I have concluded that many of you who really want to win and have a great team do not really realize what it takes.
No matter how you look at it, Utah college basketball, like any other school in the year 2001, has evolved into a business. It puts the "U" on the map, it raises a positive national awareness of the University and the Utes and it does it in a light that is all positive.
Rick is the President of this company and it is up to him to make sure his best employees are taken care of.
It also means that the employees must have the potential to deliver. Like any business, some people are better than others and unlike any other business that I know of, you can only have a certain number of employees. This means cutting the fat is not an option, it is a necessity.
Cold hard reality is unattractive in any context.
It is really easy for all of us to say "Look what that asshole Rick is doing". What exactly is he doing? He is trying to make a better product for us all to cheer wildly for when the season stars and well before and after it rolls around.
I do not believe that Rick just goes up to any of these players and says "stick it, you suck, you are gone." I believe he points out that cold reality of how things are to each and every player he "loses".
Some ala Jordie, make it a public humiliation and whine and others disappear. Before I go on, I really thought Jordie and Jackson's leaving were huge mistakes on our part. However the chemistry was not there and these guys were definitely disatisfied. It is a 2 way street.
You can never please everyone. Especially a fan. Fans tend to take on personal attachments and favorites as if they were part of the family. They then feel betrayed when part of the family is let go.......even if they could never hope to function successfully at the level that they are asked to.
This is not a friendship society it is a team. Good teams win games. Good teams are created and scholarships are given to players because of what they may be able to bring to the table. If they either cannot cut it and/or are disruptive in their unhappiness then what would you do? Placate them? You would try and I bet Rick tries but at a certain point you know it is not going to work.
I for one do not want to see a team of really nice guys who suck. I would prefer to see a team of really nice guys who are court killers, but I will settle for a group of guys who are court killers.
There is no such thing, or rarely such a thing as instant bonding. However it either works out or it does not. Then you make a change.
If you people do not realize how lucky we are to have Rick then I really wonder what everyone expects.
Rick is no more heartless than anyone here. He does what he has to do and is expected to do if the situation warrants it. Hey if it is a personal conflict between Rick and a great player that cannot be resolved his option is the same. Lose the guy. It will not work with good players also. Rick as the head of the team must get a team together that not only reaches a certain high skill level but also meets with his priorities.....HIS priorities....not yours and not mine. His!
We are extremely lucky here. He gives us an interesting team....every year.. Generally an excellent team and every so often and amazing team....he is an amazing coach.....and he does his job. HIS JOB.
You know when or if Rick leaves I cannot wait to hear the comments.....there will be a huge group that will feel betrayed....I mean really betrayed.
We may be fortunate and get a great coach.........LIKE WE ALREADY HAVE!......or we may drop to a 9-21 run of seasons. How will everyone like that?
I am sorry for everyone that leaves because their place here was taken but I also know that for each person there is a story that we do not know about. One which tells the whole picture. One which I bet justifies each case. One which, no matter how informed, really only 2 people know about.
Go Utes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick is different and many here hate his non conformity to the norm. Grow up, His difference is centered around being a basketball genius. You can like him or hate him but the bottom line is this guy delivers!!!!!!!!
Last modified .