Cal versatality to be tested next season
- Thread starter ulismyman
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Cal is in a no win situation for every season he remains at UK. He could win the next five titles and some would complain we should have two more.
Our fans and some media (Forde) have made a monster that will never be fed.
Our fans and some media (Forde) have made a monster that will never be fed.
Why the all caps? Cal will implement whatever he desires. This group enables Cal to play a myriad of line-ups and styles of play.
If he didn't play zone with the 2015 group, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it on the 2016 team.
Why would we zone with this team? We have six very versatile guards to pressure the ball relentlessly And two elite shot blockers guarding the rim. We have the absolute perfect person out to pressure nonstop. And you do understand when you press you cannot typically fall back into a zone defense?
Pressing? Sure, some probably not going to see mid 90's Kentucky OR Arkansas though but more on the ball pressure is likely.
Zone? Probably not and I see no particular reason why it wouldn't have been a better tool in the box with last year's team than next.
It'll be a different look Cats just on the basis of personnel unless he plays a super tight rotation. I think it is a solid 8 guys that need to be on the floor and 5 of them are guards with like 3.5 of them that could be the primary ball handlers so that makes for a different dynamic Cal or not but I've seen nothing in now decades of watching the guy to be concerned about him not facilitating his players abilities (other than playing zone and I about 90% don't blame him thought the 10 can get pretty sour).
One thing people need to realize,
which is, it's EFFING hard to learn and develop skill set. It's even harder to develop a cohesive unit that's capable of showing multiple defense.
I'm sure we will see full court press more this year with the team, but it isn't as common as many of you would like.
In regards to zone..i doubt it will be big part of our defense. Instead of adding more and more defensive scheme, we would probably see more polish in man-to-man.
which is, it's EFFING hard to learn and develop skill set. It's even harder to develop a cohesive unit that's capable of showing multiple defense.
I'm sure we will see full court press more this year with the team, but it isn't as common as many of you would like.
In regards to zone..i doubt it will be big part of our defense. Instead of adding more and more defensive scheme, we would probably see more polish in man-to-man.
You're worried about the wrong end of the floor.
With a roster filled with perimeter players, lets see if Cal shows some creativity with his lineups.
With a roster filled with perimeter players, lets see if Cal shows some creativity with his lineups.
here is to another great season that uk fans will sure ruin.
Well damn, it is a great thing Cal has the input of fans on here or he would't know what the hell to do.
By the way, he will do what he thinks is best. And with that said, not sure why in the hell he would zone much at all. Unless there is foul trouble, it is a pansy defense
By the way, he will do what he thinks is best. And with that said, not sure why in the hell he would zone much at all. Unless there is foul trouble, it is a pansy defense
Between starting this post and stating Cal hasn't given Marcus Lee a fair shot while at UK in another post, I'd say Ulismyman is having an off day...
Press? Cal has to complete the time machine to get us back to 1995 before we start concentrating on that.
Why worry about either end of the floor? You don't honestly believe we will struggle to put the ball in the basket, do you?
![[smoke]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/smokin.r191677.gif "Cool [smoke]")
Man so true. This team resembles more of a college team, like his Memphis teams resembled. It's going to be fun. This team will have more losses, but not many more than last year. I think 2 or 3 losses and a title. Last years team was a bit overrated to me, and this years team is being extremely underrated around here.
Cal needs to develop his own signature zone and call it the "Cal zone."
We'll sell t-shirts with calzones on it. Calzone shaped key chains and hats (like the Green Bay cheese heads).
We'll put up calzone pics every time we make a defensive stop with the "Cal Zone" like we do with 3's.
A guy can dress up like a calzone and run around in the stands.
It's a marketing gold mine!!!!
LOL!
We'll sell t-shirts with calzones on it. Calzone shaped key chains and hats (like the Green Bay cheese heads).
We'll put up calzone pics every time we make a defensive stop with the "Cal Zone" like we do with 3's.
A guy can dress up like a calzone and run around in the stands.
It's a marketing gold mine!!!!
LOL!
Mention this in front of Cal, and he would use it. hahaha
Coaches who play zone or man defenses, both feel their way is best. Usually its about the learning curve of the team on how fast and how good they can learn it which with freshmen it is probably tough perfecting either.
Has to be something different. Can't be your standard zone.
Maybe even a calzone shaped zone.
LOL!
When are some of you going to learn? There is a reason for everything Cal does. Even though zone is legal in the NBA now, teams use it very little. There's also very little full court press in the NBA, because it doesn't work against the best guards in the world.
Cal is all about getting guys to the next level, and he knows that outside the very top players, the easiest path to the NBA is defensive versatility. Scouts want to see how a guy defends man-to-man - and in today's in NBA, how they defend in pick-and-roll situations. WCS was drafted 6th almost entirely for how he defends multiple positions and can blow up a pick-and-roll. KAT skyrocketed to No. 1 based entirely on his defensive advantage over Okafor. Those skills would not have played up in a zone.
Don't be surprised if you see Marcus Lee rise up draft boards next year by doing the same thing. Don't be surprised to see Alex Poythress get a look because he shows the ability to guard multiple positions. The way Skal moves, he should be able to switch every screen. Cal isn't going to stifle those opportunities by playing a zone, which doesn't allow scouts to fully judge a guy's ability to defend.
Cal is all about getting guys to the next level, and he knows that outside the very top players, the easiest path to the NBA is defensive versatility. Scouts want to see how a guy defends man-to-man - and in today's in NBA, how they defend in pick-and-roll situations. WCS was drafted 6th almost entirely for how he defends multiple positions and can blow up a pick-and-roll. KAT skyrocketed to No. 1 based entirely on his defensive advantage over Okafor. Those skills would not have played up in a zone.
Don't be surprised if you see Marcus Lee rise up draft boards next year by doing the same thing. Don't be surprised to see Alex Poythress get a look because he shows the ability to guard multiple positions. The way Skal moves, he should be able to switch every screen. Cal isn't going to stifle those opportunities by playing a zone, which doesn't allow scouts to fully judge a guy's ability to defend.
I see no reason why UK should zone. They have a deep, elite group of guards...man to man ball hawking D will work well with this bunch. There is also no need to press a ton, but Cal can utilize it in spots if he wants. It might help force some TO's and some bad shots with the 30 second clock.
I think we'll press some, not a trapping press but just some pressure to run some clock. I think this is the type of team that will really let Cal run the dribble drive offense. I don't think this team will be Cal's best but it should be really fun for him to coach. I think as far as the dribble drive offense goes , this team is absolutely built for it. Add the 30 sec. shot clock and we're talking some serious entertainment.
I absolutely love the makeup of this team. I think we are in for a very exciting brand of basketball this year. And I see no reason why Cal can't make it to the final four for the fifth out of six years. The last thing I worry about is how Cal will craft this team to utilize its strengths.
Or play Briscoe(6'4), Murray(6'5), Poythress(6'9), Lee(6'9), Labissiere(7'0).
Whatever...doubt UK sees many, if any, teams with that height. They are not playing the 2014-2015 Kentucky Wildcats last I checked. Are they on the schedule?
And one of the few issues I've had with Cal is letting other teams dictate pace/tempo and style of play. Screw that, if we face a team with height let's run them out of the gym and go at their slow big guys on offense playing out of position and get to the FT line...sag off them on D. Problem solved as that line up you described probably sucks at shooting 3s,
Who on our schedule has that roster? Off the top of my head only UNC would come close height wise. but other than Meeks they all weigh a buck fifty.
As to Lee the only question was your comment that Cal did not give him a fair shake. You never followed that statement up with who he should have taken minutes from.
I think we all are hoping for Marcus to do big things.
I understand this isn't your first day, but today alone you have stated:
Cal hasn't given Lee a fair chance to play the last two years.
Cal better press and zone this coming year...
What will do against 6'5, 6'7, 6'9, 6'9, 7'0 lineup?
(not one NBA team started a 6'5 point guard last year and only four had a 6'4 PG)
You have been very adamant today regarding how things were with Lee, better be this year, and stressing over an imaginary opponent.
It's all good, keep tossing things out there, we will discuss, it's summertime not much news.
Well the reason i didnt say who is because it is going to get hammered....i would have liked to see him get Dakaris and Willies minutes but thats going to look uneducated cuz WCS went number 6 in the draft
..like i said we will have to see what upcoming season brings for Marcus
..like i said we will have to see what upcoming season brings for Marcus
They both could have done better no doubt. But Marcus was not at their level. You are right, you will be crucified for WCS, even though he drifted away to la la land some games.
The point remains this season means nothing to the previous two. It is his time to shine, he will have a ton of minutes and hopefully plays well.
Lee could become a poor man's WCS next season.
Like WCS, he won't score much. He won't even try. He has the potential to defend all over the floor, though.
He doesn't have quite the length of WCS, but is just as athletic, IMHO.
If he can play defense similar to WCS, he'll work his way into the draft.
Like WCS, he won't score much. He won't even try. He has the potential to defend all over the floor, though.
He doesn't have quite the length of WCS, but is just as athletic, IMHO.
If he can play defense similar to WCS, he'll work his way into the draft.
Interesting topic.
Two thoughts.
First - Zone? Really. That's not going to happen except under some really extreme conditions. I hope we never see a zone. Maybe some token pressure. Calipari is one of the most defensively focused coaches I know. For this team to be successful under him, man to man defense will be the centerpiece.
Second - I think this is actually a bit more classic Calipari = less versatility on his part. They'll be capable of really good ball movement. I'll be surprised to see a high scoring team unless the defense causes a lot of turnovers.
I expect to really enjoy the team as I love to watch a quick aggressive defense. Those of us that like to see games in the 80's and 90's will be disappointed against equal competition. High 60's low 70s will be more common. If the team faces a challenge, I think it will come from one of the young guys till they come to grips with 'defense = playing time'. When that relationship sinks in, watch out.
Two thoughts.
First - Zone? Really. That's not going to happen except under some really extreme conditions. I hope we never see a zone. Maybe some token pressure. Calipari is one of the most defensively focused coaches I know. For this team to be successful under him, man to man defense will be the centerpiece.
Second - I think this is actually a bit more classic Calipari = less versatility on his part. They'll be capable of really good ball movement. I'll be surprised to see a high scoring team unless the defense causes a lot of turnovers.
I expect to really enjoy the team as I love to watch a quick aggressive defense. Those of us that like to see games in the 80's and 90's will be disappointed against equal competition. High 60's low 70s will be more common. If the team faces a challenge, I think it will come from one of the young guys till they come to grips with 'defense = playing time'. When that relationship sinks in, watch out.
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