Taylor Jones to the portal

Try this, but you have to "join":  www.facebook.com/groups/44764709092

It's called "Oregon State Women's Basketball Hoop Scoop"

He's looking out for his daughter and believe me (and many of you, I'm  sure) I get that, but his "story" is simply inaccurate. For every poster who ripped on Taylor's decision there were easily more than a dozen who wished her well. And in fact, the well-wishers also responded to the naysayers by objecting to their comments and defending Taylor. Plus, there weren't that many naysayers in the first place - being disappointed does not qualify you as a naysayer. The truly negative comments were few and far between.

He's a dad, and dads will defend their daughters at the drop of a hat, but as the old journalism saying goes, "He didn't let the facts get in the way of his story."

I think if I were a player's father, I'd probably look at the board to see what is being said about my daughter and her friends as well. Don't think I could stop myself from that.

I think I'd have been doing it all along, not just when my daughter does something that is bound to have a negative impact with the fan base. Perhaps he has (and maybe still is). If so, he's seen a ton of support for his daughter these last 3 years. There's been some criticism of Taylor's game, but not of Taylor the person. And even most of the game criticism has been correct - she does get in foul trouble a lot, and she hasn't developed an outside shot.

Same is true for the others who have left. Nobody impugned their character; nobody said anything bad about them while they were here. When you leave without fulfilling (what I consider) your commitment, however, it is bound to trigger some negative reaction; absolutely impossible that it would not.

Taylor's father might be better served to focus on the 6,000 a night who cheered lustily at Gill for his daughter as recently as 2 years ago, and the number of games played on other courts where the announcers commented on all the orange in the stands. (I wish Taylor's father's daughter had focused on that as well.)

I guess I'm trying to look at it from the "dad" perspective. I mean, if a grown person is calling my daughter names - or if I even think they are - I'm going to swing first and then ask questions later (I don't necessarily mean physically, but in some cases, maybe I do!). And I know I'm not alone in that thinking.

Fathers look out for their daughters, period. And that's even if their emotion-fueled reactions are (at best) semi-rational. I get it. I've been there.

Vicki does a great job with her page, but I’m not sure that it’s a great idea to have families of coaches and players along with fans all talking hoops in the same spot. Great place to share and find information, but it can get iffy when it comes to things like transfers and games. Vicki does her best to keep it positive and closely moderated, bit things like Taylor’s father’s message and Savannah’s mother’s comments last season make it interesting.

Taylor’s father clearly doesn’t understand the difference between a message board and Vicki’s page.

The point is don’t go on message boards when that happens and think all the posts are going to be sunshine and rainbows. What could be his motivation for even looking at the board, except to find another reason to be pissed off. She abandoned her team. Move on. You’re trying to pull the “victim” mentality that is all too prevalent in today’s society.