Where to begin,…
In situations such as these, there are so many angles you can choose to take. The easiest trap to fall into would be to become emotional over what is, and always will be, a business. Please do not misunderstand the context of ‘emotion’ here.
The decision made by the Crocodiles to sever our professional relationship was a difficult one to hear. I will be honest,…I had every intention of playing my final year with the Crocodiles and moving on to the next chapter of my life after that.
The time my family and I have spent in Townsville will never be looked back upon as anything less than time building a home in a community that we grew to love. We loved the lifestyle and, more than anything, we met people that we will consider life-long friends. Thank you,…we will be in contact with you soon.
So, where to from here? What can I say except onward and upward? I will test the market to see if there is any interest in letting a heady veteran be part of making one last push for a title. If that is not meant to be, we set our best Plan B into motion.
Once again, thank you Townsville supporters. You have treated me and my family better than we could have ever hoped or expected and any expression of gratitude would not do justice to the gratitude we feel in our hearts.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thank You Townsville
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44 comments:
I'll be supporting you in whatever you and your family do.
The Crocs have lost one of their best ever!!!
Not just their best player but their best human being!
bloody suxs jr,hope u can find a new team and kill the crocs ryan711
I hope you find a team, and I also hope you aren't lost to the game entirely.
Wow
can drop 10 triples in a semi but cant get a new contract... Thats messed up!
I wish we had a bloody team here in Sydney that you could come and play for. It's difficult to love a league that seem insistent on throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Good luck in whatever path you take.
that shits rough JR, even though my obligatory hate for anything tville wants to prevail... hope you find that path that is right for you.
That's it JR, you gone and so are my season tickets.
The Crocs can stick their tickets where the sun don't shine
Good luck JR & family
Congatulations on making the Crocodiles a more respected franchise than ever before. Your work-ethic is something I aspire to.
Hope to see you around.
Josh Jenkins
how about a job in the media JR?
JR,
I reckon you are just getting warmed up, but, one more go around before it is all said and done.
Come back to West Sydney we'll have you!
In all seriousness, hope you find another team, the 45 you dropped on the Hawks for the 'Backs in the march to the grand final is still one of my all-time fave NBL memories.
In shock ...
Sorry to hear that JR, the crocs aren't going to be the same without you. Not just on the court but off the court i've loved hearing your in sites about a team i'm a passionate supporter of. Townsville was lucky to have you around mate. Best of luck.
A crying shame that Townsville would make such a poor decision, JR. If only there was a team in Sydney this season, the Shire would welcome you back with open arms!!
I have no doubt that a team will want your on-court skills, leadership, and off-court demeanour next season and it'll all come back to you picking what is the best situation for you and the family. We're all behind you whichever direction you go mate.
This news is much disapointment to me and my family.
JR u gave me many highlifes while playing for the Razorback in the NBL. Some of the balls you hit in the Razorbacks colours left me in amazment and filled me with pride to call myself a fan of the best league in the worlds , nbl.
I wish your family & u the best in whatever erection u see fit.
Ralph Schnitzel
Germany
Let's be frank, you never got by relying on athleticism (or playing defence, for that matter!)- it was all shooting and guile; you'd think those are the least likely things to deteriorate and there'd be no issues in you still doing the rounds.
I was very sorry to hear it John, I hope you land on your feet and everything works out well.
Its official i will be giving my season tickets back. no way am i going to watch mick cedar line up as the starting shooting gaurd. never will be a star in this league let alone in the hunt for a boomers spot. JR if u get a contract with a team make sure u let us kno so i can make sure i am there wen u play in the ville again and watch u lite sh*t up. and teach them crocs or Carmichael a thing or two.
I heard this news this morning and I was shocked. It's an outrage that they would let you go JR, what the hell is wrong with the 'boys upstairs'? I always loved watching you play and on the occassions I spoke to you I found you to be a top bloke, a gentleman and an excellent role model for kids. Shame on the Crocs management. You will be missed JR.
Shit news JR, I was as shocked as everyone else when I heard it. Whatever it is that lies ahead for you and family I hope that it works out for the best.
If the playing days are in fact over, Fox need to sign you up immediately to commentary team. 3+ games a week plus JR; I'd sign up for that.
Would love to see you on the Fox commentary team JR!! Well done on an outstanding career with the Crocs. And you bowed out with grace, even better..
My fave player of all time.
Do a Matty Campbell and get the razorbacks going again - I bet u could
I'd even tolerate seeing you in a Kings uniform if it meant one more go around. Good luck wherever you land. Hopefully we will get to see you splash a few from deep one more time.
Pick and Pop role at the Tigers. Just put JR on the same side of the floor as Anstey down low. Entry pass to Anstey, double down, kick out, splash. Makes Anstey a much harder to double. Tell me JR could not throw in 12-15 a week on the Tigers squad.
I've spoken to alot of friends this morning and they are definitely not going to be renewing their season tickets this season. Sponsors are already talking about pulling out, Money must be tight for the Crocs this year they will struggle with no sales manager too he is rumoured to have been shopping himself around town for a job even approaching cowboys & fury. It's a small town and this organisations free ride is finally about to end, fellow fans stand up for loyalty and make a statement this year, we will not support a team that throws people who have done so many good things for this club to the curb.
Mark Bragg
Clarence Tyson
Brad Davidson
Peter Crawford
Iam Stacker
Rob Rose
now JR...
The Crocs expect loyalty from their fans!
People, calm down, The Crocs need to move forward and bring youth into the fray. JR knows this as well as anyone. If you guys give back your season tickets JR won't have anywhere to play because teams will go broke again...
Support your local team
The clubs and the League in general just don't get it. Characters and people you can relate to is what is needed. Homicide, Heal, JR and the like is what is needed. Remember Ray Gordon! We loved to hate that bloke. The patients are running the asylum!!!
I don't understand the youth argument - are the crocs trying to win a ring or re-build?
NEW Episode of the T.O is up -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ROLIYdP9Vs
It explains all this in there.
droppin 10 triples in a semi was a fluke, we all new it.
NBL BIGG BROTHER SAYS:
Its time to go,............ JR!.
The Crocs might be looking to give their younger guys a chance to develop, which is fine, but you can't tell me there was no place for JR on the bench?!? Would be a great mentor to the younger guys considering all he has done in the league.
Also not re-signing Daniel Egan is a big mistake... no-one in the league gives more heart and hustle or does the little 1%ers better than Egan.
Not just great guys on the court but off it as well. Always had the time to say G'day and have a quick chat to people in the community.
I wish the both of you all the best for the future and whatever it may hold.
Thanks for the memories :-)
Hmmm I'd send PC (who is my favourite Wildcat) back to the 'ville and recruit JR to mentor Weigh and Goulding anyday. Hopefully Bevo and Marvin see this the same way.
The 'cats have struggled to find a 3pt shooter for years and now one of the best is on the market...
C'mon Wildcats don't miss this chance. 4500 ferals witnessed this man light up for 10 3's against the most intimidating crowd in the country and the none too shabby defence of PC, those same fans would be salivating at the prospect of having that same player in the same squad as Redhage, Loughton and Weigh.
All the best JR
more comments here:
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/05/28/56001_hpphoto.html
TRY HERE
JR UR A LEGAND!
Side note tho - Michael from PERTH!
I wouldnt prepare to see goulding in perth again! look at him as a BLAZE member with Joey wright and Adam gibson! hot tip! haha
I hope JR finds a home for the 09/10 season then an assistant coaching role or media job...
Crappy news JR...any idea on Plan B at the moment if playing isn't an option?
Do the Zags need an assistant coach?
Can't see ya out of basketball doing anything else. I reckon you'll still be involved in some way, either here in Oz or somewhere else.
Keep us all up to date with what's happening, things have a way of working themselves out, don't sweat it.
I am still in shock, i enjoyed every minute in watching your game, i have no doubt that you will back at it somewhere somehow, that's just you. i still have your friendship and that is enough. all the best to you and the family.
JR I hope you are as angry as I am with all these so called 'Crocs fans' who have no idea what professional sport is all about. Sure I can understand their hurt, its the same hurt that turned to anger when Rob Rose was given time to continue at the Crocs! I dont want you to be that guy. I have no doubt you can continue to chalk up good numbers in the league in a vetran role. But the time for change in the NBL is now and its time for you to move on to the next chapter of your life. As it is the Crocs. I wish you well and thanks for the memories...
Why would JR be angry with fans who show support?
He has already showed grace in the way he has handled himself in a terrible situation. I think you may be asking a little too much for him to be 'angry' with fans who hold no power over a club other than the choice of whether or not to buy tickets and support them. The board or coach or whoever made a choice and now they have to wait and see if it works or not.
Don't ask JR to help give them their fans back too. I think for many of us this was just the last straw in a long line of mistreatment from the front office and disappointment in decisions made by the board. All the best, JR. You owe none of us anything. It has been a pleasure.
John,
Mate my name is Rod Hohn. I am sure you remember me.You coached me in Under 14's at Eagles Basketball 1988 in Toowoomba. I call Townsville home now after moving here from Toowoomba. You were the draw card for both my partner and I to get Crocs Season Tickets since you signed. It is shame that you wont be suiting up for the Club next season however our support for the Crocs will not waiver. You are the role model that other sports should look to model themselves on.I think you have alot to offer the game be it playing or maybe a role at BA or within the Crocs organisation. I just want to say, I wish you and family the best into the future and your life within Basketball.
Cheers
Rod Hohn
Hey John,
Great career man. You were awesome except for that DNP in Adelaide. What was Phil smoking that night? Him and Reesy shared a blunt for sure that night.
I hate to add to your pain but I just wanted to show you the advertisement I found in the Bulletin today.
'Needed. 1 co-host for very successful podcast. No experience necessary. Prefer current NBL player. Ex-NBLers need not apply.'
I don't wanna start stuff between you and DJ Rod but it kinda sounds like he may be updating HIS roster.
Anyways, good luck man. Rock on. Go ZAGS!!!
10 threes in a playoff game in Perth of all places obviously doesn't count for much. What a disgraceful decision by the Townsville management team. I am sure that there are 7 other teams that could utilise your skills both on and off the court.
We would love to have you in Adelaide with the 36ers to fill the void left by Brett Maher. Boti Nagy could even throw a book deal into the mix.
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