John "the Squid" Calipari is about to be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. It is hard to believe that he will reach that accomplishment before Bill Self. I guess Nike has more influence than Adidas in Springfield, MO.
Not every fan base in this country agrees with Calipari's induction. In particular, the fans at Memphis State University pulled the white linen from under Calipari's formal dinner plans by cancelling their event to honor him. I guess to be crystal clear, the fans grabbed the table cloth end points and it was MSU President Dr. M David Rudd that did all the pulling.
This is not a prank, like the prank pulled by our low excuse for a rival, the Purple Kitties of Manhattan. This is a message sent from one of the biggest basketball die-hard communities in America. Message to all: Don't F%&# With Memphis! It is unlikely Calipari will personally visit Memphis to recruit a player or to go for a friendly visit to "old friends"... at least, he won't go without taking a team of armed bodyguards. You can bet there will always be a "welcoming committee" awaiting Calipari's arrival in Memphis... equipped with pitchforks and insta-lite flaming crosses and stakes,
Calipari was reached for a comment on Memphis and their reaction and he manufactured the following:
"The university gave me a chance to revive my career and together we built something special that continues today," Calipari told the Memphis Commercial Appeal's Jason Smith. "(My wife) Ellen and I enjoy the friendship of many and our family considers Memphis a special place with many fond memories."
Yes, the university gave him his SECOND chance to revive his career, and look what he left them? Yes.... "something special that continues today." Something so special that the fans are not prepared to thank him.
I wonder what kind of festivities are planned at UMASS?
This can only happen to John Calipari. Not everyone is ready to fold up their values (like a tablecloth linen) for the likes of a John Calipari. I have renewed my respect for the City of Memphis. It takes guts to stand apart from the tapioca PC mentality of the general public and make this statement. And MSU President Dr. M David Rudd did the right thing by refusing to throw out his fan base with the dirty dishes. What do you know, there is something special that continue today in Memphis, and it doesn't involve honoring John Calipari!
John Calipari Won't Be Honored by Memphis for Hall of Fame Induction ↗
Memphis apologizes to fans over plans to honor John Calipari ↗
