It would be great if we had all the facts of this story, and we never will. The details of his departure, what was said, what the team thought, the details of his next stop, the possible/probable deadend of this next stop, and if there is any communication back with Rutgers. There are too many variables and too many of us know very little of the answers. It seems Paul left the altar for a different bride. That bride didn't work out and if the exit was not amicable, how many would welcome Paul back to the original altar? The fans are one thing, but the coaches and players are the most important to consider.
Paul
- Thread starter S_Janowski
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It was the way he left. Why can't people understand that.
We wish him the best but we do not need to have a pity party.
This was self inflicted.
I wish fans were more objective. Paul has been here 4 years. Over the past 2 years we have a sample size showing wide extremes to his play offensively. If Paul was here for year 5 it wouldn't be realistic to peg him for the production he gave us when he was at his best. It also wouldn't be fair to pencil him in for his play at his worst.
Simpson gave life to a dying offense. Paul also carried us offensively for a month stretch in 2021-22 that put us in a position to make the tournament. Paul was also the point guard on a team that in January 2023 that most of us, myself included, saw the potential of a very long NCAA run.
I don't think it is unreasonable to guess that part of his poor performance was because of injury.
In all seriousness....when are schools going to figure out if a player can get paid enough with NIL they can pay their tuition and a school can get an extra scholarship player. In addition if their NIL deal was because of NIL wouldn't then we can say tuition payment would actually be a deductible expense.I would take him back at RU....He can walk on
Sorry I don't see it as a life lesson. I see it as a situation where some entity (government or NCAA) steps in so a player doesn't have to deal with this.
Schools are already doing this. Some searching on internet will provide examples.
Here’s 1: Texas A&M paying 100 players 25k. I forget but I think byu has something similar for 125 players. There’s also examples of individual players transferring but not getting a scholarship because of NIL.
Disagree. This happens in the business world all the time. Whether it’s with customers, employers, potential partners, etc. Better Paul learns it now in his early 20’s than much later with a lot more at stake. Oh, and I would add a third lesson … know your true market value.
From 8/2021
Built Brands—a company that produces protein, protein bars and energy products—announced a multi-year NIL agreement that will include compensation to all 123 members of the Cougars' football team as well as provide full tuition for walk-on players.
BYU Football Strikes NIL Deal to Pay Tuition for Walk-Ons
The deal will include compensation to all 123 members on the football team as well as provide full tuition for walk-on players.
www.si.com
And a fourth…get it in writing.
All of these things can be true:
- Paul is a good person who gives back to the community
- Paul played hurt and put it all out there for 4 years
- Paul's behavior on the court was too often embarrassing
- The timing of Paul entering the transfer portal was selfish
- Washington is trash if they lied about his NIL
Just because you'd be a piece of **** and abandon the coach that made you into something and stuck by you when you struggled in the 11th hour (making a decision that could've easily been made when the xfer portal was still open) doesn't mean the rest of us would.
You people just don't get it. Let Paul rot.
Exactly the way I see it. Great post!
Absolutely can't take him back, even as a walk on....others in the future better than Paul may think if they also leave they can always come back as a Plan B. Same goes for Oskar. Bad look and bad precedent.
Once you go, you go. It's a forever decision.
Once you go, you go. It's a forever decision.
unless the HC or member of staff recommended leaving ( insert reason here) and if leaving started to look sour the program due to roster depth felt player's return would benefit them if player asked to return to the fold.
edit: I expect in the future we'll hear about someone suing over a NIL payment promise that didn't come to pass .
It shouldn't be on the student athlete to make sure they aren't hoodwinked by other colleges. They should be much more protected - crazy to even have this discussion about 18-22 year old student athletes potentially swimming with sharks at schools of higher education. If NCAA was an actual governing body this wouldn't even be a conversation.
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I am objective. I only stated my opinion but did not give my reasons. The question was Oskar vs. Paul, who would you pick to return? My answer is I would choose Oskar. It's more of an addition by subtraction decision. Paul made a split for his reasons and did so at the last minute. He is free to do so. No doubt, he has had his good moments and seemed to be a standup guy and team leader. In respect to a leader you would want on the court, that changed towards the end of the season. Maybe it was injury, but he changed mentally as well. Whining numerous call over the years was bad enough, but there were plenty WTF moments in his decision making at the end of the season (and don't forget the tripping attempt). Now, he runs away and leaves the team high and dry. Was he slighted by Simpson, the addition of Fernandes, or did he bolt for the money? To me, it doesn't matter. He ditched the team at zero hour. If he were to return, you know he wants major playing time at the position of his choice and he probably would not get it. In respect to team chemistry, would it be more beneficial to bring a fifth year senior who will not get his usual playing time and/or position, someone who fled his teammates, and a person who really did not project himself very well on the court at the end of last season (physically, mentally, decision making).....OR...do you take a role player that will probably happy to see the court, do what he is asked and probably will not upset the chemistry at game time and in the locker locker room? It's addition by subtraction. At this point, his addition to the team would be more detrimental than beneficial I think. We have more horses in the stable who can do what Paul did. In a nutshell, that's why I would have Oskar back. It's my best objective take on the subject.
Then change it.
They’ve flipped the script already with this, why not continue and get that part done too.
I think Paul got a little mixed up, like a lot of 22 year olds do. Maybe it was just me, but I found it odd his references to the Bible when interviewed late last year. I can't remember him doing that before. Considering Paul's heart, his love for RU, and how disappointing the season's end was for him, do we really know what was going on in his head? I am sure he is experiencing enormous mental anguish and confusion, and that he is not the piece of **** that many here think he is. He did a lot of good things on the court that the average fan couldn't see, he was a leader, and he was good kid,
I understand your argument and respect it. I also believe the only real mistakes Pike has made here was being too loyal to his players. It took him WAY too long to cut bait with Freeman his senior year. He has waited too long to reduce minutes of Hyatt the last 2 years.
I have no idea how things would go down with Mulcahy if he really only deserved 10-15 minutes (or less). I am under the belief his skill set works with only 1 position...point guard.
I also am not sure if Paul would be the best PG on the roster next year. I think I'd rather have Paul as my PG over Simpson and have no idea about Fernandes. As I have said before I have no idea who or if there is a real Paul Mulcahy.
I have no idea how things would go down with Mulcahy if he really only deserved 10-15 minutes (or less). I am under the belief his skill set works with only 1 position...point guard.
I also am not sure if Paul would be the best PG on the roster next year. I think I'd rather have Paul as my PG over Simpson and have no idea about Fernandes. As I have said before I have no idea who or if there is a real Paul Mulcahy.
Who cares if it’s Paul or not, we’ve moved on. Also, 400k for Paul M to play college basketball hahah come on guys haha. Needed a good laugh on a Tuesday.
In fairness to the players MILLIONS are made by coaches and MILLIONS are made by conferences....they shouldn't have had to be the one's to flip the script.
He might consider a jump to the Zarephath squad on Weston Canal Road. Would definitely get a lot of minutes there and they have plenty of cash.
You can't have it both ways. It's ok to accept money, and sometimes ridiculous paydays, from these "sharks" bolting your school for the highest bidder but it's not ok when you get bitten by a shark. NIL is the wild west. It's a totally unregulated, not transparent and murky world. If you're going to play in it you better go in eyes open.
I expect agents will be permitted for NIL deals , I believe California allows that but don't know if the NCAA honors that law
Yea, anyone thinking Mulcahy was getting $400k is a fool, including Paul himself, lol.
I guess people heard about the $200k Cam allegedly got and thought 'Yea, PM is worth twice that amount".
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I hear you, but still no. Can’t have players think coming back after leaving once is an option. HC would never leave the door open.
Lots of defenders on this thread for this guy but he has always been a diva while at Rutgers.
Plenty of people here did think that, not waiting one minute to mock me for saying he’s not good enough to be a high major PG. The ‘I told you so’ comebacks were premature, huh ?
Does BU have available scholarships ?
Agree 100% with your bolded statement - only the NCAA would allow something like this. That being said I think it's totally unfair to allow student athletes (where a certain percentage are from lower income situations and are more likely not to have the proper support systems) to be thrown into a landscape where they are ripe to be taken advantage of. Yes they will have to learn eventually, but having a shark masked as a college - that's really next level for anyone, especially an 18-22 year old - that is just hard for me to get on board with in any way.
Paul was a defensive liability with slow feet. It's a credit to Pike's defensive scheme and overall coaching ability that hid Paul's flaws while showcasing his skills. Pike was the perfect coach for Paul.
Ironically, SHU is looking for a backup point guard. I wonder if Holloway would make an offer.
Ironically, SHU is looking for a backup point guard. I wonder if Holloway would make an offer.
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50 year old buyer - yes.....18 year old student athlete buyer trusting a college - totally different story. Not a fan of watching unknowing kids being taken advantage of - whether they can bounce a basketball or not.
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