Parrott Blog: Lee's post-game antics

[raginsaints]

Gradnigo has such a bad attitude. He's such a good scorer but he doesn't even attempt to pretend to play defense.

[Parrott]

Someone posted on my blog that he said on air "to be fair to coach, the reporter asking the question doesn't have the best relationship with coach Lee - hang in there, coach."

Me either. By the way, what did he say? Not that I care, or anything. Just wondering.

igeaux.mobi

[duggie85]

Gradnigo has such a bad attitude. He's such a good scorer but he doesn't even attempt to pretend to play defense.

Good Scorer??? I don't know about that. Dude is shooting 35% from the field and 20% from behind the arc on the season. Only reason he is avg double digits is b/c he shoots every other possesion.

By the way, that 20% is with his 4 or 5 three pointers he had last night

http://www.ragincajuns.com/fls/15400...0/teamcume.htm

[raginsaints]

I mean when he's "hot" I guess.

[duggie85]

People say we have talent, but I just don't see it. Even with bad coaching, talented ball players would make plays. Heaven forbid guys try to get open without the ball. Our guys stutter-step defenders to death at the 3 pt line, never drive the lane. I can't wait for La'ryan Gary to get back on the floor. He's the only one on the team IMO that is worth watching. Then again, I'm no Dean Smith....

[J-Town Cajun]

Gradnigo is just as much as a problem to this team as Coach Lee. Before the games he is the only one out of the starting line up that does not go over to shake the refs hand during the introductions. He always seems to have a bad attitude, doesn't seem to always hustle, and it is noticable that his teammates don't get along with him.

[Turbine]

Someone posted on my blog that he said on air "to be fair to coach, the reporter asking the question doesn't have the best relationship with coach Lee - hang in there, coach."


igeaux.mobi

If true I wonder about Chuck's source. The ONLY thing I ever heard you question (nothing really) was the sudden unexplained/announced closure of practice last year.

The reason other media types can say "hang in there" is they couldn't care less about doing the leg work of covering a practice.

As I said I don't know CH source but if it came from the Lee I am not shocked as he has shown he can be a bit paranoid.

A few years back (last 2 of Evans and 1st of Lee) I used to sit on press row filming the goals looking for dunks and blocks. In Robert's second year after a couple losses he had the SID come across the court and ask me to stop filming. Pictures were still OK but game play was out.
igeaux.mobi

[SlappyCajun]

Josh -

In no way am I trying to misconstrue what happened, and am not trying to justify what Coach Lee did. I think you do a phenomenal job covering Cajun sports and you need to continue asking the tough questions that others do not ask.

However, sometimes I think we take it for granted on this board how frustrating this season is for Robert himself. He wants this program to be successful more than any of us. Perhaps he can see the writing on the wall, and every loss is another tightening of the screw.

This is a man that has spent his entire adult life trying to become a Division I head basketball coach. He also spent the majority of his adult career in service to the university. He has two young kids, and now it is probably beginning to set in, that this may very well be his last year. This was a man that after winning the league was set to return Tiras Wade, Chris Cameron and Dwayne Mitchell. He also had gone out and gotten Ryan Francis to commit. If those things had happened, the entire Robert Lee era may have been different. But, Tiras left for the draft, and Rick Majerus left Southern Cal, leaving Tim Floyd to take over, and taking Ryan Francis.

Again, Josh, keep asking the tough questions. And by all means hold Coach Lee accountable for all aspects of the program. However, for those searching for an explanation. I think you are watching a man who wears his emotions on his sleeve, who loves this program and this university, seeing his opportunity slip away, and he is reeling.

I hope he is able to find enough success at the end of the year that may make this last season bearable for him.

[MetryCajun]

_ Josh -

In no way am I trying to misconstrue what happened, and am not trying to justify what Coach Lee did. I think you do a phenomenal job covering Cajun sports and you need to continue asking the tough questions that others do not ask.

However, sometimes I think we take it for granted on this board how frustrating this season is for Robert himself. He wants this program to be successful more than any of us. Perhaps he can see the writing on the wall, and every loss is another tightening of the screw.

This is a man that has spent his entire adult life trying to become a Division I head basketball coach. He also spent the majority of his adult career in service to the university. He has two young kids, and now it is probably beginning to set in, that this may very well be his last year. This was a man that after winning the league was set to return Tiras Wade, Chris Cameron and Dwayne Mitchell. He also had gone out and gotten Ryan Francis to commit. If those things had happened, the entire Robert Lee era may have been different. But, Tiras left for the draft, and Rick Majerus left Southern Cal, leaving Tim Floyd to take over, and taking Ryan Francis.

Again, Josh, keep asking the tough questions. And by all means hold Coach Lee accountable for all aspects of the program. However, for those searching for an explanation. I think you are watching a man who wears his emotions on his sleeve, who loves this program and this university, seeing his opportunity slip away, and he is reeling.

I hope he is able to find enough success at the end of the year that may make this last season bearable for him. _

Good post. I think we are seeing a man coming to grips with what he is....a bad basketball coach. In his mind, he probably thought all he neded was another Sr.-laden team like his first year. He now realizes not only was his recruiting job sub-par, but his coaching is some of the worst in D1. This has got to be hard to swallow.

As for Parrott and Lee not getting along, maybe if Lee served up a quality product our beat writer could write some more positive stories. Lee should be thankful anyone even goes to his press conference.

[rgncjn12]

_ In all fairness, your question was not out of line Josh. Lee's behavior was not professional and should be addressed by his superiors. I don't think anyone is blaming you for Lee's reaction to your question. He should understand that media relations is part of the job.

But since you wrote about this incident in your blog, had the question been asked by anyone else in that room would his reaction had been different? I think we both know the anwer to that question. He clearly has a personal problem with you and this goes back to last season. You are clearly upset by the way he addressed your question in the press conference as well or you wouldn't have written about it in your blog. Its clear to me that this has been taken to a new personal level and both of you should sit down to clear the air. This should be about two individuals being able to do their jobs in a professional environment.

Knowing both you and Lee, I have not doubt that you guys will work this out and move on covering the season. _

I have no doubt Josh would have reported it had it been someone else asking the question. It's obvious Lee doesnt like being questioned. I am glad Josh reported it and love how he reported it. It's about damn time we have a reporter that puts a fire to the coaches to get answers and asks the tough questions. For too long Dan McDonald and Bruce Brown let the coaches slide.

thanks josh

GEAUX UL!

[Tiredof theBS]

This is easy.

Coach Lee needs to coach to the best of his ability and then go to the press conference where members of the professional media can ask him about the team's success or failure.

Parrott and the other members of the media need to show up to the games and observe the team, and then ask questions in the press conference. Then the reporters need to report based upon what happened at the game and how coach responded to questions at the press conference.

In what I have observed, Parrott did his job. Coach did his job on the floor (he may not have done it well, but he did do his job), but then chose not to follow the game with a press conference where he behaved in a professional manner.

The two of them do not need to sit down and talk things out. What needs to happen is that Parrott needs to continue to ask the tough questions and report about the games, and Lee needs to do his job, and then agree to being help accountable for his teams play, and his personal actions.

[CajunZ1]

This whole incident seems to me like a golden opportunity for UL's admin to make a move before the next semester starts.

We already know that there's a 99.999925% chance that this team will not make the postseason and Lee will not be retained. Given that fact and this most recent little pity-party, it seems like a natural breaking point.

Make the move.

[MetryCajun]

_ This whole incident seems to me like a golden opportunity for UL's admin to make a move before the next semester starts.

We already know that there's a 99.999925% chance that this team will not make the postseason and Lee will not be retained. Given that fact and this most recent little pity-party, it seems like a natural breaking point.

Make the move. _

Where are you getting the 0.000075%?

Don't leave mad Coach Lee, just leave.

[reddot]

Just a few questions?

Does a broken chair, if replaced, affect our APR?
Does it SIT well with the administration?
Instead of being the General is Lee now the "Chairman"?

[CajunT]

_ I definitely don't agree that Josh would not have written it in his blog if Lee liked him. This is clearly a news worthy event as seen by the fact that other media outlets reported it. I think maybe Josh took more of a op-ed view, as you may see in many blogs, and that can come off as personal. I think jp has every right to report it but they probably should clear the air either way.

Also, chuck huebner can keep his little comments to himself.


igeaux.mobi _

I didn't say he shouldn't have written anything in his blog nor that he did anything wrong. I simply pointing out, that there is a history here between the two and that played a part in this incident. That is fact, not opinion.