I don’t want to take someone’s heart away

[George]

SGA...probably not.

SGA was so good once he started rounding into form. There are one-and-dones who clearly had no business coming back, but of all the what could have beens, he's near the top for me. He'd have been a devastating sophomore.

[Joneslab]

But he wasn’t pedestrian and I find it fascinating that his career professionally seems to be influencing view of his time here.

His career professionally is indicative of what he was: a meh player.

I liked his toughness a lot. And we do not win the title without him because of how he played in the tournament. But the guy wasn’t special and got pounded on by fans when he was here (partly because he had a very odd on-court demeanor).

Guys that did surprise me with their lack of NBA careers: Dakari, MKG, Vanderbilt, Ulis (thought he’d back up in a solid franchise), James Young. Probably could throw Aaron Harrison in there. It’s totally forgotten now but Aaron had a really good freshmen year. Blah sophomore year.

[lilproUK98]

I think you’re giving him a little too much hindsight gleam.

I thought he was pedestrian. Essentially an Andrew Harrison type.

Then, late, he became a force.

He was not in any way a pro, obviously. Question is whether or not coming back to UK would’ve changed that. It’s the same question we’re battling with in the program a decade later.

I think it would've helped him slightly. He was much needed on that team and he would've been a force, but it would've still been a struggle after Nerlens" injury. Teague was one of the guys I never doubted because he had the pedigree and he was an absolute dog. Remember, he talked smack to the OKC Thunder before the season.

[Dwight Schrute]

Of those I am only surprised MKG hasn’t done well in the NBA. I thought Jared Vanderbilt was
gonna flop, same with Young. I did think Ulis would stick around though.

[Matt Dillon]

Here's another gem from Cal:

UK Basketball: John Calipari tries to clarify “heart” comments and makes it worse - A Sea Of Blue

[85 Fly]

Cal's comment made no sense I think the "5 stars" need to meet with sports psychologist, especially B.J. I never would've imagined in a million years that he would play like this...something is wrong. Seriously, how B.J. is currently playing he wouldn't make the cut of his high school AAU EYBL team-AOT.

[lilproUK98]

Everyone needs to remember. Dajuan Wagner's son is only 2 years away. Cal will stay long enough to coach him, I'd almost bet anything on that.

He's also currently the #1 ranked player in 2023.

[Westtncat]

Everyone needs to remember. Dajuan Wagner's son is only 2 years away. Cal will stay long enough to coach him, I'd almost bet anything on that.

He's also currently the #1 ranked player in 2023.

The circle of life

[Catsrock]

Cal's comment made no sense I think the "5 stars" need to meet with sports psychologist, especially B.J. I never would've imagined in a million years that he would play like this...something is wrong. Seriously, how B.J. is currently playing he wouldn't make the cut of his high school AAU EYBL team-AOT.

Well here goes know it all Catsrock again...I believe what’s wrong with his shooting at least is he’s decided if he cannot create space and create his own shot any time he wants it—ala Curry or Harden—then he can’t reach his potential. Once in each of the last 2 games he has swished a 3. On each of them he went straight up and released a nice looking shot that looked good all the way.

I believe an A/V geek assistant in the program could edit video showing every shot BJ has taken this year—yes all 3000 of them. It would show that even on wide open 3’s he will almost always be drifting to the side or toward the basket and clanks off in whichever direction he’s drifting. James Harden and Steph Curry have logged countless hours perfecting floaters in the lane. But even they aren’t shooting 24 ft floaters. They use a jab-step or a step-back move but still set their feet and square their shoulders.

I only watched 2 or 3 of BJ’s high school games on TV. Can’t really remember whether he’s always done this. But the very few times he’s had good form he’s had good results.

Now on penetration he’s just too weak to finish through contact.

On defense he looks like he doesn’t understand positioning. Worked against guys with my skills in high school and doesn’t work in Power 5 play.

If only Strickland were still here to get the geek to work on the video😜

[Catsrock]

Everyone needs to remember. Dajuan Wagner's son is only 2 years away. Cal will stay long enough to coach him, I'd almost bet anything on that.

He's also currently the #1 ranked player in 2023.

You may well prove to be right about this but personally I wouldn’t bet much of anything about how long Cal will stick around at this point in time. Regardless of our current roster being 100% on Cal and the way they’re being coached and who’s being played is too...he’s a proud and stubborn man who doesn’t like being questioned—especially by a bunch of hicks like us. And he’s being questioned A LOT these days. He’s also rich and has options.

[Matt Dillon]

You may well prove to be right about this but personally I wouldn’t bet much of anything about how long Cal will stick around at this point in time. Regardless of our current roster being 100% on Cal and the way they’re being coached and who’s being played is too...he’s a proud and stubborn man who doesn’t like being questioned—especially by a bunch of hicks like us. And he’s being questioned A LOT these days. He’s also rich and has options.

You nailed it Catsrock.

[Lighthouse]

You may well prove to be right about this but personally I wouldn’t bet much of anything about how long Cal will stick around at this point in time. Regardless of our current roster being 100% on Cal and the way they’re being coached and who’s being played is too...he’s a proud and stubborn man who doesn’t like being questioned—especially by a bunch of hicks like us. And he’s being questioned A LOT these days. He’s also rich and has options.

One thing Cal needs to realize, we hicks know a lot about basketball and we care about wins and loses more than we do about who is a new millionaire next year. I'm a nobody, but I would love to go to a practice and tell every team just how much having KENTUCKY on their jersey means to every hick in the state.

[Blue Heaven]

Of those I am only surprised MKG hasn’t done well in the NBA. I thought Jared Vanderbilt was
gonna flop, same with Young. I did think Ulis would stick around though.

I knew MKG was gonna struggle in the league the moment I saw his "shot" in HS.

[85 Fly]

Everyone needs to remember. Dajuan Wagner's son is only 2 years away. Cal will stay long enough to coach him, I'd almost bet anything on that.

He's also currently the #1 ranked player in 2023.

Remember, if his son continues to develop (Ranked #1 2023 right now), he will have more options...who is to say he goes to college?

[JFCats22]

Remember, if his son continues to develop (Ranked #1 2023 right now), he will have more options...who is to say he goes to college?

It doesn’t seem like the NBA is going to make a change to their rule. I doubt someone like Wagner goes the G League route. I have been told if straight to the NBA isn’t an option then he is 100% UK bound.