One more in the books

[Will Lavender]

All season long, I have wondered about Oscar grinding on his teammates about his religion. Every one of us has been around the tone-deaf guy who can't stop himself from leaning on people about how they ought to believe or live no matter the context or the feedback. That wears people out, especially if there is some pointed criticism of another's religious tradition or lifestyle rudely shared under the guise of "telling the truth".

Yeah, I've been here. I was an objector in high school to our baseball team's pregame prayer. Got some flak for it--minor--but I never did get it. Wasn't raised in church and never understood how sports and religion were even a thing.

HOWEVER the weird thing about Oscar in particular is that sports guys are almost always religious. If he's grating on his teammates because of that then it must be all he ever talked about. And even then I don't know if I completely buy it. There just seems like there's something missing in the story.

I have thought a lot about Bob Huggins' comments about Oscar last year. People were quick to criticize Huggins, and he should've been criticized, but his comments were pretty sharp. As good as Oscar was with the fans and as pleasant as he is with the media, it's possible that there are things about him that we don't know and those began to affect this team.

[Spiritof96]

HOWEVER the weird thing about Oscar in particular is that sports guys are almost always religious. If he's grating on his teammates because of that then it must be all he ever talked about. And even then I don't know if I completely buy it. There just seems like there's something missing in the story.

This seems anecdotally true with football. (I don't totally understand why) but less so with the NBA and NCAA men's basketball. There is also a big difference between placid, polite, vaguely American "Christianity" and other traditions that are a little more "in your face" or quirky in what they focus on. I've been in plenty of rooms with "believing" people of different traditions and there are some that don't play very nicely with others.

Also, Oscar is also young. Young people who are passionate and have a vision for "what is right" are often unwisely dogmatic in their passion. My behavior in the "political forum" is WAY more considerate, measured, and allowing of difference than the steamroller blunderbuss I was at 20. If I had a time machine the number one thing I would do is find my 16 year old self and say, "On matters of politics and religion, . If not for intervention by a mentor, back then, I shudder to think of what I would be if I had continued on that track. Probably some damnable hypocritical lobbyist on capitol hill.

[Will Lavender]

Also, Oscar is also young. Young people who are passionate and have a vision for "what is right" are often unwisely dogmatic in their passion. My behavior in the "political forum" is WAY more considerate, measured, and allowing of difference than the steamroller blunderbuss I was at 20. If I had a time machine the number one thing I would do is find my 16 year old self and say, "On matters of politics and religion, STFU". If not for intervention by a mentor, back then, I shudder to think of what I would be if I had continued on that track. Probably some damnable hypocritical lobbyist on capitol hill.

I was sort of the opposite. I didn't care about literally anything but girls and sports.

I actually wish I would've been more passionate about things. I couldn't hardly tell you who the vice president was when I was 20. Nor could I care less.

In some ways it was glorious. These days people--young and old--are way more passionate but also way more disconnected.

[matt colvin]

I would like to hear a conversation between Demarcus Cousins (age 20) and Oscar

[KCKUKFan]

This seems anecdotally true with football. (I don't totally understand why) but less so with the NBA and NCAA men's basketball. There is also a big difference between placid, polite, vaguely American "Christianity" and other traditions that are a little more "in your face" or quirky in what they focus on. I've been in plenty of rooms with "believing" people of different traditions and there are some that don't play very nicely with others.

Also, Oscar is also young. Young people who are passionate and have a vision for "what is right" are often unwisely dogmatic in their passion. My behavior in the "political forum" is WAY more considerate, measured, and allowing of difference than the steamroller blunderbuss I was at 20. If I had a time machine the number one thing I would do is find my 16 year old self and say, "On matters of politics and religion, STFU". If not for intervention by a mentor, back then, I shudder to think of what I would be if I had continued on that track. Probably some damnable hypocritical lobbyist on capitol hill.

This is interesting.

Like Will, I couldn't care less about politics or religion until i was in my late 20s. It wasn't until W's second term that I started to even pay politics a bit of my attention, and even then it was in a cursory manner.

I did have a lot of loud, stupid opinions as a teenager, but they were about frivolous and stupid topics.

[Matt Dillon]

While we're on the subject I saw, probably mid to late season, an excerpt from an interview with Oscar where he said something to the effect of I told coach Cal he needs to relax or ease up on the team. When I read that, I thought whoa!

[Downes Van Zandt]

This seems anecdotally true with football. (I don't totally understand why) but less so with the NBA and NCAA men's basketball. There is also a big difference between placid, polite, vaguely American "Christianity" and other traditions that are a little more "in your face" or quirky in what they focus on. I've been in plenty of rooms with "believing" people of different traditions and there are some that don't play very nicely with others.

Also, Oscar is also young. Young people who are passionate and have a vision for "what is right" are often unwisely dogmatic in their passion. My behavior in the "political forum" is WAY more considerate, measured, and allowing of difference than the steamroller blunderbuss I was at 20. If I had a time machine the number one thing I would do is find my 16 year old self and say, "On matters of politics and religion, STFU". If not for intervention by a mentor, back then, I shudder to think of what I would be if I had continued on that track. Probably some damnable hypocritical lobbyist on capitol hill.

I think it’s pretty simple with football: they’re hoping God keeps them from getting killed on the field.

[Jody Porter]

While we're on the subject I saw, probably mid to late season, an excerpt from an interview with Oscar where he said something to the effect of I told coach Cal he needs to relax or ease up on the team. When I read that, I thought whoa!

Yeah, I remember that too. Seemed like this season more than any other there was a lot of candidness in player and coach interviews. I appreciate that, actually.

[KentuckyWild2020]

When it comes to God, most people don't even believe or could care less until something life changing happens and then they need him ,now they believe, see it everyday in life, sports, etc. Even in politics groups will lobby against religion but the first time something major bad happens, everybody starts praying for God to come save us all, it's comical and see through to be honest which is why many just stopped taking it serious...

Regardless, to each is own. I believe with all my heart, never seen God but seen many signs and life changing events in my time, stuff you just can't make up, i believe with all my heart but struggle to walk a straight and narrow path on a day to day....

I respect Oscar for being religious and believing but i can also see how it can rub people the wrong way, especially if you are judging someone else for not believing or having the passion you have in what you believe. To me that goes against everything religion is suppose to be about.

Me and a good friend of almost 30 years who have worked together writing and producing many songs over the years have had our relationship damaged because of religion. Once he decided to go full blown gospel christian music, he changed yet he supports abortion. Basically he implied that if i did not to Church every Sunday and give 10%,i am going to hell..

Question in regards to 10%? Why not 20, 30 5, 50%? Who put the number on that, what does God need money for? I understand Church is business and needs money to operate and keep the doors open but isn't the core belief of Religion Faith?? I think if you truly believe then FAITH would allow you to know that God will keep those doors open no matter what right??

Who else wanted 10% or tax?? Pretty sure Kings in the old days demanded 10% right? Also pretty sure many EMPS KINGS destroyed man Bibles and who knows, did somebody else re write and change the narrative or the story?? We have all seen what Man is capable of throughout history right?

Apologies for all that but point is, Religion is personal. If you grew up in a age in a tribe on a sacred island no bibles but believed in something, you going to hell?

Anyways, Oscar is a good kid i respect his religion and hope he is absolutely passionate and real in his belief but on the other side of that, the DEVIL is a Liar, he comes in many shapes sizes and forms, will speak out of both sides of his mouth even if it's using Religion to gain advantages and paint the narrative...

My two cents. I don't think religion had anything to do with any of it, i think the fact Calipari was still trying to figure out how to use the players of the year in January is a good start. The fact the real point guard was Wallace all along is another part of it. The fact CAL continued down his General BOBBY KNIGHT boot camp style Full Metal JACKET towards sensitive players who are earning NIL money getting paid, it just don't work now a days.

Older gentleman in Louisville who's been around U of L sports for decades said something yesterday that made sense. Like Denny Crum, once Houston left, Crum could not relate to the players, that was what Wade did. Look at Calipari now that Kenny Payne left, maybe he's right maybe he's wrong, i don't know.

Cal has one more year to get this right in my opinion....

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I remember that too. Seemed like this season more than any other there was a lot of candidness in player and coach interviews. I appreciate that, actually.

I'm an old (78 y.o.) man, and I'm as old school as they come. When I saw Oscar say that, I thought it'll be a while before he plays again, but not so. I guess telling your coach what to do, and then publicly discussing it, is all part of the now generation.

[Pobilly]

The 96 team looked like a dog turd against UMass and then looked like a dog turd against Mississippi State.

They also threw up some closer-than-they-should be games in December and won the national title game by single digits.

Doesn't mean they're not one of the best offensive teams of all time.

I get your point and agree with that. 2012 team was a down year on College basketball. 96 or 78 team would have eaten their lunch. For a down year the 2012 team was very up and down to me. That team could have won most games by 15 plus points but Cal getting the lead and airing out the game caused most of the problem. Just do not think Cal has lived up to his own hype machine. Drop the mic and such. He is his own worst enemy. The team has issues and will have issues as long as Cal is pulling the strings. Not sure why he wants to win close games but he does. Maybe he would be bored in blowouts all the time. Who knows.

[KCKUKFan]

Any team with Anthony Davis on it would never get their lunch eaten. We have had this argument before, but I think 12 matches up decently with 96. 96 edges them with depth.

[Will Lavender]

2012 was far from up and down. Come on.

That they would be beaten by 1996 is a testament to one thing only: how ungodly good 1996 was.

[lilproUK98]

2012 was far from up and down. Come on.

That they would be beaten by 1996 is a testament to one thing only: how ungodly good 1996 was.

Yeah, 2012 was as perfect a team as we've had here.

'96 and '12 are very similar in that both teams also beat handily the two teams that managed to beat them. Those two teams are as good as they get in CBB. And one killed you with pace, press, and depth. The other killed you with top end talent and 6 pieces that fit perfectly together.