I fear that Calipari won't land Cook or Edwards.

[Son_Of_Saul]

Both players represent the type of guys who Calipari never gets. 6'7" to 6'8" wing player who is explosive and versatile. We've had a few phony versions of this type of player in recent years, but really haven't had a guy who fits this bill since MKG.

Elite small forwards are Calipari's pipedream. He simply cannot convince them to play for him.

Andrew Wiggins
Bazz Muhammed
Jaylen Brown
Jayson Tatum
Jonathan Isaacs
Jabari Parker
Brandon Ingram
Jalen Johnson
Will Barton
Miles Bridges
Justice Winslow
Stanley Johnson
R.J. Barrett
Zion Williamson
Cam Reddish
Jonathan Kuminga
etc.


Calipari is the absolute worst of the elite coaches when it comes to landing elite wing forwards.

He literally has no recent comparison to offer them he recruits them. He has to go back to MKG or CDR.

 

[Smashcat]

I think you can forget Cook. Edwards is the guy I have my fingers crossed on, and have complained several times on here about UK not offering 6-8 Momcilovic, a 40 percent deep shooter on the EYBL circuit playing on Herro's team. (Mind boggling).

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I think you can forget Cook. Edwards is the guy I have my fingers crossed on, and have complained several times on here about UK not offering 6-8 Momcilovic, a 40 percent shooter on the EYBL circuit playing on Herro's team. (Mind boggling).

We finished 2nd in the runnings for most of those guys on that list. Cal just can't close the deal on elite wing forwards. It's been his Achilles heel.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Yeah there have been a lot of misses at this spot. Doesn't overly concern me though tbh.

The way the game has shifted in recent years unless those guys are elite shooters and versatile to the point where they can play the 4 spot, I don't really want them on the court.

Don't know enough about either recruit to speak to it, imagine you probably do.

My point is I'd rather have a 3rd bigger guard (6'4-6'5) out there who can handle the ball, shoot and drive as opposed to a 6'7-6'8 guy who thinks they can shoot and can't.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Good Lord Im sinking into an even deeper and darker depressed state.

 

[docholiday51]

We can't get them all, we are currently in better shape than we have been at this point in the last few years. If we close the deals we seem to have on the table we will be fine.

As to the 6'8" wing player I think it is more to do with the individual than the position. These kids are the "me first" come hell or high water generation.. The poster above puts together an impressive list to make his point but at the end of the day it is still individual choice over anything collective.. Knox came when no one thought he would,it boils down to being the right guy at the right time.

 

[uky8unc5]

How many did Cal "lose" because of Cheating?
When you hate, you forget to include all the things Cal has done right.

 

[Spica Orbit]

I fear the only thing we have to fear isn't fear itself but a combination of fear & lack of a true UK small forward.

 

[seccats04]

He did land The Dragon though, which lasted all of 6 games.

 

[Titpwhami2014]

It stinks, but to the above poster’s point — I’d rather not get those types of guys if Calipari is going to play them exclusively at the “3.” Livingston will be an example of that this upcoming season. I believe he is an NBA small forward, but he’d be an ideal small ball “4” in college much like Winslow was on that ‘15 Duke team. Or Jalen Wilson on last year’s KU team.

Honestly, MKG would have played this role on the title team had Terrence Jones turned pro after his freshman year. His ball handling skills allowed him to get away with playing the wing—but I felt he did most of his damage in the paint. Whether in transition or offensive putbacks.

 

[Smashcat]

we have been at this point in the last few years. If we close the deals we seem to have on the table we will be fine.

Agree. UT may be a little ahead with Edwards, but we are in such outstanding shape with Bradshaw and apparently Kingsley, UK has, and will, put a lot more attention on Edwards now.

 

[DCFseattle]

The 9-16 year, both BJ Boston and Terrence Clarke were supposed to be that. They didn't work out, obviously, but they were both top 5 in their class out of high school.

The Dragon was also an elite wing out of high school.

And Julius Randle and James Young both played since MKG.

 

[Aike]

It’s a fair point, but I think we’ve had a few that were decent since MKG.

I would count James Young, Kevin Knox, Keldon Johnson, and Terrence Clarke (who never got untracked due to injury).

I guess I don’t find myself in fear, exactly, but I would have liked to have had a few more of the guys you listed.

 

[Pulaski Cat Fan]

I fear Cal's lack of bench coaching more than who he recruits.

 

[1Catmantoo]

You fear? Are you kidding me? 1st of all, the chances of Cook coming all the way across the country to go to UK are slim. As far as Edwards, we have a 50/50 chance. If we don’t get either, Cal will get another top notch player. You have no reason to fear anything.

 

[rexcat]

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[BlueInBrooklyn]

Interestingly only one player on that list ever played in a Final Four. Lots of factors but just notable for all the ones that got away.

Keldon Johnson was great for us.

 

[kyjeff1]

You fear? Are you kidding me? 1st of all, the chances of Cook coming all the way across the country to go to UK are slim. As far as Edwards, we have a 50/50 chance. If we don’t get either, Cal will get another top notch player. You have no reason to fear anything.

The bolded part has been the problem since the '16 class. If you're going to continue to play the 'one-and-done' game, you can't miss on your primary targets.

If we're talking about a kid that will be starting, or playing a major role, it can't be a lower level kid, it has to be a top shelf player.

All these 5* kids think they're one-and-done and in most cases, they're right. So when Cal knows these kids are only going to be at UK one year, he plays them starter minutes over a guy that is more deserving.

Problem is, that one-and-done kid is going to the NBA simply because he has "potential". He has length and athletesism, but a low bbiq and isn't capable of taking over in bigtime games when needed.

It would be different if the NBA drafted on accomplishments, but they don't and Cal caters to that.

Get top shelf freshmen, retain who you have, or go get a good player out of the portal, but stay away from the 2nd tier 5* kids.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

I fear Cal's lack of bench coaching more than who he recruits.

Yeah the patented dribble weave to nowhere really has teams second guessing themselves

 

[G-PIP]

Both players represent the type of guys who Calipari never gets. 6'7" to 6'8" wing player who is explosive and versatile. We've had a few phony versions of this type of player in recent years, but really haven't had a guy who fits this bill since MKG.

Elite small forwards are Calipari's pipedream. He simply cannot convince them to play for him.

Andrew Wiggins
Bazz Muhammed
Jaylen Brown
Jayson Tatum
Jonathan Isaacs
Jabari Parker
Brandon Ingram
Jalen Johnson
Will Barton
Miles Bridges
Justice Winslow
Stanley Johnson
R.J. Barrett
Zion Williamson
Cam Reddish
Jonathan Kuminga
etc.


Calipari is the absolute worst of the elite coaches when it comes to landing elite wing forwards.

He literally has no recent comparison to offer them he recruits them. He has to go back to MKG or CDR.

But the majority of the guys you listed fit exactly what HagginHall1999 & Titpwhami2014 were talking about above. They’re skills are not good enough as freshmen (most particularly in regard to shooting, but often also ball-handling and passing) to be among the most productive SFs in college that one year. Over a little time, many of them can become good SFs in the NBA; but as college freshmen most of them would have served their teams better as PFs (at least the ones with the body for it).

Recently, UK has brought in these players who generally fit the mold of SFs you’re talking about:
Kevin Knox (2017)
Keldon Johnson (2018)
Kahlil Whitney/Keion Brooks/Johnny Juzang (2019)
Brandon Boston/Terrence Clarke/Cam’Ron Fletcher (2020)

I think Knox and Whitney definitely would have been more productive for the team as PFs their freshman year (Brooks and Fletcher too, but you may not consider them due to not having been ranked quite as high coming out of high school as the ones you’re referring to). Keldon Johnson, Boston, and Clarke (and Juzang, a reclass, in his 2nd year) figured to be closer to being able to play SF as freshmen with the type of skills I would want. Still, I agree exactly with HagginHall1999 in that I’d prefer to take my chances with a bigger 2G (e.g., Tyrese Maxey) as my SF – certainly unless we’re talking about an upperclassmen SF that’s developed into a good 3pt. shooter.

 

[DraftCat]

UK fans will look back on the Cal era and wonder what went wrong.... this is it. He needs a lock down SF defender with his loaded 5 star clubs to get it done. Unfortunately as already suggested he hasn't been able to close out his biggest need.

 

[KentuckyCat420]

Just get Ian Jackson, don’t care who he lands after that.

If you have Jackson, Dillingham, Bradshaw, and Sheppard in the same class you can fill out the rest of the roster at the local YMCA.

 

[HagginHall1999]

UK fans will look back on the Cal era and wonder what went wrong.... this is it. He needs a lock down SF defender with his loaded 5 star clubs to get it done. Unfortunately as already suggested he hasn't been able to close out his biggest need.

Nonsense. Not even close to what has cost Cal multiple titles at UK.

 

[YouKay]

Both players represent the type of guys who Calipari never gets. 6'7" to 6'8" wing player who is explosive and versatile. We've had a few phony versions of this type of player in recent years, but really haven't had a guy who fits this bill since MKG.

Elite small forwards are Calipari's pipedream. He simply cannot convince them to play for him.

Andrew Wiggins
Bazz Muhammed
Jaylen Brown
Jayson Tatum
Jonathan Isaacs
Jabari Parker
Brandon Ingram
Jalen Johnson
Will Barton
Miles Bridges
Justice Winslow
Stanley Johnson
R.J. Barrett
Zion Williamson
Cam Reddish
Jonathan Kuminga
etc.


Calipari is the absolute worst of the elite coaches when it comes to landing elite wing forwards.

He literally has no recent comparison to offer them he recruits them. He has to go back to MKG or CDR.

Which one of those guys led his team to a championship?

 

[2Dope15]

PJ Washington?

 

[shaudyshaud]

PJ Washington?

PF

I liked Keldon for us and thought he was sort of underrated. A lot of people on this board thought we were upgrading the postion when he left and Whitney was brought in 🥴🥴🥴

 

[Smashcat]

If you have Jackson, Dillingham, Bradshaw, and Sheppard in the same class you can fill out the rest of the roster at the local YMCA.

I could even see a starting lineup in 23-24 of

Dillingham
Jackson
Wagner
Kingsley and
Bradshaw

w/ Sheppard as the 6th man.
Lots of possibilities.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Which one of those guys led his team to a championship?

Winslow?

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Agree. UT may be a little ahead with Edwards, but we are in such outstanding shape with Bradshaw and apparently Kingsley, UK has, and will, put a lot more attention on Edwards now.

Right. Idk, I have a good feeling on Edwards myself. I feel the same, I feel like Cal is going to prioritize Edwards now. Didn’t he take over his recruitment personally?

 

[KentuckyCat420]

I could even see a starting lineup in 23-24 of

Dillingham
Jackson
Wagner
Kingsley and
Bradshaw

w/ Sheppard as the 6th man.
Lots of possibilities.

Wouldn’t complain but I’m done with Wagner as long as Jackson becomes the focus. Wagner would’ve been nice but I don’t see any separation between him, Dillingham, and Jackson.

In fact, I would personally rank him 3rd out of those 3. I would see it at Louisville getting our leftovers at that point.

 

[yoshukai]

Both players represent the type of guys who Calipari never gets. 6'7" to 6'8" wing player who is explosive and versatile. We've had a few phony versions of this type of player in recent years, but really haven't had a guy who fits this bill since MKG.

Elite small forwards are Calipari's pipedream. He simply cannot convince them to play for him.

Andrew Wiggins
Bazz Muhammed
Jaylen Brown
Jayson Tatum
Jonathan Isaacs
Jabari Parker
Brandon Ingram
Jalen Johnson
Will Barton
Miles Bridges
Justice Winslow
Stanley Johnson
R.J. Barrett
Zion Williamson
Cam Reddish
Jonathan Kuminga
etc.


Calipari is the absolute worst of the elite coaches when it comes to landing elite wing forwards.

He literally has no recent comparison to offer them he recruits them. He has to go back to MKG or CDR.

Dude! We had arguably THE top wing player in the nation on our team just last year . I mean , his numbers weren’t that great (actually I just checked and his numbers were pathetic) but he definitely was elite (or so they say ).

 

[cats2010]

I fear Cal's lack of bench coaching more than who he recruits.

My thoughts exactly!!!

 

[2Dope15]

PF

I liked Keldon for us and thought he was sort of underrated. A lot of people on this board thought we were upgrading the postion when he left and Whitney was brought in 🥴🥴🥴

True was PF but was 6'7. That's why I thought of him.

 

[LmdCat]

How many did Cal "lose" because of Cheating?
When you hate, you forget to include all the things Cal has done right.

Just because Cal was previously successful at UK, are fans supposed to be accepting of his performance when it is in an obvious state of decline. Are you content with just being able to talk about what Cal 's teams once did when there is no reason to think it will ever happen again? How much longer are you willing to make excuses for his failures? Do you want Kentucky to be relevant today or do you want to just be a team of the past? I remember when... those are certainly words of has beens.

 

[LmdCat]

Dude! We had arguably THE top wing player in the nation on our team just last year . I mean , his numbers weren’t that great (actually I just checked and his numbers were pathetic) but he definitely was elite (or so they say ).

Who

 

[jauk11]

Yeah the patented dribble weave to nowhere really has teams second guessing themselves

Dontworrybouit23

 

[uky8unc5]

Just because Cal was previously successful at UK, are fans supposed to be accepting of his performance when it is in an obvious state of decline. Are you content with just being able to talk about what Cal 's teams once did when there is no reason to think it will ever happen again? How much longer are you willing to make excuses for his failures? Do you want Kentucky to be relevant today or do you want to just be a team of the past? I remember when... those are certainly words of has beens.

Thing is: if this is the standard for loyalty to a Coach, then Rupp would have been fired in the 60's. Joe would have been canned in early 80's.

We call ourselves the "King of the Hill" and yet behave like selfish children who are only happy when they get our way.

Since 1958, we've won 4 titles. 4 in 64 years. Cal has 1.

Personally I am embarrassed by it all. Worst fans UK has had (in my 75+ years as a Fan).

 

[DraftCat]

Thing is: if this is the standard for loyalty to a Coach, then Rupp would have been fired in the 60's. Joe would have been canned in early 80's.

We call ourselves the "King of the Hill" and yet behave like selfish children who are only happy when they get our way.

Since 1958, we've won 4 titles. 4 in 64 years. Cal has 1.

Personally I am embarrassed by it all. Worst fans UK has had (in my 75+ years as a Fan).

Context matters... Cal sold us on One N done Players that will win multiple championships.

I don't remember any other coach at UK with that strategy.

Any other coach we would of let build a team for 3-4 seasons and see if he can get us to the Final 4

 

[jauk11]

Just because Cal was previously successful at UK, are fans supposed to be accepting of his performance when it is in an obvious state of decline. Are you content with just being able to talk about what Cal 's teams once did when there is no reason to think it will ever happen again? How much longer are you willing to make excuses for his failures? Do you want Kentucky to be relevant today or do you want to just be a team of the past? I remember when... those are certainly words of has beens.

There is a simple fix.

Just laugh at the NCAA and cheat like everyone else. And no, I don't want to cheat, just want the stupid NCAA to make others quit.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

Right. Idk, I have a good feeling on Edwards myself. I feel the same, I feel like Cal is going to prioritize Edwards now. Didn’t he take over his recruitment personally?

He's seen him play every game the past 3 Live Periods. He's doing all he can do to show him he's a coveted recruit.