iapprovedthismessage.com

Today’s message board oddity comes from “naclsean” of the ESPN.com message board community. “naclsean” is up to 109 total posts and is apparently a hard-core Duke Basketball fan.

As they always will be, the most comical and irrational points are in bold with commentary provided afterwards.

In a post entitled “I’m Happy With Our Season”, naclsean writes:

“First let me say this post is for Duke fans only (the ones that SBD gives shout outs too. Sorry, I’m not as cool as SBD to mention all of you). You trolls just don’t understand the persecution and hatred that we deal with on a daily basis [1], so you will not truly appreciate my opinion on this matter. So please leave this one for the Duke fans only. I am still recovering from what looked like a very tired Duke team we watched play today. I did not even want to come on the boards because I knew the trolls would be out at full force. And although I am sad that I have nothing to look forward to in March Madness anymore, I am not disappointed with my Blue Devils this season.

Expectations for our beloved Blue Devils are always real high. Everytime Duke suits up they our expected to win, even on the road. What most haters/trolls and fair weather basketball fans don’t realize is that everyone wants to beat Duke. Everytime Duke loses an away game the fans rush the court. Duke never truly plays on a neutral court because it ends up being an away game atmosphere for the most respected and hated program in college basketball. [2] This years team worked hard all season and finished 2nd in the ACC, a top ten ranking, and 28 wins. They had no go to guy, no big man, they were too slow, too small, and too weak. Yet they still played hard every game. And although they would frustrate me at times they never gave up and never stopped playing hard. [3]

I really hope that Henderson stays one more year and that Taylor King develops some more in the off-season. It’s also going to be nice to get Pocius back. Zoubek and Thomas have shown spurts of true potential. They definately play hard every game. I remember when James May and James Gist were sophomores. They were just decent players, but the last two seasons they beafed up and became beasts. [4] I think Thomas and Zoubek have the same potential. People are talking about the Duke program hitting a recruiting slump. But let’s look at the big picture. Duke should have had three other big men. Josh McRoberts, Eric Boateng, and Jamal Boykin. If one of those three guys (McRoberts or Boatent preferably) would have stayed they might have had the presence inside that they needed. My point is Coach K had the recruits but they were unable to cope with the pressures of Duke’s classroom expectations and the pressure of being in the limelight for every basketball game. Not all players can handle the pressure that comes with wearing the Duke uniform. [5]

My point is this; this years Duke team exceeded my expectations. Yes I thought they would make the sweet 16, but I never thought they would only lose three games in the ACC regular season and that they would win 28 games. And unlike some fair weather Duke fans, I will miss Nelson. He was a great leader and player. I really enjoyed watching him play and I will remember this season for their hustle and hard work. They truly earned every victory. Although out sized they were never out hustled. Can’t wait to watch them again next year.”

[1] Believe me, we do. And it’s well deserved. Your beloved Blue Devils have an advantage over every collegiate school in the nation in a number of areas. Outside of UCLA, they’re the most historic and acclaimed school in all of division one, so naturally they should be able to find a way to recruit the most talented players, much less a decent point guard or any kind of post-presence. Duke should be a haven for the best prospects in the country. However, they’re extremely image conscious and often sacrifice talent for character. Until they get over the fact that they can’t win in the modern era with slightly above average players and hardly any athleticism, the gap between them and programs like UCLA, North Carolina, and Kansas will only grow wider. Duke will continue to receive 1 and 2 seeds and will continue to lose before the sweet sixteen.

[2] They do, however, have the biggest home court advantage in all of college basketball, which accounts for maybe 2-3 wins per year.

[3] The New Jersey Institute of Technology played hard this year also.

[4] Im sorry, who?

[5] Let me re-phrase. Duke players can’t handle the pressure of wearing the Duke uniform.