In Reply to: This is classic. posted by ej on April 20, 2025 at 07:21:46
thank you for that view on it.
I recall a number of times when Aday just couldn't go more, some times he motioned to the bench to take him out, sometimes when he led us on a good stretch late in the first half only to come in really early in the second half and just not have it - the energy, the endurance. Plus there were periods where he was injured (starting during the pre-season period) and once where he really suffered from that respiratory illness and took awhile to come back. (I can relate, had a cold that came, went, returned and then turned into bronchitis, basically slowed me the entire month of March and afterwards it's been until about now I got my energy and strength back. It just takes time after a respiratory illness.)
We all also remember how much better the team was when Mara was playing at least 15 minutes a game and more so when he could go 20 or more. No question about it.
Cronin is a control coach. He has a way of doing things. If you buy into that, everyone gets rewarded - at the far end of a lot of work. But if you're a 17 year old Spanish kid, you hear the words and you think you understand what they mean but the reality as it actually plays out - and the time it takes - are something you've never previously experienced.
Waiting two years isn't so long for a person like Cronin, at his age, but it can feel like a lifetime to a 20 year old. All the guts but where's the glory that was supposed to come to me?
Whatever the details, what is clear is that there was an understanding in place when Aday left and returned home to Spain and the relationship was totally broken when he turned. That's the point where the young man's vision for himself and his future and the coach's vision of how to run his program and his team totally clashed.
It's a real shame. Cronin clearly feels it's a real shame. By all reports, Aday is a fine young man but he has a giant talent his potential has to seem endless and it's an area very few young men ever get to occupy. He has made his decision. Very sad it didn't work out. Think it's a huge loss for us. We went from dreaming of what might have been to envisioning what could become - up to down.
But that's exactly the breaking point when visions collide. No, Cronin wasn't able to make it work. No, Mara didn't have the patience to see it through, it see what developed this coming year if he works his buns off and comes back in good condition and ready to go.
To me, I can't dismiss the idea of what was going on in team development and how the Mara camp perceived that. To us - the fans - we see that at last we are going to have an elite PG who will deliver the ball more effectively (while scoring himself as well) and that will make everyone better. That will make Mara - the center - more effective. But will it? Would it?
Mara's people had to leave here envisioning everything going through Aday next year. Then Mick landed Dent and they saw him bringing in a heavily ball-centric ball handler and scorer to totally change and dominate the offense, making Dent, Bilodeau, Dailey and Clark - the spot up shooters - the pure focus of the offense. Making him - Aday - an afterthought, a mere complement in the offense.
Two visions. Either could be right; both have elements that ring true.
So for me, leave it where it lies - the visions diverged and each side took a different path. Best of luck to all. Cronin has had great success with his way - which stems from Rick Pitino's way and which has made him the youngest coach ever to 500 wins. Aday has a terrific future possible - even likely - for himself.
Sorry it didn't work out.