Cal And 30-30..

[sluggercatfan]

Sure makes me have a greater appreciation for what he's trying to do for these kids even if I still think we should have won a couple more NC with better coaching decisions. BUT, the main thing is after watching it, is if the ncaa dosent hammer uncheat and Otis they should be disbanded and all the other ads and presidents should raise the roof.

 

[kev69]

Just watched it last night.(Sunday night)

I really enjoyed it and thought it showed Cal in a 80% positive light.

What I really didn't understand was the whole Derrick Rose thing. Memphis was asked by the NCAA if they thought someone else had taken the test for him, and they apparently answered yes? Even though Rose swore he had taken it, and the NCAA had already cleared him and said he was eligible?

I really don't understand this, and the show didn't clear this up either. So that was bewildering to me.

The show also confirmed Cal's burning desire to win, and how demanding he is.

He treats his players tough, but he also makes sure they know he has their back forever, and that was really cool.

Overall, it was a good deal for Cal and UK.

 

[78Gooses]

I agree. I reckon there will plenty of haters that either choose not to watch it or won't admit they did. Mostly the former, given that it's 2 hours in length. And I get that. But it's good.

 

[Cardsstink]

I agree. I reckon there will plenty of haters that either choose not to watch it or won't admit they did. Mostly the former, given that it's 2 hours in length. And I get that. But it's good.

I have a friend that I suspect is a hater, but can't confirm it. He's a Texas Tech fan. Anyway, he kept trying to get me to say they painted him unfairly and I just said "If you liked him before it, you probably still like him and if you didn't like him before it, you probably still don't like him". I also said "UK basketball is entertainment for me and I'm being greatly entertained, basically my entire life". He pretty much gave up after that. He tried to take a jab by saying "look at all those players, glad he finally got a championship" and I just laughed and said "4 final fours in eight years with basically Freshman, just unreal."

 

[Aike]

Just watched it last night.(Sunday night)

I really enjoyed it and thought it showed Cal in a 80% positive light.

What I really didn't understand was the whole Derrick Rose thing. Memphis was asked by the NCAA if they thought someone else had taken the test for him, and they apparently answered yes? Even though Rose swore he had taken it, and the NCAA had already cleared him and said he was eligible?

I really don't understand this, and the show didn't clear this up either. So that was bewildering to me.

The show also confirmed Cal's burning desire to win, and how demanding he is.

He treats his players tough, but he also makes sure they know he has their back forever, and that was really cool.

Overall, it was a good deal for Cal and UK.

They asked Memphis to acknowledge that he was ineligible. Which he was, by the letter of the law, once his score was invalidated.

Memphis didn't lawyer up like some schools. As a member institution, they acknowledged that by the letter of the law, Rose was retroactively ineligible.

Had that been UNC or UL, we would still be waiting for the answer. Essentially, we are.

 

[Sithlyone]

I have watched it 1 1/2 times now and what I came away with is his overriding love of his players. If they are loyal to him then he is loyal to them for life.

Him basically passing up on his dream of going to the NBA because a player (Marcus Camby) decided to come back to school is unbelievable to me (MJ suggests he did that also when the twins came back). He didn't know that another opportunity would arise, that could have been it for him and he put those dreams on hold.

I can't believe anyone can watch that and come away with anything but respect and admiration for the guy. He is sincere when he wants to improve these kids and their families lives. For a coach, that is extremely rare.

The "30 for 30+" interviews the director and he gives a lot of background. Totally recommend it if you've not seen it yet.

 

[kyjeff1]

I have watched it 1 1/2 times now and what I came away with is his overriding love of his players. If they are loyal to him then he is loyal to them for life.

Him basically passing up on his dream of going to the NBA because a player (Marcus Camby) decided to come back to school is unbelievable to me (MJ suggests he did that also when the twins came back). He didn't know that another opportunity would arise, that could have been it for him and he put those dreams on hold.

I can't believe anyone can watch that and come away with anything but respect and admiration for the guy. He is sincere when he wants to improve these kids and their families lives. For a coach, that is extremely rare.

The "30 for 30+" interviews the director and he gives a lot of background. Totally recommend it if you've not seen it yet.

LOL, yup, I have watched it 1.5 times as well.
I think they did a great job getting Cal's true feelings and thoughts out there. Haters are still going to hate though.
One thing that surprised me was what Cal said to his team after the loss at aTm last year. He said "Well, we got cheated, lets go, we didn't get the rebound but we got cheated.. ". I was surprised at that, but we all felt that way.
I do like what Cal said to the ref after he made that call.
Gotta love Cal's passion though , he wants to win just as bad as we do, he may not say that, but he does.

 

[sluggercatfan]

LOL, yup, I have watched it 1.5 times as well.
I think they did a great job getting Cal's true feelings and thoughts out there. Haters are still going to hate though.
One thing that surprised me was what Cal said to his team after the loss at aTm last year. He said "Well, we got cheated, lets go, we didn't get the rebound but we got cheated.. ". I was surprised at that, but we all felt that way.
I do like what Cal said to the ref after he made that call.
Gotta love Cal's passion though , he wants to win just as bad as we do, he may not say that, but he does.

This x2!

 

[Aike]

LOL, yup, I have watched it 1.5 times as well.
I think they did a great job getting Cal's true feelings and thoughts out there. Haters are still going to hate though.
One thing that surprised me was what Cal said to his team after the loss at aTm last year. He said "Well, we got cheated, lets go, we didn't get the rebound but we got cheated.. ". I was surprised at that, but we all felt that way.
I do like what Cal said to the ref after he made that call.
Gotta love Cal's passion though , he wants to win just as bad as we do, he may not say that, but he does.

Don't be fooled; he wants to win more than any of us.

He had to develop his players first philosophy or the pursuit of winning above all would have consumed him.

 

[Sithlyone]

Lol, yeah I loved actually hearing what Cal was saying to the refs. He always looks like he's giving them hell but I couldn't believe that he was actually saying what he said. Mainly because I've screamed almost the exact same things before!

 

[Jmeeks54thebest]

I didn't like how the show didn't mention that the NCAA cleared Rose twice. At that point it's not Cal or Memphis's problem for playing him. It's the NCAA's fault and if they punish anyone it should be the people who cleared him. But as the show said, it was never even proven that he didn't take his own test.

 

[EvilMD]

Rose had many chances to defend his score. All he had to say is "I studied my ass off" and everything is cool. He cheated. It's obvious. Don't be mad that Memphis got busted. Be mad that UNC is getting away with 10 times worse.

 

[kyjeff1]

I didn't like how the show didn't mention that the NCAA cleared Rose twice. At that point it's not Cal or Memphis's problem for playing him. It's the NCAA's fault and if they punish anyone it should be the people who cleared him. But as the show said, it was never even proven that he didn't take his own test.

This bothered me as well. Cal mentioned that they cleared Rose, but he didn't say anything about the second clearance.
The NCAA has to shoulder some of the fault in that case, they told the university that the kid was cleared to play, if something came out after that, then you shouldn't be allowed to go back and vacate the season. But they did and it's going to be one of those things that will always be used against them. They'll ignore it, but it's there and the longer this UNC*** crap goes on, the mire they're going to hear it. They are alliwing UNC*** to tell them they aren't budging, they didn't give Memphis that same opportunity. They made Memphis admit to something the NCAA was just as much to blame on.
Memphis played their cards wrong too.

 

[kyjeff1]

Rose had many chances to defend his score. All he had to say is "I studied my ass off" and everything is cool. He cheated. It's obvious. Don't be mad that Memphis got busted. Be mad that UNC is getting away with 10 times worse.

All Rose and Memphis had to do was hold their ground and stick to their story (of course, WE know now that that is a tactic that can be used).
The NCAA telling Rose he had to validate his SAT score is ridiculous.
If I were Memphis I would put the banner back up and raise a big fat middle finger to the NCAA.

 

[ORCAT]

Had it recorded and watched it over the past two nights and came away very impressed with how Cal connects so well with his kids. Already felt that way but this show really cemented and furthered that feeling. Felt the show put Cal mostly in a positive limelight but there were a few things that haters probably would have found to their liking. The parts where it showed the background for some of these kids really hit home too. We all have heard some stories about how bad a home life some of these kids had but when you see it on film it just hits you harder. Loved how Rowe said he came to UMASS as a kid and left as a man and gave Cal all the credit for making him what he became. There were also some comical moments between Cal with Rowe and Camby which just showed how much love they have for the man. All in all, a great show and, if outsiders watched it with an open mind at all, they would come away with much more appreciation of Cal and what he does for the kids he comes into contact with. Final note, after watching that, what elite player WOULDN'T want to come play for Cal???

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

I finally watched it Sunday afternoon. It's so much easier to understand Cal now. Wagner left a permanent impression on him. Anything can happen. These kids need to make their mark while they can. Cal is an intense competitor and doesn't blow smoke with the kids. He is brutally honest. Most seem drawn to that. He is the perfect fit at UK. I may get frustrated from time to time but I couldnt be happier with a coach.

 

[Kentuckynerd]

Can someone please explain to me what in the world this Worldwide Wes actually does? He is seen everywhere yet no one knows what he truly does lol.

 

[railroadkat_1]

I liked it. Very well done. I loved the fact when Coach Calapari was being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Even though he had asked the amount of former players that shared the stage with him was awesome. There wasn't much room left. His momentary breakdown and tears shows how much he cares.

The one side of Cal they didn't share was as a Christian all the time he gives to help charities! Monetarily and his time! All Good! I liked it and this was ESPN.

 

[Aike]

Can someone please explain to me what in the world this Worldwide Wes actually does? He is seen everywhere yet no one knows what he truly does lol.

He was buddies with Milt Wagner in high school. Used to hang around UL when Wagner was there.

Wagner introduced him to Michael Jordan years ago, and Wes used to work MJ's camp, if I'm not mistaken.

So he got very connected at an early age. He became the guy who could get in every room and get you in any room.

So the story goes, he has always been there for his high profile friends with good advice and guidance, asking nothing in return.

In recent years, he has shifted gears into a consultant role with CAA. Presumably he is getting paid well through official channels at this point.

 

[Crankdatmustard]

Well its obvious when he took his SAT in Detroit when he lived in Chicago that he didn't take the test.

 

[joe710]

Honestly, as an outsider I had a pretty poor view of Calipari. And without investigating it too much, I think it's fair to have that view. Any coach that leaves 2 schools with sanctions is going to be looked at as a scumbag.

That being said, it wasn't till I started coming to this forum (I think to check out recruiting) that I learned a bit more about him and about his past and what really went on at Umass? and Memphis. The more I learn about him the more I like the guy. And I thought the 30 for 30 was great.

Seems like for some reason the NCAA has it out for the guy. Not sure why that would be, he's obviously generating a ton of revenue for them, and besides that, he seems like a good person just in life. Personally I'm rooting for him. Don't want you guys to beat my team, and I don't care about Kentucky basketball, but I would like to see Calipari succeed. Plus he's a paesan

 

[gossie21]

He was buddies with Milt Wagner in high school. Used to hang around UL when Wagner was there.

Wagner introduced him to Michael Jordan years ago, and Wes used to work MJ's camp, if I'm not mistaken.

So he got very connected at an early age. He became the guy who could get in every room and get you in any room.

So the story goes, he has always been there for his high profile friends with good advice and guidance, asking nothing in return.

In recent years, he has shifted gears into a consultant role with CAA. Presumably he is getting paid well through official channels at this point.

He started as a shoe store owner, helped players get home mortgages for a while and now he's affiliated with CAA on some fashion.

I remember thinking of him as the boogeyman back before Cal came here. He does have some influence with recruits it seems, but not in a way the violates NCAA rules.

 

[Jkwo]

For a guy who doesn't care about winning, it's pretty amazing that he has by far the most tournament wins and (maybe second most?) regular season wins since being at UK.

What a lucky duck he is.

 

[Jkwo]

Rose had many chances to defend his score. All he had to say is "I studied my ass off" and everything is cool. He cheated. It's obvious. Don't be mad that Memphis got busted. Be mad that UNC is getting away with 10 times worse.

Well and also there's the fact that a university should be 10x more culpable for something that occurs with its own students than for something that occurs in high school to a prospective student.

So 10x10. 100x worse.

 

[UKCatWoman]

A couple parts of the show left me with tears in my eyes. After seeing some of the places where these players come from... and Cal making such a connection with these players and their parent(s)...helping these players make their dreams comes true - just incredible! Also, the scene when Cal was going to be inducted into the Coaches' Hall of Fame and he was with all of his former players - he tried to say that he was so "blessed" - but broke down and couldn't even finish his statement. That really got to me. Cal is a tough coach and a class act!