Michael A. Lough: More catching up, from Macon's new arena to misconceptions to good but overrated to "media" issues to golf
Welcome back to your Sportspaper online, and Part II of catching up on a whole lot of things.
Sorry for the absence.
Sorry for the return.
So, let’s catch up, on all sorts of things, from months ago – we’ll stay within the 12 months (well, mostly) – to recently.
There’s just always so much to address. Thus, for a few weeks, five items a day. No more delaying or re-organizing – some of us get buried in stalking the organizing process – or whatevering. A dentist visit interrupted last week’s routine.
But for a few weeks, five catching-up items.
👉🏼 I’m all for the new arena complex – I’ll defend the Coliseum against the whiners, though, yes, it’s time - but, um, did they quietly eliminate the Edgar Wilson Convention Centre in the process? Seems like that part was missing from most stories the last year or so.
Update: Yes they did, but we’ve not been shown/told much about the new center, ostensibly on The Old Hotel sight, which is a good ol’ walk to the Experienced Hotel and New Coliseum.
Please, please don’t mention the possibility of gondolas as a transportation option.
2. It's unwise to just quickly blow up the old Coliseum. The ability to host other events - with fewer expenses and staff - as well as serve as a prep area shouldn't be so quickly eliminated.
Big, burly, surprisingly shortsighted mistake. Therea re, no doubt, some logical reasons to flatten it sooner rather than later, but it’s certainly a debate.
The potential, especially with a big ol' parking deck, is massive. Keep it going for, say, half a decade. Ditto the convention center, maybe longer.
Both can be of more help than folks realize.
👉🏼 *Sigh*
Good luck to the young man who's been working hard for years on the high school and basketball court.
But folks, again, reading more than an incomplete or deceptive social media post and not blindly groveling about incomplete or deceptive information is a good thing.
There's a big difference in signing an NBA contract and signing a contract with an NBA organization for an Exhibit 10 contract, "a one-year, non-guaranteed NBA training camp deal that pays the league minimum salary ... allows teams to retain a player's G League rights if they are waived, guarantees the player a bonus (up to roughly $77,500) if they sign with and remain on that team's G League affiliate for 60 days."
Kowacie Reeves Jr. did not sign an NBA contract, he signed a contract with an NBA organization. He’s not on an NBA team, he’s in an organization.
And please don’t interpret the much-needed clarification and accuracy as in any form or fashion dismissing the accomplishment. It’s big. The meetings of such Central Georgia alums with this on their resume don’t need many chairs.
Serious high-fives.
He knows more than anybody the work needed to make an impression wih the NBA-team part of the equation.
All he is, right now, is in the door, in the building. And that’s huge. Here’s hoping.
👉🏼 Will Muschamp is a nice and funny guy, and clearly a good defensive coordinator.
But not quite to the level as perceived, for one reason: longevity. He’s good with timing.
His new gig as defensive coordinator at Texas is the second time he’s had that job. Last time, he was there for three seasons, and bolted to be the head coach at Florida.
Muschamp’s resume as an assistant: West Georgia, Eastern Kentucky, Valdosta State, LSU, Miami, Auburn, Texas, Auburn, and Georgia.
He’s been the DC at Valdosta State for a year, LSU for three, Auburn for two, Texas for three, Auburn for one, and co-DC at Georgia (such as the DC job exists for somebody not making 13 mil) for two years.
The math: he’s been a DC for three years twice. That’s good timing. It’s not a lot of development of coaches or players, nor recruiting and staying for a kid’s full four years.
See, back then, a decade ago, most kids stayed put for three or four years. If you never see a kid at signing day and senior day …
The coach in waiting to succeed Mack Brown at Texas didn’t wait, and succeeded Urban Meyer at Florida.
Again, one can be good, or great, and overrated.
👉🏼 The objectivity and professionalism of those outlets “covering” – say “asskissing” without saying ‘asskissing” – colleges remains depressing.
Social media post of a “media” outlet – previously known as somewhat professional – of the team’s head coach holding a baby:
“This kid has no clue he’s being held by greatness.”
How pathetic. Pucker up, buttercup. The evaporation of professionalism in this profession is heartbreaking.
👉🏼 Patrick Reed is returning to the PGA Tour.
The joy it brings here is the huge angst it brings those with selective standards, and hypocrisy and clenchedness.
Cheating and petty – among other similar traits and philosophies - is OK for so many folks in the real world, except where Reed and golf are involved. Suddenly, class and ethics matter (for 72 holes).
Fact is, he’s a poster child for most of those with the loudest criticism.
At least he shows up and takes the grief, as opposed to those who … never mind.