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Richmond had five games in double figures all year so he's a massive work in progress there.
BUT he did have games of 6, 5, and 4 steals. While in Syracuse's zone. So must be a very good defender.
If he's a bigger difference-maker than anybody else then we're in trouble. We need proven college players to transfer here this off-season, not projects. You can take a project and grow him, but if that's what we're hanging our hat on we're doomed.Comment
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Since we're talking point guards, it also sounds like we shouldn't get excited about the possibility of a Skyy Clark reclass, which is fine by me.Comment
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I watched about 19 minutes of his highlights from this year and his length, quickness, and athleticism on the perimeter does jump out. He has good instincts and can get to the bucket and finish. Not a bad player to have at all, but not an impact starter or anything for next year I don't think.Comment
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Depending on how Richmond develops, he could easily get drafted after next season. Could have a very similar trajectory to many Calipari PGs who showed flashes throughout the season and rounded into form by tourney time.Comment
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I as well would be fine with that. If Mintz comes back, we will have a very experienced(not super talented) core, plus Askew and Hickman. To me that is serviceable and then let Skyy get another year under his belt before he gets thrown to the wolves. In a perfect world, Askew and Hickman will come back and progress, then you have a combination of Skyy, a Junior Askew, and a sophomore Hickman.
I know, I know, I'm sure I'm dreaming.Comment
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The problem is that Kentucky can't do serviceable. We have to be better than that, or we're all going to be super frustrated at the end of next year.
Listen, I love Davion Mintz. But Mintz is not the answer at point guard. Nor IMO is Kadary Richmond.
We have to do better than that at guard. Point guard is a massive, monumental issue in the program. Guys like Richmond can't change us unless that guy goes through a full-on metamorphosis between now and October.
Cal has to have point guards who can put the ball in the basket.Comment
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I don't think that's outside of the realm of possibilities, though a sophomore Hickman is probably more likely than a junior Askew, given recent trends.
There's also the likely fact that Askew will play less and less PG as time goes on. He just doesn't bring enough to the table with the ball in his hands, and by his junior year he really needs to carve out a role off the ball.Comment
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I'm pretty indifferent to Mintz and have never quite seen what all the fuss is about. How hard is it to be the best guy on the worst team in the history of the program?Comment
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Hard. Because the worse the team is, the more guys key on you.
On a good team he'd be a kind of 8th man type. Come off the bench and give you some punch.
But generally a stable vet guard who can come in there, play a few steady minutes, and most importantly knock down an outside shot is essential. You see that with all these teams remaining in the tourney that they've got a 23-year-old in there who comes in for some solid minutes at some point. They also have guys who can come off the bench and put the ball in the basket. Mintz--and Allen, though Allen's defensive issues hamstring him a bit--could be those two guys on next year's team.Comment
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Probably not a deal-breaker. But it'd be great to have him back.
One thing about him is that he's tough. Physically strong. One thing that jumps out to me about the teams remaining in the tournament is how tough and physical all their guards are. Mintz is that type of player, plus he can shoot. Kentucky always needs shooters, because Cal has historically not coveted them a whole lot.
But if the question is "Can Mintz be the best guard on a title contender?," the answer is no. Even if he returned we would still need elite, take-over-the-game talent at the guard position.Comment
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I think it was a major shame we had to play him at PG so much this year out of necessity. He’s not a facilitator. But I’m confident he’d be a really good SG if he had a stud PG on the floor. He has a beautiful stroke. Can get it off quickly. He’s solid but not spectacular defensively. And he’s physically and mentally mature. Even if he and Grady are just splitting time I want him back. And depending on who else Cal rounds up and how much he wants to change his approach they could both be on the floor together in a 3 guard offense. Just hopefully not with one of them at 1 and the other at 2. Scrap positionless—I want guys playing where they belong.
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The Richmond era may be over before it began lol
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