Self wants Taylor to handle Twitter criticism differently

By BLAIR KERKHOFF

The Kansas City Star

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NORMAN, Okla. | Tyshawn Taylor engaged in a Twitter snit with fans on Friday night.

Nothing profane, not enough for Jayhawks coach Bill Self to impose a social media ban for his players. But he wants his point guard to rise above the criticism.

And Taylor, after No. 14 Kansas’ 72-61 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday, said he’ll stop responding on Twitter to fans who want to remind him of, among other things, some sloppy ball handling that’s produced 60 turnovers in 15 games this season.

On Friday night, Taylor sent these messages on Twitter:

“If half that talk about ball could actually ball … I’d appreciate y’all comments and criticism more but y’all can’t do (so you’re) stuck to being a fan.”

And …

“Once again I repeat … If you can’t go out there and lace ’em up.. I’ll accept the constructive criticism..but since y’all can’t well..yeah.”

Taylor said he often reads critical tweets of his performances and Friday decided to fire back.

“This is an every time thing on my Twitter,” Taylor said. “A lot of people just don’t like me as a player. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, and so am I. So, my response to the million people that hated me was, ‘I don’t respond to criticism that comes from somebody who is not in my position.’

“They don’t really know what it takes to be a point guard at this level … I appreciate the fan support, I love our fans. I think we have some of the best fans in the country. I think some fans give them a bad name sometimes.”

Taylor deleted the tweets within about an hour after their posting.

“Twitter is for people who voice their opinions,” Taylor said. “I didn’t try to disrespect anybody, like they did me. I didn’t use any language. I thought I handled it pretty well. I guess I can handle it better by not responding."

Which is the preference of Self, who was alerted to the tweets with a text Friday night and sought out Taylor.

“I said, ‘You have to let your play do your talking,’” Self said. “They more you talk the more you act like you’re a little spoiled brat.

“It bothers me that in today’s in today’s time, in a social media world, we’re so concerned with what people are saying about you.”

Self knows Taylor is “probably the most criticized player we’ve had since I’ve been here, but he brings a lot of that on himself. I told him that he has to let his play do his talking.”

Kansas won’t impose a social media ban, like some schools. But Self wants Taylor to learn from the episode.

“He can’t be thin-skinned,” Self said. “You can’t be thin-skinned and be the quarterback at Notre Dame or the point guard at Kansas.”

Taylor said he’s doesn’t expect any more return fires.

“I’m just going to leave that alone,” Taylor said. “I’m just going to continue to do what we’re doing. We’re playing good. I’m happy about our team, I’m happy about how we’re playing. I’m excited about this conference.”