Scale of 1-10, your Derek Willis confidence level

[J.Jennings]

Jworld, if we played a team of 2 McDonald's AAs, three state boys like Willis, Hawkins, and Hood, and a role playing 4 star kid, how good do you think they would be? You are taking the approach of the backup QB being the favorite player on the football team. You need to take the approach of realising why he is the backup in the first place.

Of course you need game changers but not all Championship teams are fielding 5 guys who are the sure shot to the NBA. Be honest, if Frank Kaminsky played for Kentucky do you think Cal would have played him?? Of course not and Cal would have gambled on future potential in likes of someone like Marcus Lee or Dakari Johnson. I don't think you have to be a NBA player in order to help a college team win a NCAA championship.

Regardless, I like Cal but still believe that if he can "just" tweak a few things he can actually raise it up another level.


Furthermore, if D. Willis and Hawkins get the chance to play and play like trash, I will eat crow with both. For me, I am "all in" with the two of them and I believe they can help.

[J.Jennings]

Here's the thing I have noticed about Cal not only at Kentucky, but a Memphis as well. He would rather play a guy whom he feels will take you out back and whip your you know what than a guy who may not be as vocal or what some would say is "soft". Just because your soft doesn't mean that you can't be a fierce competitor on the court. Some people in general rather it be real life or on the basketball court would rather you kill you with kindness.......................

[Joneslab]

Furthermore, if D. Willis and Hawkins get the chance to play and play like trash, I will eat crow with both. For me, I am "all in" with the two of them and I believe they can help.

Hawkins has got a chance to play. He's started games and has performed pretty well.

[DA#23]

Of course you need game changers but not all Championship teams are fielding 5 guys who are the sure shot to the NBA. Be honest, if Frank Kaminsky played for Kentucky do you think Cal would have played him?? Of course not and Cal would have gambled on future potential in likes of someone like Marcus Lee or Dakari Johnson. .

Completely false.

And again, when Willis does the things necessary to be able to play, he'll have the opportunity of a lifetime.

I can't see him doing this any time soon, can you?????????

[Joneslab]

Actually WCS is a pretty good comparison for Frank Kaminsky.

Here's a guy that was more known as a football player in high school. We beat out Kansas State for him because Kansas didn't want him. A guy that nobody thought would be a first-round draft pick even last year. (Some Kentucky fans were claiming WCS hated basketball at one point and wanted nothing more than to get out of Lexington.)

Comes back his junior year and is an All-American and a potential lottery pick.

Pretty good development by both the player and the coaching staff, IMO.

[DA#23]

Here's the thing I have noticed about Cal not only at Kentucky, but a Memphis as well. He would rather play a guy whom he feels will take you out back and whip your you know what than a guy who may not be as vocal or what some would say is "soft". Just because your soft doesn't mean that you can't be a fierce competitor on the court. Some people in general rather it be real life or on the basketball court would rather you kill you with kindness.......................

Soft off of the court makes zero difference. He's looking at how a guy plays and how he reacts to his own mistakes.

[Wonderstruck]

This constant suggestion that guys should transfer is unsettling. Who are we to even consider that? It's none of our business. If the dude wanted out, he'd get out. The fact that he's not going anywhere should do two things: 1) It should tell you he's comfortable being here and wants to remain here, and 2) it should remove the idea of transferring out of your head so it's not even a possibility to suggest it in an open forum.

Just wrong, IMO.

[Joneslab]

This constant suggestion that guys should transfer is unsettling. Who are we to even consider that? It's none of our business. If the dude wanted out, he'd get out. The fact that he's not going anywhere should do two things: 1) It should tell you he's comfortable being here and wants to remain here, and 2) it should remove the idea of transferring out of your head so it's not even a possibility to suggest it in an open forum.

Just wrong, IMO.

Well it's just a terrible argument all the way around.

What gets me about it is this idea that Cal is "coddling" certain players and not giving Derek Willis (and Hawkins, but I feel like this is more of a Willis argument) fair treatment.

That might be a good point had this team not won 38 games.

Nobody wants to win more than Calipari. He's a manic competitor. The idea that he's playing guys simply to help their future stock while putting deserving players on the bench is the sort of thing people argue around the parent bleachers during Upward games.

[JFCats22]

Actually WCS is a pretty good comparison for Frank Kaminsky.

Here's a guy that was more known as a football player in high school.

Willie played football???? Are you sure, how do you know that??????

[J.Jennings]

Completely false.

And again, when Willis does the things necessary to be able to play, he'll have the opportunity of a lifetime.

I can't see him doing this any time soon, can you?????????

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n32156[/ATTACH]

And they said Tashaun Prince was too skinny but he managed to play in the NBA now for 13 years running...................

[J.Jennings]

Soft off of the court makes zero difference. He's looking at how a guy plays and how he reacts to his own mistakes.

Then how would you know how both Hawkins and Willis with real game time mistakes if they never get the chance to play and play through mistakes???? Lord knows Archie Goodwin had plenty of time to play through his mistakes lol lol lol lol

[JFCats22]

Then how would you know how both Hawkins and Willis with real game time mistakes if they never get the chance to play and play through mistakes???? Lord knows Archie Goodwin had plenty of time to play through his mistakes lol lol lol lol

We get it...you love Hawkins and Willis...can we talk about ANYTHING else? They both have had some chances and have had 2 years of playing against about 10-12 NBA players EVERY day in practice.

I am going to go ahead and let Cal decide if he thinks they are able to compete.

[J.Jennings]

This constant suggestion that guys should transfer is unsettling. Who are we to even consider that? It's none of our business. If the dude wanted out, he'd get out. The fact that he's not going anywhere should do two things: 1) It should tell you he's comfortable being here and wants to remain here, and 2) it should remove the idea of transferring out of your head so it's not even a possibility to suggest it in an open forum.

Just wrong, IMO.

Willis and Hawkins need to transfer. It's almost like your saying they are not good enough to play but yet you don't want them to leave for whatever reason. If both guys are trash and non UK materials, why are they here???? Where is the appreciation for two guys who have been through the war for two years now and have never been in any kind of trouble while being a student athlete? Let's just go "all in" on a freshman coming out of high school who's auditioning to fast track to the NBA.

Whether I am right or wrong about Willis and Hawkins, where do I see the comments wishing both Hawkins and Willis well.

[Joneslab]

And they said Tashaun Prince was too skinny but he managed to play in the NBA now for 13 years running...................

Tayshaun came out of Dominguez High as a top 15 player. McDonald's and Parade All-American. He was skinny but he was also 6'9", had scary length, and had guard skills.

Not a good comparison for the players being spoken about here.

[Wonderstruck]

Willis and Hawkins need to transfer. It's almost like your saying they are not good enough to play but yet you don't want them to leave for whatever reason. If both guys are trash and non UK materials, why are they here???? Where is the appreciation for two guys who have been through the war for two years now and have never been in any kind of trouble while being a student athlete? Let's just go "all in" on a freshman coming out of high school who's auditioning to fast track to the NBA.

Whether I am right or wrong about Willis and Hawkins, where do I see the comments wishing both Hawkins and Willis well.

Where is your appreciation for guys to accept their roles and not be pushed to the moon unnecessarily? Not everyone can be CEO, or manager, or owner. Some people are salesmen, advisors, or assistants. There's nothing wrong with that. Why are you of the thought that there is?

If Derek gets all this PT you're clamoring for, it's liable to have the reverse affect on his confidence than you think.