48 Hours: The Arizona basketball official visit version
While Sean Miller was sinking putts at the Arizona Biltmore Country Club on Friday, his recruit Kevin Parrom was letting the atmosphere of McKale Center sink in during his official visit.
Miller tended to his obligations as the new UA basketball coach by attending and playing in the UA Phoenix Alumni Scholarship Golf Classic. He immediately returned to Tucson afterward to check on the status of Parrom’s visit. Also in town Friday was Class of 2009 signee Kyryl Natyazhko, a 6-10 post player from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
Parrom, a 6-6 combo guard-forward from South Kent (Conn.) Prep by way of Bronx, New York, and Natyazhko are visiting Tucson for the first time.
Fellow recruit Solomon Hill, a 6-6 wing player from Fairfax (Calif.) High School, confirmed last night that he will be in Tucson on Saturday to hang out with his future teammates, including among them Parrom, he hopes.
One of the more respected McKale Center staffers, Ryan Hansen, gave us a brief breakdown of what a recruit such as Parrom will do in his 48 hours on and around the UA campus. This is it in a nutshell:
- Meetings with the coaches, an academic counselor, strength and conditioning coach, and other McKale staffers.
- Tour of the campus, McKale Center & Richard Jefferson Gymnasium.
- Meals with the coaching staff.
- Pick-up games with the current team.
- Off-court time with the team.
“It ends up being a pretty quick trip before it is all said and done,” said Hansen, who is in his ninth year as a UA athletic administrator, the first eight of them as the coordinator of basketball operations. He currently is the athletic department’s business development manager.
Just an aside … Hansen also doubles as the UA’s radio color commentator teaming with play-by-play man Brian Jeffries. If you want more insight on UA basketball than anywhere else, listen to a UA game with Hansen doing the color. Turn down the volume on Dan Belluomoni and listen to somebody who has done his homework.
Getting to know you, getting to know all about you … The part about the pickup games with current players is the most intriguing aspect of the visit, in my opinion. That can give Parrom a feel for how he could fit into the UA’s talent pool. He also talked recently about how important it is to him what the relationships are within a team.
He wants to make sure the program he decides is like family before making the final decision, which will come down to Pitt and Arizona, potentially by Tuesday.
Getting Fogg out of the fog. It was suggested here that Parrom could start ahead of sophomore-to-be Kyle Fogg and a number of bloggers voiced their strong opinion that Fogg will not relinquish the starting off-guard role easily. Parrom’s inclusion would not only be the best thing for the Wildcats, but also for Fogg.
Hopefully Fogg realizes that competition will improve his skills. By the end of this season, it appeared that Fogg hit a plateau (by mid-February) because, frankly, he knew his spot on the roster was secure without a threat. He looked like a lock for the Pac-10′s all-freshman team in late January, but he wound up as only an honorable mention selection.
After scoring 73 points in the UA’s seven-game winning streak between January and February, Fogg disappeared, scoring in double figures only twice. He failed to score in a couple of games. You can argue that Pac-10 coaches solved Fogg’s contribution in the second half of the conference season, but the lack of being pushed by the coaching staff and his teammates also had something to do with it.
Imagine how he could have improved had he faced stiff competition every day in practice, like he will starting next season, especially if Parrom signs with the UA.
Fogg, who was not heavily recruited out of high school, will hopefully continue his strong work ethic and not give in to the belief that if he sticks around, he will get lost behind Miller’s recruits. That will be a cop out.
One last thought: If Parrom’s major concern is playing far away from home, what will he do if he is good enough to play at the next level? Players can’t choose where they will play in the NBA. Many of them are forced to play professionally overseas to earn a paycheck. What better time to mature away from home, in what could be the start of a long basketball career in the NBA or elsewhere, than when you attend college?
Tags: Kyle Fogg, Natyazhko, Parrom, Sean Miller, Solomon Hill
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May 1st, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Great article Javier!
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:11 AM
From the time Parrom’s plane touched down to the moment he reboards the plane, this would be excellent reality TV.
I know it’s the NCAAA were talking about here, Javier, but what’s to keep a student run TV production crew, or a community TV outfit, from documenting Parrom’s visit in such a way?
Can it be done and be legal?
I’d watch, no doubt, as I’m sure many of us would.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:27 AM
I echo Bmac Javier, as always. You continue to do a great job.
Do you know if there is a player/host or who a recruit spends much of his time with? What is to prevent an insecure potential teammate from basically sabotaging a visit. Not everyone on the team (e.g. Fogg or even S. Hill, etc.) is deep down relishing the idea of having to compete with someone like Parrom for playing time. How is this sort of thing handled or managed by the coaching staff? Only an idealist would think that all of the players are on board with the desire to land a particular recruit. CJM, you are right that it would make for good TV.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 AM
Javy,
The article is “Real Time with Kevin Parrom”.
Today’s and yesterday KP article are RIGHT ON.
Perfect timing and informative for the Wildcat masses.
Great Job.
PS- the games with the current and former players should leave a good impression.
I would like someone to video Arizona’s-Miller First 100 days as head coach.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:33 AM
The whole playing time arguement is overblown. The fact is if you want to win a Championship you better be willing to share minutes. Look at UNC. They have McD’s all americans that don’t see the floor for 20mins. The fact is…if you are developing…all is well. What is the best way to develop? Play againt solid competition every day. Challenge yourself. I think these kids understand that. They shouldn’t worry about playing time. The NBA is very good at evaluating talent…whether you play 40 minutes or 18. Heck…a few years ago they were plucking kids from HS.
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:32 AM
Great article, as always, Javier!
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:18 AM
Javy good questions about Parrom playing far away from home IF he makes it to the LEAGUE later in his career. However, there is a difference between being 18 and leaving home and being 23 and graduating college and getting a million dollar paycheck every year. if he makes the league he can just buy his own private Jet and fly wherever he wants.
But you make a good point.
Frankly I think Parrom will take Pitt because its close to home, LETS HOPE I AM WRONG, we need this kid badly.
I am always pessimistic because you are either always proven right or pleasantly suprised. Cant go wrong.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:20 AM
I have heard ZANE was quite the ladies man on campus so maybe Parrom can take over the flock of hotties Zane has left behind.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:11 AM
“I am always pessimistic because you are either always proven right or pleasantly suprised. Cant go wrong.”
I like that line, well said!
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:51 AM
I’m not saying that Parrom is a “lock” for UA but I definitely think that we have some advantages over Pitt. He is very familiar with the staff and has already committed once to them. We have made it known that we really want/need him to be a part of the program, while Pitt has 1 more scholarship left and 2 guys vying for it – and it appears that Parrom is the “fallback” for them in this case. We can offer immediate playing time and he may even be able to land a starting position, something that could take a while to get at Pitt. The biggest disadvantage that we have is location. If he can get over this then I think we’ve got our 3rd recruit of ’09. I also really like the fact that Kryrl and Hill are there this weekend, could bode really well for building team chemistry. Hopefully we’ll hear something by mid week.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 AM
bret
any arizona basketball player will be quite the ladies man no matter if its isaiah fox or luke walton
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:08 AM
May 2, 2009
Sean Miller settling in at Arizona
Associated Press
Related Links:
http://arizona.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=974&CID=941747
Talk about it in Premium Hoops Suite: Inside McKale
TUCSON, Ariz. – Sean Miller has moved into Lute Olson’s McKale Center office-sort of.
Associated Press
Sean Miller has been at Arizona for a little less than a month.
The walls and shelves are bare, and the only signs that the room is occupied are the paper-covered desk, a laptop computer and a cup of takeout coffee.
“It may be like this for a while,” Miller said during an interview with The Associated Press this week. “When you do something, you also want to do it right. Sometimes you have to be a little patient.”
The same can be said for the job Miller undertook last month when he left Xavier to become the permanent successor to Olson, the legendary former coach who suddenly retired in October.
Arizona is no longer among the national elite, but it’s hardly a rebuilding job. The Wildcats in March reached the NCAA tournament for the 25th straight time, the nation’s longest active streak and two shy of North Carolina’s record run of 27 straight appearances 1975-2001.
Arizona may have been the last team into the tourney field, but the 12th-seeded Wildcats made a surprising run to the third round.
The bad news is that two of the Wildcats’ best players-forwards Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger-are headed to the NBA, and a third-point guard Nic Wise-may join them.
That’s where patience comes in. It’s also why Miller has spent little time in his cozy office on a concourse above the arena floor. He’s been out trying to round up recruits.
The Wildcats have signed two players since Miller was hired-touted forward Solomon Hill from Los Angeles’ Fairfax High School and 7-foot center Kyryl Natyazhko of Florida’s IMG Academy. Miller beat out Arizona State and Herb Sendek, his former boss at Miami of Ohio, for Natyazhko.
Miller has lost guard Zane Johnson of Phoenix, who has announced that he will transfer out of the program.
Miller hasn’t spent much time in Tucson, but he likes what he’s seen of the relentlessly sunny weather.
“It’s a change of life,” said Miller, decked out in polo shirt, khaki shorts and sneakers. “It is the most amazing transition. I can’t explain it to you. At first, I felt strange in the morning because of the brightness of the sun.”
The desert might seem a strange landing spot for a Pennsylvania gym rat whose father, John, was one of the state’s winningest high school coaches. But Miller wanted to be a top-level college coach for as long as he can remember, and he didn’t have a specific destination in mind.
“I always hoped that I would have an opportunity to be at a place that can win the national championship, and to try to do the best I can at that program,” Miller said. “Where that program would be, or which one it was, that really wasn’t important to me.”
It happened to be Arizona, which spent the last year looking for a permanent successor to Olson, who went 589-187 here, leading the Wildcats to the 1997 national championship and four Final Fours, most recently in 2001. Before landing Miller, the Wildcats had an ill-fated courtship with Tim Floyd, who decided to stay at Southern California.
Miller put together an impressive resume in five seasons at Xavier. He compiled a 120-47 record and took four teams to the NCAA tournament, and in 2008 the Musketeers advanced to the Elite Eight.
Arizona lured the 40-year-old Miller to Tucson from Xavier with a five-year contract that pays him a base salary of $2 million per year plus a $1 million signing bonus.
In some ways, the Western Pennsylvania-bred Miller is the opposite of the silver-haired Olson, who was as familiar as the craggy mountains that ring the city.
But like Olson, Miller is a devout believer in up-tempo basketball, man-to-man defense and point guards-especially point guards. As a former star point guard at Pittsburgh, Miller seems to be the perfect fit at a program known for producing stars at the position.
Miller is hoping to hold onto his best point guard-Wise, who has declared himself eligible for the NBA draft but has yet to hire an agent, allowing him to return for his senior season.
“I hope, for Nic, that he makes the decision based on what’s best for him,” Miller said. “As opposed to, I’ve gone through a lot, it’s time to move on.”
On the court, Miller’s transition figures to be much smoother if Wise returns. But Miller knows that much of his work in the next year will come off the court, as he tries to restore stability to a program rocked by change in the last two seasons.
“That’s the highest-level priority,” Miller said.
Arizona has had three coaches in the last three years-Olson and interims Kevin O’Neill and Russ Pennell. O’Neill took over when Olson went on a personal leave of absence in the 2007-2008 season and Pennell coached Arizona last season after Olson retired.
Although he hasn’t spent much time in Tucson since taking the job, Miller said he senses the Wildcats’ rabid supporters want him to succeed-and stick around.
“I underestimated the passion of Tucson for our program,” he said. “I cannot believe how much it means to people here-which I know can be both good and bad.
“Where I’m at right now is a great challenge,” Miller said. “But it’s also a dream come true. And hopefully I can be here for a long time.”
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:11 AM
Last line and quote by Miller(time):
“Where I’m at right now is a great challenge,” Miller said. “But it’s also a dream come true. And hopefully I can be here for a long time.”
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Um, no longer along the national elite? I beg to differ…we will see in a couple year just how elite the program is.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 AM
I hate to say it but this article, like the rest, provide little if any insight and leaves much to be desired. Sorry but I am not part of the “let’s fellate Javy” bandwagon. This guy simply is not very good. I do respect his desire, however, even if the talent is lacking.
Yes, he has some sources that the average person does not have, but his writing and subject matter lacks talent and creativity. All the info he provides is easily found on other sites and blogs, a lot is common sense, and much is boilerplate, replicated stories. Personally, I tend to ignore the article and always head to the comments, the true meat of this site.
The nice part about this site are the comments, where a reader can get myriad number of diverse opinions and thinking. Javy is a tad better than your average college paper wannabe writer, but well below a professional newspaper sportsbeat writer.
His one last thought section betrays poor thinking. The kid is eighteen, not a grown man. You can’t compare his maturity today to that of a 22 year old. It takes a very strong minded and willed individual to play so far from home. Why do you hardly see kids from the east coast play out west and vice versa? Look at Famous, he is 20 years old, presumably more mature, and could not pull the trigger to play out west. Parrom is from the Bronx, a world away from Tucson, in many, many different ways. He is simply not at the maturity/mental develepment now that he will be at 22. Come on, Javy.
Sorry, someone had to say it. Flame away. Having said that, hope Parrom enjoys his visit enough to sign next week. If he signs, it will say more about his mental toughness than anything else.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Michael, if you argue the point, then why do we have to wait a couple years?
No loves the UA more than I do, but comapred to the past, we are not where we should be.
Our future is very bright!
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:29 AM
ummm Mr. Unfiltered
Javier Morales, 41, is a former Arizona Daily Star reporter of more than 13 years
so ummm Javy is an ex-pro, but still a pro.
where are youre credentials unfiltered?
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Arizona-Miller : First 100 Days…
The national audience and Wildcat Nation will be looking at Miller’s – First 100 Days.
Most believe that the First 100 days ,of a new adminstration, such as Miller’s will define the character and continued success of the UofA basketball program.
The actions and decisions made by Arizona-Miller have one goal in mind.
“I always hoped that I would have an opportunity to be at a place that can win the national championship, and to try to do the best I can at that program,” Miller said.
Miller’s Present Focus:
“That’s the highest-level priority,” Miller said.
Miller’s work in the next year will come off the court, as he tries to restore stability to a program rocked by change in the last two seasons.
The recruiting calander:
Due to the timeframe, Miller and company -bulk of his early hours have been spent on the road as he searches for the next crop of players to wear Arizona uniforms.
He has signed just two players so fars — ESPNU 100 prospects Solomon Hill and Kyryl Natyazhko.
And Book Richardson said,”I would think we could get one more, possibly two more, but it would have to make sense….and make sure the players are “Arizona Good”.
Miller said. “I don’t know if there’s five players in the United States in the class of 2009 that are ‘Arizona’ good.”
Recruit Three – can be Kevin Parrom and is in Tucson, 5/1/09, for his UofA visit.
……There is more ;but, you get the idea.
What else have you notice/impression of Miller?….so far
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Good stuff Javier. Thanks!
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:50 AM
Unfiltered=Josh Gershon
check the ip address…
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:53 AM
unfiltered is just jealous that he isnt Javy. Get a life dude rather then bashing someone for no reason at all. keep your negative comments to yourself but if you want to talk about arizona basketball then do it.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:08 AM
JC,
You got it.
Josh is feeling the pressure.
Dude, the viewing traffic is off the charts.
Javy, has East Coast viewers…flocking to this site.
Almost about to go National. (Even, the LA times is reading Javy.)
You have reader waiting for Javy next article.
Post Kevin P visit comments.
But, get some PICs of the visit.
(Better yet, web cam the practice games.)
This will BLOW UP the site…..
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Coach Olson always believed that players improved in practice, competing against other high caliber players. The fact that some of our guys have plateaued the last few years has to do with the fact that our depth has been severely lacking.
As far as unfliltered’s comments, I disagree. I remember Javier Morales as a good writer and reporter for UA sports. This site has proven that he hasn’t lost a step, even though he’s moved away. This is a blog site, not espn.com or sportsline.com or even azstarnet.com. I like this site because there are articles on UA basketball, everyday. I can get my Wildcat fix everyday, without having to be a rivals subscriber, espn insider, or any other pay to play site. Even the Daily Star doesn’t offer Wildcat hoops every day.
If unfiltered doesn’t like Javier’s writing style, I am sure he will have no problem skipping to the comments section. If unfiltered believes himself to be a better writer, or knows of a better site related to UA hoops, I am all ears. This site has been a long time coming. It’s informative, fresh, up to date, and most importantly, FREE. I don’t think the pay sites have that much more to offer that I would be willing to part with 10 bucks a month.
My only suggestion would be some sort of name change, reflecting both recruiting and the current and future state of Wildcat hoops.
Soapbox is now vacant.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Paul, I’m just saying the program is still elite. Making the sweet 16 in a down year proves it. In a couple yrs no one will be able argue its elite, that was my point.
Just b/c the program is down from the glory days doesn’t mean its no longer elite, that’s all.
Unfiltered, no need to be so critical.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:28 AM
well said, barry.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:30 AM
How many thumbs down would you expect unfiltered to have by the end of the day?
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Unfilter is just upset.
He got scoped on the Kevin P .
Yes, uofahoops called the visit.
Even had the schedule of Pitt and then Arizona.
And then a second scope….
Lance-A-Lot does show interest in Arizona.
And the decision will be made soon.
The 2010 recruit will be next big story.
The two most obvious recruits to sign will be …..
……..
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Michael,
I am trying to be cautious wiht my words, so I don’t sound like a wildcat hater, but a pac10 record of 8-10 followed by a record of 9-9 is not what I call elite
“When you’re a cat, you’re a cat ’til you die”
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:48 AM
I can not find the WEB cam site….
It is suppose to show the Kevin P practice games.
Anyone?
–
I just read that the KEVIN Parrom visit may be Web Cam?
At least the practice games….that would be great for the Arizona fans across the nation.
———
“If anyone is interested….KEVIN Parron visit to ARIZONA.
I believe Kevin P is visiting Arizona today.
As part of the visit….he is having same games with the team and Former Player (NBA players).
This should be fun to watch LIVE.
People are trying to get the WEB cam in …”
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Unfiltered Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 am
I hate to say it but this article, like the rest, provide little if any insight and leaves much to be desired. Sorry but I am not part of the “let’s fellate Javy” bandwagon. This guy simply is not very good. I do respect his desire, however, even if the talent is lacking.
————————-
Much ado about nothing baby. Much ado about nada. LOL
UNFILTERED is a TROLLER from the “azstarnet Wildcat hoops blog,” and he and SOME of his henchmen over at the “azstarnet Arizona hoops blog” are obviously ENVIOUS of all the action UAHOOPS COACH is generating.
Matter of fact, ever since UAHOOPSCOACH became an absolute reality, most, but not all, of the clan over at that azstarnet Wildcat hoops blog cite “borrowed” pertinent info about Arizona hoops, which Javier M and some posters (NYCTarHeel and Jessie, for instance. ) on this site came up with first, and “later” conveniently tried to pass off as their “original scoop.” Go figure.
Now, Buddha would crudely call him out like Buddha use to do at the azstarnet cite, but Buddha, Jr. has seen the light-LMFAO, and will no longer speak the “franca lingua that some”, but not all, of the regular posters at that azstarnet Wildcat hoops cite partake in.
Nevertheless, Buddha, Jr. give UNFILTERED mega kudos for not primitively “calling out” Javier M and the frequent posters in this here Arizona Wildcat forum. The PREMIEUR Wildcat hoops blog of all the Arizona blog cafes!
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:56 AM
“Born Ready” Episode 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfrJRmGgW7Y&feature=related
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:57 AM
JW:
You’re killing me. You bounce back and forth from this site and zagsblog spreading rumors. You quote USC.trojan, USC.trojan quotes you. It’s dizzying.
I do appreciate your enthusiasm, but if you have a source, can you just come out and say who it is? Just don’t quote USC.trojan.
And unfiltered:
Really? The “let’s fellate Javy” bandwagon? Can you be cruder? If you feel you are better, start your own site. Don’t hate on someone else. That’s just sour grapes.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Paul, let’s agree to disagree.
I still think Indiana is elite even after last year. Same idea. I look at the big picture, not one or two yrs.
Do you think Sean Miller, with his great situation and returning team at Xavier, would leave for just any job?
I see your point but I don’t by a couple years.UNC lost 20 games in its down yrs but it was still elite.
Anyway, just MY opinion
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 AM
michael Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:57 am
Paul, let’s agree to disagree.
I still think Indiana is elite even after last year. Same idea. I look at the big picture, not one or two yrs.
Do you think Sean Miller, with his great situation and returning team at Xavier, would leave for just any job?
I see your point but I don’t by a couple years.UNC lost 20 games in its down yrs but it was still elite.
Anyway, just MY opinion
—————————————–
Baby Indiana hasn’t been an “elite” major college hoopdom program since the end of the first term of Slick Willie’s days in the Oval office.
I mean when was the last time the Who-siers played in an Elite-8 game, let alone a Final Four.
And when was the last time they had a 1st Round N.B.A draft choice, for instance.
Buddha’s thinking you have some sort of “affinity” for smalltown hoops vis-a-vis the Indiana “Who-siers.”
Yes, yes. Indiana trumps Arizona in the number of N.C.A.A championships, however, since the ’83-’83 season the Arizona Wildcats have been the relatively stronger, overall college hoopdom program than the Who-siers, i.e, conference championships, THE STREAK, Final Fours, Elite-8 appearances, Sweet-16′s, All-Americaines, 1st Team conference players, N.B.A. 1st Round choices, etc.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 AM
http://www.examiner.com/x-1089-Baltimore-Sports-Examiner~y2009m5d2-Stephenson-turns-down-St-Johns-are-Terps-next
Stephenson-turns-down-St-Johns-are-Terps-next
St. Johns, KU, MD, are out, Memphis, Lance doesnt seem to want Memphis, right now. Which leads to this quote by:
from the Baltimore Examiner (It seems like Arizona may now be in the lead to land him,)
insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recrui…26season%3d2009
It looks like we are the only school on ESPN’s list that hasn’t been eliminated.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Frank:
Do you have the web cam link?
Unfilter:
Good to share you opinion. I just don’t agree with it.
How do you like publishing? Too,too busy.
Note:
I believe USC can be one of two people.
Both work at the USC athletic office.
And were involved with the Floyd interview at the UofA.
One of them went to the UofA….
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:27 AM
unfiltered-
i don’t know what is more pathetic:
offering criticism and backing it up with total generalizations that are completely irrelevant to this type of writing… creativity? are you kidding me? this is a dialogue about sports — not fiction, non-fiction, or philosophy, (among other forms), that should be judged for creativity. i log onto this site for the latest info — not creative writing.
or…
you projecting yourself as some elite critic and foreshadowing your disposition with your username: “unfiltered”. now that is PATHETIC!
and by the way…
the difference between a kid who is 18 and 22 has more to do with the paycheck that they get at the NBA level, or euro league, than maturity. i assure you every kid would play away from home if academic institutions paid athletes to play for their programs.
do us all a favor — click on the stupidity filter on your computer before you try and post any more witty criticism..
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Buddha, Indiana was in the title game in 2002 I believe, fyi. I’m pretty sure Slick Willie’s first term ended in 1996.
To answer your question regarding IU’s last first-round pick, 2008, Eric Gordon.
I have no affinity for IU or small town hoops. I just look at a broader scale when I think of elite teams in college hoops, or football for that matter.
Still love your posts though.
UNC, thanks for the post. You always seem to find some scoop.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:38 AM
JW:
No I do not have the WEB cam link…
(You crack me up!)
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Sorry to disappoint, but I am not Gershon, nor do I ever post on goazcats, nor do I ever frequent the azstarnet blog. I would never pay for premium, which seem like a scam to make money, more than anything else. Goazcats, while containing some good info on the message boards, gets saturated with so much bs, pissing contests and useless drivel that filtering anything useful is oftentimes hard to do. The immaturity of some people, especially the “old guard” posters, is breathtaking.
The board here offers a glimmer of hope, good commentary and opinion, nice links and info, etc… My criticism, and that is all it is, reflects my opinion based on years of reading good writers all over the nation. And sorry, sports writing for the Star, or the Citizen, is not a badge of honor. Tucson is many great things, but sportwriting is not one of them.
America’s bottomdweller sports reporters, teevee and newspapers included, call this city home. The market and size of the city dictate this truth. Those that linger here for a while, like many of those at the Star and Citizen, stay because no better market or opportunity presents itself. If their talent opened better opportunities, you know they would take it in a hurry. Have you seen the class of teevee sports reporters on channel 4, 9 and thirteen? My God, talk about lack of talent.
This is no knockdown of Tucson, which I love dearly, just its talent pool of sports reporters. It really is a shame, we deserve better. Flame on, but I merely write the truth. Mediocrity is alive and well in the Old Pueblo, regarding sports and news reporters. The Star is a small town newspaper stuck in a mid size, secondary market city that continues to grow. They have failed to evolve their talent and mentality along with the exponential growth of the city. They still live in the Tucson of the 60′s and 70′s.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:49 AM
“…Sorry, someone had to say it. Flame away. Having said that, hope Parrom enjoys his visit enough to sign next week. If he signs, it will say more about his mental toughness than anything else…”
There.
Right there at the very end where “unfiltered” talks about Parrom’s mental toughness.
So unfiltered, you can do this and it’s all good but when Javier does it it’s incomplete, it’s unprofessional, it’s being too hard on an 18 year old when one should reserve such judgement for a 22 year old instead?
I could take this personally because you’ve made it personal by your act first, think not actions.
But I could also take it personally – and I think I will now – because Javier’s someone who’s very close to me.
He’s my brother.
And let me tell you, it’s only those who truly know Javier and care about Javier that refer to Javier as “Javy”.
So which is it because I’m mystified by your two-bit attack?
Are you part of that group – and you know who you are – who are bent on sabotaging his work, his hard-earned place with this popular website and other things he’s done or is doing professionally – the right way?
Let me tell you, he doesn’t need the aggravation and long hours putting this beautiful site together requires.
Believe me, he has plenty of other responsibilities at work at school and at home with his beautiful child that he spends more than enough time at without then doing UAHOOPSCOACH so timely, so informatively, so cutting edge-like for the likes of you, me and others to then be able to enjoy it like we do so much.
Cut the crap, unfiltered, or go elsewhere.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Unfiltered:
Ok, you are not Josh or associated with AzGatos.
Not buying it.
But, irrespective, your opinions are yours.
Put more substance in your responses.
Note:
It appears that AdamZago knows the usc guy.
They talked when MoMo was in LA.
Guess,that makes them buddies or something.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Unfiltered, I do not have a clue what are you talking about. I have found this site to be informative, inspirational, and even therapeutic when Livingood was screwing it up. Javier is bright and writes very well which is not evident from your writing. If you have some information that others do not have please share it with us. But it is rather easy to be a negative person like youself rather than providing something positive to the wildcats fans. Do you have any insight on the status of Lance? I am dying to hear about it.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Where did the thumbs-up/thumbs-down go? I’m sure @Unfiltered would have gotten lit up more than @JesseWildcat normally does!
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:11 AM
I get excite when I see new posts, and today, they are just about ANOTHER whiny guy and people who dont like what he has to say. I cant speak for him, but I am sure the proprietor of this establishment has heard it all before, and really could care less. I feel as if he probably does not need defenders, his work here speaks for itself.
As far as that unfiltered person goes, some people can only get attention by being contrary. Just like a crying 5 year old, if you stop paying him attention, he will go away.
Please, resume filling the comments sections with news…I would prefer something like “arizona signs Parrom and Stephenson in one crazy weekend”
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:17 AM
unfiltered — if you think your criticism is so poignant — then you should post some links to articles that you consider “great writing”. and i would love to hear your critique of them.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 AM
good point andrew — i will leave it at that.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Let’s talk about something else.
Did anyone watch the youtube link (thanks ChiCat) about life with the Stephenson’s? I am not quite sure what to think about what I watched. I am sure that if all of the UA recruits over the last 20 years had digital video cameras, a usb cable, and the internet, there would have plenty to dissect and criticize. But they didn’t, so I am left to wonder about Lance….
Listening to Lance and watching his family, girlifriend, baby brother makes me wonder if he’d be able to leave all that behind him and travel 2k miles to itty bitty Tucson, Arizona. It seems that we have too much information on our recruits nowadays.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Andrew Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:11 am
Please, resume filling the comments sections with news…I would prefer something like “arizona signs Parrom and Stephenson in one crazy weekend”
——————————-
Seeing that the annual first Saturday of May indicates the Run for the Red Roses, Buddha, Jr. will go on record, and give 7:2 odds that Miller and Book Richardson will book a flight for Born Ready’s field trip to the Old Pueblo.
So, by the middle of next week look for one or all of the quartet of Javier M, zagsblog, TarHeel-n-NYC or Jessie to break the news first, baby.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Let’s not get paranoid here. I am not Gershon, nor am I one of those trying to sabotage his work, whatever that means. If he has enemies or people trying to sabotage him, I am not them. That is not my concern. I appreciate his efforts to start this blog but let’s be honest, it’s a blog, nothing more. One of millions. Its one month traffic ranking on Alexa is 1,336,165. Few people frequent it outside the 30-40 diehard fans. It is great that there is another competitor to the rivals and scout message boards, I was simply pointing out my opinion. The articles could improve, is all.
And anyone that does not think creativity is part of sport writing has no business talking about it. Writing is 80 percent creativity (which includes so many different talents such as research, people skills, logic, intuition, analytical skills, etc), 20 percent writing style and organization.
Having said that, my opinion on Lance is that he is, and will turn out to be a cancer on a very young team and that we therefore do not need his services. The short term potential is vastly outweighed by the long term success to come. His one and done attitude is exactly what we don’t need, and exactly the UA got itself out of perennial top ten program contention. The last five or six years have brought us many cancers, and look what happened. Lute lost an edge in recruiting and talent evaluation and settled for cancers that helped eat away at the program. We won for many years without these premadonnas, we can win many, many games without them.
Lance is molded from the same bread as our previous cancers. I am more than willing to enjoy next year, and not make the tournament, than to have chemistry issues and infighting next year destroy Miller’s first team. Parrom is a better long term get, one who will surely contribute tremendously beyond a one year star full of me-first attitude.
Think long term, people, and don’t get blinded by this incredible need to make the tournament one more year in a row. Many of you see the forest but not the trees. When even Kentucky turns down Lance, you know there are problems. Stop being greedy, be sure in the belief that Miller will take us to the promised land. Next year will be a blast without Lance, with the team probably doing better without him.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:29 AM
If Stephenson does commit to UA, does he plan on bringing his family with him? They seem like a pretty close knit family
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:37 AM
” Many of you see the forest but not the trees”
unfiltered — you are right. nice piece of creative writing here.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Stephenson could bring the pope with him for all I care, as long as comes here!
Even if Lance is a one-and-done player, that would be fine with me. I still say he just might be the next Kevin Durant
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:41 AM
according to this report Arizona is in the lead to land Lance. “AT THIS POINT ARIZONA IS IN THE LEAD TO LAND HIM (LANCE) but things could change at any moment with this guy.”
http://www.examiner.com/x-1089-Baltimore-Sports-Examiner~y2009m5d2-Stephenson-turns-down-St-Johns-are-Terps-next
Quote from the Balt. Examiner:
“Stephenson turns down St. John’s, are Terps next?”
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=43501&season=2009&action=login&appRedirect=http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player%3frecruitId%3d43501%26season%3d2009
or http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?sport=2&pr_key=41972
According to ESPN/RIVALS list of Lance final teams, Arizona is the only team left that hasnt been eliminated (memphis is not on the list, lance is not be interested in memphis AT THIS POINT)
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Javier:
Who is the best point guard left for 2010? Thanks!
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:44 AM
my thoughts are…..the value for Born Ready (besides having a pretty kick ass nickname) is not necessarily what he might contribute next year….its the collateral cache that having a Top 10 player from NYC coming to Arizona would bring….as hard as it is for me to admit, we had become a little more regional in our recruiting….I think Shakur was our last big east coast prospect. merely opening that door again, after less than a month on the job, with a player who couldnt find Tucson on a map a month ago (hell, maybe he still cant) would make news. the houston and seattle pipelines were nice…but it will be nice if we can pick from the entire country, rather than just texas and the west coast
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Nic Wise is in town with, Lavender, Jamelle and Fogg, and others which are probably trainers.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 AM
additionally, who knows how kids will adjust when they get out here, and whether they will be cancers or not. he seems to come from the same area as Khalid, and as I recall, he has a few rough patches, but its what he does on the court, not now much he likes tucson. who even knows if he would be a one and done…Budinger was supposed to be out after a year, and we got three
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Twitter is blocked for me while at work, so let me know if Nic posts anything today lol
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Stephenson now looking at Arizona
http://www.examiner.com/x-1089-Baltimore-Sports-Examiner~y2009m4d30-Stephenson-now-looking-at-Arizona
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:55 AM
I think this is a great site and Javier writes very well. But his brother does not.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:56 AM
What can you say about someone who spends his time comparing hits to sites and then goes on and on about what makes a good story, a good story writer, a good blog?
Javier never passed himself off as a Pullitzer Prize-winning author.
And I’m sure he didn’t go into this thing with the idea of competing with worldwide blogs, or any blogs, for blogger supremacy.
I will take issue with your criticisms, unfiltered, of Javier’s writing content and style.
His command of the facts, his ability to get the story from people telling the story, from people who are the story, for that matter, is right up there with some of the best.
His is a young and growing site.
You made it here to read it and now criticize it, which is fine.
But you would’ve never even heard of it to come to it if it wasn’t worth reading it in the first place.
And now you’re here again, right, going straight to the comment section.
Uh-huh.
You’re gonna have to do bette than that to convince me you’re not who I think – no, who I know – you are.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Javier, keep up the great work! I am an Arizona native who has lived out of the state for some time, and who, like many, has returned and is very happy. Your work is amazing. You can’t please everybody. Sure glad that you don’t try. Keep writing and the rest of us faithful will continue to read and post. I have nearly stopped going to ESPN.com and AZSTARNET completely because of you, and can certainly see a motive in this sense to sabotage your work.
There are many in the media who have started in Tucson, left and then come back because of the way of life (Steinke, for one). Just keep it up, Javier. You have all of our support!
Go Cats!
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Hey saguaro, as long as you get the point.
Wouldn’t want you to suffer from the same affliction as unfiltered.
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Another thought…I have never had thought to criticize the writing style of Javier. I think that I, like most of us, are more interested in the pure stream of information the flows from this site. this is the site that 95% of the time is reporting on things first. The other five percent of the time, it is brought here by one of us.
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Unfiltered,
You go against recruiting Stephenson by writing: “When even Kentucky turns down Lance, you know there are problems” which is not a very powerful statement. Had he been turned down by even ASU, for example, then I would get the point you’re trying to make.
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 PM
MCAT, to answer your question, the only top remaining point guards for the Class of 2009 are Bledsoe and Wall, both of whom have not indicated that Arizona is a major player in their decision. …. As far as Unfiltered is concerned, I appreciate the fact that he apparently visits this site often. I take issue with his assessment about Tucson journalists, because I believe Tucson is well represented in that regard with Greg Hansen, Anthony Gimino, Bruce Pascoe, the Finley brothers, John Moredich and Steve Rivera, but he’s entitled to his opinion as long as it’s professional, clean and constructive. I won’t address any personal criticism directed toward me, because this site is not about me — not at all — so I will only respond to my comment about Parrom playing far from home.
While I understand the thought process of an 18-year-old is different than one who is 22, Parrom is far from the norm with that argument. He is by no means isolated in New York City. He has been exposed to travel and different ways of life in his basketball pursuits, including a move to a rural Connecticut town to attend a college prepatory school. All I was saying is if he wants to prepare himself for life away from home, thousands of miles away, to continue his basketball career, why not start in college? I am not Kevin Parrom. I don’t know what’s going through his head. He may have stronger bonds to his home than I realize. It was just an assessment on my part.
Thank you for reading this blog, Unfiltered, that’s all I have to say at this point.
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Hard to tell Unfiltered’s true motivation with the cheap shots at Javier and Tucson writers. Isn’t anonymity wonderful?
I totally disagree with his assessment that Tucson writers only stay there because they can’t get a better job. Does anyone think that Lute Olson stayed in Tucson for the same reason? Lots of factors play into one’s choice of employer.
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 PM
I think I am like most of the readers of the site. I have been a loyal supporter of anything that has to with Arizona athletics for a long time. I am more of a “reader” than contributor. Javier has, through this site, expanded my knowledge, tweaked my curiosity and made me an even more rabid U of A fan than I was before. The comments are intuitive, funny at times and dripping with red and blue and I for one love it!! Thanks, Javier!
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Unfiltered said:
“Think long term, people, and don’t get blinded by this incredible need to make the tournament one more year in a row. Many of you see the forest but not the trees.”
I didn’t think I would make any more comments in regards to unfiltered’s need for attention and apparent authority on creative writing. BUT, I had to re-read the point he was trying to make in regards to Lance Stephenson.
Based on your above statement, wouldn’t we be looking at the trees, not the forest? Meaning if I am not looking long term, I am only seeing what’s in front of me, then that would mean I am only seeing the tree. If I am looking long term, then I see everything, and that would mean I see the forest.
You know, when you criticize someone’s writing style, but then you misuse that common phrase, what does that say about your writing style?
I’m sorry to digress (apologies to Javier and posters) – but how can someone so blatantly critical of another’s writing misuse that simple phrase?
BTW, great links NYC Tar Heel…
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Unfiltered is a scummie incognito.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:06 PM
unfiltered,
congratulations, you’ve partially succeeded in diverting attention from the article onto yourself. PAT, PAT.
BUT, having read thousands of sports articles and having viewed another million of sports castings thruout the world, all in various languages, i fail to see the overwhelming talent you allude to that exists in the media havens. from west to east — AZ republic, phx TV, LA times, LA tv, seattle, dallas, boston, NYC, atlanta, mexico city, athens, peking, tokyo… where exactly are these marvels that have escalated the ladder of your worship? please assist me in this search with your undying prowess.
the charles dickens of sports in nonexistent and i don’t think i’ll ever experience the pant wetting sports reading or viewing you have.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:11 PM
I guess if i had to pick a “Charles Dickens” of sport, I would go with TMQ
The writers name slipps my mind at presnet, but ESPN’s Tuesday Morning Quarterback, is always good reading.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:11 PM
….that is only my opinion
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Frank,
THAT IS CLASSIC! and so true in your evaluation of “unfiltered’s” analogy. and this will be my last comment to UNFILTERED as well…
i think we all realize that creativity is an integral component of the writing process. the point is — i visit this site because i am interested in the information that Javier posts, as well as, the dialogue that is generated in this space. this site is the last place i would visit to evaluate the merits of what makes writing interesting. (nothing against your writing Javier — i think it is great, but all i care about is whether we sign parrom, or lance, or both)
ok. now i am done with UNFILTERED. i promise to move on and back to zona bball.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 PM
tarheel
the espn article on lance’s evaluation describes his game in similar fashion to james harden. the only discernable difference being harden’s left-hand only dribble drive. other than that … not b-a-d.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:42 PM
CJM, stop smoking the ganja bro, the paranoia is not letting you think straight. Hey, you are Javy’s brother, great, but that also means you are not objective by any stretch of the imagination. I, on the other hand, do not have any relationship with him, which allows me a sense of objectivity. I am calling it like I see it. I do wish him luck with the site, though the name must change. (where was the foresight?). A few bucks invested and the site takes a giant leap. A couple additional writers and who knows? And CJM, I do respect the defense of your brother. Props for that. By the way, I discovered this site when the entire coaching search was underway, through a link on goazcats. Nothing to do with the writing, however. I think during that time we were all searching for anything.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 PM
no way unfiltered is an sun devil, he writes too well. he’s probably a fired beat writer from the star.
this Stephenson stuff is getting really interesting….thanks to all that post informative links in their comments.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Lance-A-Lot will make a decision fairly soon.
The Memphis inexperienced coach is a factor for….BEING OUT.
Remember, the relocation does take time.
So, they will have to make a decision soon in order to get things moved.
How good is UofA assistance for Relo?
I mean…beside a realtory for assisstance.
They would need more help with the move….
Miller’s contact with Relo would help them out.
(looking for good info for the Lance’s….)
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Actually, Frank, my phrase makes perfect sense since in a forest, which I said you see, there are many trees, which I said you don’t see. Lance is a cog, or a tree, of the immense forest called Wildcats Basketball. He is one very cancerous tree, capable of infecting the program, hence all the rest of the trees, which inevitably infests the entire forest.
My premise is that in bringing in a cancerous tree you infest the others. We have seen it happen over and over again since 2005-06, and look where the entire forest went in a few short years. Most of you bitched when the premadonnas messed up a season or two or three (and invariably ruined the program) but now are so blinded by extending the “streak” that you fail to see this.
If the streak is stopped, the world will not end. You start anew. It’s pure selfishness to want the streak to continue at the expense of the future. If the streak continues due to Lance, and he ruins the team, is that okay? Arizona is better than one and dones. We proved we can win with less talent, but more heart. Lance will be trouble, nothing but instability and selfishness.
So Frank, nice try, but you missed the point. Instead, you proved my point quite well. And vegasallen, come on, what a bad analogy, apples and oranges, apples and oranges.
And Javier, thanks for taking the criticism like a professional. If you simply heard nothing but positive comments all the time (which you do) you wouldn’t be able to improve as a writer. Taking criticism is part of the job description.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Unfiltered:
That’s not how you use that phrase… When you have to explain your analogy in two paragraphs that’s not a good analogy.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:18 PM
No scumdevil here. Besides being able to write coherently, I don’t have a criminal record, a mental health record, or the mentality of a meathead. I despise the scumdevils and it perturbed me so much that we have lost five in a row to them. That is when you know the program hit rock bottom, James Harden and his high school coach notwithstanding. Hopefully the bizarro world is over, and we can get back to dominating them decade after decade, thereby restoring balance to this world.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:24 PM
unfiltered, i am also concerned about “born ready” being a cancer.
I tend to not like one-and-done players but hopefully Stephenson can be more like a bayless, just play for a year with minimal incidents and leave if he wants to. I don’t know how realistic that it seeing as he an east coast playground type player (big city kid coming out west to show us a thing or two mentality).
Miller knows best, so since he’s going after him, I will say Stephenson must be a good kid, or one hell of a BS’er.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Frank,
Are you psychic now? Are you Ms Cleo? You must certainly be a mind reader, as you happen to know what I meant. Did I one time sit in your stand at the psychic fair? Is that you Madame Bafanculo? Let me tell you, that threesome you foresaw was fantastic. Many thanks, now it’s a weekly thing. By the way, are you finally showering and shaving?
I apologize, since you know what I meant and I don’t, you are completely right, of course. And explaining what I meant is perhaps a way for those of less endowed capacity to finally get what was, in fact, meant. Are you a scumdevil, by chance? I know teaching reasoning, logic and analytical skills is not a high priority there.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Frank and Unfilter….get a room.
LMAO
LANCE -A-LOT is heating up…
Have you read this…
http://www.wildcatsportsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6411
WildcatZona….
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:38 PM
jesse wildcat, i dont have membership to WildCatSportReport,
could you give me the gist of that link?
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Unfiltered:
Again, that is not how that phrase is used.
When you critique, instead of using personal attacks, ala “let’s fellate Javy,” just make your point.
You can’t even use a common phrase correctly, so you attack.
Nice.
By all means, respond with a ten paragraph retort.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Nice piece, Javier. Thanks for the regular posts.
Recent radio interview with Miller here:
http://www.accsports.com/articles/200905015265/david-glenn-chats-with-arizona-coach-sean-miller.php
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Cool Breeze=funny!
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:21 PM
I wonder if GOAZCATS.com videotaped the pickup games with parrom visit yesterday.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Frank Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Cool Breeze=funny!
—————————–
Actually it’s not funny for the simple reason that Cool Breeze aka MARKY MARK aka CARLOS has a personal vendetta towards Gregorio Hansen. Eh Marky Mark. LOL
——————————————
Frank Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Unfiltered:
That’s not how you use that phrase… When you have to explain your analogy in two paragraphs that’s not a good analogy.
————————————-
However, the above comeback is hilarious!
By the way NYCTarHeel, thanks again for giving relative credence to Buddha’s racetrack odds of Lance making a trek to Tucson.
Buddha, Jr. layed 7:2 odds that Born Ready would take in the experience of McKale Center and the Arizona campus and the academic people as well as meet the rest of the Arizona staff and possibly his future teammates.
For instance, your link above which mentioned Stephenson possibly being booked on the grand silver bird by both Miller and Book Richardson for Too-Stone.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:36 PM
You can choose to disagree with, or not like, the content of this site, but you MUST adhere to the policies of this site. One of them:
Random unwarranted comments that do not deal with the subject matter or sports in general will be closely reviewed by the editor and may be deleted
Any misuse of that will lead to your IP address being permanently blocked
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Buddha’s Song Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Frank Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Cool Breeze=funny!
—————————–
Actually it’s not funny for the simple reason that Cool Breeze aka MARKY MARK aka CARLOS has a personal vendetta towards Gregorio Hansen. Eh Marky Mark. LOL
—————————–
My bad MARCOS, Buddha’s Song mistakenly called you Carlos, and not your nombre primero. LOL
CaliCat, Buddha, Jr. lays 7:5 odds that GOAZCATS filmed the scrimmage on Lute & Bobbie Olson court.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Javier,
Are you able to confirm what’s been going on with Lance having Memphis as out? and apparently there should be a decision of Lance visiting Arizona or committing within the next 10 days according to these posts:
check the last post of this: http://www.wildcatsportsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6411&page=3
check the last couple of comments of this: http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/05/01/johnnies-maryland-out-for-lance/#comments
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Bmac,
I can tell you that a very reliable source indicated to me that Memphis is not in the picture with Stephenson. That was last week. And we know how developments in recruiting can change, but the chances are very likely that he won’t be headed to Memphis. In terms of Arizona, a lot depends on what Parrom decides. The UA coaching staff is very familiar with Parrom, including assistant James Whitford. The same can’t be said of Stephenson, except for Book Richardson. If Parrom commits with UA and signs with the Wildcats, that might be it for the Class of 2009. We should know by the end of next week.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:55 PM
THANK YOU JAVIER!!!
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Hmm, interesting. Thankyou Javier!
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Javier:
So are you saying it’s very unlikely UA lands both Parrom and Stephenson?
Realistically, in your opinion, what are those chances UA does?
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Per zagsblog.com the visit is going very well and Parrom might be committing in the near future.
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:15 PM
^^Link?^^
please and thank you!
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 PM
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/05/02/parrom-enjoying-arizona-visit/
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Then who will Born Ready officialy sign a LOI with, because from all absolute indications Lance won’t ball with Maryland, Memphis and backyard school St. John’s.
For instance, the May 20th signing day is quickly approaching, some would say quicker than a NYC minute, and the kid is too young to go the N.B.A. route. So, that leaves the Euro adventure as a possible scenario.
However, his parents haven’t given a hint of doing the Jennings song and dance. At least not yet.
Therefore, playing the guessing game the Stephenson family and Lance must have an ace mystery school up their sleeves-LOL, or maybe Arizona is a 4-REAL player as a possible school for Born Ready’s solo season in Tucson.
Nonetheless, it will ultimately come down to Miller and Richardson’s trust in each other. Is coach Miller willing to risk offering Lance a scholarship-even IF it only transpires into one season- as well as trust Richardson’s relative relationship with the Stephenson’s and Lance.
Bottom line, Miller will have the final say so regarding the intriguing situation with Stephenson.
And, as Javier M alluded to above, the Wildcat hoops press corp and Wildcat fandom will know what’s up with Born Ready by at least next Thursday. If not earlier in the forth coming week.
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:26 PM
MCAT Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/05/02/parrom-enjoying-arizona-visit/
————————–
Merci beaucoup for the link MCAT.
The Buddha’s apprentice has a strange feeling that some Wildcat fandom will be surfing “zagsblog” for many, many seasons to come. Especially with Miller and Richardson’s connections to the northeastern seaboard states.
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:39 PM
i would to love tosee some video of the pick up games parrom was gonna do for his visit, sorta like goazcats.com used to do on their youtube channel
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:43 PM
A couple of months ago, just like Unfiltered, I discovered this stie while searching for info about UA coach hiring.
And, just like Unfiltered, I found myself stuck to this site reading Javier’s nice articles and all the good comments followed everyday, several times a day.
It brings back all the good memories of the years of Elliott/Kerr/Lofton when the streak started. It provides me with the latest insights. UA hoop once again is a hot topic even at off season.
Anyone who can attract so many followers, including Unfiltered, talking about college basketball in Apr. and May, I say he is exceptionally good. And I’m certainly grateful for the high quality of this site…
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:53 PM
with so many rules and regulations regarding recruiting..wouldnt it be ‘illegal’ to videotape a pickup game on an official visit?..idk..anyone have an answer for this?
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:08 PM
What’s the problem having a one ‘n done player? After all, Mike Bibby gave us the only national championship…
Lute worked so hard to finally raise Arizona basketball to an elite level that it can attract those elite players. Why give up?
I’m sure one reason Miller comes to UA is that now he can have access to one ‘n done players. A truly good coach should also be able to “mold” a player including his personality…. at least on the court.
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Mike Bibby stayed two years…His last year we lost in the Elite Eight to an Andre Miller that had just gotten his pipe cleaned and a Michael Dickerson that had his clogged.
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:20 PM
# SmokyCat Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:08 pm
What’s the problem having a one ‘n done player? After all, Mike Bibby gave us the only national championship…
Lute worked so hard to finally raise Arizona basketball to an elite level that it can attract those elite players. Why give up?
I’m sure one reason Miller comes to UA is that now he can have access to one ‘n done players. A truly good coach should also be able to “mold” a player including his personality…. at least on the court.
—————————
Too many “old school” Wildcat fans are living in the past, Buddha, Jr. guesses.
Baby, those days are P-A-S-S-E regarding legitimate Top 20 elite prepster ballers balling at a particular school for three or four years. Especially if a player of that magnitude helps a program reach an Elite-8 and or Final Four in his freshmen or sophomore season(s).
From Buddha’s perspective, even though it appears it will be a 100-1 longshot that Lance will play for Arizona, the Buddha’s apprentice still wouldn’t mind seeing Born Ready don the Arizona Wildcat uniform in 2009-2010.
Because despite the sceptics beliefs concerning Stephenson, with a returning Wise, Lance, Nic and the Wildcat team have a strong possibility to continue THE STREAK as well as make a deep N.C.A.A. run.
Just some fanciful optimism from Buddha, Jr. LOL
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:25 PM
There are exceptions to the one and done… Melo, best case. Rose, great player. Love..Final Four. By and large, the B. Jennings of the world are one and dones. Lance strikes me as this type, this Born Ready type that uses the school as a one year stop to market himself.
I think the NBA should let these players go pro immediately. If they are good enough, let them go. One year of college becomes a limbo year, a marketing ploy where the rest of the team suffers while they showcase their Lottery talents.
They disrupt the college team too much, and, more often than not, they become cancers on the team they play for. They have no loyalty, and they take away the minutes of those players that while good, do not develop as much due to lack of playing time.
It is these players that stay three or four years that will become the backbone of a team. Look at UNC. Great team, great leadership due to upperclassmen playing. With one and done’s there is no continuity, no chemistry and no loyalty. We won 30 plus games for many years with kids who were not four or five star but had hearts of lions. Born Ready and B. Jennings types have no heart, but have a very big selfish gene. We can win like before without resorting to these malignant tumors.
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Frank: Kansas was in on Stephenson hot and heavy before Henry became available. Self took a trip to NYC to visit Stephenson before the spring signing period. Stephenson did not lean one way or the other and seemed to just wait for Henry to announce that he would sign with Kansas. What I’m getting at is Stephenson is putting off a decision and it can be for a number of reasons, including a pending sexual harrassment charge. I know a court case is pending. So a lot is up in the air still with Stephenson. From what I know, the UA has no doubt about Parrom’s talent and character and the coaching staff agrees unanimously he is worth signing. Stephenson, to me, does not fit into what Sean Miller has told us so far, that is he wants to sign a player that two or three years from now will still be with the program and work hard toward what he wants to achieve in Tucson.
And prsctazcat: Videotaping is illegal if it’s done by the school on a recruiting trip. I will get you clarification on that. But as far as I know, if a fan happened to be videotaping the pickup game in the stands there is no way to prevent that person from making it available on YouTube, for example.
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Looks like it is going well….
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/05/02/parrom-enjoying-arizona-visit/
Sorry if this is a duplicate post
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:55 PM
“They disrupt the college team too much, and, more often than not, they become cancers on the team they play for. They have no loyalty…”
Unfiltered, Mr. superstar sportswriter, can you give concrete examples of this?
The simple fact that ‘Melo won a title, does that mean he had heart?
But if he lost in the 2nd round then jumped to the NBA, then he doesn’t have heart?
Give examples of teams who definitively suffered from these “cancers”..
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Seeing as how they happen “more often than not”, I am sure you have plenty of examples to give
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:57 PM
thanks javier..so im guessing that it would be an ‘open-door’ event?..or just available to mckale staff..
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Javier:
Then why has Arizona offered a scholarship?
That’s what I’m not understanding. If Stephenson doesn’t seemingly fit into Miller’s system, then why the mutual interest?
Is it solely because of Book’s previous relationship?
(Thanks for your previous response, great site!)
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Rod, I’m not into doing your homework for you. How about you use that wonderful Internet tool called Google and try to remember the last great team led by a one and done. And no, J. Bayless does not count. He was a good player showcasing his skills on a very mediocre team.
I’m guessing you don’t remember any one and done’s with great teams because one and done’s disappear after a year and the team they were on never really made a blip on the radar screen. Melo was the leader of the Cuse as a freshman, and yes, he had heart, unless you don’t remember what he did a few years back.
Last time I checked, most national champs for the last decade (Florida twice, Kansas last year, UNC twice, etc..) won due to experienced players that stuck around for three or more years. This is so obvious that to deny its reality is to live in the clouds.
Can you provide any team that won a NC, after the NBA prohibited early entry, with a one and done as team leader, that I have not mentioned yet?
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Buddha,
100-1 longshot that Lance will be playing for Arizona? Not so optimistic anymore? I think I recall you were offering 7:2 odds that he would be on the next plane to Tucson. Nice back-pedaling.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:23 PM
All of this talk of extremely talented players being a cancer on a basketball team has me thinking that I’d prefer some solid logic instead of creative writing on the subject.
In order for any player to be a “cancer” on a team, two things have to happen:
1. The player must be a “black whole”. Selfish, unconcerned about his teammates play and generally all about himself.
2. A coach that’ll let him get away with it.
If you have an Alan Iverson or Stephon Marbury type of player on the team but the coach benches him, is he a cancer? How much of a cancer was Stephon Marbury this year in New York?
So the real question we should be asking ourselves isn’t if Stephenson (or anyone else for that matter) will be a cancer, but if Miller will allow him to be a cancer. Look at it this way. Stephenson’s ticket to the NBA is being able to showcase his talents in college. Kind of hard to do when you’re sitting on the bench. Miller has shown that he believes in a “team first” attitude. I don’t think there’s any way that some 18 year old kid hijacks the program from him, especially not in the first year.
Chill out guys, we’ve got a tough coach that has a plan and the cojones to get it done.
Thanks Javier, keep up the good work!
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:24 PM
There is a reason Lute Olson said he was done with one and dones. A lot of coaches (such as Donovan) agree with him. One and dones are usually five or six per class, and there is soooo much talent out there that the risks outweigh the rewards. There is enough talent, that will last two or three years, that you don’t need a one and done premadonna.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Im not arguing that you need a one and done to win a NC. Thats not my point.
My point, you unbelievably dim-witted —–, is that a one and done player does not necessarily create a “cancer” for a team, as you claim with your “more often than not” argument.
And thanks for bringing up Bayless. By your argument, I could say if he had more talent around him and won an NC, he would be just like ‘Melo.
But great journalism! I’l let you get back to that threesome with your cat and your “girlfriend”, AKA the rabbits foot you keep next to your bed every night.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:29 PM
prscazcat: I will try to contact somebody at McKale Center on Monday to get clarification because it is a good question.
Frank: The only place that I saw Arizona offered a scholarship to Stephenson is on Rival.com’s list of schools interested in him. Nobody has said anything to that effect, unless I am missing something. Richardson, from what I understand, has inquired about possible interest if the UA goes that route. It is still very preliminary in terms of Stephenson. And thank you for contributing, always a solid contributor here.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:37 PM
“Sean Miller has told us so far, that is he wants to sign a player that two or three years from now will still be with the program.”
Javier,
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think what Miller said was that he wanted to sign players that Arizona would still want two or three years from now rather than just fill up the roster with bodies.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Ah, Rod, touched a nerve, did I?
Can’t win the argument, resort to anger. I get it.
Bayless had plenty of talent, Chase and Jordan are Lottery’s. Nic is a solid player. Perhaps the chemistry was not the best? This has been mentioned by the players that stayed this year. Bayles was an ego and a premadonna. It takes a lot more than b-ball skills to win.
The emotional, chemistry, leadership, communication and toughness aspects of a player, not to mention the experience from a year or two in college, go a long way. So yes, many one and done’s are cancers for a myriad number of reasons, not just skills on the court. Basketball is not black and white, but a huge number of shades of gray.
And you call me dim-witted? Hmmm.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Javier: Thanks
Unfiltered: Your question above about naming one one-and-done player who was the team leader AND whose team won the NC after the NBA rule was enforced is a loaded question. The NBA rule has been in effect only since ’06, so you’re asking us to choose among three teams; FL, Kansas, and NC. Fine, you win this round.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Unfiltered,
I hate to nitpick but I can’t resist any longer. It is now like for the fifth time that you have spelled prima donna incorrectly. Sorry for the nitpick again.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:57 PM
you just said this:
“He was a good player showcasing his skills on a very mediocre team”
and all of a sudden he has plenty of talent around him.
Send a textbook of your skills to Javier, ASAP. Im sure he’ll be waitin.
And Im still waitin for these teams that suffered from these cancers
But obviously you are unable to name any
No shame in bein wrong unfiltered, it’l be ok
your cat will still love you
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:00 PM
I don’t know if anybody else is tiring of the shots being fired…but i am…what about the Cats?
focus…
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:04 PM
I for one, agree with the notion that Miller can control this kid if he chooses to take him on. We have to trust our coach. If he brings him in, then he will play basketball a la Miller or he wont play, I am sure. I have my concerns as well, but would also like to increase the talent level of our program…that’s why he is making over two million a year…
…Did anybody notice that in the Parrom highlight video he goes left off the glass against Stephenson?
One other question…I am not familiar with the recruiting rules, but is it a fact that after May 20 that a player can no longer sign with a team and there would have to be a verbal agreement? If that is the case, it seems like Stephenson is running out of time.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 PM
IS UNFILTERED JOSH GERSHON OR ONE OF HIS FOLLOWERS SPEWING SOUR GRAPES. JAVY IS A PROFESSIONAL AND I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST YOU SHOW THE MAN SOME RESPECT OR LEAVE. JAVY IS A LEGEND IN TUCSON NEWSPAPER AND UA HOOPS SCENE THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:07 PM
# azcats Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I don’t know if anybody else is tiring of the shots being fired…but i am…what about the Cats?
focus…
______________
i am, i hope this doesn’t become a ‘pissing contest’ site. i enjoy the speculation and info, not the i’m smarter-better than you comments, there are plenty of those already.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:12 PM
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/05/02/parrom-enjoying-arizona-visit/
Parrom Enjoying Arizona Visit
Posted on May 2, 2009 8:03 pm
Kevin Parrom is enjoying his official visit to Arizona and could be close to committing.
“Great,” Parrom said in a text message Saturday night when asked how the visit was going.
The 6-6 Parrom, a New York native playing at South Kent (Conn.), will choose between Arizona and Pittsburgh, where he visited last Sunday.
Parrom initially signed with Xavier, but obtained a release after Sean Miller left Xavier to take the Arizona gig, bringing assistant Book Richardson of New York with him.
“Kevin is very close to getting it done [with Arizona],” a source close to the situation said.
There is no news on the Lance Stephenson front as of Saturday night. Sources at Arizona, Memphis and St. John’s reported no updates.
The 6-6 Stephenson reportedly crossed longtime suitors St. John’s and Maryland off his list and Arizona and Memphis have both reached out but no visits have been set.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Parrom Enjoying Arizona Visit
Posted on May 2, 2009 8:03 pm
Excerpt from the Zagsblog story:
“Kevin Parrom is enjoying his official visit to Arizona and could be close to committing.”
“Kevin is very close to getting it done [with Arizona],” a source close to the situation said.”
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Does anyone remeber the “Squash the Drama” campaign that the NCAA ran during the late 90′s? Every time that palm would meet up with the fist, as if it were squashing something, I would roll over laughing. It was hilarious. I can’t wait until my kids are teenagers so that I can use that line on them. I propose we ressurect this campaign and implement this slogan on this website. What do you think, Unfiltered?
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Azcats: I agree.
Unfiltered: Although Kevin Love (UCLA), Derrick Rose (Memphis), Greg Oden (OSU), and Mike Conley Jr. (OSU) did not win a NC, they did make the Final Four. They were also one-and-dones who were the heart and soul of their respective teams. Were they cancers on their teams?
I would gather there are quality young men out there, like the above mentioned, who I would welcome to the UA. If they got us to a Final Four, that would be success to me. We don’t know Lance, but I am certain that if he came to UA, Miller would help him grow as a young man. No doubt in my mind!
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 PM
JessieWildcat Says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:08 am
JC,
You got it.
Josh is feeling the pressure.
Dude, the viewing traffic is off the charts.
Javy, has East Coast viewers…flocking to this site.
Almost about to go National. (Even, the LA times is reading Javy.)
You have reader waiting for Javy next article.
Post Kevin P visit comments.
But, get some PICs of the visit.
(Better yet, web cam the practice games.)
This will BLOW UP the site…..
———————————————–
JESSIE WILDCAT NAILS IT AGAIN. I THINK GOCATS WEBSITE IS REALLY FEELING THE HEAT BECAUSE JAVY IS OFFERING A FREE SITE FOR ARIZONA FANS.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 PM
wow this is lookin good for next season good recruits and lets hope wise comes back we’ll have a good team come november. man i cant wait to see what miller has in 2 or 3yrs the pac-10 will be owned once again by the cats.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:30 PM
BARRY SAYS:
If unfiltered doesn’t like Javier’s writing style, I am sure he will have no problem skipping to the comments section. If unfiltered believes himself to be a better writer, or knows of a better site related to UA hoops, I am all ears. This site has been a long time coming. It’s informative, fresh, up to date, and most importantly, FREE. I don’t think the pay sites have that much more to offer that I would be willing to part with 10 bucks a month.
I agree 100% Barry and I think it isnt even about the 10 bucks really its more about the fact that once you put your credit card on one of those rivals sites it keeps charging you year after year and month after month and it takes a lot of effort and phone calls and e mails etc to get them to stop charging you since when you sign up you are really oking them to keep renewing you every year or month without your permission each time and you have to jump through hoops to get them to stop.
Javy is a professional and this is the best arizona hoops site on the web bar none.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:31 PM
It’s sad to see this site so quickly deteriorating… Can you people all please put away your egos and stop goading each other? Everyone is entitled to an opinion and can voice it all they like. If the opinions are different, accept it and move on, or even discuss it, but this has gone far beyond discussion now. I appreciate the fact that this site has had lesser fingerpointing and crowing than most, not to mention the childish ASU/UA crap. Let’s not ruin that.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Jason: You are correct. You can argue that signing Stephenson would be the same: getting a player in for the quick cure. Miller has played it smart all along by trying to gear his program toward the future. Next year as we all know will be a transition year, even if Stephenson were to sign with Arizona.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Frank,
Had you bothered to read the post in which I mention Love and Rose, you would know where I am coming from. I explicitly mentioned these two which, by the way, were supported by amazing talent at their respective teams. Oden and Conley were a one-two punch, not just one one and done, but two, so obviously that changes things a bit, wouldn’t you say?? They too were loaded with talent at OSU. Point to a one and done of note that had no talent to support him and still made the Final Four. Pretty hard….
And Rod, mediocrity can be defined as a team loaded with potential talent that fails to live up to it. That was Arizona with Bayless, a team that barely, barely got into the Dance (and should not have). Again, for the knucklehead in the room, because chemistry was an issue, as was Bayless’ ego which I am sure contributed to Chase and Jordan not living up to their potential. Get off the black and white mentality, Rod. We moved to color a while ago.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:41 PM
For the life of me, I can’t think of a single instance where a “one and done” player has become a “cancer” and poisoned a program going forward after they leave. If any of you can, please share with the class.
Obviously you can’t build a program around a “one and done” player. You need to have talent at all positions and depth on the bench. Remember when Michael Jordan would score 60 points in the playoffs and lose? Ultimately this is a team sport but how much better do you think the bench players get playing against this type of talent day in and day out in practice?
Ultimately these “one and done” players generate excitement for the program by the additional exposure they bring helping recruit talented players after they’re gone.
Just because a player has “one and done” talent level, doesn’t mean they have an attitude problem. Even if they do have an attitude problem, a strong coach can keep them on a short leash and help the program keep moving in the right direction.
Seriously, what do we have to lose by giving Lance a chance? Worst case he gets in trouble or throws a tantrum and either sits on the bench or is suspended. Seems like we had a kid do that last year, didn’t we? Best case, his play makes everyone else get better looks in games and better competition in practice.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 PM
We all love Lute. Why, in your opinion, did he say he was done with one and done’s? I’m curious to see what people think.
For the long term improvement of a team, its stability, the chemistry, the individual improvement of all players, game time experience, etc.. I feel a one and done does more damage to a program. Arizona needs a team, and you build a team with experience, chemistry, cohesion and improvement, over many seasons, not just one. The last few national champs should prove this formula works. Until Bayless, and to a lesser degree Iguodala, we did fine without one and done’s.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 PM
This guy is getting on my nerves. Calling 17 or 18 years old kids with extraordinary skills cancer is pathetic. We only had one, one and done player, and he had nothing to do with the decline in the program. Some recruits did not show up (Ebi) and some did not develop as projected (Shakur, Onobon, Mac, Tangara and so on….).
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Well said, CatsFaninUtah!
Basketball is a team sport, that is why there will not be an example of a one-and-done player who led his team to a championship. The Jordan example is perfect, he did not win in Chicago until the team around him got better. That took years for that to occur. The window in college is much smaller.
Again, well stated, CatsFaninUtah!
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I forgot to add this to my above statement: there will not be an example of a one-and-done player who led his team to a championship WITHOUT talent around him.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:04 PM
(couple of rivals posters posted this which is great, anyone have a link to parroms facebook)
Parrom’s facebook status says “Arizona’s campus is CRAZY!!!”
Party Parrom and other UA players will attend Fiji Islander is tonight.
I don’t think a party itself is going to seal the deal, but the opportunity to hang w/ the fellas away from the court tonight will be good, and that’s generally a pretty happening party every year, lots of talent (but no drinking).
If the visit is going as well as reported, I think the perfect capper would be to bond with the guys off the court and have a good time tonight. With all the ladies and the environment, on top of everything already (touring McKale, meeting w/ advisors and trainers, coaches, etc) that have supposedly already gone so well, I just think he’ll pull the trigger tomorrow.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 PM
One thing that strikes me as odd in all this Stephenson talk is that with Famous and Parrom there was definite interest coming form not only Richardson but also Miller.
That fact was made pefectly clear.
I’ve never heard the name Stephenson uttered by Miller & Co.
Stephenson hasn’t so much as even slightly indicated an active interest in the ‘Cats.
Yet this myth continues to be perpetuated.
Javier, you’ve said that only on Rivals’ site has there been any mention of Stephenson being offerd by Arizona.
I wonder how Rivals came about that info ’cause I’s be willing to bet it’s false.
Miller has said many times before that he’s only interested in players that’ll be around to help the ‘Cats two, three years from now.
Javier, so if Parrom decides in the heat of the moment to pull a Famous and go back to where his meals will always be home-cooked for him, where his pants will always be creased for him, where he’ll always have Mom’s hand to hold, where not much wil be expected of him because he’ll simply be just one of 4, 5, 6 or more 6-6, 6-7 ballers from back east in Dixon’s line-up, is it still the scenario that Miller stops looking and signing for ’09?
Or is that the case if it’s one Kyryl, one S. Hill and a Parrom in a ‘Cat pack?
Hey BTW, I heard on NPR (of all places) on Friday morning that the HS Sr. Tyler Lamb kid who bagged on Howland and exited Pauley may be going to Europe a la Jennings.
True, Javier?
I always thought Tyler, if given the right opportunity as I’m sure Miller & Co. would, could fulfill the promise Chris Rodgers never even came close to.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:15 PM
MCAT, of course Bayless contributed to the decline. He only stayed one year, thereby taking away experience and continuity, plus taking game time experience away from players who stayed.
And Ebi, along with Jennings, were the type I speak of, selfish, me first talents that would have contributed nothing but headaches during their one year stay. Both contributed to the decine because they did not honor their scholarships, scholarships, mind you, that should have gone to players who would have contributed, perhaps for three or four years.
And I am not calling all great freshmen to be cancers, just those that will cause problems at the program, and the institution, they will attend. Kind of like Renardo Sidney, and perhaps Lance Born Ready Stephenson. OJ Mayo is another, look the trouble he got USC into. We know what Jennings did. Most coaches stay away from these types for a reason, and Lute learned his lesson the hard way, promising never to recruit those kinds of players again.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Why do some here insist on framing this site as in competition with goazcats.com, assuming some kind of antipathy betweeh Javier and Josh Gershon? That is ridiculous. They are both great sites that offer slightly different takes on the same subject and I and many others enjoy them both. I just recently bought a membership to goazcats and I like it a lot but I also am sure to stay current here. I think both Josh and Javier are class acts and I appreciate both of their efforts covering AZ hoops.
On that note, Josh just had a post on the premium boards over there saying that Parrom’s visit is going “very, very well”. He’s pretty connected and would not come out and say that if he did not have some kind of info. So, it’s looking good on this count, would love to see Parrom commit before Wednesday.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Frank, just like there isn’t an example of a team without a “one and done” win a championship without talent. How many national championships has Jim Boeheim won without a “one and done”? How many good/great teams did he put together before Carmelo without winning a national championship? Carmelo wasn’t the team, however having someone that good on your team just makes everyone else that much better.
My point is that attracting this type of talent to your school doesn’t scare away other talented players, it actually attracts more talented players to your school.
Do we base the program on this type of player? Of course not. Assuming you could recruit 5 “one and done” players to your team every year, there would be no continuity or cohesion. But, add one to a solid talented team and there’s no reason why they couldn’t win a championship assuming the coach keeps him in line.
Why did Lute say he was done with this type of player? I love Lute and everything he did for basketball in Arizona. Like the best of us, he got old though. I think he just didn’t want to have to deal with keeping them in line anymore. He didn’t have a problem benching his best players earlier in his career but I can see how it can get old dealing with “high maintenance” types.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:22 PM
i am with catsfaninutah–
i say bring on lance. if he doesn’t work out — coach will bench him and we will move on. on the more positive side, he exhibits a ton of talent and will be exciting to watch. maybe “one-and-dones” are not the key to winning a championship, but i don’t think they can hurt us as long as you are a great recruiter, and know how to fill in around these types of players.
unfiltered: i think the statement that Lute was done with the “one-and-dones” was because it conflicted with his coaching philosophy. (and someone correct me if i am wrong) but, Lute liked to play a solid 8 guys for his whole rotation. with the increase of “one-and-dones”, i think Lute struggled to find a consistent rotation/chemistry to his 8 players, when players like bayless, would come in for one year and move on.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:23 PM
all this “one and done” talk is getting old and is way off topic. we can’t really say anything about the lance situation; we don’t even know if he’s coming to arizona or not.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Just saw Parrom’s facebook status and it says “The Arizona campus is CRAZY!”
Sounds like he likes it!
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Bret….
Arizona is blowing up.
Called it AGAIN!
Kevin P visit was OUTSTANDING.
The great news has already hit the East Coast.
“Kevin Parrom is enjoying his official visit to Arizona and could be close to committing.
“Great,” Parrom said in a text message Saturday night when asked how the visit was going.”
Other things which are being said….
—
Told YOU…..Arizona was BLOWING UP…
And showing Kevin P , a great time.
Recruit No3:…..Kevin P.
Why didn’t any body mentioned this….
…is named AZ……for Zona, baby.
Great follow-up, AZ……from the earlier posting from the West Coast comments
also posted in… goto Recruiting Question. thread..
http://www.wildcatsportsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?p=46303#post46303
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:49 PM
CJM,
“Miller has said many times before that he’s only interested in players that’ll be around to help the ‘Cats two, three years from now.”
To reiterate what I said in a previous post, Miller has said no such thing. What he did say, was that he will only bring in players that Arizona will still want in two or three years from now. Meaning he doesn’t want to sign people just to have bodies.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Who is UNFILTERED?
This is not Javy’s EX.
Told you. Should of let her off easy.
.
More on LANCE!
Memphis is OUT.
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:58 PM
JessieWildcat
I am hearing that Kevin Parrom is already making CELL phone calls to all his contacts on the east coast telling them that ZONA is the NEW PLACE TO BE.
I agree with you, the program is blowing up big and it will be the place everyone wants to play at.
Jessie calls it everytime.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Javier-
i am seeing news that will barton may commit to UK soon. i know he is been on the zona radar(2010) for some time now. do you have any info on this?
http://www.truebluekentucky.com/index.php/basketball/926-guest-basketball/1179-will-barton-will-commit-to-uk.html
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:12 PM
CJM
its against the rules to mention recruits by name until they have signed a letter of intent
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Bret…
Arizona is on FIRE.
The folks in LA are talking about it.
The folks in the East are waking Lance up and talking about the Kevin visit.
Arizona did a great job with Kevin P.
And Book is going back to NY.
Follow up and closure with Kevin.
Plus, following up with Recruit No.4.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Calicat….
Just read you post.
This is the latest….it says….on wildcatsportsreport (it is free)
Lance-A-Lot
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For the record:
Lance said NO to Kansas.
Lance crossed off St. Johns
Lance crossed off Maryland.
Memphis is out.
Arizona is at play, presently.
Does he visit or commit?
Book will be in NY and should have a resolution.
Remember this two comments:
1)Both Lance Stephenson Jr and Sr. have repeatedly said “they wanted to get the young man out of New York and into a different environment.”
2)No official visits for Stephenson have been set to Arizona …, but a source said,
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he verballed without stepping foot on campus.”
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Rose led Memphis to the title game. So did Oden, Conley and Cook. Marvin Williams was a big part of UNC’s 2005 title. Ed Davis was a big part of their title this year. Kevin Love helped UCLA get to the Final Four. Beasley helped Kansas St. become a top 25 team. Durant made Texas much better than they would have been without him. The first Florida team to win a title was full of sophomores. Bibby led Arizona to a title as a freshman. How long did Magic stay at MSU? Two years? The Fab Five did well.
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I am not a big fan of the one and done, either. However, in the case of Lance S., I would make an exception this one time. If next year is a rebuilding year, what better way to accomplish that than with a 5 star player. He will add points to the team, reestablish our credibility as an elite school with a great recruiting class within a month of Sean Miller’s hire and help us to extend our streak of 26 straight tournament appearances.
Who’s to say he would leave after a year? Many people thought Chase Budinger would be a one and done.
I say give him a chance to prove himself.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:17 PM
You people ever heard the saying “Don’t feed the trolls”? Well that is what you are doing and you have made about half of these comments about Unfiltered. He is entitled to his opinion, regardless of the fact that he should have just kept it to himself. Then so many people spout off to him and he just squirts back. Now you guys are in a bit pissing contest, urinating all over each other and seemingly enjoying it. How about you just all stop for the rest of us, it made looking through todays comments a pain in the arse because of all the junk.
Anyway, I have said it before and am really thinking it now. This place needs some moderation. Screw freedom of speech, this is a personal site and I want good content and today there was a lot of good mixed in with pure crap. Would rather just have the good.
Very happy with the way things are looking to be shaping up with Parrom, looks like he would be a valuable addition to the team. I’m hoping his gives a verbal and end the Stephenson talk, don’t think I really want the guy on the team. Great talent, but a major head case. He will be wanting to put on a one man show and that is just not what we need next year.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Jason and David, I respect where you’re coming from with your Stephenson take.
If we look at Kyryl, S. Hill and Parrom, we can see 3 players that Miller would want now, 1 year from now, 2 years from now and 3 years from now.
I would venture to say Miller would welcome them on the 4 year plan if he can manage to keep them that long.
Kyryl, S. Hill and Parrom are players that were no big secrets on Miller’s wish list.
Everyone and my two grandmothers, God rest their souls, knew of Miller’s intentions with these 3.
Stephenson, for what he offers Arizona and vice versa, I just don’t see being in that mold…or on Miller’s wish list.
But then again, I could be wrong.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Let’s hope Parrom, joins the cats. Then, next season, after we pick up some more bigs, we can have a complete team ready to compete for the Pac-10 title and a top seed in the tourney. A two year rebuilding cycle for Miller. Not too shabby. Go Cats!
May 3rd, 2009 at 4:15 AM
steelerguy you are probably right about not feeding the trolls, but just this “one time”…Unfiltered is one of those people who are such arrogant self-centered cancers (this is why he knows of them so well) that does nothing himself, but sits back and massages his own ego by criticizing the hard work of others. It is only by the denigrating of productive worthwhile people that he is able to, in his mind, lift himself from the sewer that is his own pathetic existence. Because the rest of us recognize and express gratitude and appreciation for Javier’s considerable efforts here, we are accused of wanting to “fellate” our host. You see Unfiltered, we are thankful for his taking the time to inform us about a topic of mutual interest and by doing so, he brightens our day. It can’t be easy to come up with topics and even articles gleaned from a situation where very little information is actually being generated every day. In many ways Javier is a victim of his own success in this regard. We as a group are ravenous and insatiable, only the lowest among us would bite the hand that feeds us. Thank you for all you do Javier, we are forever in your debt.
May 3rd, 2009 at 4:17 AM
Zagsblog.com reports that Parrom has committed to UA!
Woo hoo!!
May 3rd, 2009 at 5:51 AM
landing parrom is HUGE — if the reports are true.
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:11 AM
Wow…nice way to start my Sunday morning: Kevin Parrom will be a Wildcat.
Hey Dixon, it’s Miller 2, you and Pitt 0. Thanks for staying out east.
Javier, or anyone, does this eliminate Stephenson entirely? I sure hope not; I just wish there was another big out there. The Cats desperately need A J to step up and that is a scary thought.
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:11 AM
Yes, if this is accurate, what an amazing rabbit-out-of-the-hat trick Miller has pulled off. From zippo to 3 big time recruits in a month. If Parrom really has committed and Lance still considers UA, I’d be shocked, but stranger things have happened. Wow. Totally dominating the press conference. C’mon, Nic! Be our floor general!
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:47 AM
Why would Parrom’s commitment deter Stephenson? Would Parrom get more playing time than Stephenson?
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:04 AM
i don’t possibly see how the signing of parrom would deter stephenson. even with the addition of parrom — we still have a very shallow team, which, should translate to plenty of playing time for everyone. also, the additional talent should improve our odds of making the dance next year, and i would think, that this would entice stephenson to come to zona as well.
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:09 AM
Great news about Parrom if it indeed is true. I hope that Miller & Co. are going full steam @ Stephenson – even if he is one and done. Miller is on the verge of having something very special for his first season @ the helm of UA and could really make a HUGE impression on the UA nation, more so than he already has.
Regardless, the ’09 class as it stands right now is a great start to Miller’s career @ UA. Bear Down Cats!
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:15 AM
Hey, I hope it has no effect on Lance, just wondering.
I agree, full steam ahead for Lance. What an amazing job already by Miller & Co; L S would be icing on the cake.
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:16 AM
Frank Says:
May 3rd, 2009 at 4:17 am
Zagsblog.com reports that Parrom has committed to UA!
Woo hoo!!
_____________________________________________________________________
Do you have a ^link^?!
please and thank you!!!
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:18 AM
parrom is a small forward and lance is a guard — so how do these guys figure into the head to head PT equation? lance would be competing for PT with fogg and lavender and parrom would have competition with horne and shill. both are 6’6″, but they have totally different credentials.
irregardless (-gw bush) of zags’ reports, i’m tempering my enthuisiasm until parrom goes public. remember when zag wrote- “famous is zona’s to lose.” … i still haven’t gotten over that.
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:21 AM
http://www.zagsblog.com/
the article is right on the front page
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:30 AM
: Miller has found GOLD in Arizona
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East Coast – West Coast GOLD pipelines.
Richardson said. “That’s all you know.
But I do believe the (UA) brand adds a different recognition.”
Miller said he’s trying to develop an “east to west” recruiting pipeline, and Richardson said he’s fortunate to have established ties to so much Eastern talent.
At the same time, Richardson said the UA staff hopes to keep tapping into Los Angeles and the Pacific Northwest, Olson’s top recruiting turfs, while noting that it’s important to keep the best Arizona players at home.
“We’re trying to get the best players in the country,” Richardson said.
“If we do what we’re supposed to do, if we win our state, we should be fine.”
__________________
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 AM
“Arizona has a brand that’s established itself,” Richardson said.
“Coach (Lute) Olson has done an outstanding job.
When you’re in Arizona, everyone knows who you are.
We’re like Pepsi or Coca-Cola.”
May 3rd, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Don’t know about Stephenson being ‘left out’ guys. If anything I think this could help since they know each other and probably respect each other. I think Parrom goes home and ‘spreads the gospel’ about how awesome Arizona is, which gets back to the whole idea of opening the door to more East Coast recruits. As far as Stephenson it boils down to Miller and the staff and whether they think he fits the ‘system’ they’re building. Arizona v3.0 (Snowden, Lute, Miller)
May 3rd, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Kevin P has already started talking to Lance-A-Lot.
Arizona already extended a scholarship to Lance.
So, you have Miller’s position with Lance.
Yes, Lance will make a big impact at Arizona ,next year.
May 3rd, 2009 at 10:00 AM
“I committed just now,” Parrom said Sunday by phone. “It was a great visit. I got to see the campus and see the fans and meet the academic advisors. It’s a great place to be.”
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/05/02/parrom-enjoying-arizona-visit/#more-16045
For real?? Don’t be teasing us now…..
May 11th, 2009 at 1:24 AM
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