Bardo on Gesell

[Madhawk23]

Anyone hear Bardo make the statement that Gesell was sneaky fast and can jump better than you think he could? Is this just because he's a white point guard? I think these stereotypes are pretty funny. Just like white wr's always being labeled as possession guys. I'm guessing Bardo doesn't even consider making that statement if Mikes skin color was darker. Just thought this was pretty funny.

 

[DanL53]

Yeah I heard it and replied to no one in particular that the best disguise in basketball is being white.

I don't buy into one group of people being better than another. The fact is basketball has been an urban game for decades. When you're in a cage of buildings and concrete it's not like you spend your summer fishing on the creek or your winter ice skating or playing hockey.

I probably shouldn't say anything as I don't want to insult anyone. And, I'm still wrapping my head around Fran's promotion from White Magic to White Jesus.

 

[LaoHawk]

White Messiah sounds better to me, it's more related to White Magic since both starts with WM, ... Gesell is sneaky fast because he doesn't go full speed all the time, he shifts gear when he needs to.

 

[like-woahh]

My favorite comment was Uhl being like Aaron White but more athletic. I got a good chuckle out of that.

 

[Drew003]

Anyone hear Bardo make the statement that Gesell was sneaky fast and can jump better than you think he could? Is this just because he's a white point guard? I think these stereotypes are pretty funny. Just like white wr's always being labeled as possession guys. I'm guessing Bardo doesn't even consider making that statement if Mikes skin color was darker. Just thought this was pretty funny.

Of course its stereotypes. Mike's a goofy looking, average-build white guy. Looks like could work at Enterprise-Rent-A-Car. And, there are not a lot of goofy looking, average-build white guys who are as explosive as he is. It's fair to say he breaks the stereotype.

 

[redbirdhawk]

Gesell is going to be a difference maker on this team and will be a senior leader when this season is complete.

 

[GnarlyBoy]

Love Gesell and Fran's entire team. I have to agree MG does not have the typical appearance associated with great point guards, some of which is likely skin related. It's hard to argue with Bardo's statement. Whether that statement was appropriate or not, is debatable. You hear a lot of things on TV sports that are clearly more direct on the subject, from blacks and whites.

Consider the overall demographics of kids in this country that compete in track in high school, and compare it to the racial composition of sprint finalists in state track meets (including overwhelmingly caucasian states like Iowa), college meets, and USA Olympic qualifiers. Football is not an urban game, and more than 50% of the NFL players are minority, overwhelmingly so in 'skill positions'. I would guess that overall there are not only far more white kids playing basketball in this country than minority kids, but also more white kids playing year-round basketball. Now look at the NBA percentages.

Obviously social economic factors make comparing select sports like tennis and golf irrelevant. But as times continue to slowly change, even those 'privileged' sports are seeing more and more minority talent finally getting some opportunity, and rising to the top - in percentages that exceed their respective participation levels. Long way to go but glad to see it.

 

[nu2u]

Gesell is going to be a difference maker on this team and will be a senior leader when this season is complete.

Its a near perfect situation for Mike Gesell: graduate early with a full season of eligibility remaining without the pressure of classes, healthy and fully healed from a nagging injury, the established leader of an experienced tournament team loaded with shooters, newly engaged to a lovely lady with extra time for extra curricular activities and roaming a top the Midwest college campus while enjoying all the amenities of a major college basketball player and time to ponder which six figure job he might decide to accept sometime next summer.

Can't get much better than that. All of a sudden I feel like maybe I underachieved as a college student.

 

[Kurt Warner]

I think the comment was made because he was white and it didn't bother me one little bit. The same can't be said if someone references a black kids ability to run fast and jump high, when someone does that the race card gets brought out and some people get in a big uproar. By the way I'm white.

 

[youflog1hawk]

I have to admit this always irritates me some because of the double standard. Oh well.

 

[kzoohawk80]

Either last year or 2 years ago one announcer said Aaron White wouldn't be the first guy you take in pickup game. Yeah a 6'8" guy with a 7 foot wingspan wouldn't jump out in a pickup game. But those comments of course are not racist at all.

 

[yerpHAWK]

lol @ this thread. Yeah black guys are going to be preconvieved better at basketball, but 2 minutes into the game we know who's better. That's why Gesell was a better rated player than Clemmons coming out of high school. Same with Woody. Same with Uthoff.

 

[cedarvalleykid14]

Absolutely. Bardo said you wouldn't think by looking at him that he was so quick and could jump. And my response to the TV was, "Go ahead and say it: You wouldn't think it because he's white."

Hey, white players matter.

 

[Mohawkeye]

I believe I read that Gessel has the best vertical jump in the team. It wouldn't surprise me. If he were just an inch or two taller he'd be an NBA player. Very good athlete.

 

[BirdistheWord]

double standard central

 

[messey]

Anyone hear Bardo make the statement that Gesell was sneaky fast and can jump better than you think he could? Is this just because he's a white point guard? I think these stereotypes are pretty funny. Just like white wr's always being labeled as possession guys. I'm guessing Bardo doesn't even consider making that statement if Mikes skin color was darker. Just thought this was pretty funny.

I heard him say it,but I don't think it had anything to do with the color of his skin. Thought it was a compliment to his style of play. By the way he is sneaky fast..... Thanks...

 

[hawk_a_holic]

I think Bardo does a great job in general and always is fair about the Hawks.

 

[Kurt Warner]

I think Bardo does a great job in general and always is fair about the Hawks.

Agree

 

[BuckRussel]

My favorite comment was Uhl being like Aaron White but more athletic. I got a good chuckle out of that.

Not sure what was funny about it, but it's pretty obviously a true statement. Just as good if not better jumper, quicker, better defender, better shooter. Not sure what you're finding funny

 

[goodbyebobby]

Not sure what was funny about it, but it's pretty obviously a true statement. Just as good if not better jumper, quicker, better defender, better shooter. Not sure what you're finding funny

Agreed. Uhl's offensive game is better than Whites was last year though it will certainly not be borne out statistically.

I heard Barto and it was comical but he meant nothing with those comments. The sad part is that if Shon Morris mase those exact same comments he'd be off the air permanently after the broadcast.

 

[IamHawkeye]

Its a near perfect situation for Mike Gesell: graduate early with a full season of eligibility remaining without the pressure of classes, healthy and fully healed from a nagging injury, the established leader of an experienced tournament team loaded with shooters, newly engaged to a lovely lady with extra time for extra curricular activities and roaming a top the Midwest college campus while enjoying all the amenities of a major college basketball player and time to ponder which six figure job he might decide to accept sometime next summer.

Can't get much better than that. All of a sudden I feel like maybe I underachieved as a college student.

Oh, I think he has to take some classes. Graduate ones. Just don't know how many.

 

[SSG T]

Oh, I think he has to take some classes. Graduate ones. Just don't know how many.

IIRC, they have to be considered a full time student, so 12 credits?

 

[hawk-i bob]

Its a near perfect situation for Mike Gesell: graduate early with a full season of eligibility remaining without the pressure of classes, healthy and fully healed from a nagging injury, the established leader of an experienced tournament team loaded with shooters, newly engaged to a lovely lady with extra time for extra curricular activities and roaming a top the Midwest college campus while enjoying all the amenities of a major college basketball player and time to ponder which six figure job he might decide to accept sometime next summer.

Can't get much better than that. All of a sudden I feel like maybe I underachieved as a college student.

this is one of your very best posts...

 

[Bro D]

You never hear of a crafty black guy

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I agree with those coming to Bardo's defense. He was complimenting Mike, just as he was very complimentary of Woody's ability to defend the post. Bardo was bad ass defensive player in his day, so he knows what he is talking about, unlike some of the talking heads. Instead of criticizing Bardo, I think we should be giving him Kudos for recognizing Mike and Woody for how good they are.

As Gnarly Boy points out very well, there are differences among the races. Blacks have a much higher percentage of fast athletes. Look at the racial breakdown in the NBA and NFL, and you see pretty clear evidence. It doesn't mean that race is the only determining factor, but it obviously contributes. It also doesn't mean that there aren't extremely athletic white guys, but whether you like it or not, the percentage is lower.

 

[millhawk]

I agree with those coming to Bardo's defense. He was complimenting Mike, just as he was very complimentary of Woody's ability to defend the post. Bardo was bad ass defensive player in his day, so he knows what he is talking about, unlike some of the talking heads. Instead of criticizing Bardo, I think we should be giving him Kudos for recognizing Mike and Woody for how good they are.

As Gnarly Boy points out very well, there are differences among the races. Blacks have a much higher percentage of fast athletes. Look at the racial breakdown in the NBA and NFL, and you see pretty clear evidence. It doesn't mean that race is the only determining factor, but it obviously contributes. It also doesn't mean that there aren't extremely athletic white guys, but whether you like it or not, the percentage is lower.

BINGO and it's just the way it is. But you have to admit that Mike doesn't look athletic. It's just the way he's built, he doesn't have that long, lean athletic looking body. But he's very athletic and I betcha his competitors in the BIG know better.

 

[HawkLogic]

BINGO and it's just the way it is. But you have to admit that Mike doesn't look athletic. It's just the way he's built, he doesn't have that long, lean athletic looking body. But he's very athletic and I betcha his competitors in the BIG know better.

If one believes utter domination of Track and field speed events like 100meter, 200meters, NBA basketball league,and NFL skill positions that require speed like CB, is because of nurture, not nature, then I could see why someone might be offended by Bardo's comments.
If Bardo was alive in the 1400's, he might have offended people by saying the earth is round, but he lives in today's world and has chosen a different topic.

 

[Kurt Warner]

I don't think anyone was really offended, I wasn't. It's more of a double standard thing. If a white guy says something of that nature about a black it's considered a racist comment. That's all some of us are saying. I like bardo and think he does a good job.

 

[millhawk]

I don't think anyone was really offended, I wasn't. It's more of a double standard thing. If a white guy says something of that nature about a black it's considered a racist comment. That's all some of us are saying. I like bardo and think he does a good job.

Yep, we need as a nation to change that crapola.