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Date Posted: 07:57:13 03/14/03 Fri
Author: STAGAL
Subject: Today's Puma article
Puma talked to McCloud in Atlanta who initially expressed surprise to hear that Gai was considering leaving FF. He said that he never attempted to persuade Gai in either direction. Gai had told the former coach that he intended to transfer earlier this season (probably coincided during time of his suspension). Gai is concerned with the lack of TV exposure at FF, one of his disappointments, and knew that getting to the finals would get him on national TV. Too bad he squandered that opportunity by having less than a good performance.
McCloud talked about his difficulties in transferring to Duke, and indicated that the best thing for Gai to do was to sit down with TOT and talk this out, explain his concerns. "If he wanted to leave, I'm sure Tim would give him his blessing".
Gai sees and wants the American dream, and apparently believes that going to a bigger and better program where he will get more exposure will help him achieve that goal. McCloud also said that if you are a tough SOB, the NBA scouts will find you no matter where you play.
McCloud says that Gai is an introvert, and that Gai always looks unhappy, even when he is smiling. FF has opened its heart for Gai and he's not looking down on that. He also said that Gai's 12 points and 6 rebounds would be likely cut in half if he transferred. He would not be the top man in some other program and may not be named DPOY in some other league. He tried to make Gai aware that he needs to separate himself from others, and that those intangibles don't always show up in stats.
IMO, it's too bad this issue couldn't wait til the season was over, with the likelihood of a NIT bid coming. Gai needs to carefully think this thing out, and TOT needs to help him examine the pro's and con's of transferring. He is just a young man from a foreign country in need of guidance. While we at FF and the MAAC would hate to lose him, he needs to do what's best for himself. Hopefully we can allay his concerns and help him achieve his goals during the next 2 years.
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Re: Today's Puma article -- Stagman, 09:14:13 03/14/03 Fri
Just checked the stats to see how Gai did against the Stags big time competition this year. Regrettably, he only played one game against the likes of St Johns, DePaul, UNCW and Duke.
In that game (Duke), he scored 12 points, got 1 defensive rebound, had 0 blocks and 4 turnovers in 23 minutes. Can't base a solid judgment on that, but it certainly doesn't suggest that a jump to the 'big time' would get him anything except limited playing time.
What Gai needs, more than anything else, is to develop some toughness. If TOT can't instill that trait, then I'm not sure who can.
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Re: Today's Puma article -- Champ, 10:16:39 03/14/03 Fri
A trait is innate, and Gai doesn't exude the personality of toughness and determination at gametime. If he thinks another school can teach this, he will be surely disappointed. This lack of toughness was the same reason Ajou couldn't break into Calhoun's favored group. Gai needs to improve his attitude, stay at FF, and worry less about his professional career. As McCleod asserts, the NBA will find him wherever he is.
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One other thing -- Champ, 10:48:24 03/14/03 Fri
Why doesn't the MAAC use Gai, or Flores for that matter, in its publicity efforts? They need to leverage the budding NBAers to build interest in the conference and get more national exposure. This Gai thing wouldn't happen if the MAAC were an effective marketing organization.
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Re: Today's Puma article -- A Fan, 09:27:40 03/14/03 Fri
You're right, Stagal, it's the kid's decision and his only. He owes nothing to Fairfield University.
As for McLeod, some people on this board have called him unethical, but it appears he might have the kid's best interests at heart. The only way McCloud would be unethical is if he gains something from Gai transferring (like a new job).
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Re: Today's Puma article -- 79er, 11:13:56 03/14/03 Fri
You have to be pretty naive if you think McC. cares an iota about Gai's future. Give me a break. This guy is a malcontent looking to stir the pot because he lost his job. It is as simple as that.
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Re: Today's Puma article -- Fair Play, 16:17:37 03/14/03 Fri
I disagree. It was McCleod's own choice to leave. In fact I think if he stayed TOT might have had some competition for his job. I do think McCleod does care about Deng's future. With his connections he could get a job anywhere he doesn't need to use Deng Gai.
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Re: Today's Puma article -- 79er, 17:00:28 03/14/03 Fri
If he can get a job anywhere, why did he come here? Stop praising this two-faced clown.
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