Boy this looks familiar

[Bo Ryan's Massage Therapist]

http://thegazette.com/2014/02/23/hawkeyes-encounter-off-court-foes-they-didnt-expect/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheGazetteHlog+%28TheGazette%27s+The+Hlog+by+Mike+Hlas%29

Many Muscoop posters need to read this regarding ripping amateur athletes. Former player Greg Brunner's comments are spot on.

[GooooMarquette]

Spot on.  Thanks for posting.

WE ARE MARQUETTE!

[GGGG]

Ayup.

[bilsu]

There are some people on this site that need to learn it is just a game. I have been going to MU games 50 years and I have learned that a loss or a disappointing season really does not ruin my life.

[Wojo'sMojo]

While I certainly feel it very inappropriate to attack players on a personal level, I don't think critiquing a players game is unfair. If someone is a poor ft shooter, are we supposed to lie and say they are a good one? The head coach of a team says a player can't shoot, we shouldn't be able to say that on an internet message board? Now don't get me wrong, if you are calling players pieces of crap and stuff like that it is inexcusable and appalling. I don't think that happens here for the most part.

[tower912]

Words have consequences.   Players have feelings.    And families.    Would you say it to their face?    Think about it. 

[MUSF]

Yup.

On a similar note did anyone catch Izzo on Mike and Mike a few weeks ago? He talked about players in tears in his office because of what they were reading about themselves on the internet. It was kind of an eye opener. Sometimes it's easy to forget that these players don't exist solely for our entertainment.

[MarquetteDano]

Sad.  Especially knowing that some here hammering on players are themselves 30+ years old.  If someone is 21 clobbering on someone their own age I can kind of let it slide.

But middle aged men attacking teenagers?  Pathetic.

[Warriors10]

And they are at least going to make the tournament...

Could be worse for them right? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQH2UvnHLTE

[ATWizJr]

If you don't have something nice to say…..ya' know?

[NickelDimer]

People who attack these kids clearly tie their happiness to a sport.  That in of itself is sad

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

People who attack these kids clearly tie their happiness to a sport.  That in of itself is sad

Well to be fair, a lot of my happiness is directly correlated to MU basketball. But even with that being said I dont go around bashing players.

[BenCat12]

I support the players as much as anybody, (I was one of about 8 people to welcome them back to the Al after the elite eight loss to Syracuse), I have never, nor will ever boo.  That said, it is amazing to me how soft this generation is.  How quickly we forget what real turmoil is in sports (Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, etc....).  I am not condoning the actions of fans that take things too far, simply saying how about turning the other cheek, sticks and stones, etc.....very thin skinned generation IMO.

[MUSF]

I support the players as much as anybody, (I was one of about 8 people to welcome them back to the Al after the elite eight loss to Syracuse), I have never, nor will ever boo.  That said, it is amazing to me how soft this generation is.  How quickly we forget what real turmoil is in sports (Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, etc....).  I am not condoning the actions of fans that take things too far, simply saying how about turning the other cheek, sticks and stones, etc.....very thin skinned generation IMO.

It cuts both ways. How do you think previous generations of athletes would have handled the increased public scrutiny and fan/media access that athletes have to deal with today? My guess is not very well. Better question, how would most of us have handled public ridicule as 18-22 year olds, for mistakes we made in school or at work. My guess is even worse than most of these athletes. I think it's a minor miracle that we don't see more incidents of player retaliation.

Also, I don't think anyone is forgetting the real turmoil that Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron faced. You make it seem like all the athletes in previous generations had to deal with that kind of adversity, when in actuality most players just played ball and went about their business. In the case of Jackie Robinson, many of the players were the a**holes responsible for much of the adversity he faced.

[BenCat12]

It cuts both ways. How do you think previous generations of athletes would have handled the increased public scrutiny and fan/media access that athletes have to deal with today? My guess is not very well. Better question, how would most of us have handled public ridicule as 18-22 year olds, for mistakes we made in school or at work. My guess is even worse than most of these athletes. I think it's a minor miracle that we don't see more incidents of player retaliation.

Also, I don't think anyone is forgetting the real turmoil that Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron faced. You make it seem like all the athletes in previous generations had to deal with that kind of adversity, when in actuality most players just played ball and went about their business. In the case of Jackie Robinson, many of the players were the a**holes responsible for much of the adversity he faced.

Good point, there certainly is much more media scrutiny today and every idiot with a cell phone thinks he's a reporter.  I do think you are down playing how bad racism was back then though.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Good point, there certainly is much more media scrutiny today and every idiot with a cell phone thinks he's a reporter.  I do think you are down playing how bad racism was back then though.

Racism is still bad today. I've got friends who work for Texas Tech. I know exactly what that dumb*ss redneck said to Marcus Smart.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Racism is still bad today. I've got friends who work for Texas Tech. I know exactly what that dumb*ss redneck said to Marcus Smart.

Do tell!

[NersEllenson]

Good article...good perspective.  It's a complex issue in that it is not unreasonable in any way to debate the strengths/weaknesses of different players on the team, lineups used, coaching strategies employed.  Like everything in life, there are usually two sides to every debate - and in the process of each side defending their position, things get written that are disparaging to the other side.

Don't feel it is unreasonable to use statistics in the debate, stating facts.  Don't agree with name calling, making broad brush highly negative general statements about a player - such as worst ever, D-2 caliber, etc.

Obviously message boards, Facebook, twitter - none existed 20 years ago so it was a more insulated environment.  To fans who go to a kid's Facebook page, or Twitter...and make critical remarks..that's just beyond the boundaries of appropriate...as the kid is going to go his Facebook/Twitter daily...whereas visiting message boards isn't quite as personal.

But, I do agree all these kids bust their ass playing ball for MU, put in an incredible amount of work - yet sometimes with the good...all the perks MU hoops players get, the experience, bonds built with teammates, being generally cheered on by 15,000+ fans, going to NCAA tournament, staying in great hotels, etc....along with all that good comes some bad.

I suspect all of our players make comments on guys who play for their favorite football teams, NBA teams...when they turnaround and have their fan hat on....all in all I think the MU fanbase is really good comparatively speaking with other passionate fanbases.  The issue again is a double edge sword - we have an extremely passionate fan base...people care deeply and are invested into the team deeply - and with that comes the adulation for the players, yet when things aren't good...the ugly side of passion can rear its head.

[slack00]

Racism is still bad today. I've got friends who work for Texas Tech. I know exactly what that dumb*ss redneck said to Marcus Smart.

Go on...

[brandx]

Racism is still bad today. I've got friends who work for Texas Tech. I know exactly what that dumb*ss redneck said to Marcus Smart.

While racism is still bad today (even tho there are deniers like Fox News who claim it no longer exists), the good thing is that at least there is now a stigma attached to it. Most people look down on those who make these racist comments as opposed to the acceptance of them by the mainstream not too many years ago.

[rocket surgeon]

While racism is still bad today (even tho there are deniers like Fox News who claim it no longer exists), the good thing is that at least there is now a stigma attached to it. Most people look down on those who make these racist comments as opposed to the acceptance of them by the mainstream not too many years ago.

seriously??  you're getting a little close to the fire dude

[Eldon]

While racism is still bad today (even tho there are deniers like Fox News who claim it no longer exists), the good thing is that at least there is now a stigma attached to it. Most people look down on those who make these racist comments as opposed to the acceptance of them by the mainstream not too many years ago.

Which is almost as bad as MSNBC who wishes it was worse.

[brandx]

seriously??  you're getting a little close to the fire dude

40 lashes for me

[MUSF]

Good point, there certainly is much more media scrutiny today and every idiot with a cell phone thinks he's a reporter.  I do think you are down playing how bad racism was back then though.

Not my intent to play down racism. My post was just poorly worded. What I was trying to say was that racism, though awful, was not universally applicable. Non-minorities didn't have to face any of that scrutiny; they just played ball. A vast majority of today's athletes have to deal with consistent scrutiny and public access.

Quick anecdote: When I was about 12 years old Don Mattingly gave me the finger and cursed at me when I asked him to throw a baseball into the stands. Can you imagine the media / social media frenzy this minor incident would have caused today if somebody caught it on a cell phone?

BTW, I hate Donnie Baseball and the Yankees to this day. I hope the Dodgers and the Yanks both go 0-162 this season.

[Eldon]

Not my intent to play down racism. My post was just poorly worded. What I was trying to say was that racism, though awful, was not universally applicable. Non-minorities didn't have to face any of that scrutiny; they just played ball. A vast majority of today's athletes have to deal with consistent scrutiny and public access.

Quick anecdote: When I was about 12 years old Don Mattingly gave me the finger and cursed at me when I asked him to throw a baseball into the stands. Can you imagine the media / social media frenzy this minor incident would have caused today if somebody caught it on a cell phone?

BTW, I hate Donnie Baseball and the Yankees to this day. I hope the Dodgers and the Yanks both go 0-162 this season.

I've heard similar stories about Roger Clemens and Tracy McGrady