Can we be proud of D. Wade?

[Galway Eagle]

Please "go and do a search" of Marquette recruits in the past 5 years who came to MU because of a Final 4 in 2003, NITs in 2004 and 2005, first round NCAA losses in 2005 and 2006 or the round of 32 in 2007. One season doesn't elevate you to a certain status. Sustained, consistent excellence does. Recruits come here to play for Buzz, and the guys without split loyalties (including guys who played for both TC and Buzz like Wes) are way more important to the program than D Wade.

I agree.  1) not the same coach almost every recruit has said that they remember Buzz not talking about basketball but about life and stuff 2) these kids were like 8 or 9 at the time and while they are basketball phenoms I highly doubt they associate Wade with MU.  3) there was so much time between wade (I suppose add in deiner and Novak) and the year Lazar got drafted that nobody is going to consider those previous 3 part of our recent consistent success at getting players in. 

[Lennys Tap]

Here's what I found.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-03-29/news/sfl-miami-heat-dwyane-wade-s032293_1_dwyane-wade-new-orleans-hornets-miami-hurricanes

So Dwyane found himself "conflicted" when Marquette played Miami? Really? Can you imagine JFB being conflicted when MU plays DePaul? Jae when the Warriors play SMU? Wes (or even LW) when we play Portland? I can't.

[Galway Eagle]

So Dwyane found himself "conflicted" when Marquette played Miami? Really? Can you imagine JFB being conflicted when MU plays DePaul? Jae when the Warriors play SMU? Wes (or even LW) when we play Portland? I can't.

Or Novak when we play St Johns

[MerrittsMustache]

So Dwyane found himself "conflicted" when Marquette played Miami? Really? Can you imagine JFB being conflicted when MU plays DePaul? Jae when the Warriors play SMU? Wes (or even LW) when we play Portland? I can't.

If any of those of MU players had been the star player on their NBA team for the past 10 years then they would absolutely be saying those same things. It's all about marketing. If Cal and Wisconsin played in the Rose Bowl, Aaron Rodgers would say that he was conflicted about who to cheer for, but you know that he'd be sitting in his living room cheering like hell for Cal. You don't want to alienate any part of your home fanbase.

[Golden Avalanche]

So Dwyane found himself "conflicted" when Marquette played Miami? Really? Can you imagine JFB being conflicted when MU plays DePaul? Jae when the Warriors play SMU? Wes (or even LW) when we play Portland? I can't.

Give each of those kids a decade in a town where they've become a living legend and a cultural institution for the city and then we could have a valid conversation on these perceived wrongs perpetrated by the greatest player in our program's history.

[Pakuni]

I'm not upset about the IU shorts all that much and if you actually read my post I'm clear that it's Tom Crean who's regularly associating himself (and thereby Indiana) with Dwyane, not the other way around.

As for being willfully ignorant about all the recruits Wade has delivered to Marquette in the last 5 years, I don't think it's willful on my part but I am ignorant. Who are they?

Well now, you've entirely changed the parameters of the discussion. You went from saying Wade hasn't "helped" land any recruits to Wade hasn't "delivered" any recruits. There's a pretty wide gulf between the two, and I'm not sure I can think of any current or former player who "delivered" a recruit.
What I do know is that every time Wade appears on ESPN, makes an all-star team, appears in a Gatorade ad, etc., he's helping to sell the MU brand to recruits. Every time a recruit walks into the Am and sees big photos of future hall of famer Dwyane Wade in a Marquette uniform, that helps recruiting.

It's just unimaginable to me that someone would suggest Dwyane Wade doesn't help MU recruit.

[Lennys Tap]

Give each of those kids a decade in a town where they've become a living legend and a cultural institution for the city and then we could have a valid conversation on these perceived wrongs perpetrated by the greatest player in our program's history.

You and Stache make a valid point. Dwyane's standing in the community sets him apart. That said, I don't think anyone in Miami would have objected if Wade had said "Miami's a great team and I love them but I'm a Marquette guy". Think Magic Johnson is conflicted when Michigan State plays UCLA? I don't, and I don't think he would sugar coat it.

[KenoshaWarrior]

Okay lets end this nonsense.

If you want to cheer against the best player to ever wear the Marquette Jersey  feel free to do so....But beware that you will look like a total Tool.

[Lennys Tap]

Well now, you've entirely changed the parameters of the discussion. You went from saying Wade hasn't "helped" land any recruits to Wade hasn't "delivered" any recruits. There's a pretty wide gulf between the two, and I'm not sure I can think of any current or former player who "delivered" a recruit.
What I do know is that every time Wade appears on ESPN, makes an all-star team, appears in a Gatorade ad, etc., he's helping to sell the MU brand to recruits. Every time a recruit walks into the Am and sees big photos of future hall of famer Dwyane Wade in a Marquette uniform, that helps recruiting.

It's just unimaginable to me that someone would suggest Dwyane Wade doesn't help MU recruit.

Wade is surely a positive to the Marquette brand, so it that sense you can say that he helps Marquette. But I'd be really surprised (shocked) to hear that was the difference maker in any of our recruits in the last 5 years. I think players who have played for our present coach and players who had or developed a personal relationship with recruits are infinitely more important than a Gatorade ad featuring a guy who was at MU 10 years ago. I think that kind of help is minimal, in the end beside the point.

[Lennys Tap]

Okay lets end this nonsense.

If you want to cheer against the best player to ever wear the Marquette Jersey  feel free to do so....But beware that you will look like a total Tool.

I don't root against Wade, so you're wrong on that point. As for looking like a tool, Nate, I'll consider the source and feel pretty comfortable.

[slingkong]

Okay lets end this nonsense.

If you want to cheer against the best player to ever wear the Marquette Jersey  feel free to do so....But beware that you will look like a total Tool.

Why does it have to be either/or? I'll cheer for Wade to score in bunches and for the Spurs to win convincingly. That seems like a reasonable path to me.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Please "go and do a search" of Marquette recruits in the past 5 years who came to MU because of a Final 4 in 2003, NITs in 2004 and 2005, first round NCAA losses in 2005 and 2006 or the round of 32 in 2007. One season doesn't elevate you to a certain status. Sustained, consistent excellence does. Recruits come here to play for Buzz, and the guys without split loyalties (including guys who played for both TC and Buzz like Wes) are way more important to the program than D Wade.

You're right, none of them mention the tradition, the Final Four, D-Wade, others in the NBA.  None of them.  Makes you wonder why Buzz didn't take the SMU job, then, because tradition, players in the NBA, Final Four appearances, etc, apparently mean nothing.

[ChicosBailBonds]

So Dwyane found himself "conflicted" when Marquette played Miami? Really? Can you imagine JFB being conflicted when MU plays DePaul? Jae when the Warriors play SMU? Wes (or even LW) when we play Portland? I can't.

You have such a myopic point of view on this and clearly you don't walk in his shoes....and it's telling.  I gave you other examples of UCLA and USC former players with their kids going to the opposite school.  Who would Doc Rivers cheer for with Austin vs Marquette?  Etc, etc.   I don't know what this is even a remote leap for you, but apparently it is.  Puzzling, to put it mildly.  Did Wes Matthews mom cheer for Marquette or Wisconsin in the MU-UW game?  She's a UW-alum remember.  I'm betting dollars to donuts she cheered for Marquette.

Your examples above are PREPOSTEROUS.   Did JFB's father figure coach move over to DePaul?  Did Jae's move to SMU?  No.  Thus your examples are PREPOSTEROUS.

[MerrittsMustache]

You have such a myopic point of view on this and clearly you don't walk in his shoes....and it's telling.  I gave you other examples of UCLA and USC former players with their kids going to the opposite school.  Who would Doc Rivers cheer for with Austin vs Marquette?  Etc, etc.   I don't know what this is even a remote leap for you, but apparently it is.  Puzzling, to put it mildly.  Did Wes Matthews mom cheer for Marquette or Wisconsin in the MU-UW game?  She's a UW-alum remember.  I'm betting dollars to donuts she cheered for Marquette.

Your examples above are PREPOSTEROUS.   Did JFB's father figure coach move over to DePaul?  Did Jae's move to SMU?  No.  Thus your examples are PREPOSTEROUS.

Was one of Wade's sons playing for the Hurricanes last season? I didn't realize they were that old. Also, who knew that Jim Larranaga was D-Wade's father figure!

[MU B2002]

What is this thread even talking about at this point?

[Lennys Tap]

You have such a myopic point of view on this and clearly you don't walk in his shoes....and it's telling.  I gave you other examples of UCLA and USC former players with their kids going to the opposite school.  Who would Doc Rivers cheer for with Austin vs Marquette?  Etc, etc.   I don't know what this is even a remote leap for you, but apparently it is.  Puzzling, to put it mildly.  Did Wes Matthews mom cheer for Marquette or Wisconsin in the MU-UW game?  She's a UW-alum remember.  I'm betting dollars to donuts she cheered for Marquette.

Your examples above are PREPOSTEROUS.   Did JFB's father figure coach move over to DePaul?  Did Jae's move to SMU?  No.  Thus your examples are PREPOSTEROUS.

You did give those examples. They are dumb examples. The city and university of Miami are not Wade's kid. Neither is Tom Crean. Not only would it be OK for Wade to root for his kid against ANYBODY, it would be ridiculous to expect anything else.

PREPOSTEROUS? I'll give you PREPOSTEROUS. It's when someone is absurd enough to compare being "conflicted" when the university in the town you live in plays your alma mater to your child playing against your alma mater. That's putting an extremely low value on a child. Comparing a child to a former coach isn't quite as ridiculous, but it's close.

[forgetful]

I agree.  1) not the same coach almost every recruit has said that they remember Buzz not talking about basketball but about life and stuff 2) these kids were like 8 or 9 at the time and while they are basketball phenoms I highly doubt they associate Wade with MU.  3) there was so much time between wade (I suppose add in deiner and Novak) and the year Lazar got drafted that nobody is going to consider those previous 3 part of our recent consistent success at getting players in. 

I know 15 and 16 year olds that when you mention Marquette, immediately say, oh Wade's school (this is 1500 miles from Wisconsin), so they absolutely associate Wade with MU.

More importantly when they think of MU they immediately think of Wade.  These are people that may not be able to tell you where MU is, but know of it solely because of Wade. 

[jesmu84]

If a recruit was deciding between mu and iu and he asked wade, what do we think his answer would be? Should we care?

[MUSF]

I agree.  1) not the same coach almost every recruit has said that they remember Buzz not talking about basketball but about life and stuff 2) these kids were like 8 or 9 at the time and while they are basketball phenoms I highly doubt they associate Wade with MU.  3) there was so much time between wade (I suppose add in deiner and Novak) and the year Lazar got drafted that nobody is going to consider those previous 3 part of our recent consistent success at getting players in. 

1) Buzz isn't in those recruits' houses to talk about life if not for the bball tradition and recent success at MU.

Think of it this way, a recruit has a bunch of schools calling him, let's say Valpo, UIC, Southern Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Illinois, DePaul, Butler, and MU are pursuing him the hardest. He looks at that list and has to decide which school he wants to hear more from. What do you think he is considering when he makes that decision? You don't think the fact that he knows DWade and JB went there doesn't factor in? The final fours and recent tourney success doesn't have an impact? Buzz's life lessons might seal the deal, but bball success, to include our pro alums, gets him in the door.

2) I would bet otherwise. Besides, you can bet MU is reminding them about Wade and all of our other pros.

3) I wouldn't call it so much time. The bottom line is that MU has a pretty respectable number of pros and an even better record of getting players drafted in recent years. You can bet that MU coaches use this to distinguish our program from others.

[Jay Bee]

Relax, folks. Soon enough Wade will be old and retired and his father figure will no longer have so much time for him. The higher Oladipo goes, the less love for Wade there will be. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

Relax, folks. Soon enough Wade will be old and retired and his father figure will no longer have so much time for him. The higher Oladipo goes, the less love for Wade there will be. 

Considering the relationship he has to this day with the Flinstones and others from his MSU days....highly doubt it.

[RawdogDX]

I have not been reading this thread and have no idea what is going on...

BUT!!!
I just found proof (completely unscientific) that people in chicago do not hate the heat more than any other contender.
http://espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=frontpage&pollId=3755315

Here are the % of fans, from states with a good eastern conference team, 'rooting' for the heat:
Bulls: 31
Nicks: 42
Boston: 28
Pacers:34

Pretty sure that we(like everyone else) hate them because they beat us in close series.  Not because we didn't get a player many years ago.
Side note:
Thunder: 24
Texas: 32

Most states with garbage teams are close to 50-50.

[MUSF]

Pretty sure that we(like everyone else) hate them because they beat us in close series.  Not because we didn't get a player many years ago.

I'm sure that hatred for the Heat couldn't possibly cloud certain fans' judgment of a certain player they used to like.

[RawdogDX]

I'm sure that hatred for the Heat couldn't possibly cloud certain fans' judgment of a certain player they used to like.

Cloud usually implies that we don't know about it.  People have no problem hating duke. No problem hating the Yankees.  No problem hating any dynasty when they cheer for a team that is a contender.  This isn't some sort of mystery.  If your team is high caliber, and there is a dynasty, you hate the dynasty.  If you don't, then you aren't a good fan.  If the bucks won 58 games and took the heat to 7 in the conference finals, half of you would say the same thing.*  And if the bulls won 30, we wouldn't hate the heat.

*Please don't tell me how you don't care about the bucks.  It's cause they suck.  I watched WI-ites claim the same thing about the brewers and then change their stripes as soon as they win a few game.

[MUDPT]

I don't think we give DWade enough credit for his marketing abilities.  He told a Miami newspaper that he was conflicted, knowing full well that there were many more Miami fans than MU fans reading that newspaper.  He also appeared on the BTN Journey this winter and said he would also be conflicted if IU played Marquette.  Dwyane knows that more IU fans than Marquette fans watch The Journey.  I'm sure if the Milwaukee reports came calling to Dwyane before the Miami game, he would have said how proud he was of his old team, etc..

As for recruiting, Dwyane helps, sure. JFB, in my opinion, is much more important. Right now, we are not getting Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker to come to MU.  But, Buzz can sell JFB as a guy who was rated lower than you, #50 ranked prospect, and in 4 years you can have a degree and start in the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs, 2 years later.