Last night I was haunted
by theoldman on Jan 11, 2012 9:59 AM EST
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by the image of Russ Smith staring up into his coach's eyes, wringing his hands during the entire, though brief and one-sided, conversation. Rick Pitino just a few weeks ago said he loved Russ, that he never had to worry about what he said to Russ because Russ doesn't take anything seriously.
Really? Did you see Russ Smith's face during that interlude late in last night's embarrassment? Did you see the look in his eyes? Did you see the constant, uneasy and unsettling motion of the kid's hands? Sure, Russ didn't play well and didn't seem to much care — but at the end of all that it was Russ who had the look of someone heartbroken. Russ "doesn't take much seriously?" We should remember this comment came from the same guy who said our offense is fine.
I don't know what the answer is — others smarter than I might figure it out. But something happened internally that's torn this team asunder. They don't appear to be having fun; they don't appear to care one bit for one another's company. And there is a definite dis-connect between the team and their coach. All this has happened just three weeks after Pitino said he was having more fun coaching this bunch than any other team he's ever had.
What's gone so terribly wrong? It looks as though everything has. I only hope someone steps forward with an explanation because when that happens — when the problem is admitted — then perhaps the team can get about the task of fixing it.
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i need to see a clip of tht
i didnt catch that i was probably paying to close attention to players on the court
yea i was at the game
disicting how our payer were looking on the floor was really paying attention to the bench??
I've never had much of a problem with Pitino's comments to the press that always seem to have an ulterior motive..
I have always respected the fact that the team is allowed to deal with its struggles behind closed doors. When Pitino was distracting the media and the fans from any behind-the-scenes issues, then I have respected his attempt to protect his players and their ability to work it out without the added interference and complication of a meddling media and fan base.
But this is different. I think its reasonable that he have 24 hours of privacy with his players after last night’s meltdown, but he owes the fans a candid explanation for what is actually going on. Just as it’s acceptable for parents to keep their issues private from their children, the obligations change once the children know that their dad hasn’t come home for several days and their mom is crying a lot. At that point, the children are owed some sort of candid explanation. Similarly, so are we.
Russ definitely either said
“I wasn’t trying” or “I wasn’t crying” during the exchange. Either way, he definitely looked like a broken dude.
He also has had several depressed Facebook statuses since the team got home last night.
by Mike Rutherford on Jan 11, 2012 10:29 AM EST reply actions
not on facebook, can you share some of the statuses? (or not if it breaches the unwritten bond of a facebook friend)
by WindyCityCard on Jan 11, 2012 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
russ
ya can you share those? it might help us understand the situation.
by Cardinal crunch on Jan 11, 2012 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
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Not gona believe wat i was just told smh ..
I get alot of love from cards fans n love from the rest of kentucky .. i get respect from uk fans thats all i can ask for .. i performed well against wku n bellermaine .. i wanna thank KY for having my back during these tuff times ..
“Maybe you love me when I fade to black” – JayZ
Ima just stop ..
by Mike Rutherford on Jan 11, 2012 11:09 AM EST reply actions
"Not gonna believe wat I was just told smh .."!?
That sounds ominous. Does Pitino have an organization that helps troubled youth? Just checking.
by WindyCityCard on Jan 11, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
if thts what russ posted
then it sounds like he got some bad news.,., maybe he is gettin benched but sound slike dejection to me either of those things makes sad but if the players arent gonna help solve the problem and the coach has to players arent gonna like it but regardless i think everyone agrees that there is something that has to be done
I could have swore that during one interaction with CRP and Russ that Russ said "I wasn't crying"
It was either that or “I wasn’t trying?”
GO! CARDS!
BEAT!
PURDUE!
asunder
a·sun·der (-sndr)
adv.
1. Into separate parts or pieces: broken asunder.
2. Apart from each other either in position or in direction: The curtains had been drawn asunder.
ya’know, in case any of you are as dumb as me.
by JohnTongEchoesinmyhead on Jan 11, 2012 12:19 PM EST reply actions
TheOldMan is spot on.
Until the problem is identified a solution cannot take place. I have my theories and suspicions, but I would sure like some confirmation and information from a reliable source, like a player (and not a player’s relative).
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