J. Edwards

[Catzman]

He’s 2/7, bricked a FT, 0/3 from downtown, and Cal has him shooting as much as he wants - more attempts than Sheppard. It’s criminal.

Reed is killer regardless how many points he scores. Cal is trying to get Edwards to shoot himself out of his funk (7 shots isn't really even that many). Unfortunately Edwards is still too deep in his own head. We are twice as dangerous if we get Edwards playing closer to how he should be able to.

 

[jrpross]

Edwards was a top 3 recruit and potential #1 overall pick. Easily in the running for biggest bust if things remain this way. Can’t compare his situation to Harrow at all, for starters.

So was Skal. So was Boston. They were bigger busts than Edwards so far.

 

[catben]

His defense is more of a disappointment than his shooting. Mizzou and Florida was running ISO plays for whoever he was guarding, As long and athletic as he is, it’s baffling how bad he is on the defensive end. His lateral quickness is lacking and he struggles with staying squared up on his man. He is also slow to rotate, which makes him look even worse. Hope he can get better.

He seems to HATE any contact. He is a great rebounder when he goes after them, but gets pushed around against big physical teams.

 

[yes_takeaside]

He's close to breaking out!

Cal: “he’s so close. “

I think Justin needs a nickname

Gonna go with No Cigar

 

[CatFanInIlliniLand]

Edwards was a top 3 recruit and potential #1 overall pick. Easily in the running for biggest bust if things remain this way. Can’t compare his situation to Harrow at all, for starters.

I expected Edwards to be much better than he has been, especially after all the hype and rankings. However, he can actually make basketball plays. I’ve seen recruits who didn’t even look like they knew how to shoot or make basic basketball plays during the Cal era.

No way Edwards is the biggest bust.

 

[Fox2monk]

Lmao whatever man. Let me guess, he needs more time for us to be what we wanna be. Same ole Calism bullshit.

I do think he needs to get where we would like him to be. He was way better second half. I think he will break out soon, he still contributes. He gives us 10 a game and 6-7 boards. I’m good with that. You can tell that this team and Cal believe in him and want him to get going. They pass him the ball trying to get him shots all over the court. He still shoots to many jumpers but the open 3’s I’m ok with, but he needs to start knocking them down.

 

[cats#1again]

Criminal that he’s still starting! Just makes no sense!

Yea I would start adou over him

 

[Pelosigalore]

His defense is more of a disappointment than his shooting. Mizzou and Florida was running ISO plays for whoever he was guarding, As long and athletic as he is, it’s baffling how bad he is on the defensive end. His lateral quickness is lacking and he struggles with staying squared up on his man. He is also slow to rotate, which makes him look even worse. Hope he can get better.

He seems to HATE any contact. He is a great rebounder when he goes after them, but gets pushed around against big physical teams.

He doesn’t even seem athletic to me.

 

[ukcatz12]

Honestly, I don’t know how much longer Cal can justify continuing to start him over Reed and Dillingham.

Well Reed and Dillingham can't both start if Edwards doesn't. And that's part of the reason Cal has stayed with Edwards starting, he likes Reed and Dillingham coming off the bench together.

 

[susan2361]

That's a bit much. BUT I have stated a couple of times that he plays really timid and soft. I have seen him get hung by the rim at least 3 times this year. It's like he just doesn't exert enough energy to get up over before trying to dunk. Not going to call him lazy, but he doesn't appear to me to give max effort. Cal coaches him different than the rest of the guys. Never yells at him, let's him play there not one but several mistakes. That is another reason I think he is soft. I don't think he can handle criticism. If Theiro doesn't start when he gets back. It will be a big injustice. If Edwards played with Theiros heart and effort, he would be unstoppable.
Hope the kid gets the light bulb to come on, but Cal needs to put a tighter leash on him and cut his minutes. In the Z thread I stated IF Z took anyone's minutes, Edwards would be the ones I would give him. Some GM gonna lose his job unless something changes if he takes this kid top 10. Heart can't be taught, I hope it's all just the kid needing confidence and maturity and i am wrong about him, but I don't think I am. Time will tell.

Some kids just can't handle criticism. He was rated elite coming out of high school where he was the man. I think he's just not used to playing against elite talent, some of which are much, much better than him. As far as being the most overrated of Cal's era, the jury is still out for me. There is time left for him to get it. I've said this before, to me, Boston was probably the most overrated in recent years. Justin still has a way to go to reach that level of disappointment for me.

GO BIG BLUE!!!💙💙💙

 

[STL_Cat]

I hope he breaks out soon and proves everyone wrong.

I think the same could be said for every Kentucky fan. We all want the guy to break out.

 

[true blue1]

Edwards is going to be fine. He just needs to keep playing hard and let the game come to him.

 

[yoshukai]

One shot hit the side of the backboard. Seriously, I think he needs to be in a system where the offense is structured around him and he is spoon fed the ball.

I saw Jack Givens do that one time. But it went in !

 

[RondoBaller21]

Only fake fans diss the players of the team they root for. He’s getting better and even if he doesn’t, he’s a solid role player. This team is great and fun to watch, but we have people bitching about players after a win. Never change BBN.

 

[Pelosigalore]

He will get hot for a couple of weeks at the end of February and poof, he will be gone to the NBA.

 

[JonathanW]

He needs to stop starting and getting so many minutes.

The last 6 games he has averaged 18.3 minutes. So essentially 6th-8th in minutes. Starting does not matter as much as minutes!

 

[yoshukai]

A parent of one of our players told me that Edwards and to a lesser degree Wagner , were playing “with the weight of the world on their shoulders “. And it’s not coming from our coaches or our fans or because they are playing at Kentucky.

 

[Pelosigalore]

The last 6 games he has averaged 18.3 minutes. So essentially 6th-8th in minutes. Starting does not matter as much as minutes!

It seems like more.

 

[JonathanW]

My opinion so far is that this dude has no game. I keep waiting for him erupt. But his skill set won’t allow. At this point, he’s equivalent to Chris Livingston.

No. Edwards seems really weak at the rim, rarely able to finish.

 

[HouseofSheppards]

Cal does. But he’s never guaranteed or promised a starting spot or playing time to any player ever.

That’s just a lie from this board.

There is evidence that might suggest Calipari does guarantee starting spots, however, I think what happens is it’s a wink and a nod, followed by Calipari dressing up the conversation. “Gotta earn it” type of deal, but Cal is always recruiting. And in ways recruiting is as important to Calipari as any aspect of coaching, so he probably believes Edwards starting is fairly vital. He’s the number 3 recruit in the country and a wing - the type of player we’ve missed out on a lot of times. This one is important to Cal I would think.

In the traditional sense Edwards wouldn’t start by now. There are very few programs, if any, where Edwards does start (especialt at a program like UK or close). Calipari probably knows Edwards is “what he is” and there isn’t a “light” to come on where he’d vastly improve the team or be worth taking minutes from Sheppard, Dilly, Reeves. But because Calipari is always recruiting , he’s probably spinning this into something else because he knows everyone out here can see - Edwards by now shouldn’t be getting these minutes.

As long as Sheppard comes back and runs point and we don’t have Edwards on the court in key moments I guess it’s okay. I still say I’d end this “unique experiment” and play your best players but I don’t see cal doing it.

I hope Reed only getting 25 minutes per game and Edwards getting way too many minutes doesn’t come up to bite us but it easily could. I also feel like Reed isn’t utilized near what any other coach would. Reed starts and plays 34 minutes per game at Duke, UNC, or Kansas, but here are he seems to be slightly regressing because the team focuses away from him as the primary player.

I hope Cal wants Reed back and recruits him back as hard as any player he has ever done so. It could be the difference in another championship. I hope Edwards comes along because Cal is going to play him regardless, but I don’t see a high IQ ball player with Edwards and he can’t really shoot so I hope at some point Calipari tilts the scales at least between him and the guards.

 

[JonathanW]

A parent of one of our players told me that Edwards and to a lesser degree Wagner , were playing “with the weight of the world on their shoulders “. And it’s not coming from our coaches or our fans or because they are playing at Kentucky.

Wagner seems to handle it well. Edwards, you know how sometimes teams play “to win” or they play “not to lose”? It looks like Edwards is playing not to lose.

 

[UK90]

Well Reed and Dillingham can't both start if Edwards doesn't. And that's part of the reason Cal has stayed with Edwards starting, he likes Reed and Dillingham coming off the bench together.

Well, that’s just silly. There’s no logical reason that Reed and Dillingham need to come off the bench together. That’s just an excuse folks like you are making up to try to rationalize what Cal is doing.

And, frankly, I don’t care if it’s Reed or Dillingham who gets a chance to start. But ONE of them should. Lord knows they’ve earned it. In literally EVERY game this season our best lineup has been the three guard set where Reeves is at the three spot and two out of the Wagner/Reed/Dillingham trio are at the other two guard spots.

I just find it quite odd how Cal has SO stubbornly refused to even try starting the combinations that have actually played best for his team this season.

 

[bigbluedon]

J. Edwards looks to be in over his head. Hope he can turn it around and soon.

Burks needs to get some of Edwards’ minutes. He could do just as well if not better and give you more on defense.

 

[JonathanW]

There is evidence that might suggest Calipari does guarantee starting spots, however, I think what happens is it’s a wink and a nod, followed by Calipari dressing up the conversation. “Gotta earn it” type of deal, but Cal is always recruiting. And in ways recruiting is as important to Calipari as any aspect of coaching, so he probably believes Edwards starting is fairly vital. He’s the number 3 recruit in the country and a wing - the type of player we’ve missed out on a lot of times. This one is important to Cal I would think.

In the traditional sense Edwards wouldn’t start by now. There are very few programs, if any, where Edwards does start (especialt at a program like UK or close). Calipari probably knows Edwards is “what he is” and there isn’t a “light” to come on where he’d vastly improve the team or take minutes from Sheppard, Dilly, Reeves. But because Calipari is always recruiting , he’s spinning this and into something else because he knows everyone out here can see Edwards by now shouldn’t be getting these minutes.

As long as Sheppard comes back and runs point and we don’t have Edwards in the court in key moments I guess it’s okay. I still say I’d end this “unique experiment” and play your best players but I don’t see cal doing it.

I hope Reed only getting 25 minutes per game and Edwards getting way too many minutes doesn’t come up to bite us but it easily could. I also feel like Reed isn’t utilize near what any other coach would. Reed starts and plays 34 minutes per game at Duke, UNC, or Kansas.

False facts^^^.
Last 6 games, Edwards 18.3 mpg (and no doubt it would be some less if Theiro able to play 3 of them), 7 fewer mpg than Sheppard

 

[gharding07]

If Adou is going to have the stupid back thing all year then we're going to need Justin to produce. Gotta keep rolling him out there.

 

[mcwildcats04]

Yea I would start adou over him

I think benching Edwards runs the risk of completely ruining any hope for him. Could see that destroying his confidence. Let him keep starting and getting at least some minutes but definitely play Adou more than him overall moving forward when he's healthy. Edwards just needs to forget about the 3s and attack the rim and focus on mid-range stuff as well.

 

[HouseofSheppards]

False facts^^^.
Last 6 games, Edwards 18.3 mpg (and no doubt it would be some less if Theiro able to play 3 of them), 7 fewer mpg than Sheppard

If I said Edwards is getting more minutes than Sheppard that is false. I didn’t intentionally say that.

*edit - I looked and didn’t see a claim that Edwards gets more minutes than Sheppard. I don’t believe I wrote that. And Edwards is averaging 24 minutes per game last check. If it’s close to that then way too many minutes to me. We’ve got a great team in Wagner, Sheppard, Reeves, Adou, Mitchell, Bradshaw, and Dilly. Since Cal prefers a shorter rotation anyway I think what I see here is valid. Edwards playing this much is more about recruiting than actually improving the team or I don’t feel he would be. We’re almost in the middle of January, safe to assume Edwards is what he is. But an issue like that is going to involve some spinning that’s why the staff says what they say.

 

[ukcatz12]

That’s just an excuse folks like you are making up to try to rationalize what Cal is doing.

I'm not coming up with any excuse to rationalize anything. Cal himself has specifically said he likes the 1-2 punch that Reed and Dillingham bring together when they come off the bench.

"I like Robert and he [Reed] together. Those two together have given us a great lift."

 

[SpamburgerHamburger]

Glad Cal doesn't write guys off fast as fans do, I want him to keep playing and be encouraged to get over whatever hump he's stuck on. Specially when we're playing well and up at home.

 

[ukcatz12]

we are a better team without Edwards, he is one of those guys no one will remember 4 or 5 years from now.

in reality ... I would not trade one Reed Shep, for 10 years of Justin Edwards ...

He will never start an NBA game, and will end up playing a couple years over seas...

All you're doing is bashing the kid completely unprompted. Critique his game, don't go saying he has no NBA future after 14 college games for no reason whatsoever. Crap like this contributes zero to the conversation except to put a young man down.

 

[ukcatz12]

Glad Cal doesn't write guys off fast as fans do, I want him to keep playing and be encouraged to get over whatever hump he's stuck on. Specially when we're playing well and up at home.

All ya gotta do is look back at the Florida game thread. People wrote of Bradshaw and wanted him benched for the rest of the game. We don't win without his play the last few minutes and Cal drew up a few plays specific to get him going so he was confident come crunch time.

Cal's best trait outside of recruiting is probably managing the egos and mental state of five star recruits and melding them all into a team. Maybe he knows a little more about how to get a guy like Edwards going than people here, but what do I know.

 

[jrpross]

I expected Edwards to be much better than he has been, especially after all the hype and rankings. However, he can actually make basketball plays. I’ve seen recruits who didn’t even look like they knew how to shoot or make basic basketball plays during the Cal era.

No way Edwards is the biggest bust.

The Eurostep he did 3 minutes into the 2nd half was one of the sweetest plays of the game.

 

[RexShepcat]

This is not a negative comment just a serious question. What exactly did he excel at in High School that made him a top recruit and potential #1 draft pick and what or why has that changed?

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Dude, I know it seems impossible but you actually make yourself sound dumber by the post.

You’re a clown. I was kidding. It’s becoming painfully obvious the ranking services all whiffed on the kid.

 

[yes_takeaside]

Well, that’s just silly. There’s no logical reason that Reed and Dillingham need to come off the bench together. That’s just an excuse folks like you are making up to try to rationalize what Cal is doing.

And, frankly, I don’t care if it’s Reed or Dillingham who gets a chance to start. But ONE of them should. Lord knows they’ve earned it. In literally EVERY game this season our best lineup has been the three guard set where Reeves is at the three spot and two out of the Wagner/Reed/Dillingham trio are at the other two guard spots.

I just find it quite odd how Cal has SO stubbornly refused to even try starting the combinations that have actually played best for his team this season.

Do you remember how he refused to play the Benny lineup last year and absolutely hated that even the talking heads were saying it was UK’s best lineup

 

[IL Wildcat]

He’s no where near the most overrated..we’ve seen a lot worse. At least he’s here taking the court for us. He averages almost 10 a game…the dragon quit on his team..sharpe didn’t play. Those are the guys who are the most overrated in my book

Yeah, I totally agree. I can think of several who have been worse. I can think of a couple guys who couldn't contribute at all.

 

[grevey35]

Honestly, I don’t know how much longer Cal can justify continuing to start him over Reed and Dillingham.

Is there any other coach that would so stubbornly stick to a starting lineup (that he’d obviously already decided upon before practice even began) in the face of such OVERWHELMING evidence that we have far better lineups?

Kinda makes you think there must’ve been some recruiting promises that he’s afraid to break.

You do realize he is 4 or 5 inches taller and plays a different position than Rob and Reed? Any one calling Edwards a guard is being absurd. Now if injury had not plagued Theiro so much to this point that would be a much better argument.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

If/ when Edwards gains his confidence, this team will be extremely special!

Agreed. Problem is, I just don’t see him busting out and playing like a first round pick all the sudden. Hell, I just wish he could be really good at anything. Like a lockdown defender would be really nice. Idk, just don’t see it. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[UK90]

You do realize he is 4 or 5 inches taller and plays a different position than Rob and Reed? Any one calling Edwards a guard is being absurd. Now if injury had not plagued Theiro so much to this point that would be a much better argument.

So what? There’s no rule that one must be the same size as the guy he replaces in a lineup. In the lineup I’m talking about 6’6” Reeves plays the three spot. That is EASILY big enough for the three in today’s game. Hell, when you factor in that our other two front line starters go 7’1” and 6’9”, it would still give us one of the biggest frontlines in CBB.

Bottom line: I think a team should start one of the combinations that works best for it, and we have NOT been doing that. EVERY damn game we play our best when we go to the three guard lineups (with Reeves at the three). The evidence is overwhelming now on what combination plays best for this team …and it sure ain’t the one we start.

 

[kybloo92]

At this rate, he will strongly need to consider taking the PJ Washington path, significantly improve his game especially from the perimeter if he is going to stick at the next level. It's one thing to get the rookie contract and another to make a career out of it.