Skal

[justford]

What I hope doesn't happen is some kind of controversy to break out regarding the guardian and Cal.

I haven't liked Skal's face from the beginning. He looks either impassive (at best) or peeved about something (at worst).

He just doesn't have an engaged look. I hope it's because he's just having trouble and it's not because he's involved in some weird protest.

But that's neither here nor there really. The guy can't rebound the basketball. If you can't rebound you don't think about going to the NBA. He needs to think about being able to compete at this level first, and right now he can't.

You can't tell by looking at him if he is having a great game or terrible game. His demeanor doesn't change whether he is on the floor or on the bench. Just a mystery to me.

[George]

He's a non-factor at this point, right? You start Lee and Poythress, bring Skal in off the pine, then when he screws that up you dole out those minutes to Humphries and (maybe) Wynyard.

Skal will either come back next year, transfer, or go overseas, but he ain't gettin' drafted. No way no how. The guy knows drills; he doesn't know basketball.

[jpay]

The air ball on the short hook about did it for me... It's like he was hurrying to get it off before someone touched him.
If he thinks he has seen physical play so far.
Wait till the SEC Season starts.
As it is , any minutes for a third big should go to Willis in my opinion.

[Lighthouse]

He demeanor kinda looks like he really doesn't want to be here and in 3 months it's over.

[Dwight Schrute]

Cal has had just about enough of the Skal criticisms:

John Calipari

: I've said it before and I'll say it again: Every one of my players is on their own timetable. Kids grow at their own pace and shouldn't be judged by anyone else's timetable. We're here to serve these kids and help them reach their dreams. Ultimately they've got to do it, but if anyone wants to attack one of my kids personally, they won't be welcomed here. Evaluating guys is one thing, personal attacks are another. These are young kids and they deserve better.

One thing you can say about Cal is that he always does right by his players.

[Wonderstruck]

"...they won't be welcomed here."

I'm fine with this, fans and scouts alike.

[JFCats22]

What is going on with Skal is unprecedented and pretty amazing. I can't recall a scenario anywhere close to this happening.

I think Cal is at a complete loss as to what to do. I have been told Cal is beyond frustrated with Skal, maybe more so than any player he has ever coached.

Skal worked his butt off this summer, gained 20+ pounds, practiced, etc.... However, I was told today that since his struggles began he has done nothing but the bare minimum for basketball. Was told, "Skal clearly thought it would be easy for him, it's not and he has basically given up now."

[justford]

Cal has a real dilemma on his hands. If Skal can't produce for whatever reason does he keep playing him and expose his weaknesses or does he keep him on the bench to protect him and hide his weaknesses? We all can see there are no easy resolutions to this. This young man's future may well be riding on how this plays out. It is hard for me to comprehend that all the experts missed on Skal so badly.

[40bill]

Strange thing is that Skal may be just the thing guys like me have been clamoring for: a kid with a lot of raw ability that will realize he needs four years to grow into a man on the court.

[Joneslab]

Cal has had just about enough of the Skal criticisms: [URL="https://www.facebook.com/coachcalipari/?fref=nf"]

One thing you can say about Cal is that he always does right by his players.

These scouts are morons much of the time.

I wish the bloggers and reporters would quit going to them for anonymous quotes. Unless it's a whistle-blower type of situation or something regarding national importance, then the rule should always be: if you can't say it with your name attached, don't say it.

[KevinHall]

These scouts are morons much of the time.

I wish the bloggers and reporters would quit going to them for anonymous quotes. Unless it's a whistle-blower type of situation or something regarding national importance, then the rule should always be: if you can't say it with your name attached, don't say it.

I agree on stuff like this if you can't say it without being anonymous then don't print it or say it.

I though for about a two minute stretch near the end of the 1st half Skal actually hustled and put forth a good effort. I know, just two minutes but that could be something Cal can work with. Just sit him down, watch this stretch and say this is what we need from you for just say 15 or 20 minutes a game. That's all.
I still could see a team taking him late in the 1st round. A good team that could bury him on the bench or farm him out to the D League. But no way he is any more than that right now.

[Joneslab]

I though for about a two minute stretch near the end of the 1st half Skal actually hustled and put forth a good effort. I know, just two minutes but that could be something Cal can work with.

I thought so too.

But for as decent as he looked in that stretch, he looked just as bad when Cal put him in in the second half. He has a fantastically hard time grabbing balls that are right there in front of him. Not sure I've ever seen a seven-footer who has that much trouble rebounding the basketball.

[J.Jennings]

Cal finally made the lineup change bringing him off the bench. Like i have said, Poythrees and Lee should start with our other guards. We need Skal but not the way most people think we need him at this point. If he stays another year great, makes next year's team better and a year in the weight room could totally change his game...

[Joneslab]

We need Skal but not the way most people think we need him at this point....

We need the player that we all thought we were getting when he came in.

It's clear we aren't going to get that player. But not having him severely limits what we can be as a team.

So many things have to happen for us to be that team. Poythress has to play consistently. Lee has to. Ulis has to be as good as he was Saturday. The margin for error becomes even tighter because you have one less player you can count on.

That's what we are at this point. But if you put the guy people thought Skal was going to be on this team, then you have to like us as a title contender. As it is, we're going to have to get a really good draw and some of these guys are going to have to really improve.

[BobS]

The scout went too far and it sounded personal. But some of his critique was correct, IMO. Skal is really not any good right now. He is more a liability than help. I truly feel sorry for him because he looks like a lost soul out there. I want him to do something great in the worse way, if only to gain some confidence. It has to be shot.