Chicat wrote: ↑Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:26 am
I don't know (from the very little I've seen of him) that Lloyd is a guy who can get me to ride or die with him the way Sean Miller did.
There were just things about Sean Miller's personality, both in calm and exciting times, that made me love him. I'd run through a brick wall for the guy, and still would.
I just don't get the same vibe from Lloyd. Which is fine. Any investment I have will be in the on the court results and the individual players. And maybe that's the way it should be. Then when things turn to shit I won't be heartbroken because the guy I respected and idolized turns out to be a flawed human just like everyone else.
The video of Sean's presser interaction with that Ari guy is a perfect encapsulation of everything I loved about the guy and others hated. I mean, he is being a dick, no doubt...if you give a public clip like Ari ran, that's on you. But it was how cool and calm he was, almost mafia-like...never said anything rude or insulting, was charming to everyone else but his target, then flashed that anger in a single look when he said "next question." I know it was childish, but it was kinda badass. I loved his ability to almost take glee in saying the "right thing" while making it clear he meant something else, like after the totally justified time out vs UCLA. His more tender side showed in those segments he did breaking down players film with them (can't remember the name). I, like you, was all in with CSM, and though it was a huge shock to the system to become a "black hat" program, I started to kind of dig it. I remember joking we should make concert T's last season for Sean's "Fuck You" Revenge Tour 2019-20...I really thought we were going to blow the lid off that season, esp. after Illinois. I was down for it, and as long as he keeps his current "kill Arizona with kindness" demeanor and public response, which I think he will, I am going to be his fan wherever he goes. He was a burning cauldron, but he was also in control...he was no Stoops, and his few T's seemed calculated (when not ref scams). Ira Lee's walking back of CSM from ref danger at the half vs ASU (Ira became one of my favorite Cats of the Miller era) was a rare exception. Lots of words here to say I agree about Sean.
But I am OK with Lloyd's vibe. I think it might be what we need here right now. The negativity largely wasn't justified, but it was starting to wear on the program. I would have kept Sean 100/100 times, but with that ship sailed, Lloyd might be the perfect next captain.
As for all of our transfers (not in response to Chicat)...everyone is going to think about it. They just lost the guy they came to play for, and they can enter the portal with no penalty and be courted. What kid doesn't like grown men slobbering over themselves to tell them how great they are? But if they leave...IF...the portal works both ways, and that freebee year exists outside of Arizona, too. Lloyd has reach, has probably recruited a lot of good players at other schools who like that he has a HC job at a program that is nobodies step down, and the wave of positive press will not hurt. Players have not really shown much concern about NCAA sanctions, even when we knew something was coming before the self ban. With the change in coaching, self ban, other programs penalties with similar situations, and amount of time since the violation, additional postseason bans seem unlikely (while, of course, possible). I don't think it will be as big an issue in recruiting as some think...especially for the crowd that wants 4 star players with more of a chance to stay instead of the top guys. Those guys were still coming.