Paul Harris Is Just A Pawn In The Game Of Life

by Sean Keeley on Apr 14, 2009 11:57 AM EDT

I'm not saying the Syracuse basketball pro declarations have turned into a soap opera, I'm just saying that were two days away from Susan Lucci joining the coaching staff.

Just when you thought everything was wrapped up in a tidy, horrible bow, along comes news from Paul Harris himself that he never actually declared anything. WHAT. THE. FUNGUS?

Syracuse University junior Paul Harris said last week's university-prepared release announcing that he would enter his name in the NBA Draft went out without his knowledge.

"I didn't know a thing about it," Harris said of the release. "I didn't do that. I don't have a clue who actually did it."

Seriously though, if anyone was going to be in this situation, it was going to be Paul, right? And if what's in Donna's article is true, we're all witnesses so some seriously strange goings-on:

According to Boeheim, Harris had gone home to Niagara Falls and never returned telephone calls from the SU coaches. Boeheim also said that Harris had indicated to him during the tournament that he planned on leaving school after the season.

"He told me that the week before the Oklahoma game," Boeheim said. "It's been two weeks since then and he hasn't returned a phone call. We only released it because that's what he indicated to me."

Well, if Boeheim says it, it must be true, right? RIGHT??? Now Harris gives the impression that he wasn't actually considering going pro, but now that the school has announced that he is, he might as well:

"I had a friend call me up and tell me it was on the ESPN scroll," he said.
Harris said he now plans to go ahead and enter his name in the draft.
"It's already out there so I might as well," Harris said. "I'll be back in Syracuse tomorrow (Tuesday). I've missed some classes, but I don't want to drop out. I'll finish up and I'll be working out, too."

Even with Harris' statements, something doesn't jive. Why hasn't he been in school? If he truly did intend on coming back next season, surely he knows he actually has to attend and pass classes this semester to be eligible for the next one, yes?

For his part, Boeheim said he's not trying to force Paul out by any means and welcomes him back for his senior year.

Consider my mind blown. What a mess. Now, if Paul does come back he's going to have this chip on his shoulder...to go with all the other chips already there. But if he leaves, there will always be this nagging feeling that he was pushed out.

Paul Harris might not have ever officially said he was leaving Syracuse, but it WAS safe to assume that, based on all of his actions up to this point. You know how sometimes you subconsciously do things to end a relationship or leave a situation but then when the break actually happens you're shocked because you didn't realize what it would really feel like when it was over? (Am I the only one?) I have a feeling that's what's going on here.

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You know how sometimes you subconsciously do things to end a relationship or leave a situation but then when the break actually happens you’re shocked because you didn’t realize what it would really feel like when it was over? (Am I the only one?)

So you DO listen to me when we’re fighting! Aah, honey bunny, I forgive you.

by voteprime on Apr 14, 2009 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

Nice Blazing Saddles reference Sean.

by Otis Hill on Apr 14, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

Youre not the only one

Ask Ashley, Renee and Courtney. By setting events in motion that get them to leave you, you can end the relationship without any of the guilt.

(Wow Im a dick)

by ryanwk628 on Apr 14, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

you should really also use the tag

“batshit” “insane” and “batshit insane”

by The Dome Ranger on Apr 14, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

I feel like Harris is very fragile emotionally.

He’s been beaten down so much by Jimmy B that the kid is probably numb to the yells at this point. But he does seem to take everything else very personally. He’s disappeared at times (like, actually disappeared), or not played hard because he was down, and he’s opened up to reporters at times talking about weird thoughts going through his head. This seems to fit right in with what we’ve seen over the last few years.

I hope the kid is okay and I’d love to see him back in Orange next year. I think he was a bigger asset to the team most of the year than his performance in the tournament shows.

But once the three declared, Harris was the one I least expected to actually come back.

by voteprime on Apr 14, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Paul is breaking up with Cuse physically

Alas not emotionally. Reminds me of yesterday’s episode of ‘House’. Hence the tension in his ambivalence in leaving. Coach and Paul need to hug it out and then propose his hand in marriage. It worked in ‘House’.

by cuseindahuse on Apr 14, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

Lame

Sounds like someone doesn’t want to take responsibility for their actions. “I wasn’t going to leave, but since they said it, now I guess I’ll just do it.”

I’d be more sympathetic if he didn’t add that in, but this makes me think he just doesn’t want to be blamed for any negative reactions to his decision.

by TeddyOrange on Apr 14, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs