In my earlier post, strike-3, I said that Ovinton was the best basketball talent to play for a school in this area. I failed to be as precise in my last post due to the fact I was using a library computer on which I had only a couple of minutes remaining. There may have been one or two who played in this region who were better, mainly because of maturity, as seniors than Mayo was as an eighth grader. Jeff Hall, Larry Conley, Harold Sergent, and Jerry Ravenscraft come to mind as possibilities. However, none of them were the obvious basketball talent, per se, as was and is Mayo.

 

As an eighteen year old, OJ has reached the age of majority meaning that he is considered an "adult" for all legal purposes. It also means that no one, including his biological and/or legal mother and father, has parental rights in regard to him.

 

Nonetheless, it is easy for one to say that he should take control of his own destiny. It should be remembered that he has been under the influence of his AAU coach and maybe one or two others since he was in elementary school. These people have been, for the most part, his exclusive adult figures and pseudo-parents. Many of his personal beliefs, undoubtedly, have been formed and shaped by these individuals. They have provided for him (although most likely not from their own incomes, if any). They have praised him and they have provided "guidance" and "direction". They have always been there to tell him who to trust and who to distrust. They have "regulated" his associates and his associations. They have, in reality, controlled him. As iPap and Frances said, he is neither mature enough nor independent enough to take control of his life and that, indeed, is a real shame because he is basically a fine and talented young man deserving of better. He makes mistakes. I make mistakes. We all make mistakes. However, his mistakes and his every action are amplified while ours are thankfully not.

In my earlier post, strike-3, I said that Ovinton was the best basketball talent to play for a school in this area. I failed to be as precise in my last post due to the fact I was using a library computer on which I had only a couple of minutes remaining. There may have been one or two who played in this region who were better, mainly because of maturity, as seniors than Mayo was as an eighth grader. Jeff Hall, Larry Conley, Harold Sergent, and Jerry Ravenscraft come to mind as possibilities. However, none of them were the obvious basketball talent, per se, as was and is Mayo.

 

As an eighteen year old, OJ has reached the age of majority meaning that he is considered an "adult" for all legal purposes. It also means that no one, including his biological and/or legal mother and father, has parental rights in regard to him.

 

Nonetheless, it is easy for one to say that he should take control of his own destiny. It should be remembered that he has been under the influence of his AAU coach and maybe one or two others since he was in elementary school. These people have been, for the most part, his exclusive adult figures and pseudo-parents. Many of his personal beliefs, undoubtedly, have been formed and shaped by these individuals. They have provided for him (although most likely not from their own incomes, if any). They have praised him and they have provided "guidance" and "direction". They have always been there to tell him who to trust and who to distrust. They have "regulated" his associates and his associations. They have, in reality, controlled him. As iPap and Frances said, he is neither mature enough nor independent enough to take control of his life and that, indeed, is a real shame because he is basically a fine and talented young man deserving of better. He makes mistakes. I make mistakes. We all make mistakes. However, his mistakes and his every action are amplified while ours are thankfully not.

 

Here's a question that everyone needs to ask themselves before taking shots at Mayo.

 

Would you really want YOUR life as an 18 year old kid, who has the kind of parental influence he has, under the eye of scrutiny? Would you be willing to trade your normal, down to earth life-style for the fame and fortune that will more than likely follow, knowing that judgement from your peers about the way you live your life is dictated by the press?

 

Thats a big decision......Myself, I learned along time ago to not give a *%$^ about what anyone says as long as I can look at myself in the mirror at night & lay down in bed without a guilty conscience. But I wasn't 18 when I realized that.

Mayo says he did not go to Oak Hill to enroll in classes. He said he went to meet up with Beasley and Nolan Smith and talk about what Colleges they were looking at. The gym was open, and they played some ball, but OJ never applied to go to the school based on an article on the KState Scout premium site. He also said he was only suspended four days for a verbal altercation, and he had no clue where the 180 days rumor came from...

Mayo says he did not go to Oak Hill to enroll in classes. He said he went to meet up with Beasley and Nolan Smith and talk about what Colleges they were looking at. ...

 

 

GT - you're saying OJ drove to the middle of nowhere to talk to his boys? Does he not have cable? Beasley to KSU and Smith to Duke, right?

 

Sounds like OJ needs a cell phone.

Mayo was interested in playing at Oak Hill. Steve Smith declined to take him. End of story.

GT - you're saying OJ drove to the middle of nowhere to talk to his boys? Does he not have cable? Beasley to KSU and Smith to Duke, right?

 

Sounds like OJ needs a cell phone.

That's what OJ said in the Scout article I read. Don't shoot the messenger...

That's what OJ said in the Scout article I read. Don't shoot the messenger...

 

Do you believe him?

Do you believe him?

I try not to buy into any of it. We know how solid a quote from an 18 year old has proven to be...

As an eighteen year old, OJ has reached the age of majority meaning that he is considered an "adult" for all legal purposes. It also means that no one, including his biological and/or legal mother and father, has parental rights in regard to him.

 

Nonetheless, it is easy for one to say that he should take control of his own destiny. It should be remembered that he has been under the influence of his AAU coach and maybe one or two others since he was in elementary school. These people have been, for the most part, his exclusive adult figures and pseudo-parents. Many of his personal beliefs, undoubtedly, have been formed and shaped by these individuals. They have provided for him (although most likely not from their own incomes, if any). They have praised him and they have provided "guidance" and "direction". They have always been there to tell him who to trust and who to distrust. They have "regulated" his associates and his associations. They have, in reality, controlled him. As iPap and Frances said, he is neither mature enough nor independent enough to take control of his life and that, indeed, is a real shame because he is basically a fine and talented young man deserving of better. He makes mistakes. I make mistakes. We all make mistakes. However, his mistakes and his every action are amplified while ours are thankfully not.

 

Some excellent points SBob,

 

A comparison "discussion" of talent level by age, grade & decade is a recipe for never ending torment so I'm staying away from that baby.

 

In my limited involvement with youth athletes (& to an extent, young talented individuals in other fields) I have frequently found that a good number of youngsters with above average athletic ability could reasonably be considered below average in some other age appropiate developmental levels - or more simply put, rather immature in other areas. They also are frequently an eager to please type person and quite likeable to those around him.:thumb:

 

It's easy to see why some of these youngsters can be steered down certain paths due to certain manipulative adults and/or important adults that can't, won't, or may be incapable of providing good guidance. A few may have felt that some of my previous posts dealing with issues related to this thread were directed at a player. The players name is usually a focus of the thread or the headlines but my "displeasure":p has been about the ancillary organizations, people, and environment that allows this to occur.

 

Which school(s) the kid plays for and how it effects the school I support is not the basis for my opinion(s). I have personally expressed my negative view about how some super talented youngsters at my own school were "handled" in the past "BB"(Before BGP). Since I'm not the parent or guardian in those or the current situation my opinion doesn't carry any weight where it counts. That doesn't mean my opinion is not valid - & same for others opinions on these matters. Others are free to have a different opinion of matters, but not free to presume my motive(s) [see my prior comments complaining about mind reading;) ] You can believe what ever you wish about my motive(s) and experience around athletics & youngsters, but I can only post my view and leave it at that.

 

In this particular case I feel that the schools involved have themselves been used to an extent AND on the flip side, the school (or segments of it) and various people connected to the school(s) have also used the player(s) for their benefit. Yes everyone is using "each other" to some extent, but that doesn't make it even, or fair, or right. The player(s) used the school(s) to showcase themselves and further their game experience, talents, and publicity (how much to blame other adults is a seperate debate). The school(s) used the player(s) to gain exposure, generate increased participation, opportunities, and monies. Adults at many different levels enjoy the connection with a talented, popular, and/or famous individual(s), team, or organization which feeds their ego and makes them a part of something:D . It often becomes difficult for them to say or do anything that threatens that connection -ie., let the good times roll:banana:

Rationalizing these things by saying; he's a good kid, would have gone "somewhere" so it may as well be us, others have done, do, or will do it are all bogus counter arguments IMO. I can understand some taking my comments as offensive but it's simply my observation & I would hope they could step back and consider things with a detached view.

 

Perhaps I'm envisioning an impossible dreamworld but what would it take to just tell a youngster, his parent, guardian, entourage, and/or your own coach and boosters that no we don't need to take this on this kind of stuff and help perpetuate the system that is getting worse and worse. Hopefully no one feels the need to use the play dumb card like there's really a school administrator, coach, or educator that doesn't know what the deal is

 

I have no problem with anyone disagreeing with everything I said - well maybe not all of it;) I realize using too broad a brush is unfair and I've tried not to do that, but please consider this an overall view of the course of events we have all become familiar with - and some obviously are more familiar than others:thumb:

 

Woody Jr

Woody, Jr., I have no problem with your post. In fact, I pretty much agree. Mayo has been used, to some extent, as a pawn since he first exhibited his exceptional ability with a basketball. That includes his stay at Cammack, Rose Hill, and NCH as well as his years in AAU. As one observer often stated, "OJ carries a lot of baggage." His presence meant/means that the school he attends prospers, his handlers prosper, and he prospers. However, the difference is that he would prosper without the other two elements. I defend Mayo because I see him as a victim and not as a perpetrator. I see a lot of people seeking to get a slice of the pie while the pie appears to be pure gold. I also know that he is one bad injury or serious mistake away from being abandoned by these same people. All in all, it is not a pleasant situation.

I also know that he is one bad injury or serious mistake away from being abandoned by these same people.

Sad but true...

Some excellent points SBob,

 

A comparison "discussion" of talent level by age, grade & decade is a recipe for never ending torment so I'm staying away from that baby.

 

In my limited involvement with youth athletes (& to an extent, young talented individuals in other fields) I have frequently found that a good number of youngsters with above average athletic ability could reasonably be considered below average in some other age appropiate developmental levels - or more simply put, rather immature in other areas. They also are frequently an eager to please type person and quite likeable to those around him.:thumb:

 

It's easy to see why some of these youngsters can be steered down certain paths due to certain manipulative adults and/or important adults that can't, won't, or may be incapable of providing good guidance. A few may have felt that some of my previous posts dealing with issues related to this thread were directed at a player. The players name is usually a focus of the thread or the headlines but my "displeasure":p has been about the ancillary organizations, people, and environment that allows this to occur.

 

Which school(s) the kid plays for and how it effects the school I support is not the basis for my opinion(s). I have personally expressed my negative view about how some super talented youngsters at my own school were "handled" in the past "BB"(Before BGP). Since I'm not the parent or guardian in those or the current situation my opinion doesn't carry any weight where it counts. That doesn't mean my opinion is not valid - & same for others opinions on these matters. Others are free to have a different opinion of matters, but not free to presume my motive(s) [see my prior comments complaining about mind reading;) ] You can believe what ever you wish about my motive(s) and experience around athletics & youngsters, but I can only post my view and leave it at that.

 

In this particular case I feel that the schools involved have themselves been used to an extent AND on the flip side, the school (or segments of it) and various people connected to the school(s) have also used the player(s) for their benefit. Yes everyone is using "each other" to some extent, but that doesn't make it even, or fair, or right. The player(s) used the school(s) to showcase themselves and further their game experience, talents, and publicity (how much to blame other adults is a seperate debate). The school(s) used the player(s) to gain exposure, generate increased participation, opportunities, and monies. Adults at many different levels enjoy the connection with a talented, popular, and/or famous individual(s), team, or organization which feeds their ego and makes them a part of something:D . It often becomes difficult for them to say or do anything that threatens that connection -ie., let the good times roll:banana:

Rationalizing these things by saying; he's a good kid, would have gone "somewhere" so it may as well be us, others have done, do, or will do it are all bogus counter arguments IMO. I can understand some taking my comments as offensive but it's simply my observation & I would hope they could step back and consider things with a detached view.

 

Perhaps I'm envisioning an impossible dreamworld but what would it take to just tell a youngster, his parent, guardian, entourage, and/or your own coach and boosters that no we don't need to take this on this kind of stuff and help perpetuate the system that is getting worse and worse. Hopefully no one feels the need to use the play dumb card like there's really a school administrator, coach, or educator that doesn't know what the deal is

 

I have no problem with anyone disagreeing with everything I said - well maybe not all of it;) I realize using too broad a brush is unfair and I've tried not to do that, but please consider this an overall view of the course of events we have all become familiar with - and some obviously are more familiar than others:thumb:

 

Woody Jr

At what age did Barnes become his AAU coach. I think that Jim Clayton was his AAU coach when he was like 9 or 10.

GT - you're saying OJ drove to the middle of nowhere to talk to his boys? Does he not have cable? Beasley to KSU and Smith to Duke, right?

 

Sounds like OJ needs a cell phone.

Can you get cell phone reception in Mouth of Wilson?

 

In any event, OJ doesnt want to look bad for whatever reason, and he knows Smith wont turn around say OJ's statement is not true. We'll never know for sure, but OJ's story is least likely.

 

BTW, does anyone love in these threads when the guys from the very eastern part of the state (Ashland area) seem to have their own little conversation unaffected by anyone else. Seems to happen in every OJ thread. Just thought I'd point that out...

...BTW, does anyone love in these threads when the guys from the very eastern part of the state (Ashland area) seem to have their own little conversation unaffected by anyone else. Seems to happen in every OJ thread. Just thought I'd point that out...

 

Bellalumni40 -

 

I'm not normally the type that likes to complain, but if you insist on continuing to attempt to hijack these Eastern Kentucky threads with side issues, I'll be forced to report you to the mods....

 

 

Frances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PS - just kidding BA.

Bellalumni40 -

 

I'm not normally the type that likes to complain, but if you insist on continuing to attempt to hijack these Eastern Kentucky threads with side issues, I'll be forced to report you to the mods....

 

 

Frances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PS - just kidding BA.

 

:thumb:

 

I'm an Eastern Kentuckian as well, just more of the SEKY kind. So I've got nothing but love for those guys. Just seems that the Ashland area brings about very informed, but long winded posters. Hard to try to read everything that is typed. Keep doing what you have to do though guys. :thumb: