Reader Questions: Boynton Contract, 4-2-5 Defense and Best NBA Player in OSU History

You guys were insightful with this week’s reader questions. Thanks for sending them, keep sending them and let’s get right to work. #LetsWork

You asked for more reader Qs so I’m bringing a thought for you! I’m traveling in Oxford, MS right now and have absolutely nothing to do. Anyway, in my opinion, when OSU has gone 4 down, they’ve basically been in a 4-2-5 already. Personnel wise for sure. Whitener and Phillips as the two backers, and KEM and Bundage as the 5th DB. KEM is a DB, and just went down closer to the box.

He would play safety in 4-2-5 across sets. Bundage did the same toward the end of the season. If one corner was out, Ramon would drop to one side, and Bundage would drop back to a safety role. Not sure I agree with that, but it got me pumped. Like I said, I’m traveling, so I can’t really watch any film to tell you which games Bundage dropped back. I just remember being excited about it. Keep doing your thing on the podcast man! Excited for y’all!  -Kevin P. (not my brother!)

I’m going to turn this one over to Adam Lunt …

I think he is right with the personnel, both those guys (KEM/Bundage) have played center fielder before. That star role from a skill set perspective probably won’t be a lot different that the striker/robber role. I think the start contrast is the style of play. The aggressive nature on the outside with the corners, and where the striker aligns will be the difference.

Does Tony Allen have the best pro career of an okstate alum? -Eric H.

At first I thought this question might be a revelation, but after giving it some thought, I don’t think Tony Allen has had the best pro career of an Oklahoma State alum. Unless Eric meant just hoops, in which case it’s at least a debate. Depending on how you feel about John Starks’ lengthy Oklahoma State career. Aside from Michael Jordan ending his life that one night in MSG, Starks had unequivocally the best NBA career of any Cowboy alum.

Allen might be second, though, depending on how you feel about defense in professional basketball. Desmond Mason scored more than Allen did, but Allen has contributed more win shares to all 13 teams he’s played for than Mason did. Still, I’m not sure it’s a great thing that we keep saying “hey, Oklahoma State is a basketball school” when (arguably) your second-best pro (ever!) is Tony Allen.

I’ve been pondering this question for a couple weeks and I’m curious your opinion on it. How long does Mike Boynton stay at OSU?

Now I know this is crazy to discuss, but let’s just assume he continues down the road he’s had so far – which I would say is he’s exceeding expectations. Theoretically if a team came and offered this March 2x or 3x what he’s making at OSU, do you think he leaves? Or do you think he’s loyal to OSU? (Let’s ignore the part where Holder should match that offer instantly).

Now let’s say in 5 years he’s made 3-4 tournaments, makes a tourney run, and has been a good recruiter and he becomes the hot coach everyone wants. Does he go to another school that’s not a blue blood? Does he only leave for a blue blood? Do you think he would only leave for South Carolina?

I’m curious what you think his loyalty to OSU is. Does the fact that OSU was who gave him his first job make him more loyal to us than normal? Do you think he’s here for 30 years? Or do you think – assuming he continues to succeed – that he’s here 5 years before moving on to another college? Clearly the Underwood fiasco last year has me thinking crazy things. -James E.

The Boynton hyperbole over the last week has been ludicrous, and I’m of course here for all of it. The Oklahoma State problem is, clearly, that they don’t want to pay top dollar for a college basketball coach. Or they have been unwilling to for the past few years in the wake of the Travis Ford mess (in their defense, I’d have a hard time paying John Wooden in the wake of the Travis Ford mess).

As I noted here, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State are currently embarrassingly below the average salary for a Big 12 coach, which means Boynton (who has no ties to the school) is about to be swimming in leverage. A serious thing that could happen: Boynton could take a bad Big 12 roster and finish in the top half of the best league in the country while making a third or half of what the last-place coach makes.

Who knows what’s going to happen in the future, but I do know that fans who are saying inane things like “let’s underpay him to see how loyal he is!” (not what James was saying, by the way, but those people are out there) are bonkers. I’m not saying you have to give him the Travis Ford Memorial Vault at BankOK, but there should at least be a little attention given to the situation. For the record (and posterity), I think this happens and that Boynton has a nice run in Stillwater for several years.

I just called the ticket office and donated a block of tickets for Wednesday’s game in hopes of getting a good crowd there (I live out of state and can’t be there). I thought you might post something on PFB to get a grass roots effort to recruit others to do the same. The tickets are distributed through Orange and Black Gives Back — 25 or more tickets qualify for the group rate of $10 per ticket (five dollars off regular gen admission rate) -Keith J.

No question here, but I thought this was awesome. And if you’re looking for some last minute tickets for tonight, there you go. Thanks for reading and giving back, Keith. And thanks to everyone for supporting PFB.