Few appreciate *this aspect* of what Cal is doing for Kentucky

[Cat Ballou]

What Cal understands is that much of the reputation and legacy of a college program is defined by its professional athletes. Before Roy Williams came back to North Carolina and started winning championships, much of UNC and Dean Smith's vaunted reputation was based on the great players that came through the program and pros they put in the league as much as on court success.

Cal has about 10 guys in the pros right now who are going to be long-time impact players in the league. Legacy players who will be around for 15 or so years and will be Hall-of-Famers. We are just now in the infancy of that. By the time Cal retires, that number may double. That is something that is going to benefit UK for many years and long after Cal has retired.

It's something Coach K has figured out as well. Despite coaching for 30 years and winning many championships, Coach K's players hadn't made much of a dent in the NBA up until the last few years. I think he's trying to change that in the final years of his career by going with OAD approach.

 

[wcc31]

Few? I think 99% of UK fans appreciate what he's doing for Kentucky.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

I appreciate him but I appreciate the UK team first. My regard for UK basketball won't change when he leaves. Cal has about eight million reasons a year to feel appreciated. Cal has said something to the affect that he's just the one sitting in the chair. My regard for UK basketball won't change when the day comes that he hangs it up.

 

[chevyman 50]

I am one who thanks Cal does a great job..

 

[jameslee32]

Just like the fertile hunting grounds of the American Indian. Caintuckee, the land of opportunity!

 

[MdWIldcat55]

The vast majority of Kentucky fans appreciate Cal and know the program is in a Golden Era.

The same way the piercing cry of a baby is louder than a whispered compliment from a friend, the whining, immature malcontents are going to always be heard.

 

[*CatinIL*]

IMO it's business as usual in the Bluegrass in April. I don't have a problem with Calipari's method as long as the CATS are IN the hunt for the NCAA Title...which is where they've been except for one year under Calipari. Who knows what will happen next March...that's why he's getting paid the big bucks.

 

[YouKay]

I would say the post title should be changed to "Few Appreciate This Aspect of What Cal Has Done For UK". And I agree with that.

I lived in DC for 20 years. Used to drive me NUTS to see kids all over town, and even a lot of adults, wearing UNC hats and gear all the time. They had a BRAND that UK just didn't. Pitino got closer to it, but still never had "that guy" in the NBA that everyone recognized.

If you live in Kentucky, and I realize most people here do, you don't notice this because UK has always been the brand in the state. But we out of staters notice it A LOT. It's just a blast seeing kids in Brooklyn now wearing UK hats.

As a longtime NBA fan it's also been immensely gratifying for me to turn on the TV almost any night during the season, or go to almost any NBA game in the city near me, and get to see a former UK player (or two, or three!) I love how Cal has created this LaFamiglia thing and these guys are constantly repping UK even when they were only in Lexington for a year. It's really unusual to see that. To see DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis together and playing like they played together in college is amazing, and special.

It's all wonderful to me. And really not easy to accomplish, it takes work and attitude and a consistent philosophy and an ability to get 18 year olds to buy into it all.

 

[Zar_Doz]

OPEN LETTER TO TGHE HALL OF FAM COACH JOHN VINCENT CALIPAIRI...

COAHC I JUST WNATED TO TAKE THIS TIME ON BEHAMLF OF THE ENTIRTER CAPTPAW NATIPON TO THANK YOUFO R ALL YOU DO FOR THE UNIVERESITY OF KENTCUTYKY AND WE JUST AWANT YOU TO KNOW THAT ALL OF US AND THAT MENAS ONE HYUNDRED PERCENT OF US REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOURS, SO ANWYASYS THANK YOU AGSAIN FROM THE BOTTOMO FO OUR HEARTS FOIR ALL YOU DO EVEN IF SOMETIMEOS SOME OF US GHTINK YOU PUT PLAYERSS NBAS CAREERS AHEAD OF WINMNG TITTIES FOR THE UNIVOERSTITY. GBB

PS I CHANGE THD COLEOR OF THIS FONT TO BLUE CUASE I BLEDE BLUE FIRST AND OFREMOST

 

[*CatinIL*]

I would say the post title should be changed to "Few Appreciate This Aspect of What Cal Has Done For UK". And I agree with that.

I lived in DC for 20 years. Used to drive me NUTS to see kids all over town, and even a lot of adults, wearing UNC hats and gear all the time. They had a BRAND that UK just didn't. Pitino got closer to it, but still never had "that guy" in the NBA that everyone recognized.

If you live in Kentucky, and I realize most people here do, you don't notice this because UK has always been the brand in the state. But we out of staters notice it A LOT. It's just a blast seeing kids in Brooklyn now wearing UK hats.

As a longtime NBA fan it's also been immensely gratifying for me to turn on the TV almost any night during the season, or go to almost any NBA game in the city near me, and get to see a former UK player (or two, or three!) I love how Cal has created this LaFamiglia thing and these guys are constantly repping UK even when they were only in Lexington for a year. It's really unusual to see that. To see DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis together and playing like they played together in college is amazing, and special.

It's all wonderful to me. And really not easy to accomplish, it takes work and attitude and a consistent philosophy and an ability to get 18 year olds to buy into it all.

Kay is right IMO. I lived in the DC area and the StL area. IMO, you always knew when UK was on stride because all the haters (for me these were people I worked with and I enjoyed needling them...) would come out but more players (younger kids) could be seen wearing UK gear.

 

[Calsthebomb]

I thoroughly appreciate it. I enjoy the fact that these kids are reaching their dream while competing for a championship every year.

 

[morgousky]

Everyone appreciates Cal. Some people just enjoy being involved and expressing issues they see. Some are older and don't like the OAD era.

There's no reason to not let people be fans how they choose. The "crazies" as cal calls them are what made this peogram what it is. Guys sitting at home care free while posting "it doesn't effect my life go Cal!!" Are not the reason he's here. Some need to rememeber that.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Everyone appreciates Cal. Some people just enjoy being involved and expressing issues they see. Some are older and don't like the OAD era.

There's no reason to not let people be fans how they choose. The "crazies" as cal calls them are what made this peogram what it is. Guys sitting at home care free while posting "it doesn't effect my life go Cal!!" Are not the reason he's here. Some need to rememeber that.

^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

OP is on the right track with his NBA thesis.


UNC won titles in '05 and '09 on the back of the Jordan/Carter/Stackhouse/etc. legacy. The fruit of what Cal is doing will pay off later, perhaps at the end of his time in Lexington, but it will surely pay off. I think he leaves Kentucky with three titles overall. The best days are ahead, and it’s precisely because his system works for the players. They will continue to flock to Kentucky because they trust Calipari, and eventually it will pay off in the form of some transcendent recruiting classes that fit all the pieces perfectly together (think a class of something like Fox, Murray, MKG, Randle, Noel).

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I would say the post title should be changed to "Few Appreciate This Aspect of What Cal Has Done For UK". And I agree with that.

I lived in DC for 20 years. Used to drive me NUTS to see kids all over town, and even a lot of adults, wearing UNC hats and gear all the time. They had a BRAND that UK just didn't. Pitino got closer to it, but still never had "that guy" in the NBA that everyone recognized.

If you live in Kentucky, and I realize most people here do, you don't notice this because UK has always been the brand in the state. But we out of staters notice it A LOT. It's just a blast seeing kids in Brooklyn now wearing UK hats.

As a longtime NBA fan it's also been immensely gratifying for me to turn on the TV almost any night during the season, or go to almost any NBA game in the city near me, and get to see a former UK player (or two, or three!) I love how Cal has created this LaFamiglia thing and these guys are constantly repping UK even when they were only in Lexington for a year. It's really unusual to see that. To see DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis together and playing like they played together in college is amazing, and special.

It's all wonderful to me. And really not easy to accomplish, it takes work and attitude and a consistent philosophy and an ability to get 18 year olds to buy into it all.

Great post. The same has happened here in Chicagoland. UK didn't matter in urban areas before Calipari. Now UK is the brand. I don't think many folks outside of Kentucky understand this reality and what it means for the program going forward. UNC lived off the legacy of its prominent 80s and 90s pros for years. Cal is doing the same thing here, and he's doing it more rapidly than anyone could have imagined.

 

[Hoskins21]

The program is the players and they should come first above all else. They're the ones working every single day to get better and win. The problem is too many of our fans think they should come first.

 

[dezyDeco]

Love Cal. I simply can not imagine who is going to fill his shoes, when the day comes.

Old-time fans (like me) are/were just used to having more continuity from team to team/year to year. It was a little easier to get past a season-ending loss, when you knew you had a solid nucleus returning, which led to a "we'll get 'em next year" outlook. Things have changed. The OAD is like free agency in Pro Sports, and how it can change your favorite team... only, it's worse. A lot worse, since there's no "if" about it, when it comes to our best UK kids.

 

[3rex]

The idea that Cal is not appreciated by the vast majority of UK fans is just wrong.

 

[CalsKittens]

I appreciate him but I appreciate the UK team first. My regard for UK basketball won't change when he leaves. Cal has about eight million reasons a year to feel appreciated. Cal has said something to the affect that he's just the one sitting in the chair. My regard for UK basketball won't change when the day comes that he hangs it up.

So you don't appreciate the man is what I'm getting from your post. It's a damn shame really.

 

[YouKay]

Great post. The same has happened here in Chicagoland. UK didn't matter in urban areas before Calipari. Now UK is the brand. I don't think many folks outside of Kentucky understand this reality and what it means for the program going forward. UNC lived off the legacy of its prominent 80s and 90s pros for years. Cal is doing the same thing here, and he's doing it more rapidly than anyone could have imagined.

I can't even imagine how big Anthony Davis and Tyler Ulis have been in Chicago for UK recruiting there. Meanwhile Jahlil Okafor is going nowhere fast. Is Jabari Parker even playing?

We are getting Nick Richards largely because the UK brand is HUGE now in New Jersey, thanks to MKG and KAT. Tons of talent there.

 

[ftp000]

Few appreciate what Cal is doing for Kentucky

Shut up! Stop trying to be profound

 

[NCukcat62]

You don't have to agree with everything what he says or does but how could you not appreciate what he does as a uk coach?!?! He's done more for this program since Adolph rupp. And rupp won all his titles in a 10 year span which is unreal but he didn't win one outside that span. I really believe cal wants to coach here until he is about 70 and that's enough time to get 2 maybe even 3 championships

 

[wyldcatsfan]

I appreciate him but I appreciate the UK team first. My regard for UK basketball won't change when he leaves. Cal has about eight million reasons a year to feel appreciated. Cal has said something to the affect that he's just the one sitting in the chair. My regard for UK basketball won't change when the day comes that he hangs it up.

Nor did mine change when they hired Cal...i agree with ya

 

[MychalG]

I appreciate him for the way he represents himself, the University and the BB program. I appreciate all of the talent he has brought in. I appreciate the N/C Championship and him being able to keep us at the top of the SEC each year. I appreciate that he has done it the right way. However, that does not mean I don't disagree with him on some things.

 

[Hoskins21]

The UK team is the players and Cal goes out of his way to put them first.

 

[oldfanofuk]

I have been a huge fan of Kentucky since 1978, and Cal is my favorite coach.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

So you don't appreciate the man is what I'm getting from your post. It's a damn shame really.

The first three words of my post were "I appreciate him" ? If you're saying that it's a damn shame that I appreciate UK basketball and it's tradition first and foremost regardless of who the coach is then you're certifiably nuts. Go back and read the first three words please.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Nor did mine change when they hired Cal...i agree with ya

Amen. Thanks for agreeing with me. My passion for UK basketball does NOT mean I don't like Cal. Why people can't comprehend that is beyond me.

 

[Cat Ballou]

I think the point is that for those who complain that Cal hasn't won enough titles with the talent he has had, he is sowing the seeds for this program to thrive for many years after he is gone.

 

[Hoskins21]

Amen. Thanks for agreeing with me. My passion for UK basketball does NOT mean I don't like Cal. Why people can't comprehend that is beyond me.

We all are passionate about UK basketball. Why else are any of us here?

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

We all are passionate about UK basketball. Why else are any of us here?

Exactly. Posters have replied to me very civil and have actually agreed with me and 'liked' a few of my comments tonight. That never happens. I need to go out and by a lottery ticket asap.

 

[Bluegrassking]

I appreciate him for the way he represents himself, the University and the BB program. I appreciate all of the talent he has brought in. I appreciate the N/C Championship and him being able to keep us at the top of the SEC each year. I appreciate that he has done it the right way. However, that does not mean I don't disagree with him on some things.

Unavoidable. I don't even agree with myself 100% since on rare occasions I have actually changed my mind.