I know a lot has been written already - but it doesnt seem all that much headway has been made based on comments back.. Seems like there are sides - and I think it is important to de-trench ourselves (opposite of entrench - if there is such a word!!) and look at the whole picture of what is happening.
I also realize I only joined several months ago and dont post much. I realize that loses credibility almost immediately for some, but that is just what it is and Im OK if people want to criticize that. I do think there is a "silent majority" on this site that have opinions, but simply do not voice because of time or issues of how interactions tend to take place on the site (i.e. fighting, namecalling, etc).
I think the biggest thing we can all think through is the "Art of Listening." Not only should we listen and value and respect on another on a surface level, but it is almost even more important to hear what is being said BEHIND the comments/statements. This is challenging to do - and I have a lot to learn in this even as I have tried to practice this in principle in my personal and professional life. Behind every comment is emotion and a deeper reason why it is being said.
Lets start be recognizing that for most, if not all, of us sports betting is an emotional experience. Our (perceived) value, as it relates to Pregame and sports capping, is based on if we can make the right call or decision on a given game. We are all trying to WIN - and when we lose, that means something. So a capper has even more emotional investment because they are giving their picks and being scrutinized by those who follow them. And its even MORE when it is a free capper because they are getting basically nothing in return... So that is where Pregame comes in..
Its important to listen to the critiques to HIZZ/cappers and hear what is being said on the surface and behind the comment. I can emphasize with some of those critical voices because, honestly, I can identify with them. We do come on here to find some type of edge.. and whether or not the posters of picks are being paid or not, we like to know as much as possible. With re: to HIZZ, I think it is safe to say he is trusted, respected, and followed by many. This backing made me a follower of him almost immediately - and its seems he is just as good as the paid cappers in many respects. But, Pregame markets itself on transparency and clear recordkeeping - so this is where the issue comes in (even with the paid cappers). Even a few months ago, I respectfully asked HIZZ if his record reflected the "juice" or not. He respectfully replied and we went about our business. But from the perspective of myself and some others here, the way he posts is unclear. And in the end, we just wanna know (win or loss) what the real story is. Contrast this with a few guys who I think do this well - Dennis Styler and Thathaman (as two examples). Both guys show clear records, juice included, down to the .00 percent - and you will notice no backlash comes to them.. win or lose. This adds a layer of credibility and trust to those cappers - and I would be more prone to look into them because of it. THAT is the issue here and the emotion behind the issue is that we just want accountability and transparency and accuracy and if we dont get it we feel its unfair (and the key to emotional intelligence is realizing that whether something is right or wrong isnt the main point, but the main point is now that makes us feel).. And we feel its unfair. I think there is also a layer of the capper mindset to highlight the wins while deflecting losses and that, in general, it has been a rough month or so for many folks and that adds to this boiling up now. In the end, HIZZ could have done better posting his records.. In the end though, no one can doubt his capping ability - he is great.
On the other side...
We need to listen to the thoughts of HIZZ and people like him. Here is a guy who posts picks for free who is JUST as good as some, if not many, of the paid cappers. He appears to do it for the love of capping (and winning) and to receive such backlash for a free service completely diminishes the reason why he does it (I get that for sure). People rightly pointed out you can chose to follow or not - HIZZ doesnt need to answer to anyone or do anything different. This is also correct. I think the emotion behind this is one of, "Im damned if I do, damned if I dont - whats the point." This is valid and its important to hear and understand it. HIZZ is also a WINNER. And perhaps he isnt having as big of a year as he has had in the past years and this makes emotions run even higher. If I was HIZZ, I would probably bailed a long time ago - this points me to the fact that HIZZ has high character and wants to do good by folks. We would do well to honor and respect him - even if we disagree with some of the methodology.
Anyway.. some ramblings.. sorry for the length. I think this is important to keep sorting through because the issues go way deeper than a particular capper. Its important to listen TO each other though. Thanks.