Between this board and the KSR postgame show and daily show, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the reaction of fans. I would describe it much more as “constructive criticism,” especially compared with how it would’ve been if Cal were still the coach and lost this game.
Absolute Dose of Honesty
- Thread starter B.B.H.
- Start date
There are so many things that go into sport strategy. We actually have no concept of just how much there is. Coaches have insight into player’s abilities that we don’t get to see.
It’s all armchair quarterbacking without spending 60 hours each week analyzing the roster.
I’m sure Mark Stoops would love to have Georgia’s passing game, he doesn’t have a Carson Beck or their lineman and receivers.
That doesn’t mean Kirby Smart has more strategy IQ than Stoops.
What got me on all this was the extreme fans saying Pope is going to run off T. Perry by not playing him. In my mind, that goes past criticism of the coach and into not trusting the coach or thinking you know better than the coach but I’m just one guy.
My dog has more strategy IQ than Stoops.
A coach can have a bad game just like a player can.
ESPN does that “bad game or bad sign?” thing.
It was just a bad game.
ESPN does that “bad game or bad sign?” thing.
It was just a bad game.
I think the vast majority of us are reasonable. He lost a game it happens. No big deal. If he loses this Saturday I'll put the damn For Sale signs in his yard myself.
This is pretty much on point.
In-game coaching, especially on that stage, is 100x harder than most realize, too.
I just realized who your icon was; I watch some of his videos.
Message boards are for people to vent about all the stuff they know or don't know in real time.
Better to look like a doofus online than kick your dog. Hell, I don't even own a dog.
The bigger issue is people don't have thick enough skins when they post. You gonna spout off, stop refreshing the post to respond when someone disagree vents. For all the Nancies who complain nonstop about woke bitching in the world, the thin skin of fans on this board (and many many others) is worse than it's ever been and I'm old enough AF to know.
Grow a pair. If you actually want to "have a discussion," stop pretending you know it all or at least quit getting your thongs in a wad when someone doesn't agree.
/rant
Better to look like a doofus online than kick your dog. Hell, I don't even own a dog.
The bigger issue is people don't have thick enough skins when they post. You gonna spout off, stop refreshing the post to respond when someone disagree vents. For all the Nancies who complain nonstop about woke bitching in the world, the thin skin of fans on this board (and many many others) is worse than it's ever been and I'm old enough AF to know.
Grow a pair. If you actually want to "have a discussion," stop pretending you know it all or at least quit getting your thongs in a wad when someone doesn't agree.
/rant
Isn't that the key to Pope's offense? Having the 5 move and and distributing to the cutters or open man?
Are saying Williams isn't that guy? Suggesting maybe it should be Garrison?
Just inquiring.....
I'm definitely not going to criticize Pope for this season. He jumped into a crazy situation--had to put a team together from scratch in a very short period of time and has players that never played together before. He's got to learn the team, the team has to learn him, and the players have to learn each other. Those who are looking for something to be critical of aren't realistic. Pope is going to need time to get everything in place. As it is, he's done an outstanding job of putting a competitive team on the floor in virtually no time at all. Kentucky is lucky to have Coach Pope. He's very bright, he's a *very* hard worker, and he's family. He'll get it done. Relax.
I tend to agree, Pope is a student of the game and is a coach after my own heart. He looks at every aspect and works his team on every little thing. I am sorry but Cal to me was a lazy coach. He reminded me of some of these AAU coaches back in the day who recruited the best kids they could find and just rolled the ball out.
Most people causing issues are new usernames or people we haven’t seen post since April.
Just like the players, Pope is on his own learning curve of being the main man of a blue blood. He obviously understands it from a player’s perspective, but it’s different when you’re in charge. I think every new coach deserves a few years to get their guys and build their system, unless they’re a drunk. This season will have some great highs and some lows, but I think the future is bright.
In all honesty this is the most calm rafters has been in about a half decade. Seems like we’re back to discussing actual bball and not what our coach said or did.
Just like the players, Pope is on his own learning curve of being the main man of a blue blood. He obviously understands it from a player’s perspective, but it’s different when you’re in charge. I think every new coach deserves a few years to get their guys and build their system, unless they’re a drunk. This season will have some great highs and some lows, but I think the future is bright.
In all honesty this is the most calm rafters has been in about a half decade. Seems like we’re back to discussing actual bball and not what our coach said or did.
So you’re telling me I might not know as much basketball as a former high level CB player, 8 yr NBA player and coach for now 15 yrs nor am I as smart as a Rhodes scholar and medical school student who dropped out to pursue a passion for coaching? Hmmm. You just might be right. 😀
If he's smart then these 5 players get the most minutes:
Butler
Oweh
Brea
Carr
Williams
**Bring Robinson off the bench to split Brea & Oweh's minutes.
Lol...in all seriousness Pope is smart!
I'd say the exact same words were muttered when Cal was rolling , and he went crazy . Pope is a solid coach . This is a message board or better yet , a discussion board . Every minute of every game is gonna get discussed . Just the way it is , to say " turn off your internet/phone , dont make talk here on RR because Coach is a genius " is a waste of time . Honestly I think the OP is talking outta both sides of mouth . First he's beyond reproach , then it's ok to say something . Whatever I'm gonna be me and thats about that .
Say whatever you want lol. It’s a free country dude.
As far as talking out of both sides of the mouth, have you heard of something called “context” or “nuance?” Thinking that much is a lot to ask from some.
Sometimes a coach makes good decisions and his players fail to execute. Sometimes you play great defense and a guy banks in a three at the end of a shot clock. Sometimes you get roofereed. Sometimes the other team just plays out of their mind. Lots of variables. If a team is not exceptional it is hard to overcome some of these scenarios. And then sometimes their superior Johnny and Joes beat your superior x’s and o’s.
Question. Do you guys think we get a different perspective of these games, because we get to watch them from a birdseye view?
Like, when I get to watch games at NKU, or X and I get seats near the floor, it's really hard to judge spacing and to see all the little things that are happening.
When I watch from an elevated view, which is what we get at home, we see so much more detail.
This might he the dumbest question, if it is, it is, but I figured I'd throw it out there.
Like, when I get to watch games at NKU, or X and I get seats near the floor, it's really hard to judge spacing and to see all the little things that are happening.
When I watch from an elevated view, which is what we get at home, we see so much more detail.
This might he the dumbest question, if it is, it is, but I figured I'd throw it out there.
I don’t think it is a dumb question at all. Of course it changes the way we analyze it. I feel like with Duke’s home games I get an even greater sense of spacing due to the camera’s higher placement
I think we are able to see things in a light you just can't see at floor level.
We can see the openings in the defense and how easily it can be to attack a defense, which gives us a different mindset maybe. IDK, just spit balling.
Coaches are aware that perspective changes. That’s why sometimes you will hear a coach answer with a response like “I don’t know. I’ll have to go look at the tape.”
I didn’t say anything that should evoke that response. I just succinctly and specifically replied to what you said. There was a very clear message to what I said and anyone is welcome to disagree to it. You do you but, no, I don’t think I’m intellectually superior to you or anything. I do, however, feel that if you’re going to call someone out for “talking out of both sides of the mouth” without first trying to understand the point of the message, don’t be surprised when someone points out the blind spots. We are all Cat fans here and no harm intended.
Knowledge of the game, fundamentals and strategy is much different than coaching during ball games. Some coaches are better on the practice floor than on the sidelines during games. Being an articulate coach during interviews and press conferences is no guarantee that a coach can effectively communicate with individuals and the team. It is great to have a face and ambassador for a program, but what happens in the locker room and game huddles is what wins games. Regards CMP, it will take a few seasons for fans to determine how broad his skillset is. He is certainly off to an impressive start and seems to have a broad range of ability.
I agree 100 %, BBH. After the CCC years, it thrills me to death that we have a coach that knows more basketball I do, and is smarter than me. And, of course, those are two different concepts -- and Coach Pope has me beat on both counts !
Go 'Cats ! ! !
Me too. I think almost every coach in the country is smarter than me anyways lol. That would be a low standard haha. I do agree it is refreshing.
This is exactly where I am.
The most refreshing part of listening to Coach Pope's post game presser and interview with Tom was hearing him cite the very things the reasonable fans on this message board were "second guessing" him over. When your coach sees EXACTLY why his team did not perform at a level needed to win, it tells me that we have the right guy!!!
I have the utmost confidence Coach Pope will figure this team out and have them playing at the top of their potential by March!!
Humility goes a LONG WAY in this environment for the UK Coach. Mark Pope KNOWS this.
Can't wait to play the Zags!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!
Maybe. But let's not forget that Butler rolled his ankle, so Pope was forced to reduce his minutes, to an extent - until he was ready to go back in the game. Also, Butler was in foul-trouble for a stretch as well.
I posted this on another thread, but Brea wasn't getting open, he wasn't getting looks, so if that's the case, I don't really see the need to play him. He doesn't guard well at all, he doesn't get to the rim (against real opponents), and he doesn't provide intangibles like loose balls, screening away from the ball, etc. Moving forward, I'd like to see a package of sets for Brea, such as a screen-the-screener option - he sets a cross-screen to get someone open on the block, then he comes off a down-screen. If his man is playing him tight, should be a bucket for Amari. If his man helps at all, should be a bucket for Brea.
I love Pope's offense. But if Brea isn't getting open and isn't getting clean looks (he's not shifty and bouncy off screens) then Pope/staff might have to start scripting some actions for him
He did something at the champions classic that showed his intelligence that I don't think alot of people caught onto. He noticed they would be using Rawlings basketballs. Usually we play with Nike balls i believe. He had the team practice with Rawlings balls. Hence, we shot better than other teams. Little things like that. He is attention to detail. I'm excited he's our coach and can't wait to see what he builds.
Yes, it is how Pope likes to run his offense. But it doesn't work with Williams. And it sure wouldn't work with Garrison.
Pope should see this by now and adjust accordingly. Either make some changes offensively where Williams does not initiate the offense so much, or sit him. Those are the options.
if you’re going to clap back it should at least be amusing. This is… sad.What you think that sounded like:
What you actually sounded like:
Yeah, I didn’t get the memo that you are supposed to respond with some hyper aggressive emo-sounding cliche-filled diatribe to show how “tough” I am. Maybe next time I’ll put the lipstick on and flex them bones.
Sometimes you have two equal paths and you have to chose one. He sat Brea for defense. We will never know if playing Brea for offense would have won the game or not.
What is refreshing is his explanation. Our fans are knowledgeable and we wanted to know Cals reasoning behind his decisions. He didn’t want to explain his decisions is why the fan base became annoyed. Pope explained WHY. That’s all people want.
Anyone who watches Travis Perry play and think he is ready for big time basketball is just not educated. He is almost too short to ever play major college ball. There are only a handful of 6’1 guards in division one making any difference. Trent Noah is much more ready than Travis.
I don’t see him ever playing extended minutes at UK. He’s too short and white.
Kyle Maceys, Patrick Sparks, Wojos just don’t exist in college ball anymore.
