opinions are like assholes...

there are many things that are wonderful about the internet and there are some that are not. one of the downsides of the internet is that it allows people the opportunity to say pretty much whatever they feel like anonymously. some of it can be very hurtful and not accidentally hurtful but hurtful by intent.

i frequently talk about my lady vol basketball team. the lady vol nation, the fan base is an interesting animal. we the fans have our favourite players and many fans feel better qualified to coach the team than the four people who are being paid by the university of tennessee. the lady vol nation loves their lady vols to death  and yet they can viciously tear into these young women.

as a sport fan you have to be able to recognize that on any given sunday a team that shouldn't be beat can be beat. a player that usually hits shots can suddenly have trouble hitting the broad side of a barn. when the wheels fall of the proverbial bus the lady vol nation is almost collectively suicidal. the critique of players, their game, the coaches and coaching decisions can often be brutal. but you know what is most unusual? when the team still manages to secure the win and the critique is no less brutal.

we have a message board that we post on. what i think many people forget is that not only do the fans have access to the message board but so too do the friends and families of the players. two weeks ago a poster appeared on the message board. from the language in her posts two things were quite clear; one was that she was quite young and desperately trying not to sound young and two that she was quite close to meighan simmons the lady vol shooting guard.

for reasons that i have never been able to understand meighan, who is and always has been one of our more consistant players has been decimated on the boards. she is unfairly accused of being a ball hog and when she isn't having a good shooting night they tear her apart for not having a shot. there are many of us on the board who defend the player who, on many nights, is one of the only things keeping our team in the game. but as it often happens the squeaky wheel makes the most noise and sadly that seems to be the voice heard the loudest.

during the post game interview after meighan had been named player of the game for the sixth time this season, she said that she wanted to prove that she was a team player. she said that not once by twice. so clearly the message, as undeserved as it was, had made it's way to the player's ears.

this supposed ball hog is third on the team for assists sitting behind the two players who's primary role is point guard. for those unfamiliar with the game of basketball the point guard is the floor general who is most often responsible for dishing the ball off to those in position to score. it is usually the point guards with the highest number of assists.

meighan if fast, she it talented and she is a very passionate player. she is a freaking joy to watch. i mean she literally disappears she moves so fast with the ball. i am thrilled that she plays for my favourite team. i just wish people would remember if you can't say anything nice, shut your festering gob.

in case there is any doubt meighan simmons is my favourite player.

go meighan simmons, go lady vols!!!