http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/encounter/steve-lavin-2013-12/
This is a great line: "If Phil Jackson is the NBA’s Zen master, the 49-year-old Lavin is college hoops’ Zen televangelist, spouting platitudes in an antic, camera-friendly, gesticulating patter." Luvin' Lavs
Am I the only one who didn't take this observation as a positive? The writer just called our coach a vapid clown.
It could be viewed two ways, I chose the "I love coach's over the top, profound references and sayings." I can see where a slight zing was sent his way by the author. I don't care - coach is in an entertainment industry, and he'll entertain us even more when we're winning and the announcers start sending platitudes his way. btw - you interpreted the quote as calling him a vapid clown - I didn't see "vapid clown" in it.
That's not my interpretation, that's what the words mean. I'm not going to applaud an article where the writer not-so-subtly insults our coach.
Platitude - noun - a flat, dull, or trite remark, especially one uttered as if it were fresh or profound.
Antic - adj - ludicrous; funny; grotesque
Patter - noun -
1. meaningless, rapid talk; mere chatter; gabble.
2. the usually glib and rapid speech or talk used by a magician while performing, a barker at a circus or sideshow, a comedian or other entertainer, a vendor of questionable wares, or the like; stylized or rehearsed talk used to attract attention, entertain, etc.
3. amusing lines delivered rapidly by an entertainer or performer, as in a comic routine or in a song.