A significant faction of young Republicans are groypers. Theyre not dressing up as SS or ice agents to be regressive or edgy; it's just celebratory trolling. And everyone knows it.
There are enough crumbs of truth here to make me wonder. Dave calling the recruit the wrong name, the Carleton assistant AD is an Ole, the Ole president did teach at Carleton. I doubt the whole story is true, but I’ll give you a B+ for originality. Those California schools have a great setup but each has its own focus of academics. Olaf’s strong programs are essentially lesser versions of the better Carleton programs except Norwegian and Religion. Even if the merger were to happen I don’t think that team could beat Bethel or St. John’s in track. They would likely dominate the MIAC and be a contender with UWL in XC though.
Deciding coaching staffs would be very interesting. Coach Donna won a national title and the Ole women’s coach is an alum. Coach Dave is beloved at Carleton and Power seems to have attracted a lot of negative attraction despite recent success The Oles have a much bigger full time staff including an assistant with decades of experience and success. They won’t keep them all and I’d guess they’d offer early retirement to the Ricks in hopes of not having to fire anyone. Rumors abound that Olaf has Power on a behavior contract, so they may not care if he has won some cross country championships.
Kobe Over LeBron (I Gotta Side With the Better Skemp Brother)
When people start debating who’s better Kobe or LeBron I don’t even hesitate. I’m rolling with the better Skemp brother on this one: it’s Kobe all day. Kobe just had that it factor. He wasn’t the biggest or strongest, but he worked like crazy to perfect every part of his game. His footwork, his fadeaway, the way he’d hit impossible shots like it was nothing that stuff came from years of nonstop grind. You could tell he lived for those moments when the game was on the line. He wanted the ball, and most of the time, he delivered.
LeBron’s obviously a beast no denying that. But he’s always felt more like a freak athlete than a killer. He can do everything, but sometimes it feels like he’s missing that same fire Kobe had. You cant forget when the chosen one became the frozen one in 2011
Kobe stayed loyal to one team, won five rings, and earned every bit of his respect. His mindset that Mamba Mentality still sticks with players today. Everyone wanted to be like Kobe growing up, and that says a lot.
So yeah, LeBron’s great, but Kobe just hits different. The better Skemp brother’s got it right — Kobe’s ahead, no question.
Skemp, you know I’m right. That’s why you’re not responding. Kobe clears LeBron, it’s not even close.
And honestly, if you’re on Let’s Run, at least add something real to the GOAT debate instead of just talking in circles.
I know he ran at least 8 minutes faster for his 8K than Chunko and his mile PR is almost a minute faster too. I think he beat Maxwell too. Brendo ran D1, but is very mysterious about his PR's. Wonder who wins a race in his prime?
more apg, ppg, rbpg, in playoffs and regular season than Kobe
Dumbest argument ever.
This is like Deno comparing QBs. The game is different since they stopped allowing hand checking.
~ at least 3 players have averaged triple doubles in the last decade. Jordan had to play off the ball and work with his team. Now everything goes through a point/shooting guard/forward type.
The usage on some players is ridiculous. Kobe kind of was in that middle stage, but he’d have put up monster numbers in today’s game. LeBron’s 4/10 finals record speaks for itself. Curry is more clutch and arguably better player of that Era. Even in Miami, it was Wade making the big plays.
more apg, ppg, rbpg, in playoffs and regular season than Kobe
Dumbest argument ever.
This is like Deno comparing QBs. The game is different since they stopped allowing hand checking.
~ at least 3 players have averaged triple doubles in the last decade. Jordan had to play off the ball and work with his team. Now everything goes through a point/shooting guard/forward type.
The usage on some players is ridiculous. Kobe kind of was in that middle stage, but he’d have put up monster numbers in today’s game. LeBron’s 4/10 finals record speaks for itself. Curry is more clutch and arguably better player of that Era. Even in Miami, it was Wade making the big plays.
Bro you clearly don't know what you are talking about nor have you ever played real backetball. When Jordan played in the NBA, there was the illegal defense rule. This prevented any help defender from playing off of their man unless they fully came to double. How did this help you might ask? Because it allowed any one to go one on one without the fear of a help defender stunting to get a recovery. This also allowed spacing on the floor when there was no need, ie. If rodman was in the corner, his defender couldn't help unless he went all the way to Jordan. This is far less effective than the defenses now to be honest, and the difference in points is likely more attributed to the increase in skill and offensive concepts. When Bron first came into the league, he was playing in a low point era where the defense was still very physical, but ever since the Warriors of the 2010s, the game has been spaced beyond the 3 point line. What many people should do is go back and watch the footage of Jordan. Notice when he is on the wing, there will be absolutely no help coming from the opposing block (This is pivotal in defenses today because it allows defenders to stunt). Also, if you are on this thread and a sophomore at St. Olaf College who's name starts with a J and ends in mo, my guess is that you have never watched a jordan game in your life and also don't like to score on Andrew Skemp (me) when you play him one on one. Finally, if you argue rings, Bron had to play the best team in his era (the warriors) and Jordan played on the best team in his era. Now you might say that oh they were the best because of Mike - to that I say 55 wins to 53 bud, they were good with or without him. All of Brons teams were cooked without him. He will forever be my goat (until Wemby or someone better passes him)
Power at practice yesterday, "Eight minutes, damn, I was slow, but not that slow." I know he broke 2:00, but I suspect based on his size he was not very good at Cross Country.
First off, Michael Jordan made that team. When he joined, the Bulls were one of the worst franchises in the league. The Bulls have never won a championship without Jordan, so saying they’d still be a title team without him is just ridiculous. Now let’s talk about LeBron James. The guy’s constant team-hopping is honestly sad. He gave up on Cleveland, ran to Miami to form the “Big 3,” then went back to the Cavs once they were stacked, with Kyrie Irving, one of the best 1v1 players ever and finally jumped to the Lakers. Jordan stayed loyal, built greatness from the ground up, and turned a struggling team into a dynasty. That’s not just hard work that’s true greatness.
Second, Jordan stepped away for 17 months to play baseball, then came back and won three more rings. Let’s be real, if he never left, he’d probably have eight rings, not six. We all know that.
lastly, let’s not forget the 2011 Finals against the Mavericks. He averaged just 17.8 points per game, his lowest ever in a Finals, and completely disappeared when it mattered most. Meanwhile, Dirk Nowitzki outplayed the entire Heat “Big 3.” For someone who’s supposed to be “the King,” that performance was embarrassing. Jordan never had a Finals like that, he always showed up, every single time. That series showed the difference between being talented and being unstoppable. Jordan was built for the moment.
I’m sorry to be real, but when you compare LeBron to Jordan, you just can’t. Jordan never disappeared in the Finals like LeBron did in 2011. MJ showed up every time, different level of greatness.
No way that dude ran sub 2:00 unless we're talking a sub 2 hour 5K. If I'm an Ole, I'm embarrassed when the much older assistant coach that was a great college distance runner and is still an incredible triathlete is coaching sprints and not a nationally-ranked distance program. Or, I don't know a competitive local runner who also coaches a high level high school team and is also a program alum.
Magic Johnson, due to his ability to play four positions at an elite level, his ability to make everyone better, his leadership, his five championships and his shots in big games. Magic was the main reason the NBA grew into a giant before the Jordan explosion. Michael Jordan was the best scorer. Perhaps Bill Russell was the best defender. But overall, Magic was the best. He was LeBron before LeBron.
Magic Johnson, due to his ability to play four positions at an elite level, his ability to make everyone better, his leadership, his five championships and his shots in big games. Magic was the main reason the NBA grew into a giant before the Jordan explosion. Michael Jordan was the best scorer. Perhaps Bill Russell was the best defender. But overall, Magic was the best. He was LeBron before LeBron.
Larry bird was Doncic and Jokic before they were even born. People forget how good he was putting up 28/10/7 while shooting 40/50/90 as a big man.
MIIAC awards will be announced today. Why do they wait five days when results were released Saturday. Seems like another case of our sport being treated as second class.
Here’s some highlights and some shade -
Carleton’s Vukovics joins Fiona Smith and Monas the only Athlete of the Year and Freshman of the Year. That’s pretty elite company. She’s giving perennial All-American Preisser a training partner she hasn’t had in a few years. Look for the Carleton women to do some damage at Nats. Speaking of training partners, what a contrast to Mya Slavin who has emerged as a potential individual national qualifier with her next closest teammate being over three minutes behind. As Skemp claims, Mo makes a strong case for the Goat of the MIAC. However, two Tommies Sathre and Manciu, my MIAC GOATS, both cities runners never trained with pros, so was disadvantaged in comparison. Does Augsburg pay MDE to coach Mo? Or is Mo footing that bill. Anyone who follows Tyler Jermann has seen pictures of Mo training with them.
Back to freshman of the year. Olaf will get their first freshman of the year. In fact the top two freshmen were Oles. That will end the Power develops athletes argument when he has that kind of talent in his program. Skemp’s earlier rants about guys improving in 8K doesn’t unless me. That just means they had a bad freshman year. Give me a guy that barely broke ten on the track like Stencel now running like a potential All-American. Maxwell can develop some runners. And that’s the reason I’m lost skeptical of the Oles for next year. Since their first win in this streak, the Oles have been able to rely on an All-American talent to lead them. From the athletes Phil recruited in Bocovich, Kelly, and Skemp to the only high caliber athlete Power recruited in Turlington. And let’s not forget Ian Curtis, an athlete Phil brougbt to Olaf, is the onky reason Iggy came to Olaf. Regardless, I don’t think the Oles have a front runner that allows them to continue to dominate the conference and be nationally competitive.
A final shout out to Hootie on continuing to show out at big meets, just like my man Grant Graber. And John Ihrke, the top pure speed guy in the race showing the 5Kers 800 guys have range.
So do you want the alumni high school coach or the assistant who coaches sprints, which sounds suspiciously like you’re describing Power from six years ago? It is really hard to get fired at a D3 school that has a large roster. Either Power or his team would have to do something massively stupid. He’s not getting fired if he they don’t make nationals, but it is great they have such a qualified assistant if the happens. I assume the arrival of his expertise is what helped take them to being a top ten team last year? Meanwhile, Dave doesn’t see his assistants outside of practice time.
Looks like the Chunko accountability club has started early this morning!
I'd add to some awards. Stencel is undoubtedly the most improved after his big jump in track he moved from 19th last year to 3rd. If Mo forgoes Outdoor, he's my early choice for Outdoor 5K Champ. Also have to give a shout out to two Gusties Chunko didn't recruit and told were not fast enough for his roster in Pouilot and Janzen on earning All-MIAC honors. Pouilot improved to 23rd from 62nd last year!
Why is the freshman of the year solely based on conference? Other sports look at the whole picture. The Ole freshman barely made an impact on his team. I think we should look at the whole body of work for this award. I would love to see the final votes tally from the coaches. I would have been really fun to see the 10 votes against Chunko and his only vote for himself two years ago.
Also, Cobber women are a team to watch in the future. If they get a few more quality recruits to add depth, they can certainly challenge Olaf.