Calipari: Kentucky focused on producing 'position-less players'

[preacher_tom]

During a Thursday teleconference previewing next week’s NBA Draft, Kentucky Coach John Calipari promoted his program’s focus on producing “position-less players.”

Of course, seven UK players have entered this year’s NBA Draft, which will be held next Thursday.

Kentucky's aim to enhance versatility makes players more attractive, Calipari said.

“Our goal is not just to help guys get in the league,” he said. “We want guys to become All-Stars. . . . Our goal would be to say, ‘Hey, half the NBA All-Stars started with us.'”

Calipari held up Karl-Anthony Towns as an example.

“If he had his druthers, he would have been a two-guard,” Calipari said. UK insisted Towns be a post-up player.

“He had no real post game,” Calipari said. “You know, we forced him. Like I told him, ‘You’re going to be a post player who can play out on the floor.'”

Now, Towns is widely projected as the first player taken in this year’s draft.

Calipari called Towns the type of player that “never gets traded.

“And there’s only a few of those in the league. And he’ll be one of them.”

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/06/18/...ng.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&rh=1#storylink=cpy

 

[Federal Cat]

Hey man if it works getting more into the NBA and helps in recruiting I'm all for it

 

[bucsrule8872]

Good philosophy.

Look at Durant and James. Those guys are just players. They can play about any position and that is why they are the top two players in the league. Look at Westbrook. Same thing, he is only limited by his size, but he can do it all. Look at the entire GS world championship squad. They are just players. Most of them don't fit in traditional positions, they are just ballers.

It's also a good message for Murray.

Cal wants to make sure Murray doesn't worry about playing PG or SG or SF, he's just going to play.

This was definitely a message sent to the Murrays.

 

[jarms24]

How long before a certain coach in Lawrence starts using this as a recruiting tool? Any takers>

 

[W2R]

He has been doing this for years actually. Look at CD-R Dorsey dozier tyreke Bledsoe Davis

I think he is getting the mindset before next season. You know fans and media will say player A isn't a 3 and should be a 4. Or player B is a 2 playing the 3 how many times
Was this brought up late season?

 

[Jkwo]

What is WRONG with this guy? How many quotes need to come out of his mouth that don't have to do with championships before you guys realize that he DOES NOT CARE AT ALL about winning it all?

"Kids getting drafted?" "Positionless players?" "Pikeville to Paducah?" "Brother's keeper?"

Who gives a crap?

If coach cared half as much as I do about championships, he wouldn't waste time with all those non-championship words.

Hell, this is how I order at McDonalds:

"Victorious day to you, sir. Seems like a banner day to order a #9. I'd have to hang myself from the rafters if I didn't bring home some rings, too - so give me some onion ones."

Cal, you'd better start showing you care about winning the big one, or we'll find somebody else who does!

190-38 record. 4 Final fours in 6 years with one measly championship. Humph. What does this guy think he's coaching? The JV team?

 

[bigblueinsanity]

As usual Cal is way out in front. Its exactly what recruits want to hear, especially Murray, whos almost certainly a little hesitant to join a team with 2 "PGS" already.

But its also the trend in the sport. Look at the Warriors. They played pretty much positionless. They used Livingston and Barnes as post up threats. Green was a consistent ball handler, set up man, AND rebounder. And most of their players defend multiple positions.

Versatility. Its the new trend. And Cal has us out in front, again.

 

[brianpoe]

What about a National Championship?


In before the trolls and whiny asses....

 

[W2R]

As usual Cal is way out in front. Its exactly what recruits want to hear, especially Murray, whos almost certainly a little hesitant to join a team with 2 "PGS" already.

But its also the trend in the sport. Look at the Warriors. They played pretty much positionless. They used Livingston and Barnes as post up threats. Green was a consistent ball handler, set up man, AND rebounder. And most of their players defend multiple positions.

Versatility. Its the new trend. And Cal has us out in front, again.

This is true. Cal has always liked the hybrid 4-5 guy that can do It all. Look all,the way back to camby. Look at all his PG the last ten years.

 

[Brando Mac]

Pretty much what I've been saying and I also think that it's a message to Murray. The game is constantly changing, the position you log the majority of your minutes at is no longer the be-all end-all. You can be a playmaker at the 1, 2, 3, etc. You can have multiple playmakers on the court at all times, and the smart players embrace that, they don't run away from it and want it all to just be about themselves. They embrace the unselfish team concept and sacrifice that it takes to attempt greatness.

Cal has shown that the best talent is going to see the floor regardless of position if they can back up the hype, simple as that.

 

[armchairpg]

no doubt a targeted message to murray.

 

[UK90]

But its also the trend in the sport. Look at the Warriors. They played pretty much positionless. They used Livingston and Barnes as post up threats. Green was a consistent ball handler, set up man, AND rebounder. And most of their players defend multiple positions.

This is definitely true. You couldn't really tell what position anyone was playing after Golden State went to that smaller starting lineup. They technically said that 6'7" Draymond Green was the 5 in that lineup, but in reality there was no center, in fact it didn't look like there was a true PF either. Most of the time Golden State's lineup just looked like one point (Curry) and four interchangeable wings who all played very similarly.

Of course, this is also the way the world's best player, Lebron, has played for years. Its hard to figure out what position Lebron is playing from just watching him. One minute you'll see him playing the post or guarding the center spot, then the next minute he's bringing the ball up and running the offense like a point guard. The world has decided to call Lebron a small forward because that's the position that essentially lies in the middle of his varying different roles, but he's never really played like a true traditional three.

 

[Rhavicc]

Versatility is what sets the very best players apart from the rest. Versatility makes you a more complete player, gives ya something to go to in most situations, it allows you for more playing time because of the ability to play multiple positions, and it gives you a solid base to build on many things. Gives you a much higher ceiling.

In the case of Murray, he has the potential to expand his game and become a pretty complete guard with a very successful career. Skal Labissiere obviously has a tremendous head-start on everybody with his inside-out scoring ability, athleticism, height and length, and natural defensive ability. Isaiah Briscoe could be another with terrific potential. As long as he cuts the fat, and gains some muscle, he's got a special skill with his first step, and ability to stop on a dime and handle the ball as well as he does with his size. He's the type of guard that can post up a lot of other guards, can rebound, score all over the floor, passes it very well. A ton of potential to be the next big thing.

 

[CUT-NETS]

He has been doing this for years actually. Look at CD-R Dorsey dozier tyreke Bledsoe Davis

I think he is getting the mindset before next season. You know fans and media will say player A isn't a 3 and should be a 4. Or player B is a 2 playing the 3 how many times
Was this brought up late season?

Just so long as he doesn't try to put Alex at the 3. Alex is a 4…..period.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

He has been doing this for years actually. Look at CD-R Dorsey dozier tyreke Bledsoe Davis

I think he is getting the mindset before next season. You know fans and media will say player A isn't a 3 and should be a 4. Or player B is a 2 playing the 3 how many times
Was this brought up late season?

It's still brought up now. You haven't read the ignorant posters claiming that Murray isn't a 3 or can't play it because he isn't tall enough? They don't understand the concept of putting ur best players on the floor and not everybody has to be a 6'6" point and a 6'9" wing or a 7 ft center. Sure those guys are nice to have but the vast majority of ball players are not like that. Is rare and an exception to have huge guys who can actuall play a position well that has historically been dominated by smaller guys.

 

[Rhavicc]

Just so long as he doesn't try to put Alex at the 3. Alex is a 4…..period.

Nope. Let AP play the 3 for defensive/rebounding purposes. I do not mind. Not even a tiny bit.

 

[TrustinCal]

I'd like to see Poy get some time at point guard.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

I'd like to see Poy get some time at point guard.

Yes yes I see....you just might be onto something their.

 

[.S&C.]

Cal has got to stop giving Bill Self recruiting tips.

 

[.S&C.]

He has been doing this for years actually. Look at CD-R Dorsey dozier tyreke Bledsoe Davis

I think he is getting the mindset before next season. You know fans and media will say player A isn't a 3 and should be a 4. Or player B is a 2 playing the 3 how many times
Was this brought up late season?

I was thinking the same thing about CDR and Dozier.

 

[Poetax]

How long before a certain coach in Lawrence starts using this as a recruiting tool? Any takers>

Not only Lawrence but an Indiana fan told me that CREAN has been using that line for years and Cal just stole it. lol

 

[da CATS rocks]

So does this mean that coach cal is just going to roll the balls out and tell them to just go play?

 

[NavyCatFan2012]

Coach Cal is a public speaker, a damn good one at that. Oh, and sometimes he coaches a pretty good college basketball program. .

 

[BluePhil]

How long before a certain coach in Lawrence starts using this as a recruiting tool? Any takers>

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news...s-basketball-taking-hold-in-college/?page=all

This is old hat. From the article I posted.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has long been a proponent of ignoring positions and has used the concept while coaching Team USA in international competition.

The difference now is positionless basketball has become more prevalent. Except for a handful of teams that have a true point guard or back-down center, college basketball is filled with teams that spread the floor and rely on interchangeable parts.