DA's my favorite Cat of all time. I hope he doesn't catch too much backlash over these comments, as there's certainly some "back in my day we walked uphill both ways" going on. Gulp:
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I have thought all along that only 2 from this team should turn pro: KAT & WCS.
A recent story in KSR showed that around 1/3 of the players that have left early under CC, are not in the league.
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I agree with Derek. We do send some guys on, or rather don't impress upon them the need for further development.
But, it's what Cal has built this on. If you can get a shot, and you want to take it, he won't stand in the way.
Still, I think DA has a valid point. At some point in all this, I feel like John is less some of these guys' coach, and more like their first agent.
I can't help but wonder how much, if at all, he sits down with his players and truly informs about their shortcomings. What things they lack. Maybe even some frank language about what their career be.
He's the best there is in getting players drafted, mainly because he recruits guys that would get in no matter where they played.
But, Orton, Teague, Lamb, and Johndon, and even the twins... I'd like to think he had a conversation that not only blew the smoke of encouragement up the alimentary canal, but also did them the service of pointing out their shortcomings an gave them a frank assessment, that even the most lay talent scout could see.Comment
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I'm sorry but that's wrong. If you think he's "running them out" like DA claims, you're either in the dark or have your head in the sand. If a guy's mind is made up, Cal can't change it.Comment
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You know, i read this article myself and to be honest, DA makes some very good points to be perfectly honest. Again, i don't think any of us want Calipari out the door but a the same time, his offensive schemes flat out irk me at times to the point i would be willing to give up a little on defense to add a little more offense.....Comment
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Not sure why he would. When you build the entire thing on the NBA, you can't try to change their minds after the fact. You can't look at those families with a straight face and say they're not ready. You admit from the very beginning that it will be their choice; you can't turn around at the end and make it your choice.
Anderson was wrong about virtually everything he said.* Re: the UCONN thing: can you imagine the Harrison twins pressuring Napier and Boatright? Good Lord.
I chalk it up to just being a fan and disappointment about the season, but it was a terrible platform to air this stuff on. There was a whole lot of 1996 logic used about 2015, and Anderson should have known better.
* The only thing that comes close is his point about UK walking it up the floor. One thing Cal does that I wish he would change is he allows the other team to dictate tempo. Cal is as much of a plodder than Tubby. Sometimes I think that hurts his teams.
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If you read the script from this interview on KSR, it sounds much, much worse than listening to the recording. I think he was talking about the current state of college basketball as much as anything, and how this roster turnover keeps players from learning parts of the game that could make it much more aesthetically pleasing.Comment
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I'm not a fan of his platform as much as anything.
Drew Deener has had Billy Reed on for the entire year. Reed praises Pitino and absolutely crushes Cal during every show, and he uses a lot of the same logic Anderson uses: that Cal pushes players out before they're ready, that he can't coach, etc. Reed will take it further and suggest that Cal is damaging the game.
Anderson parroted at least some of those same talking points.
Kind of disappointing--and surprising. Not sure why you would run the risk of burning any bridges with Cal, a guy who has put former players on his staff and has done more for former UK players than any Kentucky coach I can remember.Comment
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Having said that, I highly doubt any bridges were burned.
Cal takes criticism a lot better than some fans do. He's one of those people who I think actually likes when he's called out, as it seems to drive him.
I doubt he'd think much of anything about Anderson's comments.Comment
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Matt Jones and company already crushing DA, so naturally the masses are all over him for his comments. I think Jones is more peeved that DA did this on someone else's show, a Louisville show, and they are the ones blowing it up to make Anderson look like a bad guy here.Comment
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All I've seen Jones say is that it was a dumb thing for Anderson to say and that it was bad form considering how Calipari had helped him.
What's untrue about that? It was a dumb thing for Anderson to say; even if you agree in theory, how could Anderson possibly know if Cal is forcing guys to the NBA?Comment
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Bottomline, Cal does everything exactly right in regards to recruiting, reaching out to fans, etc. etc. The only chink in his armor is his X's and O's abilities in the crunch. Love Cal but if he could adjust at this point of his career and make some minor changes, it would make a world of difference.
Guess you just can't have the best of both worlds............Comment
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