When (if) adou returns, Edwards becomes the odd man out. Does Cal have the stones to set him?
Burks?
- Thread starter ORCAT10
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That “should” be Edwards, but No, I don’t think Cal has the stones to do it.
But, yeah, you’re right that somebody else will probably be getting cut from the rotation after Thiero returns …as Cal typically cuts his rotation to no more than eight in the last two months.
My guess is Ugonna or Thiero will probably be the odd man out is (even though it should be someone else).
it has always been this way. The 5* guys play regardless if they produce or not. Meanwhile the lesser known players sit and watch, and if they do get to play, they have to play looking over their shoulder to see if they are being replaced after 1 trip up the floor. Until they break a sweat, they can't get into the flow. Never gonna change
Yeah, he’s already slashed his minutes. Adou will definitely get his.
If Cal plays Edwards over Thiero then that’s malpractice. He’s already slashed them. Adou has earned his PT. He will deserve massive heat for that if it happens.
Because 75-80% of the time, the 5 stars have been bad ass.
Burks does nothing better than Edwards other than play harder.
I'm comparing him to a player who's struggling in his own right.
As far as comparing him to the UK standard under Cal l, he's below Brooks and Hopkins as a frosh and not in the same stratosphere with MKG, Young, Knox, PJ, Randle, or Jones.
Burks is a tweener who needs to go a school that will let him shoot the ball and become main part of the offense if he is ever to develop enough game to have a pro career.
Regardless of any minutes he gets, he's always going to be the fifth option on the floor this year, next year, and all other years if he's at UK.
it's how it's always been with Cal, but certainly not so much with other coaches.
For example, I've in the past been struck by how different Bill Self is in this respect. When he's had mega-hyped Top 5 recruits that didn't perform (see Josh Selby, Cliff Alexander, Cheick Diallo, etc.), he didn't hesitate to bury their asses on the bench and instead play once lowly ranked guys. He wasn’t concerned for how that would impact their draft position or his future recruiting ...he just wanted to play the lineups that made his team play best.
Cal has a different philosophy. Factors like recruit rankings and NBA draft projections just seem to mean more to him than other coaches.
Cal wants to do everything he can to get the kid drafted.
Cutting his minutes aren't as noticable as taking him out of the starting lineup.
Cal just wishfully hopes that he somehow takes off.
Cal can't hide him or fool anyone from the NBA though.
The more he plays the more his deficiencies are on display.
I'm sure Cal wants the kid to feel like he didn't do anything to hinder him getting drafted when he(JE) leaves the program.
Adou almost forces you to play him because his energy is unmatched on the team.
Brings a complete different dynamic than Edwards or Burks.
Typical Cal treatment when he is trying to protect a 5 star. Burks brings way more energy than Edwards. Way more active.
If he's(JE) on the floor, then he's not being protected.
There are scouts in the stands and he's producing game film of himself to be broken down.
Burks energy is not always focused energy as he makes too many mistakes.
Still no case for Burks over Edwards.
Adou is a different story.
Ugo and Bradshaw are always going to have the 5. That's not changing. Adou will split time between the 3 and 4, but even if Adou is healthy, it's not an easy decision where / when to play him. Have to keep him on the court. Also have to keep Wagner, Shep, Dillingham & Reeves on the court. If one of those guys is at 3 then the only opportunity for Adou is to sub in for Mitchell at 4, but then we need Mitchell too.
So, that likely means Adou is Mitchell's substitute, but also rotating in at 3 in scenarios.
It's a good problem to have honestly, but that's also why it's tough to play Burks, who can't really come in at 3. His only opportunity is being subbed in for Mitchell. Even then, there can be rotations that are more effective depending on the scenario.
Too much attention is given towards starting lineup. Edwards played for like 4 min all of 2nd half.
So, that likely means Adou is Mitchell's substitute, but also rotating in at 3 in scenarios.
It's a good problem to have honestly, but that's also why it's tough to play Burks, who can't really come in at 3. His only opportunity is being subbed in for Mitchell. Even then, there can be rotations that are more effective depending on the scenario.
Too much attention is given towards starting lineup. Edwards played for like 4 min all of 2nd half.
Burks will be very valuable next season, needs to get stronger, and work on his game.
Adou and Mitchell should get minutes together in our small ball line-up when matchups allow for it. That still can be a very lethal line-up...maybe our best
There are scenarios where it could make sense. Disagree that's our best lineup. Have to have an anchor / shot blocker in middle for defense.
I don't see the comparison.
Nick was 7 feet tall and plays the same position for the Hornets as he did as a UK frosh
Plus he had enough tools as a youngster to be considered a 5 star prospect.
Burks was a 3 star.
Have you seen anything out of him skill wise to suggest he's underrated.
Kidney Stones are rough, 16 total and counting, 2 in my kidneys right now. I will say this, in 2001 Jan 4th to be exact, my colon ruptured, lost 18 inches, had colostomy for 4 months, then reversed that surgery. (worst pain was the day it ruptured) only time i could not make it to the car and had to have an ambulance come get me. I drove myself to hospital with kidney stone blocking me up a few times. But all in all that stuff in not fun.
Have two close friends, both relatively young, who have struggled with gastrointestinal issues in past few months that almost killed them both. Awful to deal with and nothing there to take lightly for sure.
If we put it all together I have had 5 knee surgeries on right knee, 13 hernia repairs, plus the stones and colon issues. Most just genetics but the hernias were all football and weight lifting. I have put the body through the ringer. Not to mention the broken bones from years of football and such. Not sure I am tough but most assuredly stupid with my own body.
That’s an impressive set of injuries/maladies. You must carry yours around in a wheelbarrow. 😆
I agree with your overall point but I think that Burks is talented and will eventually play quite a bit.
I agree-Wow-what pain! Unbelievable to see blood and not urine come out. A mother told me she had 2 children, but her kidney stones were more painful than childbirth.
Kid fkn sucks right now.. But you sugar coat it..
Blue Cincy, YOU are one tough man! Prayers for your pain to end permanently!
Don't understand how you can determine he'd never be a starter. He played out of position the first of the season, while the bigs were out. He played on the same team as Dillingham and was the leading scorer, over 20 point average last year. He was a legit 4 star, maybe if we're patient he may turn out to stay a few years and turn out to be a great player. Just look how much improved Reeves is now than when he got here. Is it possible coaching could actually help some of these players?
Burks has shown some good things in his limited time on the court, and a year ago he led OTE in scoring. Kid has more potential than you and a lot of people give him credit for.
Adou didn’t look like starter material last year either.
Not saying he’s for sure going to work out, but it is way too early to make absolutes like that.
most would agree that the best basketball we have played this year was done earlier in the year before either Ugo or Bradshaw were eligible to play. Take Kansas for example where neither played. We gave up 7 offensive boards and blocked 3 shots. We didn’t lose because of not having a presence in the middle but rather giving up five 3’s to Harris (who has only hit 11 more in 14 games since). Cal has insured one of Ugo or Bradshaw is in at all times and is starting to introduce both of them in at the same time which I look for that to only increase because it’s what he does. But I think our best lineup includes both of them on the bench.
The last 4 games either Ugo or Bradshaw or both have been on the floor pretty much the entire game. We have given up 84/game during that time. Whatever those two are offering on defense isn’t helping.
Do you have any idea why the five stars get minutes? Is it because they are better than Burks? That would be too easy and not have the Cal sucks agenda associated with it, so I will go with your assessment that Burks didn't play solely because Cal promised the 5 stars minutes to get them to sign. We agree.
Were you at all pleasantly surprised with Burks’ play in the beginning part of the year? Have you been disappointed with what Edwards has been able to bring thus far? Burks’ is a viable option to be at least sharing minutes with Edwards until Theiro can return or Edwards can separate his game from Burks to prove he can bring more to the team. As of now we know Edwards hasn’t brought anything and his struggles are getting worse, not better. We really don’t know what Burks can or cannot bring to the team without being given more than a minute to play. Last 4 games for
Edwards 76 minutes, 20 points, 10 boards, 3 assist, 3 turnovers, 3 steals, 1 block.
Burks got 4 boards and 2 assist in 10 minutes against Kansas so he can contribute against quality opponents when given more than a minutes game action to do so.
Watch the games?
Your average includes an overtime game where Onyenso had five blocks and Bradshaw rode bench in foul trouble. Onyenso has had 9 blocks and 16 rebounds in past two games.
This team has zero chance to make a run in March with out an interior presence
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