2008 Woodie Awards
Blue Devils sound off on Vasquez, attitude
Andrew Zuckerman
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Sports
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At one point, an official pulled Vasquez aside before an in-bounds pass and told him to stop talking to the fans. The official then went over to coach Gary Williams and told him about Vasquez.
After the game, Duke's players sounded off on the topic of Vasquez.
"He's a real cocky player," DeMarcus Nelson said. "He plays to the crowd and does a lot of flamboyant things. If you could read my mind, I might be in trouble ... He might have gotten his points tonight, but his teammates didn't."
Nelson was also critical about Vasquez's trash talking.
"When you have somebody in your house and he thinks he owns it and talking trash to your fans? It's more about himself than his team," Nelson said. "That's something, I guess, they allow in their locker room."
Duke's Jon Scheyer said Vasquez pumped up the Blue Devils.
"He's an emotional guy," Scheyer said. "He's a hell of a player, so if that's what fires him up. … We have a lot of respect for him. He can play, but when somebody comes in here and starts talking, it does make you focus more."
Williams was asked after the game about Vasquez, but he brushed off the jawing with the fans.
"I'm sure he did [get into it with the fans], but he's really a good player," Williams said. "I'm glad he's on our team. Every once in a while, the fans get on him, but he responds. If you grew up where he grew up, you might do the same thing. That's part of the culture, and he's trying to really work on his game in here, and he's done a great job for us."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Ashley
posted 2/14/08 @ 11:55 AM EST
Andrew - I think you need to rewatch the videos of the post game comments. You have completely mis-quoted and changed the context of the comments made by the Duke players, especially Nelson. (Continued…)
Mark Schnebly
posted 2/14/08 @ 2:52 PM EST
Greivis Vazquez plays with a lot of heart and guts and that's why I love having him on our team. What's so wrong with having a little fun out there? After a loss, it is very easy to point the finger and say that he is being selfish. (Continued…)
macky
posted 2/14/08 @ 8:38 PM EST
Vazquez can talk all he wants. Trash-talking often works both ways. The end result: Terps lose again.
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