Friday, May 14, 2004
Standing Up for What You Believe In
Dukie V is a popular commentator because, among other reasons, he's a suck-up. As punditry goes, he takes the easy way out. He compliments players, coaches and administrators left and right, only occasionally taking the time to criticize a poor decision or call out unsportsmanlike conduct. Indeed, were it not for his pre-draft diatribes about staying in school, he'd hardly ever be on record as critiquing a player or taking an unpopular position.Ugh.
Gregg Doyel, on the other hand, calls it like he sees it. A recent column defends the less-than-popular notion that ex-Kansas center David Padgett should be free to transfer anywhere he wants -- including North Carolina.
Doyel's case is clear: Padgett put in his time. He didn't fit in at Kansas (though he wishes the Jayhawks the best). Public relations aside, there is no reason he should not be able to learn from Roy Williams at North Carolina.
Sure, such a position won't win Doyel any friends in the coaching profession. Roy won't notice (or acknowledge noticing) the column. Bill Self might -- and could subsequently commit to being less than forthcoming about gossip, recruits and the like in his next interview with Doyel.
But such is the life of a columnist who writes what he believes. In my mind, more power to him.
