Scale of 1-10, your Derek Willis confidence level

[KevinHall]

Yep Willis admitted last year that he hadn't worked hard enough. Basically saying he was just coasting along. If he ever contributes it will just be extra gravy on the biscuit. But I'm not going to be disappointed if he doesn't because I doubt he ever will.

[Joneslab]

The only way to know if a coach mismanages players is if the team loses.

Because if they win, then the fan has to assume that the right strings were being called. Maybe if the players who don't play played then the team would win by more? It's possible, but that seems far-fetched.

2013 is the only time Cal's lost at Kentucky, so there were probably some personnel decisions that he screwed up on then. Otherwise he's won a lot.

Maybe Willis should've played more in blow-outs, but I don't think that would have meant much for him this year. If he can beat out guys like Mulder and Matthews then he'll play. But getting three minutes in a 30-point-win against a directional school or an SEC bottom feeder wouldn't have done much for him either way.

For Willis it'll be about how much he worked during the summer.

[J.Jennings]

Not sure if D. Willis is going to save the world but we should know a little more about his development against Duke this upcoming week. Let's see how he responds playing against a top school on the big stage. We all know Derek can shoot, but right now he has that pep in his step as if he wants to dunk on someone. Defensively he's fine and really doesn't break down anymore than anyone else.......


Now it's time to D. Hawkins to get on track. Our guard play of Ulis,Murray,Briscoe, and Hawkins should serve us well especially if we continue to press and get after in transition this year..................

[Joneslab]

The amazing thing with Willis last night was how confident he was. Got in there and went right to work. I think his first basket was a tough offensive rebound and put-back. He wasn't just standing out on the perimeter, he was trying to mix it up.

The only downside is that Poythress was such a void that Willis got all those minutes. Willis looks like he's going to help this team, but we go nowhere if Poythress is the same guy we've seen for his two years at UK. He has to be more engaged, particularly on offense. Willis playing that many minutes is fine but Poythress can bring so much that I'd like to see him be that guy getting that sustained run.

But Willis really made a statement last night, and that's good for this team because at the very least it gives us an experienced, multi-dimensional player at the back end of the rotation.

[TrueblueCATfan]

I would say after last night his confidence level is pretty high.....he keeps playing like that and we will see a lot more of him this season

Keep it up Derek

[J.Jennings]

The amazing thing with Willis last night was how confident he was. Got in there and went right to work. I think his first basket was a tough offensive rebound and put-back. He wasn't just standing out on the perimeter, he was trying to mix it up.

The only downside is that Poythress was such a void that Willis got all those minutes. Willis looks like he's going to help this team, but we go nowhere if Poythress is the same guy we've seen for his two years at UK. He has to be more engaged, particularly on offense. Willis playing that many minutes is fine but Poythress can bring so much that I'd like to see him be that guy getting that sustained run.

But Willis really made a statement last night, and that's good for this team because at the very least it gives us an experienced, multi-dimensional player at the back end of the rotation.

Willis looks to me like he's a man on a mission which is good. With Skal being physically weak, really need Poythrees to help on the boards and possibly take some pressure off Lee and Skal offensively. Cal may even have to play Isaac at the 5 and let Skal roam a little at the 4 so he can faceup. If we expect Skal to post and get the big buckets alah Karl or AD, we are doomed............

[Joneslab]

f we expect Skal to post and get the big buckets alah Karl or AD, we are doomed............

No, I think what he's trying to do is establish the post, then Skal can get out of the paint a little. Actually the first time he caught the ball last night he was facing up from about 17 feet. Passed up a shot which I don't think he'll pass up when we get to January.

He isn't going to play him like Towns. Believe he'll be much more of a Davis figure. Cal wanted Davis to be able to score in the post, but he really couldn't do it until January or February. The number of half-hooks he hit for the first two months of the season was really low. The difference though was that Davis completely rearranged the game defensively. Had colossal instincts and when his offense caught up with his D he became a force.

Hoping for Skal to be that sort of player is unfair to him. I think he'll be fine and he's going to have some monumental games, but he's going to be more of a work in progress because he hasn't played in two years. Remember this guy didn't really play high school basketball last year.

Going to have to give him some time and have some patience with him.

[J.Jennings]

No, I think what he's trying to do is establish the post, then Skal can get out. The first time he caught the ball last night he was facing up from about 17 feet. Passed up a shot which I don't think he'll pass up when we get to January.

He isn't going to play him like Towns. Believe he'll be much more of a Davis figure. Cal wanted Davis to be able to score on the post, but he really couldn't do it until January or February. The number of half-hooks he hit for the first two months of the season was really low. The difference though was that Davis completely rearranged the game defensively. Had colossal instincts and when his offense caught up with his D he became a force.

Hoping for Skal to be that sort of player is unfair to him. I think he'll be fine and he's going to have some monumental games, but he's going to be more of a work in progress because he hasn't played in two years. Remember this guy didn't really play high school basketball last year.

Going to have to give him some time and have some patience with him.

I agree, not ready to throw in the towel with Skal at all, he'll be fine in my opinion. What's crazy is that he only listed about 10 pounds lighter than Towns last year coming in as freshman. Difference is in the legs, Skal looks fragile in his lower body sort of Manute Bol like lol lol lol lol.

[Joneslab]

And it was not until really, really late--like mid-March--that we started to go to Davis and look for him to get those big baskets.

People on this board complained about Davis's offense until late in the year. He just wasn't a guy who could consistently operate because he was having to learn how to play.

Skal is having to learn too. I'm sure he's never in his life had to play consistent minutes with his back to the rim like he was having to do in that game last night.

But a lot of these guys have to learn. Towns had 8 points in his debut last year. Followed that up with 3 points against Buffalo in his next game. I'm sure some people were going all crazzed and suggesting that he wasn't going to pan out like all the other freshmen.

But it's a long season. These players radically change before our eyes. Will never forget people on WCN swearing that Daniel Orton was better than DeMarcus Cousins in November and December of that year.

[J.Jennings]

I'll go back to Kyle Wiltjer for a minute. I felt like he was fall guy for the horrible season we lost in the NIT but at the same time, he was still developing his body that year. As much as i have defended Kyle, i still think had he stuck it out at Kentucky things would have worked out for him. In regards to his NBA stock, he did himself a favor by going to a school where he can showcase his offense. Probaly wouldn't have been able to do that at Kentucky but i do think he will find him a spot in the NBA as a faceup 3/4.

[Joneslab]

I agree, not ready to throw in the towel with Skal at all, he'll be fine in my opinion. What's crazy is that he only listed about 10 pounds lighter than Towns last year coming in as freshman. Difference is in the legs, Skal looks fragile in his lower body sort of Manute Bol like lol lol lol lol.

Too much is made about frame.

In basketball in 2015, skinny and fragile-looking guys can dominate. We learned that with Davis. But you see it everywhere.

Guys who are that thin lose some when they have to play one-on-one on the block, but where they add value is in how they can run and jump and play above the rim. That's where the game is going, and while it would be great if Skal could back people down and hold his position, that's not the player he's going to be. Where he's going to show his value is with his shooting touch and his ability to draw other big men out.

[J.Jennings]

Too much is made about frame.

In basketball in 2015, skinny and fragile-looking guys can dominate. We learned that with Davis. But you see it everywhere.

Guys who are that thin lose some when they have to play one-on-one on the block, but where they add value is in how they can run and jump and play above the rim. That's where the game is going, and while it would be great if Skal could back people down and hold his position, that's not the player he's going to be. Where he's going to show his value is with his shooting touch and his ability to draw other big men out.

Well he definetly has range and touch which i prefer anyways. Could be the next Lemarcus Aldridge, who knows? Even the NBA stars have to go through a 4 to 5 year phase in order to really get the body in a place it needs to be. Look at Chris Bosh this year, he's finally bulked up his frame and looks like a beast...........

[Wonderstruck]

I love this thread and am now starting to believe JWORLD knows what he's talking about!

[George]

I love this thread and am now starting to believe JWORLD knows what he's talking about!

Have you any idea what you've done, man?!

[Blue Heaven]

Lots of 180's being pulled now since the beginning of this thread. I am loving Derek's play the last 3 games. His confidence is sky high right now. It just takes some guys a while to buy in and believe. Cal is rewarding Willis now and it is well deserved. Plus, it's awesome to see the hometown kid do well. I liove in Mt. Washington and am so proud of his play. But I always thought he played hard. From day 1. He just never played defense. That's a recipe for disaster if you wanna play for Cal. Keep it up Derek! The fruits of your labor is paying major dividends for us right now.