ESPN analyst has several UK players in NBA Draft update, but the Harrison twins

[gerntz]

What's disappointing to me are the comments on the Harrisons being disappointments. Is it that hard to contain yourselves? Good grief.

[GOCAT15]

Considering the hype they came in with, and the fact neither is ranked in Ford's top 60, that is disappointing to me. To be quite honest, when they first set foot on campus, I thought they both would be one and dones.

So even though Aaron and Andrew both were crucial in making the title game last year, but didn't leave to go to the nba as second rounders(which they could have done after last year), they are considered disappointments to you?

I actually would prefer a kid come back for another season then go to the second round and play in the D-league, and barely get a sniff of playing time, for example Marquis Teague, who was considered by many the #1 pg of that class and a top 5 overall prospect. I would've loved to have him for his sophomore season.

[Matt Dillon]

So even though Aaron and Andrew both were crucial in making the title game last year, but didn't leave to go to the nba as second rounders(which they could have done after last year), they are considered disappointments to you?

I actually would prefer a kid come back for another season then go to the second round and play in the D-league, and barely get a sniff of playing time, for example Marquis Teague, who was considered by many the #1 pg of that class and a top 5 overall prospect. I would've loved to have him for his sophomore season.

I didn't say I wanted them to go, I never like to see players leave early, although I can understand it when they do. I said, due to the hype surrounding them, I thought they would.

[GOCAT15]

I didn't say I wanted them to go, I never like to see players leave early, although I can understand it when they do. I said, due to the hype surrounding them, I thought they would.

Gotcha...

I can't imagine many people thought there was even a slight chance they'd play more than a year before the season started, I know I didn't.

Just like I didn't think WCS was gonna come back either.

It's always nice when a player comes back just because they love college and want to win a championship.

[J.Jennings]

Couple of things here. The Harrison's haven't lived up to the hype coming out of high school but at the same time, Aaron's NCAA heroics last year will be in the mind's of UK fans for a lifetime or at least for me. Also, if you think back to last year, the team didn't start rolling until Andrew took over the offense and started getting the rim. That took pressure off everyone else and the team started to gel at the right time which helped lead us all the way to the Championship game. Let's also not forget that a few games ago Aaron saved UK's a double s when he hit that 3 with two minutes to go. I am very aware of the UK 3 point streak and Mr. Harrison hit a bomb that kept the streak alive........

As for this year, I can see frustration on both Harrison's simply because I think they realize the world doesn't cater to them nor does Calipari. Who knows, maybe it's the sophomore slump? Maybe it's a lack of rhythm for the platoon system? Maybe they are both just 2nd year players and have a lot to learn before they are ready to make the move to the NBA?

Regardless, I can see a well polished Aaron Harrison lighting up a NBA scoreboard one day. Kid has range and great a looking jump shot that always looks like it's going in and he has the size. I still expect both Harrison's in the pro's whether it's this year or the next. Teams may downplay but if both are available and there for the taking, they are getting drafted.......

[Uncle Dave]

Whether Aaron leaves this year is anybody's guess. Maybe, maybe not. If he can, and he's smart, he will. IMHO, Andrew isn't close. So, that leaves me with this.....do we end up with Andrew, Briscoe, AND Ulis next year???

[KevinHall]

Right now I don't think either will be longtime pros. Aaron has the best shot since he has a good outside shot. If UK wins it all this year they will be dragged into the draft like Teague and Lamb were in 2012. But when I see them I don't see it all. Just not enough of the "it" factor about them to say they will play a longtime in the pros unless its in Europe.

[Uncle Dave]

^^^IMHO, NBA point guards will make a meal of Andrew. Still doesn't mean he can't make a bunch of money after UK, but I just can't see him doing it in the NBA.

[UK39]

Neither can create their own shot at the collegiate level let alone project at the NBA level. They're good team defenders but not standouts one on one.

[UKBoo]

I think they both have had a bad rap but some of it early on was part of their own making. Aaron certainly has turned the corner from an expression standpoint and Andrew had been doing much better but regressed a tad in the last game. A large part of the rap isn't their fault. "Know it alls" and fans applied their view of the level they should play at before the twins ever dribbled a college ball. This is why I don't fallow recruiting. The players need to define who they are on their own. Aaron is a fine two guard that has improved in the areas needed the most but he has a lot more work to do, mostly from a lateral quickness point of view. Andrew was doing a much better job of seeing the floor and making others better in the first few games but has regressed back into a further attempt at being a scoring point guard. As I see it, his one shot at an NBA career will rely heavily on him showing he can feed scorers and making mid range shots. He has the perfect team to work on this! And he has the perfect guard to watch in Ulis. Andrew is a very important part of this Championship run equation. Number one, he's been there! The twins got things figured out last year and I have zero doubt they will be on point when it really matters most.

[Wonderstruck]

I think they both have had a bad rap but some of it early on was part of their own making. Aaron certainly has turned the corner from an expression standpoint and Andrew had been doing much better but regressed a tad in the last game. A large part of the rap isn't their fault. "Know it alls" and fans applied their view of the level they should play at before the twins ever dribbled a college ball. This is why I don't fallow recruiting. The players need to define who they are on their own. Aaron is a fine two guard that has improved in the areas needed the most but he has a lot more work to do, mostly from a lateral quickness point of view. Andrew was doing a much better job of seeing the floor and making others better in the first few games but has regressed back into a further attempt at being a scoring point guard. As I see it, his one shot at an NBA career will rely heavily on him showing he can feed scorers and making mid range shots. He has the perfect team to work on this! And he has the perfect guard to watch in Ulis. Andrew is a very important part of this Championship run equation. Number one, he's been there! The twins got things figured out last year and I have zero doubt they will be on point when it really matters most.

This is a wonderful point, probably one of the best I've seen on this forum in a long time, and thanks for making it. I wouldn't have even known there was anything "wrong" with the play of Andrew or Aaron if it weren't for this thread. Cal talks about clutter a lot, and I hope that Andrew has been focused on his own game and not what people think about him. As far as I'm concerned, he's been good for this team.

I think people are so bored that they are looking for anything that could have an ounce of negativity to it, and I guess going after the Harrison's is easy to do. I also think people thrive in discussions that aren't inherently positive. It's not going to happen, but I wish we could just talk about how great and unique this team is, and the possible historic implications of it. We're potentially seeing a once-in-a-generation team. Enjoy the discussion of that, because it doesn't come around very often.

[teamchemistry15]

Well, it depends on where you set the hype.

The top four players in that class went to the NBA last year. A handful of other guys. But if you look at the stats, really only Wiggins and Parker are major contributors. A lot of those other guys are just getting spot minutes. Some don't play at all.

If you're setting the bar at Aaron Harrison going to the NBA after one year, then obviously he's not reached that. If you're setting it at being a very solid college basketball player who's averaged double figures both seasons he's been at Kentucky, who has lead one of the best teams Kentucky's ever had in scoring for most of the year through 13 games (WCS just passed him a game or two ago), and who hit two of the biggest shots this program has seen--then IMO he's far surpassed the hype.

Too much is loaded onto these guys in terms of their NBA stock. Some players are just destined to be good in college and that's it. They just have limitations for whatever reason. Some of those they can't help--Aaron and Andrew's lack of athleticism is a major deal. But that's not something they can improve.

Agreed on too much being expected from these guys. But, that is a product of Cals system. With all of the players he has had drafted, why would we expect a top 10 talent to come into UK and turn into a "good college player" and not be a star? I think Aaron will play in the NBA eventually, but at this rate it wont be after this season which is fine by me if he comes back.

[gerntz]

Agreed on too much being expected from these guys. But, that is a product of Cals system.

You're putting the same unrealistic expectations on Cal that are being put on these players. He recruited the Harrisons. If they're not meeting expectations, then blame Cal for signing them vs. the kids.

I wish people could be happy about success some time.

[George]

You're putting the same unrealistic expectations on Cal that are being put on these players. He recruited the Harrisons. If they're not meeting expectations, then blame Cal for signing them vs. the kids.

I wish people could be happy about success some time.

If you're not happy with what's being discussed around the board, then start a thread that suits you.

[TrueblueCATfan]

we are #1....13-0...Andrew and Aaron Harrison are going to be fine..Lets enjoy the ride folks

anyone else having basketball withdrawals.....wish Tuesday would get here