Greivis Vasquez: At Least He's Not Eric Devendorf

If you are still pretty upset with Greivis Vasquez over his mouth-running and his inability to back it up against the Memphis Tigers, there’s one thing you can find some hope in. Whether he keeps his swag at College Park for one more year or takes his act to the NBA, the best part of Vasquez’ legacy is that it didn’t play out like that of Syracuse Orange clownboot extraordinaire Eric Devendorf.

Yeah, General Greivis likes to run his mouth a little and incite crowds. And yeah, he’s probably oblivious to broadcasters liberally using the word “emotional” as a racial code word for “hyped-up Venezuelan”  when he’s on the basketball court. But at least Vasquez isn’t smacking women around, kicking cars, and spending the brunt of his tournament experience trying to make amends for it all.

For the most part, Vasquez’ arrogance has stayed within the parameters of the hardwood. Unlike past Terrapin jackasses busts players like Chris McCray and Travis Garrison, Vasquez has more often than played up to his potential on the court, and by the rules off of it. His biggest transgression over three years, other than talking Maryland out of a close game with the Tigers, was telling his own fans to shut up.

Barely a blip on the national radar of collegiate athletes behaving badly.

But Devendorf, like Greivis Vasquez, is a basketball version of Mad Dog 20/20. The best of their emotion raises the stakes on their own games, and brings out the worst in opposing fans. But people just want Vasquez to be quiet by and large. Most opposing fans, as a result of his past legal problems, want Devendorf to fail. Miserably.

And in College Park, it’s a blessing that the star player draws attention for talking and not violent crimes.

I’m still pissed at the General, as are many folks who actually root for Maryland. But its a relief to know that his immaturity doesn’t bring pain to others, or immense shame to his own character.

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