From time to time I open up the mail bag and let you read the letters and responses I receive. I like to do it because it let’s you see the wide variety of people who listen. I find it fascinating that I can have one opinion and yet get so many responses. The same opinion will make some think I’m the only “sayer” or truth while others think I’m a menace to society.

I am constantly amazed at Doug’s basketball coaching expertise. He must have read many books on basketball coaching or perhaps he went to many NCAA championships and sat in on the clinics. Here is a man ready to offer sound—with the emphasis on sound—advice to professional and college coaches. Perhaps I could arrange for him to run a basketball clinic, open to all coaches, on all levels. He should share his expertise, not just save it for talk shows. I coached basketball on the high school level for 25 years and do not have this man’s courage and conviction relative to basketball. If he is not ready to go national and share his vast knowledge then I guess I’ll have to forget the whole thing and just listen to a real athlete, Wolf.

Ramon

If you disagree with me on something I’ve said, let’s talk about it. If not, you’re sitting back insulting me from the sideline without having any knowledge of how I prepare to do my job, but you would never do that because that’s what talk show hosts do. Right?

Hi Doug,

Your not a gonad. Second, I sent Wolf a long email explaining to him that basically you are right and he is on crack with his opinions of Coach D’Antoni.

Ed

Please do me a favor. Will you copy Ramon on your e-mail? Thanks

Hey Doug,

I’d like to start by saying I do love D’Antoni and his system but I also believe his hardhead has stole us of a ring. With his short rotation we are NEVER prepared for a mishap in the playoffs. Year 1 Joe Johnson breaks his eye socket and we have nobody ready to step in. Year 2 Amare is out and Bell tears his calf muscle in the WCF and nobody is ready to step in. Year 3 the suspensions and he plays a 6 man rotation in game 5 and lose a huge lead due to fatigue and end up losing the game and series. This year no Grant Hill and nobody ready to step in. We never have anyone ready for the days some are having bad games either. We’ve never had a backup pg. Some of that is on Sarver but most goes on the coach not working and developing what he has available.

Also, why can’t management make concessions to a coach without the coach getting butt hurt? It happens in everyday jobs all the time.

Thoughts?

Thx…Bobby

You don’t need my thoughts. You’ve said everything I’ve been saying since January.

The interview with Chris Snyder last week was one of the best interviews (and you guys have had plenty) I’ve heard in the year and a half I’ve been listening to Doug and Wolf. The three of you made me completely forget my 45 minute commute to work, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Eric

Chris is just as real in the clubhouse. There’s nothing fake about him. I hope when we have D-Backs on the show you’re able to hear just how great these guys are.

Doug,

I was listing to your show this morning (5/14/08) and the topic was the crowd booing Eric Byrnes. I know it is your job to discuss these topics and I feel that you sometimes take a stance just to disagree with Wolf. I find the fact that you feel you can boo a player’s performance repulsive. I used to take pride in the fact that when people talked about the phoenix fans they could only say good things, but we have become New York. DEF: (New York a bunch of cry babies just like Gambo).

Jax

I have no problem with you disagreeing with me but I must address one point you made.

When you say, “I feel that you sometimes take a stance just to disagree with Wolf,” you’re really saying, “I feel you’re a dishonest man.”

Although I can’t thank you enough for listening, I think one man calling another man a liar is far and away more repulsive than booing a professional athlete. I would never argue a point I don’t believe in for the sake of my job. There are plenty of times Wolf and I agree on something we just don’t highlight those moments.

Byrnes accepted the fact that booing could occur during his career once he signed the contract. He had every right to become a history teacher, but he chose to pursue a career in professional sports where athletes get booed.

Hey Doug,

I love listening to you in the morning on my way to work. Being relatively new to the valley, you bring less of a “homer” perspective to the table, and seem to be more comfortable than most criticizing local teams when it is warranted. You and Wolf have great chemistry. Thanks for making the drive to work more bearable, keep up the good work!

Rick

I know you’ve got a life so thanks for taking a minute and writing this.

I’m a different kind of homer. I love the D-Backs and Suns and that’s why I rip them. I want them to do well and I won’t let them get away with any crap—like running the bases with your head in your anus.

I appreciate the fact you understand if I rip D’Antoni, it doesn’t mean I think I can out-coach him. Ramon doesn’t seem to grasp that fact.