Exactly. I can think Cal is washed, but also think Z’s issues go far beyond coaching.
BIG Z
- Thread starter wildcat_nation28
- Start date
His handlers .
Z will make a better pro than college player. Nobody in the NBA plays defense anyway. All the centers in the NBA just float and shoot 3's so there's little worry about physicality.
He has some skills and he has some weaknesses. I don’t know of anyone that knows basketball who believes Cal puts him in position to utilize his skills .
His handlers in Croatia made the decision for him to go with Cal before CMP got to speak with big Z . The father of one last years players who is a good friend of CMP told me this himself.
Big Z could have played at the ymca last year and id still use the eye test and say he’s not a very good basketball player. He is strictly a spot up shooter. Has Zero skills on the basketball court outside of that.
That's not true. Z is actually a very good passer, had good court vision, handles the ball well for his size.
Last draft projection I saw had him late second round which surprised me. Maybe they think he can mature and get stronger. I’ve been told by someone that was close to the program last year that “he’s kind of a goofy kid” .
LMFAO
It's ALL coaching related. He has the things you can't coach already. The ONLY thing lacking is proper coaching
Big Z is a skilled and talented big with some legit pro potential on some level. However right now in college, he is the softest slowest weakest player on the court every time he steps on the floor.
Offensively he could be a good "stretch 4" but defensively he would get absolutely embarrassed.
Kid should transfer asap regardless tho.
Offensively he could be a good "stretch 4" but defensively he would get absolutely embarrassed.
Kid should transfer asap regardless tho.
Z is not a traditional big man and playing him at the five will not work until he gets serious about building his body. He is a good passer, a decent shooter, and has a good sense of timing. He will get punked by any center that has athleticism or mass.
After watching his brother I have to wonder if Z wasn't playing the 4 while his brother played the 5 during their childhood. He has zero idea how to block out or how to hold his position. His screen setting skills aren't great either.
Maybe that's why he came stateside, to learn how to play down low. If so Cal is the last person on earth he should be attached to.
After watching his brother I have to wonder if Z wasn't playing the 4 while his brother played the 5 during their childhood. He has zero idea how to block out or how to hold his position. His screen setting skills aren't great either.
Maybe that's why he came stateside, to learn how to play down low. If so Cal is the last person on earth he should be attached to.
During the Illinois/ Arkansas game the commentator said they had always played on the same team and big Z was always his brothers backup. Which kinda surprised me .
For Calipari the 5 is a bruiser, Shot blocker and rebounder and that’s it. They aren’t allow to shoot the3 to be involved in passing or any more elaborate offensive scheme.
Remember how he misused, KAT and that cost us a title…or Labissier….big Z is never going to be 5 in Cal system.
He does not even receives NIL money in USA because he is on a student visa…. His skills of passing , shooting would have been useful for Coach Pope.
Calipari is known by handlers in Europe for putting players in nba. Big Z wants to play in nba so he and his handlers thought Cal is the way to promise land….
Remember how he misused, KAT and that cost us a title…or Labissier….big Z is never going to be 5 in Cal system.
He does not even receives NIL money in USA because he is on a student visa…. His skills of passing , shooting would have been useful for Coach Pope.
Calipari is known by handlers in Europe for putting players in nba. Big Z wants to play in nba so he and his handlers thought Cal is the way to promise land….
I think it’s a little of both. But I tell you what. If his first two minutes of play wasn’t a fluke and that kid really did come in with skills north of what Mashburn had before Cal got in his head and messed him up, then that has seriously got to be one of the most heinous crimes in the whole history of sports.
He definitely did it to himself. I heard that he really was somewhat immature when it came to his work ethic and approach to preparation last year.
Having said that, I would not be unhappy, if he came back to KY next year. In Pope’s system, he could be really good. He is worth the risk, especially, if something happens and we don’t get Wilson. He and Ament/Murinan at PF would be sweet.
No . I don’t really know if Pope wanted him . The conversation went like this Me “ Would have liked to see big Z stay , he would be a great fit for Popes offense “ , JS “ Yeah , that decision was made by his people before Mark got to talk to him “ .
My understanding is Z has been out injured the last several games. Hurt ankle several games back in the first 5 minutes of the game. He has tried to come back a few times only to reinjure the ankle.
He should not have followed Cal (his decision or not) and Cal should not have let him. He cannot do Cal any good and Cal can’t do him any good. Terrible match.
Z definitely has weaknesses - defense, toughness, rebounding are a few. But he also is a good 3 point shooter and passer on offense. I feel sorry for him in that he plays for COW and will not get better doing so. It seems like he did not make the decision to go to Arky but his "team" did. I believe that CMP did not want any holdovers from Ellens roommate's team but I believe that Z would have fit on our team with his offensive skills and be a great passer in the offensive system.
I see that DJ Wagner played 39 minutes today and was 3-11 from the field as he was against Ole Miss. CCC has also elevated Johnell Davis's game - he cannot do anything. Arky plays 1 on 1 passing only when they get cut off from the basket. COW develops no one - all the NBA players that were coached by him would have made it no matter where they went to college. He just has the reputation that is not backed up by any facts and to Arky's detriment, he does not care.
Praise God that we have CMP at UK!
I see that DJ Wagner played 39 minutes today and was 3-11 from the field as he was against Ole Miss. CCC has also elevated Johnell Davis's game - he cannot do anything. Arky plays 1 on 1 passing only when they get cut off from the basket. COW develops no one - all the NBA players that were coached by him would have made it no matter where they went to college. He just has the reputation that is not backed up by any facts and to Arky's detriment, he does not care.
Praise God that we have CMP at UK!
IMO , Cal didn’t really want him , he just didn’t want us to have him.
This right here. Z is the one who made the choice to play for a coach who won't use him the right way and signed up for a second year under Cal. His choice so no sympathy from me.
I'm mean this kid was never was mentioned to be on Mashburn level and clearly not in the same sentence no ego attended
People I respect more than you disagree with you. I doubt your doing the reading comprehension thing on what I wrote anyway. But if you are, feel free to disagree 👍🏻
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