AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGood to see Lewis Clinch again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I saw on Tech’s website that Kenny Anderson has a blog, and it will continue. Without even reading it, I starting thinking that I have more on my mind regarding basketball than football today, so …
If you’re a Tech fan, you should be glad that Lewis Clinch is back. Not just because he can score in more ways than any other player on the team (and that was true last year, before he was shut down), but because I think he’s a good guy.
When he was ruled ineligible for the second semester for violating the school’s honor code (I still don’t know what exactly he did), Tech missed him. Paul Hewitt for quite some time charged onward, and every time he was asked about missing Clinch’s offense, he suggested something to the effect that Tech had quite a few offensive options. And prior to Lewis going down, the coach and player both conceded that Lewis had defensive liabilities anyway.
Paul kind of had to handle it that way; otherwise he’d have looked like he’s leaning on an excuse every time Tech lost. Only after the season did Paul really talk about the hole that Clinch left.
I don’t take a rooting interest in players often, and I wouldn’t call my stance on Clinch a rooting interest, either.
But I like the way he handles himself. He’s mature, level-headed, doesn’t seem to get nervous about questions, or suspicious. He has a sense of humor, doesn’t get too excited or too upset about things — at least in my dealings with him.
He seems to truly enjoy his station as a student-athlete, doesn’t seem to think he’s above others, or fret that he’s not being given a fair shake at this or that. I would root for all players to be like that, not that Tech has a bunch of problem kids otherwise, if I thought my attitude made a difference.
Having thought about it, I think Tech officials handled that situation well, although I already admitted I’m still not sure what exactly Lewis did. That’s a substantial asterisk. There was some very real thought that he was going to be kicked completely out of school and have to wait out a semester or something to re-apply. When he wasn’t, that was a good thing. School officials could’ve imposed a more harsh judgement, I suspect.
I’d like to think some common sense prevailed, although I’m sure Hewitt lobbied to help that process along. That’s a good thing, too.
Some folks point out that Paul tends to get on a soap box (see recent entries on The Hive, which I do check for ideas from time to time), and wonder about his agenda with regards to a recent story about the hiring rate of African-American college football coaches.
I’m not talking here about Paul’s big-picture social agendas, for lack of another phrase. But I truly believe he has his student-athletes’ best interests at heart — not just because they might help him win more games, but because he pulls for them to succeed, and better themselves all the way around. I know he stays in touch with a lot of former players, and they come to him for advice from time to time.
That’s got to be a good thing, too.
Matt
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball
Comments
By GT Insider
October 18, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
It is my understanding that another student took a final exam on Clinch’s behalf.
I am happy he is back and generally agree with your assessment of his demeanor - but that does not exactly address his ability to make a sound judgement (assuming my information is accurate).
That said - I made a lot of bad judgements between the ages of 17 and 23.
By BL
October 18, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
Nice, lets tell the world, there is a reason it didn’t get out.
By Al
October 18, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
Strange that Hewitt is taking a lead among black coaches. Given that he was born in Jamaica, many African-Americans wouldn’t consider him to be one of their own.
By Neal
October 18, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this
Correct me if I am wrong but I think Clinch was caught up in the whole Tickle Pile investigation. I just don’t understand why Paul can’t stop our basketball players from falling into that trap. These Tickle Piles do nothing but sap a players strength.
By loveJC
October 18, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
Iman Shumpert just verbals to GT. I’m thinking him and LC makes one heckuva backcourt!
By Davis
October 18, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
Great comment Neal. Is that your nickname or what they call you in the mens room at UGA games? Do you wish to be the “middle spoon” with your QB rotation in Athens?
By fckthedawgs
October 18, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
HA! Another 5 star McDonald All American step on down. Hewitt just keeps rollin em in. Hopefully this one will stay for awhile…
By fckthedawgs
October 18, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
HA! Another 5 star McDonald All American step on down. Hewitt just keeps rollin em in. Hopefully this one will stay for awhile…
By Braves Fan 79
October 19, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this
GO JACKETS! College basketball is SO much better than college football. Speaking of…i was sad to see USF loose tonight..i keep hoping for so much bs to happen with that stupid system that their forced to go to a playoff. I mean REAL sports have PLAYOFFS! EVEN the WNBA has freakin playoffs!
Go GT…lets get on to a sport that actually has meaning!!
By GT
October 19, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
You know I like a writer saying something nice about a player. Why does the nice always come with an apology, as if it is not professional. There must be two sides to most players and all we hear is the negative. How is that serving reality or the truth any more than being a homer?
By Matt Winkeljohn
October 19, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
GT, I think but am not positive your comment was meant to be a compliment, and if so thank you. But part of it really, really burns my flanks.
Maybe all that registers with some readers is the negative. I write, Mike Knobler writes, many sportswriters write plenty of positives — more than negatives. But the negatives get under everybody’s skin, stick in the craw, and are therefore remembered with far greater clarity. They draw more attention. That’s too bad, and a reality of our world.
Here are just a few examples of stuff we’ve had in the paper that has nothing to do with anything negative: Tashard and his mother giving out pot pies; deep snapper Bret White getting engaged at fan day; the pranks played on teammates by Travis Bell, etc.; Darryl Richard’s advanced academic prowess; the rapid improvement of Vance Walker thanks to him bulking up in the weight room and at Chinese buffets; Mike Cox and his brother, and the jokes elder plays on the younger; the three Walls brothers all on one team; K Scott Blair growing up in Australia, and his parents not letting him play football when he was too small only to watch him start the season with a kickoff at Notre Dame; LT Andrew Gardner poking fun at linemates, including his comment on Tuminello puking all the time; internships served by Calvin Johnson; Tashard umpiring Little League games with a great sense of humor … . and this is just football all within the last 20 mos. or so, or as long as I’ve been paying attention to (and helping cover Tech). Don’t get me started on basketball, tennis, baseball, etc.
I could go into our archives and go on and on.
To be quite blunt, I get sick and tired of comments like, “All we hear is the negative.” It’s absurd. All some people REMEMBER is the negative. Pay attention to all of it.
Now that deserves an apology (I didn’t apologize for the initial blog, by the way) so I’m sorry, but I had to do this. My top popped, but I feel much better.
Rant ended. For now.
Matt
By TEE1UP
October 19, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
Dearest Matt
We remember some of the negative because your paper has printed quite a bit of BS over the years…articles that directly went after GT with no cause for provocation and the lovefest for UGAg will continue. Just look this week, UGAg gets hammered 35-14 and instead of “regrouping” articles like GT would get, we read about how well recruiting is going, how good Stafford is, how the team is really coming together….nothing new - happens every year. Next year we will hear what UGAg needs to do to win the NC, just like last year and the many years before that. We apparently know you better than you know yourself and the AUC as well. So don’t try to blow sunshine up our arse…. doof.
By Jonathan
October 19, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
Nice comeback, Matt. I know a lot of us do appreciate the job you and Mike have done and are doing. Your job is to inform the public about GT, not promote GT necessarily. That means both good and bad news. But I do get the sense that you guys are working hard to find stories every day for us. Thanks!
By 2D
October 19, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
TEE1UP…
Don’t crucify Matt b/c of what the AJC has doone in the past. each individual’s work should stand on it’s own. Matt writes fair and balanced articles. Sometimes crticial. Sometimes positive (like this one).
Just because the AJC caters to the UGA fan (i.e. the vast majority of people who buy their product) simply means they are smart business folks. Being critical of UGA will steam their readership and cost them money. Providing too many positive articles about Tech will do the same thing.
Matt is a good writer. As is Mike Knobler. Lay off them and get into the kitchen of the editorial staff and to a lesser degree, our Athletic department. consisten 9-10 win seasons from the football team and 20 win/NCAA appearances by the basketball team would limit the negative article opportunities.
There’s no substitute for winning and winning with grace.
By Matt Winkeljohn
October 19, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Yo TEE1UP,
Georgia’s coming off a 35-14 loss? Uh, methinks they beat Vandy last week and have a bye this week. Not that it was relevant even before you mentioned it.
Matt