Adrien Nunez interview
My son has a podcast where he is able to get some Michigan basketball and football players to come on. The players seem to open up a bit more to someone their age, I guess. Here's the link on this slow day (the interview happened last week before the Saturday game).
Some highlights for those not wanting to listen to the 30 minute interview:
- He didn't play much his Junior year in high school. Started but wasn't a big scorer his senior year
- Didn't want his parents to pay for college so he wanted to go into Prep school to see if anyone would be interested
- Played extremely well during the July recruiting period on the AAU circuit. Went from no one interested to having a bunch of coaches call him.
- Beilein offered on OV and Adrien took it immediately.
- found out Beilein was leaving on the ESPN scroll
- Beilein's system was tough to figure out right away but he was a great coach
-Juwan (he calls Juwan Juwan) started simpler and adds stuff throughout the year
-Adrien is working to expand his game beyond being a 3 point shooter
-loves Snap Pizza in Ann Arbor
December 23rd, 2019 at 10:52 AM ^
That is great for your son! Very cool.
Call me old school, but I'm not a fan of a player calling his coach by his first name.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:05 AM ^
It's like the kids growing up that call their parents by their first names. Reeks of entitlement and lack of respect. Not saying those accurately describe Nuñez here, but that's how I perceive that way of addressing your superior/elders.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:21 AM ^
The kids wouldn't do it if their parents didn't teach them to do so. To me, it's as much the parents being hippies, or whatever the more modern equivalent is, than the kids showing disrespect.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:26 AM ^
I don’t know if it’s active teaching as much as it is passive allowing, but yes, it requires parents who don’t correct it. Bad parenting begets bad behavior from children, go figure.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:49 AM ^
All on the parenting choices, which can change over time.
My parents were very young when they had me and were very strict (in hindsight) - insisting on being respectful and "proper" at all times. Had their second child (a girl) 10 years later and were very different in their parenting - very hands off and almost "free range" parenting. She calls them by first names, curses like a sailor in front of them, etc. We get along fine, but I keep thinking there is no way I would have been able to get away with the things she did.
December 23rd, 2019 at 12:02 PM ^
I also have a younger sister of a significant age difference who my parents were less strict with. However, never any of that first name shit. I put things like curfew, what you’re allowed to watch, where you’re allowed to go in a different category from respecting your parents.
December 23rd, 2019 at 12:19 PM ^
I started calling my dad by his first name as a joke between he and i. But that started when i was an adult. I still call him dad, but now when I call him by his first name, it's just to piss my mom off.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:29 AM ^
I hear ya... But regardless if the parent is okay with a first name, I expect that a child will not use my first name. Get out of high school, or let me tell you my first name is okay, before you just use it. Call me old, but I'm with the Toboggan guy.
I hope JH told his team that Juwan is fine. I suspect he did...
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:38 AM ^
Sure, if someone says “please call me Juwan” then I will, but until them it is “Mr. Howard”, or “Coach” here.
I’m still in my twenties, I don’t think it’s an age thing, it’s appropriate, respectful behavior.
December 23rd, 2019 at 12:25 PM ^
Just another comment of yours that cements you as 1 of my favorite posters here.
December 23rd, 2019 at 2:34 PM ^
I've had elders tell me to call them by their first name, but I wouldn't, for obvious reasons... a kid grows up when he realizes that something like that, isn't appropriate, so the guy above shouldn't have been negged like that...
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:37 AM ^
Ok...booomerrrr
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
I’m in my twenties, I’m just respectful.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^
You know it all and are always correct sir.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:55 AM ^
Not sure about “all” and “always”, but I do know this and am correct here, yes.
December 23rd, 2019 at 1:56 PM ^
Mama Toboggan raised you right!
December 23rd, 2019 at 5:02 PM ^
ok Tide pod eater...lol
December 23rd, 2019 at 10:45 PM ^
Ok fair
December 23rd, 2019 at 12:56 PM ^
I had a business professor ask to be called by his first name... he actually saw it as unprofessional to call him by Mr. or Dr... once you are an adult you call everyone by their first name. It’s not disrespectful, it’s the way of the world.
December 23rd, 2019 at 1:23 PM ^
Meh, people who are in charge are often in charge for no great reason, and people that are older than me should be respected for the fact that they were born before me?
I treat people respectfully as well, but "elders and superiors" isn't a good criteria, imo. I'll respect you by default, but it's up to you to keep it regardless of age or position.
All of that said, my assumption is that Juwan told the team to call him that if they want.
December 23rd, 2019 at 3:18 PM ^
The assumption is that they know more about life than you do which is the often the case.
Humans accumulate knowledge with age. You have a greater chance of experiencing a variety of edifying situations than someone who is younger.
Of course, hubris knows no age limit. Age often leads to more restrictive more conservative thinking which can be a serious drawback in certain circumstances.
December 23rd, 2019 at 3:27 PM ^
Experience is something you don't have, until just after you need it.
December 23rd, 2019 at 1:49 PM ^
It jumped out a me too, but its just different.
This is a highly specific, western cultural tradition.
Sometimes traditions change and that's all it is. Doesn't mean that its a moral failure or the downfall of civilized society.
December 23rd, 2019 at 3:13 PM ^
No, it isn’t. Other cultures “respect” their elders too.
December 23rd, 2019 at 10:47 PM ^
Lol “respecting your elders is a specifically western tradition” is an absurd white-washing of most of human history, but go awf guy.
December 23rd, 2019 at 10:02 PM ^
This is a highly specific, western cultural tradition.
Actually in the Nordic countries it's not unusual for bosses/teachers/etc. to be addressed by their given names.
Conversely, in East Asia this is never the case. There, one's "first name" is the family name.
December 23rd, 2019 at 12:09 PM ^
You do realize the college guys are adults, right?
Also, Adrien, please foul less.
December 23rd, 2019 at 12:31 PM ^
Addressing persons in authority positions by Mr., Coach, or what-have-you has little to do with the age of the speaker.
December 23rd, 2019 at 12:44 PM ^
agree. most former 50 year old players still greet their former coach as "coach".
December 23rd, 2019 at 2:36 PM ^
I know what your saying about the players calling him by his first name, but he's Juwan Howard, one of 'The Fab Five'! He's one of them, a student athlete who took a lot of the same classes, played on that same court. It's probably a big reason we are in on so many high profile guys.When I see him interact with the players its like a surrogate father, or older uncle. He definitely has their respect and attention.
December 23rd, 2019 at 10:54 AM ^
I'll say it: that comment about his finding out about Beilein on ESPN kind of pisses me off. I'm sure of some of that is out of Coach B's hands but just doesn't feel like he handled that well with the team and players. That still rubs me the wrong way.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:05 AM ^
Totally agree. Would have expected more from Beilein
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:20 AM ^
In the end it's just a job.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:32 AM ^
That's true. However, Beilein established a family trust thing when he convinced Adrien's parent's that he would coach the kid. He became the defacto father figure, and presumably befriended his players and their parents. It's very possible that the news ticker got out before JB could get hold of everyone, but that's still on him. And its a little disappointing.
December 23rd, 2019 at 12:58 PM ^
I get what you are saying. But really, it turns out that it was just a job to him.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:29 AM ^
I don't blame Beilein. He can't help it if it's impossible to meet with the players and tell them in person after agreeing to the job before someone on the Cavs side leaks it to Woj. And if he called/texted the players instead there would still be complaints that he didn't do it in person. The real problem is whoever is on the Cavs side that can't keep their mouths shut long enough for Beilein to meet with his players.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
That's fair. I guess I'm more disappointed in the situation than at Beilein.
December 23rd, 2019 at 11:55 AM ^
It shouldn't be *that* difficult to meet with the kids (or at least some of them). Even for those that can't do a face to face, at least pick up the phone. It's not as though these were just prospects - these are kids that are here and following your leadership.
December 23rd, 2019 at 12:16 PM ^
I could not agree more. I still really like beilein and respect him, but I expected more from him in that situation. He needed to be the one to tell his team that he was leaving, not the damn tv.
December 23rd, 2019 at 1:21 PM ^
I'm all for Bajema getting more of Nunez minutes going forward this season. Neither are a good defender but I think Bajema will provide more offense going forward.
December 23rd, 2019 at 2:39 PM ^
I'll admit I still am mesmerized by Nunez' shot...its just so fundamentally clean and effortless....though yes, Bajema deserves to get more minutes and probably at Nunez' expense at this point, until Nunez' D ticks up...... and so does Austin Davis. As much as I like Castleton, he just seems too thin for Big Ten play right now, and needs another 35 lbs... Davis is a thumper, and we need that, in spots. I'm shocked Howard didn't put Davis on Cockburn for a try.
December 23rd, 2019 at 2:46 PM ^
I agree on Nunez's shot, it always appears like it's a really good look but is mostly off the mark. Much like Bajema, with his step back the other day, I wonder if they think too much when they get a spot up shot. Nunez and his little side step 3 the other day was a beauty. I think Bajema has the higher upside at this point. As far as Davis, maybe split him and Castletons minutes. I do believe this year there is gonna be a need for Davis as a banger. The bigten is a physical conference I agree, Castleton needs some more weight and strength.
December 23rd, 2019 at 2:05 PM ^
Can't say I've ever heard of Snap Pizza
https://www.snapcustompizza.com/
... but it's now on my list to check out next time in Ann Arbor.
December 23rd, 2019 at 4:31 PM ^
I really hope Nunez sticks around for another year. I have no idea if him transferring is something anyone has real information on or is just pure speculation based on his spot in the rotation. That said there is going to be a lot of opportunity next season for him to step into a bigger role.
He doesn't really need to do -that- much to be a solid contributor. Turn that beautiful shot into something more consistent and become at least slightly less terrible at defense and that is a good rotational player.