UCONN history. Sure Khalid talked, I would hope Shabazz improves to half the player Khalid was during his UCONN career.

1/2 the player? What have you watched? I loved KEA and he was a leader and it would be tough to imagine finding that unique individual personality again anywhere so the comparison is not good. Was Kemba the same as KEA? No Kemba was so good he never had to talk, he had a special year and led by doing.

Shabazz fought through injuries, too many minutes as the NCAA took Boat from us for 8-9 games along with sub par depth at guard. He made big shots, took bad ones on occasion but was still a warrior. He didn't regress at all to me rather was a little better than I anticipated. Thought he may be rattled without Kemba around and instead was one of the top PGs in the country. To hammer on him for his soph year is basically ridiculous!

 

[Kitaman]

Bazz said what he thought and felt. It's neither bad or good. In fact it may be accurate. Its just a youthful statement, for sure, but the young players remaining may relate and rally behind it. So can we let Bazz just keep on exercising his leadership and not analyze every sentence he makes. What young kid do we know who thinks before he speaks (or posts a reply, for that matter)?

Anyway as he gets older and acquires more wisdom he will learn that all people that leave a problem are not running from it. Its not that simple and much thought goes into it. Just ask any divorcee or people who switch jobs. Can't expect Bazz to know that at age 20.

BTW: Reminds me of the old saying: "Say what you mean, mean what you say, just don't say it mean". It took me decades to understand and finally practice using this.

 

[huskyjawz]

Please don't ever compare Shabazz Napier to one of the greatest, most competitive point guards in UCONN history. Sure Khalid talked, I would hope Shabazz improves to half the player Khalid was during his UCONN career.




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He wasn't that competitive when he mailed it in against Tennessee in the NCAA tournament, or every time he went head to head against Erik Barkely.

 

[caw]

He wasn't that competitive when he mailed it in against Tennessee in the NCAA tournament, or every time he went head to head against Erik Barkely.

Wasn't he hurt against Tennessee?

 

[8893]

Wasn't he hurt against Tennessee?

Yes. The dreaded "high ankle sprain" iirc.

 

[UChusky916]

The Shabazz hate is unreal. Are you guys kidding me?

This is a kid who helped win us a national championship. Last year wasn't his best year, but there was clearly other issues going on with the team. Shabazz is VERY low on the totem-pole of blame for last year's issues. He put up stellar numbers early, got hurt, and was clearly slowed on offense and defense which affected his confidence. He started to work his way back to full strength towards the end of the year.

The kid is a natural leader and he's sticking up for the program here and making a statement. Us posters are upset about the transfers, why can't he be?

What would you have rather Shabazz have said? "I'm ok with losing those guys, they did what they had to, they're gonna be a big loss" ????

He's airing his frustrations. He's trying to rally the team behind him.

I expect big things from this kid. I love his moxie. He will be a 4 year program player and I think he's got a great shot at the NBA too if his shot can be more consistent.

Also, this is old news. No need to rehash it. I get that it's the off-season, but come on.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Khalid also liked to talk. Guess what? They both have National Championship rings.

Those guys are gone, it doesn't matter what Napier says about them now. I think a lot of guys are hurt that Roscoe and Alex decided to leave.

I knew Khalid....he was a friend of mine.....Mr. Napier is no Khalid.....

 

[8893]

The Shabazz hate is unreal.

Less so than expressing outrage--and calling it "hate"--that people posting on an internet fan message board dedicated to a sports team have differences of opinion about players on that team.

 

[JaYnYcE]

The Shabazz hate is unreal. Are you guys kidding me?

This is a kid who helped win us a national championship. Last year wasn't his best year, but there was clearly other issues going on with the team. Shabazz is VERY low on the totem-pole of blame for last year's issues. He put up stellar numbers early, got hurt, and was clearly slowed on offense and defense which affected his confidence. He started to work his way back to full strength towards the end of the year.

The kid is a natural leader and he's sticking up for the program here and making a statement. Us posters are upset about the transfers, why can't he be?

What would you have rather Shabazz have said? "I'm ok with losing those guys, they did what they had to, they're gonna be a big loss" ????

He's airing his frustrations. He's trying to rally the team behind him.

I expect big things from this kid. I love his moxie. He will be a 4 year program player and I think he's got a great shot at the NBA too if his shot can be more consistent.

Also, this is old news. No need to rehash it. I get that it's the off-season, but come on.

I wish those guys the best and the UConn family is grateful in having their talents help win us a Chip last year.

Or

No comment, next question please.

 

[JaYnYcE]

Listen I don't hate Shabazz, I'm just responding to quote made by a young man who should've used better judgement. I don't think he's in Khalid's, Taliek's or even Ollie's class in being a leader on the team. But again, this is my opinion. Crown him him a leader if any of you see fit, I'm allowed to disagree.

 

[Waquoit]

He wasn't that competitive when he mailed it in against Tennessee in the NCAA tournament, or every time he went head to head against Erik Barkely.

Nominee for the worst comment in the history of the board. He was hurt and still gave it a go. You are not a UConn fan, a UConn fan does not make that post. He gave Gilbert Arenas a basketball lesson earlier that year. Just stupid.

 

[Waquoit]

Listen I don't hate Shabazz, I'm just responding to quote made by a young man who should've used better judgement. I don't think he's in Khalid's, Taliek's or even Ollie's class in being a leader on the team. But again, this is my opinion. Crown him him a leader if any of you see fit, I'm allowed to disagree.

I think standing up for the guys that decided to stick it out is excellent judgement. Are you worried he might have hurt Roscoe's feelings? What are you, a chick?

 

[Marty Jackson]

Actually, sophomore Khalid and sophomore Shabazz are incredibly similar players - and both are National Champions.

Stats don't tell everything, but the intangibles you say about El-Amin you could easily say for Napier.

http://tinyurl.com/d7jtkak

not a knock on Shabazz at all, but there is only one KEA.

 

[Marty Jackson]

The Shabazz hate is unreal. Are you guys kidding me?

This is a kid who helped win us a national championship. Last year wasn't his best year, but there was clearly other issues going on with the team. Shabazz is VERY low on the totem-pole of blame for last year's issues. He put up stellar numbers early, got hurt, and was clearly slowed on offense and defense which affected his confidence. He started to work his way back to full strength towards the end of the year.

The kid is a natural leader and he's sticking up for the program here and making a statement. Us posters are upset about the transfers, why can't he be?

What would you have rather Shabazz have said? "I'm ok with losing those guys, they did what they had to, they're gonna be a big loss" ????

He's airing his frustrations. He's trying to rally the team behind him.

I expect big things from this kid. I love his moxie. He will be a 4 year program player and I think he's got a great shot at the NBA too if his shot can be more consistent.

Also, this is old news. No need to rehash it. I get that it's the off-season, but come on.

Have you heard of Taliek Brown?
Kid won a NC and you still had people debating whether we could win with him.

 

[JaYnYcE]

I think standing up for the guys that decided to stick it out is excellent judgement. Are you worried he might have hurt Roscoe's feelings? What are you, a chick?

You're missing the point, like clockwork. It's about professionalism, this has nothing to do with feelings. I'm not advocating picking sides, just use better judgement when you open your mouth. Because I've got news for you, Napier has the same amount of rings as Roscoe and Alex. It's pretty much a "look at me guys, I stayed, I'm loyal to this fanbase, I want you all to know this" kind of statement. We know who stayed and who left and have a general feeling of how the players feel about it.


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[7774]

[It's about professionalism]

Just LOL.

 

[sparky]

I think Bazz is still feeling the hurt of being deserted by those he thought were his buds and is lashing out the only way he can. The healing will not begin until the season gets going. For Bazz and the crew that stayed it will be the 2012/2013 season when they can celecbrat the last and final NC for JC.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

not a knock on Shabazz at all, but there is only one KEA.

Agreed.

Was only posting that because JayNyce flat out said Napier wasn't half the player that KEA was.

KEA was great - but their numbers are strikingly similar.

 

[champs99and04]

It baffles me that anybody would have a problem with these comments. Obviously we're all going to appreciate what Oriakhi and Smith did for this program, but the facts are, those guys decided to finish up their careers at a place other than UConn. I hold nothing against them for making a decision in their best interests, but I always felt like those two guys were UConn lifers, and that they would stick out whatever storm came their way. If we as fans felt betrayed by the departures of Oriakhi and Smith, just imagine how Shabazz had felt.

I realize we live in a very politically correct world, but the foundation of this program (from JC down) has been built upon that "Us against the world" mentality. This program wouldn't be what it is if it weren't for that kind of attitude, and it's the kind of attitude this program needs to take forward.

Coming off a disappointing season, and likely entering another one, why should a proud champion and innocent bystander of a ridiculous punishment be happy? He stuck it out, stayed loyal to the program, etc. If there is one kid who isn't going to have any sympathy for kids who ran away, it's Shabazz. He probably has the attitude of, "Last season you guys wouldn't buy in to what I was selling, nobody on last season's team had any balls, and now at a time where every media member with a keyboard is taking shots at the program, you cowards turn and run. duck you."

Do I feel this way? Not really, but it's certainly a sentiment the fanbase and team should be able to rally behind.

 

[champs99and04]

FWIW, these are Shabazz's and Khalid's statistics during their sophmore years:

Khalid: 13.8 PPG, 3.9 APG, 2.8 RPG, 41% FG, 34% 3P

Bazz: 13.0 PPG, 5.8 APG, 3.5 RPG, 39% FG, 36% 3P

The situations obviously are not comparable, but I do think their are similarities in their games, and possibly some similarities in their attitudes.

Obviously Shabazz is not as talented as Kemba, but I think it's safe to say that their career paths have followed similar paths to date. Both played critical roles off the bench on final four teams as freshman, experienced some up and down sophmore seasons, and most crucially, seemingly did not have the power in the lockerroom to lead.

Assuming Boatright falls in line, I don't think there is any doubt who's team this will be. Shabazz is a junior PG who played a critical role on a national champinship team. He more or less begged the team to allow him to lead last season. By the end of the season, the team may have not been the cohesive unit we had hoped, but he had certainly earned the respect of HOFCJC (he played great in march). This year we're giving him the reigns, and I, for one, am willing to get behind him.

 

[Marty Jackson]

Agreed.

Was only posting that because JayNyce flat out said Napier wasn't half the player that KEA was.

KEA was great - but their numbers are strikingly similar.

I hear ya... But KEA was bigger than his numbers.