Poll: Cal in the Rafters

[H00SIER-Cat1997]

He’s going to have a lot to say about ten-loss seasons, and how those invalidate all of Tubby’s accomplishments.

9 and 21 Tubby. Hmmm. Oh, wait!


i meant 9-16

[George]

9 and 21 Tubby. Hmmm. Oh, wait!

I don’t follow.

[EKYCat]

I don’t follow.

Think he’s referring to the BJ Boston team that went 9-16.

[KCKUKFan]

9 and 21 Tubby. Hmmm. Oh, wait!

9-16, you mean.

And your point?

[KCKUKFan]

I'm going to abstain from voting. He was very successful for several years, there's no doubt. And then he had several pretty bad years by UK's standard. But he did a lot of intentional harm to the UK brand as well. I'm not just talking about bad losses - it was the whole Players First, NBA draft focus, etc. In my mind, that's one vote for and 2 strikes against. If it were only the one strike, it would probably be a no-brainer.

All his wins, a national title, multiple SEC titles and final fours only account for one vote for?

Tough critics.

[George]

I'm going to abstain from voting. He was very successful for several years, there's no doubt. And then he had several pretty bad years by UK's standard. But he did a lot of intentional harm to the UK brand as well. I'm not just talking about bad losses - it was the whole Players First, NBA draft focus, etc. In my mind, that's one vote for and 2 strikes against. If it were only the one strike, it would probably be a no-brainer.

I disagree about the "intentional harm;" I don't think Cal ever set out to damage the program. He certainly mismanaged the program (didn't matter through the first half; definitely mattered in the second), and his priorities weren't always aligned with the program's historical values, but intentional harm? I think that's a reach.

[WeWant9]

I feel at some point Cal thought he was bigger than the program, and that became an issue. That one Ark recruit said Cal's pitch was "it's still Cal U, just a different location." That was a pretty telling quote to me. I have a lot of thoughts on how his time ended at UK, but I am at the point of the breakup where I am more focused on who we have now.

I do think he deserves to go in the rafters, but outside of that I don't see him having much connection to the program in the future. Doubt he takes on a Joe B type of role. It'll be interesting to see how people look back on him in 10, 20 years. It will probably be similar to how it is now, very mixed reactions on him.

[Pete Hogwallop]

I disagree about the "intentional harm;" I don't think Cal ever set out to damage the program. He certainly mismanaged the program (didn't matter through the first half; definitely mattered in the second), and his priorities weren't always aligned with the program's historical values, but intentional harm? I think that's a reach.

Ok, maybe "intentional" harm isn't the right way to put it. After thinking about it more, what I meant was, he had priorities that were more important to him than whether they harmed UK's reputation, standards, tradition, etc. I guess he hoped they would be in alignment, so in that sense it wasn't intentional harm. However, when they were in conflict, he chose his priorities over the University that was paying him.

[docholiday]

Eventually, he will be recognized....but probably not before his coaching days are completely over.

I don't think it should be a consideration until he is done coaching for at least 5 years. It would be
reasonable after that point in time.

[KYWILDCAT41035]

The way I still feel towards him I choose to not answer that question right now. I might change my answer in the future but those last 5 years of his tenure really was rock bottom and I have no love for him right now.

[George]

Ok, maybe "intentional" harm isn't the right way to put it. After thinking about it more, what I meant was, he had priorities that were more important to him than whether they harmed UK's reputation, standards, tradition, etc. I guess he hoped they would be in alignment, so in that sense it wasn't intentional harm. However, when they were in conflict, he chose his priorities over the University that was paying him.

Yeah, now I think we're saying the same thing. His belief was always that his players-first concept would benefit the program and lead to the results everyone wanted, thereby simultaneously achieving his personal goals and those of Kentucky. Once it became clear that that his approach no longer worked, things unfolded as you described.

I was a Cal fan and didn't want to see things end the way they did, but I also believed he, as an employee of the university, should have been held accountable for not always prioritizing the needs of his employer.

[TM2013]

1 year after he retires from coaching. He drove me crazy the last few years but I still love what he accomplished here and he provided dozens and dozens of amazing moments I will never forget.

I know alot of people don't care about the NBA, but UK basketball's lack of NBA success was arguably one of our program's only weak spots and Cal completely flipped that for us. Our NBA resume now stacks up with UNC and UCLA.

[Burly Peters]

I went with 10+ years. It's going to take some time.

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

I went with 9-10. I'm just happy and relieved he's gone.

[SportsFan]

I was a Cal fan and didn't want to see things end the way they did, but I also believed he, as an employee of the university, should have been held accountable for not always prioritizing the needs of his employer.

And we're seeing, now that he's at Arkansas, that he's well aware that he has damaged his reputation. He seems to get it. NOW! Now....after years and years of the Kentucky fan base clamoring for more upperclassmen and player retention. Years after seeing him push freshmen out the door who weren't ready for the next level. The fan base pretty much begged him to stop placing such a priority on one and done players with NBA draft night being such a priority...but Cal refused to listen. At least, while he was at Kentucky. I can't imagine a world where John Calipari brings back highly heralded DJ Wagner for his JUNIOR year....if he was still at Kentucky.