Disclaimer: You folks can find exceptions to each of these points and might take exception to some of them. But this is based on observations over the past three-plus years.
1. Isaac is under-appreciated. First it was AJ on whom everyone focused, then it was Caleb, and now it's Haarms. Now, I really, really like all three of those players and am as bullish on Haarms's future as anyone, but I think we tend to overlook Isaac, as ironic as that is, given his size. The guy has had a tremendous career and has made himself into one of the best big men in the nation. That deserves respect.
2. Speaking of respect: I've always been frustrated with how little respect he gets from the officials. I remember watching Shaq early in his career. Opponents would pound on him and elbow him and essentially beat the tar out of him, and not a whole lot was called because he was so big. Yet when he would clear space, folks would fly out of the way as if fired from a cannon, and the officials would grab the backs of their heads and signal charges as though Shaq had just murdered someone. As his career went on, he got more superstar calls (to the point, in the Finals series with the Pacers, when I felt that the pendulum had swung too far in the other direction), but the point remains...
Just because Isaac is massive doesn't mean he doesn't get fouled; just because he's strong doesn't mean any contact he initiates should trigger litigation. I truly hope he gets a fairer deal this year. Because he hasn't so far. At all.
3. Lastly, despite the adversity, despite being overlooked, despite people always harping on what he should be doing rather than all the ways he's contributing ("HE'S 7-foot-10! HE SHOULD DUNK IT EVERY TIME!!!!!"), Isaac has conducted himself with class, humility, and an inexhaustible work ethic.
I'm extremely proud he's one of ours. A true Boilermaker.
1. Isaac is under-appreciated. First it was AJ on whom everyone focused, then it was Caleb, and now it's Haarms. Now, I really, really like all three of those players and am as bullish on Haarms's future as anyone, but I think we tend to overlook Isaac, as ironic as that is, given his size. The guy has had a tremendous career and has made himself into one of the best big men in the nation. That deserves respect.
2. Speaking of respect: I've always been frustrated with how little respect he gets from the officials. I remember watching Shaq early in his career. Opponents would pound on him and elbow him and essentially beat the tar out of him, and not a whole lot was called because he was so big. Yet when he would clear space, folks would fly out of the way as if fired from a cannon, and the officials would grab the backs of their heads and signal charges as though Shaq had just murdered someone. As his career went on, he got more superstar calls (to the point, in the Finals series with the Pacers, when I felt that the pendulum had swung too far in the other direction), but the point remains...
Just because Isaac is massive doesn't mean he doesn't get fouled; just because he's strong doesn't mean any contact he initiates should trigger litigation. I truly hope he gets a fairer deal this year. Because he hasn't so far. At all.
3. Lastly, despite the adversity, despite being overlooked, despite people always harping on what he should be doing rather than all the ways he's contributing ("HE'S 7-foot-10! HE SHOULD DUNK IT EVERY TIME!!!!!"), Isaac has conducted himself with class, humility, and an inexhaustible work ethic.
I'm extremely proud he's one of ours. A true Boilermaker.
