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Thursday, December 21, 2006

Mayer

Mayer: Walker hype not justified

By Bill Mayer

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This is an alleged season of miracles with rebirths of faith, hope and love, Santa Claus visitations and other wondrous happenings. I'm going to wait before I put a guy named Bill Walker in such a category.

The young 6-foot-6 newcomer has made his debut with the Kansas State basketball team and the evidence is that he'll do a lot to make an already good collection of people better. But a high-leaping messiah who will lead the Wildcats of Bob Huggins to immediate Big 12 and national glory? He's labeled as something of that nature by a number of observers. Let's hold off on a coronation.

It's easier for one man to jazz up a basketball team than a 22-man football lineup or a nine-man baseball alignment (anybody remember Alex Rodriguez?). But look at all the sensational, even immortal, court performers who never could quite spark their teams to collegiate crowns. Oscar Robertson at Cincinnati, Jerry West at West Virginia and Wilt Chamberlain at Kansas come readily to mind. John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas won only once at Ohio State in three tries.

One guy doesn't guarantee a brass ring. Even KU's Clyde Lovellette and Danny Manning could bat only one for four.

Bill Russell at San Francisco (two national titles) and Lew Alcindor a la Kareem Abdul-

Jabbar at UCLA (three trophies) are among the untouchables as mainstays for championship programs. Michael Jordan hubbed six professional title teams, but got only one college win at North Carolina. Russell is the top winner of them all - two NCAA titles, an Olympic crown and 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, two of those as player-coach for Boston.

Remember when Brandon Rush was flagellating about whether to go pro or try a college? When he committed to Bill Self and Co., how many were raving and frothing about immediate top-echelon success the same as KSU people about Walker. Still waiting.

Then a 6-9 Texas wonder named Darrell Arthur committed to Kansas, and earlier a touted Chicago waterbug, Sherron Collins, had done likewise. You combine these two with Rush as a sophomore and all the other noteworthy kids on the KU roster, and the world would be their oyster. So far, not so great, though we can hope for a Yuletide miracle to blossom soon.

It's my guess the personnel augmenting Bill Walker at K-State is not as good as what Bill Self has at KU. Walker can run, jump, shoot, orchestrate, inspire and might even play a little defense. But while it appeared Rush and Arthur would put Kansas beyond reach, the jury is still out. Right now I'd take Texas rookie Kevin Durant and KU's Arthur ahead of Walker.

Could be wrong, but not many of even the greatest recruits has been as phenomenal as K-State followers want to believe Bill Walker will be.

¢ My note last week that North Carolina's Dean Smith would return for a Feb. 17 reunion of KU's '52 NCAA title team caused a stir. There may be a group introduction (rather than individually) to prevent ugliness from the local crowd. Amazing how many write that they'll boo. Others suggest total silence if Dean is singled out. Signs? Please, no! Hope KU people can regenerate the class they've shown so many other times, and be decent to a native son who's cascaded massive credit on his alma mater.

¢ Hell, folks, it's Christmas - may yours be the merriest! Then let's strive for a miracle of proper respect for the Dean Smith return.

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Comments

Nutflush21 (anonymous) says...

I couldnt agree more... some people (Tom Keegan) were annointing Walker as the second coming after one game against Kennesaw St. of all opponents. Keegan needs to put his black lee jeans and purple Starter pullover back in the closet at least until this guy gets K-state into the NCAA's.

December 21, 2006 at 8:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

TrueBlue92 (anonymous) says...

It would be a new low for Kansas to actually boo an Alum such as Dean Smith. Because of him, Jayhawks can claim the "birth" of the Carolina program, and it was Dean that stumped hard for Roy Williams to coach here.

Dean loves both schools. To boo him for anything while he's here would certainly be a low point for our fans which the national media would pounce on with fury and long memories.

I pray that it doesn't happen!!!

Besides, it would put us in the same category as Dook fans, which is truly insulting!

December 21, 2006 at 9:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jacobpaul81 (anonymous) says...

I do my best to not read anything Keegan writes. Along with Kurt Caywood at the Topeka Capital Journal, they are the worst 1-2 combo in sports journalism.

Unlike the classy Bill Mayer. I agree, KU fans need to show more class. All this Smith stuff is disrespectful to everyone else who played on that legendary team.

As for Bill Walker, let them treat him like a messiah. Then when his head gets too big, he'll crack like Mitch Richmond in 1988.

December 21, 2006 at 9:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

craigers (anonymous) says...

No doubt that booing would be very unclassy.

December 21, 2006 at 9:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Bizright (anonymous) says...

"There are not too many guys as talented as him out there," Kansas University coach Bill Self said of Walker, (from Sunday's LJW)

December 21, 2006 at 9:37 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KURUSH1530 (anonymous) says...

Why does Bill base his whole article around the idea that every national/local broadcaster is expecting this guy to come in and help K-State win a championship? I haven't heard that once, so bringing up the names he did doesn't make much sense. The only thing I hear people saying is that this Walker kid can help push K-State to a tournament level team, not make much noise, but atleast make it into the month of March. Maybe he just hates KSU so much that he can't stand the thought of them going places. Whats wrong with 3 kansas teams in the tourney this year, huh?!

December 21, 2006 at 9:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

biggunz (anonymous) says...

i don't think people are saying he isn't talented. but what has he done so far, score 15 points against kennesaw st?? this guy is being hyped big time, just look at all the headlines since he arrived. he wasn't even high scorer in his first game but all the headlines were about him.

December 21, 2006 at 9:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

quigley (anonymous) says...

I want to know why I have to read an article about K-states basketball team every other day!!! Isn't this KUsports.com???

December 21, 2006 at 9:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

FlaHawk (anonymous) says...

Let's hope that KU fans give Dean Smith and the others from the KU 1952 team the reception they deserve. My Uncle Bruce Voran was a scrub onthis team. They were a bunch of great guys and represented the university very well.

KU fans don't need to boo anyone, but occasionally the referees :-)!

December 21, 2006 at 10:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kevbo (anonymous) says...

Smith went to my high school (Topeka High) and my alma mater. I got to meet him when he came back to lead our Homecoming parade at THS, and he was extremely personable and full of class. He loves Kansas and KU basketball. For people to boo him would be outrageous. I'm not even sure why people would consider it. Perhaps some of the students that don't know the history of basketball might. But it would be baseless and make our program look bad. I look forward to his return, and hope our students and fans give him a warm welcome.

As for Walker, kid looks good. I hope he makes them a tourney team. Good for the conference and the state.

December 21, 2006 at 11:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jclarkson (anonymous) says...

Any person at AFH who boos Dean Smith or any member of the 1952 team should be kicked out of the game immediately, then banned from KU campus forever.

December 21, 2006 at 12:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mom_of_three (anonymous) says...

There will be those fans who think that Dean Smith mishandled the recruitment of Roy to UNC and will blame him for that. It has nothing to do with his great coaching at UNC, but just how disappointed some fans still are. Roy should have not had to think about the UNC vacancy until after the National Tournament, and maybe more KU heads would have been in the game and KU would have had a win.
Just a thought from one of those fans who was greatly disappointed at the time.

December 21, 2006 at 1:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

EastyBoys (anonymous) says...

Thanks for removing my post and making this a one-sided deal. I was stating my opinion and it wasn't even offensive or harsh. Open your eyes.

December 21, 2006 at 1:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Flagellating? I think you mean 'vacillate.'

After all, Rush isn't an albino monk in search of the Holy Grail... just a championship.

December 21, 2006 at 1:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BABBOY (anonymous) says...

I like Keegan and Caywood. Trashing them because they are objective is foolish. I have no problem with Mayer, but know less about him. His point is correct. One player can not do it all. I do not think he saying Walker lacks talent. The kid is still high school age. Anyway, KU vs. KSU will soon be a very interesting game. This is a good thing and will help KU in the national rankings to have nationally ranked in state competition and K-State will be ranked next year if not this year. Anyone not seeing this taking place is in denial.

December 21, 2006 at 3:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

biggunz (anonymous) says...

k-state will not be ranked this season. they've barely beaten several cupcakes.

December 21, 2006 at 5:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mushhawk (anonymous) says...

if dean gets booed, it's his fault.
he spit on his alma mater with the crap that he pulled with roy.
if he gets it, he brought it on himself.

December 21, 2006 at 11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

truefan (anonymous) says...

As much as I don't like UNC, Dean Smith was a KU alumn and even lived in the same hall as I live in right now. He hasn't spit on anyone, but simply made his name elsewhere. I will be in the stands when he arrives and I will cheer his return. Those who boo or give support for those who boo (mushhawk) should go to Missouri where that kind of classless behavior is applauded.

December 22, 2006 at 2:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

shaft3500 (anonymous) says...

the fact of the matter is that sports journalists need something to write about: mayer, keegan, everybody. another fact, walker is one of the highest rated recruits to come into the state in a long time. people want to read about exciting things, and he is definetly that. anyone that belives that walker is going to carry ksu to a big 12 championship this year needs to start thinking for themselves.

i would like to remind biggunz that early season losses may not be a good indication of how good a team is, especially in the coaches first year. ku already has 2 losses.

boo dean smith if you want to. boo roy williams if you want to. i personally will not, but you paid to be there. roy and dean didn't have too much class with the whole roy leaving thing. after all, you are at a school that tears down it's goalposts after almost every football victory. who ever said fans have to act with class?

December 22, 2006 at 12:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...

lol, so true shaft3500. it is getting kind of ridiculous with the lack of class we have here at ku

December 22, 2006 at 8:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )