"I Want to Play Derek Willis"
- Thread starter KYtotheCore
- Start date
Well then play him Cal! You're the only one that can make it happen. A minute or two at the end of a blowout doesn't give him a chance to do anything.
He sure has looked like he fits in this season. Explosive. Good hands and bball iq. Team player
last night was the first time i have seen him do the other things. rebound out of his area, deflections, move with purpose on offensive. he looked good out there
Which posters were saying Willis wasn't that athletic and comparing him to the old Wiltjer? just wondering if they went into hiding yet.
I love how Cal has spoiled us and our fans treat 3 and 4 star players like they are garbage.
Reality is most kids with a national ranking would be the best player that ever came out of your high school and you'd brag about playing pick up games against them for 20+ years.
I'm not treating him like he's garbage. Hell I say Hawkins is better then Willis and deserves PT. he was around the same level as Willis coming out. But Hawkins proved himself and became a good defender. Never heard any stories about how Hawkins doesn't work hard but Willis admits he doesn't work hard and you guys sweep it under the rug because he had 10 against a division 2 team.
Everyone wants him to play...it's not personal, but he's not going to play him just to play him. And I don't want him out there if he isn't good enough
I disagree. He may not be more talented than the players in front of him but he's better than some of them right now...and whos to say how much better hed get if he got the opportunity? Dude has earned pt. If he gets what he's earned, his play will dictate whether he continues to get time or not. From what ive seen, he deserves minutes and may just end up being a glue guy if he gets his chance.
I have to admit, I don't know how good Willis has gotten over the past summer. I do know that he was one of the last off the bench the past game. Cal knows what he is working with. He isn't going to not play Willis just for the hell of it. As I said in another thread:
99% of the time Cal is not going to look to Willis for scoring. He has enough players that can score. Willis trying to score takes a possession away from Skal, Ulis, Murray, Briscoe. All of whom can do it better.
However, Cal will look at Matthews to be a lock down defender. Matthews guarding the other teams best player = fresher legs on offense for Murray
Same goes for Hawkins when he returns. We have scorers. Need some defenders willing to do the dirty work.
Yeah, well, Cal also said Willis will have a long NBA career and I still think he will. Kyle won't.
Big Blue Express @bigbluexpress 20m20 minutes ago
The bench went nuts after the Willis dunk. pic.twitter.com/oE91fxK1S9
bingo..rebound and defend and he's in the top 8 for sure..and he needs to add some weight/muscle..We would be so much better with his 3pt shooting, but cal wont play him unless he rebounds and defends..
PT has been tough to justify given that he's played behind 8 guys drafted in the NBA during his first two seasons, with at least 4 more on this squad. Hope he can break into the rotation, that means he's contributing, but won't lose sleep if he continues to be a bench guy.
If he gives effort and focuses on improving all facets of his game he should play some.
And to the guy bitching about "play him more Cal", well he really did not warrant more PT last season due to our deep team. I still SMH that people think we should have taken away PT from our stud 2nd 5 to play Willis/Hawkins and company the last 10mins of some of the blowout wins we had last year. Yeah, let's punish the guys who have already sacrificed starter minutes by benching them the last 10mins...so instead of around 15-20 mins they get 5-10 so those guys can play 10.
And to the guy bitching about "play him more Cal", well he really did not warrant more PT last season due to our deep team. I still SMH that people think we should have taken away PT from our stud 2nd 5 to play Willis/Hawkins and company the last 10mins of some of the blowout wins we had last year. Yeah, let's punish the guys who have already sacrificed starter minutes by benching them the last 10mins...so instead of around 15-20 mins they get 5-10 so those guys can play 10.
Willis will make shots. That's not the issue. The issue is whether he can rebound and defend consistently enough to warrant taking minutes away from Alex at the 4 or Charles/Jamal at the 3.
I hope he plays with a massive chip on his shoulder after two years of cleaning up after the five stars. He's talented enough, but he needs to play with fire and just go beast the hell out of his opponents.
You know Cal loves his length. The only question is whether Willis will use it the way Cal needs him to.
I hope he plays with a massive chip on his shoulder after two years of cleaning up after the five stars. He's talented enough, but he needs to play with fire and just go beast the hell out of his opponents.
You know Cal loves his length. The only question is whether Willis will use it the way Cal needs him to.
Good point.
People tend to forget there's only so many minutes. Should Willis take tic from Murray - a top 5 pick - or Poythress - a senior and multi-year starter (and best interior defender on UK's roster)?
I hope Willis has a great season, he will have to earn it
I don't think it matters what Willis or Hawkins do- the message has already been sent- How do you put 9 kids on the cover of Cats Pause Yearbook and not the 2 KY kids? I can't believe no one realizes what a slap in the face that is to these 2 kids and our state.
So you admit the lack of talent compared to the top guys, but think he should take their minutes?
Let's pretend he could produce at a higher level early. So you want to to take away minutes from the guys with higher ceilings just because they are ironing out the kinks and Willis doesn't need to? You realize winning early games isn't the point right? The tourney is what matters most and you can't sacrifice PT of your highest ceiling guys.
If that's a slap in your face then you take things way too personal.
Not to mention, maybe you should look at last years cover. Was that one more fair to you and take your delicate feelings into consideration?
Looking good against Ottawa doesn't translate to looking good against Duke or UNC type teams.
Play the Kentucky bred!!! He plays he best players. Even Hawkins and Polson got time when they deserved it.
It's a slap in my face that my company hasn't moved me to CEO. I've been there for 6 months!!!!
He gives us value because he can play the 3 and 4. If he proves he's able to defend and rebound, at both of those spots, he will see floor time.
i don't understand how there are still people on here who seem to be anti-Willis and think that if he plays we will stink.
I am excited to see him get a shot!
i don't understand how there are still people on here who seem to be anti-Willis and think that if he plays we will stink.
I am excited to see him get a shot!
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