Commentary: UA basketball faces tough decisions [CMG / Bama hoops analysis by JessN]

[JessN]

Commentary: UA basketball faces tough decisions
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-in-Chief
March 2, 2008

When Alabama’s basketball season finally comes to a close – whether it’s at the end of the SEC tournament or sometime later on – it will be time for university Athletic Department officials to sit down together somewhere and decide what exactly the long-term goals are for the school’s basketball program.

Perhaps because Alabama is considered a “football school” by virtually everyone – not even a “sports school,” but specifically, a “football school” – the basketball program is often given short shrift, not just in terms of interest or importance, but also in terms of belief.

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[dayhiker]

JessN's CMG analysis

Great read as always by Jess.

 

[rolltideas]

Re: JessN's CMG analysis

I wish I could be AD for an afternoon.

 

[Mongo4Bama]

Re: JessN's CMG analysis

Yes another quality piece by Jess.

Agreed with sentiment 110%

 

[bamadp]

Re: JessN's CMG analysis

My thoughts exactly.

After ten years, the success or failure of a season should not depend on the health of one player. After last year I thought...with a healthy RS + RH + AG, we should be a contender in the SEC this year. When RS decided to redshirt I thought...at least we would win our home games. Man was I wrong. Maybe my expectations are too high. There's only two things that can be done. We can either lower our expectations, or raise the level of our BB program. If we don't do the latter I'm afraid, as JessN said, BB will just be something to occupy us between football seasons.

 

[bamahippie]

This means taking a direct look at head coach Mark Gottfried and making a decision as to his future with the school. If Alabama was so dependent on the health of Robert Steele that losing Steele meant Alabama might finish with a losing record, then Gottfried has failed as either a recruiter or a teacher, or both.

Who is this Robert you speak of? Just Kiddin'! You're spot on, as usual...

 

[bamachile]

A very touchy subject, Jess, but tactfully handled.

Coaching is the bailiwick of coaches.

Judging coaches is the bailiwick of the AD.

For the fans, there is often but to root as hard as possible for the home team and to keep composure and dignity when the winds and tides are not favorable.

The first is easy. The second is a benchmark by which to determine character.

And I thank you, sir, for displaying the calm and equitable sort of character not often seen in print.

 

[BamaFanKyle]

Spot on, Jess! Let's just hope the PTB make the right choices regarding the decisions they will have to make.

By "right choices" I mean that they'll do what will help advance Bama Basketball in the future, and not hinder it.

 

[Bama1970]

Spot on, Jess! Let's just hope the PTB make the right choices regarding the decisions they will have to make.

By "right choices" I mean that they'll do what will help advance Bama Basketball in the future, and not hinder it.

That's the part that worries me.

 

[Salty Dog @ Work]

A very touchy subject, Jess, but tactfully handled.

Coaching is the bailiwick of coaches.

Judging coaches is the bailiwick of the AD.

For the fans, there is often but to root as hard as possible for the home team and to keep composure and dignity when the winds and tides are not favorable.

The first is easy. The second is a benchmark by which to determine character.

And I thank you, sir, for displaying the calm and equitable sort of character not often seen in print.

In "God and Man at Yale," the late William F. Buckley, Jr., outlined a central theme: that Yale (a private university) belonged not to the faculty and administration of Yale but to the students and alumni.

To extend that thesis, the University of Alabama belongs to the students, alumni, and taxpayers of Alabama, and NOT to those whose jobs entail teaching, research, service, administration, or coaching. The University is MY University. It belongs to me (in part). As such, I'm not merely a stakeholder but a shareholder with ownership of the institution defined by time spent, degrees earned, support given, etc. To that end, it is not only reasonable but essential that I and others like me assert ourselves to ensure that OUR University is managed properly.

This means that I'll criticize whomever I feel is at fault for issues such as malfeasance, which, I believe, is at the heart of our recent problems in football and, in a different way, at the heart of our current issues in basketball and baseball. There's no reason the basketball program shouldn't be on a consistent upward trend over time, even if there are year-to-year variations in that general upward progression.

To suggest that "well-mannered alumni" should do no more than sit by and watch as a valuable asset of our university is squandered is beyond ridiculous; it is irrational. Being a strong, silent follower is neither a character building nor character revealing process. Demanding consistent, tangible improvement is difficult and reveals character, because it requires one to consistently achieve and it requires one to consistently expect others to achieve.

John F. Kennedy once wrote that "the Greeks defined Greatness as the full use of one's powers along the lines of excellence." Exactly what is noble about supporting mediocrity?

I'm not advocating firing Gottfried. I am supporting the statement made by JessN (and myself, and others) that there must be tangible goals set for 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11, and Gottfried must achieve them to attain another contract. Otherwise, let him test the market and establish his market value as a coach.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

Ron Steele's return next year will result in a much, much better performance in the 2008-09 season. You can bank on it.

A player with that kind of talent at point guard absolutely transforms a five man basketball team. It goes from being Ok to being phenomenal.

If you doubt the impact that an exceptional point guard can have on a team's performance, go back to the 1989 NBA Finals. The LA Lakers had dominated the league for two years. Magic Johnson has just claimed his second league MVP award. In practice before Game One of the Finals, Byron Scott pulled a hamstring as the Pistons went up 1-0 in a blowout. In Game Two, Johnson re-injured an earlier hamstring pull, and Isaiah Thomas' Pistons went on to sweep the Lakers for their first title.

With Johnson (and the nearly as well performing Byron Scott) off the court, the Lakers were just another basketball team. They still had AC Green, Michael Cooper, James Worthy, Kareem. They still shot poorly, played lousy defense, committed stupid fouls and gave up easy baskets. Sound familiar?

This truth of Steele's impact next year is a double-edged sword. What he will do next year will hide all of the ugly stuff the team is doing now. The bad fundamentals and questionable strategy decisions will not magically go away.

He'll make the team play better just by making better decisions with the ball, and the quality of the team's performance will be good enough to put them in serious contention for the west, if not an outright league title. But when Steele is gone and the team can't rely on such exceptional talent at point, all the ugly stuff will come right back to the surface. This time two years hence, we will be having this discussion again. It's a stone cold lock.

 

[BigAL413]

In "God and Man at Yale," the late William F. Buckley, Jr., outlined a central theme: that Yale (a private university) belonged not to the faculty and administration of Yale but to the students and alumni.

To extend that thesis, the University of Alabama belongs to the students, alumni, and taxpayers of Alabama, and NOT to those whose jobs entail teaching, research, service, administration, or coaching. The University is MY University. It belongs to me (in part). As such, I'm not merely a stakeholder but a shareholder with ownership of the institution defined by time spent, degrees earned, support given, etc. To that end, it is not only reasonable but essential that I and others like me assert ourselves to ensure that OUR University is managed properly.

This means that I'll criticize whomever I feel is at fault for issues such as malfeasance, which, I believe, is at the heart of our recent problems in football and, in a different way, at the heart of our current issues in basketball and baseball. There's no reason the basketball program shouldn't be on a consistent upward trend over time, even if there are year-to-year variations in that general upward progression.

To suggest that "well-mannered alumni" should do no more than sit by and watch as a valuable asset of our university is squandered is beyond ridiculous; it is irrational. Being a strong, silent follower is neither a character building nor character revealing process. Demanding consistent, tangible improvement is difficult and reveals character, because it requires one to consistently achieve and it requires one to consistently expect others to achieve.

John F. Kennedy once wrote that "the Greeks defined Greatness as the full use of one's powers along the lines of excellence." Exactly what is noble about supporting mediocrity?

I'm not advocating firing Gottfried. I am supporting the statement made by JessN (and myself, and others) that there must be tangible goals set for 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11, and Gottfried must achieve them to attain another contract. Otherwise, let him test the market and establish his market value as a coach.

I definitely would want you on my side in an argument. I have no idea if what you are saying is worth a darn, but it sure sounds awesome!

P.S. - I'm not trying to trivialize your comments, just merely taken aback by a well written retort. Plus, I love to read posts where others point out the err of other member's ways.
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[Ldlane]

In "God and Man at Yale," the late William F. Buckley, Jr., outlined a central theme: that Yale (a private university) belonged not to the faculty and administration of Yale but to the students and alumni.

To extend that thesis, the University of Alabama belongs to the students, alumni, and taxpayers of Alabama, and NOT to those whose jobs entail teaching, research, service, administration, or coaching. The University is MY University. It belongs to me (in part). As such, I'm not merely a stakeholder but a shareholder with ownership of the institution defined by time spent, degrees earned, support given, etc. To that end, it is not only reasonable but essential that I and others like me assert ourselves to ensure that OUR University is managed properly.

This means that I'll criticize whomever I feel is at fault for issues such as malfeasance, which, I believe, is at the heart of our recent problems in football and, in a different way, at the heart of our current issues in basketball and baseball. There's no reason the basketball program shouldn't be on a consistent upward trend over time, even if there are year-to-year variations in that general upward progression.

To suggest that "well-mannered alumni" should do no more than sit by and watch as a valuable asset of our university is squandered is beyond ridiculous; it is irrational. Being a strong, silent follower is neither a character building nor character revealing process. Demanding consistent, tangible improvement is difficult and reveals character, because it requires one to consistently achieve and it requires one to consistently expect others to achieve.

John F. Kennedy once wrote that "the Greeks defined Greatness as the full use of one's powers along the lines of excellence." Exactly what is noble about supporting mediocrity?

I'm not advocating firing Gottfried. I am supporting the statement made by JessN (and myself, and others) that there must be tangible goals set for 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11, and Gottfried must achieve them to attain another contract. Otherwise, let him test the market and establish his market value as a coach.

As long as you stay within the guidelines of the board!

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

It's Mal Moore's job to make decisions for what's best for each program. He made the tough call on football. Basketball deserves a similar intervention.

Mike Shula wouldn't change. Mark Gottfried must change or Moore should act -- this year. The basketball program deserves to be judged by the highest of standards on and off the court. It's been patronized long enough.

 

[Pedro Dynamite]

In my mind, we should make the tournament EVERY year, win the SEC every 5 years and win a NC every 10 years! We have the resources to make this happen, and should not settle for less. Look at Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky; these are traditional "football" schools, but it looks like someone forgot to tell the basketball team and supporters.

The question is what's the best alternative? I don't know that a better coach than Gottfried would come to 'Bama, but I have to believe that their are better, hungrier coaches out there waiting for a shot at the SEC.

 

[JDCrimson]

I am tired of hearing about Ronald Steele. He is one key ingredient for one year - next year.

What about the years after? What about the years before Ronald Steele? Some of yall on here need to look at this situation with a much longer view toward improving the program. Ronald Steele is not part of the long term future of the program unless you want to hire him as a coach (which might not be a bad idea since we collectively think he can leap tall buildings in a single bound - when he has healthy knees of course).

CMG has a body of work and its not a pretty picture. Basketball probably accounts for 10%-20% of the athletic budget and its a pretty critical 10%-20%.

Change is imperative.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

I'm not trying to elevate Steele to super hero status. I'm pointing out that he is an exceptionally gifted point guard, and I'm trying to explain how much of an impact that having his talent at the position can have.

A great point guard can make a chimpanzee look like a good coach. It's not just a point guard and four other guys. It is like an orchestra conductor and four first chair players.

It's not even like having a coach on the floor. When you have a PG with that much talent, the coach is just a pretty suit and spokesman.

Y'all watch. A healthy Ron Steele and a stable of returning talent will make you wonder where these dudes were in 07 and 08. And when it's gone, we'll be having this conversation again, unless CMG can use the room Steele's return gives him to improve his own craft.

He has a lot of work to do.

 

[bamachile]

DT_kap:

After posting, I realized I left out a link or two. No worries, they were pointed out after I left. As Salty Dog stated, AD's answer to Universities, which answer to alumni.

It is not my intent to insist on a "no-criticism" approach. It is, however, always my bent to commend decorum in difficulty, and restraint of outward negativity while undertaking negative tasks.

Excellent reply, Salty Dog, and may your passion for excellence be rewarded.

 

[Mongo4Bama]

Mike Davis is starting to get his share of instate players so Gottfried is up against it now.

call 1-800-TR-Dunn

 

[peteswell4]

I'm not trying to elevate Steele to super hero status. I'm pointing out that he is an exceptionally gifted point guard, and I'm trying to explain how much of an impact that having his talent at the position can have.

A great point guard can make a chimpanzee look like a good coach. It's not just a point guard and four other guys. It is like an orchestra conductor and four first chair players.

It's not even like having a coach on the floor. When you have a PG with that much talent, the coach is just a pretty suit and spokesman.

Y'all watch. A healthy Ron Steele and a stable of returning talent will make you wonder where these dudes were in 07 and 08. And when it's gone, we'll be having this conversation again, unless CMG can use the room Steele's return gives him to improve his own craft.

He has a lot of work to do.

Well said.