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Chris20 wrote:Is it possible to love Chaz, have the utmost respect for him and what he's meant to the program, AND think this thread sucks ass at the same time?

Yes. This thread is absolutely ridiculous. You can't discount the contributions from many vital players during DK's tenure as coach that have helped this program move forward. Without the positive influences of those guys, Chaz may not have even come to UMass. There are so many to name them all but a few that come to mind are Ricky Harris, Sean Carter, TV, Anthony Gurley... heck even a guy like Lex Mongo, who didn't play much but was just a great guy to have around. No doubt that Chaz has played extremely well and helped lead this team forward, but to discount the job that DK has done with the players he brought in and kept around is just dumb.

I started this thread because:

1) I was very disappointed in the criticism the Chaz received because of one poor game
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2) I very much believe that because he has performed at such a high level for so long that his contributions are taken for granted.

After a win you hear praise for others if they have a good game but rarely Chaz.

I do stand by my comments that this program would not even come close to the success that we have had if it were not for Chaz. This is not at all a criticism of DK or the other players, rather that, without Chaz DK would not have been able to employ the style of play that he desires. Again, all the credit in the world for DK getting Chaz, but without Chaz on this team we would not have had the success we have had the past 3 years.

Chaz has been great. yes when he's had a bad game everybody is down on him. He is an exceptional open court player. He just needs the ball on the go.
in half court sets he tries too hard to get into the lane and create contact. He has been a dynamic and exciting player.

I will agree that we take him for granted to an extent. I know that after a good game, I have a tendency to focus on others who stepped up and contributed. But that doesn't mean I take Chaz for granted, or don't realize how great he is and the impact he has had. It just means that it's all been said.

It's okay to say Trey has been great without a legal disclaimer that recognizes Chaz, isn't it? And it should be okay to discuss the reasons we lost a game, even if Chaz was one of them, isn't it? I didn't see anything that came close to inappropriate bashing or criticism of Chaz after the game.

Chaz deserves all the praise and recognition that he gets. I expect he'll get plenty as his UMass career winds down. This is just an odd way to do it.

I hope that I have made it clear that the intent is not to criticize other players or coaching rather than to praise Chaz. 50% of coaching is recruiting and Derek recruited him. I fully believe that we would have been 15-15 type teams without him the past 3 years.

This year will make it 3 years in succession that he has made 1st team all Atlantic 10. While there are others who may have made it years 3 consecutive years, there are not many.

I think it is hard to say what we would have been if Chaz was not here. You dont know who may or may not have come in his place and what they would have done.

What we do know is that we have been lucky to have a player like Chaz come here and help us in the rebuilding of this team. Has he been the leader in this process, yes. However, it takes a team and I strongly believe in the "Brotherhood."

This is a team that is lead by Chaz but without the developement of the others around him, Umass Basketball would not be what they are today. There have been games this year where everyone who gets any signifigant minutes has been the "leader" on the floor that day. There have been games where Tyler and his effort kept games from getting away when our bigs had early foul trouble.

Basketball is a team sport where one individual no matter how great, can not lead a team. Look at some of the best players in the history of the game. It wasn't until they got solid teamates that any of them won. Bird was great, but we all know about the team aroudn him. Jordan was great, but it wasn't until he had Pippen and others. Lebron is great, but it wasn't until he went to Miami that he was actually going to win a championship. Magic had players around him.

One individual can win games on their own, but to get to the levels this Umass team has gone is because of this entire team. Top to bottom from coaches to players to team managers, to towel boys/girls.

As far as Chaz taking criticism...I just don't see why he should not have taken some after the last game. In a big game, where they needed him to step up and be Chaz...well he wasn't. That doesn't make him any less of a player and it doesn't tarnish his career here, but it does mean he did not play well the other day. Simple as that. Even the best of the best have off days and that is what it was. That is why you don't make a big deal of it...you call it like it is..and move on.

I'm definitely curious how the team will be without Chaz next year. I think it's definitely possible as some have suggested that Chaz is who is responsible for the team's success and therefore next year will be a crash. I also think it's possible that DK knows what he's doing at this point and will move forward just fine after Chaz graduates. We'll know the answer a year from now.

Maxprime,

I appreciate you calling me dumb and the post ridiculous. We all have our opinions. The fact that you throw in Lex Mongo shows me your great knowledge of UMass basketball.

vanmeter wrote:Chaz Williams is one of the 5 best players to ever play here. I do not believe he gets the credit for all he has meant for this program. He did not have his best game against Dayton so big deal. This team is 68-30 since he started playing here. He is a 5'6 players (I know it says 5'9 but we know he is not). He gives it all in every game and has played every game since he has been here.

If he never came here, DK would not be the coach, we would be in the ever 'rebuilding mode' mantra with 3000 people in the stands.

Instead DK has had the opportunity to grow as a Coach, the Mullins Center is a very hot ticket (4 sellouts plus 1 sellout in Springfield), the team is on the verge of its first NCAA tournament team in 16 years, and excitement in this program is the highest its been in almost 2 decades.

Chaz Williams is the heart and soul of this program.

Uh - No Duh! You are correct sir!

It will be interesting to see what happens without him next year for sure. I am not a big buyer into OMG we are losing X how do we replace him. That happens every year - we lose a scorer and there is ho heir-apparent... but guess what someone steps up every time (almost).

One thing for sure is that the frenetic offense Chaz brings will have to change/adjust. That is 100% on DK to figure out, but it is also not anyone's problem until April so forghettaboutit for now....

As long as Chaz doesn't try to do too much Umass should have a great finish!

ktabz16 wrote:he'd be better if he only put in tberg's "effort".

If Chaz put in TBerg's effort he would've been a 1 and done at UMass and the first overall pick in the 2012 draft.

I am not sure why people are are getting on Vanmeter here... Read his post again from the perspective of the bigger picture. Of course there are many who have had a hand in Umass becomming relevant again, but Chaz was/is that straw that stirs the drink......

A truely great player eleveate the others around them too, and I think that is [very clearly] what he has done. Were all these guys going to get better without Chaz, I suspect that they all would, but I don't think any would have achieved more than they have so far without him.

he has done some dumb and frustrating things along the way, but there is no doubt that he has been the primary catalyst to get Umass to this point....

We would be nowhere without the Mullins Center.....

vanmeter wrote:Maxprime,

I appreciate you calling me dumb and the post ridiculous. We all have our opinions. The fact that you throw in Lex Mongo shows me your great knowledge of UMass basketball.

Hey, looking back at what I wrote, I apologize to you. It was strongly worded and I should have found a more respectful way to disagree with you.

That being said, Lex was a great guy during his time at UMass. I stand by saying that surrounding a program with high character people helps.

maxprime20 wrote:

vanmeter wrote:Maxprime,

I appreciate you calling me dumb and the post ridiculous. We all have our opinions. The fact that you throw in Lex Mongo shows me your great knowledge of UMass basketball.

Hey, looking back at what I wrote, I apologize to you. It was strongly worded and I should have found a more respectful way to disagree with you.

That being said, Lex was a great guy during his time at UMass. I stand by saying that surrounding a program with high character people helps.

Didn't Mongo punch a horse on the face and knock it out....?

No problem Maxprime.