I don't really know you, but keep on posting the way you are posting. You are quickly becoming one of my favorites to read. Nothing over the top and a well- thought out post, each and every time.
Your posts remind me a lot of whitesnake. Another favorite of mine. Don't change a thing.
vfactor,
please keep up the excellent posts !!
Thank you thank you for the Oscar nominee
No kidding aside, I read this board religiously and enjoy quality posts. This is like my window to 'external world' from my daily job. I am a fan and enjoy fan base discussion. Most of the time, I refrain from posting because the subjects are already discussed in different parts of the thread and usually the 'two' sides will not concede their POVs. It's perfectly legal even though I know 'my side' is right
There's a reason why Subban case got me involved lot more. First, I am Subban because he is the Habs player who brought me the most entertainment value in this rather boring hockey team. He strikes me as a real deal, the player you will proudly talk about as a Habs fan around the league, the one who will give you countless memories of his goals, drive, flashes on the ice, the total package of talent, drive and character . He also, until now, shows me a lot of maturity and class as a person, employee, player with much respect to his organization. The sweater incident on the floor was something he surely regretted and learned from, I bet. As a fan, I want Subban to thrive and be happy in a #76 Habs Jersey for the rest of his career. I have high hope in him for years to come. He's the first 'special' player I witness from the draft from this team on my time as 'serious' fan. Probably a generational player within this club. Carey Price and Galchenyuk are probably other reasonable candidates but don't have higher ceiling than Subban.
Subban did come into the league with a lot of enthusiasm and energy which were in some cases not 'used' properly or sometimes not 'conformed' to this rather weird 'old school' mentality. He certainly made mistakes and was raw. However, he showed how much he cared and became instantly one of the most important player in this club. He also took a lot of criticism which are, most of the time, from my point of view, way exaggerated simply because he's not 'old school'.
He was certainly a 'special' case to his coach but again, he was never the 'head case' or selfish player he seems to be labeled with. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have that 'love' from his teammates neither. I can't tell the reason, I am not in the locker room but I feels it has to to with the fact that he draw too much attention to him whether it's his fault or not. Also, he probably irritates the 'old school' players with his style not because it's something bad, it's simply the case of that 'different' kid in a rather 'uniform' world. I am not talking about racism here, more from a personality stand. However Subban doesn't hold that grudge. I will present a case which truly made me raise my level of respect to this special player.
Remember when he entered the league ? Markov was hurt and there was debate on Subban taking the #1 role. There were, in my observation at that time, certain form of dislike from Markov toward Subban. I remember that TV report with Subban answering question in locker room. Markov entered and in front of TV reminds Subban of 'his space'. It was a rather 'big brother' gesture from Markov (who I love as a player) and I am sure Subban knew it was 100% intentional. Fast forward, the first goal from Subban with Markov presence on ice, I remembered the 'general' reaction was pretty 'meh'. I won't say it's anything related to 'jealousy' or 'hate', it's more in a form of a player who's not best friend to the other. Fast forward to the day Subban dropped the glove to defend Markov also the 'huge excitation' on Markov face and reaction whenever Subban scores now. Subban has won the 'general' appreciation over. All this are my timeline memories. It may be correct or pure illusion. What happens behind the scene is something we'll never know but in my interpretation, Subban is someone you will truly appreciate if given a chance. Subban is undisputed #1 now, but he did not overthrow Markov by anything than his pure hard work with much respect to the previous leader. Subban certainly had quarrels with Plekanec and...maybe Georges but well, when you have personality and you stand by it, some will like you, some won't. Does it make one right, others wrong? Certainly not, personality is keyword here and God knows we need it in this politically correct world. To be honest, Georges irritates the hell out of me
but I convinced myself that it's my bias because I am a Subban supporter.
Subban progress as a player was something wonderful to witness. He's our Crosby in term of sure thing each season. He's one of a few with always higher ceiling than previously thought. Then come our new management which I thought is a fresh air to this country club. I was hoping it's the new 'wave' of management which will bring something new, innovate to the 'management' side of thing. We are in 2013 and as much as I like to repeat this, I hate the 'old school' label because it is abused in this world to the point of whoever 'projects' or 'embraces' it gives me chill of expected incompetence. Since the first day, Subban case was on display and I will say that cumulate events do not reassure me that this management is particularly good at handling the situation. It's constantly on the headlines for unnecessary reasons. We are in Montreal, of course, but I certainly feel that Habs brass created a versus relationship instead of the with relationship in a team concept as they preach. I will go as far as saying Habs management use the media to their advantages. I told myself that Subban is not perfect and I may be blinded by my support for him but I haven't found anything to support the opposite side. It's disturbing that his Norris win and Olympic selection are mostly talked about in 'controversial' stories rather than an inspirational story for this organization who had the last real icon in Patrick Roy. Crazy enough, Roy himself just 'came' home recently. Well in that centennial ceremony briefly.
When Cantin, a Quebecois journalist, wrote an article questioning Michel Therrien, it's alarming because it became way too obvious over time. Yes journalists look for sensationalism but you will hardly find a criticism that 'hard' from a Quebecois to another Quebecois especially the latter is having 'success' on paper. Look at Desharnais case, how he is 'supported' from french medias. Michel Therrien is on an even an easier level of God raise status. This is not a franco, anglo thing. It's an indication that things are not 'nothing' as we want to believe.
Finally, the management vs Subban is something I see daily in my field of work. I am a software developer consultant and over the years I worked for different teams in different environments and organizations. Great managers are hard, very hard to come by. Leaders are so rare, you see most of the time 'old school' managers who will got to that level not because of their leadership or technical competence but rather by circumstances, politic, know who, power hungry or simply money (salary). They are typically 'best friends' in sunny days and 'superiors' in rainy days. When things go right, it's 'team work' provided by great management. When there's a problem, they will find out a scapegoat and point finger. Those are the worsts to deal with, they won't provide you support but rather suck the hell out of your time and energy to do theirs on behalf of the team of course and if you dare to question their 'authority' or 'decision making' (they encourage you to do so) you will eventually be theirs problems. Even on the frank eyes to eyes debates, they will lose to you because they have nothing to support theirs lies, arguments or perception, they will win because of their position of force. They want respect but they usually don't want to work for it. They want you to give it to them willingly because of their position.
Of course, Subban is an exceptional 'worker' and he has way more leverage than a normal team member. I just see a so much similarities in this particular case. In our society, we are taught to behave and respect orders, hierarchy, organisation without a lot of questioning. It's a necessary base for a functional system. However, this notion is abused, used and forced by a lot of folks to simply control the mass and achieve theirs goals. I am sure you can see it in everyday, in any domain if you open your eyes a little.
I am not condemning MB or MT. It's way too overblown otherwise. My point is that, MB and MT will not gain any respect from a fan like me simply because they represent 'management' or 'authority'. They will have to show competence, class and leadership to this organisation on the same level if not more than the players. At the end of the day, they are supposed to be on the same team.
God, way too long. Sorry for my Subban case in depth explanation. Thank you for reading if you made this far.
Have a great week !