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Post by afvolunteer on Jun 28, 2020 13:38:47 GMT -5
I know we’ve all seen that Pons is married, but does anyone know where his wife is from (i.e., is she American?) and where they currently are? Still in Knoxville? Somewhere in the US? Abroad?
I’m curious what others think about the possibility of a shortened/delayed NBA season and how that might affect his decision. Thus my asking about his wife as I’m sure that will greatly factor into his decision.
With the NBA’s last season set to reboot at the end of July, I see that looking less and less likely with the surge of COVID cases, particularly in Florida. As a hypothetical, if this season were to continue getting delayed and/or next season’s start gets pushed to the right, I wonder if that could potentially bode well for us in getting him to return. I guess if there’s no NBA though, there’ll be no college hoops, so I suppose it’s all irrelevant. I’ve been sort of counting on him not being back, but am curious what others think about it.
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Post by pdlglm on Jun 28, 2020 14:05:12 GMT -5
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Post by gvt11 on Jun 28, 2020 14:33:44 GMT -5
Rob Lewis said on the Volquest Podcast the other day that he’s starting to hear Pons may be leaning towards leaving no matter what. That’s the first time Rob has indicated any doubt about Pons returning. By the way, now that we no longer are 247, I recommend the Volquest podcast. I like it better than the 247, if for no other reason than it doesn’t have Wes. overcast.fm/+GLiFDhEHk |
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Post by cherokee04 on Jun 28, 2020 15:35:53 GMT -5
It sounds like if his heart is set on the NBA then he really needs to come back to UT for his senior year and show improved offense. But he likely could play anywhere overseas, including back in France, and make a very nice living for quite some time. Would he make enough money that he could be set up for life? I don't know. But he can also still get drafted as a foreign player too, so it doesn't have to be an either/or situation for him.
But I just don't know what he's thinking. I think we'll be fine eventually either way, especially if we can land some of the guys we are shooting for, like Chandler, Banchero, Jabari Smith, etc. But in the short term I think it hurts us significantly if he doesn't come back.
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Post by afvolunteer on Jun 28, 2020 16:44:49 GMT -5
Rob Lewis said on the Volquest Podcast the other day that he’s starting to hear Pons may be leaning towards leaving no matter what. That’s the first time Rob has indicated any doubt about Pons returning. By the way, now that we no longer are 247, I recommend the Volquest podcast. I like it better than the 247, if for no other reason than it doesn’t have Wes. overcast.fm/+GLiFDhEHkI actually quite enjoy Wes. To each his own though, and I assume his politics and style piss a lot of people off, I know. What I don't enjoy though was the way they did Hoopsville dirty, and as best I can tell Wes is in charge and thus Wes was ultimately the one I hold accountable for that decision.
I'll take a listen to the Volquest podcast. Thanks for the tip.
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Post by pdlglm on Jun 28, 2020 16:55:10 GMT -5
Rob Lewis said on the Volquest Podcast the other day that he’s starting to hear Pons may be leaning towards leaving no matter what. That’s the first time Rob has indicated any doubt about Pons returning. By the way, now that we no longer are 247, I recommend the Volquest podcast. I like it better than the 247, if for no other reason than it doesn’t have Wes. overcast.fm/+GLiFDhEHkI actually quite enjoy Wes. To each his own though, and I ume his politics and style piss a lot of people off, I know. What I don't enjoy though was the way they did Hoopsville dirty, and as best I can tell Wes is in charge and thus Wes was ultimately the one I hold accountable for that decision.
I'll take a listen to the Volquest podcast. Thanks for the tip.
I find Wes boring. |
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Post by afvolunteer on Jun 28, 2020 17:11:35 GMT -5
I actually quite enjoy Wes. To each his own though, and I ume his politics and style piss a lot of people off, I know. What I don't enjoy though was the way they did Hoopsville dirty, and as best I can tell Wes is in charge and thus Wes was ultimately the one I hold accountable for that decision.
I'll take a listen to the Volquest podcast. Thanks for the tip.
I find Wes boring. I feel like I'm in the minority for sure. But as I said, I quite enjoy him and the banter he and Grant have. I truly feel most folks that can't stand him don't like his politics, but that's just my opinion. That you find him boring is a solid critique. I also think Grant provides all the meat and Wes doesn't offer much substance on the hoops side. Might as well be one of us talking. But just like these forums, I enjoy anyone talking Vol hoops so I'll likely still listen and I'm glad I have another podcast to give a try. I suspect they're trying to build their listener base up to a certain level, and then they'll make it only for paying members as well. Anyway, I've tried to listen to a few others here and there (Vol hoops) and most I've found are terrible. |
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Post by pdlglm on Jun 28, 2020 17:20:20 GMT -5
I feel like I'm in the minority for sure. But as I said, I quite enjoy him and the banter he and Grant have. I truly feel most folks that can't stand him don't like his politics, but that's just my opinion. That you find him boring is a solid critique. I also think Grant provides all the meat and he doesn't offer much substance on the hoops side. Might as well be one of us talking. But just like these forums, I enjoy anyone talking Vol hoops so I'll likely still listen and I'm glad I have another podcast to give a try. I suspect they're trying to build their listener base up to a certain level, and then they'll make it only for paying members as well. Anyway, I've tried to listen to a few others here and there (Vol hoops) and most I've found are terrible. Never given his politics much thought. He is a journalist so I presume that makes him pretty leftist as it seems to be a prerequisite these days. But mostly I just don't find his stuff interesting. |
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Post by smyrnavol on Jun 28, 2020 19:51:21 GMT -5
I also don’t mind Wes, but I also much prefer the VQ podcast. I like all of the VQ writers and feel like they balance each other well. I’ve met most of the beat writers in passing, and the only one I didn’t really like was John Brice. Wes and Jesse Simonton seem to be the two most “polarizing” and I like them both lol. Especially Jesse.
Regarding Pons, I’ve thought from the beginning that he would probably leave. I only think that because I have been a broke newly wed before, and if I would have had the opportunities that he has, I would have 100% taken them without thinking twice about it.
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Post by afvolunteer on Jun 28, 2020 19:52:18 GMT -5
I feel like I'm in the minority for sure. But as I said, I quite enjoy him and the banter he and Grant have. I truly feel most folks that can't stand him don't like his politics, but that's just my opinion. That you find him boring is a solid critique. I also think Grant provides all the meat and he doesn't offer much substance on the hoops side. Might as well be one of us talking. But just like these forums, I enjoy anyone talking Vol hoops so I'll likely still listen and I'm glad I have another podcast to give a try. I suspect they're trying to build their listener base up to a certain level, and then they'll make it only for paying members as well. Anyway, I've tried to listen to a few others here and there (Vol hoops) and most I've found are terrible. Never given his politics much thought. He is a journalist so I presume that makes him pretty leftist as it seems to be a prerequisite these days. But mostly I just don't find his stuff interesting. Well I feel like this thread has gotten off topic. You guys know the rules. Any politics and we're gonna lock this sucker down.
Oh wait, this is our board so we can do what we want!!!!!
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Post by gvt11 on Jun 28, 2020 19:59:54 GMT -5
I feel like I'm in the minority for sure. But as I said, I quite enjoy him and the banter he and Grant have. I truly feel most folks that can't stand him don't like his politics, but that's just my opinion. That you find him boring is a solid critique. I also think Grant provides all the meat and he doesn't offer much substance on the hoops side. Might as well be one of us talking. But just like these forums, I enjoy anyone talking Vol hoops so I'll likely still listen and I'm glad I have another podcast to give a try. I suspect they're trying to build their listener base up to a certain level, and then they'll make it only for paying members as well. Anyway, I've tried to listen to a few others here and there (Vol hoops) and most I've found are terrible. Never given his politics much thought. He is a journalist so I presume that makes him pretty leftist as it seems to be a prerequisite these days. But mostly I just don't find his stuff interesting. Yeah, I just find Wes arrogant/insufferable. Never really noticed his politics as much as his smugness. |
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Post by pdlglm on Jun 28, 2020 20:03:42 GMT -5
It's sort of odd as Wes was actually why I moved over to 247. Loved his writing at the TFP and that got me to check out 247 when he moved.
And I didnt mean to turn this into some Wes Rucker bashing thread. I mean I dont have a strong feeling on him. Just kind of.... meh.
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Post by pdlglm on Jun 28, 2020 20:04:55 GMT -5
And from a life standpoint I get Pons leaving, though I think he would be better off back in Knoxville from a basketball standpoint.
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Post by bchilds on Jun 28, 2020 23:49:19 GMT -5
And from a life standpoint I get Pons leaving, though I think he would be better off back in Knoxville from a basketball standpoint. Thanks for setting this up. I think Pons leaving has everything to do with how bad this draft is on paper right now. After the top 5, there are multiple gaping weaknesses in every player. And some of the perceived top 5 are more flawed than most would like. When 2 or 3 players drafted in the top 10 would’ve played in the NCAA tournament, that tells you all you need to know. |
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Post by pdlglm on Jun 29, 2020 7:51:43 GMT -5
And from a life standpoint I get Pons leaving, though I think he would be better off back in Knoxville from a basketball standpoint. Thanks for setting this up. I think Pons leaving has everything to do with how bad this draft is on paper right now. After the top 5, there are multiple gaping weaknesses in every player. And some of the perceived top 5 are more flawed than most would like. When 2 or 3 players drafted in the top 10 would’ve played in the NCAA tournament, that tells you all you need to know. still though, I love Pons, but even in this field he is probably a late 2nd round guy - right? Seems like he should come back, work on his three point shot and enjoy one last college season. |
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