Cal on call in show

[Blue Heaven]

Today’s players have usually been the best at their school or in the district or region they play in. When confronted with adversity such as other athletes as good if not better some don’t know how to react to it. As a coach you hope they accept the challenge and get better. Seems like the ones we have been getting recently are the ones that back down and want to give up. The injuries (if fake), home sickness, crying on the sidelines, and tantrums are ways some handle the atmosphere that is UK basketball. Sad but just the way it is in my humble opinion.

I heard an opinion that whatever is wrong with this team began with the Fletcher situation. Maybe so or it had nothing at all to do with our woes. Just a weird season filled with more questions than answers.

Speaking of Fletcher, the first few games of the season that dude played WAY harder than anyone else not named Mintz. Just a head scratching situation.

[George]

I admit to not following recruiting as closely anymore, but it seems like a ton of people missed on Boston. I remember seeing him described as a .

That statement was in regards to Askew.

[Joneslab]

I heard an opinion that whatever is wrong with this team began with the Fletcher situation.

Eh, I don't really buy that. I don't think the team has a lot of talent. Plus: it can't shoot. That's not a good combo. There might be locker room things that the Fletcher situation exacerbated or whatever, but it's hard for me to believe everything would be fine had that not happened.

I also think Olivier Sarr is a problem because he can't play the way Cal wants him to, and Cal has consistently tried to make him a focal point of the offense. Which makes sense: we don't have anyone else with the tools Sarr has. But they're blunt tools. Cal tries to work the offense through him a lot because he's always done that with his big men. But it's like trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. Sarr is not that kind of player, and Cal continues to try to make him that kind of player.

[Blue Heaven]

Eh, I don't really buy that. I don't think the team has a lot of talent. Plus: it can't shoot. That's not a good combo. There might be locker room things that the Fletcher situation exacerbated or whatever, but it's hard for me to believe everything would be fine had that not happened.

I also think Olivier Sarr is a problem because he can't play the way Cal wants him to, and Cal has consistently tried to make him a focal point of the offense. Which makes sense: we don't have anyone else with the tools Sarr has. But they're blunt tools. Cal tries to work the offense through him a lot because he's always done that with his big men. But it's like trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. Sarr is not that kind of player, and Cal continues to try to make him that kind of player.

Hopefully Oscar will fill that bill next year. He has a mean streak and I LOVE those guys. I waited for years after Rodney Dent and then we got Magloire. Waited a while longer and got that in Cousins. WCS had somewhat of that streak but it’s been missing since. Gimme the bruisers!

[Blue Heaven]

^ Bam also wasn’t scared to mix it up.

[Catsrock]

^ Bam also wasn’t scared to mix it up.

Bam was fearless inside. So much so that I never really realized how athletic he is. Couple weeks ago he caught and dunked a lob pass and may have bloodied a knuckle on the rafters. Awesome play.

[Blue Heaven]

Bam was fearless inside. So much so that I never really realized how athletic he is. Couple weeks ago he caught and dunked a lob pass and may have bloodied a knuckle on the rafters. Awesome play.

He’s a FANTASTIC pro. I have to admit that I didn’t see it coming.

[Joneslab]

Bam was fearless inside. So much so that I never really realized how athletic he is. Couple weeks ago he caught and dunked a lob pass and may have bloodied a knuckle on the rafters. Awesome play.

Yeah, I was watching that game live. It was unbelievable.

What really jumped out to me during the playoffs last year was how smart of a player Bam is. Great passer, heady, doesn't really try to do crazy stuff. Just plays inside the team concept and then when he has to make a play, he makes it.

[Catsrock]

Bam and Julius Randle—who Cal had play virtually the same game for UK are both tearing it up now. But Randle plays more of an outside in game now. He’s basically a lead guard for the Knicks—does it all

[Blue Heaven]

Bam and Julius Randle—who Cal had play virtually the same game for UK are both tearing it up now. But Randle plays more of an outside in game now. He’s basically a lead guard for the Knicks—does it all

Yeah, Randle is seemingly a triple double threat every time he steps on the court.

[40bill]

Going back to what others have said, the days of Rupp, Knight, Hall and others....maybe even K at Duke...running a program with an iron fist are gone. However, it's awful easy to lose the reigns on a team altogether.
Players first is a great motto, until it becomes program last.
Cal has had 'difficult' players before. Everybody is someone's star player. Everyone wants that NBA pot of gold. Right now.

There is more than a solid chance that in some fashion the game has bypassed Calipari in ways. He even hinted at that by saying how things are different.
Two questions though....can he adapt? Is likely the biggest.
The second is who can? Williams... K, Self are struggling.
How many titles has Duke won under the one and gone rule?

We may ne looking at a major shift in coaching. Maybe teams will adopt the old Al McGuire model...two bound for the show, everyone else play their role.

Dunno. We get go find out.

[Joneslab]

I hesitate to say the game has passed Cal by simply because of what a good job he did with last year's team.

[40bill]

I hesitate to say the game has passed Cal by simply because of what a good job he did with last year's team.

Perhaps. Also largely rode on a couple guys that returned.

Which is getting in shorter supply at Kentucky.

[George]

Perhaps. Also largely rode on a couple guys that returned.

Didn’t he coach them in their first season, too? I’m not sure how this is a criticism of his coaching.

[Dwight Schrute]

Cal had to rely on players who came back for another year and improved in the program. What a fraud!