Chris Allen Transfer Rumor is Mongered*
by KJ@theonlycolors on May 5, 2010 7:47 PM CDT
in Michigan State Spartans Basketball
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Print*That's what a rumormonger does, right?
The entire TOC community has done a remarkable and admirable job of refusing to engage in the sort of speculation about potential MSU team chemistry issues that's been present in other corners of the internet since Chris Allen was suspended for the opening game of the Big Ten Tournament. The lack of any kind of reliable reporting on the specific causes of whatever chemistry issues exist has made the exercise a nonstarter here.
The fact that the Grand Rapids Press (Dave Mayo, specifically) has now chosen to print (or publish on the internet, at least) a rumor that Chris Allen may be considering a transfer out of the program--despite the continuing lack of any publicly-divulged specificity regarding the cause of that consideration--makes the topic an unavoidable matter for discussion. I guess.
To me, the whole idea doesn't compute. You've got a player that's made great strides in his approach to the game over the last two seasons (particularly on defense), to the point Tom Izzo was praising his on-court performance even as he suspended him. Allen's play in the NCAA Tournament after suffering an arch injury in the first game of the tournament was nothing short of warriorlike.
And now he's going to sit out a year to play a single season in a new program? Those have got to be some major chemistry issues--and major chemistry issues that somehow didn't prevent the team from winning four consecutive games at the most important time of the year while playing short-handed.
It's all very odd.
Tom Izzo's comments do indicate something is definitely afoot, though:
“There is still one other player that’s up in the air and I have to make some tough decisions -- and I will -- and he’s got to make some tough decisions,” Izzo said. “So there might be one more coming or going. But to honest with you, that’s just the way it is right now. We should be able to make that decision in the next couple of days because we’ll do it before he leaves.
“What I’m trying to do is make sure that the program, that everybody in the program, is trying to get done what I think needs to get done. And sometimes, not everybody fits that profile. That’s not necessarily bad on them, it might be bad on me. It’s not necessarily bad on me, it might be bad on them. Or it might be it’s just not the right fit.”
We'll know what the end result of all this is some time fairly soon, I'd think. Until then, let's try to stay on the right side of the rumormongering line--and cross our fingers that whichever player(s) are in the middle of this decide that putting aside whatever's gone on behind the scenes is worth it for the sake of unfinished business that could be taken care of next season, both as a team and as an individual.
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The craziest part for me is that this is not resolved yet.
How is it still unclear whether a senior about to embark on his last Summer in the program is on board? Not only is the senior season a late point in one’s student-athlete career but the prior season has been over for weeks. This is still up in air? And Izzo intends to resolve in in the next “couple of days.” Wild.
The fact that Izzo spoke so candidly is striking too. Personally, I’m waiting for my man Rexrode to weigh in.
Oh, yeah
Bummer.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on May 5, 2010 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Can’t they fly him back for this, like when there’s huge breaking news and a network anchor is on vacation?
by SpartanBoiler on May 5, 2010 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
About all he could do.
Rex is the man when it comes to access and opinion. Have to wait for him to speak for himself on this one. Probably after whatever’s to be decided is in fact decided.
Izzo's candor...
is what worries me most. He’s publicly poured fire on what’s been speculated since March.
Which means that if said individual wants to stay and Izzo wants said individual to stay, Izzo and said individual will have to address this siutation publicly. Then they’ll have to try to move on into an enormously pressure-packed season.
That’s a lot to ask of Izzo, said individual, and said individual’s teammates.
Sometimes I wish Coach could be like everyone else and just deny that a problem exists.
Read Between the Lines
Izzo kept using the pronoun “he.” Izzo is the men’s basketball coach. That means that the person at issue is likely a men’s basketball player. Hmm . . . .
maybe i missed the context of where izzo's comments were from
but wouldn’t these comments fit perfectly regarding Herzog’s departure?
Izzo said "there is still one other player that’s up in the air . . ."
That was while commenting on Herzog’s departure. So he’s talking about someone else in addition to Herzog.
PP-TPW.
The Only Colors
by LVS on May 5, 2010 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions
no sense
it was state in the post already, but it wouldn’t make any sense on any planet for allen to transfer during his senior year. he’d have to sit a year to play for a team that is likely not playing for a national championship, or wont be favored the way that msu likely will be next year.
why would a player looking to transfer play in the ncaa tournament on an injured foot?
and to go along with dcspartan, was this regarding herzog or after that was made public?
i cannot fathom allen transferring, or thinking about transferring. id be shocked.
Dude was the writer high when he wrote this?
Oh wait
Light a man a fire, he'll stay warm for a day.
Light a man afire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
I don't think...
…it’s very fair to slander like this.
I mean, marijuana is an innocent plant and smoking it doesn’t force anyone to publish stentorian and shallowly-thought sports columns. (Although, I don’t have much of a complaint with this particular story)
It was just a joke
I don’t have a problem with it. Cannabis didn’t deserve that attack. Mayo is weak sauce though, and that’s who I wanted to make fun of.
Light a man a fire, he'll stay warm for a day.
Light a man afire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
Mine too. I thought accusing you of slandering a plant was funny. I wish there was a tag to let people know to read the post in Lionel Hutz’s voice. I don’t really care for pot myself, though I think, just for example, a sports columnist from the west side of the state ought to be able to smoke all he likes. I really probably bash Mayo more than he deserves for not being Grinzcel. I think I’m just sorta done with the traditional newspaper sports columnist who writes sort of general interest articles about a variety of topics. You can easily find someone who knows more.
by witless chum on May 7, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the reason we dont talk about is because there is nothing to talk about
“To me, the whole idea doesn’t compute.” says it all. Look Allen and Izzo are not love birds thats the story. They have butted heads and prolly will for the rest of Allens career.
Id be shocked if he transferred out
"You think our war drill is something now. Next year is going to be fist fighting."- Tom Izzo
Go Spartans
Don Shane....
like a boob, runs with the story on the 11:00 news stating that Allen may be kicked off the team or may be leaving for what happened last year. Did not cite a source.
Journalism at its finest.
He has plenty of heresay and conjecture!
Those are kinds of evidence!
by Pete Rossman on May 5, 2010 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions
it was mentioned before
Hondo mentioned it a few weeks back that he thought it was 45/55 for Allen to return
Why does it have to be Allen?
I guess I would be leaning towards Thornton or maybe even Sherman.
Whether it makes sense or not
As fans, we want the best team on the court, but if there is a player whose attitude is a detriment to the team, the coach needs to figure out what’s best for the team. I have no idea what goes on behind closed doors, and in any conflict both parties likely have some responsibility. If there are irreconciable differences, it would be best for both parties for Allen to move on. We are pretty self-serving as fans. Everyone is in a tizzy about Allen departing because he brings some needed skills. As far as Herzog is concerned, or Maurice Joseph a few years back, fans are holding the door open. These are significant life decisions for these youngsters, and they aren’t just here to make us all happy.
Mayo
I just re-read this article and I have to say I think it borders on irresponsible journalism. To put Allen’s name in the headline without so much as a quote to support it, just mysterioius accounts of rumors “swirling”, is sensationalism and not reporting. Report on Izzo’s statements, indicate the players that could be involved, and leave it at that. My opinion on this will not change even it does turn out that Allen is leaving.
+1
This is why I was hesitant to even publish this post.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on May 6, 2010 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions
"I will not defend Mayo, I will not defend Mayo"
But, uh-oh. I think he could have handled it better, definitely. However, he probably has good reason to believe Izzo is referring to Allen as do others. Hondo (an underrated, maligned source, IMO) reported that CA was basically 50/50 some time ago. Yes, Mayo should have found some better way to anchor the assertion, maybe even get a source off-the-record.
But the lead itself really isn’t misleading. There has been talk centered on Allen and this added fuel. He’s not pulling out a rabbitt.
And I’m not trying to point the finger at Izzo but he made the statement and elaborated. He’s smart enough to know the sort of legs it would then take on. May even have been intentional.
Getting the off-the-record source seems like the key to me here
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on May 6, 2010 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I wouldn't be...
…comfortable not mentioning the fact that its been widely rumored, if I was writing it.
Newswriting that pretends that elephant isn’t there and he’s not trumpeting up a storm is pretty aggravating to me. And the interwebs have made the distinction between rumor and print a lot less clear than they used to be. I don’t think it really harms Allen’s reputation very much to say he’s considering transferring, if it turns out to be someone else Izzo is referring too.
The amount of emphasis he puts on saying ’It’s Allen’ does seem debatable.
by witless chum on May 6, 2010 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
My take
My take on this whole thing is that it appears as though it is not the player’s choice to leave, but Izzo is somewhat forcing him out, because of this quote:
"What I’m trying to do is make sure that the program, that everybody in the program, is trying to get done what I think needs to get done. And sometimes, not everybody fits that profile. That’s not necessarily bad on them, it might be bad on me. It’s not necessarily bad on me, it might be bad on them. Or it might be it’s just not the right fit."
The only player that has publically been repremanded for “not being a good teamate” is Chris Allen. Therefore, in my opinion, the only player that would make sense transferring would be Allen.
I think that from a fan’s standpoint, Thornton or Sherman would make more sense transferring because of playing time, and how much more time they have left in school. However, from Izzo’s standpoint, if this is Allen he is talking about, maybe he caused such a ruckus within the team that Izzo feels it would be better if he moves on. I don’t know what is going on, and I am sure there aren’t many who do. However, there are two things I do know:
I can’t wait for all this drama to get over, and to finally know what the heck is going on (if we ever do), and I’m excited as heck that Friday Night Lights starts tomorrow.
Agreed
Logically, it doesn’t make sense for a guy with 1 year left to transfer and sit out a year, but Allen seems to be the most likely object of Izzo’s statements yesterday. He’s talking about making “tough decisions” and getting “everybody in the program” on board. And when he says “right fit,” I don’t think it has to do with playing time (which seems to rule out the Thorntons and Shermans). I also don’t think he’d be as unwilling to discuss it if it was really a younger player looking for more playing time somewhere else. Whoever he’s talking about, this is clearly not your normal transfer situation.
by Ducking Delvon on May 6, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Probably won't transfer
Probably headed to Europe
by Maceo Baston on May 6, 2010 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Plausible
Izzo never used the word “transfer” when talking about the other player. He said, “one other player that’s up in the air” and “there might be one more coming or going.” Let’s just get this over with already.
by Ducking Delvon on May 6, 2010 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions
I have a good friend inside the program
Tells me its probable that CA will not be back
I know a guy who works at Baskin Robbins in East Lansing who has a cousin who cleans the gum off the bottom of the seats at the Bres, who over heard a Janitor talking to the the guy who counts the ticket stubs, they have it on good authority from the night watchman, that Chris Allen is indeed on the way out…
rumors
when he was initally suspended wasnt it for being a bad teamate – aka – sleeing with summers girlfriend?
stuff like that on campus usually have some slight truth to them before the media knows ie)smoker being coked out, fights with football players..
i understand how that could lead to some serious chemistry issues with your teamate and roomate. if thats a major reason why, it seems like that issue could be dealt with for chemistry. but then again, none of my friends have slept with my girlfriend.
Girl Friend
Thats not the rumor I heard. Sorry, but I could not help myself.
girfriend
i cant either http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/girlfriend
gramatically girlfriend is someone you have a sexual or romantic relationship with. while girl friend is a girl that is your friend: a girl friend.
rumors continued
I’ve heard that one going around also. Obviously no way to confirm it, but there’s some buzz on campus.
I do agree that on the surface you would think a guy like Thornton would be a more likely transfer candidate. But, Izzo has sounded very different when talking about young role players. Traditionally he has been willing to help guys that are going to struggle for playing time find a better situation. He did it with Mojo, he apparently offered to help Dahlman, who famously refused. So I think if it was a guy concerned about his future and playing time then Izzo would probably be willing to help in this case too.
The way the quote reads makes it sound like Allen is the guy he’s talking about and the issues that need to be resolved involve probably fall under the vague “being a bad teammate category”. Whatever that might mean.
But clearly for al of the reasons covered, his age, his ability, the team’s outlook, Allen should not be a transfer candidate. Which means that for him to be considering it he would have to feel that whatever is wrong between he and izzo, or he and his teammates, would have to be pretty untenable.
I just hope it’s resolved sooner rather than later so Spartan fans can focus on getting excited for the coming year in Spartan athletics instead of wondering about this.
by trivialstuff16 on May 6, 2010 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Lucious?
How do we know Izzo is referring to Allen and not somebody else? For example, Lucious makes more sense to me, especially with Lucas coming back. After the tournament run, perhaps KL2 will want to transfer somewhere where he can get starter minutes? I have no insider info but the transfer of Allen only makes sense if there is something crazy behind the scenes (like the girlfriend business). Allen clearly embraced the system this year, only has one year left and will play a significant role in next year’s team – all reasons why the Allen rumor makes no sense.
Sorry … more “mongering”
For MSU fans
It’s frustrating for sure, but it’s important to remember that it’s better to be in a situation where a very talented player on a deep, deep bench may leave the team for more minutes rather than to be a fan of a team desperate for talent of any kind, IMO. It’s great to see players like Dahlman take a limited role on a solid program, but it’s just not for everyone. If Allen/Lucious/Thornton/Sherman/whoever can better themselves elsewhere… then go for it. Instead of creating a chemistry problem affecting the entire team. Plus, it may open the door for the next Draymond Green.
Girlfriend
I had heard the GF rumors too but there is no way that we can know for sure.
I think this sounds like it is Izzo’s decision and not any players. He made it seem like he decides if the player is welcomed back. I would rather lose Allen for one year then lose Lucious for his last two. I like Korie’s attitude more and think that the suspension of Allen had to be for something severe. Chemistry really hampered the team last year and I would hate to see our potential for next year ruined by chemistry again.
On a better note can September get here fast enough?? Real football news and the beginning of hockey and basketball season looming
Wouldn't mind if it slows down for a month starting in the second week of June
for the World Cup. But otherwise … yeah.
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