How is that working out?Not sure that was a sarcasm, because BJ Snow left UCLA for the U17 YNT job and Cromwell won the College Cup with his recruits.
Not bashing anyone, but is there a pattern developing?
How is that working out?Not sure that was a sarcasm, because BJ Snow left UCLA for the U17 YNT job and Cromwell won the College Cup with his recruits.
You think UCLA gets to pick the Blue Chippers before Stanford? I don't agree, everything being equal, GPA, test scores and scholarship offer. I say Stanford gets to pick first.Academically, yes.
The best soccer players are going to UCLA, at least on paper.
I doubt Jill Ellis will be firing him any time soon.How is that working out?
I doubt it as well.I doubt Jill Ellis will be firing him any time soon.
Soccer only.You think UCLA gets to pick the Blue Chippers before Stanford? I don't agree, everything being equal, GPA, test scores and scholarship offer. I say Stanford gets to pick first.
Nah, Cromwell isn't part of the Ellis coaching tree.I doubt it as well.
Where are we going with this?
Do you think if Cromwell doesnt win, she too will be pulled up to the National team?
So is she on a short leash or not?Nah, Cromwell isn't part of the Ellis coaching tree.
I think Stanford gets first dibs, but several YNT players probably don't have the required minimum GPA to get pushed through admissions. Then commit to other elite soccer programs. Andy Sullivan, Tierna Davidson, Amack, Campbell, Dibiasi and Xiao aren't chopped liver.Soccer only.
UCLA gets the Lion's share of the top players.
GPA is Stanford's domain.
This is a soccer forum.
Nope, isn't her contract good through 2020 or something like that.So is she on a short leash or not?
Not chopped liver at all. They are in the top 1%.I think Stanford gets first dibs, but several YNT players probably don't have the required minimum GPA to get pushed through admissions. Then commit to other elite soccer programs. Andy Sullivan, Tierna Davidson, Amack, Campbell, Dibiasi and Xiao aren't chopped liver.
I expect UCLA to win before then.Nope, isn't her contract good through 2020 or something like that.
I actually like the direction Ellis has taken the USWNT of late.Nah, Cromwell isn't part of the Ellis coaching tree.
You're all about putting words in my mouth and then tearing down the straw man. Kobe and Shaq were a huge success...as long as they had complimentary players around them and before the chemistry went sour. You made my point for me. Kobe, Shaw, Karl Malone and Gary Payton were individually much better than anyone on that Pistons team. I'm still bitter, lol.Spurs actually have a Big 3; Aldredge, Parker and Leonard. As for the Lakers losing in 2004 and Shaq not offered the contract he wanted, the Lakers were 3peat champions from 2000-2002, before losingto the Pistons in Finals in 2003. If Shaq and Kobe could have co-existed who knows how many more championships they could have won together. So I wouldn't say Shaq and Kobe was a failed duo by any means.
The Mailman and the Glove were past their prime when they got to the Lakers.You're all about putting words in my mouth and then tearing down the straw man. Kobe and Shaq were a huge success...as long as they had complimentary players around them and before the chemistry went sour. You made my point for me. Kobe, Shaw, Karl Malone and Gary Payton were individually much better than anyone on that Pistons team. I'm still bitter, lol.
You keep trying to frame my argument like I'm saying talent isn't important. I'm saying that talent without chemistry and complimentary pieces will often lose to less talent that has those two elements. I don't think that is either controversial nor especially new.
You're all about putting words in my mouth and then tearing down the straw man. Kobe and Shaq were a huge success...as long as they had complimentary players around them and before the chemistry went sour. You made my point for me. Kobe, Shaw, Karl Malone and Gary Payton were individually much better than anyone on that Pistons team. I'm still bitter, lol.
You keep trying to frame my argument like I'm saying talent isn't important. I'm saying that talent without chemistry and complimentary pieces will often lose to less talent that has those two elements. I don't think that is either controversial nor especially new.
No doubt. But even so, the Lakers had 4 future HoF players, Kobe and Shaq in or near prime, plus Horace Grant and Byron Russel off the bench. The Pistons? Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, an old Rasheed Wallace, and Chauncey Billups, along with such blue chippers like Antonio McDyess and Mehmet Okur. On paper, even accounting for their age, the Lakers should have won in a cakewalk. Don't underestimate the importance of chemistry & ditch diggers.The Mailman and the Glove were past their prime when they got to the Lakers.
The Mailman was pushing 40 and the Glove was 35. They were match-up vs Chauncy age 27 and Rasheed Wallace was 29 and not old, but in his prime. Add Tashaun 24, Ben Wallace 29, Rip Hamilton 25/26 all in their 20s. The Lakers were old, Horace Grant was 38 and Rick Fox was 34 along with a weak Lakers bench. Sure on paper it was 4 future HOFamers, but only 2 were in their prime. The Lakers didn't have much else, besides Fisher at 29.No doubt. But even so, the Lakers had 4 future HoF players, Kobe and Shaq in or near prime, plus Horace Grant and Byron Russel off the bench. The Pistons? Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, an old Rasheed Wallace, and Chauncey Billups, along with such blue chippers like Antonio McDyess and Mehmet Okur. On paper, even accounting for their age, the Lakers should have won in a cakewalk. Don't underestimate the importance of chemistry & ditch diggers.
No doubt. But even so, the Lakers had 4 future HoF players, Kobe and Shaq in or near prime, plus Horace Grant and Byron Russel off the bench. The Pistons? Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, an old Rasheed Wallace, and Chauncey Billups, along with such blue chippers like Antonio McDyess and Mehmet Okur. On paper, even accounting for their age, the Lakers should have won in a cakewalk. Don't underestimate the importance of chemistry & ditch diggers.
The Fab Five reached the finals as Freshmen and Sophomores. They lost to a DUKE team with Christian Laettner and Grant Hill. The following year they lost to UNC with 10 upperclassmen. Thanks for proving my point the more talent you the higher probability of winning.Hey, ya'll remember how it all worked out for Jalen, Ray, Juwan, Jimmy, and Chris? They were phenomenal......so fun to watch. But no ditch diggers, and no rings.
If we're talking basketball, some of the best ditch diggers ever were Rambis, Bowen and Oakley. The ultimate ditch digger of my era was Rodman. If you come across some old Piston or Bulls footage you'll realize how great that guy was. Props to Phil and Chuck Daly for coaching that guy up to legend status.
My daughter's favorite player of all time is Puyol. That guy knew how to dig a ditch. There's a game where I remember he cut his forehead open. He had to come off the field to get it bandaged up. He's sitting on the bench fussing with it, and fiddling with it like an 8 year old. At the first opportunity he comes running back on the field, straight into another contested header. The bandage flies off and he just keeps going...... He made Barcelona better....