Blackshear

[Joneslab]

You'd think if either of these guys had pro potential they would already be in the NBA at their size.

Blackshear does have quite a bit of face-up game. Hit more than 20 threes last year. Obviously Richards doesn't have that at all.

Nick is an okay shot-blocker; averaged 4 per game last year per 40 minutes. He rebounds it solidly but not great.

I think what you're looking at with Blackshear is simply a very good inside/outside offensive player. He's more in line with how EJ Montgomery plays but the difference is that Blackshear has proved some stuff against ACC competition. Montgomery has only shown a couple of flashes.

EJ because of his spring and length and that skillset obviously has more NBA potential than any of them but again, Blackshear has shown it. With EJ we can only just hope it happens.

[Joneslab]

Blackshear was actually at 20 and 10 per 40 minutes last season. In the ACC.

That's very good. What he doesn't do: block shots. Not a mobile big at all. Seems to play more like a big-bodied stretch forward.

[Catsrock]

Not sure what you're basing this on other than wild speculation. But I don't give half a crap about Richards' pro upside, I care who can help us.

Pretty good free-throw shooting big is at least some indication that it's in him somewhere. His form is excellent. If he thinks he can make a mid-range shot he should be able to. He needs confidence and I hope that comes with upperclassmen experience.

[Dwight Schrute]

Pretty good free-throw shooting big is at least some indication that it's in him somewhere. His form is excellent. If he thinks he can make a mid-range shot he should be able to. He needs confidence and I hope that comes with upperclassmen experience.

Yeah, but that doesn't necessarily translate into in-action shooting. JJ's point of preferring a non-existent or hopeful version of Nick over someone like Blackshear though, wasn't a good one.

As I said, I wish these guys the best but I don't care about Nick's 'potential'. I want a team that can win it all and Blackshear gives us the best chance of that.

[J.Jennings]

Blackshear was actually at 20 and 10 per 40 minutes last season. In the ACC.

That's very good. What he doesn't do: block shots. Not a mobile big at all. Seems to play more like a big-bodied stretch forward.

Yeah but if you watch Nick shoot he's not your ordinary big, he can actually shoot the ball. Problem with Nick is he's in Towns Davis mode, he's having to play with his back to the basket.

I agree that Blackshear is a stretch 4 but so is EJ, either of them are Center at the college level, that's Nick Richards, we need that rim protection, just has to stay out of foul trouble...

[J.Jennings]

Yeah, but that doesn't necessarily translate into in-action shooting. JJ's point of preferring a non-existent or hopeful version of Nick over someone like Blackshear though, wasn't a good one.

As I said, I wish these guys the best but I don't care about Nick's 'potential'. I want a team that can win it all and Blackshear gives us the best chance of that.

You know many said the same thing about Josh Harrelson, too big, too slow, too white, no hops, not Kentuky material, etc etc. Not that Richards will pull a Harrellson but who knows, give him some clock and lead way, allow him to play through his mistakes and gain confidence, you never know.....

If Blackshear comes here fine it adds depth but we still need a Center who can produce and that's on Richards....

[Joneslab]

I agree that Blackshear is a stretch 4 but so is EJ, either of them are Center at the college level, that's Nick Richards, we need that rim protection, just has to stay out of foul trouble...

I think he'll ditch positions if Blackshear comes on and give the jobs to the two best players.

Don't think position is that important anymore in basketball. Obviously you're doomed if you don't have size but most of these guys can play away from the basket a little.

One thing Kentucky has been missing is a rim protector the last two years. Richards gives us that more than the others but I just don't see that being that huge of a thing unless Nick has really improved.

Assuming Blackshear comes in and starts, Sestina, Richards, and Brooks will all play solid minutes I would imagine.

[Joneslab]

You know many said the same damn thing about Josh Harrelson, too big, too slow, too white, no hops, not Kentuky material, etc etc. Not that Richards will pull a Harrellson but who knows, give him some clock and lead way, allow him to play through his mistakes and gain confidence, you never know....

Harrellson had one thing he could do at an elite level, and that was rebound.

To be a breakout player at this level you have to bring something to the table that separates you. Harrellson was one of the better rebound-chasers I've seen at UK. That's what got him time as a senior, and then he had a few games at the end where he scored for us.

It's unclear what Nick Richards does. We might see him get it this year and become a force as a shot-blocker or something, but so far he's just sort of been very unpredictable in terms of what he'll give you on any given night. He might get 15 and grabbed a few boards or he might be in foul trouble and not score. You never know with Nick what you're going to get.

[Dwight Schrute]

You know many said the same damn thing about Josh Harrelson, too big, too slow, too white, no hops, not Kentuky material, etc etc. Not that Richards will pull a Harrellson but who knows, give him some clock and lead way, allow him to play through his mistakes and gain confidence, you never know.....

Because we had no choice. You know darn well Enes Kanter would've been The Guy had he been cleared to play. If you have the chance to have someone who's a proven contributor at the high D-1 level, you take it every single time.

If Blackshear comes here fine it adds depth but we still need a Center who can produce and that's on Richards....

No, you have it backwards. Blackshear will be thought of as the first option if he comes here, at least until proven otherwise.

Nick has size and athleticism, but he has shown zero ability to do anything consistently. Maybe he turns that around this year and becomes the guy the staff hoped for, but if you have a chance to add a guy who can contribute at a high level against elite talent already, you do it. If Nick were any semblance of what you're trying to describe him as, he'd be a pro already.

[J.Jennings]

Fwiw, i mentioned last week but will suggest it again, go comparethe PER for both Richards and Blackshear, not a huge difference.


Guess we should know something this week one way or another, possible Blackshear arrives and Richards improves with EJ being the guy left out....

[Joneslab]

Fwiw, i mentioned last week but will suggest it again, go comparethe PER for both Richards and Blackshear, not a huge difference.....

I've posted those stats on this page of the thread.

It's a big difference offensively. Blackshear's seven points a game better. That's substantial.

And that's what I think Blackshear can bring: points. Scoring. He's good inside and outside.

I like Richards more as a situational defender and shot-blocker. I don't like him as a 30+-minute-a-night player.

[Joneslab]

Guess we should know something this week one way or another, possible Blackshear arrives and Richards improves with EJ being the guy left out....

I would say if Blackshear comes in the chances of Montgomery being the player left out is probably on par with me or you starting for Kentucky next year.

EJ's starting and playing a ton. Remember, just two weeks ago Cal compared him to some of the greats he's coached at UK.

[lilproUK98]

Blackshear could be a Cat very soon. Which means UK could officially be preseason favorite very soon....

[teamchemistry15]

And yes i agree if Blackshear does come here, it adds depth but hope it won't cause locker room problems, all these players are trying to get to the next level and PT is important....

Tell Booker, KAT, Lyles, etc that PT is important in being a lottery pick...

[teamchemistry15]

So you are telling me that if Cal approaches Blackshear and tells him if he comes to Kentucky that he will have to compete for minutes, you think he's coming here? Make perfect sense to promise a player you never coached a starting job and to tell the guy that has been in your system working hard for over two years that you will have to take a backseat right? Kind of how Cal did Jon Hood, brought in the short non athletic Mays and promised him a starting role when he wasn't Kentucky material at all..

Anyways, i agree that Blackshear helps us but someone will have to sacrifice, either EJ or Nick and that is a problem, they did not come to Kentucky to sit on the bench and watch there pro dreams go down the toilet...

Cal has done that literally with every recruit ever. His son has it across his chest. It's earned, not given here. I'm willing to bet Cal has never guaranteed a starting spot or playing time to any recruit since he's been at UK.