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Calipari played two top 10 picks, off the bench. And started future taco bell managers Justin Edwards & DJ Wagner

So you're basis isn't rooted in any data, but purely hypotheticals. Somehow, guys who already played starter minutes were going to ve drastically better if they came in the game 3 minutes earlier, because obviously Oakland was just nervous thise first 4 minutes. Lulz 🤣

Your entire response is essentially fan-fiction.
Are you that obtuse or just don't want to admit you're wrong. I can't count the number of times that commentators and coaches have said the first 5 of each half is crucial. If you don't have your best players on the floor during that time what's then its coaching stupidity. It's call building momentum. Out the other team in a while and force them to play from behind. Have you ever watched basketball?Just stop. Everyone knows your wrong but you.
 
Wow replying to Skip Bayless on X you tell them Wayne!!!




I mean it’s so stupid we’re getting this crap and people still don’t see it.

People, he just pulled this crap to cater to Wagner. Nobody would ever bench their starters in both halves like this. He’s not a genius who figured something out. He wanted his favorites played and didn’t want to adjust the lineup it’s the ONLY reason. We need to finally put this to bed good
Grief. Yea he lied to you lol.
 
I agree with not starting your best players is dumb as hell.

I dont understand why a portion of our fanbase has to talk crap about other former players to do it though.

Nah in this case I don’t care. Neither of those guys care one thing about Kentucky and played here only because of Calipari and his system of mercenaries. Some of his players did care years ago but now he just recruits mercenaries who couldn’t care less. Wagner follows him around like a puppy because no other coach would cater to him like that he doesn’t care about UK.

I get not wanting to trash all over players but this is a unique situation and I don’t think that’s what Rich is doing. There was just a point to be made here and sometimes message boards just come off that way.

But damn man Cal is so for at manipulating and selling. The guy has STILL convinced some of this bench nonsense with Dilly and Reed. lol you can’t make this up.
 
Not starting them was questionable at best.

Not playing those two and Reeves together for 30+ minutes per game was a crime
There are 2 problems with your line of thinking. One of which not starting BOTH of them also was a problem.

1) Rob had too many silly fouls. He was in foul trouble in I think it was 60% of our games. He simply couldn't have lasted 30 minutes. Also, with HOW Rob played (his energy level), I don't think we would have gotten the same Rob if he did play 30+ minutes. He was almost like my kids dog, 1000mpg for 5 min, then exhaused/dead on the floor the next 10min.
1b) Reed played 32-34mpg much of the season, so he really didn't need to play any more than that. So, with him all you can do is complain about WHEN his minutes came, not how many he got (which IMO is a trivial issue).

2) Let's say we had played the 3 R's 30 minutes per game together. We only had 1 other guard on the whole team. See point 1 above, those 30 min is all we would get out of Rob (if not already fouled out). And Reeves and Reed would/should be limited to about 4 min each. But there would be 10min of game left. So, you would play Wagner and Reeves for 4min, and Wagner and Reed for 4 min, and then I guess slide Edwards over to the 2 (yikes!!!!) and play Wagner and Edwards together for 2min. That's 8 min with just 1 shooter, and 2 min with 0 shooters. No thank you!

But yeah, I would have played those 3 together at least 20mpg, and had at least 2 of the 3 together the entire game.
 
Wow replying to Skip Bayless on X you tell them Wayne!!!




Unreal. For people to continue to not understand there’s NO JUSTIFICATION to bench your two best players to start halves it’s insane. People talking about bench sparks and all of the nonsense it’s really insane if someone believes this. He did it to appease Wagner and Edwards and handlers not for sparks. No coach would do it and it’s an indictment in your intelligence if you actually believe there’s any coaches anywhere who would do it. Calipari is a liar, quit believing what he’s saying. This one should have been obvious to you. It’s embarrassing stop. This killed our momentum and lineup situations in still pissed about it lol.

I’m glad cal is getting torched over it too. He’s been hammered pretty hard as even the media knows how stupid it is.
 
There are 2 problems with your line of thinking. One of which not starting BOTH of them also was a problem.

1) Rob had too many silly fouls. He was in foul trouble in I think it was 60% of our games. He simply couldn't have lasted 30 minutes. Also, with HOW Rob played (his energy level), I don't think we would have gotten the same Rob if he did play 30+ minutes. He was almost like my kids dog, 1000mpg for 5 min, then exhaused/dead on the floor the next 10min.
1b) Reed played 32-34mpg much of the season, so he really didn't need to play any more than that. So, with him all you can do is complain about WHEN his minutes came, not how many he got (which IMO is a trivial issue).

2) Let's say we had played the 3 R's 30 minutes per game together. We only had 1 other guard on the whole team. See point 1 above, those 30 min is all we would get out of Rob (if not already fouled out). And Reeves and Reed would/should be limited to about 4 min each. But there would be 10min of game left. So, you would play Wagner and Reeves for 4min, and Wagner and Reed for 4 min, and then I guess slide Edwards over to the 2 (yikes!!!!) and play Wagner and Edwards together for 2min. That's 8 min with just 1 shooter, and 2 min with 0 shooters. No thank you!

But yeah, I would have played those 3 together at least 20mpg, and had at least 2 of the 3 together the entire game.
1A - Rob had a lot of silly fouls maybe that would limit his time, but 30 should have been his goal
1B - was definitely the wrong times. Our numbers with the 3 Rs together prove that
2 - It's not just guards. You can slide Thiero and Edwards in at the 3, even Burks some. Wagner would be you 1/2 backup. 4 people pick up those minutes well and you never have just 1 shooter.

Bottom line is - we should have never had a moment without 2 of those 3 on the court barring foul trouble / injuries. They should have also been targeted to get as many minutes together as possible.

After blitzing Alabama, I can't understand why the starters and main lineup weren't Reeves, Reed, Rob, Edwards, and Z. I guess just more coaching Calpractice
 
Let's not trash former Wildcats.
No class OP.
DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards when they see ''runninrichie'' called them. ''Future taco bell managers''.




Zg.gif
 
Are you really this obtuse, it's supposed to be about the team being the BEST it can possibly be and Cals lineups insured it never was
The eye test as well as all the metrics support the fact that reed, rob and reeves should've been on the floor together every minute that foul trouble/fatigue would allow. This was where Cal failed us this year and failed to maximize team results.
 
It's so funny how you guys change your mind on whether or not 5-star freshmen are how you win in college basketball to suit your contrived arguments. You really are hilarious.
 
1A - Rob had a lot of silly fouls maybe that would limit his time, but 30 should have been his goal
1B - was definitely the wrong times. Our numbers with the 3 Rs together prove that
2 - It's not just guards. You can slide Thiero and Edwards in at the 3, even Burks some. Wagner would be you 1/2 backup. 4 people pick up those minutes well and you never have just 1 shooter.

Bottom line is - we should have never had a moment without 2 of those 3 on the court barring foul trouble / injuries. They should have also been targeted to get as many minutes together as possible.

After blitzing Alabama, I can't understand why the starters and main lineup weren't Reeves, Reed, Rob, Edwards, and Z. I guess just more coaching Calpractice
I was 100% behind having at least 2 of the R’s in at all times. And all 3 as much as possible, AS LONG AS IT DIDN’T result in minutes with 0-1 of the R’s on the floor.
But let’s say Reed and Reeves play 34min, and Rob can stay out of foul trouble enough to somehow play 26. That is 94min. If you play all 3 together, the math just doesn’t support what you want. Actually the 3 would have to combine for 110 minutes, 37 for two and 36 for one, in order to play 30min with all 3 together and the other 10 with two of them. 36-37 is just too many minutes for anyone to average, and unless the foul limit was increased from 5 to 7 and I didn’t know then there is no way Rob could play 36.

Even playing all 3 for 20min, and 2 of them the other 20 would be tough. They would have to combine for 100min. That would require 35 from Reed and Reeves and 30 from Rob. Again, more often than not Rob is fouling out before 30min.

I’m sorry to use logic to ruin your fantasy.
 
I was 100% behind having at least 2 of the R’s in at all times. And all 3 as much as possible, AS LONG AS IT DIDN’T result in minutes with 0-1 of the R’s on the floor.
But let’s say Reed and Reeves play 34min, and Rob can stay out of foul trouble enough to somehow play 26. That is 94min. If you play all 3 together, the math just doesn’t support what you want. Actually the 3 would have to combine for 110 minutes, 37 for two and 36 for one, in order to play 30min with all 3 together and the other 10 with two of them. 36-37 is just too many minutes for anyone to average, and unless the foul limit was increased from 5 to 7 and I didn’t know then there is no way Rob could play 36.

Even playing all 3 for 20min, and 2 of them the other 20 would be tough. They would have to combine for 100min. That would require 35 from Reed and Reeves and 30 from Rob. Again, more often than not Rob is fouling out before 30min.

I’m sorry to use logic to ruin your fantasy.
Uh, I was told there would be no math?
 
This isn’t a one game conversation. Reed, dilly, and reeves should have been in the starting lineup from at least the midpoint of the season. Until you grasp that concept and what that means for overall team unity and cohesiveness you are adding nothing to the conversation.
Taco Bell thread

Reed went into the starting lineup for 5 games and we lost 4 of them. I’m not sure how anyone can look at that and say he should be penciled in as a starter. However, there is nothing that really indicated the outcome of any game would have been different based on who started.

Are you okay with the fact Mark Pape didn’t start his best player last year?

What statistical data do you have that shows if Reed, Dilly, and Reeves had all started and played the lions share of minutes together that we would not have had a better seasonal and post seasonal outcome? As it is, and I could be mistaken on this but it seems they all 3 saw the court together at the same time for less than 20% of all minutes played.
Well. They had 5 games where that happened, and we went 1-4. Among those losses were to UNCw and UF. Not really a solid indicator that would have been any more successful. In fact, that points to it being less successful.

I can't remember ever watching a second of BYU basketball, so I have no clue.

I just don't understand why you are seemingly trying to convince fans that Cal has no responsibility for Oakland or other past failures. Sure, there's always more than one reason for losses like Oakland, St Pete etc. But there is a common denominator in those embarrassing losses. To the point you seem to want to deflect to, we simply don't know if a different starting lineup would've produced a different outcome. I don't know that. You don't know that. However, if two top 5 level guys were starting the majority of the season, it's entirely possible that the team has a different identity, different chemistry, different swag, and a different (or at least more palatable) end to the season. It's a simple issue is mishandling a roster. And the reason why is a gut punch.
What does it have to do with whether you watched them or not?

No one is saying that Cal doesn’t have responsibility, but you are absolving the players, mainly Reed, of any blame. Sure we do! Do you honestly think starting vs coming in with a lead was going to magically make Reed or Rob shoot better? Play better defense? Not make stupid turnovers?

You honestly believe there would have been a difference even though they would have still played roughly the around the exact same minutes? It’s very odd to come to that conclusion considering we were fine against Auburn, Bama and UT to finish out the regular season, but suddenly, not starting in the post season was the problem with their “Swag” and “chemistry”.
 
Are you that obtuse or just don't want to admit you're wrong. I can't count the number of times that commentators and coaches have said the first 5 of each half is crucial. If you don't have your best players on the floor during that time what's then its coaching stupidity. It's call building momentum. Out the other team in a while and force them to play from behind. Have you ever watched basketball?Just stop. Everyone knows your wrong but you.
Can you provide any evidence the outcome of any of our games would have been different based on who started?

Also, why didn't Mark Pope start his best player last year? How do you feel about when it's him doing it and not just Cal?
 
Can you provide any evidence the outcome of any of our games would have been different based on who started?

Also, why didn't Mark Pope start his best player last year? How do you feel about when it's him doing it and not just Cal?
Can I provide evidence? All the analytics say so. Look it up. Don't play stupid.
I know nothing about BYU players or team. So if you're curious look that up to...the analytics that is. Plus/minus. I'll wait.
We have plenty of evidence of what happened because he didn't start them each half. Slow starts, poor shooting, early deficits. But I guess you think that has zero effect on the outcome of the game. Are you really Cal? Is that you Cal?
Same logic. Has to be.
 
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Can I provide evidence? All the analytics say so. Look it up. Don't play stupid.
I know nothing about BYU players or team. So if you're curious look that up to...the analytics that is. Plus/minus. I'll wait.
We have plenty of evidence of what happened because he didn't start them each half. Slow starts, poor shooting, early deficits. But I guess you think that has zero effect on the outcome of the game. Are you really Cal? Is that you Cal?
Same logic. Has to be.
So show us your analytics that prove the outcome of our losses would be wins based on different starters. I'll be here waiting!

What do you need to know about BYU? It's easily evident Jackson was their best player and one of the best players in the big 12 and likely in the country. Yet, he was their 6th man. So, was Mark Pope wrong for bringing his best player off the bench? Don't be afraid to answer!

So, if this evidence that shows the outcome would have been different, it should he very easy for you to share, correct? Let's see it then!
 
So show us your analytics that prove the outcome of our losses would be wins based on different starters. I'll be here waiting!

What do you need to know about BYU? It's easily evident Jackson was their best player and one of the best players in the big 12 and likely in the country. Yet, he was their 6th man. So, was Mark Pope wrong for bringing his best player off the bench? Don't be afraid to answer!

So, if this evidence that shows the outcome would have been different, it should he very easy for you to share, correct? Let's see it then!
How can I prove some that didn't happen. Look the numbers up yourself. They're easy to find. Or keep playing stupid. You're choice. There is plenty of evidence freely had. Can't argue with stupid. So I'll just stop trying with you. You clearly have no clue and cal can do no wrong. Guess I'll just add you to my ignore list 👋
 
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How can I prove some that didn't happen. Look the numbers up yourself. They're easy to find. Or keep playing stupid. You're choice. There is plenty of evidence freely had. Can't argue with stupid. So I'll just stop trying with you. You clearly have no clue and cal can do no wrong. Guess I'll just add you to my ignore list 👋
You just said you could prove it because the statistics support it, but now you can't? Lulz.

If you're basing your belief that the outcome of any game or the season would have been different based on who started, surely you have some form of evidence that led you to that conclusion. Or was it the ole "eye test"?

The reason no evidence exist to support your theories is because they aren't accurate theories.

Cal did a lot wrong, but we didn't win or lose based off who started.
 
You just said you could prove it because the statistics support it, but now you can't? Lulz.

If you're basing your belief that the outcome of any game or the season would have been different based on who started, surely you have some form of evidence that led you to that conclusion. Or was it the ole "eye test"?

The reason no evidence exist to support your theories is because they aren't accurate theories.

Cal did a lot wrong, but we didn't win or lose based off who started.
That's not what I said but keep making things up. Look up the plus minus numbers and see who's were best when in the line up. Then ask anyone who has ever played, coached or watched a game how important the first 5 minutes of each half are. Then ask yourself who should have been in the starting lineup based on that abundant facts and evidence. If you can't reach the same conclusion literally everyone else has then your just not very intelligent. But keep trying to tell everyone else they are wrong. It's complete denial with you. I'm done with you. You clearly have no interest in anything other than to trying say everyone else is wrong with no facts or evidence to support your argument. There's plenty to support mine. Ignored now. Bye
 
That's not what I said but keep making things up. Look up the plus minus numbers and see who's were best when in the line up. Then ask anyone who has ever played, coached or watched a game how important the first 5 minutes of each half are. Then ask yourself who should have been in the starting lineup based on that abundant facts and evidence. If you can't reach the same conclusion literally everyone else has then your just not very intelligent. But keep trying to tell everyone else they are wrong. It's complete denial with you. I'm done with you. You clearly have no interest in anything other than to trying say everyone else is wrong with no facts or evidence to support your argument. There's plenty to support mine. Ignored now. Bye
None of what you're listing proves the outcome of anyone game would have been different based on who started. Do you really think Reed and Rob would have magically played better against Oakland simply because they started? They would have started even, instead, they came into the game when we were leading.

They were able to blowout Bama, Auburn and beat UT handily without them starting, yet, you think we lost to Oakland and others because they didn't start? Lulz.

What's even worse, when Reed started, we went 1-4.

Also, I am still waiting on why you think it's okay Pope didn't start his best player. Your lack of answer is taken as support for his decision.
 
Your anger should not be directed toward me. I have not said you don't need 5 stars.
Why do you think I'm angry? Why in the hell would I get angry over the internet? None of this is real and I don't care what you think. Me using pointed language just means I know words. You are confused by words, I get it. You're still confused over my original post which wasn't really that confusing. I was making a direct comment on the thread topic. Now I have absolutely explained more than I should have to. Are you grown? Why doesn't your brain work?
 
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Well. They had 5 games where that happened, and we went 1-4. Among those losses were to UNCw and UF. Not really a solid indicator that would have been any more successful. In fact, that points to it being less successful.
We had zero games where all 3 started which was the point being made and also zero games where all 3 were on the floor together a majority of the time. Cal kept 1 or 2 in there mostly but rarely all 3 together, less than 20% of minutes played. You have no rebuttal to this so you keep regurgitating the same Reed started 5 games mantra.
 
The fact that you're on here trying to concok some bizzaro defense of a coach not starting two top 5 NBA draft picks is utterly mind boggling. You may think your logic is sound, but you're simply just flat out wrong. If you want to like Cal, fine. But at some point you have to be a realist about him and how he performed at his job. John Calipari didn't start his best players because he put obligations to non-UK people over his job of winning games for UK. Period. There's nothing further to discuss about it.

...and I'll add, in my opinion and many others, he enjoyed sticking it to the slack jawed holler bennies in the process. He's petty like that.
Now that's a marine that just hit you 15 in the head and 15 center mass for 30 for 30 at 300 yards with open sights standing, unsupported.
I was done with him when he kept saying Wagner was featured in our best lineup, which is numerically false.
Well done soldier, outstanding.
 
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We had zero games where all 3 started which was the point being made and also zero games where all 3 were on the floor together a majority of the time. Cal kept 1 or 2 in there mostly but rarely all 3 together, less than 20% of minutes played. You have no rebuttal to this so you keep regurgitating the same Reed started 5 games mantra.
There doesn't need to be a rebuttal and it clearly worked well as demonstrated against TN, BAMA, Auburn, Unc and so forth. The 3 guards played quite a bit when Wagner was out and we went 1-4.

Again, you all are simply regurgitating that the better offensive trio didn't start was why we lost games, but you can point to no evidence that suggests a different outcome had they started. Reed wasn't magically going to play better against TX am and Oakland because he started bs coming off the bench.
 
How can I prove some that didn't happen. Look the numbers up yourself. They're easy to find. Or keep playing stupid. You're choice. There is plenty of evidence freely had. Can't argue with stupid. So I'll just stop trying with you. You clearly have no clue and cal can do no wrong. Guess I'll just add you to my ignore list 👋
Already did, great feature, saves time, plus Cal can't get enough attention.
 
It wasn't the not starting them, it was not sticking with them at the start of the 2nd half if we were down.

They both played more minutes a game than Wagner and Edwards

Here's the minutes, Reeves then Reed. Rob 3 less than wagner


Do yourself a favor. Look up our best offensive line-ups, then see how much we ran em.
 
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Well I will try to explain but you won’t hear it most likely.
Oakland came out extremely nervous and shot like 20% for the first 5 minutes. We managed a 4 point lead. With the Anemic offense our starters provided.
Hypothetically if Reed, Rob and reeves started together the entire last half of the season as they should have. They gain tremendous confidence. We start that game Hot AF and have a 12 point lead five minutes in. UGO should have been replaced with Z if only for kick out 3s. How many passes out of the post for UGO for an open 3? Zero all year. Remember Zs behind the backer for 3?
The entire starting lineup was based on draft picks , handlers and promises. That’s what people are upset about. No other coach in the country starts that lineup. Starters develop confidence and continuity together. Confidence leads to coming out and stomping on the neck of a team that came out cold and scared. The opponent gained confidence in that first five minutes and realized….. hey, We can play with these guys. That’s why minutes don’t matter near as much as a confident starting five. With the way Oakland came out scared, A confident offensive team builds at least a 12 point lead in those first 5 minutes. If our team shot 50% in that first 5 we have that lead. I believe Oakland started 2-15.
We were down by 2 with under 2 to play. We build the lead we should have in that first 5 minutes while they were choking it up. We win. They are playing from behind all game long. Desperation leads to bad decisions.

Dude, just admit that you are stupid. Oakland was a force. Dayton only beat them by 20, and I only saw that because I was watching Koby Brea highlights.
 
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Good article. Much better than pee-brained takes while hiding behind a PC... calling him a future fast food Mgr. Why should former players/coaches care about our fans? Then again, pretend UK fans love taking a crap here and making UK look bad, so it's par for the couse. Cowardly, but par.

 
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