Which Group Do You Fall Into?

[Random UK Fan_rivals71127]

This is a write in poll:

A.) Sunshine Pumpers
B.) Negative Nancies
C.) it’s just a game, not emotionally-invested either way.
D.) it’s just a game, not emotionally-invested either way, and the people that are need harder jobs or a distraction.

 

[EliteBlue]

What if you work a very high stress and difficult job and UK sports is your distraction?

 

[Random UK Fan_rivals71127]

What if you work a very high stress and difficult job and UK sports is your distraction?

Then I’d say you’re having a tough year this year.

 

[EliteBlue]

Then I’d say you’re having a tough year this year.

Lol as would I. Put it this way, I’ve spent much more time on the heavy bag this year than I have since college.

 

[E'Ville Cat]

Lol as would I. Put it this way, I’ve spent much more time on the heavy bag this year than I have since college.

Condolences to your significant other.

 

[GoBigBlue712]

E. A realistic person who is incredibly emotionally-invested but not super negative or positive.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

This is a write in poll:

A.) Sunshine Pumpers
B.) Negative Nancies
C.) it’s just a game, not emotionally-invested either way.
D.) it’s just a game, not emotionally-invested either way, and the people that are need harder jobs or a distraction.

We prefer Cal’s Legion of Doom, thank you.

 

[jameslee32]

This is a write in poll:

A.) Sunshine Pumpers
B.) Negative Nancies
C.) it’s just a game, not emotionally-invested either way.
D.) it’s just a game, not emotionally-invested either way, and the people that are need harder jobs or a distraction.

Q.) WWG1WGA

 

[H00SIER-Cat]

Condolences to your significant other.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Bleed Blue Group

 

[H00SIER-Cat]

This is my 40th season watching and rooting for UK. I'm invested, However I know it is just a game and really has no effect on any of the rest of my life.

 

[Collyfoxear]

I’m just a sunshine pumping negative Nancy who isn’t emotionally invested and thinks people need different distractions

 

[MakinMusic_rivals]

D but it’s ok to want better. Just can’t let a down season in a decade of FFs, Elite 8s and a Championship be such an emotional drain.

 

[liveblue92]

B. I’m at my patience’s end with Calipari, on and off the floor. Even under the absolute best of circumstances under Cal, we are not going to “dominate” college basketball and and have #1 seed type seasons anymore. Under the worst of circumstances, we completely and utterly suck and have inexcusable, embarrassing losses to programs like Evansville and GT. Not only will our superstars leave after one year, but our fringe pros, and even role players are looking to bolt ASAP. The performances we have witnessed since 2015 have been really mediocre for Kentucky Basketball.

Cal’s reliance on a 3 Out, 2 In Freelance offense is out of touch with the modern game. He has a one size fits all game plan, and makes no real observable adjustments to his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses for the most part. His rotation is almost solely crafted based on draft projection, not taking analytics or taking player development into account. Shooters have the absolute shortest of leashes, while long athletes get to play through their mistakes, etc. He typically won’t press or play a zone, even when it would be beneficial.

Off the court, he beats a dead horse constantly with Cal-ism’s and white lies about player status’s etc. Makes the same excuses after every loss year in and year out. “Focus is on the draft”.


I would love for Cal to right the ship and find his second wind, but I believe we are just going to continue downhill into apathy until the fanbase runs Cal off after a few more mediocre/bad seasons ala Tubby.

 

[BigBlueNole_rivals168901]

E. A realistic person who is incredibly emotionally-invested but not super negative or positive.

This. And I actually don't care about losses in November and December (except Louisville, have to win that one). I like to see the team grow and progress.

I don't care what our seeding is as long as we are in the field. There is some luck involved, but you are either the best team or you are not. If you are then everything will take care of itself.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

E. A realistic person who is incredibly emotionally-invested but not super negative or positive.

Same

 

[docholiday51]

Maybe basketball just isn't their game.............. they should have a hair contest.

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

A lifelong fan who has watched thousands of sporting events. I believe I have a good grasp on reality, and will never expect any team to be dominate for extended periods of time. I understand that results will vary game to game and season to season.

UK is having a down year. And there’s not a damn thing I can do about it, so why cause myself any additional gray hairs? It’s just a game!

 

[DelkBowl]

A hard D. When it comes down to it, it’s just a game and I’m not on the team. I get more invested in my son’s games.

 

[weatherbird]

As a UK fan, I'm looking for 3 things, a team that is fun to watch, a team the state has a connection to, and a team that wins at the highest level. If you get all 3, that's great, but I expect 2 out of the 3, and I would be OK with 1 out of the 3 for short periods of time. 0 out of 3 for any real amount of time, and I ready for a new coach or the coach to fix the problem.

I have pride in the accomplishments of UK basketball, but they aren't then reason I watch or am a fan. I am a fan because I grew up watching them and cheering them on as a representative of the state. And to be honest, those three things have set the legacy of every coach, but speaking specifically to the ones during the prime of my life, Pitino was a great coach for UK because during his post-probation years, he played a fun style, recruited some players from the area, and won at the highest level. Tubby's first teams were fun, had some connection to the players from around the area, and they won at a pretty high level. As his career went on, the fun stopped, the connections got slim, and then he quit winning at the highest level. Billy G did none of the things mentioned, and lasted a whole 2 years. When Cal started, there was some connection to the team, he played a fun style, and won at the highest level. Grumblings started as the connections started going away, but he was still great because overall the teams were fun, and he won at the highest level. Since 2015, we have had very little connection to the team, only a couple of them were even fun to watch, and while still winning at a high level, you aren't winning at the highest level.

Cal's on court success isn't even really the problem, as all coaches go through down swings, and honestly Cal's down swing is better than most coaches up swing. But he has made it to where the fans have no connection to the team, and his teams aren't fun to watch either. So why do fans even still care or tune in?? Because we are fans, and we root for the team. We may get emotional, and say things we shouldn't, but that is really part of being a fan. If you aren't going to win at the highest level (Final Fours and Titles), then at least play a fun style, and give the fans some connection to the team (recruiting area players, and not just to sit the bench). There are players in our area every year that could play minutes at UK, but we don't go after them.

Most fans aren't upset about a dip in success over the last few years, as most understand these things come and go and winning at the highest level is hard. Most are upset because it is becoming laborious to watch games. And just so we are clear, Cal could coach a team to put up similar success as his last few teams while having players from the area, and being more fun to watch. I'd sacrifice the fun part for more success, but why should I sacrifice everything??

And if you wanna work on generational poverty, go over to Eastern Kentucky and work a little magic there. Not sure why you would promote changing generational poverty for a family who has an athlete that is likely going to change that status whether they come here or not. Let's work on the generational poverty for families that don't have star athletes, or another means of changing their financial direction.

 

[BourbonBalz]

None of those fit me. I’m a realist and that option isn’t present. I’m not a pumper in that I don’t blindly support everything that Cal and the program push. I’m not negative in that I’m still a diehard fan, which also means I’m still emotionally involved. However, I don’t like the direction of the program and I am becoming a bit apathetic. I still get excited for games, but nowhere near as much as I used to. Even when we win, the games aren’t exactly exciting or entertaining and certainly are not a thing of beauty. I’ve always been way to invested emotionally in my sports teams and it’s not exactly healthy. I used to be down after every loss. Now they don’t have that much of an effect. I guess that’s a good thing, but it also reflects the growing apathy. I think this is where the majority of the fanbase is right now.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I strive to be a C, but have caved to my emotions one too many times.

So I believe it’s just a game and I shouldn’t get upset, but I get upset after a loss and then after stewing for a few hours, I am fine. That is why you rarely see me on this board right after a loss.

Surprisingly, it is getting easier to accept losses over the last few years. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. It is good for my health at least, less stress is always a good thing.

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

This is a write in poll:

A.) Sunshine Pumpers
B.) Negative Nancies
C.) it’s just a game, not emotionally-invested either way.
D.) it’s just a game, not emotionally-invested either way, and the people that are need harder jobs or a distraction.

There should be an:
E: All of the above.
Real Cat fans ride an emotional roller coaster of love and hate during every game, depending on the score at the time.

 

[Random UK Fan_rivals71127]

I strive to be a C, but have caved to my emotions one too many times.

So I believe it’s just a game and I shouldn’t get upset, but I get upset after a loss and then after stewing for a few hours, I am fine. That is why you rarely see me on this board right after a loss.

Surprisingly, it is getting easier to accept losses over the last few years. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. It is good for my health at least, less stress is always a good thing.

This is precisely where I fall too.

 

[fs-ripcord65]

I've seen a lot of stupid "polls" on this board, and a lot of stupid statements about most every topic under the sun on this board, but this "poll" is strongly in the running for "stupidest" post ever. It says, implicitly, that if one doesn't categorize oneself as either a Sunshine Pumper or a Negative Nancy, then that one is "not emotionally invested either way" ... which is, of course, obviously nonsense. I assure you, OP, that I have been emotionally invested in U.K. basketball for more than 60 years. I am merely one who refuses to be anything other than objectively realistic about John Calipari and about the U.K. basketball teams that he puts on the floor. Sometimes Calipari deserves criticism. Less often, but sometimes, he deserves praise. I swing with it either way -- whatever is objectively realistic.

Go 'Cats !

 

[Whatsup]

This is a write in poll:

A.) Sunshine Pumpers
B.) Negative Nancies
C.) it’s just a game, not emotionally-invested either way.
D.) it’s just a game, not emotionally-invested either way, and the people that are need harder jobs or a distraction.

Love Cal and Anyone that plays for big blue. Love BBNM‘s for the most part. I don’t like Cal haters. I don’t like snowflakes. I don’t like posters who just constantly bash 17 and 18 year old kids Who are trying to find their way. If I had $100 dollars for every thread that has been created since our first loss I’d be able to retire.

I choose to be positive about Cal and our team. It’s a choice I have just like you have a choice. I work in a very stressful job everyday. I save children that are being abused and neglected by their parents and caregivers. The kids I deal with don’t complain about things they can‘t control. They just want to be loved and treated well. Their happiness doesn‘t depend on a coach or kids playing basketball. Some of the kids I deal with each day are a lot more mature than some of the posters on RR and Hob. They understand what’s important in life and don’t complain when they’re being beaten or only have a descent meal 1 time a day.

I’ve been a UK fan for 58 years. I’ve seen the best and worst teams that have represented UK. I grew up with Rupp running our program and there were good years and bad years. It’s been the same with every coach not just Cal. Nothing will ever deter me from loving UK, Cal and any kid that puts on the jersey with UK on it. Why? It’s what I choose to do. I don’t like losing just like most of you don’t like losing. I believe our kids are getting better and will jell, but I also know it will take time, so I choose to be patient. Patience is difficult for some, because you want everything right now. Life just doesn’t work that way. Life has its ups and downs so does sports, work, relationship, etc. You can choose to be depressed, mad, mean, hateful and for some of you a complete *******. If starting a new thread daily complaining about Cal, and this team brings you joy have at it. I can promise you that at the end of the year it will not change anything.

 

[anon_q409idbs5m40a]

This is my 40th season watching and rooting for UK. I'm invested, However I know it is just a game and really has no effect on any of the rest of my life.

You have to realize that it's a group of players that you don't know personally and probably never will. My Dad once told me that it does no good to get worked up over any game or sporting event that you're watching unless it's costing you money. That's pretty much the attitude I have now.

 

[cdbearde_rivals384606]

Lol as would I. Put it this way, I’ve spent much more time on the heavy bag this year than I have since college.

How much weight does a heavy bag hold? Maybe I need to buy one and get on it if that helps.

 

[EliteBlue]

How much weight does a heavy bag hold? Maybe I need to buy one and get on it if that helps.

Typically 70-170. Mines 200lbs but had to special order it. Throw some 12 oz gloves on and go a few rounds; and it’ll tucker ya out and make you chill out some.

 

[TankedCat]

I'm not on the fire Cal bandwagon, but I'm not going to just listen to his bs while he attempts to manipulate the fanbase and the media from him being scrutinized for turning in a Gillispie level performance at the start of this season.


and the only way Cal changes is if the fanbase gets indignant with him on his current shortcomings.

We all believe he can do better than he is at the moment. But one segment of the fanbase thinks this year is an anomaly and that 2015 is just one recruiting class away, another segment still clings to the idea that a historically bad start and losses can still be turned around to a successful season (which is why I'm arguing what a successful season really is by UK standards because in years like this they move the goal posts) and yet another segment is so scared of pissing Cal off that they won't tolerate anyone criticizing him out of fear he packs his bags and leaves.

Cal has F-You money in spades, he has accomplished every milestone he cares to accomplish in coaching at this point other than pipedream stuff like 40-0 and passing UCLA - and I'm not really sure those mean anything or not. He doesn't talk about it anymore, that's for sure. It certainly doesn't appear he is prioritizing them as top of the list items.

Another way to say it is he is playing with house money in regards to UK. What he is doing now is part science project, part "I wonder if I can pull this off" , but mostly its defining his legacy. Cal talks alot about being fired from the NBA and how it affected his self esteem. What better way to show the NBA how valuable he really is that loading up the league with "his" players? And at the same time, we'll see some lifetime achievement award nonsense within the next 10 years for Cal for his efforts in changing generational poverty.

That's what gets Cal out of bed in the morning, and the UK program is simply the platform to drive it

And he isn't going to give that up - He is forced to change it and he is gone, that F-You money kicks in and he walks.

But at the same time, the fanbase can push the Administration and Cal to address the issues that are entrenching themselves in the program year to year, and if Cal values UK as a platform, he will address them.

and if he doesn't, then we're better off making the change sooner rather than later.

No I will not tell you who the replacement coach is, no I am not interested in hearing Cal's resume for the 200th time while he was at UK. As I started this post, I don't want him fired. I want 2010 Cal back, if that's possible. 2020 Cal is a snake oil salesman who would rather not deal with the fanbase.

Either you believe the program can be better or you don't. If you believe the program can be better then you have to demand it as a fan, as an alumni, and as a consumer of UK merchandise, tickets and supporting advertisers.

I don't know what kind of fan that makes me, but whatever it is, there are bunch of them just like me - and each year the number has grown significantly.

 

[nssdigitalchumps]

I've seen a lot of stupid "polls" on this board, and a lot of stupid statements about most every topic under the sun on this board, but this "poll" is strongly in the running for "stupidest" post ever. It says, implicitly, that if one doesn't categorize oneself as either a Sunshine Pumper or a Negative Nancy, then that one is "not emotionally invested either way" ... which is, of course, obviously nonsense. I assure you, OP, that I have been emotionally invested in U.K. basketball for more than 60 years. I am merely one who refuses to be anything other than objectively realistic about John Calipari and about the U.K. basketball teams that he puts on the floor. Sometimes Calipari deserves criticism. Less often, but sometimes, he deserves praise. I swing with it either way -- whatever is objectively realistic.

Go 'Cats !

Stupidest poll ever...yet answers it.

Huh.

 

[kybassfan]

B. I’m at my patience’s end with Calipari, on and off the floor. Even under the absolute best of circumstances under Cal, we are not going to “dominate” college basketball and and have #1 seed type seasons anymore. Under the worst of circumstances, we completely and utterly suck and have inexcusable, embarrassing losses to programs like Evansville and GT. Not only will our superstars leave after one year, but our fringe pros, and even role players are looking to bolt ASAP. The performances we have witnessed since 2015 have been really mediocre for Kentucky Basketball.

Cal’s reliance on a 3 Out, 2 In Freelance offense is out of touch with the modern game. He has a one size fits all game plan, and makes no real observable adjustments to his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses for the most part. His rotation is almost solely crafted based on draft projection, not taking analytics or taking player development into account. Shooters have the absolute shortest of leashes, while long athletes get to play through their mistakes, etc. He typically won’t press or play a zone, even when it would be beneficial.

Off the court, he beats a dead horse constantly with Cal-ism’s and white lies about player status’s etc. Makes the same excuses after every loss year in and year out. “Focus is on the draft”.


I would love for Cal to right the ship and find his second wind, but I believe we are just going to continue downhill into apathy until the fanbase runs Cal off after a few more mediocre/bad seasons ala Tubby.

Two things. I suppose you are going to pony up the 20+ million run Cal off. If not, Cal is here long as he wants to be. Second Tubby was not run off. In fact, nobody at the university was ready when he left. The resulted in BCG. I think we can conclude you don’t have the first clue what you are talking about.

 

[cdbearde_rivals384606]

Typically 70-170. Mines 200lbs but had to special order it. Throw some 12 oz gloves on and go a few rounds; and it’ll tucker ya out and make you chill out some.

I was trying to be funny, I know a little about them from my younger years. I wouldn't try to hit one at my age for nothing, but as I was trying to imply that if getting on one would ease the stress of this season, it would have to hold 280.

 

[liveblue92]

Two things. I suppose you are going to pony up the 20+ million run Cal off. If not, Cal is here long as he wants to be. Second Tubby was not run off. In fact, nobody at the university was ready when he left. The resulted in BCG. I think we can conclude you don’t have the first clue what you are talking about.

You didn’t refute a single point I made. Tubby was absolutely run off by fan expectations. “Lifetime” contacts are bad in every single sector of life. Cal has literally no incentive to perform anymore, other than intrinsic motivation and his legacy. Personally, I believe Cal is satisfied with his legacy being the coach that helped kids get to the NBA the fastest. That is not gonna mesh well with the fanbase if it results in losing or mediocre seasons. Don’t be such a boot licker.

 

[kybassfan]

You didn’t refute a single point I made. Tubby was absolutely run off by fan expectations. “Lifetime” contacts are bad in every single sector of life. Cal has literally no incentive to perform anymore, other than intrinsic motivation and his legacy. Personally, I believe Cal is satisfied with his legacy being the coach that helped kids get to the NBA the fastest. That is not gonna mesh well with the fanbase if it results in losing or mediocre seasons. Don’t be such a boot licker.

In fact, no, Tubby was not run off. Legally, figuratively or otherwise. That is pure crap and anyone with a brain knows it. Cal's buyout is well over 20 million. No way Kentucky is going to touch that. I also doubt whiney malcontents like you are going to do it either. So essentially, you are barking. As far as boot licking, the only one with dirt on their tongue here is you. These are just facts. Indisputable.

 

[know1]

The UK Basketball Program First group.

 

[know1]

As a UK fan, I'm looking for 3 things, a team that is fun to watch, a team the state has a connection to, and a team that wins at the highest level. If you get all 3, that's great, but I expect 2 out of the 3, and I would be OK with 1 out of the 3 for short periods of time. 0 out of 3 for any real amount of time, and I ready for a new coach or the coach to fix the problem.

I have pride in the accomplishments of UK basketball, but they aren't then reason I watch or am a fan. I am a fan because I grew up watching them and cheering them on as a representative of the state. And to be honest, those three things have set the legacy of every coach, but speaking specifically to the ones during the prime of my life, Pitino was a great coach for UK because during his post-probation years, he played a fun style, recruited some players from the area, and won at the highest level. Tubby's first teams were fun, had some connection to the players from around the area, and they won at a pretty high level. As his career went on, the fun stopped, the connections got slim, and then he quit winning at the highest level. Billy G did none of the things mentioned, and lasted a whole 2 years. When Cal started, there was some connection to the team, he played a fun style, and won at the highest level. Grumblings started as the connections started going away, but he was still great because overall the teams were fun, and he won at the highest level. Since 2015, we have had very little connection to the team, only a couple of them were even fun to watch, and while still winning at a high level, you aren't winning at the highest level.

Cal's on court success isn't even really the problem, as all coaches go through down swings, and honestly Cal's down swing is better than most coaches up swing. But he has made it to where the fans have no connection to the team, and his teams aren't fun to watch either. So why do fans even still care or tune in?? Because we are fans, and we root for the team. We may get emotional, and say things we shouldn't, but that is really part of being a fan. If you aren't going to win at the highest level (Final Fours and Titles), then at least play a fun style, and give the fans some connection to the team (recruiting area players, and not just to sit the bench). There are players in our area every year that could play minutes at UK, but we don't go after them.

Most fans aren't upset about a dip in success over the last few years, as most understand these things come and go and winning at the highest level is hard. Most are upset because it is becoming laborious to watch games. And just so we are clear, Cal could coach a team to put up similar success as his last few teams while having players from the area, and being more fun to watch. I'd sacrifice the fun part for more success, but why should I sacrifice everything??

And if you wanna work on generational poverty, go over to Eastern Kentucky and work a little magic there. Not sure why you would promote changing generational poverty for a family who has an athlete that is likely going to change that status whether they come here or not. Let's work on the generational poverty for families that don't have star athletes, or another means of changing their financial direction.

Great post.

 

[kybassfan]

The UK Basketball Program First group.

It is first.

 

[know1]

It is first.

Doesn't seem to be for the coach or the players. And you can't argue against that.

 

[H00SIER-Cat]

You have to realize that it's a group of players that you don't know personally and probably never will. My Dad once told me that it does no good to get worked up over any game or sporting event that you're watching unless it's costing you money. That's pretty much the attitude I have now.

Nailed it