Strickland Released by Minot

[Minor Leaguer]

It was interesting to see that Minot release John Strickland today. He must have worn out his welcome finally in Minot.

[heavesrock]

Wouldn't surprise to see him picked up elsewhere.

[Patroons1]

I would not be surprised either if someone picked him up. Last year, in Albany, the kids loved him and next to Moon, he was a fan favorite with my kids. What he lacked in quickness at times, he made up with his "globetrotter like" passes, cheerleading and good natured trash talking.

[kg21obf]

Are you serious , he is fat , slow , the worst free throw shooter on the planet, and spits on the floor durring games. I am sure there are lots of nice guys in the world. Who needs to see that guy, not me.

[preeths]

He has signed with Pittsburgh:
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3578310

[Chuck the Writer]

He has signed with Pittsburgh:
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3578310

If nothing else, he's PSBF"s problem now.

[kg21obf]

That should make for some good posts.
Hopefully they will promote his arrival. And Pitt will sell out Mellon arena

[psbf]

about it and I'm not quite sure what to think. I guess I'll reserve judgement until I see him play, but he will be on the roster beginning with the game on Friday in RGV. He can only make our team better, but I'm wondering if we will be giving anyone up in the process. I hope not. The press release said he has played with the N.Y. Knicks as part of his resume, which rings a bell.

[Patroons1]

Big John is a clown for sure and can be fun, he'll grow on you PSBF and guarantee, he'll bring a smile sooner or later..have not seen the spit on the floor trick and he if surely on the SLOW side. Has he gained more weight? He's been a career minor leaguer / European leaguer since 1995. He was invited to a Knicks training camp in 1996...that's about it. For Albany last year, he played in 23 games, averaged slightly over 13 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2 apg, had a 58% FG and KG21OBF is right on, he shot 49% from the line!

[heavesrock]

From what I've heard he has lost a fair bit of weight.

[psbf]

Thanks, Patroons1. I look forward to seeing him in action. Our coach was quoted as saying that we acquired him to get easier baskets. Hopefully, I'll be so busy watching him play that I won't notice the spitting.

[Chuck the Writer]

Thanks, Patroons1. I look forward to seeing him in action. Our coach was quoted as saying that we acquired him to get easier baskets. Hopefully, I'll be so busy watching him play that I won't notice the spitting.

Oh you'll notice the spitting and a lot more.

As he runs up and down the court, he blesses himself (father son and holy spirit).

He sometimes puts his hands up in front of his eyes like they were binoculars.

If he makes a hard basket in traffic, he'll run down the court staring at his hands.

I hope the Xplosion have enough fabric to make his shorts. They may have to stitch together about six or seven Terrible Towels to make up the length.

Oh he'll grow on you. He'll be the fan favorite as long as he's on your team. If he's on someone else's team and they're playing you, you're going to want to throw your popcorn at him.

[psbf]

you telling someone that when he went to Minot earlier this season. I'm still curious as to why they cut him. It will be interesting to see what kind of a reaction he gets here. The X will not be back here until Feb. 1st vs. Atlanta. Hopefully our streak will continue. But it's going to be a long 10 game trip.
LOL Terrible Towels

[DazedAndAmused]

This sounds like exactly the type of guy you want for minor league basketball.....a stand out character with the commensurate amount of talent, skill, and size for this level. The chatter about this guy alone makes me want to catch a game.

[FrontOffice]

Rumor has it a fist-fight with the coach and teammate lead to his release

[DazedAndAmused]

oh, then if true, i cancel my prior opinion.

[psbf]

believe rumors, until I hear it from the source or see it for myself.

[FrontOffice]

Ask anybody within the Minot Organization. The story goes that Strickland was justified in his actions (racial slur), but took those violent actions just as well

[kg21obf]

His .394 ft % Really comes in handy down the stretch. The only man alive whose weight and FT % are =. But PBSF will find the positive in that.
RAcial slur? What race?

[psbf]

it sounds like Michael Ray and look where he is.

[psbf]

Since the Patroons will be playing Great Falls tonight, it looks like they will need to led the Explorers Albany's away uniforms again.

[FrontOffice]

There will be people who know what happened better than me but I have heard a coach used a racial slur in Strickland's direction and a fight broke out.

[psbf]

Hopefully, he'll help the Xplosion and get along with everyone. If there is any disruption, the coach does not like what is going on, Strickland won't last long.

[one way]

Spoke to Fields and Holmes, (former Rockford players), here is what happened. Close game versus Grea Falls, Strickland wanted ball down the stretch, coach called another players number. Minot loses, tempers flare, words exchanged. Strickland had to be restained by players in locker room. Strickland later apologizied but was released. That is what I got from the players not the rumer mill

[psbf]

is he better learn about the Xplosion first, and prove he has changed(if he has).

[kg21obf]

He Needs To Study The Long Glorious Tradition Of The Xplosion. He Is Like 36 Yrs Old, I Am Sure He Will Change.

[psbf]

I mean that head coach Carlos Knox has the Xplosion gelling well right now and I hope Stricland can adopt to the system and get along with his new teammates. If not, we don't need him. I hope it does work out.

[Poptartguy]

I read Chuck the Writer's posting on big John's antics, and you could not have been more accurate on his behavior. In addition to the spitting, the sign of the cross (X100), and the magical hands he can't believe he owns, he has a habit of addressing fans, coaches, players, and referees during his lengthy trips up and down the floor.
I consider him an asset to the CBA because he brings an element of showmanship that you don't normally see. At the end of almost every Miner home game, I make my way to the visiting players dressing room so that I can congratulate each player as they leave our building. Big John has made three trips here so far, the last one with Pitt, and he is always jovial and good-natured at the end of the game. His comment is usually, "Was it entertaining for you?"
The best part about attending a game with him in it, is the fun you can have heckling him...good, family oriented, clean heckling. If you're loud enough and say just the right thing, he will even look over and smile at you...or mouth a comment that you can never quite make out.

[DakotaWizardsFan]

I love John. He entertained me so much when I went up to Minot for a game. And yeah, Chuck the Writer's posting is completely accurate. I especially loved the magical hands thing.

I'm hoping to go back up to Minot when they play the X (next week I think). It should be interesting to see how the Minot fans treat him now.