Maybe Pope can hire a defensive coordinator and defensive analytics expert for next year. Rather have that than bum ass Caleb Wilson.
GYERO
- Thread starter AndyPolleydotcom
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Yep - I watched Arkansas in pre-game. They hit about 50% of their wide open practice 3's. Did the same in the game.
Well that new car awesome smell is starting to fade away on Pope a bit. Love winning some games we probably should not have, but concerning the loses in games we probably should have won. And yesterday was a MUST WIN if you ask me.
I guess if we win 6 games in March against great teams, then stuff like yesterday will be forgotten, but he hasn't shown he's the second coming of Rupp yet.
And folks, there is no FIXING this defense. We are what we are FFS. And we are a soft and shitty defensive team.
21 games into the season, nobody is going to teach these guys how to play defense all of a sudden.
And if the coach is not going to try switching up defenses, then we may be at the start of Calipari 2.0.
Those 2nd half lineups yesterday where maximum SMH.
10-9 0r 9-10 in SEC still in play.
With that said, I have said for years I would take an NIT season to get Cal out of here. Still think the future is very bright, especially when Pope has longer than 5 minutes to put a team together.
Now let's go to Ole Miss and forget about yesterday's dumpster fire.
I guess if we win 6 games in March against great teams, then stuff like yesterday will be forgotten, but he hasn't shown he's the second coming of Rupp yet.
And folks, there is no FIXING this defense. We are what we are FFS. And we are a soft and shitty defensive team.
21 games into the season, nobody is going to teach these guys how to play defense all of a sudden.
And if the coach is not going to try switching up defenses, then we may be at the start of Calipari 2.0.
Those 2nd half lineups yesterday where maximum SMH.
10-9 0r 9-10 in SEC still in play.
With that said, I have said for years I would take an NIT season to get Cal out of here. Still think the future is very bright, especially when Pope has longer than 5 minutes to put a team together.
Now let's go to Ole Miss and forget about yesterday's dumpster fire.
Agree, and more importantly, I trust he will do it.
Feel about the same as I did after the 2007 UT FB game. This was the most important game of the year in my eyes.
Arky
UL
UTx2
Duke
Gonzaga
Arky
UL
UTx2
Duke
Gonzaga
Only because of your hate for Cal. That game meant nothing compared to a few of our wins so far, and a few more to come.
Before the season if someone said you can have wins against Duke, Gonzaga, UL and @UT but you’d lose to Cal and Arkansas I think you’d have accepted that.
Granted Tuesday night will be rough I hope we can bounce back and get it done.
On to the next one, which is more important in reality.
Before the season if someone said you can have wins against Duke, Gonzaga, UL and @UT but you’d lose to Cal and Arkansas I think you’d have accepted that.
Granted Tuesday night will be rough I hope we can bounce back and get it done.
On to the next one, which is more important in reality.
I’m no basketball, but I think Wagner pressing up against Robinson just after half court was a factor.
Affected our offense and it didn’t seem UK had an answer. Happens when both PGs are out.
- Take have been made.
Affected our offense and it didn’t seem UK had an answer. Happens when both PGs are out.
- Take have been made.
Looked like the first game Wagner gave a shit.
Tin foil hat elitists are saying the new ownership are giving the NBA a gift for one of their crown jewel franchises to get something back later down the road.
The truth might be really as stupid as the assistant GM Michael Finley actively pushing him out because he can't stay healthy which is allegedly due to poor diet adherence.
Either way, it's an incredibly dumb trade for a franchise that just went to the finals.
I can tell you one thing, Mark Cuban wouldn't have approved this trade and he caught hell for pushing to draft Luka in the first place.
Costa Rica unpack - Celebrating 10 years having someone be able to put up with me:
Conchal - Pacific side playa. Incredible all the way around. About 1 1/2 hours to get out that way.
Westin is all-inclusive. Didn't golf there but it was the only course I saw the entire time.
Highlights - Did the ATV's 2nd day. Get picked up in a side by side and we're the only 2 going out with the Guide. No paperwork, couple things to remember and you're off. Takes you up one side of the mountains around the resorts area and back down to the other side. Stops here and there on an a plateau for pictures. It all beautiful.
In the middle of ATV's, stop at a sanctuary. White faced monkeys eat chips out of your hand. They will help you open your fingers while they stare you down. Also had Spider and Howler monkeys. No idea this was on the agenda and ended up being one of the coolest things ever.
Rest of the time is just relaxing beach/pool/endless bloody's. Met cool people and never wanted to leave.
Lowlights: Zero.
2nd half - private ride 4 hours to Arenal. Hit the pacific coast highway. Go out through the country and start seeing massive windmills. Never seen them up close and not even that close they are just massive. All over the hills leading up to Lake Arenal.
Stop for lunch overlooking the lake. Margaritas and deep fried tacos.
Swerve back and forth for another hour to the resort. Sitting at the base of Arenal.
First day of excursions are the zip lines and white water rafting. Got stuck on the longest zip line and had to drag myself in. Complete the self-rescue and decide I'm not braking on the rest. Cruise past the waterfall. Must do if you go.
Last day before leaving the resort we're walking to breakfast and about 40 wild monkeys took over everyone's attention that was up early. Just come in through the trees and start climbing all over the roofs and doing whatever they want.
Shuttle out another 45 mins after to white water raft. Stop for banos and there's a baby Sloth with her mom tucked in the rafters of the little roadside store. Adorable.
Drop in and it's Class 3, 2, 3, 3, holy crap this is work, 3, 2 and then it chills out. We had to talk buddy's wife into going because she doesn't swim. She just parked down in the raft for an hour with her eyes closed. She missed all the nature, the Toucans, the incredible trees lining the river.
Next day we added in the Hanging bridges and waterfall. The hanging bridges are just nuts to me. Was uncomfortable at times because you're swaying and my wife is trying to take selfies and I'm trying to not to yack. The heights are fine but when they get over 10 people on them, it's unnerving. It's also, as you may have guessed, beautiful. Saw mostly birds and more amazing trees. Did catch some Spider Monkeys hauling ass through the trees. Side note - the family that owns the land was in a fight with some other group so there were randomly armed guards through the park.
Leave the park and head to the waterfall. 500 something steps down and you're at the base. Nice little area to swim but too many folks there and they all had selfie sticks while trying to get glamour shots in the water. No thanks but was another nice attraction I'm glad we saw. Drag ourselves back up the 500 something steps. Slept great that night.
Last day was Volcano hike. Don't get to go up that high but it's more laid back and that's your picture hike. Still never got a clear shot of the top of Arenal.
Headed back Sat. Watched the game between going through customs and boarding our last flight home. That was the only downer of the last week.
This isn't doing the trip justice. My wife really should have been a travel agent. If you have CR anywhere on your list of maybe's, make it a yes. Will share the itinerary if anyone would like a starting point. Don't know when but we're going back and the only change we would do is flip to end at Conchal instead of starting there.
Conchal - Pacific side playa. Incredible all the way around. About 1 1/2 hours to get out that way.
Westin is all-inclusive. Didn't golf there but it was the only course I saw the entire time.
Highlights - Did the ATV's 2nd day. Get picked up in a side by side and we're the only 2 going out with the Guide. No paperwork, couple things to remember and you're off. Takes you up one side of the mountains around the resorts area and back down to the other side. Stops here and there on an a plateau for pictures. It all beautiful.
In the middle of ATV's, stop at a sanctuary. White faced monkeys eat chips out of your hand. They will help you open your fingers while they stare you down. Also had Spider and Howler monkeys. No idea this was on the agenda and ended up being one of the coolest things ever.
Rest of the time is just relaxing beach/pool/endless bloody's. Met cool people and never wanted to leave.
Lowlights: Zero.
2nd half - private ride 4 hours to Arenal. Hit the pacific coast highway. Go out through the country and start seeing massive windmills. Never seen them up close and not even that close they are just massive. All over the hills leading up to Lake Arenal.
Stop for lunch overlooking the lake. Margaritas and deep fried tacos.
Swerve back and forth for another hour to the resort. Sitting at the base of Arenal.
First day of excursions are the zip lines and white water rafting. Got stuck on the longest zip line and had to drag myself in. Complete the self-rescue and decide I'm not braking on the rest. Cruise past the waterfall. Must do if you go.
Last day before leaving the resort we're walking to breakfast and about 40 wild monkeys took over everyone's attention that was up early. Just come in through the trees and start climbing all over the roofs and doing whatever they want.
Shuttle out another 45 mins after to white water raft. Stop for banos and there's a baby Sloth with her mom tucked in the rafters of the little roadside store. Adorable.
Drop in and it's Class 3, 2, 3, 3, holy crap this is work, 3, 2 and then it chills out. We had to talk buddy's wife into going because she doesn't swim. She just parked down in the raft for an hour with her eyes closed. She missed all the nature, the Toucans, the incredible trees lining the river.
Next day we added in the Hanging bridges and waterfall. The hanging bridges are just nuts to me. Was uncomfortable at times because you're swaying and my wife is trying to take selfies and I'm trying to not to yack. The heights are fine but when they get over 10 people on them, it's unnerving. It's also, as you may have guessed, beautiful. Saw mostly birds and more amazing trees. Did catch some Spider Monkeys hauling ass through the trees. Side note - the family that owns the land was in a fight with some other group so there were randomly armed guards through the park.
Leave the park and head to the waterfall. 500 something steps down and you're at the base. Nice little area to swim but too many folks there and they all had selfie sticks while trying to get glamour shots in the water. No thanks but was another nice attraction I'm glad we saw. Drag ourselves back up the 500 something steps. Slept great that night.
Last day was Volcano hike. Don't get to go up that high but it's more laid back and that's your picture hike. Still never got a clear shot of the top of Arenal.
Headed back Sat. Watched the game between going through customs and boarding our last flight home. That was the only downer of the last week.
This isn't doing the trip justice. My wife really should have been a travel agent. If you have CR anywhere on your list of maybe's, make it a yes. Will share the itinerary if anyone would like a starting point. Don't know when but we're going back and the only change we would do is flip to end at Conchal instead of starting there.
Will Smith and his entire family are a bunch of weirdos. F that guy.
Tough roadie tomorrow night against a hungry Beard squad who have lost 4/5. Not feeling real confident about any game right now without a gd pg.
Speaking of NBA trades, you still have the Jimmy Butler mess in Miami. He wants to be traded but doesn’t want to sign extended contract with any team. Thats why the warriors deal is now out. What a shit show.
Super Bowl week. Ugh
Spring has sprung. High of 84 today 😎
Tough roadie tomorrow night against a hungry Beard squad who have lost 4/5. Not feeling real confident about any game right now without a gd pg.
Speaking of NBA trades, you still have the Jimmy Butler mess in Miami. He wants to be traded but doesn’t want to sign extended contract with any team. Thats why the warriors deal is now out. What a shit show.
Super Bowl week. Ugh
Spring has sprung. High of 84 today 😎
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I usually sit by the pool and drink 24/7 when I’m at all inclusives. This sounds exhausting.
Apparently people tried to simulate this trade on NBA2K and it was rejected as unrealistic. Genuinely the most perplexing trade in any sport I’ve ever seen.
I read something about the Mavs not wanting to sign him to a Super Max contract. It cost Luka something like 600 million dollars because he is now ineligible to sign one.
He was eligible to sign for like $345M. He can now sign for ~$265M. So yep, a $600M loss.
Beyoncé sure did pull off a unique stunt this year, and it’s gotta be a first in music history. Blatantly co-op/exploit/cosplay a different culture, put out a very mid album in a new genre, then dare anyone to fall anywhere short of proclaiming it an all time great at the risk of being exposed as a virulent racist.
Slay, girl. Slay.
Slay, girl. Slay.
Ok, well I was only off a few million. But you get the point.
The Grammys are a really good indication of what mainstream music is today, which is incredibly sad. But it’s also amusing how the industry does toss a bone here and there to a legitimately great artist, presumably just to feign admiration for actual talent.
Sierra Ferrell was a huge winner last night, and she’s incredible. Kacey Musgraves was also nominated for all sorts of awards as well. Gotta take your Ws where you can get them, I suppose.
Sierra Ferrell was a huge winner last night, and she’s incredible. Kacey Musgraves was also nominated for all sorts of awards as well. Gotta take your Ws where you can get them, I suppose.
I think Sabrina Carpenter is hot.
I kind of do too but doesn’t she have a bit of….whats the right term these days…. “Special” look to her?
You're allowed to say what you're thinking again thanks to the power of executive orders.
The moment Jethro Tull won best metal album was the moment I stopped giving a shit about their opinion on anything.
Its a popularity contest now. K Dot winning best song, Jay Z bullying a win for his wife and a freaking AI remake of a Beatles song winning best rock performance are all the evidence you need.
Its provocative for the sake of being provocative.
Its a popularity contest now. K Dot winning best song, Jay Z bullying a win for his wife and a freaking AI remake of a Beatles song winning best rock performance are all the evidence you need.
Its provocative for the sake of being provocative.
-Had a very uneasy feeling going into the game. Figured they'd be charged up AND they obviously were. They looked more aggressive in that first 5 minutes than anytime I've seen. If they played like that last year we'd probably have another Final 4 and Cal as our coach.
-A few thoughts:
*Pope finally deserves a bit of questioning re: lineups. He's getting into that Cal platoon shit. Few games in a row we're getting 2 or 3 very limited guys out there at once.
*Cal played his best for 34+ minutes. Amari Williams, probably the best player on the floor (other than Theiro), played 25 minutes. 22/11 in 25 minutes. That's hard for me to wrap my head around. Big Z probably would've fouled out rather than hit a couple daggers.
*Our free throw offense is a real problem.
*I told BBdk before the game I'd feel a lot better if LaMont was playing. That's a game suited for his skillset. Not having a PG is a real problem.
*Would have liked to see more than 1 late desperation zone. Mix it in to f*ck with Wagner.
-Ultimate karma for those talking shit to Ark fans and Tyson. Sending them care packages. K. (insert rolleyes) Maybe wait until we actually beat them before getting all chesty. We deserved every bit of shit we got.
-7 winnable games left. Gotta capitalize on a weaker late schedule. Gotta get healthy.
-Love to draw the Hogs in Nashville. Let's end their season.
-A few thoughts:
*Pope finally deserves a bit of questioning re: lineups. He's getting into that Cal platoon shit. Few games in a row we're getting 2 or 3 very limited guys out there at once.
*Cal played his best for 34+ minutes. Amari Williams, probably the best player on the floor (other than Theiro), played 25 minutes. 22/11 in 25 minutes. That's hard for me to wrap my head around. Big Z probably would've fouled out rather than hit a couple daggers.
*Our free throw offense is a real problem.
*I told BBdk before the game I'd feel a lot better if LaMont was playing. That's a game suited for his skillset. Not having a PG is a real problem.
*Would have liked to see more than 1 late desperation zone. Mix it in to f*ck with Wagner.
-Ultimate karma for those talking shit to Ark fans and Tyson. Sending them care packages. K. (insert rolleyes) Maybe wait until we actually beat them before getting all chesty. We deserved every bit of shit we got.
-7 winnable games left. Gotta capitalize on a weaker late schedule. Gotta get healthy.
-Love to draw the Hogs in Nashville. Let's end their season.
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San Antonio broke it off in Sacramento,, AGAIN. Fox / Wemby gonna be special for a few years. Add in the Spurs got to keep their top 8 players, that team just got a lot better. They need one more stud, a 3/D guy and they are going to be a problem. Socha and castle on rookie scale deals, same for Wemby = plenty of capital to make more moves. Still have Vassell and Keldon Johnson as nice trade pieces, wouldn't be surprised to see them make another move before Thursday.
Luka wasn't a guarantee to sign in 2026, so Mavericks went the safe route and got a stud player in AD who plays both ways to win now. Yes Luka is amazing, but he gets roasted on D and at times when he has the ball, the offense gets stagnant. Factor in his recent injuries because he can't stay in shape, I can understand why. Boston cooked his ass in the finals, and he gave minimal effort trying to stop them.
Luka / Lebron are not a great fit, both need the ball to be effective, and now the Lakers actually get worse on defense and have nobody protecting the rim for Luka and his Ole defense. AD / Kyrie in the pick and roll, good luck stopping it. PJ Washington, Gafford, and AD is as stout a frontline in the NBA. Win NOW, instead of MAYBE winning in 3/4 years after a post Lebron and rebuild, and HOPE Luka gets his weight under control, as he gets older, he won't be as effective being 20 pounds over weight.
Dallas
Kyrie - Max Christie (Christie is a big loss for the Lakers, they was 11 games over .500 with him as the starting PG)
Klay Thompson / Dinwiddie
PJ Washington
AD / Gafford
Gafford / Lively
Lakers
Luka / Reeves
Knecht / Gabe Vincent
Hachimura / Finney-Smith
Lebron / Vanderbilt
Jaxson Hayes / Maxie Kleber
And the Lakers odds to win the NBA championship got better (+1700, was +4500 before the trade), while the Mavs chances get worse (+3500, was +1600 before the trade) ? BS.
Luka wasn't a guarantee to sign in 2026, so Mavericks went the safe route and got a stud player in AD who plays both ways to win now. Yes Luka is amazing, but he gets roasted on D and at times when he has the ball, the offense gets stagnant. Factor in his recent injuries because he can't stay in shape, I can understand why. Boston cooked his ass in the finals, and he gave minimal effort trying to stop them.
Luka / Lebron are not a great fit, both need the ball to be effective, and now the Lakers actually get worse on defense and have nobody protecting the rim for Luka and his Ole defense. AD / Kyrie in the pick and roll, good luck stopping it. PJ Washington, Gafford, and AD is as stout a frontline in the NBA. Win NOW, instead of MAYBE winning in 3/4 years after a post Lebron and rebuild, and HOPE Luka gets his weight under control, as he gets older, he won't be as effective being 20 pounds over weight.
Dallas
Kyrie - Max Christie (Christie is a big loss for the Lakers, they was 11 games over .500 with him as the starting PG)
Klay Thompson / Dinwiddie
PJ Washington
AD / Gafford
Gafford / Lively
Lakers
Luka / Reeves
Knecht / Gabe Vincent
Hachimura / Finney-Smith
Lebron / Vanderbilt
Jaxson Hayes / Maxie Kleber
And the Lakers odds to win the NBA championship got better (+1700, was +4500 before the trade), while the Mavs chances get worse (+3500, was +1600 before the trade) ? BS.
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Obviously that 2029 first round pick is a coin flip and they won’t get a Luka type talent, but I’m sure they convinced themselves that AD short term and that pick long term plus missing on that max contract is a win overall.
Lakers should thank Joel Embiid and the Philly experiment for max contracts gone bad!
Lakers should thank Joel Embiid and the Philly experiment for max contracts gone bad!
I always thought Cal used "We're everybody's Super Bowl!" as lame excuse to justify under-performing. He was never technically wrong, of course. But it always had Cal's BS stink attached to it.
On the flip side, I'm not convinced our squad really gets what it means to play for Kentucky. For a team full of veterans, it's disappointing to see us not match our opponent's intensity and effort.
Arkansas is not better than us. They played harder because the game meant more to them. They were more aggressive and more focused. We didn't rise to the challenge. Plain and simple.
On the flip side, I'm not convinced our squad really gets what it means to play for Kentucky. For a team full of veterans, it's disappointing to see us not match our opponent's intensity and effort.
Arkansas is not better than us. They played harder because the game meant more to them. They were more aggressive and more focused. We didn't rise to the challenge. Plain and simple.
I don't know about that. Arkansas has some horses and looked much bigger stronger than us. Like always, he has 3-4 pros on that team. Who are ours? Oweh?
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Who are Arkansas pro’s?
Wagner? Adou? Z?
Knox? Davis? Aidoo? Brazille?
I love Adou and think he could make it in the pros, but it wouldn’t shock me if his ceiling is a really good to great college forward per old school types that don’t translate.
The league’s rules don’t bode well for the Bruce Bowen types, and even a Draymond Green of this era seems to be a “right fit” kind of guy.
I only make the point because I think it’s going to bode well for Cal to return some of these kids that while at UK he’d push out anyway.
Wagner? Adou? Z?
Knox? Davis? Aidoo? Brazille?
I love Adou and think he could make it in the pros, but it wouldn’t shock me if his ceiling is a really good to great college forward per old school types that don’t translate.
The league’s rules don’t bode well for the Bruce Bowen types, and even a Draymond Green of this era seems to be a “right fit” kind of guy.
I only make the point because I think it’s going to bode well for Cal to return some of these kids that while at UK he’d push out anyway.
Billy Richmond sure looked the part when he stole the ball, tip toed down the line, and crammed it in our face. Let's start there.
Looking back at our big games:
Carr and kriisa had huge plays against Duke and we probably would’ve lost without them
Carr and Kriisa had huge plays against Zaga and not sure we would’ve won without them
Carr had huge plays down the stretch against Florida
Butler pretty much beat Louisville by himself and shutdown Mississippi States PG in the final minute
I have no idea how the hell we beat UT at UT without Butler and Carr but we’re not going to go very far without them. If we had Kriisa and Butler playing D on Wagner all game he would’ve been completely run ragged by the end of the game Saturday night. Robinson and Perry are horrid defenders.
Carr and kriisa had huge plays against Duke and we probably would’ve lost without them
Carr and Kriisa had huge plays against Zaga and not sure we would’ve won without them
Carr had huge plays down the stretch against Florida
Butler pretty much beat Louisville by himself and shutdown Mississippi States PG in the final minute
I have no idea how the hell we beat UT at UT without Butler and Carr but we’re not going to go very far without them. If we had Kriisa and Butler playing D on Wagner all game he would’ve been completely run ragged by the end of the game Saturday night. Robinson and Perry are horrid defenders.
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