OT: Can/should Cal learn anything from the Nuggets?

[gamecockcat]

1. Led by a player who is the consummate BASKETBALL player, not, by any stretch, the best athlete in the NBA. Basketball IQ and fundamentals can carry you a helluva long way.
2. Nuggets don't have (or need, evidently) 3 super stars to win the NBA championship - two is enough - if the remainder of the team does their job. Aaron Gordon was a top scorer for Orlando before coming to the Nuggets. Now, he's a top defender, scores some, rebounds some, has games where he accumulates 'stats' that don't show up on the box score: tipped balls, quick switch to prevent open shot, effective screen set for teammate to have open look, etc. MPJ can sometimes hardly make a sound, other times, when needed, he'll pour in 18 points, grab 10+ rebounds, etc. Roster construction is superb on this team.
3. Floor spacing and moving without the ball is key to Nuggets offense.
4. Have enough shooters that teams can't just double on Jokic all night long (or Murray) and both of those players are more than willing to give up their own points for a teammate with a much better look.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Nuggets aren't the standard or norm in the nba though.

 

[UK90]

I hope this helps Cal finally realize that he just needs to go get the best passing center who ever lived. Yeesh, is that so hard?

 

[Lempface]

The takes on this board man. This is why Cal calls you guys basketball Benny's. 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Smashcat]

Nah. Cal's best days are behind him.

 

[drbubba]

Nuggets aren't the standard or norm in the nba though.

But they are doing something right...like win a championship. Granted the Nuggets may not be a dynasty and it's not the same as college ball, but they do very well play together.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

Nuggets aren't the standard or norm in the nba though.

If Kentucky could get a Jokic clone I would be mad though

 

[Wildcats1st]

No because Cals team changes every year while the nugs build. The nugs are the fruit of years of discipline and constant growth. Two things cal is completely in capable of. Theoretically a college coaches style should be different year to year but cal does the same sht: really he is more tailored to the nba and he should go stat

 

[HeelsShmeels]

I could have sworn I was watching UK BB reruns from the last few years.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Of course he should. He should recruit guys like Murray.

No wait!!

And Cal inquired about Jokic. Was told the same thing everyone else was, Jokic was not eligible for US colleges.

 

[JBHolmesfan]

If Cal had the best player in college basketball we’d win a lot of games. That’s how it’s always been with Cal.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

But they are doing something right...like win a championship. Granted the Nuggets may not be a dynasty and it's not the same as college ball, but they do very well play together.

Yeah one title in 46 years n nba.

 

[gamecockcat]

I hope this helps Cal finally realize that he just needs to go get the best passing center who ever lived. Yeesh, is that so hard?

Totally missed the point. How about recruiting good basketball players with high BB IQ instead of athletes that won't actually acquire those traits until they're long gone? There's only one Jokic but there are many players who are much more of a finished project vs an elite athlete who can barely recognize a zone defense much less know how to attack it.

 

[MrHotDice]

Totally missed the point. How about recruiting good basketball players with high BB IQ instead of athletes that won't actually acquire those traits until they're long gone? There's only one Jokic but there are many players who are much more of a finished project vs an elite athlete who can barely recognize a zone defense much less know how to attack it.

I believe both players mentioned are foreign players. Can you say FUNDAMENTALS

 

[DreadLox]

Yeah, he could learn that if you have the most talented player since Michael Jordan, you'll win more games.

 

[Ron Mehico]

He coached Jamal Murray


But in all seriousness these guys have played together for years, they are cohesive units.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

1. Led by a player who is the consummate BASKETBALL player, not, by any stretch, the best athlete in the NBA. Basketball IQ and fundamentals can carry you a helluva long way.
2. Nuggets don't have (or need, evidently) 3 super stars to win the NBA championship - two is enough - if the remainder of the team does their job. Aaron Gordon was a top scorer for Orlando before coming to the Nuggets. Now, he's a top defender, scores some, rebounds some, has games where he accumulates 'stats' that don't show up on the box score: tipped balls, quick switch to prevent open shot, effective screen set for teammate to have open look, etc. MPJ can sometimes hardly make a sound, other times, when needed, he'll pour in 18 points, grab 10+ rebounds, etc. Roster construction is superb on this team.
3. Floor spacing and moving without the ball is key to Nuggets offense.
4. Have enough shooters that teams can't just double on Jokic all night long (or Murray) and both of those players are more than willing to give up their own points for a teammate with a much better look.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

And they lost Game 3 in the 1st Round which in the NCAA's qualifies as losing in the Sweet 16. You can't compare NBA Basketball to CBB due to the format alone. All the great teams...champions lose a game or several. Thing is if you go 8-3 in the NCAA Postseason you got a do over in the opening Rounds the Nuggets were 8-3 after 2 Series wins. Calipari and every CBB program have go 9-0 at least to win a title (Conference Tournament/NCAA's) which makes it far more difficult. So an off night, a bad call, etc....it's going to cost you.

The best way to give yourself a chance is to get the most talent you can get, and have them play together/see how you stack up. The "experience" factor means nothing. What UConn player on this year's team had done squat in the NCAA Tournament prior to this year? They absolutely destroyed people because their HC did the one thing that Calipari CAN control and that's quit fighting with officials in a battle you'll always lose and stay calm, focus on the team and being calmer for them.

 

[king of cali]

I hope this helps Cal finally realize that he just needs to go get the best passing center who ever lived. Yeesh, is that so hard?

Exactly lol. All the other mumbo jumbo mentioned in the op means zilch without Jokic.

 

[know1]

Cal doesn't want to learn. He wants a buyout.

 

[gamecockcat]

Exactly lol. All the other mumbo jumbo mentioned in the op means zilch without Jokic.

So...building a complete roster, having role players who accept their role, recruiting fundamentally sound BB players, spacing the floor and having enough shooters, installing a system that matches your players' strengths vs forcing square players into a round hole - none of that matters? Okay. Glad you put a lot of thought into your response.

 

[king of cali]

So...building a complete roster, having role players who accept their role, recruiting fundamentally sound BB players, spacing the floor and having enough shooters, installing a system that matches your players' strengths vs forcing square players into a round hole - none of that matters? Okay. Glad you put a lot of thought into your response.

In college basketball, sure that stuff matters to a certain degree. In the NBA it doesn’t matter at all. The only thing that mattered for Denver is that they had Jokic playing at a historic level.

Remove him and they don’t sniff the playoffs with all the fundamentally sound players, spacing the floor and whatever else you said.

 

[Cats192]

Denver is just full of talent that fits.

Aaron Gordon was a top 5 pick. Didn't become a star. But is a very good player.
Porter was the #2 recruit out of high school. They got him with the 14th pick. Not a star, but a VERY good role player.
KCP is an outstanding 3 and D guy.
Bruce Brown was a 2nd round pick that never averaged double digits--Denver saw the potential, and he's been a key player for them.
Braun was the 21st pick in the draft--a rookie--and they're getting key minutes out of him in the Finals.

And then they have those Scrubs Jokic and Murray.

 

[Catman100]

You lost me at LEARN.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Denver is just full of talent that fits.

Aaron Gordon was a top 5 pick. Didn't become a star. But is a very good player.
Porter was the #2 recruit out of high school. They got him with the 14th pick. Not a star, but a VERY good role player.
KCP is an outstanding 3 and D guy.
Bruce Brown was a 2nd round pick that never averaged double digits--Denver saw the potential, and he's been a key player for them.
Braun was the 21st pick in the draft--a rookie--and they're getting key minutes out of him in the Finals.

And then they have those Scrubs Jokic and Murray.

This. They have a ton of talent that work very well together. Roles are seamlessly defined as well.

 

[yes_takeaside]

And they lost Game 3 in the 1st Round which in the NCAA's qualifies as losing in the Sweet 16. You can't compare NBA Basketball to CBB due to the format alone. All the great teams...champions lose a game or several. Thing is if you go 8-3 in the NCAA Postseason you got a do over in the opening Rounds the Nuggets were 8-3 after 2 Series wins. Calipari and every CBB program have go 9-0 at least to win a title (Conference Tournament/NCAA's) which makes it far more difficult. So an off night, a bad call, etc....it's going to cost you.

The best way to give yourself a chance is to get the most talent you can get, and have them play together/see how you stack up. The "experience" factor means nothing. What UConn player on this year's team had done squat in the NCAA Tournament prior to this year? They absolutely destroyed people because their HC did the one thing that Calipari CAN control and that's quit fighting with officials in a battle you'll always lose and stay calm, focus on the team and being calmer for them.

Cal is not losing because he battles the zebras. His problems are way more fundamental than that. I’ll grant you arguing is an issue but it’s because he’s at a loss of what else to do.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

Cal is not losing because he battles the zebras. His problems are way more fundamental than that. I’ll grant you arguing is an issue but it’s because he’s at a loss of what else to do.

My response is did you watch the Kansas State game where he got engaged with an official to the point the guy would make calls against his team and stare him down? That's far more damaging in a win or go home scenario than anything strategic. Think of how many 50/50 calls go against Kentucky and his response? Think that helps? You are far more effective with officials if you refrain from getting upset so when you actually do, it has an impact and they know you are probably in the right because you never say much.

Calipari's biggest mistake was getting "veteran" led teams filled with losers who never achieved anything. It's fine to get Vets, but when they all have zero experience of winning to fall back on...it's a horrible idea to build with that group as the core. When a guy has success with a formula and openly states "If it's between Talent or Experience, take talent every time" and that becomes "Hey-you are 5'8 and fat...never won a thing, but we're going to let you have the ball and waste time not giving the ball to the 6'4 5 Star who is a Lottery Pick" and then don't get the results you expect--make a change and then results improve, is it really shocking that change helped the team improve?

 

[Catman100]

Cal is not losing because he battles the zebras. His problems are way more fundamental than that. I’ll grant you arguing is an issue but it’s because he’s at a loss of what else to do.

Oh I think he is indeed losing because of how he treats the zebras. Not the only reason he is losing, but it is definitely not helping.

 

[DaProdigy23]

Multiple years of Jamal Murray leads to a championship.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

Oh I think he is indeed losing because of how he treats the zebras. Not the only reason he is losing, but it is definitely not helping.

Think it's even more interesting to hear how Dan Hurley specifically called himself out for how he was behaving and looked when he watched game film. Don't have exact quote but it was along lines of "I was whining/crying too much and it looked ridiculous on the film. Took away from coaching the team and helping them win games".

Distractions of any sort aren't good and Cal is far too focused on officiating during a game. There's nothing you can do about it, so why let it get to you? If anything, think he's too personally vested in thinking that can't be overcome with play on the court. If you shut up, people will call the game differently. If you constantly want calls/whine...it's not going to help, even if you are right.

We all know there are some horrible officials. But your players have to play anyways, so just coach them. Which relates back to needing more talented players to help overcome the obstacles. Seeing the dickhead refs calling awful T's against Anthony Davis at Kentucky were laughable but they just kept plowing through opponents.

Last year I think Cal liked the people but hated a lot of them as players and didn't think they were competitive enough or tough enough. I'd actually agree with that take but then also point out he's the guy in control of who comes/plays at Kentucky. Fix it.

 

[YardCat]

Can Cal Learn or Should Cal Learn?

Cal has answered that question, if you ask him he invented basketball. So, he Can’t learn because he refuses to change. And I don’t know if we could win it all with Cal coaching the Nuggets against the college slate.