At least most of the fanbase. While it's understandable that we were super anxious to get the best recruit we will ever get back in uniform (we ain't exactly Kentucky, where we get a few of these guys every year).... MPJ was CLEARLY not ready to play. In fact, he should be applauded for putting his reputation on the line when he was not in game shape. I bet some think -- well, maybe he's just not as good as he was expected to be. I'd say that's 100% wrong. The guy shot 3-4 airballs in his two games.... as the announcer said last night, that just doesn't happen. That doesn't happen to a division II player in game shape.
Not saying i'm pointing finger at everyone else. I was as anxious as anyone to get him back in the fold. I knew having a talent like him was our best chance to do something truly special. I've been a Mizzou fan all my life, so you can imagine I was in the same boat. But did Michael really do that much to cause this issue? I say no, not really. After the injury initially and when Mizzou ruled him out for year -- he tweeted something to extent that he shouldn't be counted out. Really nothing wrong with that comment. And then we just lived for that tweet he made for months thereafter. I've looked at MPJ's twitter feed, and it's not like he made many posts at all about this -- at least didn't start many posts. Then he was seen at the rec center shooting around, but of course this was AFTER he was cleared for non contact play. What's wrong with that? Then he has the press conference, saying he's just a kid that wants to play ball -- from there, he took longer to get back than we wanted; and many started questioning his competitive nature and heart. That to me, is where the line was crossed. At least in hindsight, after seeing him play.
His talent still however jumped off the screen, if you can just imagine seeing that talent and length with explosiveness back in his legs. He just couldn't finish his jump shot, and he couldn't finish around the basket. Combo of not being in game shape and just not having the explosion back in his legs. He would have just about completely negated our ball handling issues this year, as it was clear that he could easily be comfortable bringing the ball up the court.
All said, if we wanted MPJ to come back for a sophomore year --- I'd say things played out almost PERFECTLY. Not saying what he should or shouldn't do --- because honestly, that's not our choice to make. There is no wrong choice, despite what some say (some say he has to go --- that's BS if you ask me).
Not saying i'm pointing finger at everyone else. I was as anxious as anyone to get him back in the fold. I knew having a talent like him was our best chance to do something truly special. I've been a Mizzou fan all my life, so you can imagine I was in the same boat. But did Michael really do that much to cause this issue? I say no, not really. After the injury initially and when Mizzou ruled him out for year -- he tweeted something to extent that he shouldn't be counted out. Really nothing wrong with that comment. And then we just lived for that tweet he made for months thereafter. I've looked at MPJ's twitter feed, and it's not like he made many posts at all about this -- at least didn't start many posts. Then he was seen at the rec center shooting around, but of course this was AFTER he was cleared for non contact play. What's wrong with that? Then he has the press conference, saying he's just a kid that wants to play ball -- from there, he took longer to get back than we wanted; and many started questioning his competitive nature and heart. That to me, is where the line was crossed. At least in hindsight, after seeing him play.
His talent still however jumped off the screen, if you can just imagine seeing that talent and length with explosiveness back in his legs. He just couldn't finish his jump shot, and he couldn't finish around the basket. Combo of not being in game shape and just not having the explosion back in his legs. He would have just about completely negated our ball handling issues this year, as it was clear that he could easily be comfortable bringing the ball up the court.
All said, if we wanted MPJ to come back for a sophomore year --- I'd say things played out almost PERFECTLY. Not saying what he should or shouldn't do --- because honestly, that's not our choice to make. There is no wrong choice, despite what some say (some say he has to go --- that's BS if you ask me).
