RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 8,835
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Post by RDF on Mar 29, 2005 0:32:02 GMT -5
Now that was GU Basketball as I remember and love!! Nothing like the aura and intimidation and for those not old enough to witness it, the buzz for a big game was unlike anything I've seen in CBB since Patrick graduated. There was hatred and bigotry tied into the usual dislike for an opposing team and the FEAR that the Hoyas brought to a game was one of the most fun things to be a part of--as if you supported GU, you were a part of the Era. I was the only kid to be a Hoya fan growing up in Midwest and being a skinny little white kid my friends and others always asked me "Why" I liked the Hoyas---My response was simple, "that's what I am about and want to be about". It was about being who you are, not apologizing for it, and NOT GIVING a you know what if people liked it or not. That's John Thompson and that's GU Basketball during the time of Hoya Paranoia!!
Seeing Patrick, Billy Martin, Michael Jackson, Reggie, Wingate, Broadnax, Ralph Dalton, etc.... reminded me of what a great group of warriors I was fortunate enough to witness and also the reason I am still a Hoya to this day--it's a thing nobody else can/will understand and quite frankly I love it's like that.
One disagreement with Big John though, the '84 team was better because of Michael Graham and Gene Smith. Those two kids were amazing and Freddy Brown's leadership were special qualities that were missed, although the '85 team was a great team, I'd take 84 team and take on ANYONE who's ever laced them up, period. Nobody messed with us and quite frankly not many wanted to even try! Graham was one of the toughest SOB's I've ever seen play and if he would have stayed in good graces, we'd be looking at an UNDEFEATED 85 team and Back to Back titles. No doubt in my mind.
HBO did one hell of a job recapturing what it was like to be a Hoya fan then and how awesome GU was. It showed both programs in great detail and what made the Big East and why all of us "old timers" LOVE the Hoyas and Big East Basketball. To me being a Hoya is about family and anyone who is a GU fan is part of my family just as it is with players who've come up through GU.
The sections of this program about GU should be required watching for anyone who's involved or wants to be involved with GU Basketball. Just so pumped after seeing this, I taped it and will watch it forever and what's funny is I didn't even know if I could get through 5 minutes. Great job by HBO and thank you for bringing back the memories--although the final result was painful, the footage and thoughts from former Hoyas summed up why I love GU and always will!
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Post by jerseyhoya34 on Mar 29, 2005 0:35:24 GMT -5
My favorite line of the night was JT2's, "The National Championship Banner will fly in McDonough Gym" or something along those lines. Goosebumps down my spine...
And mark my words... Our 1984 banner will have company in a few years.
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GUHoya07
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Post by GUHoya07 on Mar 29, 2005 1:05:19 GMT -5
Yeah, the HBO special was really cool, the first 30 minutes about Georgetown at least(and especially since I was just being born then so I dont remember any of it).
I was Editeded though when they didn't mention the score of the game this year when they celebrated the championship team and we spoiled their fun with the return of a Thompson.
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Post by Sweetness on Mar 29, 2005 1:38:45 GMT -5
beautifully said RDF, and couldn't agree more. every new Hoya should have to watch this show, and I hope the current ones did as well. you can't helped but get fired up watching how feared/respected we were.
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Mar 29, 2005 1:53:43 GMT -5
That's what I'm thinking too Jersey!!! And '07, thought the same thing when they showed footage of the "reunion". How can you do a special involving these two teams and not mention they played and score was same--in GU's favor this time with JT III in charge??
One thing that came across during the special that I miss in today's game is the physical nature and confrontations that added to the game's intensity and made for more fun viewing. Everyone hated GU, so when a brawl would break out, it was unreal how loud and intense the entire atmosphere became. It fueled Hoya comebacks and often served as the time GU would take their game up a level. As JT said "we didn't back down and were more than happy to reciprocate the punishment".
Made me think of III's comments on "We want to get the FEAR back in opponents when they see Georgetown" and that had me smiling ear to ear.
When you heard the opinions of Spike Lee, Daryl "DMC" McDaniels, Chuck D, and Nelson George on what they loved about Hoyas and then GU being talked about as Hip Hop's First Team that was on point. Aggression is one word I'd use but I prefer FEAR and INTIMIDATION. GU didn't try to play that down at all and I loved it---nothing like having everyone hate you! Best feeling as an athlete there is--Hoyas were like Barry Bonds times a Million in public/media's eyes,
Last but not least, when you saw those brawls and fights--more often than not, Refs would seperate teams, and nobody would get ejected and things would get back to basketball--something we'll never see again and that is what I miss most today--can you imagine JJ Redick playing againt Hoyas back then? Did you see what happened to Chris Mullin in those highlights---now imagine Dookie V's Boy going up against Patrick and Company?
For those who haven't seen it--and don't know much about what GU Hoops was like back in Patrick Ewing Era, this is a MUST WATCH program. It's why I will NEVER stop being a fan of GU and why Im very excited to have III in charge as he's got the idea of what Hoya Basketball is about and needs to be about.
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
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Post by MCIGuy on Mar 29, 2005 2:05:00 GMT -5
Yeah, the HBO special was really cool, the first 30 minutes about Georgetown at least(and especially since I was just being born then so I dont remember any of it). I was Editeded though when they didn't mention the score of the game this year when they celebrated the championship team and we spoiled their fun with the return of a Thompson. As you know from the other site that was my issue as well. If HBO was going to bring up the 20th Anniversary reunion played in January, how could it not mention its opponent that day (Gtown) the opposing coach (JT III) and the final score (66-64)? It was a nobrainer. Something like that would have been called to attention if it was another Red Sox-Yankees special.  |
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IceHoya
Century (over 100 posts)
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Post by IceHoya on Mar 29, 2005 8:10:36 GMT -5
Anybody know if this is going to find its way on to HBO On Demand?
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aggypryd
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by aggypryd on Mar 29, 2005 13:22:10 GMT -5
I had absolutely no plans on seeing this...
But if you guys say it was done well, then I'll check it out...
Hopefully it's already on ON DEMAND so I don't have to wait...
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aggypryd
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Post by aggypryd on Mar 29, 2005 13:34:01 GMT -5
I was the only kid to be a Hoya fan growing up in Midwest and being a skinny little white kid my friends and others always asked me "Why" I liked the Hoyas---My response was simple, "that's what I am about and want to be about". It was about being who you are, not apologizing for it, and NOT GIVING a you know what if people liked it or not. That's John Thompson and that's GU Basketball during the time of Hoya Paranoia!! That's funny... Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, I think my family and me were the only ones in the area cheering for them...(We're from D.C. and my mom was in one of the programs...) It seemed like everybody absolutely HATED the Hoyas where I lived...and it didn't matter what race you were...You were either a UNC or an N.C. State fan...Duke got no 'play'... |
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GUHoya07
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GUHoya07 on Mar 29, 2005 13:42:44 GMT -5
I had absolutely no plans on seeing this... But if you guys say it was done well, then I'll check it out... Hopefully it's already on ON DEMAND so I don't have to wait... It seemed like the first 30 minutes at least were solely on how great Georgetown was and how popular the Hoyas were. It's worth watching just for that even if you dont want to watch the last segment on the actual final game. |
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Post by HoyasSkins on Mar 29, 2005 13:44:43 GMT -5
I watched it last night and it was a well done piece. Like some others on this board I am too young too remember the actual game, but the documentary gave me a pretty good feel for the event. Watching the fear and respect that the program had is amazing.
I was also unhappy that there was no mention of the game this year, especially since they referred to the 20th year celebration. But I did enjoy seeing all of those old Georgetown jackets.
For those who are interested, I checked On Demand and could not find the program, but it will air again tomorrow at 1:15 am and 9:00pm on channel 307 and also at 6:00pm on channel 302. Plus, it will be on for the last time on HBO Thursday at 3:30pm.
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Post by Lockdownhoya on Mar 29, 2005 13:55:05 GMT -5
I missed the first 15 minutes but watched the last 45 minutes. I watched the end hoping to see Nova miss a shot. It was well done. It brought back so many memories and made me salivate for the old home Georgetown gray uniforms.
If you have Digital Cable it is on tonight on HBOE at 10:15.
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hoopsmccan
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Post by hoopsmccan on Mar 29, 2005 13:56:03 GMT -5
I was dreading the airing of this show, mainly because my older brother who got me into G-town basketball and cried the night Georgetown lost, subsequently attended Villanova and now holds the 1985 game over me.
I decided to just watch the beginning for the memories of a time that can never be duplicated, but ended up watching the whole thing and really enjoyed the whole hour.
One question - Villanova did shoot the lights out, but many of the shots that were shown were uncontested 15 footers. I remember the game, but was too young to really analyze what was going on. What was up with G-town's defense?
hm
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Mar 29, 2005 14:24:07 GMT -5
That's funny... Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, I think my family and me were the only ones in the area cheering for them...(We're from D.C. and my mom was in one of the programs...) It seemed like everybody absolutely HATED the Hoyas where I lived...and it didn't matter what race you were...You were either a UNC or an N.C. State fan...Duke got no 'play'... Aggy, I was the only person I knew that was a Hoya fan and rocking GTown Gear drew many taunts and racist comments about what type of person I was and you can imagine the names, slurs, etc.. I heard. What I find interesting and it still holds to this day is how people slip the word "THUG" in to replace the Magic word and what their true feelings are. Hell, Billy Packer audio from one of the games even mentions "This is type of play that shows why Georgetown is consider a bunch of THUGS". To this day I still have an autographed picture of Big John up in my home, along with a room which is a Hoya Shrine--articles, pics, etc.... and I'm sending in a request to get a pic of JT III autographed to put next to Big John. For those who haven't seen it yet, you'll love it. What makes it so well done is they focus on the programs and how they were part of CBB's highest point--and in many ways speak of how GU was responsible for blowing up CBB's popularity. Big East clips are great and you see just how things were--which is very difficult to describe and HBO hit a Homerun in recpaturing it. Watching this special made me feel as I was 10 years old ready for the game to start and I can remember everything in detail. That's what makes it so special in my opinion. It sums Hoya Basketball, Big East Basketball, and the animosity, hatred, and fear that accompanied any and every Hoya game. Just thankful this program was done so well so now I don't have to try to describe how it was to be a Hoya fan--people can see it. They assumed it was like how Duke gets treated today and I laughed and said not even close. Best description I could come up with is: Hoyas played with the intimidation/ferocity of a young Mike Tyson--that type of aura and rage on a basketball court. No BS--just coming to kick your butt for as long as it took and there is nothing you can do about it. They were hated by everyone who was NOT a Hoya fan. There wasn't anything in between it was either LOVE or HATE. Hoya Games were an EVENT--when GU rolled into town, places sold out and everyone went to see them and most often yell/scream/provoke hatred towards them. Made for electric atmosphere at arenas and you could feel it. Just hard to describe and it'll never be duplicated because society won't allow it. Hoyas didn't talk to other teams before games, didn't help people up, didn't care if you lost your teeth from an elbow, etc... you were there to play/battle and then when it's over, onto the next town to kick some more butt. For those who doubt this, just hearing how Villanova, Media Members--Billy Packer, Dick Stockton, Howard Eskin, Bill Raftery, and former Big East Commisioner Dave Gavitt described Hoyas, you see it was not a joke. I'll never forget crying after Hoyas lost to Villanova. Not because we lost--as even then I realized they played perfect--79% from Field and 90% in 2nd Half--but more because I knew with Patrick Ewing leaving, we'd seen the end of what I still say is the Best Era of CBB--not only was it exciting basketball, but it was beginning of what you see today in terms of popularity, exposure, etc... and nobody can/ever will re-invent or create that FEAR that PAtrick's Hoyas did. It can't be done. Teams are talented and players are, but nobody combined the element of being a great player with scaring/intimidating opposing players/teams like Patrick EWing. He played with a scowl, physical presence, and athletic ability that made him a Basketball "God"--he was referred to this by USA Today and show captures that too. For those who only saw him with Knicks or at end of his career, you see why he is viewed by many and undoubtedly by me as the GREATEST HOYA EVER and 2nd Place isn't even close. 4 years on Hilltop, 3 Championship Games, 1 National Title, 2 Title game losses by a combined 3 pts with loss on Michael Jordan's jumpshot, and a perfect night from Nova. 3 BET Crowns, Gold Medal in '84 and responsible for ESPN and CBB being what they are today, not to mention the Big East Conference being what it is today. |
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the_way
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
The Illest
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Post by the_way on Mar 29, 2005 14:26:27 GMT -5
Now that was GU Basketball as I remember and love!! Nothing like the aura and intimidation and for those not old enough to witness it, the buzz for a big game was unlike anything I've seen in CBB since Patrick graduated. There was hatred and bigotry tied into the usual dislike for an opposing team and the FEAR that the Hoyas brought to a game was one of the most fun things to be a part of--as if you supported GU, you were a part of the Era. I was the only kid to be a Hoya fan growing up in Midwest and being a skinny little white kid my friends and others always asked me "Why" I liked the Hoyas---My response was simple, "that's what I am about and want to be about". It was about being who you are, not apologizing for it, and NOT GIVING a you know what if people liked it or not. That's John Thompson and that's GU Basketball during the time of Hoya Paranoia!! Seeing Patrick, Billy Martin, Michael Jackson, Reggie, Wingate, Broadnax, Ralph Dalton, etc.... reminded me of what a great group of warriors I was fortunate enough to witness and also the reason I am still a Hoya to this day--it's a thing nobody else can/will understand and quite frankly I love it's like that. One disagreement with Big John though, the '84 team was better because of Michael Graham and Gene Smith. Those two kids were amazing and Freddy Brown's leadership were special qualities that were missed, although the '85 team was a great team, I'd take 84 team and take on ANYONE who's ever laced them up, period. Nobody messed with us and quite frankly not many wanted to even try! Graham was one of the toughest SOB's I've ever seen play and if he would have stayed in good graces, we'd be looking at an UNDEFEATED 85 team and Back to Back titles. No doubt in my mind. HBO did one hell of a job recapturing what it was like to be a Hoya fan then and how awesome GU was. It showed both programs in great detail and what made the Big East and why all of us "old timers" LOVE the Hoyas and Big East Basketball. To me being a Hoya is about family and anyone who is a GU fan is part of my family just as it is with players who've come up through GU. The sections of this program about GU should be required watching for anyone who's involved or wants to be involved with GU Basketball. Just so pumped after seeing this, I taped it and will watch it forever and what's funny is I didn't even know if I could get through 5 minutes. Great job by HBO and thank you for bringing back the memories--although the final result was painful, the footage and thoughts from former Hoyas summed up why I love GU and always will! Man, RDF I know exactly what you are talking about. Seeing old footage of Hoya Paranoia just sent chills up my spine. Wow!!! I was really young back then so I don't remember as much. My Uncle use to tell me opposing crowds would throw dog biscuits at Ewing and call him a monkey and stupid. They hated him and the Hoyas that much. Most of what I know is what I read and see in old footage. That is when Basketball was Basketball. Man those were some instense times. The 84 team was better than 85. The missing ingredient was Michael Graham in 85, especially. This dude was so menacing but also talented. Did you see that one clip of Michael Graham's scowl in last nights program. Man. That scowl would have made Mike Tyson pee in his pants. I read one of Phil Jackson's books, Scared Hoops, and he mentions coaching Michael Graham in the CBA one time, and how he was so talented but he just couldn't reach him. Man if he had stayed, not only would they have won in 85, but they would have won with Reggie and the Miracles as well in 1987. Hoya Parnoia is one of the main reasons I became a Hoya Fan. They were like the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders of college Basketball. The outlaws, that nobody liked, but at the same time couldn't defeat. Man, what an Era. |
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aggypryd
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Post by aggypryd on Mar 29, 2005 14:45:21 GMT -5
I missed the first 15 minutes but watched the last 45 minutes. I watched the end hoping to see Nova miss a shot. 10:15. LOL!!! Every time I watch the ’82 championship, I’m thinking, “This time, Fred is going to get the ball into Sleepy Floyd’s hands…” I watch the '89 regional up until we cut the lead to 3...and then I shut off the VCR... |
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AvantGuardHoya
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"It was when I found out I could make mistakes that I knew I was on to something."
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Post by AvantGuardHoya on Mar 29, 2005 14:56:15 GMT -5
For those who haven't seen it yet, you'll love it. What makes it so well done is they focus on the programs and how they were part of CBB's highest point--and in many ways speak of how GU was responsible for blowing up CBB's popularity. Big East clips are great and you see just how things were--which is very difficult to describe and HBO hit a Homerun in recapturing it. Watching this special made me feel as I was 10 years old ready for the game to start and I can remember everything in detail. That's what makes it so special in my opinion. It sums Hoya Basketball, Big East Basketball, and the animosity, hatred, and fear that accompanied any and every Hoya game. Now you've done it, RDF! I'd already decided I couldn't bear the pain of watching this special, despite my assumption that HBO would do its usual excellent job of producing a sports special. Your description convinces me I missed out last night and owe it to myself to watch the program ASAP. Fortunately I'll get about 20 different opportunities over the next month, as HBO rebroadcasts the show. Reading what you and others have written brings all the memories back. I was living in DC when Patrick arrived and spent EVERY opportunity I could at the Cap Centre enthusiastically rooting for da Hoyas. Then, when I moved to north Jersey, I kept my season tickets and traveled back for as many games as my schedule would allow, but also went to Hoya away games at MSG (the Sweater game!!), the Meadowlands and the Spectrum, among others. Man, did I have fun watching and rooting for that team!!! We lost some heartbreakers in NCAA championship games, but I'm still proud to say we were RIGHT THERE in all of 'em. If only wish we can come close to that level of accomplishment again. Go Hoyas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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GUHoya07
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Post by GUHoya07 on Mar 29, 2005 15:30:59 GMT -5
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nodak89
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Roy Roy Royyyyy!!!
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Post by nodak89 on Mar 29, 2005 15:58:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. I just watched it and loved it (except for the last 10 seconds). |
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Mar 29, 2005 16:34:52 GMT -5
Are all the Hoya fans wearing black armbands today, as it is the anniversary of MJ's shot against the Hoyas. Of course, it is a watermark also in the development of the Hoyas. I remember watching in awe when NC's first 5 shots (?) were blocked by Patrick (although they were goaltending, they sent the Tar Heels the message that we won't be messed with).
I have not seen the HBO special, but since we don't have cable will probably not. Anybody out there with a tape that they can duplicate and send it my way (I'll pay costs). We got our first VCR after the championship game (in time for the summer Olympics), so I don't have the glory game on tape. I do have the 85 championship game on tape, but have not ever felt I could bear to watch it again. I did see the championship team in person in 1984, when they visited UNLV. The atmosphere was electric, and UNLV to their credit stayed with the Hoyas, but we won in OT. The T&M was sold out and it was amazing to beat the Rebels before the hostile crowd.
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