Appreciation For Posters Who Saw Willis' Potential Early

[hoodro]

Cal lets star freshmen play their their mistakes and he should as he is trying to get them out and recruit others and let them see he gives them leeway and a long leash.

If this has any bearing at all on Cal's decision to let them play through their mistakes then it's very little. The main reason he lets the star freshman play through their mistakes is because they are usually the most important/best players on the team. They need as much game time and day to day improvement as possible, so he allows them to learn on the fly because come March, they are the players who are going to take UK to where we all want to go.

UK has been just fine with Willis waiting his turn. Imagine if Cal didn't let Davis or Towns play through their some of their mistakes, and instead buried them on the bench every time they messed up. You think '12 and '15 would have played out for better or worse? Perfect example of this would be Self. He does this often with his star freshmen and look how that has turned out for KU.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

People were posting Willis could come in and hit a few 3's, now acting like they told everyone he'd come in and be LeBron. Shut up. You didn't CALL anything. Hell, I don't think Cal thought he'd play this good.
I'm
But as Gonzo said...it aint like we've played anyone.

I will say again, as I have for 2 years, Cal said Willis will have a long NBA career. Cal knows, and has always known, what Willis is capable of. Actually doing it has been up to Willis. It will be interesting to see how he performs against better teams.

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite]

SMH, what a sad post.

I agree it is sad that we have fans that think and or thought that.

 

[UKrazycat2]

He brings a ton to the table...but poythress gets the benefit and Willis the doubt...very sad

I'd say Poy gets his fair share of criticism on here. The difference is, folks have seen the Bill Bixby side of Poy and the Hulk side for a while. They are just now getting to see Willis start games and reek havoc on the floor. He has shocked a lot of people with how strong he's playing on both ends of the floor.
I'm very proud of the kid and will support him even if he has a bad game in the future. This is an excitingly talented team, white, black, or green.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

I agree it is sad that we have fans that think and or thought that.

Very few. Interesting how you perceived it though. I saw a Kentucky kid who I want to see succeed. Interestingly, it is the exact same thing I see when Hawkins is playing.

 

[ulismyman]

Poy not a bad player at all but our season most certainly does not hinge on his play..i would just like others to acknowledge that. We are a very good team with him or without him playing great

 

[Cats192]

I will say again, as I have for 2 years, Cal said Willis will have a long NBA career. Cal knows, and has always known, what Willis is capable of. Actually doing it has been up to Willis. It will be interesting to see how he performs against better teams.

Cal says A LOT of things. I'm not sure he believes them all.

That said, I don't think anyone has pulled for Willis because he is white. I argued with those calling Race when it came up. I think it's weak sauce.

That said, there was literally a Willis thread after every single game for a while. There wasn't a Hawkins one. That added feul to the fire.

 

[Big Foot 275]

First, he won't pick an 8 man rotation now. You are correct he would be in the top 5, if we don't count Skal, Ulis, Murray, Briscoe, Poythress, Lee and Matthews. Also Humphries and Mulder will have something to say about the top 8.

Now before I get trashed for bashing Willis, I'm not saying he won't do well. I am saying 2 games against mediocre competition that is getting shredded by Skal doesn't establish Willis as a go to player in March. Let's see where he is end of December, then we can better speculate where he will fall late season.

We can agree, so far so good.[/QUOTE
Skal is going to shred some good teams too. Apparently Cal thought Willis had earned the right to start
in front of Briscoe and Matthews because he did so I guess right now Cal thinks he is in the top 5.
Humphries and Mulder have not shown nearly enough to play in front of Willis. Maybe down the road but right now Willis is clearly better.

 

[BourbonBalz]

You're welcome.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Whiteboy from Kentucky is all most folks saw

So, you're obviously a racist.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Cal says A LOT of things. I'm not sure he believes them all.

That said, I don't think anyone has pulled for Willis because he is white. I argued with those calling Race when it came up. I think it's weak sauce.

That said, there was literally a Willis thread after every single game for a while. There wasn't a Hawkins one. That added feul to the fire.

Hawkins played quite a bit. Willis didn't. That would explain the threads.

 

[BourbonBalz]

That and the fact that Willis is much more talented than Hawkins and has a much bigger upside.

 

[UK_Johnny24]

Willis is legit guys. I know we haven't played anyone, but he's a different player this year. I'm sticking with my opinion that he'll come off the bench and average around 10ptsa game. I also expect him to show up Tuesday night as well.

 

[LowCountryCat]

Thank you for this thread, I caught a TON of heat supporting Willis last season. Nice to be proven right again. He is by far the best feeder of the post on this team.

 

[JonathanW]

He has always reminded me of Scot Padgett, who helped us get to the promise land . He battles for the board, great passing big man the can knock down the open three. He can be the X factor in number nine.

Thanks to the OP.

I've always said Willis is more like Prince than Padgett. Padgett had more bulk and was slower. Prince was a little more athletic than Willis, but not a lot. And they had similar builds, and skill sets (Prince's skill set a little better all the way around). But both could shoot it (3, mid, short), put it on the floor, pass it. Prince was a better defender.

 

[screwduke]

Was there anyone who said a four-star couldn't give us double digit scoring against Cinderella teams as a junior?

The only argument "against" Willis was that he was on the bench because there were better players ahead of him and he wasn't as focused and dedicated as he had to be to play at this level. All of that was true.

Yes there was.

 

[musrat59]

So far, from what I have seen, he seems to be more confident out there than he has in the past. I am really pulling for the young man to do well. As some have said, I want to see how he handles the big stage tomorrow night.

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

So, you're obviously a racist.

He's a Missouri student I believe.

 

[JonathanW]

Thanks to the OP.

I've always said Willis is more like Prince than Padgett. Padgett had more bulk and was slower. Prince was a little more athletic than Willis, but not a lot. And they had similar builds, and skill sets (Prince's skill set a little better all the way around). But both could shoot it (3, mid, short), put it on the floor, pass it. Prince was a better defender.

To further my message, although I've always though he could contribute, he won't be a star for us. I see his ceiling this season as 12-15 mpg, 6-8 pts, 3-4 reb.

 

[brianpoe]

Poy not a bad player at all but our season most certainly does not hinge on his play..i would just like others to acknowledge that. We are a very good team with him or without him playing great

I most certainly will NOT acknowledge that statement. Cal wont either.

If Alex can get back to freshman offensive form we are a totally different team.

If can consistently play like this we are rolling: