Syracuse Fans Can Walk One Of Two Roads...

Nice work, good article, and I totally agree!

well written sean we all need to stay positive and take care of business at GTown

Applauding.

anyone knocking donte greene for leaving Syracuse to pursue a guaranteed 7 figure contract is completely out of touch with the world.

Personally, I was disappointed to see Donte go, but at this point it is what it is. Look, the guy wasn’t on the court on Sunday, so he didn’t lose the game for us. Anyone who would wish ill will to another person needs to take a look in the mirror and see what type of person he is.

I happen to live in Sacramento right now, sadly I haven’t been able to see any games, but I know when I do get to go later this year, I will want to see Donte do well. I’m actually hoping to go to the Kings and Wolves to see Donte and Jonny.

What we all need to do here is show some support for him and show that he is accepted, whether he made a mistake or not.

Donte has been nothing but gracious both before and after his departure. The current players are giving us a great season. It just shows you what a crazy, cynical world we live in when a single bump in the road can blind people of those facts.

I really hope that the players see stuff like this occasionally, and not just the ridiculous bullshit that gets posted on their Facebook/Twitter/Formspring/etc.

Totally agree with you, if people are going to attack players, past, present and future alike, then they should find another team to cheer for. We don’t need fans like that making the rest of us look bad.

There are only 30 guaranteed contracts for rookies in each NBA draft. If you are projected to be picked there (as Donte certainly was), you are an absolute fool for not going to the league (unless your family has money). Not going to the league is generally a 7 figure mistake, especially with labor/lockout issues looming. For every blake griffin there are 6 guys that didnt improve there draft status by staying another year.

I would think that fanbase that is as blue-collar (locally) as ours is would understand that you have to put family first.

I’m happy about 24-2 and I think it’s crazy to have thought we’d get through with only 1 loss.

And not to be grammar police, but they faced adversity not diversity.

This deserves a…

The gauntlet has been laid down. Sean nailed this one, and anyone who thinks being a fan is more about attacking your own team and alumni than being thrilled over the best start in school history, needs to immediately repent at The St. Boeheim Church of The Holy Hak Block.

It was one of two losses on the season, they only flew two spots in the rankings and are still considered a number one seed in the tournament. This isn’t an EA Sports game and it would have been remarkable if they did have only one loss in the Big East regular season. I’m sick of fake fans and people that have no regard to others. Come on, we aren’t West Virginia fans who are animals. Sure the Louisville loss was disappointing and they probably should have won but they are still one of the best teams in the nation and I don’t ever remember them continually being ranked so high during the season.

Really, really good article. Hope this gets a ton of reads, people need to see it.

Is that dude who sent the tweet to Donte Greene for real? It’s hard to believe anyone would be that psycho.

Sunday’s loss was frustrating, but we got beat by Rutgers in ‘03 so it’s hardly the end of the world. I am concerned about Wes’ health- it’s obvious he’s been far below 100% since getting flipped vs. PC…

This is what Syracuse “Nation” needed — reminiscent of Obama’s galvanizing speech about his controversial pastor.

I wish the same moron students who hurled insults (and, from what I’ve heard, food) would stop and enjoy this ride because they’ll have a rude awakening when a young Syracuse team is potentially struggling to make the NCAA Tournament. And even if they’re firmly in the conversation, I think it’s safe to say that more than two Big East losses are in the forecast.

I hope all the real fans here can give the players enough positive feedback to drown out the bandwagon riders, and here’s hoping Syracuse can avoid its first losing streak of the year.

I think one of the great things about being a fan is caring way to much, but if you can’t control yourself from lashing out at players and former players after a loss something is wrong with you. I may have been in a less than great mood after the game, but how someone could this far is hard to fathom. As a collevtive group of fans let’s put one of two losses behind us and concentrate on stomping the fithy hoyas on their home court.

Before openly cheering for the basketball team, all SU “fans” should have to prove that they’ve supported the football team as well… There’s some adversity for you.

way to put in perspective!!….. sometimes we tend to forget that these players are young men with lives off the court as well… they give it there all and sometimes that isn’t going to win the game… we need to support this team in the bad times (and 1 loss in 26 games is not bad times) as well as the good…. i watched sunday’s game at a friend’s and we were making more noise than the “loud” house…. come on people, you see how this team feeds off your energy!!!! if you’re going to the games just because we’re “good”, than you are disrespecting the team, coach, university and fellow fans….. now let’s go to dc and kick some hoya a$$!!!

Confer on you, the level of Jedi Knight, Yoda does.

I can’t find any stories about people being jerk faces to Donte – although obviously I’m aware of the troll douche basement dwellers on syracuse.com

Although, I just like to go watch games, drink beer and eat hot dogs. I could care less about any of this. Deep breath everyone, this happens everywhere in sports at every stadium, arena and University. People are always going to say innapropriate comments to the players and coaches – relax.

Donte will be just fine. He’s probaby poppin’ some Champagne right now with three Peruvian coeds in Sactown while we are commenting on blog posts.

Great post, Magician. Although the game was disappointing, the Orange are 24-2. Would any ‘Cuse fan have taken that after 26 games? I say-are you kidding!! What I think is most disappointing is that they could have still won the game, as poorly as they played. L’Ville did play a smart game and they deserve credit. But let’s keep it all in perspective. We have some very tough games ahead and the boys need the support they deserve. GO ’Cuse!!

feel free to let the bump in the road we hit on Sunday knock you off…

…or in the Louisville loss is, quite frankly, an idiot. The regular season means virtually nothing in NCAA basketball, other than securing a high seed. If the Orange end up with a seed anywhere in the 1-3 range, they are set up to go far in the tournament – and let’s face it, that’s all that matters.

As for the Donte hate, I’ve never understood the acrimony. I thought it was dumb of him to leave so early (his game was horribly unpolished), but I can’t blame him for taking the money and running. Since then, he seems to have gone out of his way to come back to campus, go to games, etc….and people still dog him. It has always amazed me how small and pathetic many of the Syracuse locals are. These are grown men who rip apart 19 year old kids as if they are professional athletes, and they do feel like the athletes at SU owe them something. They don’t.

Anyone who personally “hates” Donte Greene for – “gasp!” – earning a living, is a grade A douchebag. Which is, of course, typical of the folks who regularly post over at Syracuse.com.

Sean, I love the tone of the article, and it has been obvious from my comments that I am certainly looking at the bigger picture for this team. (Hell look at the comments I have made to poor Zack)
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However, I can’t agree with the sentiment on Donte. The “hate” for Donte is not related to the one and done thing (at least not for me), it has to do with the fact that Donte dogged it (in my opinion) for a majority of the year, and worse still, that attitude became the norm for the other players that year as well.
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If you’re offered NBA money, you fucking take it, however, for his effort at SU there is no way I can be a fan of his. Comparing Donte to Anthony (title) and Flynn (6 OTs and a sweet 16) because he left after one year is an insult to Melo and Flynn and the effort they put into SU in just one year. Sorry, SU got better as a team the second he left. I cannot be a fan of his.
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tldr; years played != effort

I was out of the office yesterday so the 2 guys who claim to be SU fans had to come over to my desk this morning complaining about how the sky was falling. I said relax we are 24-2 on Feb 16, if I said at the beginning of the year that we’d have that record would you have taken it, of course they said yes. So I said quit your bitching and enjoy the ride for what it is. Do we need to play better, yes. But the season is far from over and this team has proven it can play with anybody when they are on.

Gotta do what ya gotta do. I don’t or didn’t consider Donte’s departure any sort of insult. Who the hell am I? After a loss I go into my own “Shut it down” mode in terms of media. (didn’t look at the computer or ESPN all day Monday) I need a day to soak it up. In light of that I wasn’t aware of the negativity following the game. Shitty. I have a small pet-peeve with the overall anonymity of the net in general. Read the comments on a story of local interest on Syracuse.com. Amazing what people will say with names like bkrgrl23 (I made that up). I’ve come to a conclusion that there are a lot of people that are just inherently pissed off. That’s how they go through life. They’re the same people who bitch after a win and it almost seems like they are just waiting for them to lose so they can say “I told ya so”. It’s not neurosurgery or rocketship science, it’s basketball. If you don’t get a little emotionally involved then your not a fan. That’s what it’s all about. Sadly, there always people who have to go to extremes. Look at Little League sports for more examples of that. Too bad, huh.

Having said all that, I wish the best for Donte. I’ve never met him personally but he seems like a good dude. That’s all, I’m done now. Go Orange!

Why does anyone go to college? To get a job. Donte Greene, along with most other one and done college basketball players, came to college with the intention of getting a job to play professional basketball once he left college. Thus, when he was presented with the opportunity to go to the NBA and make ungodly amounts of money – while also fulfilling what was probably his lifelong dream – he took it.

Now imagine yourself in his shoes. Say you’re at the Newhouse School at Syracuse and your dream is to be an anchor on SportsCenter. If after your freshman year ESPN offered you a high paying contract to come and do SportsCenter, would you really pass up that opportunity to go back to school for another year? Doubtful.

This is why I enjoy reading this site. Teams with the success that we’ve had this year are going to get fans like this, the “bandwagon” as you put. Their expectations become unrealalistic. Losses will come during the season. It’s how the team responds after the loss is what should be the concern (and good thing it’s against them Hoyas). Learn from the loss, fix the problems, and get back on the horse.

For the Donte part: As a student, I was pissed when I first heard. I think it was the expectations we all had for him and Johnny. After a week or so, I got over it; he did what he had to do, did what he wanted to do (at the time at least), and you forget about it. Did we all grunge when those 20+ football players have left the team, transfered, etc. during the course of past few seasons? No, and that’s because of the expectations we had of the football team. I give Donte a lot of credit coming back and supporting his school. I was wandering around Twitter and Johnny said it best to Donte. He said if they are complaining and giving you shit, then don’t support the cuse. Is that what we want? Not me. I’m glad he came back, and I hope he comes back again.

For any newcomers: I’m new to posting here (I post every now and then during games or contests), I’ve been reading for a while. I’m glad I did this. Some people go overboard and don’t realize what they are posting. You have to get a feel for the atmosphere of the community on this site, read as much as you can that interests you, then begin posting, fanshots, whatever. It’s fun and it’s why I check this site religiously. Great Post. Go Orange.

Klosterman reference, FTW!

Excellent and necessary post. Regardless of what Donte did or didn’t do when he was at Syracuse, his presence at the Louisville game had no bearing on whether the team won or lost. Instead, his being there should have been a testament to what a true fan and overall good sport he is. I’ve never made the commute from Sacramento, but I’m willing to wager that he had to take at least two flights to get to Syracuse, just for the weekend. That’s dedication.

I think the Louisville loss was a longtime coming. The past few games were rough and I think this loss will serve as a wake-up call. That said, I (and all of my friends making the trek from NYC to DC) am looking forward to seeing the boys play at the Verizon Center, hopefully with a renewed sense of determination…and a taste for Hoya steaks of turmoil.

So Klosterman has finally stopped obsessing about Chinese Democracy and is now writing reviews about Central NY BBQ joints???

Oh, how the mighty have fallen…..

But is it still okay to hate on that F’ing dog Jack for picking the game wrong?

Oh, and I know he only played a role in calling the intentional on Kris in terms of effecting the game, but Higgins still can go to hell. Or at least retire.

but, it should be said again.

Bravo, Sean!

I screamed my ass off at the L-Ville game, and I’m sure as hell going to still scream my ass off at the rest of the home games.

As I tweeted before: “Get back up, brush yourself off, and kick Georgetown’s ass.”

A thumbs-up. Great work, Sean. (Note: I am also a Yankees fan, but I am NOT one of those spoiled kids who just rides with a winner and whines when his team doesn’t win it all. I’m a proud native New Yorker, but that’s a topic for another day.)

Donte leaving: Yeah, it was disappointing and I wish he had stayed another year, mainly because I didn’t think he was ready for the NBA. He took far too many shots from deep and didn’t go after rebounds like I think a man of his size should. But it’s hard to tell a guy who’s been told he can get plenty of dough and live out his childhood dream to stay behind when he’s hearing from too many people that he’s gonna get picked.

As for us losing and the behavior of our fans: Look, we lost a game in the toughest conference in the country. Sure, Louisville lost to St. John’s badly a week before. They’re still a solid team with Samuels and Sosa there and the Orange had one of those “just got out of bed” efforts. It happens. SU has two losses and 24 wins. We’re going to the Dance and we’re still a favorite to win a title or at least make it to the Final Four. Let’s not lose perspective here. The Syracuse Orange still have a very good basketball team. And those Georgetown Hoyas will find out for themselves come Thursday. (A game I won’t be able to watch because I’ll be busy in a Web Design class.)

This ‘96 Syracuse alum isn’t bailing on the Orange at all. So screw all that. Let the folks that wanna jump ship jump off already. I’m still here.

LET’S GO ORANGE!!

As usual you prove why this is the best SU blog around.