Presenting part one of our four-part series on Buzz Williams:
http://painttouches.com/2013/09/09/four-dusty-corners-where-it-all-began/
Very nice strotty, looking forward to the remaining installments.
Nicely done Strotty
Didn't know what to expect with the earlier articles when I saw the preview and I'm very happy with it. Keep up the great work! Is it coming out daily, weekly or what?
Great read, fills some details that weren't shared after the win against Cuse in the 2011 tournament.
Is anybody else having trouble accessing the link to Buzz's 2011 postgame narrative? I've tried finding that unsuccessfully on a few occassions.
Nice article! No mention of his folks, but that's buzzs business!
Great article and very well written!!
I love Buzz, but does it seem to anybody else that he's becoming a little bit full of his "story?" It's 5 years in...why are we still hearing this stuff?
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on September 09, 2013, 03:04:31 PM
Great article and very well written!!
I love Buzz, but does it seem to anybody else that he's becoming a little bit full of his "story?" It's 5 years in...why are we still hearing this stuff?
I think it's just his schtick. I don't mean that in a bad way... but Buzz is always going to refer to himself as an underdog, or not that smart, came from nothing, etc. etc.
It's how he maintains his edge.
As long as MU wins, we will all eat it with a spoon.
When MU struggles, we'll grow tired of it.
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on September 09, 2013, 03:04:31 PM
Great article and very well written!!
I love Buzz, but does it seem to anybody else that he's becoming a little bit full of his "story?" It's 5 years in...why are we still hearing this stuff?
I'm sure Buzz is proud of his story - as he should be - yet why are we still hearing this stuff? I'd suspect because Paint Touches came up with the story idea, and wanted to give more background information on Buzz, and Buzz obliged, to help the young aspiring journalists out. I enjoyed the additional background and article a lot - think it is a little ridiculous to think Buzz solicits these journalists to tell his story over and over again...
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on September 09, 2013, 03:04:31 PM
Great article and very well written!!
I love Buzz, but does it seem to anybody else that he's becoming a little bit full of his "story?" It's 5 years in...why are we still hearing this stuff?
Welp, looks like we already hit the point of being negative on this one at the early stages. I imagine I'll throw in my two cents now about where the next articles should go:
1. The day Orr told Buzz that no one should practice free throws
2. How Buzz plans to recruit bigs now that they know he used to live in a cabin in the woods.
3. Why Tom Crean would have written his own story while sitting in a tanning bed and then held a press conference and hung a banner with the story on it on the way to selling the script to Hollywood.
4. The story about how Buzz makes players wear walking boots in order for them to understand what it is to be humbled.
5. A prospective story about how we will all turn on him if he ever leaves for Texas.
6. The origin of the Mickey Mouse tattoo
But honestly, I really enjoyed this article. It is a slow time of the season but it sure is nice to hear a good story like Buzz's. Without being too open on the internet, it's been a really tough job market for me lately and a story like this restores my faith a little bit that hard work is still something that not only matters but can get you somewhere.
Quote from: strotty on September 09, 2013, 01:32:08 PM
Presenting part one of our four-part series on Buzz Williams:
http://painttouches.com/2013/09/09/four-dusty-corners-where-it-all-began/
Tremendous job.
I wonder what Buzz thinks now when he clears $120K a month, no wonder he took care of Lewis Orr, shows that the underdog can get ahead if he wants. That is why he will always
kill it trying to recruit. Recruiting is like sweeping the floors everyday, and that is what he does everyday now, a little bit easier on the back.
I read the article and wondered, "What program is going to make the next big push to make him their coach?"
We are BLESSED to have him here.
Let's continue to give him what he needs to succeed.
Make Marquette a home for him and his family to feel loved and secure.
Quote from: Ners on September 09, 2013, 03:32:31 PM
I'm sure Buzz is proud of his story - as he should be - yet why are we still hearing this stuff? I'd suspect because Paint Touches came up with the story idea, and wanted to give more background information on Buzz, and Buzz obliged, to help the young aspiring journalists out. I enjoyed the additional background and article a lot - think it is a little ridiculous to think Buzz solicits these journalists to tell his story over and over again...
Yeah, this is kind of how I read it.
But I would argue that strotty and the PT crew aren't "aspiring" journalists. They're already there.
Great article. Well done. Hope it goes national.
Buzz is clearly one of a kind - can't begrudge him a single buck. Here's hoping his work ethic is part of the MU scene for a long time. The Lewis Orr story makes me think that Buzz has a pretty pronounced loyalty streak.
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on September 09, 2013, 03:04:31 PM
Great article and very well written!!
I love Buzz, but does it seem to anybody else that he's becoming a little bit full of his "story?" It's 5 years in...why are we still hearing this stuff?
I must have missed something... where was the link to this story five years ago?
Quote from: Guns n Ammo on September 09, 2013, 03:16:26 PM
I think it's just his schtick. I don't mean that in a bad way... but Buzz is always going to refer to himself as an underdog, or not that smart, came from nothing, etc. etc.
It's how he maintains his edge.
As long as MU wins, we will all eat it with a spoon.
When MU struggles, we'll grow tired of it.
I think this is utter nonsense. True Horatio Alger stories - Buzz, JFB, Michael Oher, etc.- are inspirational regardless of Elite 8s, NBA or NFL careers. They are not "schtick".
Buzz has some "schtick", no doubt. He's self deprecating and knows he's way smarter that he gives himself credit for - but his story? It's real and it's special. Win or lose.
When I bitched to a former editor about writing the Michael-Jordan-as-savior story for about the gazillionth time, his response was: "Readers don't keep clip files."
I shut up and wrote the story. Again. Got lots of positive emails about it from readers, too.
Nice job, strotty.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on September 10, 2013, 10:23:57 AM
I think this is utter nonsense. True Horatio Alger stories - Buzz, JFB, Michael Oher, etc.- are inspirational regardless of Elite 8s, NBA or NFL careers. They are not "schtick".
Buzz has some "schtick", no doubt. He's self deprecating and knows he's way smarter that he gives himself credit for - but his story? It's real and it's special. Win or lose.
I don't blame Buzz (because presumably the PT guys asked him), but Buzz likes the story (and uses it regularly) because it's part of his underdog persona.
When he wins multiple final 4s, will he still be talking about his JUCO days? Yes.
It's part of Buzz's schtick. It's how Buzz sells Buzz. It's how he maintains his edge.
I'm not using "schtick" in a negative sense... just saying it's always going to be apart of how Buzz presents himself.
Buzz could win 10 final 4's in a row, and he'd still present himself as the underdog and talk about sweeping floors. That's how he operates.
Quote from: Guns n Ammo on September 10, 2013, 11:32:28 AM
I don't blame Buzz (because presumably the PT guys asked him), but Buzz likes the story (and uses it regularly) because it's part of his underdog persona.
When he wins multiple final 4s, will he still be talking about his JUCO days? Yes.
It's part of Buzz's schtick. It's how Buzz sells Buzz. It's how he maintains his edge.
I'm not using "schtick" in a negative sense... just saying it's always going to be apart of how Buzz presents himself.
Buzz could win 10 final 4's in a row, and he'd still present himself as the underdog and talk about sweeping floors. That's how he operates.
Buzz has a philosophy of life - work hard daily, pay attention to detail, be loyal and reward loyalty in others. His success (and the success of his players who buy in) is testimony that it works. Buzz (like Al before him) has a very entertaining and refreshing way of imparting his message. That's the "schtick" part.
Quote from: BCHoopster on September 09, 2013, 04:28:44 PM
I wonder what Buzz thinks now when he clears $120K a month
$108 K a month. Bubba gets 10%
even Roy Williams cops to a country bumpkin type personna
Quote from: Lennys Tap on September 10, 2013, 11:48:53 AM
Buzz has a philosophy of life - work hard daily, pay attention to detail, be loyal and reward loyalty in others. His success (and the success of his players who buy in) is testimony that it works. Buzz (like Al before him) has a very entertaining and refreshing way of imparting his message. That's the "schtick" part.
Buzz could talk about his philosophy of hard work and detail as it relates to MU, or TAMU or any of the other high level coaching positions he has had.
But, his default position is to talk about his JUCO days, and undersell himself as the underdog. That's how Buzz likes to present himself. That's not an accident.
To reiterate, this isn't a critique of the guy... just something I have noticed in how he presents himself. It's how Buzz operates.
Quote from: Guns n Ammo on September 10, 2013, 12:45:39 PM
Buzz could talk about his philosophy of hard work and detail as it relates to MU, or TAMU or any of the other high level coaching positions he has had.
But, his default position is to talk about his JUCO days, and undersell himself as the underdog. That's how Buzz likes to present himself. That's not an accident.
To reiterate, this isn't a critique of the guy... just something I have noticed in how he presents himself. It's how Buzz operates.
The lessons learned mowing grass, sweeping floors and taking notes at juco practices are his foundation, the basis for his success. He didn't start "throwin' a good pitch" or working like "the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker" every day at A+M or Marquette. A+M and Marquette are the opportunities that practicing his principles earned for him. When you're teaching values, the story of how and where you learned those values is important.
Quote from: Red Stripe on September 10, 2013, 12:15:18 PM
even Roy Williams cops to a country bumpkin type personna
And some people don't like the Roy "schtick". Some don't like the Jesus "schtick" that certain other coaches have. My guess is as fans, we see things a bit differently about "our guy", but when he isn't our guy any longer, things tend to change....or if they start losing....whichever comes first. :D
Coach Williams is one very, very intelligent person who gets all his substantial mental capacity down "onto the road" through hard work and super organization. Coach Williams would be a success at anything he tried.
Fortunately, for Warrior fans, his great passion is basketball. In the end, nothing great is accomplished in life without passion.
Quote from: UticaBusBarn on September 10, 2013, 01:42:08 PM
Fortunately, for Warrior fans, his great passion is basketball. In the end, nothing great is accomplished in life without passion.
Well said....we've been lucky to have many passionate coaches at MU.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on September 10, 2013, 01:43:53 PM
Well said....we've been lucky to have many passionate coaches at MU.
I knew this article on Buzz was way too positive. It had to engender a "wasn't TC great!" post from you. Thanks for not disappointing!
First and foremost, Crean is passionate about Tom Crean.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on September 10, 2013, 01:36:24 PM
The lessons learned mowing grass, sweeping floors and taking notes at juco practices are his foundation, the basis for his success. He didn't start "throwin' a good pitch" or working like "the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker" every day at A+M or Marquette. A+M and Marquette are the opportunities that practicing his principles earned for him. When you're teaching values, the story of how and where you learned those values is important.
Absolutely right, but here's the thing:
Buzz isn't teaching values in post game interviews. He isn't teaching values in press conferences. He isn't teaching values in off season interviews... yet these are where the stories that come up.
It's just how Buzz is, and how Buzz likes to be perceived. He could share a story about his hard road to MU from NEO, but he's more likely to share a story about JUCO and how he came from nothing.
Again, none of this is a critique, but rather what I have observed. I watch the Buzz Williams show on TV, I listen to the radio interviews, I read the articles. He's a good interview and a great listen... what he chooses to share is not an accident.
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on September 09, 2013, 03:04:31 PM
Great article and very well written!!
I love Buzz, but does it seem to anybody else that he's becoming a little bit full of his "story?" It's 5 years in...why are we still hearing this stuff?
Because it is an easy "write" for journalists (not meant as an attempt to bash them).
We may get tired of hearing it because we already know the story. But it isn't know everywhere.
Quote from: Guns n Ammo on September 10, 2013, 11:32:28 AM
I'm not using "schtick" in a negative sense... just saying it's always going to be apart of how Buzz presents himself.
That's moronic. And I'm not using "moronic" in a negative sense. :)
Seriously... if you don't want to be misconstrued for being negative, don't use pejorative terms like "schtick." Use "mantra," "philosophy," or the like. By definition, "schtick" implies something deceitful, contrived, or gimmicky... it's hard to use "schtick" in this case in anything but a negative manner.
Quote from: Guns n Ammo on September 10, 2013, 02:20:11 PM
Absolutely right, but here's the thing:
Buzz isn't teaching values in post game interviews. He isn't teaching values in press conferences. He isn't teaching values in off season interviews... yet these are where the stories that come up.
It's just how Buzz is, and how Buzz likes to be perceived. He could share a story about his hard road to MU from NEO, but he's more likely to share a story about JUCO and how he came from nothing.
Again, none of this is a critique, but rather what I have observed. I watch the Buzz Williams show on TV, I listen to the radio interviews, I read the articles. He's a good interview and a great listen... what he chooses to share is not an accident.
I don't think Buzz ever stops teaching and the press conferences/interviews allow us a window into what Buzz is communicating to our players. I appreciate the glimpse of what the team hears and I love the message. I see more than "schtick", but maybe that's just me.
Quote from: Benny B on September 10, 2013, 02:55:54 PM
That's moronic. And I'm not using "moronic" in a negative sense. :)
Seriously... if you don't want to be misconstrued for being negative, don't use pejorative terms like "schtick." Use "mantra," "philosophy," or the like. By definition, "schtick" implies something deceitful, contrived, or gimmicky... it's hard to use "schtick" in this case in anything but a negative manner.
Guns is a big fan of Jesus of Nazareth's schtick - loves those beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.
You call it 'Schtick', I call it his personality. This gives a glimpse into his formative years. Apparently, his personality has always been to be the hardest working person he can be, to be constantly moving, to be detail-oriented. There is nothing in these stories that is inconsistent with the Buzz we have seen at MU for the last 5 years.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on September 10, 2013, 03:20:55 PM
Guns is a big fan of Jesus of Nazareth's schtick - loves those beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.
Alright fine. I'll refrain from using "schtick" in the future.
I didn't think it was negative, but I was wrong.
Are we good now?
(also, the Beatitudes are vastly underrated).
Quote from: Guns n Ammo on September 10, 2013, 03:32:52 PM
Alright fine. I'll refrain from using "schtick" in the future.
I didn't think it was negative, but I was wrong.
Are we good now?
(also, the Beatitudes are vastly underrated).
LOL, underrated indeed.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on September 10, 2013, 03:20:55 PM
Guns is a big fan of Jesus of Nazareth's schtick - loves those beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.
Everyone in Wisconsin agrees that "Blessed are the cheesemakers".
Quote from: Lennys Tap on September 10, 2013, 03:36:07 PM
LOL, underrated indeed.
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Jesus loves an underdog. :)
Quote from: warriorchick on September 10, 2013, 03:57:03 PM
Everyone in Wisconsin agrees that "Blessed are the cheesemakers".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xLUEMj6cwA
Just so we're clear...
I couldn't stand TC's shtick after the 2003 UK game but I liked Buzz's shtick after the UWGB game.
Maybe Buzz is a better actor (and a better coach).
Quote from: Lennys Tap on September 10, 2013, 02:01:33 PM
I knew this article on Buzz was way too positive. It had to engender a "wasn't TC great!" post from you. Thanks for not disappointing!
I didn't say anything of the kind. You're making stuff up again, pretending to say something I didn't say.
We've had a lot of really passionate coaches at MU, we've been lucky. Glad to see you made this about TC....you and you alone.
Bizarro
Sweet...it's great that this thread was derailed by Lenny's sad, school-girl
level slap fight with Chicos (because he couldn't POSSIBLY be referring to
KO, Deane, Majerus, or AL, RIGHT?), and a facepalm inducing semantics
argument over the use of the word, "shtick."
Jesus, can the basketball start already, PLEASE.
In conclusion, the article is fantastic, strotty.
Quote from: lab_warrior on September 11, 2013, 09:54:29 AM
Sweet...it's great that this thread was derailed by Lenny's sad, school-girl
level slap fight with Chicos (because he couldn't POSSIBLY be referring to
KO, Deane, Majerus, or AL, RIGHT?), and a facepalm inducing semantics
argument over the use of the word, "shtick."
Jesus, can the basketball start already, PLEASE.
In conclusion, the article is fantastic, strotty.
Thank you.
And you are right, that's why I said "Well said....we've been lucky to have many passionate coach
es at MU." Not sure what Lenny was reading.
We have had some crazy passionate coaches at MU...we've been blessed. Without the passion, success doesn't follow.
Quote from: lab_warrior on September 11, 2013, 09:54:29 AM
Sweet...it's great that this thread was derailed by Lenny's sad, school-girl
level slap fight with Chicos (because he couldn't POSSIBLY be referring to
KO, Deane, Majerus, or AL, RIGHT?)
The only coach Chicos consistently reminds us that we were "lucky to have" post Al is TC. He's pretty negative on the others. So no.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on September 11, 2013, 01:54:15 PM
The only coach Chicos consistently reminds us that we were "lucky to have" post Al is TC. He's pretty negative on the others. So no.
Incorrect....again.
Please, Lord, take me before I get old if this is the output.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on September 11, 2013, 02:55:11 PM
Incorrect....again.
Please, Lord, take me before I get old if this is the output.
God called... he said there's no way in hell he's taking you early (I know... odd choice of words), and that he needs some clarification as to if you were asking for Bea Arthur's head on Tom Crean's body or the other way around.