Bam Adebayo would like to play with Marques Bolden
- Thread starter preacher_tom
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I really think Skal will be a different player by March, cant believe fans have gave up on him.
I agree that it's highly unlikely he returns, but your "not a chance" statement is unprovable at this point, especially given the weight of your definitive tone. There has been enough "not a chance" statements regarding Patterson, WCS, the twins, and others in the past for me to realize that unless a kid is a bona fide top 5 pick (which Skal is not at this point), we simply don't know, especially this early in the season.
So I won't hold out hope (I'd actually prefer if Skal is good enough to remove all doubt by March), but I'm not going to buy into the definitive statements either. Anyone paying attention to history (not only our program, but other programs like UNC regarding the collective Harrison Barnes, Henson, Marshall decision) should at least give pause before writing in absolutes.
I'd rather they load up and have a super team than have back-to-back higher echelon seasons. Send the Sith Lord K packing on a final note and move on with the college basketball universe. He'll be 70 years old in April of 2017.
Let Carter come. Cal can add Bolden and Alkins.
Call me what you want. I am not a big fan of this side of College Recruiting. Pushing a kid out or having him transfer to make room for someone you hope is better. I know it happens in more places than Lexington KY. I just don't like it.
There hasn't been one player recruited by Cal at UK who was a definite lock for the lottery to turn down the draft. Jones was fringe lottery and the lock out contributed to his decision. WCS was projected in the 20's after his sophomore year. There is no way that Skal is going to fall out of the lottery if NBA personnel still think he's a top 5 pick right now after watching him this past month. All of the other recruits that came back for their sophmore or junior year weren't projected in the lottery during this time of the year.
Overall, I agree with you, and Skal is certainly a lottery pick right now; however, Poythress was considered lottery as a frosh in December of 2011. He came back. Patterson was top 20, and he came back. Jones was top 20 and he came back. Jones was also considered a lottery pick in December of his freshman season. Is it so unfathomable that Skal might continue to plummet out of the lottery like Jones and Poythress did as freshmen?
Skal's stock has already dropped 4 or 5 spots in less than a month. If it continues (which I doubt), he might have a decision to make in April.
That's why the "not a chance" actually isn't accurate. We simply don't know how this thing will play out, and considering none of us are actually Skal himself, I'm not sure why we should write and speak absolute statements regarding his future.
For my money, he is likely gone (you're correct in assessing the probabilities there), but plenty of things can happen, and given Skal's mental approach right now to the game of basketball, I wouldn't be shocked if he tells Cal he's not ready.
I also wouldn't be shocked if Cal encourages him to leave anyway.
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Nothing wrong with a kid realizing he doesn't fit and moving on.
And nothing wrong with a coach being straight with them and telling them they don't fit and should go somewhere else where they can get some PT.
Some might think it's dirty, but is it fair to tell a kid to come back and let them ride the pine again?
Coaches should be straight with the kids and let them decide. I think that is what happens. Some stay even when they know they are not going to play. Some leave for a school where they get a better opportunity. Ultimately, the choice should be the players and in most cases, I think it is.
Don't you think Bolden is the missing piece for next year? We need a consistent low post scorer in the Cousins, Towns, or Randle mold. Bam is wonderful but he doesn't appear to have any low post moves right now. He is demonstrating a good 15ft jumper and even some nice off the dribble slashing this high school season but no low post moves. SKJ has some nice post moves but I worry he is going to be physically overwhelmed with college caliber post players his freshmen year adjusting. Next year's team is going to be magnificent on defense and we will have jump shooting and slashing in abundance but I still think we could really use a low post scorer.
Bam will develop into a nice low post player, if that is our top option down low. Remember, both Towns and Randle liked to drift to the perimeter a bit much in HS and had to adjust to being the low post player in Cal's offense. Bam will be fine.
Bolden would really help the cause, though. He would be able to take pressure off Bam as a second option down low.
I agree with the posters that would like to see Cal add an experienced grad transfer that can shoot.
I am really hoping Fox, Monk, and Gabriel come in and shoot well from the perimeter. Then hopefully we get improvements from Willis and Matthews. If those five can shoot at a decent clip from 3, we should be in good shape next year.
That's why we need to add a senior transfer. We to get a guard that can light it up from 3. We need a Bryn Forbes type next year.
I don't think any fans really like it, but I'd say most fans like winning a lot more than they dislike shady behavior by their favorite teams.
Skal's guardian isn't letting Skal play for free after this spring. Write it down and staple it to your forehead until it sinks in.
Absolutely not. Everyone on the AAU circuit knows exactly what the deal is with Skal's guardian. This will be Skal's last year playing for free.
I hope all is well with you but if you get time will you explain how you came up with the 60 and 40 percent? For the life of me I can't fathom how you did it. Thanks
Unless Ulis wants another real shot at a title. I know in a cynical sports world overseen by cynical sports fans, thinking anyone would want another season for the sake of a title and a closer step to a degree is unfathomable.
Isn't that right, Patrick?
PP did not wake up one morning and say, "I want to win a title at UK so I'm going to stay".
It may have been a pro on his pro's and con's list but it was at the bottom of it.
He stayed because of Cal and wanted/needed to work on his shot.
I thought Ayton was the #1 junior by a mile? Some saying best regardless of class.
I won't try to speak for other fans. I attend Kentucky's games, and I have watched Labissiere work through this learning process. From my point of view, Labissiere is a very skilled player who just doesn't have the maturity, experience, and physical strength to play 30-40 games at this level of competition. Calipari signs elite high school players and throws them into the fray. Most thrive, but some like Poythress, Lee, Labissiere have gotten in over their heads a little bit. Before Calipari arrived at Kentucky, it was uncommon for a freshman to make a big impact like Rex, Mashburn, and Mercer did. If Labissiere had come along in that era, everyone would be excited about him. I have not given up on Labissiere. He will be a better player by March, but his lack of physical strength will still be a big problem. Labissiere really and truly needs at least 2 years of college ball. As a sophomore, he would be a different player.
I don't have any idea when Carter will commit, but it has been obvious for a while that he is Duke bound. This shouldn't surprise anyone. As the 2 top programs in the country, Kentucky and Duke will generally get the cream of the crop as long as Calipari and Krzyzewski are there.
