<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ah, Duke alums. The crankiest, most thin-skinned, sense-of-entitlement fan base in sports. I could write a week's worth of articles about how much I have always liked and had a good relationship with Mike Krzyzewski, his assistants, his support staff and even some of his former great players only to be brought back to reality by the Duke alums. They have two common traits (and no, it's not that they are all from New Jersey and were virgins until junior year). 1. Reading comprehension is not a strong suit. 2. They are like those ultra-sensitive, ultra-PC types at your school or office you know, the ones that will get you sent to three days of sensitivity training for calling the women's room the "ladies' room." Anything less than an AMEX commercial of a column and these guys flip. ADVERTISEMENT So despite, in a recent column calling J.J. Redick "a great college basketball player, an All-American for sure" and "a great scorer" and "a superior shooter" and "exceptional" and a player who "brought it every night" and played for the great Coach K, the wails of media oppression came because I dared say Gonzaga's Adam Morrison was better. At least it made for an interesting mailbag. We'll get to that, the mid-majors' rise/Billy Packer's demise and comments from my two-day excursion to the bar featuring my dad, 20 plasma TVs and a new cast of friends skipping work. Plus, a bonus email from someone claiming to be Bode Miller's "friend" that 100 percent ought to really alleviate the perception that Bode is a bit unstable. Now onto The People's Voice REDICK VS. MORRISON ("'National' treasure," March 21, 2006) Bringing in so-called experts, NBA scouts, coaches and others is paramount to a judge allowing hearsay into a court case. This is the NCAA Player of the Year, stupid!! J.B. Williams Frostproof, Fla. You're right, life-long basketball coaches and scouts who spend four months crisscrossing the country to evaluate in detail every single worthwhile player in college hoops (and in the case of Morrison and Redick, six or seven times each) and then watch hours of game tape over and over aren't worth asking. They don't know anything. Certainly not as much as some guy with basic cable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why the cheap-shot article with anonymous sources, anti-Duke comments and ignorance? Terry Kane Chapel Hill, N.C. The comments from the NBA people were anonymous because Morrison is a junior and NBA rules prohibit comments about underclassmen. But that was explained in the article. Try reading it again, only this time without moving your lips. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who cares about pro potential? It is college player of the year. You're just one of these hurtful, hateful, anti-Duke folks. T.M. Davis Durham, N.C. The pro potential part is not debatable. That wasn't the question asked of the scouts. The point was that since there is no way to distinguish between their respective incredible seasons, why not go on who is better, not media hype? Hence, the scouts. But maybe you just didn't comprehend when I laid it out in the column or the ensuing paragraphs expounding on it: "This isn't to say NBA scouts should be the final verdict on college awards. They are obsessed with the talent of Connecticut's Rudy Gay, but his wild inconsistency has made him a non-candidate. But since both Redick and Morrison have had equally exceptional seasons on equally exceptional teams, this debate, you'd hope, would hinge on actual ability." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just finished your article on the Redick vs. Morrison debate. I agree it is only a contest because of the so called "phantom" East Coast bias. I was more interested in your points about Brandon Roy. The funny thing is I agree with you about him also but I think he arguably wasn't the best player in the Pac-10. In my opinion Morrison, Roy and Leon Powe of Cal (please don't let him go pro this year) all are better players than Redick but don't have nearly the exposure or complementary talent. Todd Jordan Seattle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MID-MAJORS/BILLY PACKER ("Little Big Bang Theory," March 20, 2006) Thanks for putting Billy Packer in his place. He should be taken off national broadcasts and relegated to ACC games where he can homer himself to death. He should be an embarrassment to CBS. Sam Weinberg Louisville, Ky. Yeah, he "should" be an embarrassment. CBS thinks he is being provocative, but he is ill-informed. He admits he doesn't know how the selection process works, has no knowledge of any team he doesn't broadcast and is opposed to research. Just saying wild, wrong stuff is not provocative. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why didn't you include Digger Phelps in your rips on Packer? He was just as bad. Frank McCarthy Rockport, Ill. Because Packer actually fools some people. He at least sounds like he is on top of things. There is only one person fooled by Digger; unfortunately, he is the one guy at ESPN who hires the analysts. On a side note, I am always proud of Rece Davis for never completely losing it during one Digger's illogical, half-baked rants which usually include at least one reference to Notre Dame beating UCLA. I've been waiting for Davis either to beat Digger over the head with a microphone or just off himself during a break. Davis is not only ESPN's best guy, he has terrific self-control. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think that some of the big media commentators and promoters have simply lost touch with what is going on in college basketball. NCAA basketball has a lot of problems. Thanks for choosing to write honestly, and not being another cheerleading promoter of the big-network spin about the state of college basketball. George Pellum Champaign, Ill. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy Packer has shown his total inability to look at the tournament without prejudice. Being an alumnus from Indiana State during the Larry Bird years, Packer always expressed disbelief that anyone from a mid-major could have any impact on the game of basketball and therefore should never be taken seriously. His commentary on Indiana State University was that we were totally overrated and Bird would be just average in a power conference. He was affectionately referred to as Billy "Crackers" Packer. Gary Rehfeldt Poughkeepsie, N.Y. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was working in Southern Illinois near Terre Haute, Ind., back in 1978 and 1979 and often watched Larry Bird and Indiana State play. During the NCAA tournament in 1979, Billy Packer and Al McGuire worked together and Al stated that he thought Bird was going to make it big in the NBA. Packer disagreed on the air and said Bird didn't play against tough enough competition like the ACC, SEC or Big Ten. It appears that Billy had this problem back in 1978-1979 and continues to be wrong about conferences and players. William Beall Findlay, Ohio I liked Billy Packer's Larry Bird comments so much, I decided to run two letters about it (there were more). I always love the "level of competition" argument against someone becoming a great pro. You know, like how incredible the competition was in the prep leagues of suburban Philly (Kobe), Akron (LeBron) and all seven of Amare Stoudemire's high schools. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great column and mostly spot on, but I'd quibble with point No. 2 (the lousy state of play in the tournament). You no doubt had the ending of the Alabama-UCLA game (among others) in mind, and I agree that end-of-game play is a perfect microcosm of all-the-game lack of quality play and decision making; however, this is the fault of coaches, not players, and belongs in your criticism of said coaches later in the column (Danny Manning notwithstanding). Steve Renau Jersey City, N.J. OK, move that blame to the coaches. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WATCHING AT THE BAR ("Monitoring the Madness I," March 16, 2006, and Monitoring the Madness II," March 17, 2006) I agree that the Chevy/Coach K commercials are awful but in terms of sheer annoyance, I don't think they touch the Applebee's Gilliganesque shrimp jingle. The first time I heard it I thought, "Oh, that is a little annoying." The seventh time it played I swore I would never eat at Applebee's again. Now, after too many times to count, I want to burn down all the Applebee's and the ad agency that created the ad. Ben Dahl Atlanta -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coach K is to Silverado's as Michael Dukakis is to a tank. Miriam Alexander Los Angeles -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is also no northwestern New York, so add us to the list of states without a possible Northwestern State University. Matthew Gritzmacher Buffalo, N.Y. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just wanted to respond to your column claiming that there is no northwestern Idaho. I live in northwestern Idaho. Our panhandle is 60 miles wide at the tip, making it wider there than several Eastern states including New Jersey and Delaware. To be fair, we usually say northern Idaho to refer to the region, so your point is somewhat well-taken. Jon Cheskin Troy, Idaho Virginia was also mentioned, since northwestern Virginia is actually its own state. It's called Pittsnogle. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was just reading your Friday column about Nachitoches, La. (being Native American for) "middle of nowhere." Just wanted to mention where "middle of nowhere" really is. Try finding Bomet, Kenya! It is in the "bush," five hard driving hours from Nairobi. We are holding down the fort here and have been able to get internet access by an act of God. We are loving everything we can find about the tourney. We're Duke fans, but we have a family here from Kansas. They are going to be really unhappy this morning. I'm the only one with the computer so I will have to break the bad news. Nancy Bertram Bomet, Kenya, Africa So maybe Duke fans aren't all bad. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please tell your boss that the "blog from the bar" has been the best column I have read relating to the tournament. I know that it probably took some convincing on your part, but it has been a tremendous success and should be made a tradition. Mark Elliott Owensboro, Ky. I'm thinking three times a week. What do you think? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BODE MILLER ("Parting shots," February 26, 2006) This is a comment on your recent silliness about the post-XX Games. I am a friend of Bode Miller. I live here in Mammoth, Calif. Bode comes here when he gets mad at whatever new girlfriend has broken his heart, the media people have bashed him too much or he just wants to disappear while staying in the U.S. He is so sought after in N.H. that Mammoth is more of a haven for him with me. My cabin is at 9,000 feet. I just finished laughing my pants off at your comments and wanted to say, "Thank you!" For these past few weeks, poor Bode has been picked on by every single American I know but me. I adore him. Without the cameras or the media, he is not a drunk, a playboy or playboy bunny chaser or any of the other awful things people say. He is a regular guy who has a passion for my cabin and the peace and quiet here. He also likes my cooking which makes me wonder if he is a little crazy. Him and I are sort of twins in many ways. Like Bode, I am as confident and arrogant as he is. Your comment about him was by far the funniest joke I have ever heard. It just fits what everyone thinks. I still can't stop laughing. You also said it in such good taste so that made it even more funny. I emailed Bode this page a moment ago. You helped cheer up what has turned out to be such a snowy, below-zero, thunder-filled night and it felt good to laugh. Do me a favor? Go easy on my friend. I'm a Molecular Biologist (and it) can't get more boring than my career but it did buy me this cabin. Bode thinks what I do is really cool. He is a very intelligent young man, but no one ever gives the guy a break on that subject. I met Mr. Miller in Tahoe when I was 16. He was 19. I was skiing much too high for my talent at the time and had just fallen really hard. As I tried to get up, I looked up the mountain to see what I still say was a massive bolt of lightning coming straight at me. Nope. It was Bode Miller flying as if he were a F-14 fighter jet. If Bode had not been able to stop as well and as fast as he did, I have no doubt that I would be dead. As I saw my life flash in front of me, I once again looked up into the most "beautiful deep blue eyes." (Give me a break, I was super cute and a teenager.) Anyway, he asked if I was OK? I said, "I'm alive, right?" He smiled, helped me up, said his name was Bode Bode? I laughed and mentioned his mother must not like him. We spent the rest of the day skiing together, and he helped me down the mountain so I did not break my neck. We became friends from then on and have stayed that way. People say he is selfish. No, each time, at least twice a year, he just shows up here. He always brings me something from some faraway land he just skied. I drew him a map one time, and now he just comes and goes when he needs help to relax and get away. I have no doubt that any day soon, before April, my friend will appear again. He really is a decent man, and you're right about something. When Bode grows further, he will regret a lot of the things he said as a younger man. I say, "Let Bode be Bode." He has not hurt anyone, broken any laws and just for the major record, "does not do drugs at all." Everyone thinks he is this hippie from the sticks and smokes pot, drinks every single day, gets fat and doesn't care about anything but parties. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he is quite lovely and solid muscle. I have only seen him drink wine while here with me and we ride my snowmobile. He is actually afraid to get on it with me as I drive it as fast and wild as he skies. Again, "thank you" for the fun. I loved all of your comments. I hope you cover the 2010 Games. Bode is coming back to those games with the attitude of a warrior. He did learn a lot from these past Games and at 32 in 2010, you and I will see a true American speed skier, "the very best in the world." When I watch him ski up here with me, it's like watching a graceful snowflake fall from far above, from heaven. He is and will always be my friend. Dr. Cindy Taylor Mammoth, Calif. Ah, "Doc," I am just wondering, not implying anything of course, but, well, have you been prescribing yourself medicinal marijuana? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dan Wetzel is Yahoo! Sports' national columnist. Dan is the author of two new books. "Glory Road", with Don Haskins, is about the legendary coach of 1966 NCAA champion Texas Western, whose decision to start five black players was instrumental in integrating college teams in the South. A Disney movie of the same name is now playing in theaters. Also on sale now is "Runnin' Rebel: Shark Tales of 'Extra Benefits,' Frank Sinatra and Winning It All" with colorful former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian. Send Dan a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast. </div> I found this article and I felt you guys could appreciate a lot of the user comments. The one ripping on Packar was great.
hahaha...which one are you talking about shape? The article is basically people ripping pACCker!!! I hate that bastard with a passion!
