Patton keeps talking, promoting

Give credit to CU coach Ricardo Patton for continuing to talk when not much good is being said about him or his team but also realize that he brings much of the pain upon himself with his comments.

The latest emotional masturbation was his cry out -- again -- for a hug in a B.G. Brooks' article in the Rocky Mountain News.

"I think there is a great respect for what we've done here . . . outside the state, certainly outside of Boulder."

That might very well be true so I won't even begin to argue that point but even if accurate it is irrelevant except in the context of Patton landing his next job. If Patton focused more on relationship building with coaches and players as well as learning more about the game than being a P.T. Barnum-type promoter he likely wouldn't be in this mess.

What matters is how his employers feel about his work and for years they were satisfied. They aren't anymore. Of course, trying to embarrass your athletic director doesn't help nor does putting a sloppy, inconsistent product on the floor.

Now, more Patton from the Brooks' story, this time stroking himself over the support from legendary Bob Knight, using Knight to build himself up.

"He's said he would have no problem speaking with any athletic director or any university about hiring me. But I've gotten that not only from him but a number of coaches and athletic directors in the league."

That's good news because Patton will need a new job soon. So I guess this change works out well for everyone. Maybe Knight's not-for-the-public endorsement of the CU coach would mean more if not for Patton's public hero worship of Knight, as read on more than a few occasions in newspapers. Somehow, one thinks, that Patton equates his discipline and abrasive behavior to Knight. One difference -- Knight has won big, for years. Some in this life will you a pass for boorish behavior if you shine. Patton doesn't have those accomplishments and so he doesn't get that star treatment.

Patton's act, like many would say of mine, has grown tiresome. This divorce may not have been mutual in the beginning but it likely is now. Both parties need a fresh start. They can bad mouth one another for a while, heal, and move on to better things.