COLUMN: Blue and White Debate
Blue and White Debate
Tim Olsen:
1 – Thoughts on men’s basketball
I, along with many Aggie students and fans, made the trip up to Boise last Saturday in anticipation of seeing the Aggies wrap up their first outright regular season WAC conference title. Much to my disappointment, Boise State put a stop to the nation’s longest winning streak and handed the Ags their first conference loss. However, it was only a minor setback. The Aggies shot 36 percent for the game and turned the ball over 19 times – based on USU’s previous 25 games, this is an anomaly that won’t happen again. No player would probably admit it, but the streak had to be weighing on their minds. Look for Ags to channel the BSU loss, fix what hurt them in that game and return to their winning ways.
2 – Did Brett Favre make the right decision?
My friends know that I’m a die-hard Cowboys fan (don’t hold it against me – I still hate TO), but I’ve always been a Brett Favre fan. That guy has always been one of my favorite football players and he just belongs in a helmet and shoulder pads. I, along with most people, grew tired of his off-season shenanigans. Nonetheless, I think he made the wrong decision in retiring. Despite his age, his ability was still there and he had a couple good years left. He evidenced that by the 8-3 record he propelled the Jets to before he injured his arm. If Favre had undergone the surgery needed to repair his arm coupled with another season to learn the Jets’ system, the Jets would have been legitimate Super Bowl contenders next season. As it is, football is losing one of, if not the greatest competitor ever.
3 – Carlos Boozer vs. Paul Millsap
Carlos Boozer, the Utah Jazz’s All-Star forward, should be returning soon from an injury that has kept him out for most of the season. No doubt the Jazz, who looked to be legit title contenders at the start of the season, have missed his double-double average – even with the great play of Paul Millsap. Boozer’s return should help the Jazz make a run at their division and the playoffs. However, at the end of the season, the Jazz could face a serious dilemma – resign Boozer to a bigger contract or give Millsap a lucrative deal. When healthy, Boozer has proven his worth, but it’s hard to find a player with a bigger motor than Millsap. I hope the Jazz will be able to work out a way to keep both players, but if they can’t, I’m leaning towards the younger Millsap.
4 – Rant
OK, I realize I am a biased fan, and when it comes to the Aggies I will shamelessly admit that. However, even an anti-Aggie would have to admit that the foul calling on Tai Wesley has gotten, in a word, ridiculous. The fiery forward has struggled with foul trouble off and on throughout his Aggie career, but ever since he was ejected from the SJSU game last year for “throwing an elbow,” the refs really seem to target him. The worst example I’ve seen so far was at Boise State. Wesley played four minutes in the first half and was whistled for three fouls. I missed the first one, but his second and third fouls were so blatantly horrible that it was almost laughable. I’ve seen better refing at my church ball games, and that is a scary prospect. Tai is an emotional player, but not a dirty one. The WAC refs need to get over their childish prejudices and grow up.
Nate Laursen:
Men’s Basketball
The Aggies finally delivered the blow-out win I was longing for when they beat Cal State Bakersfield Wednesday night. After the strenuous Idaho road trip that resulted in the Aggies first conference loss at Boise, it was nice to see Stew’s crew back to normal in the Spectrum. They showed once again that this year’s team is a real team. All nine players that played more than three minutes scored at least seven points. The Aggie bench has really been playing well and will need to again when they face the Gaels at McKeon Pavilion on Saturday. Sure, Saint Mary’s will be without Patty Mills, but this is a Saint Mary’s team that was a swallowed whistled away from beating then-ranked No. 19 Gonzaga last Friday. The rest of the season looks favorable for the Aggies and they should extend the record-breaking home win streak.
Did Brett Favre make the right decision?
Yes, this time Brett got the retirement decision right, but in regards to the unretiring in the first place, he was infelicitous. Favre is just another exemplar of a superstar athlete ruining their reputation by coming back from retirement. Brett Favre was legendary in Green Bay, and claims he doesn’t regret ending his career wearing a different shade of green. He should. Favre could have gone out with his legacy and reputation still in pristine condition as a Packer, but this year revealed his fading talent on the field and corroded his reputation off the field. The Cheeseheads in Wisconsin did not exile Brett; they made the right decision. Favre was the one that put himself above the team and ruined the relationship with the Packer organization. During the 2008 season, the No. 4 was supposed to be immortalized in Lambeau Field, and I am sure in time it still will be, but the season in New York will make the yellow number a little duller. Farve may have Marino’s records, but he doesn’t have the gentility those records deserve. I look forward to Peyton Manning reclaiming them soon. I was disgusted when Farve was chosen to play in the Pro Bowl this year, and relieved when he withdrew. That was perhaps the classiest thing he did since his ridiculousness before the season started, but he said it was due to injury. I think he just realized he didn’t deserve it.
Carlos Boozer vs. Paul Millsap
The NBA trade deadline came and went Thursday and the Utah Jazz missed a great opportunity to get rid of greedy injury-prone Carlos Boozer and improve their team. Boozer announced “unequivocally” in the middle of December that he will be opting out of his contract surrendering $12.6 million to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The Jazz should say good riddance. When comparing Milsap and Boozer, Milsap is the obvious choice considering bang for buck. Millsap is the lowest paid player in the Jazz locker room ($797,581) and has earned a raise. A raise the Jazz will find hard to give him if they keep overpaid injury prone malcontents like Boozer and Kirilenko ($15.1 million) around. Like his “mailman” predecessor, Boozer has proven his playoff chokability while Milsap has proven his work ethic and dedication. Regardless of what happens at the end of the season, the Jazz yet again missed an opportunity to bring in the type of player they need.
Rant
What is up with coaches these days? I can not remember the last time I saw so many coaches in the spotlight for either getting “released” or overstaying their welcome. This is a subject that hit all too close to home for the Aggie football team this season who have experienced the drama worthy of daytime television surrounding former head coach Brent Guy. The fact that I even know who Lane Kiffin is reveals how crazy the coaching carousel has been. How else would I know about a guy that has accomplished absolutely nothing except running his mouth? I am glad Texas Tech’s administration finally came to their senses and ended the ridiculous negotiations with the best thing that has ever happened to Red Raiders athletics, head football coach Mike Leach. The Phoenix Suns took advantage of hosting All-Star weekend and canned Head Coach Terry Porter after only 51 games. Assistant Coach Alvin Gentry promptly took over and the Suns ignited to the high-octane offense reminiscent of the D’Antoni years and blazed the Clippers with 282 points in two games. Being an avid Suns fan, when I saw them return to the performance expected of them under Gentry I couldn’t help but desire to call General Manager Steve Kerr and tell him, “I told you so!” But I must’ve deleted his number from my phone when he failed to hire Gentry in the first place.
PK
LC