Paul Shirley Interview on Royce White

**Boxerdaddy** · 03-23-2012, 05:28 PM

Royce is one of the most selfless, genuine, and honest person a fan could ask for. Paul you want to know why cyclONEnation loves him so much? It's because he won't be doing what you're doing in 10 years. He didn't "use" anybody. He worked hard, gave his all, and made a decision that was in his best interest and all of us thank him for that and wish him well. He didn't betray our trust and he surpassed every expectation we, as fans, had for him both on and off the court. A great human being and a great cyclone.

**gogagig** · 03-23-2012, 05:32 PM

Shirley is the one who seems to be "using" us to further his career (journalism career that is, now that his basketball career is finished. Unlike Jamal)

**dudeabides** · 03-23-2012, 06:13 PM

Paul just wants everyone to remember this:
He is wicked smart, and everyone else is got dam stupid!

**jsb** · 03-23-2012, 06:59 PM

Paul is interesting and clearly has some unresolved issues. He sometimes makes good points. Sometimes he is an idiot. Funny Paul Shirley story. First you must know that I am a woman. Anyway, my room mate at Iowa State had a pretty big crush on Paul. She was an engineer, so they crossed paths often. Nothing ever happened but she clearly could have done better. Anyway, we went to the NCAA tournament games up in Minneapolis in 2000. We sat by a group of 3 guys who were probably 5 years old than us and Iowa State fans. Paul was injured at that time and wasn't playing in those games. We spent A LOT of time talking about Paul and not at all related to basketball. :) There was a lot of talk about how he looked, etc. It was very 12-year-oldish and the kind of thing that you only do with your really good friends. We do this all day on Thursday and then we go back Saturday for the 2nd round. The same guys are back, of course, and one of them turns to us and asks if we know Paul Shirley. Of course, we just about die. It turns out his brother was Paul's room mate. Possibly one of the most embarassing moments I can remember and also one of the funniest.

As far as Paul's comment regarding Royce using us---hell we used him to get us back to the NCAA tournament. And like someone else said, it's been more about the whole deal with Royce than just the basketball. I think we take a lot of satisfaction in the fact that he was successful here on and off the court. And that he appreciated Iowa State and the fans.

**carvers4math** · 03-23-2012, 11:59 PM

Shirley better not be watching Jazz versus Denver. Announcers giving Jamaal Tinsley lots of love, lol.

**GreenRocketCY** · 03-24-2012, 12:24 AM

A pompous, jealous, and self-righteous guy.
What do we have to be mad about?

**Al_4_State** · 03-24-2012, 12:38 AM

I wouldn't be shocked if Shirley's assumptions that ISU fans will flip out are based on how people here react to his stuff.

**BryceC** · 03-24-2012, 06:19 AM

Royce using us is the equivalent of being used for sex by a super model. very few people will ever complain about it after it is over.

**rebecacy** · 03-24-2012, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by CYphyllis

My skin isn't cut by a slight breeze, I like Shirleys take on things. He says what he thinks, not what the majority of you want to hear, have to give the guy a little respect for that.

Exactly ....................... the guy doesn't speak all rosey rosey about ISU and therefore it is all about him ----- what a crock

**Rural** · 03-24-2012, 10:41 AM

And don't call me Shirley.

Sorry, it was time.

**Cycsk** · 03-24-2012, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Dryburn

I know the feelings about Paul Shirley are pretty mixed on this board, but you may find this interview on KURE interesting. Royce's leaving and the fans reaction to it was only one of the topics. Found it from a Kirk Haaland tweet.

Shirley surprised ISU fans aren’t “miffed” at Royce White

One note, if you use Firefox, the play button did not seem to work with it. Chrome works fine.

Seemed like a rather strange interview in many ways. Is this what he always sounds like? He sounds a bit like he isn't fully awake or ready for the interview. And it doesn't seem like the kind of interview you would do if you were trying to get lots of attention. If it weren't for CycloneFanatic, who would hear it?

Which brings me to my next question. What are his sources about what ISU fans are thinking? He seems rather detached. I've got to think that when he talks about fans not getting more angry at Royce White for leaving, he is talking about us on CycloneFanatic. So, "Hi Paul!"

The mods probably know his username and it would be interesting to find out how much time he spends on the site. However, it is hard to imagine that he could spend much time on the site without posting because he seems to like to hear/read himself.

Why is so hard for him to accept the fact that we recognize that it is fine for White to go pro? On one hand, he treats us like we don't really understand what college sports is like for the "mercenary players." However, on the other hand, we are the ones who recognize that this is the best choice for White. He really seems to underestimate our ability to understand a situation like White's. What is the evidence that would lead him to wonder why we wouldn't be "more angry" at White for leaving?

He still has issues. Hope he is getting help for them.

**Cycsk** · 03-24-2012, 10:51 AM

[QUOTE=vmbplayer;2775369]Did anyone else catch that he said he could probably call up Larry Eustachy and sit down to have a beer with him? I'm guessing that was just an absent minded slip of the tounge, but with his feelings on LE it's hard to be sure of that.

Good catch. I missed that one when I listened to the interview. Hard to tell if it was intentional. He doesn't seem like he is doing much "editing" of himself.

At this point, I'm thinking that LE is more stable than PS.

**isudoc03** · 03-24-2012, 11:06 AM

I don't understand the mercenary player comment. All players are brought her to play ball first. They aren't recruited for their GPAs, social skills or good looks. That is all secondary to their ability to play a sport. I think most fans understand that some players are totally committed to ISU and want to improve the program but some are just here to use this as a tool to get a free education or improve their skills to move on to the next level.

The players get something out of coming here and we as fans get the entertainment and enjoyment of watching our teams. That sounds like an easy trade-off. If a player leaves early good luck to them. Whether I agree with some decisions is different but it is their lives not mine. ISU will continue to field teams next year just like they did after Troy Davis, Fizer, Stinson and others left early. I hold no ill well against those guys. The ones that upset me are the ones that go out and get in trouble and bring embarassment to ISU and the athletic department. White did nothing but play hard and be a good representative of ISU, why would fans be upset about that?

**bostrem00** · 03-24-2012, 11:10 AM

This interview is why I enjoy reading Shirley's articles....He calls it like it is no matter what the consensus perceives...Which I think is wrong with the media today...too much pandering

**mustangcy** · 03-24-2012, 11:13 AM

I love Paul...I chuckle at some of you with such hate over a guy just expressing his (more informed than most) opinion. As for his take on Royce? He's wrong...we used Royce not the other way around.