Paul Shirley in the DMR about end of 2001 season
- Thread starter DutchViking
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If by "everyone," you include our fanbase (myself included), you're wrong. Recent example:
http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/mens-basketball/143956-biggest-1st-round-upsets-ncaa-tournament-3.html#post2750963
I don't think it's a matter of bitterness about that specific game. It represents a point when ISU men's basketball could have built even further on 15 years of progress, but instead lost it.
Someone could develop an outline for a book about the 2000-01 season, the LE period, the erosion of the MBB program during the decade that followed, and possible redemption of it during early-Hoiberg era based exclusively on comments within this thread alone.
This really isn't a shot at ISU, and it is perfect timing for a story like this. It highlights some of the issues that led to the disappointing finish for that season and points out what Shirley sees in this team and coach that may be different. I know Shirley has written some controversial things, but I don't see the problem with this article.
I won't be over that loss in 2001 until another 2 seed goes down. That will be closure for me. Of course knowing my luck it will be 12 years later and it will probably be us again.
I sure hope a 2 goes down this year. Too bad 2 of the 2 seeds are Big12. Of course one is Mizzou.
I sure hope a 2 goes down this year. Too bad 2 of the 2 seeds are Big12. Of course one is Mizzou.
If I had known this info back in 2001 I wouldn't have made a large monetary wager for ISU to cover that game.
Not much new here. At that time, Larry was awful, an embarrassment. Paul was and is a self-involved whiner, and Tinsley a thug. Nobody was likable in this story, LE is the only one who has redeemed himself.
I will never be able to leave that one in the past. Arguably the biggest Cyclone kick in the junk in my lifetime.
I just read the article. Same ol' Paul. Still whining that the coach wasn't his best buddy. There are coaches out there like that. LE isn't one of them. He demands things. He tests. He toughens. Military style. Bob Knight is another. Does anyone who played for Bob Knight think he was their friend? I don't think this changes my view of Larry. I liked Larry. I like what Larry did for ISU basketball...at least up until the train wreck.
If Paul was trying to write a feel good article about this year's team, why not do so without crying more about what HE didn't like. The world revolves around Paul Shirley according to PS.
If Paul was trying to write a feel good article about this year's team, why not do so without crying more about what HE didn't like. The world revolves around Paul Shirley according to PS.
Really? Thanks for pointing that out. It's a lot closer than joke motivational banter from a High school coach during practice when a player is underperforming. I've played on travel teams before (I know, not college level) and after practice, in a hotel room, after you've gone through your walkthrough is a time to relax a little bit and take your mind off the pressure. Having your coach say what LE did is a very similar situation, no matter what you think. It's used at a time when there was absolutely nothing good that could come of it.
I'm ok with this article. I think it does shed the light on what was happening behind the scenes and shows that things are not always as good as it may seem.
I support both Larry and Paul. I don't see this as "sour grapes" for Paul. I've heard from more than just him Tinsley was no joy to be a teammate with and his antics in the NBA have solidified his character. Did we win games? Heck yes. Would I want to be a final four team with that stuff behind the scenes? No. As many have said, basketball has been great to Paul, not only playing, but an avenue to tell a unique story (his book, etc).
Paul touched on that...Hoiberg is doing it right. He controls egos and it's a "team first" type of mentality.
There is no doubt, with our hindsight glasses on we know that Larry had a lot going on and was melting down internally/externally. Believe me, it was fun to be a Cyclone back then (I was a student)....but as some folks around the university have told me, that was an era where the "inmates were running the prison" if you will. That typically is a recipe for extreme highs/lows.
From all I've heard, Larry is really doing great. I've heard interviews with him and he admits he didn't do it right back then and it wasn't fun.
Anyway...ramble away=me.
I support both Larry and Paul. I don't see this as "sour grapes" for Paul. I've heard from more than just him Tinsley was no joy to be a teammate with and his antics in the NBA have solidified his character. Did we win games? Heck yes. Would I want to be a final four team with that stuff behind the scenes? No. As many have said, basketball has been great to Paul, not only playing, but an avenue to tell a unique story (his book, etc).
Paul touched on that...Hoiberg is doing it right. He controls egos and it's a "team first" type of mentality.
There is no doubt, with our hindsight glasses on we know that Larry had a lot going on and was melting down internally/externally. Believe me, it was fun to be a Cyclone back then (I was a student)....but as some folks around the university have told me, that was an era where the "inmates were running the prison" if you will. That typically is a recipe for extreme highs/lows.
From all I've heard, Larry is really doing great. I've heard interviews with him and he admits he didn't do it right back then and it wasn't fun.
Anyway...ramble away=me.
"Military style" is tear-down to rebuild stronger. At ISU, LE kind of forgot about the rebuilding part. That leads to things like 2001.
The train was already coming off the tracks in 2001 (and possibly even before).
I am having trouble myself. LE's meltdown led to a lost decade for ISU basketball. The man certainly had issues.
Interesting read. Don't particularly enjoy Paul Shirley as a writer but he's kind of stating the obvious - team chemistry bad, Coach was out of control, etc. He also makes it sound like HE was impacted by this and HE deserved more....what about the rest of the team Paul?
I stayed in Pittsburgh Tuesday night, Larry and his team were staying there as were many of their fans. I talked to a couple of his players on the elevator and mentioned I am a fan of their coach from his Iowa State days - the young man said - "Iowa State, Wow the olden days". Its all perspective I guess, but after reading this maybe Paul and others need to take this young man's perspective and let it go.
I stayed in Pittsburgh Tuesday night, Larry and his team were staying there as were many of their fans. I talked to a couple of his players on the elevator and mentioned I am a fan of their coach from his Iowa State days - the young man said - "Iowa State, Wow the olden days". Its all perspective I guess, but after reading this maybe Paul and others need to take this young man's perspective and let it go.
Aw, thank you! It doesn't make it less of a shame for the other team members, but it's just... ugh.
I can sum up Paul Shirley and that article:
I don't doubt that this little memoir has a lot of truth and is how he truly feels, but the fact that he'd write it now says a lot more about Paul Shirley than it does about anybody else.
The ironic thing is that LE and Tinsley are 99% responsible for the soundboard Shirley has had the past decade. He's like that kid everyone knows whose strict parents gave him everything, and he hates them for it.
If being a first team All American means turning your team into a ditch, I'll take turning your team into a ditch every year from every player.
I don't doubt that this little memoir has a lot of truth and is how he truly feels, but the fact that he'd write it now says a lot more about Paul Shirley than it does about anybody else.
The ironic thing is that LE and Tinsley are 99% responsible for the soundboard Shirley has had the past decade. He's like that kid everyone knows whose strict parents gave him everything, and he hates them for it.
If being a first team All American means turning your team into a ditch, I'll take turning your team into a ditch every year from every player.
