Problem with some players ?

[blueheretic]

They ARE paid players. But, still kids.

Tell that to the 18 to 20 year olds who fought our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq or Vietnam, Korea, Germany, the Pacific and Japan.

I was 23 years old (Aberdeen's age) and in the Korean DMZ as Kim Il Sung died and World War III almost started. My compatriots and I would have been a squirrel in the middle of the road. We thought we were as good as dead.

Spent 19 and 20 years of age staring across at the Soviets at the Fulda Gap in Europe during the Cold War with a 30 minute life expectancy.

I reckon I just have a different perspective on these things.

Oh....I got paid about 200 bucks a month for that 30 minute life expectancy.

I ain't buyin' it. These guys have the easiest lives in America and, therefore, the World. They get paid hundreds of thousands up to Millions of dollars to play a game.

The ages of current Kentucky basketball players vary, with the youngest being around 19 and some veterans as old as 23. For example, Malachi Moreno is 19, while Denzel Aberdeen is 23. The roster includes a mix of players, with the average age for the 2025-2026 season estimated around 20.

• 19 years old: Malachi Moreno
• 20 years old: Mouhamed Dioubate
• 22 years old: Otega Oweh
• 23 years old: Denzel Aberdeen

[blueheretic]

[blueheretic]

2018 Camp Taylor

MAJ Brent Taylor was killed by a Taliban plant.

I was about 100 feet away.

Way out of the danger zone. I'm not bragging. This kind of thing just happened in Afghanistan. Lots of people have these stories.

A taliban plant squared up. Aimed. Shot MAJ Taylor in the back of his head.

Horrible.

We were all wiped out by it. Dude was a great American. Loved his country. Wanted to do great things. Wanted to serve.

One of the guardian angels (security) for the movement was a young PFC. Nice little nerdy kid. He shot the talib plant. Probably saved others from being killed.
Talib started shooting.

The PFC who, I'm ashamed to say I can't remember his name, took in the situation. Took action. Shot the Talib. He took a round as well to his back because the Talib missed MAJ Taylor and hit him first. It was a flesh wound. He got a few stitches and a Purple Heart. Also was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" Device.

He saved lives that day.

He was NINETEEN YEARS OLD.

NINETEEN!

Great kid.

I loved the little dude.

He has a surefire career. He'll make Command Sergeant Major if he stays enlisted. If he went Zero, he'll make, at least, Major. Guaranteed.

I say all of that to say this...again.

I don't care.

YOU ARE GETTING PAID!

You aren't getting paid because you're pretty.

You are expected to produce results.

If I was as bad at my job as some of these "kids", I'd be fired. Put on a PIP and, if no improvement, FIRED.

You are getting paid.

Suck it up.

[Pete Hogwallop]

Pope says it's not a player/chemistry issue. It's an execution issue. Not sure if that's better or worse.