WATFORD ELIMINATES ALALBAMA?
I've made the telephone calls. Everyone says the same thing. Trendon Watford is not coming to Alabama. Seriously, that should come as a surprise to no one. If you are a great player like Watford thinks he is, why go to school whose past dozen years or so isn't inspiring?
It will take a unique personality to pick Alabama given recent history and the fact that a new basketball coach is at the helm. If Watford considered the long term impact of signing with an out of state school he might pick Alabama regardless. But 18 year old kids aren't exactly looking for who they want to be 20 years from now. Here's an example. Would Alabama and Auburn fans pay any attention to Charles Barkley? I doubt it. Barkley chose Auburn and is much beloved in this State.
If Watford chooses Memphis it will be probably be a one and done deal. He will become a footnote to the people of Alabama. If he chooses LSU he will become a much hated man. I'm not saying that is acceptable to feel that way. Watford will be persona non grata to Alabama fans. To Auburn fans Watford will the "one that Alabama couldn't land" even though he grew up a 'Bama fan.
To fans who really keep up with recruiting the reason he might go to Memphis or LSU seem obvious. He isn't going to Memphis for the coaching is he? If he goes to LSU he'll be labeled as bought and paid even if it isn't true. I always thought that Indiana was a real possibility. Watford is doing no favors to himself by dragging out this decision. He knows where is going, but the attention is a drug. He's a kid. It's what kids do.
The one thing that 'Bama fans need to stop saying is that he is critical to the Tide's future. He isn't. One year isn't going to make or break a program. He isn't Zion Williamson or Larry Bird. He isn't even Colin Sexton. He is a very, very good play and we should all acknowledge that. Is he going to carry a team on his back? No, he isn't because he's not that good. If he somehow chooses 'Bama it will be a big deal. Is it a Kareem Abdul Jabbar moment? Is a Michael Jordon moment? Nope. If he chooses Alabama he will be a cherished man for his entire life. He will be remembered. But he's just a kid and kid's want instant gratification. I'm sure someone has explained the long vs. short term benefits. Regardless, let's wish his good luck. He's a good kid.
To come to 'Bama would mean he wants to be the player who rebuilds a program. That takes a special kind of player. Long term to most players is the NBA. And that's sad for NCAA basketball.
I've made the telephone calls. Everyone says the same thing. Trendon Watford is not coming to Alabama. Seriously, that should come as a surprise to no one. If you are a great player like Watford thinks he is, why go to school whose past dozen years or so isn't inspiring?
It will take a unique personality to pick Alabama given recent history and the fact that a new basketball coach is at the helm. If Watford considered the long term impact of signing with an out of state school he might pick Alabama regardless. But 18 year old kids aren't exactly looking for who they want to be 20 years from now. Here's an example. Would Alabama and Auburn fans pay any attention to Charles Barkley? I doubt it. Barkley chose Auburn and is much beloved in this State.
If Watford chooses Memphis it will be probably be a one and done deal. He will become a footnote to the people of Alabama. If he chooses LSU he will become a much hated man. I'm not saying that is acceptable to feel that way. Watford will be persona non grata to Alabama fans. To Auburn fans Watford will the "one that Alabama couldn't land" even though he grew up a 'Bama fan.
To fans who really keep up with recruiting the reason he might go to Memphis or LSU seem obvious. He isn't going to Memphis for the coaching is he? If he goes to LSU he'll be labeled as bought and paid even if it isn't true. I always thought that Indiana was a real possibility. Watford is doing no favors to himself by dragging out this decision. He knows where is going, but the attention is a drug. He's a kid. It's what kids do.
The one thing that 'Bama fans need to stop saying is that he is critical to the Tide's future. He isn't. One year isn't going to make or break a program. He isn't Zion Williamson or Larry Bird. He isn't even Colin Sexton. He is a very, very good play and we should all acknowledge that. Is he going to carry a team on his back? No, he isn't because he's not that good. If he somehow chooses 'Bama it will be a big deal. Is it a Kareem Abdul Jabbar moment? Is a Michael Jordon moment? Nope. If he chooses Alabama he will be a cherished man for his entire life. He will be remembered. But he's just a kid and kid's want instant gratification. I'm sure someone has explained the long vs. short term benefits. Regardless, let's wish his good luck. He's a good kid.
To come to 'Bama would mean he wants to be the player who rebuilds a program. That takes a special kind of player. Long term to most players is the NBA. And that's sad for NCAA basketball.
No comments:
Post a Comment