He showed up on his own, thinking (as we all did) that this was going to be a Cyclone celebration. I spoke with him as he was quickly leaving - he was not happy.
The HB saga and the people
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He showed up on his own, thinking (as we all did) that this was going to be a Cyclone celebration. I spoke with him as he was quickly leaving - he was not happy.
Sadly, I thought he screwed us over when his coach Vance Downs reminded the crowd once more just prior to handing the mic over to HB to be respectful of his decision. Coaches, Mom, etc. all knew and this was orchestrated by HB and his family at their own choice.
Wow. So he took it right in the midsection in person. Ouch.
Gary Thompson is Mr. Cyclone. I swear I see him all the time at ISU events and have for decades. Now there is a proud Iowan who realized how much it means to your community when you stay local as a way to thank your community that did so much to make you the person you have become.
I will not quote him here without his permission, but you described it fairly well.
It is not a matter of listening to this board. It is PR 101.
Create a public situation with potential for downside reaction and opinions and you have to accept the risk if this occurs.
Personally I have no problem with him choosing another school, and I wish him the best, it is just sad to see how it has unfolded.
Funny thing is, he could solve it in one simple statement.
Simply in an interview sometime work in something to the effect of
""I felt that UNC is the deicison I needed to make for my future and I really wanted to thank and celebrate this decision with the community that has supported me.
Now that it is over, I can see where it perhaps caused some unintended frustration or dissapointment for ISU fans. That was not my intention, but i recognize it may have occured. I ahve a lot of respect for what the coaches players, and fans have done with ISU. etc...
Better to go this route than denial damage control.
Create a public situation with potential for downside reaction and opinions and you have to accept the risk if this occurs.
Personally I have no problem with him choosing another school, and I wish him the best, it is just sad to see how it has unfolded.
Funny thing is, he could solve it in one simple statement.
Simply in an interview sometime work in something to the effect of
""I felt that UNC is the deicison I needed to make for my future and I really wanted to thank and celebrate this decision with the community that has supported me.
Now that it is over, I can see where it perhaps caused some unintended frustration or dissapointment for ISU fans. That was not my intention, but i recognize it may have occured. I ahve a lot of respect for what the coaches players, and fans have done with ISU. etc...
Better to go this route than denial damage control.
I would assume Gary think's similiar to me...that kids nowadays just don't seem to have that community loyalty. You can say that's good or bad...doesn't matter but kids now just don't feel that community like they have in the past. I think that's the saddest part for me..that HB felt Ames was not the best place for him. I think most of us who have lived a few years realizes he's making a bigger mistake than any 17 yr old would ever know.
Probably never going to see a #1 overall in this state in our lifetimes. Think of the sheer population of the US.
Completely stings. Especially with Roy Williams being the culprit. He has stolen 4 of the Top 5 this state has had.
Can I blame HB? Not at all. That said, that doesn't make it hurt any less.
I think the worst part is stringing along ISU. I have no doubt he loves ISU. that said, he had little intention of signing on the dotted line. His mind was made up early last week (Tuesday). Drop ISU from the cards. Don't make it public. Thank the state for what it has done for you. Move forward.
Dont't get the hopes of the faithful up. He should know what our fans have been through. It was weak sauce and no one can convince me otherwise. Complete Me-fest. Period.
Now that I look back on it I realize we were never a real choice for him. If we were a real choice he would have chosen Iowa State. When UNC came calling it became about them and Duke.
You really think OU had a chance either. I never did and nobody else did either. Yet he kept telling them the same stuff he told Iowa State.
He used all of our stuff until the end. Even played in the basketball practice facility the night before his decision. If he knew when he said he did on soundoff he would have never showed up to the gym that night. He would have told our coaches and moved on. Not to mention he is still asking to use our practice facility.[/QUOTE]
How do you know that to be true? If it is true, someone needs to help him understand the concept of etiquette.
Of course, we can also tell him that our facilities are for Cyclone players and Cyclone recruits...of which he is neither and that is the end of the discussion.
I didn't watch the "event" nor have I really heard what kind of crowd was actually in attendance. Can someone enlighten me as to who was there...Ames HS kids, ISU students, ISU boosters (read
lder men), media, etc?I didn't watch the "event" nor have I really heard what kind of crowd was actually in attendance. Can someone enlighten me as to who was there...Ames HS kids, ISU students, ISU boosters (read
There was everything there, Ames high kids, college kids, old guys, middle age people ect... A lot of people wearing Cyclone gear.
I didn't watch the "event" nor have I really heard what kind of crowd was actually in attendance. Can someone enlighten me as to who was there...Ames HS kids, ISU students, ISU boosters (read
You can watch the whole video from WOI TV right here I believe:
http://www.woi-tv.com/Global/category.asp?C=7588&nav=menu115_4
Click under Featured Videos Harrison Barnes Makes His Choice
Sorry I couldn't get a direct link to work.
I think you will understand how many ISU fans are not really all that surprised or upset by hb's choice, but the way he went about it. I think it is a final reminder of how much ISU was used during this whole event.
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I'm not sure this would be the decision I would reach were I in charge of our program but I have no problem with him saying it because he is simply trying to be gracious.
If HB has any sense of etiquette he will steer clear of the practice facility and not go about things as though everything is status quo.
Why would he not take coach at his word? Is coach not strong enough to tell a 17 year old kid that he can't use his facilities? I doubt that.
This is the cruxt of the issue. I do not think anyone really blames him for his pick.
It is how he announced it, handled it, the ego demonstrated and being totally oblivious to the negative ramifications.
They issued the public invitation via press release. Someone in the PR department missed the boat. Either he or those who counseled him need to understand they may have messed up on it.
Again, those saying to move on, seem to always go back to let him make his decision. They will not address the gaffes made.
Classic diversion from a public relations perspective for maintaining the reputation of the product.[/QUOTE]
Right on! I've noticed that as well. I don't care about his choice of schools. I care about being used to make HB look hot.
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Mac is showing intelligence and class. It does nothing for him to appear bitter about the decision.
Based on the press conference, I think it will be a few years before young Mr. Barnes figures some things out.
GM is clearly being polite and gracious in a tough circumstance. If he told HB that he was no longer welcome he would look bitter.
I'm not sure how old you are but I recently had my lawn mower crap out about half way through my yard. I asked my neighbor if I could borrow his to finish the yard and he told me I could "borrow it anytime I needed"...I did not take this as an invitation to use his lawn mower and not go buy a new one for myself. Even though he offered, it would be imposing and rude for me to continue to use his lawn mower.
