Getting Healthy

[KentuckyWild2020]

I think we'll have to disagree on Jelavic. Or more precisely, his shooting.

I saw some percentage stats of his three point shooting overseas, and it wasn't impressive. Close to 20%. I didn't figure that would translate to SEC D1 basketball all that well, and it hasn't. I also watched video highlights and thought his shot looked "decent" for a big man, but nothing to write him about.

Thing is, you're right about his defense. He's been admirable in that regard. And he may be the best low block scorer we have on this team. Problem is, he's not being used for that purpose, and he wasn't brought in to be used for that purpose. He was "supposed" to be a stretch 4, and he doesn't shoot well enough for that role. BUT ...he should still have a role on this team. If nothing else, he's the only other true 4 on the team besides Dioubate, even though Williams is seeing minutes there.

His form looks good but obviously, he just ain't got it. I suppose there is a reason why he's like 22 and not on a NBA roster with his size wingspan and abilities. If he is going to play on this team, he has to hit shots or he's pretty much grounded.


On a positive note. Haven't seen the results we wanted so far but I still like this team, we are who we are.

How many Calipari teams did i finally say to myself," just be patient, continue to get better ,make the tournament, hope it all comes together?"

Good news about this team, it hasn't peaked, can only go up from here.

JQ and Lowe re energized the hope.

Feel bad for crapping on Pope, especially learning more about his mental anxiety break down. That's real and a bad place to be in. Hopefully he is past that..

[bucsrule8872]

I think the key to being a Kentucky fan, at least for me, is not to get too high after a win or too low after a loss.

Everyone was so upset about the losses, but I knew that if we could ever get all of these guys on the floor, things would get better. Missing 3 starters, missing probably our two most talented players (or at least top 3 with Oweh), that’s enough to cripple any team. Even the 96 team would have struggled a bit without Delk, McCarty, and Walker.

And the importance of a PG cannot be understated. Referencing the 96 team again, remember how they struggled the first few games (lost to UMass) partly due to Pitino trying to play Delk at PG instead of Epps. The team went to another level when Epps moved to the starting spot. We need JLowe. Most important player on our team.

With all that in mind, we really shouldn’t have been so down after those losses.

Now on the other hand, we cannot get too high after these last two big wins. Both teams were good, but flawed, teams. IU was too small. SJU lacks a true PG and their offense looks as bad as ours (without JLowe). So, let’s not book our tickets to the Final Four.

I think, barring any setbacks, we compete for an SEC title. The SEC is down. I figured they would be after most of the teams lost multiple Super (5th year COVID) Seniors. All the star power graduated last year. The SEC more than any other conference, had that older talent. The SEC has come back down to earth and should be wide open.

SEC contender and maybe a second weekend team. That’s what I am expecting as a realistic outcome for the season.

[samsdad]

Maybe you need to lay off the insults. I didn't read anything that deserved that kind of remark. The man's certainly entitled to his opinion.

He said he hit a boiling point. He said he was having flashbacks. Maybe he needs help.

[samsdad]

For what??

Im going to say this and be really nice to you in the most respectful way.

I do not and have never ever personally attacked another poster on this site in over 20 years whether we agree or disagree.

With that being said don't bark up my tree with all that personal bs.

Maybe you need to mind your business??

Anyone on this site for many years can attest that I will always flip the script and play devil's advocate and say some wild crap just to keep the natives restless, sheep going to be sheep. Yet when its slow and little action going on you can take a simple thread and turn it into a 100 page book...

If you want them to lose every game so the coach gets fired, that's not even defendable. It got this native restless. Wasn't that your goal?

[KentuckyWild2020]

If you want them to lose every game so the coach gets fired, that's not even defendable. It got this native restless. Wasn't that your goal?

It's all good, done forgot about it to be honest.

I publicly apologized for the outburst ,no gun to my head, no incentives,no hidden motivations, just owned it.


To be perfectly honest, the first 15 minutes of St. John's and the inner rage, I needed to get that out of my system.

Make the tournament, who knows what could happen, still have a chance..

[samsdad]

It's all good, done forgot about it to be honest.

I publicly apologized for the outburst ,no gun to my head, no incentives,no hidden motivations, just owned it.


To be perfectly honest, the first 15 minutes of St. John's and the inner rage, I needed to get that out of my system.

Make the tournament, who knows what could happen, still have a chance..

Likewise. Have a nice Christmas.

[BJD]

This is the key.

Yes, we have looked bad against good teams, but getting Lowe and Dioubate back obviously helps a lot.

We sometimes forget that we have been missing three guys that were penciled in as starters. They were penciled in there for a reason. They are three of our top five guys on paper.

Our depth is good, but no one has enough depth to replace that much.

Take away three starters from any top 25 team and see what happens.

And also, keep in mind our best player has been hampered by a toe injury as well.

Not making excuses, but trying to be positive.

Get healthy and I think the best is still ahead.

Hopefully it will be the reverse of last season where we started strong and limped into March.

Take away 3 starters from a good team and the remaining players might still lose but they play hard.


There is no excuse for this team being unprepared to play and not even trying to play.


I thought the Mich St game was bad. But Gonzaga was even worse.


I’ve never heard a UK team boo’ed out of the building.

I didn’t boo. But we left at halftime.


Then boo’ed at home the next game.


We played hard the second half against IU. We played hard the second half against St John’s

Then we took another vacation against Bellarmine

of course JQ and Lowe make a difference. But this team is soft.

There’s no getting around that.

[bucsrule8872]

Take away 3 starters from a good team and the remaining players might still lose but they play hard.


There is no excuse for this team being unprepared to play and not even trying to play.


I thought the Mich St game was bad. But Gonzaga was even worse.


I’ve never heard a UK team boo’ed out of the building.

I didn’t boo. But we left at halftime.


Then boo’ed at home the next game.


We played hard the second half against IU. We played hard the second half against St John’s

Then we took another vacation against Bellarmine

of course JQ and Lowe make a difference. But this team is soft.

There’s no getting around that.

I do think their effort needs to improve.

But luckily effort is a fixable issue. Teams can turn up their intensity. That’s easier to fix than trying to manufacture talent from a talentless team.

Talent can’t really be taught, but effort can.

I have always told my son that he won’t always be the fastest, strongest, most talented kid on the field/court, but he can always be the hardest working. Talent is limited by genetics, effort is only limited by your desire.

[ganner918]

So... that wasn't it

[WeWant9]

This team is what it is. They can blow the cupcakes out, beat okay teams in rock fights, and any quality team has been able to lead by double digits most of the game.

[JFCats22]

What was getting healthy the key to? Losing by double digits again???

[TrueblueCATfan]

So I thought getting these players back was the key
Yet we still lose today

[bucsrule8872]

It wasn’t losing as much as how we lost.

All the talent in the world can’t win you games when you lack effort.

But I’m not giving up just yet.

But the effort just isn’t there.