You forget that I too am an atheist and "faith" is not something i readily participate in. I'm much more existential, but with respect to Kierkegaard it is the fear component that I lack. At second glance, your conspiracy theories don't lend themselves to existentialism much if at all. I'm surprised because as someone that claims to be an atheist and references the great existentialists, you constantly need to partake legerdemain more befitting, well a Machiavellian. And don't take that as a compliment.
I don't have blind faith in Lavin, contrary to what you believe. I just think he needs some more time to put this team together. He's been to more sweet 16's as a head coach than most of the coaches currently in the tournament. It would seem that he knows what it takes to get there and win games. In the grand scheme, every walkon playing 3 minutes in a game doesn't have to become Rudy Part Deux, although it seems to me more of a nice gesture rather than chicanery.
Im not an existentialist, a system comprising the belief that because life is absurd philosophy should be also. Neither do I care about your personal relationship with the Yahweh or lack thereof: that Kierkegaard twaddle was a third metaphor and the rest monkeyshine. Either it sailed over your head or my skill at prestidigitation is better than you credit.
I know you think you're "objective." You're not. You could I suppose more the pollyanna but I dont see how. Frankly I find MBC Carmine's Phil Greene fetishism more realistic, at least he admits he's being irrational. You train your clinical eye on Lavin and see Pete Newell. They call me Doctor Fun but I can't cure that sort of myopia. Besides which its an honorarium anyway.
What I'm seeing through my shit colored glasses - which I readily admit to wearing - is not merely bad basketball but things much worse. Section 9 ably put forth the case for a loss of control, the fish rotting from the head coach down. There's no point rehashing it because you're oblivious to Lavin's myriad failings. The fact is that if not for Lavin's accumulated goodwill we'd already be a laughingstock. Again. Suspensions, fights, walk ons, tardiness and eye rolls. Its all part of the same parcel. My take is less a conspiracy than an integrated system of belief [sic]. Those who can't, teach; those who can't teach, coach. The best that can be hoped is that Lavin is not so addled that he mistakes his shortcomings for ingenuity. Notice I said hope. Faith is for suckers.