|
Post by wgt on Jan 3, 2009 21:15:04 GMT -5
Lots of valid points on Ray. I tend to take Chuck & Locke's take on this. From the very first moment I saw Ray, as the team came out of the tunnel against Mansfield, his level of enthusiasm was absolutely eye catching. He plays at an extremely high energy level all over the floor. With the flu he hustled down 7 rebounds & played with raw guts against Bucknell. Still adjusting to Div I he has had some inconsistency as stated but I’ll take his attitude any time over the course of the season. Chuck points out two examples of Ws to offset his Canisius mistakes in the final 32 secs. I'll add the Bucknell game which is a loss without his 2-2 FTs with 14 secs left to send the game to 2nd OT. Ray has certainly shown CONSISTENCY at the stripe & has just scored double figures in his last 7 outings. No doubt the TOs must be reduced & I believe they will be.
I had occasion to speak with Ray quite a bit at the Tip Off Gala. He was engaging & showed great respect in seeking out & talking with all the “Legends” on hand. Mark has a feel for what is good for the team in handling players. When he put Ray back in with a minute or so left it tells me that he has no concern with him having a short fuse & losing control. These games are intense & I’m pleased to see the fight that this team is displaying. Without it, some of the close ones would have ended differently as in the recent past. Interesting that Coach Chappell (who built us up with pre & post game remarks) called TO with 4 secs left, down 10 & Bona’s possession. Maybe more there at the end of the game then we know.
|
|
|
Post by bonaballa1 on Jan 4, 2009 0:50:44 GMT -5
really? Ray has 7 straight double-figure games and this is what you decide to discuss? really?
|
|
|
Post by LumsdnA10Academc98 on Jan 4, 2009 4:07:16 GMT -5
really? Ray has 7 straight double-figure games and this is what you decide to discuss? really? The fact that Blackburn's attitude - especially after the Niagara game, during which he shut down the Eagles best player - is the matter of this thread is absurd. After the Niagara blowout, we begged for players with attitude, begged for anyone who took things personal. Not surprisingly, there's Ray Blackburn. At least it mattered to someone. How naive are we to call shots at Ray's "attitude." How lame. As Chuck and a number of others have pointed out, that "attitude" has won us no less that three games, most lately Tuesday at Bucknell. That troublesome chip on his shoulder outweighed his "attitude" to the tune of a clutch 14 points and 7 boards. And when I mean outweighed his attitude, I really mean outweighed the flu he was fighting, which has kept "Bonnies" with lesser nuts from ever dressing, let alone for two overtimes. Let's keep barking about this "attitude," though. Let's harp on a tech, why don't we? Ray Blackburn has his, as I see them, Sonic the Hedgehog moments. Let's not lose sight of the fact that he's been not only one of our most consistent players, but our three (Hall, Andrew) best players. We'd be lost - well, maybe 7-6, if that's okay with you - without Ray Blackburn. If he wants to catch a 'T,' in an easy win, you know what? Good! It's about time someone showed some fire. It's not a cause for bringing his role into question, as rc did. Ease up. Quit looking for a reason to complain. It's not just one of our best players, more importantly, it's one of our most passionate players in years. What do you want? I'll take Ray Blackburn, as is.
|
|
|
Post by Jimmy Chitwood on Jan 4, 2009 9:30:29 GMT -5
9-4 and Blackburn has been a significant contributor. Let's dissect this kid like a frog. This thread is sad.
Go Bona's beat Fordham.
|
|
therc
Junior Member
Posts: 390
|
Post by therc on Jan 4, 2009 10:42:11 GMT -5
9-4 and Blackburn has been a significant contributor. Let's dissect this kid like a frog. This thread is sad. Go Bona's beat Fordham. You know what's sad? Thinking that an observation about his technical fouls, attitude toward other players and officials is "dissecting this kid like a frog." I'm pointing out things that he's done on the basketball court, which is for all to see. Am I talking about anything in his personal life? Am I judging him as a person? No. I've met with Ray Blackburn more than once. I've talked with him. I genuinely like him. Furthermore, I DO NOT DENY the great impact he's had on our team, as I've stated now THREE times for those of you that still cannot read. And, believe me, I don't have a problem with kids that show a little attitude. So why make this thread? To say that if he doesn't cool it, he's going to get a reputation with the officials in our league. We foul enough as it is, and we don't need anything to add on top of that. To warn that if he continues this, he's prone to get a technical foul in what could be a critical point of an A-10 game. This is three games in a row. I could see everyone going crazy if I brought it up after the first incident at the Niagara game, but this is three games in a row. No one's denying his toughness, his dedication to our team, or his great contributions that's he's made this year. For those of you who take this SO FAR out of proportion, it's YOU that needs to get your butt out of your computer chairs, and get a life.
|
|
|
Post by Jimmy Chitwood on Jan 4, 2009 13:19:49 GMT -5
I'll tell you what's out there to see. You are one defensive person. You can call a player out on this board, but you don't like being called out yourself. Opinions cut both ways. Grow up.
|
|
therc
Junior Member
Posts: 390
|
Post by therc on Jan 4, 2009 13:54:40 GMT -5
I have no problem being called out myself. The thing is, if you're going to call me out, make sure you understand my point. That's the frustrating part about this.
For example, look at the posts by people like Chuck and wgt. They're making an opposite point from me, but they did it in a civilized manner.
If you're going to call me out, that's fine. If I couldn't take that, then I wouldn't have created the thread. All I ask is that you read what I'm writing before you make ridiculous comments.
|
|
|
Post by bub on Jan 4, 2009 14:17:51 GMT -5
The problem with guys like therc is that he puts his arm around Blackburn, tells him how great he is to his face and then beats him up on a website, needlessly I may add, regarding technical fouls, even though the guy is a major reason why the team has won 9 games this year. Just wondering, did you chastise Balckburn regarding his on court attitude when you were schmoozing it up with him?, assuming you really were talking to him. We have already won more games this year than the last three years and therc is rambling about Blackburn"s "T's. You can't make this stuff up
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on Jan 4, 2009 15:28:29 GMT -5
It is time to move on. It is unfortunate to see the personal attacks, because therc is a loyal and supportive poster of the Bonnies (along with Jimmy Chitwood and other posters who responded)). Do not believe RC's post was intended to be a personal attack of a player. Would like to add Schmidt deciding to reinsert Blackburn is a decision he understands much better than fans behind a key board.
|
|
therc
Junior Member
Posts: 390
|
Post by therc on Jan 4, 2009 15:36:04 GMT -5
It is time to move on. It is unfortunate to see the personal attacks, because therc is a loyal and supportive poster of the Bonnies. Do not believe RC's post was intended to be a personal attack of a player. Would like to add Schmidt deciding to reinsert Blackburn is a decision he understands much better than fans behind a key board. Thank you Chuck. This is really all I've been trying to say. I never once attacked Ray's character as a person ... just made a simple observation based on what I've seen/heard in the last three games.
|
|