Dave's Response to UCLA Fans
After Dave shared his preview of the then impending UCLA game with us, he received numerous less than flattering e-mails from UCLA fans.
In addition to those individuals questioning his lineage, one went on to proclaim Dave an "arrogant little blue weenie". I've known Dave for a long time, and, before he went to Duke Law School, Dave was a Division III First-Team All-American offensive lineman. While he has undoubtedly been called a weenie many times, and I've called him arrogant on nearly a daily basis, he has never to my knowledge been called a "little" anything. I suspect that he has therefore taken such comments personally.
The following is an e-mail Dave is sending to the UCLA fans who wrote to him before the game.
- Jason
First let me say that I have a great deal of respect for UCLA after watching them play last night, a completely different sight to behold from the Carolina game I watched them play earlier this year. Of course when I asked for comments on my preview I expected some criticisms and complaints but come on ripping me for my bias. You did see the banner at the top of the page that said DukeUpdate,com right. You didn’t, well how about this quote in my preview, “Mike Dunleavy, 6’8” 204, is the man, sorry just wanted to fairly and clearly disclose my bias.” I’m biased and I admit and disclose it, rip me for being wrong not for being a fan.
Oh wait, you couldn’t rip me for being wrong could you?
I said: Duke would have the edge if Carlos was in pre-injury form for 20 minutes or more, otherwise UCLA.
Carlos was not quite up to snuff and I thought the match-up was pretty close but with the edge to Gadzuric.
I said: Barnes is not as athletic and will certainly have trouble with Shane ……On defense Battier should be helped by guarding the blue collar Barnes as it will allow him to help on Gadzuric and any Watson penetration. Barnes will most likely get a few offensive rebound tip-ins or jams but that should be it.
Let me see Battier had 24 points on 6-14 shooting and played help D all night because he was able to sluff off of Barnes because he proved he was not an offensive threat.
I said:
The edge has to go to Kapono due to his ability to regularly drain the
three. That said I expect to see
Dunleavy out rebound out steal and out assist Kapono while still scoring 14
points to Kapono’s 16.
Kapono scored a few points but most of the night was a defensive liability. He made the dumbest play of the game when he picked up his fourth foul in the first half. Dunleavy’s shot was not falling but he played a smart game contributing on the boards, on D and with some nice passing, including the pass that caused Kapono to pick up his fourth.
I said:
Billy Knight, I’m hard pressed to see what he brings to the table other
than the three. Additionally it is most likely Duhon who will have to
guard Earl Watson. Duhon has shown the ability to harass opposing players into
turnovers and five second calls through his intoxicating blend of aggressive
risk taking, excellent recovery speed and a manic energy level.
I gave the edge to Duhon in a landslide.
Duhon played fantastic defense but did not contribute much on offense, while Knight hit two wide open threes but could not guard Williams and could not create his own shot. My assessment edge to Duhon, all that it was a little closer than I expected.
I said: Watson puts pressure on Chris and Jason with his penetration and if he is hitting the three he will extend the defense along with Kapono. I have no doubt that Jason will take the ball past Watson and challenge Gadzuric. If Jason is hitting his three Watson should have that very familiar look, you know the one, “I’m going to the NBA so I don’t have to face this level of competition.” Defensively Jason should get a fair share of rest on Mr. Knight.
I can’t see anybody arguing that Jason owned that game. And Watson did exactly what I thought he would, namely get into the lane a few times but never generate a consistent offensive threat.
I said: Bench edge to Duke.
Boozer, James and Love outplayed Cummings, Bailey and Young no question.
I said: Coaching edge to Duke, OK actually I just laughed at the question.
And
based on Lavin allowing Kapono to get his fourth in first half proves my point.
My final assessment: Watch
for Lavin to try to use the trap to slow us down.
Also watch for it to not work. With the emotion that Carlos should bring
to the game I expect Duke to jump out early and take command.
If this team is like last year’s UCLA squad it will fold.
Otherwise it will be a game of runs with Duke in control throughout the
second half. My prediction 97-73
UCLA did not fold so the game was one of runs. Duke was always in control in the second half, UCLA could only get within three points, right on both counts. My score prediction was off due to two factors, I thought Carlos would be a little more involved in the offense and I thought we would shoot better than 28% from 3.
I have only rehashed my prediction as a background for this, GET A GRIP.
I’m a Duke fan writes for a Duke website who openly admits that he is biased. Had your response confined itself to challenging my analysis I would have enjoyed a little e-mail argument and been quite happy. But JACKASS and suggesting I jerk off to Duke tapes.
I must say the response was not a shock. After all, vulgar insults are the last resort of the desperate and the ignorant.
I have to laugh though, how is that fans of a program with a class player like Earl Watson, can revert to such inane prattle which clearly embarrasses the program.
Well, I’ll continue to take my lead from Coach K, Shane and the rest of the Devils.
Good Luck next season.