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Post by yetanotherwilliams on Apr 3, 2024 22:43:12 GMT -5
The other day I watched the post-game presser after LSU's loss to Iowa. And, despite the fact that I really, really wanted Iowa to win, I was quite moved by Flau'jae Johnson's comments about Angel Reese, and Angel's comments about the slings and arrows she's received from fans and media this past season. Flau-jae, who seems like a good kid, said something to the effect that the media doesn't know Angel, and that the fans don't know Angel, but that she's a good person, a good teammate, and has had to face torrents of criticism from all sides this season. And Angel tearfully went on to detail some of the abuse that she's received.
Like most of us here, I suspect, Angel has been the 'player you love to hate' for me this season and last. But I felt bad after watching that press conference (van Lith rushed to Angel's defense as well) and I've been thinking about her for a couple of days.
And maybe this is crazy, but those testimonials made me think of a young Muhammad Ali, who was good-looking and flamboyant and cocky, and utterly contemptuous of his opponents in his early years. And yet his colorful braggadocio and notoriety, like Angel's, brought a great many eyeballs to boxing in the 1960's and 70's, just as Angel's (and LSU's) sometimes outrageous conduct has contributed in no small way, IMO, to the tremendous surge in interest in women's college basketball these past two years.
I don't know that Ali had a master plan to promote boxing in general, and I suspect that LSU's ill-mannered displays in recent years were not designed to promote women's college basketball. But, while I wasn't crazy about the mocking, taunting young Ali, I came to forgive his trespasses and to realize that beneath the flamboyant exterior there was a great heart.
And, after watching Angel's teammates talk about her, I wonder if, a couple of years down the road, we will come to forgive her youthful exuberance and bad manners, just as most of us came to forgive Ali's outlandish antics. She may not be 'the greatest,' but she surely is one of the very best players in college basketball.
I wish her well.
Angel is 21 now; Ali won the heavyweight championship when he was 22.
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Post by swash on Apr 4, 2024 4:13:40 GMT -5
The other day I watched the post-game presser after LSU's loss to Iowa. And, despite the fact that I really, really wanted Iowa to win, I was quite moved by Flau'jae Johnson's comments about Angel Reese, and Angel's comments about the slings and arrows she's received from fans and media this past season. Flau-jae, who seems like a good kid, said something to the effect that the media doesn't know Angel, and that the fans don't know Angel, but that she's a good person, a good teammate, and has had to face torrents of criticism from all sides this season. And Angel tearfully went on to detail some of the abuse that she's received. Like most of us here, I suspect, Angel has been the 'player you love to hate' for me this season and last. But I felt bad after watching that press conference (van Lith rushed to Angel's defense as well) and I've been thinking about her for a couple of days. And maybe this is crazy, but those testimonials made me think of a young Muhammad Ali, who was good-looking and flamboyant and cocky, and utterly contemptuous of his opponents in his early years. And yet his colorful braggadocio and notoriety, like Angel's, brought a great many eyeballs to boxing in the 1960's and 70's, just as Angel's (and LSU's) sometimes outrageous conduct has contributed in no small way, IMO, to the tremendous surge in interest in women's college basketball these past two years. I don't know that Ali had a master plan to promote boxing in general, and I suspect that LSU's ill-mannered displays in recent years were not designed to promote women's college basketball. But, while I wasn't crazy about the mocking, taunting young Ali, I came to forgive his trespasses and to realize that beneath the flamboyant exterior there was a great heart. And, after watching Angel's teammates talk about her, I wonder if, a couple of years down the road, we will come to forgive her youthful exuberance and bad manners, just as most of us came to forgive Ali's outlandish antics. She may not be 'the greatest,' but she surely is one of the very best players in college basketball. I wish her well. Angel is 21 now; Ali won the heavyweight championship when he was 22. My thinking aligns, but you've articulated it better. Clay... Ali is a very good comparison. |
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Post by meyers7 on Apr 4, 2024 7:55:44 GMT -5
The other day I watched the post-game presser after LSU's loss to Iowa. And, despite the fact that I really, really wanted Iowa to win, I was quite moved by Flau'jae Johnson's comments about Angel Reese, and Angel's comments about the slings and arrows she's received from fans and media this past season. Flau-jae, who seems like a good kid, said something to the effect that the media doesn't know Angel, and that the fans don't know Angel, but that she's a good person, a good teammate, and has had to face torrents of criticism from all sides this season. And Angel tearfully went on to detail some of the abuse that she's received. Like most of us here, I suspect, Angel has been the 'player you love to hate' for me this season and last. But I felt bad after watching that press conference (van Lith rushed to Angel's defense as well) and I've been thinking about her for a couple of days. And maybe this is crazy, but those testimonials made me think of a young Muhammad Ali, who was good-looking and flamboyant and cocky, and utterly contemptuous of his opponents in his early years. And yet his colorful braggadocio and notoriety, like Angel's, brought a great many eyeballs to boxing in the 1960's and 70's, just as Angel's (and LSU's) sometimes outrageous conduct has contributed in no small way, IMO, to the tremendous surge in interest in women's college basketball these past two years. I don't know that Ali had a master plan to promote boxing in general, and I suspect that LSU's ill-mannered displays in recent years were not designed to promote women's college basketball. But, while I wasn't crazy about the mocking, taunting young Ali, I came to forgive his trespasses and to realize that beneath the flamboyant exterior there was a great heart. And, after watching Angel's teammates talk about her, I wonder if, a couple of years down the road, we will come to forgive her youthful exuberance and bad manners, just as most of us came to forgive Ali's outlandish antics. She may not be 'the greatest,' but she surely is one of the very best players in college basketball. I wish her well. Angel is 21 now; Ali won the heavyweight championship when he was 22. I find it offensive, crazy, insane, ridiculous that anyone would compare Reese with Ali. They should not be mentioned in the breath, sentence. Hell they should not be mentioned on the same page, really the same book. This may be the most disgusting post I've ever seen on this board. |
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Post by bulkey on Apr 4, 2024 8:15:11 GMT -5
The other day I watched the post-game presser after LSU's loss to Iowa. And, despite the fact that I really, really wanted Iowa to win, I was quite moved by Flau'jae Johnson's comments about Angel Reese, and Angel's comments about the slings and arrows she's received from fans and media this past season. Flau-jae, who seems like a good kid, said something to the effect that the media doesn't know Angel, and that the fans don't know Angel, but that she's a good person, a good teammate, and has had to face torrents of criticism from all sides this season. And Angel tearfully went on to detail some of the abuse that she's received. Like most of us here, I suspect, Angel has been the 'player you love to hate' for me this season and last. But I felt bad after watching that press conference (van Lith rushed to Angel's defense as well) and I've been thinking about her for a couple of days. And maybe this is crazy, but those testimonials made me think of a young Muhammad Ali, who was good-looking and flamboyant and cocky, and utterly contemptuous of his opponents in his early years. And yet his colorful braggadocio and notoriety, like Angel's, brought a great many eyeballs to boxing in the 1960's and 70's, just as Angel's (and LSU's) sometimes outrageous conduct has contributed in no small way, IMO, to the tremendous surge in interest in women's college basketball these past two years. I don't know that Ali had a master plan to promote boxing in general, and I suspect that LSU's ill-mannered displays in recent years were not designed to promote women's college basketball. But, while I wasn't crazy about the mocking, taunting young Ali, I came to forgive his trespasses and to realize that beneath the flamboyant exterior there was a great heart. And, after watching Angel's teammates talk about her, I wonder if, a couple of years down the road, we will come to forgive her youthful exuberance and bad manners, just as most of us came to forgive Ali's outlandish antics. She may not be 'the greatest,' but she surely is one of the very best players in college basketball. I wish her well. Angel is 21 now; Ali won the heavyweight championship when he was 22. Thanks so much for this thoughtful and provocative meditation on youth...and also on your own growing appreciation of an individual, which shows your own capacity for judicious reassessment. Not that it matters, but I was always a Muhammed Ali fan. I was an amateur boxer as a teenager, and from the moment Clay emerged he was charismatic and, except for Sugar Ray Robinson, more athletic than anyone I'd ever seen--no mean feat for a heavy weight. I was fine with his antics and amazed by his draft resistance (which the Supreme Court in an unanimous decision confirmed). But I agree with your larger point, that he was certainly initially not to everyone's taste, but he continued to grow as a global force. In her perhaps smaller way, let's hope that Angel does as well. It's nice being young enough to have so much potential ahead of you. |
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Post by yetanotherwilliams on Apr 4, 2024 8:33:04 GMT -5
The other day I watched the post-game presser after LSU's loss to Iowa. And, despite the fact that I really, really wanted Iowa to win, I was quite moved by Flau'jae Johnson's comments about Angel Reese, and Angel's comments about the slings and arrows she's received from fans and media this past season. Flau-jae, who seems like a good kid, said something to the effect that the media doesn't know Angel, and that the fans don't know Angel, but that she's a good person, a good teammate, and has had to face torrents of criticism from all sides this season. And Angel tearfully went on to detail some of the abuse that she's received. Like most of us here, I suspect, Angel has been the 'player you love to hate' for me this season and last. But I felt bad after watching that press conference (van Lith rushed to Angel's defense as well) and I've been thinking about her for a couple of days. And maybe this is crazy, but those testimonials made me think of a young Muhammad Ali, who was good-looking and flamboyant and cocky, and utterly contemptuous of his opponents in his early years. And yet his colorful braggadocio and notoriety, like Angel's, brought a great many eyeballs to boxing in the 1960's and 70's, just as Angel's (and LSU's) sometimes outrageous conduct has contributed in no small way, IMO, to the tremendous surge in interest in women's college basketball these past two years. I don't know that Ali had a master plan to promote boxing in general, and I suspect that LSU's ill-mannered displays in recent years were not designed to promote women's college basketball. But, while I wasn't crazy about the mocking, taunting young Ali, I came to forgive his trespasses and to realize that beneath the flamboyant exterior there was a great heart. And, after watching Angel's teammates talk about her, I wonder if, a couple of years down the road, we will come to forgive her youthful exuberance and bad manners, just as most of us came to forgive Ali's outlandish antics. She may not be 'the greatest,' but she surely is one of the very best players in college basketball. I wish her well. Angel is 21 now; Ali won the heavyweight championship when he was 22. I find it offensive, crazy, insane, ridiculous that anyone would compare Reese with Ali. They should not be mentioned in the breath, sentence. Hell they should not be mentioned on the same page, really the same book. This may be the most disgusting post I've ever seen on this board. Are you too young to remember Ali bellowing "I'm so pretty..." or "I'm the greatest!" Or "I'm young, I'm handsome ... I can't possibly be beat!" or "He (Sonny Liston) is too ugly to be world champ; the world champ should be pretty like me!" or "I am the astronaut of boxing. Joe Louis and Dempsey were just jet pilots. I'm in a world of my own." Or wearing a Manila-Gorilla shirt to the weigh-in before the third Frazier fight? How he taunted Joe Frazier, a very good fighter, and based on most reports, a good man, for decades even though Frazier had lent him money during Ali's Vietnam hiatus and testified on Ali's behalf before Congress, and petitioned President Nixon to give Ali a break? And despite all this, Ali called him 'ugly,' 'a gorilla,' and an 'Uncle Tom' over and over again? And yet ... most of us came to forgive all of Ali's mostly youthful excesses, because we came to recognize that he had courage and a great heart. Reese's teammates had tears in their eyes when they said that Angel was a good person with a good heart the other day. If you haven't seen it, I urge you to watch the presser after the Iowa game. Maybe those were phony tears or maybe you know something about Angel that her teammates do not. Hey, I couldn't stand her either a week ago, but maybe, just maybe, both of us were wrong. Or maybe I was right then and wrong now, but even if I'm wrong now, Angel's already paid quite a price for her immature behavior. I don't think any young woman deserves to be the recipient of a deluge of hate media and vile sexual comments and threats. Can we at least agree on that? |
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