Tommy Burleson Says it is “Time for a Change”

Alums General NCS Basketball105

Tommy Burleson was on Triangle Sports Talk 1090 AM this morning and said that he thought “there needs to be a change at this point in time”. It would be interesting to know what DT felt about the situation.

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Alums General NCS Basketball

105 Responses to Tommy Burleson Says it is “Time for a Change”

  1. class of '74 03/16/2006 at 1:13 PM #

    Greg you sir, by the comments made above, are a fool!

  2. Greg 03/16/2006 at 1:16 PM #

    I am a fool for thinking its a GOOD thing to call for a change the day BEFORE an NCAA win? Please explain your thoughts here.

    I would have to ask if you are actually pulling for the Pack tomorrow night. It sure doesnt sound like it.

  3. class of '74 03/16/2006 at 1:21 PM #

    ^to compare TB to the Hollywood stars. As to the comments the kids don’t listen to this as they are in Dallas far from what happened here this AM.

  4. WolfInVolCountry 03/16/2006 at 1:25 PM #

    Greg, if it is the truth NOW, then it should be said NOW!

    Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad. ~Aldous Huxley

  5. WTNY 03/16/2006 at 1:27 PM #

    Greg — your point would have been better made if you had been precise in saying, “Burleson’s timing was terrible.”

    That’s all you needed to say.

    His opinion does matter, much, much, much more than yours or mine.

  6. Greg 03/16/2006 at 1:29 PM #

    OK…think whatever you want. TB is just a talking head and who needs to keep his mouth shut until the time is right. TB doesnt know much more about today’s game than the average announcer does. His time, like all the old school basketballers who cant stop living 35 years ago, has passed. Basketball today is only like basketball of those years in that it has a round ball and two hoops.

    Do you think there is a reason he has sat his pruned up butt in the stands for all these years instead of on the sidelines somwhere? If he really wanted to make a difference he shoulda asked for the job instead of criticizing from the sidelines.

    I sat behind Vinny Del Negro at the Tourny this past weekend. I had the opportunity to overhear a good conversation between him and Mitch Kupchak. Vinny knows 10X more about modern basketball than TB. Maybe we could bring back Vinny?

  7. Cardiff Giant 03/16/2006 at 1:29 PM #

    “Cardiff, thats the great thing about life. Your opinion is no more right or wrong than mine or TB’s for that matter.”

    Actually, Greg, that’s not the case. Your likening TB to a Hollywood star talking politics is manifestly idiotic, and thus is NOT “as right or wrong” as mine, for the following reasons (by no means a complete list):

    1. Burleson spent four years as a player and star. Hollywood people usually have not served in politics in any real role;
    2. Hollywood people are usually not trained in analyzing political issues. Burleson is certainly well trained in analyzing athletic issues;
    3. Hollywood people generally have no experience in Washington or the political arena, as they live on the other side of the country. Burleson has been an active and present supporter of NC State, in North Carolina, for three decades now; and,
    4. Hollywood people speak to draw attention to themselves. Burleson hasn’t made a public comment of this kind in thirty years, until today.

    So again, your opinion likening Burleson to a Hollywood star, as if he was Merle Streep nattering about Alar, is manifest bullshit.

  8. VTPACKFAN 03/16/2006 at 1:30 PM #

    My brother-law works for what was then called Worldcom. He was sitting in his cubicle when he saw Tommy B. walking halfway across the office. He thought someone had slipped something in his drink at Harrisons the night before when he saw what appeared to be a man floating in the air.

  9. Greg 03/16/2006 at 1:33 PM #

    WTNY, you are right. It just happens to be a pet peeve of mine to see people desperately seeking attention when they have no reason to get it. I bet TB doesnt donate more time or money to the program than I do. Why should his opinion be spewed to the world? Noone calls TB and asks what to do anymore than they call me. His opinion might matter more to you but again, thats not important to the powers that be. If it was, we would have seen a change four years ago.

  10. Texpack 03/16/2006 at 1:34 PM #

    I listened to almost all of the interview this morning. Tommy was right on target. He was very respectful of Sendek. Thsi will be hard for people to just ignore. I think TB is a bit more knowledable in the area of Wolfpack Basketball than Jane Fonda is on Iraq.

  11. Greg 03/16/2006 at 1:36 PM #

    Cardiff, you might be right about TB being a wolfpacker for three decades, but to say that his basketball knowledge is superior just might not be true. The game he played is more like today’s womens basketball than the acc basketball we know and love today. My analogy might not have been dead on, but the general point was that until he is asked to start helping make decisions, his opinion is just an opinion.

  12. Greg 03/16/2006 at 1:41 PM #

    I have conversations with Mr. Fowler at least 3-4 times per year. I go to all the Wolfpack events, all the dinners, all the fundraisers. I have had dinner at Lee’s house and I know Mr Sendek and his family very well. I have also been involved in the program for a few decades and I can tell you that even as a top booster, you dont get to help make decisions. Popular opinion isnt a major decision making factor. The chancellor has a job to do which believe it or not, involves more than making people on message boards happy. Too many people on message boards think general public opinion has more sway than it really and truly does. It has SOME impact, but not enough to help make a decision. The only way you are helping make a decision on this is if you are getting a paycheck with NCSU as the payee or if you are going to get a new building named after you. Sorry.

  13. WolfInVolCountry 03/16/2006 at 1:41 PM #

    Greg, TB is a regular in this part of TN. He routinely speaks at churches and civic organization about his love for baskettball, NC State and his mission work.

    He is as genuine and sincere as they come. You can bet your arse, that if Tom has something to say, it is well-considered, timely and the truth.

    From your disparaging remarks re. TB’s age, my guess is that you would also consider it tripe if Wooden said it.

    Tom has the chops, where as you just smack your gums.

  14. Mr O 03/16/2006 at 1:42 PM #

    I have no issues with a coaching change being made. IMO, it makes a lot of sense in fact. But I disagree with the reactions to our four game losing streak considering the season isn’t over yet. Waiting a week would have made more sense IMO. I think we owed that to the current group of players.

  15. VTPACKFAN 03/16/2006 at 1:42 PM #

    Why not throw Mike Davis into the mix. He has one big games, he loves the south, and showed some real moxie when things got nasty. Not to mention it looks as if he might bring a few players along with him that would be transferred in time when the NYC recruit Wright lands on campus

  16. Texpack 03/16/2006 at 1:43 PM #

    Next time ESPN Classic plays the State Maryland game from the ’74 ACC Tournament be sure and watch. It was a mush faster paced game than what you see today. You are way off base to say it was like Women’s Basketball.

  17. Mr O 03/16/2006 at 1:44 PM #

    Wright’s recruitment would be wide open again. There is no reason to assume that he will be on campus because he is still a HS junior.

  18. choppack 03/16/2006 at 1:46 PM #

    “This is an interesting comment on several levels. What has been said on a message board, blog, newspaper, etc has absolutely no effect on me when I am watching a game. ”

    Yea, well, see, I’m cursed w/ a great memory and I do a sports media blackout when the pack loses – I get over it, but it I’ve never (and hope I never do) get used to losing.

    The good thing about these internet blogs is the bad thing about ’em. When you’re winning – it’s fun to visit because you can discuss the last games and upcoming games and revisit some fun memories. However, when things are going bad, you’re doing the same thing.

    Greg – regarding Burleson. I do hold his opinion highly. I wish he didn’t share it when he did, but it’s his right. I wouldn’t necessarily agree w/ him on coaching recommendations – especially if he recommended DT for the job – but he’s a man who loves NC State and who played the game at a high level. I think he probably respects Herb – even as a coach – but is frustrated like a lot of us w/ this continuous pattern of meltdowns.

  19. Greg 03/16/2006 at 1:47 PM #

    The biggest difference between basketball 30 years ago and the game today is the players and their motivation. Today’s players are bigger, stronger, and more athletic. Also, today’s players think differently than the old days, on and off the court. Motivation today is different.

    Speaking of Wooden, he has been one of the most outspoken guys about how much different the game today is. Thanks for the cue there. Read his last book.

  20. Greg 03/16/2006 at 1:50 PM #

    choppack, I am frustrated too. Dont get me wrong. I WANT a change. I just dont think we should disrespect our current players like he did. Its the mark of a man who didnt think clearly or of a man who didnt care. There is no way anyone can convince any rational basketball fan that it was the right time to make that comment. Period.

  21. Cardiff Giant 03/16/2006 at 1:59 PM #

    “I have conversations with Mr. Fowler at least 3-4 times per year. I go to all the Wolfpack events, all the dinners, all the fundraisers. I have had dinner at Lee’s house and I know Mr Sendek and his family very well. I have also been involved in the program for a few decades.”

    Which honestly makes it all the more inexplicable that you’d make the comment you did about Tommy Burleson.

  22. Fish 03/16/2006 at 2:04 PM #

    Just maybe TB’s recommendation will light a fire in the players asses. ZenDICK cannot do it. If you think back about last year, the majority of the turnaround was due to the Chris Paul incident and Hodge being the emotional and inspirational leader–not the Coach.

    Not far a second I am believing State will make a run or even be competitive with Cal, I am just throwing out an opinion that maybe the players will take it upon themselves to play for NCSU and not ZenDICK Maybe they could be urged by TB’s comments to have pride and renewed faith that change will come even if they play hard and win.

    With that said, I still think our team is wasting money on the airline flight to Dallas.

  23. formrwolffan 03/16/2006 at 2:06 PM #

    I too listened to TB’s interview. I thought he was very respectful of Sendek. Probaby more than most of us would be at this point. He obviously cares passionately about State basketball and I am glad he gave his opinion. The chancellor and AD might not lose sleep over his opinions or anyone else’s (that’s part of the problem I think). BUT I think the chancellor and AD will pay attention to what he or DT says just like the chancellor or AD at UNC would pay attention to what Jordan or Worthy would say. Paying attention and evaluating his opinion is not the same at doing exactly what he recommends. I DID NOT agree that DT should be the coach, but wholeheartly agree that a change is due. And if any of State’s players can read a newspaper I think they pretty much know the heat is on their coach.

  24. class of '85 03/16/2006 at 2:10 PM #

    This season is already over just like every season is with Sendek at the helm. Check his stats. Usually by mid Jan., once we are through with the cupcakes it is over. Same old story. We may get by Cal but I ain’t watching round 2. And so it will be the same old story. Thanks TB. The timing is perfect!

  25. class of '74 03/16/2006 at 2:11 PM #

    ^Greg the more you type the dumber you sound. When in a hole stop digging.

    “Motivation today is different”. Yeah that’s why we want a change too. Get us back to the days when we actually had a feared basketball program! Not this crap Herb’s been serving the past 10 years!!!

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