Yeah, John we had that same sentiment--WTF!
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| @cjzero/Twitter |
Tack on the depth that comes with having guys like Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein and this pool of talent should be running the show in the NCAA. That is if the head coach could put all the pieces together.
Instead he seems to want them to do it instead.
"I told them afterward, 'You guys became player-driven and were talking to yourselves to get you going," Calipari said (via Yahoo). "That's what I'm trying to get them to play like when I'm sitting on the bench. They're counting on me too much. And again, they're immature. Things don't go their way. They're looking for excuses. But they showed in those 10 minutes they're good enough. They did it against Arkansas too. But we've got to play 40 minutes that way."
Umm...what? They are counting on you too much? So you want them to do everything you are supposed to do as the coach? You've got to keep them from looking for excuses and give them the answers! These guys are just kids looking to be become better basketball players--not amateur coaches!
With comments like that and after getting one of the most deliberate ejections ever you have to wonder not just if he should be coaching the team, but if he wants to.
He knew full well what was going to happen when he walked out on to the court as far as he did. Calipari quit on the team when there was more than enough time to mount a comeback. He just needed to do his job, rally the troops, and lead them on the path to victory.
Instead he whined about having to do his job. Maybe he shouldn't have it.
So what! The UK players needed something to jump start them. They had all game and still were not playing ball. The game started to be called fairly consistent in the second half, but the first half was pretty much "home cooking"!
ReplyDeletecalapari is a x's and o's coach, no doubt. But he is out for himself, fame and glory. All he wants are percieved nba ready players. And a few practice players to warm up the boys who get to play. The players who are loyal to him, ride the bench. His first recruit at Kentucky was a sharp shooting guard from Kentucky. He has hardly worked up a sweet in 5 years. The starters are the ones who "look" like nba players, and half the bench don't appear to look like todays nba player. calapari does not like to be told one and done. But thats all he wants. He will not normally tell the starters to stay in school. After this season he will have only two players he recruited to graduate. Thats in 5 seasons. BBN can't stand for critical arguments to be told them. But they will sure bash Duke, Florida, and Indiana. cal will be UK's downfall.
ReplyDeleteCalapari is a recruiter not a coach!
DeleteI think John Calipari is ruining the Kentucky basketball program with the one and done players. he got lucky the first year and hasn't done shit since except embarrass the loyal fans and the kids he is supposed to be coaching. The University of Kentucky needs to sit back and look at what is happening, this is the second year in a row that the program has disintegrated by the end of the season. to much preseason hype and too many attitudes on one team. Everybody wants to be the star. I guess you can't blame them and as stated above they are just Kids.
ReplyDeleteYear 1 - Elite 8
DeleteYear 2 - Final Four
Year 3 - National Champs
How can you say he has done nothing since he "got lucky" the first year?
I watched a coach talk about his players last weekend, how they were humble and really enjoyed playing the game with each other and having fun every game. It seems our team lacks some of this.
DeleteSometimes players that are really good, have a mind set of if I make it through this year I'll be in the nba. Makes me wonder if they do their best and care as much for the team as they should.
ReplyDeleteI learned how to block out & fundamental passing in elementary & junior high school. along with how to shoot a free throw. In high school. I learned court spacing, seeing the floor, & recognizing defenses. If I would have picked up my dribble in a corner without knowing where the ball was going, I would not have played at all. And these guys are the top recruits in the nation???
ReplyDeleteIf you think Coach Cal is in trouble at UK, you must be smoking some bad dope. What team in the nation would not take a national championship ever three years. You are nuts.
ReplyDeleteHe's only won one so where are you getting 'every three years' from?
DeleteTurn on your TV Travis.
DeleteWow! you told him that before the game. Awesome.
DeleteTold me what? KU is playing some great ball right now, but they are still far from winning another national title. Friday night was just the Sweet 16. Yeah it's a great accomplishment and further than most figured they would go, but it is not a national title.
DeleteOh--and I was watching. Great game.
DeleteHaving lived in Massachusetts during the Calipari years, and seeing what he left behind on his road to stardom and having watched him along the way, Cal is as good a recruiter of "horse flesh" as we've seen in the college game. However, the trail of bodies along the way is inexcusable. Programs left in disarray; players and schools left to wipe the mess from his behind.. and no doubt, whatever his pitch to these kids, they buy into it. Think about it; If a kid is so good that he can play in the NBA, but somehow hasn't managed to go right from HS a one and done program is perfect for them. Why, because that kind of program lures enough talent to get the team academics to where they need to be. Also a one and done program leaves a much shorter violation trail with youngsters in and out in nothing flat. So while folks think Calipari is a great coach, I say the road to success is much easier when my horses are better than yours right from the start. My admiration goes to those coaches who do not have the drawing power of Name Brands, Multimillion dollar facilities and still graduate kids and find a way to win. Calipari represents everything that is wrong with amateur athletics. He and others like him are not a symptom but the disease.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the original poster liked the taste of crow? I hate UK but you cannot knock Calipari's results.
ReplyDelete