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An honest question?

TNCatfanforever

TNCatfanforever

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Apr 3, 2003
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What does Skal do well? I watched him carefully today. He has no idea how to set a screen, thus an illegal pick, he doesn't know how to take a charge, rather than establishing position just fund into his man or brings his arms down...foul, no footwork at all so always a step behind on offense and defense, weak hands so he doesn't catch well if he does he gets the ball stripped away. He looks slow and totally dis-interested and completely lost. Is it lack of experience, lack of earlier coaching, was he vastly over rated, how did and how do the experts still have him a lottery pick? I coached high school ball about 35 years ago and know a tad about the game and I see nothing that leads me to believe he will ever be more than a role player. I would love nothing more than to see him be a star. What am I missing here?
 
Honestly, this kids game needs to be overhauled. He's not a very instinctive player. He needs more time in college learning the game IMO. Many were hoodwinked by the hype in this instance for sure.
 
I would give Humphries Skal's minutes. I thought he looked pretty good today. He really went after a couple of rebounds today and he looks like he's making strides. Skal looks the same. He knocks down open shots but really gives you nothing else. He just doesn't look comfortable doing anything outside of shooting.

Skal is going to leave for the NBA after the season so why not invest more time in a player (Humphries) that will be here next year and is actually showing signs of growth. Skal should obviously play but Humphries should be given more court time.
 
spotter34 said:
I would give Humphries Skal's minutes. I thought he looked pretty good today. He really went after a couple of rebounds today and he looks like he's making strides. Skal looks the same. He knocks down open shots but really gives you nothing else. He just doesn't look comfortable doing anything outside of shooting.

Skal is going to leave for the NBA after the season so why not invest more time in a player (Humphries) that will be here next year and is actually showing signs of growth. Skal should obviously play but Humphries should be given more court time.
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Tend to agree here...seems like we're investing backup minutes for Skal and he's really only going to do 1 or maybe 2 things. 1. Shoot open face up jumpers and 2. Sometimes he blocks some shots.

But we know Skal in 2016 will not give you any rebounding, isn't a good defensive player in the paint or even in pick/roll outside of paint. So if Humphries at least gives you a big kid that grabs boards and isn't going to be backed down in the paint and I'd argue his shot blocking isn't much behind Skal...why play Skal at all vs. Humphries. Are 2 face up jumpers a game from Skal really that vital?
 
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TNCatfanforever said:
What does Skal do well? I watched him carefully today. He has no idea how to set a screen, thus an illegal pick, he doesn't know how to take a charge, rather than establishing position just fund into his man or brings his arms down...foul, no footwork at all so always a step behind on offense and defense, weak hands so he doesn't catch well if he does he gets the ball stripped away. He looks slow and totally dis-interested and completely lost. Is it lack of experience, lack of earlier coaching, was he vastly over rated, how did and how do the experts still have him a lottery pick? I coached high school ball about 35 years ago and know a tad about the game and I see nothing that leads me to believe he will ever be more than a role player. I would love nothing more than to see him be a star. What am I missing here?
Click to expand...

I also watched him more today when he was in and I might add that he does not know how to position himself to get a rebound. He is about the weakest big man that UK has had in many years. He needs to stay in collage as other have said and learn how to play the game.
 
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westerncat said:
I also watched him more today when he was in and I might add that he does not know how to position himself to get a rebound. He is about the weakest big man that UK has had in many years. He needs to stay in collage as other have said and learn how to play the game.
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Unfortunately, he'll be drafted and end up in the D-league. Unless he major some major progress he'll be out of the league in a couple of years.
 
timshady said:
He'll be fine. He's 18 and he's raw. Hard to live up to being towns replacement.
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He has a nice shot but that's about it right now. He's more than likely gone but I think he's getting some bad advice from someone. Needs to really bulk up and gain some strength. Looks weak in the post.
 
He does 2 things well. He has been very good lately at protecting the rim. He can also shoot the 10 footer.
 
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He's good at being 7 feet tall, which is a rare attribute. Among 7 footers, you won't find many in the world who can shoot a basketball as well as Skal.

So those building blocks are there to work with. Should make him pretty rich.
 
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I'm sort of in agreement about giving Humphries another look. In games with mobile bigs he may get killed on defense. However, if he could become a bit more Jorts-like in the next few weeks, he would help this team immensely. I think Skal is a great kid, but he's had most of the year to toughen up and improve and he really hasn't. Keep him in a back-up role and take a gamble on Humphries.

However, all this rests on Humphries bringing it in practice. I feel like I remember MJ hinting that perhaps he hasn't in the past, and that's why he wasn't logging minutes, though I'm not 100% on that.
 
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spotter34 said:
I would give Humphries Skal's minutes. I thought he looked pretty good today. He really went after a couple of rebounds today and he looks like he's making strides. Skal looks the same. He knocks down open shots but really gives you nothing else. He just doesn't look comfortable doing anything outside of shooting.

Skal is going to leave for the NBA after the season so why not invest more time in a player (Humphries) that will be here next year and is actually showing signs of growth. Skal should obviously play but Humphries should be given more court time.
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He's not going to get Skal's minutes but he needs to get PT so they can both help as much as they can in March. Been saying that for a while.
 
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I think Cal is in a tough place with Skal. Cal's whole recruiting pitch is you will play lots of minutes as a OAD Freshman. He knows Skal hurts the team,yet he has to play him to show future recruits that you will get your chance.
 
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etowncatfan said:
I think Cal is in a tough place with Skal. Cal's whole recruiting pitch is you will play lots of minutes as a OAD Freshman. He knows Skal hurts the team,yet he has to play him to show future recruits that you will get your chance.
Click to expand...

It's February, he's had his chance. Stevie Ray could see that hump does more for this team than skal does at the moment. Hump has to see more time from here on out.
 
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The biggest issue this kid has is having been born in this cycle of life we call "millennials".
Each new age group is known for something; millennials are a instant gratification generation.
I am not saying this generation is wrong in any way, just pointing out what makes them stand out.
They want it now, affordable, and for all.
Many older coaches who coached youth sports, AAU, travel ball, what ever the name is today, have seen this change that last several years.
This is one reason why I think Cal is so good, he understands todays kids and knows how to make it work. Bobby Knight, Joe Hall, Gene Keady, John Wooden; these guys all could coach but I really do not think they could coach today's athlete with the same success as they once did.

Younger kids expecting to move up or to a new team and immediately starting, playing, hitting the position they feel they deserve but have not earned.
Over the last few years, this feeling has grown to a point where we have in basketball what is known as the "OAD".

I look across the country and see these kids all thinking they are OAD and see greed, selfishness, and a low understanding of traditions and loyalty.
At the game yesterday, I looked up and told my wife I am not sure if I will live long enough to see another players jersey hung in the rafters with all this OAD.
How many OAD will come back to live in our communities and help build them into something better or just to live and raise a family?

The Skal kid is caught up in all this. Other people tell him he is OAD. The NBA wants him so they can get him now a lower pay scale, stick him in the D-league and hope their investment grows.
Just like a IRA.
The kid in my eyes is a 3-4 year player. If this approach was taken, he could just take this year and start his learning process and not have all this weight on his shoulders of being a OAD.

It is what it is, we older farts either except it or go play checkers.
I don't play checkers.
Feel sorry for Skal in a way. He deserves to have a chance to grow at his pace and not some one else's.
 
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Oldbluefart said:
The biggest issue this kid has is having been born in this cycle of life we call "millennials".
Each new age group is known for something; millennials are a instant gratification generation.
I am not saying this generation is wrong in any way, just pointing out what makes them stand out.
They want it now, affordable, and for all.
Many older coaches who coached youth sports, AAU, travel ball, what ever the name is today, have seen this change that last several years.
This is one reason why I think Cal is so good, he understands todays kids and knows how to make it work. Bobby Knight, Joe Hall, Gene Keady, John Wooden; these guys all could coach but I really do not think they could coach today's athlete with the same success as they once did.

Younger kids expecting to move up or to a new team and immediately starting, playing, hitting the position they feel they deserve but have not earned.
Over the last few years, this feeling has grown to a point where we have in basketball what is known as the "OAD".

I look across the country and see these kids all thinking they are OAD and see greed, selfishness, and a low understanding of traditions and loyalty.
At the game yesterday, I looked up and told my wife I am not sure if I will live long enough to see another players jersey hung in the rafters with all this OAD.
How many OAD will come back to live in our communities and help build them into something better or just to live and raise a family?

The Skal kid is caught up in all this. Other people tell him he is OAD. The NBA wants him so they can get him now a lower pay scale, stick him in the D-league and hope their investment grows.
Just like a IRA.
The kid in my eyes is a 3-4 year player. If this approach was taken, he could just take this year and start his learning process and not have all this weight on his shoulders of being a OAD.

It is what it is, we older farts either except it or go play checkers.
I don't play checkers.
Feel sorry for Skal in a way. He deserves to have a chance to grow at his pace and not some one else's.
Click to expand...
I agree with what you're saying but the reality about Skal is that there are those close to him that want him to declare after the season regardless. There was an article about this a couple of weeks ago so my guess is that he will be under tremendous pressure to leave. He does needs more time to develop but he won't get it at UK.
 
I was immediately disappointed when I opened this thread. I was hoping the honest question would be: what role does coach cut nets play on cals coaching staff? Furthermore, did he tweak some things so we played well yesterday?
 
etowncatfan said:
I think Cal is in a tough place with Skal. Cal's whole recruiting pitch is you will play lots of minutes as a OAD Freshman. He knows Skal hurts the team,yet he has to play him to show future recruits that you will get your chance.
Click to expand...
yes, but cal also tells recruits "if you come to kentucky i can't hide you." skal needs more than just one year of college bb to develop, and many of the draft projectors still have him as a first rounder. assuming skal is gone next year it seems to me it would be more beneficial to play hump and wynyard -- whom cal has said he isn't going to redshirt. jmo
 
One vs one with no one else around on the court and he can play good post defense on centers. Skal can block your shot. He can shoot jumpers. He shoots in a unique way. That's all I got.

Things I wonder about Skal
#1. Can he shoot a three?
#2. Can he make it?
#3. Would Cal kill him for shooting a 3?

PLEASE pull up from 3 Skal and let that sucker rain. I wanna see it dammit, Screw the coach. Live the dream man!
 
blubo said:
yes, but cal also tells recruits "if you come to kentucky i can't hide you." skal needs more than just one year of college bb to develop, and many of the draft projectors still have him as a first rounder. assuming skal is gone next year it seems to me it would be more beneficial to play hump and wynyard -- whom cal has said he isn't going to redshirt. jmo
Click to expand...


Yes but Cal will say, SEE I gave him multiple chances...just like I will give you....something Bill Self won't do.
 
We need them both down the stretch if nothing else for their fouls and to give rest. If poythress,Lee,Willis , and even briscoe (because of lineups ) are sitting most of the half with fouls trouble it's like a domino effect for the other. They all end up in foul trouble

It was uncomfortable at times in second half but what Cal did subbing in the first half is what won the game
Skal and Humph had 6 fouls in the first half! Could you imagine if that was Lee Willis or briscoe ? We never would have got out to such a big lead. Those six fouls softened the blow and help us get the lead
 
W2R said:
We need them both down the stretch if nothing else for their fouls and to give rest. If poythress,Lee,Willis , and even briscoe (because of lineups ) are sitting most of the half with fouls trouble it's like a domino effect for the other. They all end up in foul trouble

It was uncomfortable at times in second half but what Cal did subbing in the first half is what won the game
Skal and Humph had 6 fouls in the first half! Could you imagine if that was Lee Willis or briscoe ? We never would have got out to such a big lead. Those six fouls softened the blow and help us get the lead
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I say play Isaac because atleast his fouls are physical and you feel em! Earn those fouls if the Refs decide you foul alot. Refs wont stop once they see fouling blood in the water lol.


Foul hard fellows, foul I-saac hard.

I wish I had a good Isaac foul picture, Could get something started!
 
Bluegrass79 said:
One vs one with no one else around on the court and he can play good post defense on centers. Skal can block your shot. He can shoot jumpers. He shoots in a unique way. That's all I got.

Things I wonder about Skal
#1. Can he shoot a three?
#2. Can he make it?
#3. Would Cal kill him for shooting a 3?

PLEASE pull up from 3 Skal and let that sucker rain. I wanna see it dammit, Screw the coach. Live the dream man!
Click to expand...
Yeah, Skal tried to shoot a 3 in the UT game (I think) and it didn't end well. He has 2 spots on the floor he can shoot from and they are both 15' from the basket on either side of the paint. That's it. You can tell that's what he practiced over and over again.
Skal isn't mature enough to play at this level but there's zero chance he returns to suit up for UK next year. He's gone for sure. His family snd his guardian wants a quick payday so he's out no matter what and that's sad.
 
If Skal goes lottery without any improvement , cal could tell everyone to come to UK and get drafted even if you suck
 
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Bluegrass79 said:
I say play Isaac because atleast his fouls are physical and you feel em! Earn those fouls if the Refs decide you foul alot. Refs wont stop once they see fouling blood in the water lol.


Foul hard fellows, foul I-saac hard.

I wish I had a good Isaac foul picture, Could get something started!
Click to expand...
You're exactly right. So many of our fouls are 30' from the basket and we even saw some touch fouls called 90' from the basket in a few of our recent games. So many of those fouls were "play on" type fouls but the officials, for whatever reason, have decided they need to whistle those.
Our guys have to learn to play smarter but yeah, if you're going to foul make it worth it.

Message to our bigs: stop bringing your arms down on defense, the guy with the ball just jumps into your arms and gets an easy foul call.
 
Kentucky big men command alot of respect in the Nba. You don't turn your eye from a Kentucky produced big man nowadays. All of them have performed in the big league. Skal is helped ALOT by where he is playing and who is teaching him. A year with Cal and Payne as a big man is worth 4 years in the nba improvement wise.
 
Catscratch81 said:
He has a nice shot but that's about it right now. He's more than likely gone but I think he's getting some bad advice from someone. Needs to really bulk up and gain some strength. Looks weak in the post.
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Catscratch, when do we ever see him in the post. He's usually standing outside watching the rebound. His basketball IQ is the lowest I have ever seen for a big, that was rated high. If he stayed in college one or two more year, add some weight and learn the game, he would be much better off.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!
 
willievic said:
Catscratch, when do we ever see him in the post. He's usually standing outside watching the rebound. His basketball IQ is the lowest I have ever seen for a big, that was rated high. If he stayed in college one or two more year, add some weight and learn the game, he would be much better off.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!
Click to expand...
That's a valid assessment. I think he doesn't like contact so he does do a lot of standing around. I know the NBA drafts on potential but if he's getting pushed around at the collegiate level one can only imagine what'll happen playing against pro players.
 
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