Absolute Dose of Honesty

[B.B.H.]

As some of the most knowledgeable fans in CBB, we spent the last fifteen years yelling at our tvs because we felt that we knew more than our coach about the game, and sometimes we may have been correct. I know this is a bitter pill for some of us to swallow, but we no longer are smarter than our coach. The faster some people realize this, the better. Pope is smarter than you. He’s going to make mistakes like all coaches and he is going to analyze it and correct it. I’m sure I’ll be shunned for saying this, but I’m just speaking from the heart…we can just be fans now and enjoy what the Pope is doing.

 

[kydmb99]

It's perfectly fine to criticize Mark Pope, just like it is with any other coach. Doesn't mean you want him to fired, but that's always the idiotic dichotomy posed on this unhinged message board

 

[B.B.H.]

It's perfectly fine to criticize Mark Pope, just like it is with any other coach. Doesn't mean you want him to fired, but that's always the idiotic dichotomy posed on this unhinged message board

Think it depends on the criticism tbh

 

[BlueBomb]

I agree. I've listened to Pope a few times now when he's explained something. I realized real quick, that I won't be questioning his knowledge. The dude is legit. In that regard, I'll hang up my Bennie Hat.

However, there's no problem in questioning decisions. He himself said he made a bad decision in the Clemson game.

Plus, this is a message board. If there was a rule against griping and complaining, only HerrosHeroes would be posting.

 

[bbncal02]

I agree. I've listened to Pope a few times now when he's explained something. I realized real quick, that I won't be questioning his knowledge. The dude is legit. In that regard, I'll hang up my Bennie Hat.

However, there's no problem in questioning decisions. He himself said he made a bad decision in the Clemson game.

Plus, this is a message board. If there was a rule against griping and complaining, only HerrosHeroes would be posting.

Yeah, I'm not going to sit here and say "I know more than Mark Pope". However, like any fan who's watched for a long time, I have a vested interest and will criticize a decision if I don't think it's the best one. Not playing Butler more and leaving Brea on the bench for awhile may have cost us that win.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

That's the most refreshing part for me. Pope is an incredibly smart guy, and isn't afraid to make changes (in fact, he thrives on adjustments to metrics and flow of the game).

But he's also incredibly humble and willing to accept responsibility for his choices (right or wrong). In my book, that puts him 5 rungs higher on the ladder than the last guy.

 

[Wonky]

However, there's no problem in questioning decisions. He himself said he made a bad decision in the Clemson game.

The difference is going to be that Pope will learn from his mistakes and adjust. How many times did we hear Cal say “I probably should have called a timeout”, “I probably should have fouled”, or “I probably should have left player X in with 2 fouls”. He would say those things, but then go and do the same thing next time, and the time after that, etc.

 

[B.B.H.]

The difference is going to be that Pope will learn from his mistakes and adjust. How many times did we hear Cal say “I probably should have called a timeout”, “I probably should have fouled”, or “I probably should have left player X in with 2 fouls”. He would say those things, but then go and do the same thing next time, and the time after that, etc.

Precisely the point. You nailed it

 

[jedwar]

I'm not smarter than Pope but I'm smart enough to know no one is above some criticism and second guessing. He deserved some after the other night for a couple of things. He even second guessed himself. But no one is perfect and no game is perfect. I'm genuinely excited to see how he makes adjustments going forward. I'm going to enjoy the ride, but I'm also going to "fan" along the way with overreactions, underreactions, crazy takes and all that.

 

[B.B.H.]

I'm not smarter than Pope but I'm smart enough to know no one is above some criticism and second guessing. He deserved some after the other night for a couple of things. He even second guessed himself. But no one is perfect and no game is perfect. I'm genuinely excited to see how he makes adjustments going forward. I'm going to enjoy the ride, but I'm also going to "fan" along the way with overreactions, underreactions, crazy takes and all that.

We all will. I think you missed my point. Pope will make mistakes, everyone does. He will correct them himself. But some criticisms given who he is and who we are will make us the fools. We can trust the guy who has the keys to the Ferrari

 

[yoshukai]

It's perfectly fine to criticize Mark Pope, just like it is with any other coach. Doesn't mean you want him to fired, but that's always the idiotic dichotomy posed on this unhinged message board

At this point I think it’s fine to “question “ Mark Pope . The criticism can come later.

 

[JimBR]

As some of the most knowledgeable fans in CBB, we spent the last fifteen years yelling at our tvs because we felt that we knew more than our coach about the game, and sometimes we may have been correct. I know this is a bitter pill for some of us to swallow, but we no longer are smarter than our coach. The faster some people realize this, the better. Pope is smarter than you. He’s going to make mistakes like all coaches and he is going to analyze it and correct it. I’m sure I’ll be shunned for saying this, but I’m just speaking from the heart…we can just be fans now and enjoy what the Pope is doing.

The key line from your post is: "Pope is smarter than you." When you hear him speak it becomes obvious his intellect is beyond most of us RR participants.

 

[jedwar]

We all will. I think you missed my point. Pope will make mistakes, everyone does. He will correct them himself. But some criticisms given who he is and who we are will make us the fools. We can trust the guy who has the keys to the Ferrari

I probably did.

 

[jedwar]

The key line from your post is: "Pope is smarter than you." When you hear him speak it becomes obvious his intellect is beyond most of us RR participants.

I challenge him to change the hydraulic fluid in my Kubota tractor. He can keep his Rhodes Scholar candiate stuff. I passed my ACT (barely).

 

[B.B.H.]

I challenge him to change the hydraulic fluid in my Kubota tractor. He can keep his Rhodes Scholar candiate stuff. I passed my ACT (barely).

If someone who watched a lot of tractor maintenance on YouTube starts questioning your ability to maintain a tractor without having owned one themselves or maintaining one themselves, you might think it a bit funny. That’s the whole point

 

[twwilliams9]

As some of the most knowledgeable fans in CBB, we spent the last fifteen years yelling at our tvs because we felt that we knew more than our coach about the game, and sometimes we may have been correct. I know this is a bitter pill for some of us to swallow, but we no longer are smarter than our coach. The faster some people realize this, the better. Pope is smarter than you. He’s going to make mistakes like all coaches and he is going to analyze it and correct it. I’m sure I’ll be shunned for saying this, but I’m just speaking from the heart…we can just be fans now and enjoy what the Pope is doing.

Every fan of every team thinks they know more than the coach, especially when things go bad. That’s human nature. Fan is short for fanatic and people get emotional about their team. If you think for one second that fans expressing and venting anonymously on a messageboard expect to be taken seriously, then you're out of touch with reality. . Get real man.

 

[B.B.H.]

Every fan of every team thinks they know more than the coach, especially when things go bad. That’s human nature. Fan is short for fantatic and people get emotional about their team. If you think for one second that fans expressing and venting anonymously on a messageboard expect to be taken seriously, then you're out of touch with reality. . Get real man.

Ok I got your point. Therefore i take nothing that you say seriously. See how being consistent works? Lol. What a dumb, self-defeating retort

 

[moses1uk]

Chandler was hitting everything from deep in warm ups last game . Pope decided not to even try him . Thats the only time ive been mad at Pope

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

Pope is highly intelligent. He takes that further in several important ways. He is also open minded, thirsts for knowledge and pursues it, consistently reevaluates his assumptions and methods, and is honest amd genuine. One couldn't ask for more from someone in his position.

If you would trust him to cut on your brain...

Having said this, of course fans can second guess and question. But should do so within reason. He's already earned it.

 

[jedwar]

If someone who watched a lot of tractor maintenance on YouTube starts questioning your ability to maintain a tractor without having owned one themselves or maintaining one themselves, you might think it a bit funny. That’s the whole point

What is your point exactly? Be a fan and he's smarter intellectually than almost all on the message board?

 

[TTTblue24]

Questioning or asking on rotations and happenings throughout the game are valid but any name calling is out of line. People that post that stuff I don’t even read cause that’s just idiotic.

 

[Digger-Cat]

It was easy to critisize Cal, because we all knew he was playing certain players for the wrong reasons. He wasn't coaching to win games the last 6 or 7 years, he was coaching as if he was running NBA tryouts.

Mark Pope is trying to win games, he's going to put the guys on the court that he feels are best suited to win the game.

That being said, he will make mistakes and it is okay to question some things. This is a message board, it's meant to be a place for conversation.

 

[B.B.H.]

What is your point exactly? Be a fan and he's smarter intellectually than almost all on the message board?

Yes lol. Obviously. I think there is a difference between saying “I wish to see Brea log more minutes” versus questioning that Pope doesn’t know what he’s doing and that you know better.
Just like the tractor analogy. You may accept someone’s suggestion to try a certain type of oil but might not think their point is valid if they have never owned a tractor and are critical of your practice.

 

[jedwar]

Questioning or asking on rotations and happenings throughout the game are valid but any name calling is out of line. People that post that stuff I don’t even read cause that’s just idiotic.

Agree 100%. I don't even read folks that do that in regard to others.

 

[jedwar]

Yes lol. Obviously. I think there is a difference between saying “I wish to see Brea log more minutes” versus questioning that Pope doesn’t know what he’s doing and that you know better.
Just like the tractor analogy. You may accept someone’s suggestion to try a certain type of oil but might not think their point is valid if they have never owned a tractor and are critical of your practice.

Ah gotcha. I'm a little slow. But I get there eventually.

 

[twwilliams9]

Ok I got your point. Therefore i take nothing that you say seriously. See how being consistent works? Lol. What a dumb, self-defeating retort

I don’t argue with people who use fake names so be a wise guy to your hearts content.

 

[jedwar]

Questioning or asking on rotations and happenings throughout the game are valid but any name calling is out of line. People that post that stuff I don’t even read cause that’s just idiotic.

I'll take it a step beyond. There is not a quicker way to invalidate your opinion than to name call etc. At that point, I no longer listen to them.

 

[mcnicKY91]

No doubt Pope is smart...right now he seems to be the right fit at the right time at UK.

However, I am also smart enough to know and see that Pope needs to stop initiating so much of our offense with Amari Williams at the top of the key.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

As some of the most knowledgeable fans in CBB, we spent the last fifteen years yelling at our tvs because we felt that we knew more than our coach about the game, and sometimes we may have been correct. I know this is a bitter pill for some of us to swallow, but we no longer are smarter than our coach. The faster some people realize this, the better. Pope is smarter than you. He’s going to make mistakes like all coaches and he is going to analyze it and correct it. I’m sure I’ll be shunned for saying this, but I’m just speaking from the heart…we can just be fans now and enjoy what the Pope is doing.

We arent smarter. Doesn't mean criticism is off the table. Mistakes still get made.

 

[B.B.H.]

We arent smarter. Doesn't mean criticism is off the table. Mistakes still get made.

Read original post again

 

[BBNinSC]

We’ve never had a single poster smarter about the game of basketball than any one of our coaches, past or present.
These guys spend their working careers at the highest level of the sport. If anyone here did the same we would have heard of you and you would be coaching instead of posting on this forum.
The internet has empowered people to be assholes anonymously.

 

[ukfan1622]

As some of the most knowledgeable fans in CBB, we spent the last fifteen years yelling at our tvs because we felt that we knew more than our coach about the game, and sometimes we may have been correct. I know this is a bitter pill for some of us to swallow, but we no longer are smarter than our coach. The faster some people realize this, the better. Pope is smarter than you. He’s going to make mistakes like all coaches and he is going to analyze it and correct it. I’m sure I’ll be shunned for saying this, but I’m just speaking from the heart…we can just be fans now and enjoy what the Pope is doing.

Really the main things I want in a coach is for him to be extremely smart and flexible in their strategies and motivated. Pope nails all that!

 

[ukfan1622]

We’ve never had a single poster smarter about the game of basketball than any one of our coaches, past or present.

Really that's just crazy. If you'd said they all had more knowledge instead of being smarter I wouldn't even disagree. Mark Stoops knows everything there is to know about football but isn't smart enough to cull that knowledge down into a coherent system. When it comes to games of strategy IQ is most certainly a factor and not all coaches have great minds.

 

[Cats192]

I feel like we spend more time arguing about what is or isn't "ok" or "acceptable" to talk about than we spend actually talking about things.
It's a message board. It's fine to question things the coach does. It's fine to criticize things the coach does. It's fine. It violates no rules or laws. I don't envision Mark Pope reads Cats Illustrated/Rupp Rafters/House of Blue. And if he does, oh well.

People are allowed to talk about what they want to talk about. We don't need coaching/lecturing or even lessons about what is and isn't acceptable to discuss.

So if you think Mark Pope should have played Brea more--you can say that. If you think Mark Pope played Kriisa too much--you can say that. If you didn't like Mark Pope's strategy for whatever reason--you can say that.

And if you are bothered by said criticism, shut up, don't read it, don't respond to it. But please stop trying to tell people what they can and can't post. You're not the damn internet police.

 

[B.B.H.]

I feel like we spend more time arguing about what is or isn't "ok" or "acceptable" to talk about than we spend actually talking about things.
It's a message board. It's fine to question things the coach does. It's fine to criticize things the coach does. It's fine. It violates no rules or laws. I don't envision Mark Pope reads Cats Illustrated/Rupp Rafters/House of Blue. And if he does, oh well.

People are allowed to talk about what they want to talk about. We don't need coaching/lecturing or even lessons about what is and isn't acceptable to discuss.

So if you think Mark Pope should have played Brea more--you can say that. If you think Mark Pope played Kriisa too much--you can say that. If you didn't like Mark Pope's strategy for whatever reason--you can say that.

And if you are bothered by said criticism, shut up, don't read it, don't respond to it. But please stop trying to tell people what they can and can't post. You're not the damn internet police.

By your logic, you also don’t get to police someone saying you SHOULDNT say it

 

[ukcatz12]

When you hear him speak it becomes obvious his intellect is beyond most of us RR participants.

To be fair, that’s a very low bar.

 

[Mike-D]

It's perfectly fine to criticize Mark Pope, just like it is with any other coach. Doesn't mean you want him to fired, but that's always the idiotic dichotomy posed on this unhinged message board

Lol, people were on here coming at me after our last game because I said Pope coached a shit game. I mean, he did. Call it what it is. Doesn't mean I don't support him 110%.

 

[B.B.H.]

Lol, people were on here coming at me after our last game because I said Pope coached a shit game. I mean, he did. Call it what it is. Doesn't mean I don't support him 110%.

I think Pope admitted as much after the game. Not the kind of thing I’m talking about personally.

 

[Mike-D]

I think Pope admitted as much after the game. Not the kind of thing I’m talking about personally.

I think he got caught being too far up in the game, and didn't wanna adjust for better offense, and give up defense. No idea what he was doing with Kerr, but he either needs to play off the ball or stay on the bench.

 

[B.B.H.]

I think he got caught being too far up in the game, and didn't wanna adjust for better offense, and give up defense. No idea what he was doing with Kerr, but he either needs to play off the ball or stay on the bench.

Guaranteed that Kerr gets a drop in minutes until his production increases. Dude killed us