Not Ready for Primetime (After 10 years)

No one would ever mistake me for a Brett Friedlander fan. (Take a look at last year’s embarassment by Brett to see why)

So, when someone who is historically such an apologist for a certain cause writes a piece like the one that Brett wrote last week, then everyone really needs to stand up and take notice.

You may have missed the piece since the Fayetteville Observer doesn’t get the kind of attention as the newspapers in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. But, make no mistake about the fact that none of those papers have found a way to express the feelings of the majority of NC State fans in their pages this year like Brett Friedlander has.

Friedlander succintly highlights many of the macro-deficiencies in the leadership/management of the direction of the NC State program without veering off topic at all. He writes a SUPER PIECE and hits so many nails on the head in this article that I don’t know where to begin. For example:

* He nails the of not setting high goals and standards (if any goals or standards even exist)

* He nails the “passive is as passive does” attitude of the coach and the players and the program.

* He nails the failures of the program on many fronts

I am going to paste Friedlander’s article as the first comment in the comments section of this entry because, much like this incredible piece from LAST YEAR, I don’t want to ever run the risk of losing it.

General Media NCS Basketball Quotes of Note

39 Responses to Not Ready for Primetime (After 10 years)

  1. class of '74 03/06/2006 at 4:21 PM #

    First of all to rid ourselves of Herb it will take multiple openings IMO. I think if done properly, we can compete because of the allure of the ACC. Some people actually don’t shrink from a challenge like going toe to toe with Roy and K! That’s what we should seek someone who has passion, pride and a purpose because right now we lack those three qualities.

  2. RickJ 03/06/2006 at 4:28 PM #

    For sure losses – Cam, Bethel & Illian; and
    For sure gains – Costner, Davis, Horner, Werner & Ferguson.

    Ced leaving is the doomsday scenario. With him and normal improvement, I’m not sure we fall off that much. What Fells, Davis & Ferguson give us at guard is the big unknown. The rest of the league may improve but other than GT & UNC I don’t see that many can’t miss teams for improvement. Heck, we were 1 – 3 against GT & UNC this year.

    I have always felt like Herb would be the perfect fit at a football school. He could get you to “pretty good” and not do anything to embarrass the school. Say what you want but at schools like Auburn, Georgia, Notre Dame, etc. – basketball is just not that important.

  3. JSIMON 03/06/2006 at 4:29 PM #

    I won’t jump into the premature coaching speculation but to take a cheap shot at Engin Atsur is just that. Cheap. Honestly, Atsur is one of the classiest kids we have had in this program for as long as I have been so close to it (and that’s going back to the V days). And he’s one of the hardest-working and passionate players we’ve had in a long time.

    The guy was diving on the floor late in games against UNC and Wake Forest (and really throughout the year). Quite frankly, he’s been one of the only players we’ve had in recent games that was really aggressive in driving to the basket and trying to create some opportunities. He and Grant were the only bright spots on Saturday. Atsur’s been in double-figures in six of the last seven games. And he had 23 vs Wake. I, for one, am glad we’ve got him (and Grant) coming back.

    And if you’re not completely ready to tank this season (as it appears many of you are) I’ve got a post on my site (www.simonsayshoops.com) that talks about what this team is lacking now — toughness (which it may not have had all season) and togetherness (which it has lost).

    Anyway, it’s here:
    http://simonsayshoops.blogspot.com/2006/03/broken-psyche.html

    So let’s see … next year we’ve got Grant, Atsur, Simmons and Brackman (who’s already said he’s planning on playing both sports next season) coming back. And we’ve got Costner (a former McDonald’s All-American), Fells, McCauley and a solid recruiting class (plus a transfer) all on board too. But everyone’s ready to throw in the towel before the schedule’s even announced? I’d assume you’d all feel the same if there was someone else as head coach too, right? Or would expectations just soar right away?

    Being disappointed is justifiable. Being irrational is just, well, expected.

  4. BJD95 03/06/2006 at 4:43 PM #

    We definitely lose 3 – perhaps 4 or 5 – of our 7-man rotation. I don’t see that likely being a positive scenario. And ballhandling very much will be a serious concern.

  5. Mike 03/06/2006 at 4:47 PM #

    Andy Kennedy from Cincinnati…..anyone remember him? A lean, 3 point gunslinger from the 80’s lacing up the Nikes for V before he saw green er pastures elsewhere. Not that he would ever come back here to coach, but he has some fire in him. I would want a more established coach than a guy in his 1st year as interim replacement for Bob CHuggins.

    There are plenty of big names that would jump at the chance to come here. Does not take a genius ot know NC State is a top program in spite of the fact we are in the same neighborhood as Duck and Orange County CC. Does Mickelson not enter a golf tournament becasue Tiger is playing? Heck no, he wants to beat the best. Coaches are the same way.

    As for next year, Fells and Costner look completely lost out there. Why? I dont know, maybe the fact they have not played all year. The new kids coming in? They will be splintered too on the bench all year. Grant the human turnover? I think there is some talent there, but even Grant in his 2nd year lacks experience. The success we have had is because guys like Bennerman, Evtimov, and Bethel have willed it for us. Atsur is a fine player, but he is a complimentary player, not a go to guy. We are in big trouble next year, as everyone else is improving, we are getting worse.

  6. VaWolf82 03/06/2006 at 4:52 PM #

    And we’ve got Costner (a former McDonald’s All-American), Fells, McCauley and a solid recruiting class (plus a transfer) all on board too. But everyone’s ready to throw in the towel before the schedule’s even announced?

    The “solid group” of in-coming freshmen were ranked the sixth best in the ACC. I don’t think that we can count on freshmen to move State further up the conference standings. For various reasons, this year’s freshmen haven’t gotten to play much…how much will they improve by next year?

    Backcourt play is clearly the area of concern for next year. I don’t think anyone is giving up….but there are plenty of reasons to be concerned. That doesn’t mean that I’m going to lose sleep over it….just something I intend to watch next fall/winter during the annual cupcake parade.

  7. Jeff 03/06/2006 at 4:54 PM #

    JSIMON,

    I think you completely misunderstood my point and attached an awful lot more to my comment than I said or meant.

    First, Atsur is my 2nd favorite player on this whole team. I completely agree with you about his hustle. I also think that his he is the toughest player on our squad.

    My comment was simple and direct — and it had nothing to do with the intangible things that you touted and that I agree with. I said NOTHING critical about Atsur’s (great) play this year with Bethel & Bennerman & Evtimov spreading the court and complimenting him. But, just because I love the kid (and his game) doesn’t make him a great point guard that we desperately need next year in light of our lack of depth in the backcourt.

    He is heady. He is a great shooter. He is a strong, dedicated defender. He is a class guy.

    But, he is NOT fast…and he is NOT strong with his off hand….and he is NOT a “point guard” to hang your hat on in the ACC. In particular on a team (like next year) where there isn’t a single soul on the roster with an ounce of experience to complement him in the backcourt.

    Next year, Atsur is going to have to handle EVERYTHING almost completely by himself. All game long he will be busting his ass on defense and then breaking presses with his dribble. He’s tough. But, he’s not Magic Johnson.

    I’m sorry…but all of the great things that he IS, doesn’t make him a successful “point guard” in the ACC. I can’t change his skills. Nor can I, in good faith, proclaim that he is going to be able to handle presses by himself next year.

    No offense, but I don’t understand your comment that being “irrantional is to be expected” when you’re the one who took my tiniest of comments far beyond the pale of rationality when my simple point was that Atsur’s point guard ability (without experienced support in the backcourt) doesn’t help me sleep at night when I think about next season. I guess you disagree with my conclusion?

  8. class of '74 03/06/2006 at 5:02 PM #

    No point guard equals little or no success in this league period! Just ask WF!

  9. JSIMON 03/06/2006 at 8:17 PM #

    Jeff, maybe you’re right. I guess on second look I read too much into your comments — “Atsur? Are you serious?” I can see how most people are going to be fearful of not having a true point guard next year. Honestly, it’s a good gripe (and a constant one) for those who take shots at the offense and Herb. Which even I’ll admit isn’t too difficult to do after the last three games.

    But … I actually think that handling the press won’t be our biggest problem next season. The biggest thing we’ll face is where the scoring will come from. Bethel, Bennerman and Evtimov have all been capable of having big scoring games. I don’t see anyone on the roster next season that could have those big scoring nights. Simmons and, to a greater extent, Brackman have been erratic scorers at best.

    And while not directed at you, I do think it’s a bit irrational to begin discounting next season when this one’s not even over yet.

    BTW, I loved your Magic Johnson comparison. I think it’s the only time Engin and Magic will ever be compared. And for that alone it’s worth pondering. 🙂

  10. WolfInVolCountry 03/06/2006 at 9:46 PM #

    I was sitting in Hilton Head about this time last year reading very similar posts re. Herb’s future. I was convinced that he was on his way out. Then came the NCAAs and a Sweet-16 appearance and it became certain that he would be back.

    Fast forward to this year… deja-vu. I have this sinking feeling that the same thing will occur. He will get a decent draw, maybe a lucky win (ala UConn) and strenghten his hand for a return engagement in 2006-2007.

    I turned off the WF game at half knowing we would lose. I watched the Puke-Holes game and got sick of the Vitalese statements about the “best rivalry in college hoops”, because I knew that State-UNC used to be that, pre-Coach K.

    When you have lived through Case and Sloan and Towe and Thompson and Bailey and Valvano and Fire and Ice, you expect and yearn for more. I hate to be a pessimist but even if Herb leaves we are years away.

    Sorry for the ramblings and misspellings, but it is hard to compose when you are so disillusioned.

    PS. Then I see what a coach like Bruce Pearl is doing here in TN with a Vol team that was nothing….. ARRRRRHHHHHHHHHHH!

  11. blpack 03/06/2006 at 10:21 PM #

    We as fans need to expect and demand a higher standard. Time for a change, one way or another.

  12. Joe 03/06/2006 at 11:47 PM #

    Carolina did OK losing 7 of their top 7. 🙂

  13. class of '74 03/07/2006 at 6:14 AM #

    ^I wish we could lose three of our top three: LF, HS & CA.

  14. Rick 03/07/2006 at 10:47 AM #

    “What will our roster look like next year? Who will be our likely starters and top 2 reserves (I’m guessing once again we don’t develop the depth we will need).”

    We are going to be very guard poor next year.
    We have Atsur as the only experienced guard available. I know, I know, Grant many say. He is too slow and will have trouble dribbling when a guard is playing defense on him (mostly forwards guard him now). We have three guards with no experience (Furgeson, Davis and Fells). At least one of these and probably two will have to step up if we want a three guard rotation. It is a tought spot to be in when you have to count on inexperienced guards.
    Guards win basketball games and we do not have them nxt year.
    I agree about Brackman. I just cannot see why he would come back. It would cost him millions if he got hurt and he cannot be having much fun playing 15 min a game.

    So we have Grant, Atsur and Ced as the only expereince we have returning. Not exactly a threesome that has set the world on fire.
    We are also woefully unathletic. Fells and Davis are the only players I would call atheletic and I just do not see Davis playing much next year (see Bennermen,Cameron or Sherril, Scooter).
    We would seem to be very close to the Princeton ideal.

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