To give a hint at my age, I first played organized ball in a gym where the over and back line was the top off the key at the opposite end. I haven't told anyone to get off my lawn, yet,but I do think the whole multiple fancy uniform thing is nuts.

If Adidas is an upgrade then I guess I am happy for Ohio. Myself, I skip the Adidas athletic wear. I guess that is also partly because of my old fart status. It is hard for someone my age to look good in fitted work out shirts and trim fit golf attire:)

Don't understand how much his stuff means to our student athletes? Watch the football black uniform reveal again.

https://youtu.be/hAOfNEBZbE4

With all the trouble the NCAA rules apparently are for these kids, I won't begrudge them one bit if they get some fashionable team gear.

Ah yes, the "smackdown" from the all-knowing expert on basketball. I never indicated the players should be using outdated foot gear. Can you argue that when "student athletes" are choosing schools based on apparel brand, there's something wrong with the picture? And I retain my right to voice my opinion, Borna. It comes with paying for my tickets and writing checks to the program. Try either one for a change, "y'all."

SBH being sbh.


And that's not a good thing.

You specifically named the shoe, and implied that in your day, dagnabbit, Chucks and hand-me-down uniforms were good enough. Comfortable and good looking clothes -- and brands -- matter to most athletes. Borna is just supplying a dose of reality. You don't have to like it. He knows a lot more about this kind of stuff than I do, and I am happy to get his insight on here.

I think you missed the point RJ. I took his comments as valid criticism addressing a change in priorities - a change that he and many others, myself included, have not come to appreciate. My comments simply pointed out a little bit of Akron history that our NE Ohio posters might like - similar to OCF's War of Northern Aggression tidbits. Neither one of us said or implied that "what was good enough for us is good enough for them." With this group of kids, I actually believe that they are more team oriented than any group we've seen in the Convo for quite some time.

That was not a smack down. I assume your retort is supposed to be though. If you look, I agreed with you that their priorities are somewhat skewed and different than ours. They are the ones that count..... and we can make judgements on the standards of the next gen just like our parents and grandparents did....but it did not change the onslaught of Rock, anti war, LGBT rights or anything else we and subsequent gens have done.

As for your checks and tickets...I specifically choose to not have any donations or anything published in my name. I am NOT a booster. I am free to talk to parents, athletes and recruits who stop me to ask questions at events and do not fear violating any of the myriad of NCAA standards. If you are scouring through donations looking for a name you are missing a much bigger picture. You cannot have any possible idea RE my contributions or purchases. So, if you want to call me out at least you know why... my car probably has a smaller engine, my bike is probably slower and your anatomy is probably bigger as well. Bravo. You win.

I am not all knowing. Far from it...and I am more than accessible as evidenced by the folks in the Convo who feel comfortable to come up and talk. I appreciate all their ideas, thoughts and opinion and I have never once assumed I am the smarter one in any conversation. That has bad results as my Gramps always taught me that " humility would always be the best attribute you could bring to a conversation" In my area of expertise (medically and especially lower extremity performance) you ranted on things being good enough for you... You and Alan both gave your experience and intimated that you played in old unis and/or Cons and that was good enough. I said IMHO that kids do not roll that way these days and provided why the advances in tech/medical over the years made Chucks obsolete. The statement, by both you and Alan, seemed to show that you did play in those and they were good enough and implied that kids should just accept this, as I read it. I also agreed that *OUR* (you and me) priorities are not that screwed up but we are not the ones who count and said "I am not defending" their choices. . It is not up to me to dictate or even really comment on how the next gen approaches life/school/performances or bring my experiences up to them as an example. I only use my running, athletic or triathlon successes or medical experiences with athletes/performers and performance to impart wisdom to kids who are actively seeking and forthcoming. I have never tried to force those ideas and experiences on them.

As a student of athletics I have listened to generations of athletes stretching back to the late 20s and have heard them talk about "back in the day" and laughed at those that hold on to the past and admired those who look at the present and future. " Open minds and shut mouths" was an addage Pete Brewster used when talking about players who headed into coaching....one that I have passed on to many young aspiring coaches including my own progeny.

All in all I love discussion that is civil and informative as we all benefit from shared ideas and information. Acknowledging that kids today see things differently as well as the fact that branding is huge to a recruit is simply accepting what is real whether you and I agree with it or not. If sharing that knowledge gets you on the internets looking for donations and things to critique I can shut it down. THis is the third time here on BA that you have done this. I was gone from here for over a year at one point, I have plenty of other interests between HS ball, motorcycles, healthcare, music and a couple of other forums to pursue. Really don't need this scrutiny from you and truth be known, would make a few folks in admin and coaching happier if I was not here... While I respect your opines and input I have done nothing to incite your ire and acknowledge that in no way do I have any of the background and history in OHIO athletics that you and Alan do ... now that you have pissed on this fire hydrant and marked your spot Have at it.... I'm out

So what I'd like to know is how do these AAU coaches end up having so much sway with the kids? I love my son's AAU coach but I can't imagine him having the ability to direct where my son's going to end up going. He's obviously going to be able to offer advice but that's all it would be.

But the money wouldn't be coming from the AAU coach would it?

I understand that part but my point is why would my son's AAU coach have such a big influence over where my son decides to go? He can steer all he wants but ultimately I'm going to have a bigger influence over where he chooses than his coach. That might be different in a household where a coach plays a larger role in his life.

Bingo! High school coaches and programs are very highly regulated. AAU, not so much.

+1. I always enjoy talking hoops and other stories over a soda with Borna & family, along with others I've met as a result of this board. Sometimes I come away learning something new. I'm a smarter basketball fan as a consequence.


Adding a thought, while we're all allowed to voice our opinions, and this is truly an opinion forum, the act of buying tickets and writing checks to the program really don't "entitle" any of us to our opinion.

Soccer wore Adidas in the past, Russell does not make shoes, so they were free to wear whatever footware they wanted. Interestingly they ditched Adidas for UA this past season.