What Was The Real Story?

[DA#23]

Just thinking about topics we could discuss and mull over during a long offseason. What are some occurrences that has left you wondering about what really happened.

I’ll start with one:

What was the real story with Cliff Hawkins during his early years. Did he actually have asthma issues that frequently, or was there something else?

[Blue Heaven]

Not sure about the frequency but knew he had it. I also know that crossover he did against UL was the nastiest crossover I have ever seen. Youtube it. The whole crowd reacted to it. It was awesome.

[Catatonic]

Pretty sure Hawkins' asthma was legit.

Another pot-stirring topic...the real story behind the Randolph Morris fax?

[JFCats22]

I worked at UKAA while Hawkins was here. The asthma was definitely legit.

Moreis’ fax on the other hand...definitely NOT legit and there was some shadiness going on.

[Joneslab]

I heard the answer to one of these not long ago. And it came from somebody who would absolutely know.

The topic: could D. Anderson have played in the '97 title game?

The answer: absolutely. He was dominating people in practice. But Pitino wouldn't play him, and I'm not sure if it was from caution or because he wanted to prove some kind of a point (I can win a title without my best player). But according to the person I heard this from, Anderson was ready to play and had been cleared to play.

[DA#23]

I actually view Morris as underrated. He was a very good big guy for Tubby Smith UK teams, but he could have used some help. He and Patterson together would have been awesome.

His personality made him seem...disinterested, but I actually liked him quite a bit.

The fax...well that was probably a moment where we were lucky to have Smith as coach, because he was such a good person.

[DA#23]

We heard that Anderson was wind-milling in practice and was fully cleared to play.

And i still respect Rick for not playing him. I tell people that Derek Anderson was so good that he scored in a FF game without logging a minute of game time. Derek had a rough upbringing and another injury could have really hurt a guy who already was an old senior.

[Catsrock]

I assume the Terrance Jones commitment to UW, immediate call to Cal then change of commitment went down as reported--but it was a strange 12 hours or so.

That and about 24 hours of the Xavier Henry recruitment that changed every hour would been pretty cool to have seen 1st hand.

Basically every "injury" in practice followed by a few games out in the Cal era make you wonder at this point as Cal keeps every disciplinary action in house.

[Joneslab]

I actually view Morris as underrated. He was a very good big guy for Tubby Smith UK teams, but he could have used some help. He and Patterson together would have been awesome..

Very solid player...in time. Took him awhile.

To give some context, he put up pretty similar stats as a junior to what Bam Adebayo did as a freshman.

[DA#23]

I thought that he was very skilled, but not very athletic. At the time especially in our league that didn’t keep you from being a very good college player. He was a polar opposite to his teammate, Dwight Howard

[lilproUK98]

I heard the answer to one of these not long ago. And it came from somebody who would absolutely know.

The topic: could D. Anderson have played in the '97 title game?

The answer: absolutely. He was dominating people in practice. But Pitino wouldn't play him, and I'm not sure if it was from caution or because he wanted to prove some kind of a point (I can win a title without my best player). But according to the person I heard this from, Anderson was ready to play and had been cleared to play.

Rick wanted to make it about himself, as usual. He thought he knew better than anyone.

And thanks for opening that wound 😩

That team was electric at full strength. Mercer being so beat up, and possibly sick in the title game didn't help either. I watched that title game last week. We needed Anderson badly against Arizona. No doubt we win it.

[Blue Heaven]

I actually view Morris as underrated. He was a very good big guy for Tubby Smith UK teams, but he could have used some help. He and Patterson together would have been awesome.

His personality made him seem...disinterested, but I actually liked him quite a bit.

The fax...well that was probably a moment where we were lucky to have Smith as coach, because he was such a good person.

The REAL story about Morris is that he and Dwight Howard were the best big men in the country in HS. They met their Senior year in a game that was televised on ESPN. I watched it and Mordis held his own and then some. He got the "lazy" tag when he was here but he was pretty dominant for us his last year. Of course Howard went on to take the NBA by storm and Morris fell into obscurity.

[Blue Heaven]

Rick wanted to make it about himself, as usual. He thought he knew better than anyone.

And thanks for opening that wound 😩

That team was electric at full strength. Mercer being so beat up, and possibly sick in the title game didn't help either. I watched that title game last week. We needed Anderson badly against Arizona. No doubt we win it.

Yeah man those Mike Bibby pics still haunt me as well as their other guard whose name escapes me at the moment. Was never a Lute fan.

[DA#23]

Miles Simon

”Ohhhhh, Simon says.....”

[JFCats22]

I’d love to know the real deal with Xavier Henry. I’ve heard a few things but nothing for certain.

there are several other Cal misses I’d also love to know the real story on - Jaylen Brown, Brandon Ingram, Zion, Shabazz Muhammad, Wiggins, Bagley