BuzzerBeater Forums

I was the last to walk into the locker room after the game. Everyone was quiet, and I could tell the players were distraught. We had fought hard, but in the end had come up short, no one had anything to be ashamed of.

Jairo walked up to me crying, carrying a tank of Gatorade that he was going to dump on me. He still doesn’t get it, but I let him do it anyway and then wished him well. Lundy was in the corner muttering something unintelligible to himself so I left him alone. Joe Bronson walked up to me slowly with an icy stare, then offered me a handshake so devastating that he broke 2 of my fingers. Ismael Grubbs was sitting quietly, still wearing his retro USA jersey and designer sunglasses, I thanked him for his many seasons of service.

After talking briefly with all of the players, I exited the locker-room and headed off to speak to the media. I stepped in front of the microphones and read my prepared statement.

“It is with great regret that I inform you that this was my final game as United States National Team manager.

Rather than face suspension from the BBs and bring further shame to myself or this team, I have decided to step down. I refuse to admit that I ever bet on BB! …Ok I bet on BB. I want everyone to know that although I bet on the games, I never bet against my country. Why did I do it? Because I believed in us…and the money was good too. And so I am now exiled from NT basketball.

I also want everyone to know that my book, ‘My Prison Without Bars, Walls, Guards, Fences, or Other Inmates’ is in bookstores now, $19.95 plus tax. Freedom isn’t free.

In my term as manager, we achieved several important goals. We fought our way back to the Worlds Semifinal for the first time in several seasons, and scored notable wins vs. high ranked countries. More importantly though, we built the community, and we built the team. When wozz asked me to run for NT manager, my concern was that we would lose the momentum we had under his tenure. In my humble opinion, we have created the conditions necessary for consistent long-term success, by expanding our staff, scouting, and community. We also have shored up weaknesses on the roster, and identified players who can fill future needs.

In the end I failed to reach our most important goal. I failed to lead this team to an Americas or Worlds Championship. That is the standard we hold ourselves to, and every decision we make must be with that ultimate goal in mind.

I have a lot of people to thank. First and most importantly, I received a ton of support from my predecessor, wozzvt, who provided me the knowledge and opportunity to do this job. I took a lot of what I learned from wozz and incorporated it into my method. I also took on a roster that wozz had a big role in creating. This semifinal trophy is as much his as it is mine. Edju and wozz built this team, and I am proud that I was able to continue that tradition.

Rambo was my assistant coach in Season 15, and was instrumental in leading us to the America’s Final. I am very happy to see him get the opportunity to represent us as U21 manager, and I have a good feeling we will do some damage with him leading the way.

SpF was my PR-Director for both Season 15 & 16. I asked him to do a few things to build community interest, and he went above and beyond the call of duty. SpF put a lot of his personal time into the NT, and I hope he will continue to do so. SpF is arguably the best thing ever to happen to the USA NT program in my opinion.

Namssor was my assistant coach this season. He did a great job analyzing some of the best teams in the world, which gave us a fighting chance. He served as NT coach for New Zealand for several seasons before I recruited him, his experience and knowledge will serve us well in the future.

continued...


Last edited by jfarb at 7/18/2011 2:38:36 PM

Coco basically served as my mentor for several seasons, I learned a lot from his method during his tenure as U21 manager. Jelme and I worked together very well in Season 15, his last season as U21 manager, and he continued to offer good advice this season. Brian, Coco, and Jelme deserve a lot of credit for helping build the NT program as well.

Oriolekid, SherlockH, jfriske, korey, panic, mfork, rcosta, cws, Champ, coachperp, smallfrie, OSU, darkjester and Bfiddy all were a part of our staff during my term. I can’t thank these guys enough for their hard work. There are so many more to thank. The managers of some of our players, wharvey, FatCurry, czobo, Harper, SM, Calum, Charles, and many more who have and are currently training NT/U21 prospects. Peluin, Azariah, magiker, boss, Stauder, gologol, moflaffle, Jflores, Wanted Outlaws, Wahoowa, coolbob, Sleet, zeke, etc etc and the list goes on.

I‘ve had some crazy adventures with all of these people in both Canada and Poland, some memories I’ll never forget, others I’ll never remember, but now I am going to head home. I‘m not going away, I will continue to work to improve the National Team roster for the next several seasons and contribute in any way I am needed. I will not rest until the US brings home the Worlds Championship.

Thank you everyone for your support.”

I walked away from the media table without answering any further questions and headed back to the arena carrying our semifinal trophy. On the court I was surprised to see that namssor was running drills with Joe Bronson, Paul Owens and NT prospect Lorenzo Bland. Bland flew in from the US to experience practicing with the team.

I sat in the lower deck, resisting the temptation to run onto the court to yell at Bronson. As I watched them practice, I thought about the future of the US National Team, and finally I pulled out my phone, and placed a bet on the United States.

SpF was my PR-Director for both Season 15 & 16. I asked him to do a few things to build community interest, and he went above and beyond the call of duty. SpF put a lot of his personal time into the NT, and I hope he will continue to do so. SpF is arguably the best thing ever to happen to the USA NT program in my opinion.

I would tend to agree.

Congratulation on the season. I've enjoying watching the NT pull out some wonderful victories. I hope to see our stars back in the swing of things next season as well. Thanks for all the managers involved with the NT and 21U NT it was really exciting to watch and follow our success. Best of luck to whoever takes the reins next, and know that you will always have a fan base that is excited about our NTs.

Last edited by DrChristopher at 7/19/2011 2:29:42 PM

Awesome term jfarb, I'm really happy with the growth the NT and community have seen lately. Too bad you don't have the time/inclination to run again, I wonder who will rise to pick up the mantle

I wonder who will rise to pick up the mantle

Holds Hand up :-)

Thanks Peluin, it was fun

you did a great job Jfarb. Sad we wont get to see another tenure but you did a lot for the NT and like you said we are really on our way to something great.

Sad we wont get to see another tenure but you did a lot for the NT and like you said we are really on our way to something great.

Yes sir things are looking up! We are getting better

Sad we wont get to see another tenure but you did a lot for the NT and like you said we are really on our way to something great.

Yes sir things are looking up! We are getting better

Yes, and I am sure whoever takes the reigns is glad to know that most, including you from this current team that did such a great job will be back to help and continue what you have going! Great job Joel!!