I'm sorry if I misunderstood some people talking about Ryan Allen playing NBA D-League vs. Ryan Allen playing overseas, but the
"He's just a training camp body for them." 
, sticks in my craw.
Does anyone think that
Ryan thinks he is "just a training camp body to 'them'"? Talk about treating our honorable alum like a Tops trading card. I ain't gonna let that stand, sorry man.
I appreciate Everything Ryan Allen did here in Milwaukee. I wish he was still here and wish him the best in his future basketball and otherwise post-collegiate career(s). Call me crazy, but was I the only Panther viewer to notice on TWC32 when Daron Sutton interviewed him in the 2012 postseason?
When asked about post-collegiate "basketball" opportunities, Ryan said-
emphatically-
more than once- "I am happy to have completed my degree and gotten my college education. That's what's important to me". (something very much along those lines- look up the video if you don't believe me).
This is a talented and confident Panther Hooper that deserves our support after his 2 years here- not our armchair coaching jabs and second guessing (I hope he plays in the NBA- no joke). I wish him the best (though he won't need it)- whether in basketball, or whatever other pursuit of life he can
alley-oop slam in haters' faces.Some of you fail to live in reality and understand that Ryan Allen did great things for the Milwaukee Panthers basketball team, but at the next level is JUST A TRAINING CAMP BODY FOR THE BULLS. He's part of Derrick Rose's entourage and since he has no deal to play overseas is exactly the type of practice player brought in to make guys work hard. I will not ignore the reality of the situation simply because Ryan played here, but that's exactly what some of you want to do 24/7.
Look. NoHopsPanther. I know you are a very intelligent teacher, husband, father, son, coach, uncle and many other things (and probably do have some hops- c'mon now!) and a very smart person that just strives to be objective with everything when things aren't on the level you expect. But we are talking about one of our best players since the 2003-2006 Love Parade.
Can you just acknowledge some pride in what Ryan achieved and the state of the program (undoubtedly on the upward swing- laugh all you want in March 2013). Some hope? Some enthusiasm? Some encouragement?
I get where you are coming from, but the reason I lashed out at (not you personally but) your post was that I saw people basically taking a **** on what should otherwise be a pretty awesome achievement (Clay, Ed, Ricky, etc. did it- I don't recall posts about them being called "mere bodies").
It's just not right man. I know you have love for this program. And maybe it's just the 2003-2006 time warp. But (talk about being objective)- we have to be realistic and celebrate whatever awesome accomplishments come out of UWM.
I'd say one of our best players in recent history making the Chicago Bulls' practice squad is a pretty big accomplishment- it wasn't Derrick Rose who made it happen either (hell Rose is (filthy rich regardless, but..) probably on the hot seat until he can prove his ACL is OK)).
Read what I said about Ryan Allen- he is no Kevin Johnson BB gun stick-up man. He's a stand up man who deserves our support and respect. It sucks that that clearly isn't the case with some Milwaukee Panther fans.
Can we just be a little, just a teeny tiny bit more positive? I understand. This board was founded by Seinfeld fanboys (no offense by that term- I am a proud J.R.R. Tolkien and Silver Surfer and Eminem and Notorious B.I.G. and Pantera and Red Hot Chili Peppers and Mason Jennings, and on and on with obscure fan bases "fanboy")).
But the fact rests- we have here on
uwmfreak.proboards.com an exceptionally intelligent group of Milwaukee Panther Basketball fans. But at the same time, the exceptionally sarcastic/negative slant on the majority of posts since 2006 (maybe it's just the off-season.. nope I read the threads from the past 6 years and that's not it...)- IS KILLING OUR FAN BASE.
To use an analogy- would you show up to work every day if people constantly told you you suck and "are no Google"? C'mon now- this is our school!
I read lots and lots of college football and hoops blogs- and yes, we ain't the only one- but check out LakeThePosts.com and show me the kind of belittlement of Ryan Allen's accomplishment on there. It ain't there- keep lookin'.
Other fan bases are a helluva a lot more supportive than this one. I just don't get it. Sweet 16's don't come every year- not even (hell not hardly ever even) for college basketball teams who have 10+ million dollar budgets.
We are operating at less than 1/5th of that. Consider yourself lucky to see these guys overachieve with what they've got to work with (here come's the "FIRE JETER THEN!".... I knew it. Ugggh. Jeter is by far the best coach we can have right now and he will do the best with the resources he is given- trust that).
There are always gonna be yard-barkers and people calling for heads (without any clear idea of what will happen in their stead) even in a very decent to good season, but this board has just gotten out of control with the negativity lately (since the disappointment of March 2011 it seems).
But this is our Alma Mater! C'mon now. 2005 doesn't happen every year and our expectations shouldn't be perpetually pegged to that glory year- that season should be a pillar and a guide, but not a reason to essentially say anything less than [that] is garbage. We've played some good ball since '06-'07. Prove me wrong.
I will let you know precisely what I mean in about a week. I am bringing back my blog, "Milwaukee Panther Tracks" or whatever the hell I named it (I'm sure all of 22 people care). If this is the state of Milwaukee Panther Basketball(?)- it's a much needed booster shot I can give. And I'll happily oblige.
Call me Pollyanna. Call me what you want (I'll still battle rap you to bits).
But please (one and all) just cheer up a bit and reflect on (20-14, 19-14, 20-14 -- TERRIBLE!!!!!
). This could be a good season- facilities be damned. These are the best years of our lives. And these are our
OUR 2012-2013 MILWAUKEE PANTHERS. Let's act like we care about 'em (and less about constantly comparing them to the past) a bit, no?
GO PANTHERS!!!!
, sticks in my craw.
). This could be a good season- facilities be damned. These are the best years of our lives. And these are our OUR 2012-2013 MILWAUKEE PANTHERS. Let's act like we care about 'em (and less about constantly comparing them to the past) a bit, no? 
