No what “whiffed” is you 2 or 3 dumbasses that run your mouth like a middle school girl about everything just to try and get some attention. Nobody likes you, just go home. It’s like school was for you, no girlfriend, being a nerd and picked last for everything except picking boogers which you were given a certificate for.
J. Edwards
- Thread starter Orville Boggs
- Start date
This thread took a turn. I read a lot of comments as sarcasm now im not so sure
What do you mean? Fifteen people on this board say it doesn’t matter who starts. And no way they can be wrong - they’re geniuses.
Or, you know, we could play Shep, Dilly, and Adou more (when he’s back). Does Edwards do anything better than Adou? People had said he’s a better three-point shooter - but that’s statistically not true.
Well, at the very least...... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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It's becoming apparent that he is not what he was supposed to be. However, he's a decent player. 10 & 4 isn't bad. He really just needs to play like Thiero....more aggressive on defense and the boards and shoot less 3's. My fear is Cal will hold back Theiro waiting on Edwards to "turn the corner".
I like Edwards. He’s a good, but not great player yet. Frankly, he just still looks like a freshman. Thiero currently does everything Edwards can do but better. And he’s got infectious energy. When he returns, he needs to get more minutes than Edwards. Just truth
Ask the mods where to complain today?
I really don’t know. Every time I read what a scout said about him it was always really vague like “he has all the tools to be special” or something like that. It made me a little nervous from the get go.
I used to have all of the tools to make me special too. Now they’re out back in the shed.
Kid needs a second year and possibly a third from what he’s shown so far. I know that’s a ridiculous statement in this era but from what I’ve seen he looks like a freshmen, the rest for the most part play like upperclassmen.
The scouting reports on Edwards were not very generous. All the struggles we're seeing with him were in those reports. There was one VERY LONG report I remember reading, it may have been a collection of different scout's thoughts at some tournament. The one improvement I saw with him last night was a willingness to go with his right hand.
He needs some maturity which unfortunately won't come at UK. Selfishly, I wish kids in his situation would stay an extra year to not, only help themselves, but UK as well. I don't watch the nba!
How do we know this is the issue? He's always been "the man" and now he's not. Just think Mitchell and Reeves.
I think we need more size at times given our rebounding issues. I think a healthy Theiro would be a huge help right now. The guys you mention have been getting more minutes than Edwards of late even without AT anyway. I know you prefer to toss people in the trash quickly when they don't live up to what you expect. It is unheard of for any one with a shred of talent to take at least part of their freshman to find their comfort zone after all. He seems to be sitting at about 7th in our rotation currently and averaging nearly 10 ppg. All this hand wringing seems rather drastic at this juncture. I'll see how things play out first.
Lacks elite athleticism. Iffy jumper but nice form. Has zero handle with his right.
No clue how he was the top prospect in this class. Every one of those analysts should be run out of the business. How could they not see he can't dribble with his right hand at all?
Does have good physicality and hustle though and seems selfless. Much to be said for that for sure, but just isn't close to the top player. Great glue guy though and I do think his shooting improves because he has a nice stroke
No clue how he was the top prospect in this class. Every one of those analysts should be run out of the business. How could they not see he can't dribble with his right hand at all?
Does have good physicality and hustle though and seems selfless. Much to be said for that for sure, but just isn't close to the top player. Great glue guy though and I do think his shooting improves because he has a nice stroke
We don't know because we're not on the staff but speaking in absolutes is an RR past time. Last night you could tell they were running plays back to back for Edwards in the 2nd half trying to get him going. You can tell based off his body language.
He's like Clarke and Boston from a few years back where their talent and potential in high school didn't translate to the college level, which happens sometimes. Some exceed expectations, some are where you expect them, and others fall short. It's what happens with teens. But it's quite evident the entire team is trying to give Edwards the nudge to break through.
I think some of the lack of lateral quickness can be fixed if he'd get into a better defensive stance...he gets beat off the dribble a lot because he's standing, or closing out, in too much of an upright stance
Sheppard and Reeves both have better rebounding averages than Edwards, and Dillingham rebounds at nearly the same rate. So that’s a rather horseshit excuse for not starting our best lineup. There would not be any significant loss of rebounding, and we'd be better in nearly every other way.
And this statement is TOTAL HORSESHIT. Simply suggesting that a guy shouldn't start ain't "tossing him in the trash." Reed and Dillingham don't start, so do you think that means they've been "tossed in the trash" by Cal? Edwards can still get plenty of minutes and opportunity in an off the bench role. And if he starts playing better, he can move back into the starting lineup.
You know, there used to be this crazy notion that a starting spot is something a player had to earn, not something that was automatically granted upon arrival. Reed and Dillingham have earned it with their play, Edwards has not. What's more, the evidence OVERWHELMINGLY shows that this team plays best when we go with the three guard set (with Reeves at the three).
So here's a crazy thought: maybe we should actually try starting our best lineup.
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First things first, there is not one person on here who wants Edwards to fail or be a bust. This is a UK message board, however, so if someone has something to do with UK basketball, we all have a right to discuss. On top of that, now that they are making more NIL money than most of us make in a year, they are no longer KIDS that can't be critiqued. IMO
But with that said, we may have to realize that Edwards is going to be a decent/good player, and not some superstar like was predicted in high school. That actually may be a good thing, because this team doesn't need him to be a superstar. He is going to give you 15-20 minutes, 7-10 points, couple rebounds, couple assists, and play a little D. I didn't see anything in high school, or in his time this season thus far, to expect more.
Unfortunately, we are 14 games into the season and usually what you see, is what you get. I don't know of any UK player from the past who played 14 games and all of sudden doubled his output the rest of the season. That doesn't happen. I don't think anybody that has watched all 14 games really expects that.
When I see him play, it looks like he does indeed have the weight of the world on his shoulders. Like he has a big entourage/family expecting millions from the NBA. I do hope something gets figured out, but the confidence just does not seem to be there.
But with that said, we may have to realize that Edwards is going to be a decent/good player, and not some superstar like was predicted in high school. That actually may be a good thing, because this team doesn't need him to be a superstar. He is going to give you 15-20 minutes, 7-10 points, couple rebounds, couple assists, and play a little D. I didn't see anything in high school, or in his time this season thus far, to expect more.
Unfortunately, we are 14 games into the season and usually what you see, is what you get. I don't know of any UK player from the past who played 14 games and all of sudden doubled his output the rest of the season. That doesn't happen. I don't think anybody that has watched all 14 games really expects that.
When I see him play, it looks like he does indeed have the weight of the world on his shoulders. Like he has a big entourage/family expecting millions from the NBA. I do hope something gets figured out, but the confidence just does not seem to be there.
The insane thing to me is this, and it's relatively simple. Two of the three most efficient offensive players on the team are Reed and Rob. Reed averages 26 mins and Rob averages 22 mins. That's a concern. DJ has been MUCH better lately, but he's still wedged between Thiero and Edwards in offensive efficiency. And he averages the second most minutes on the team. I'm still convinced, with this team, the rotation is relatively simple.
Three of DJ, Reed, Reeves, and Rob need to be on the floor at ALL times. No more playing Edwards at the 3. Then you have two of the five of Bradshaw, Mitchell, Thiero, Ugo, and Edwards on the floor. Obviously you don't want Thiero and Edwards together, and the same can be said of Bradshaw and Ugo. As long as Thiero is out it pretty much simplifies things. But if he's healthy, he's literally the perfect stretch 4 for the group, basically as Mitchell's backup. This basically leaves Edwards out, which is tough. I'm fine with continuing to find time for him, but not at the expense of the four guards.
Three of DJ, Reed, Reeves, and Rob need to be on the floor at ALL times. No more playing Edwards at the 3. Then you have two of the five of Bradshaw, Mitchell, Thiero, Ugo, and Edwards on the floor. Obviously you don't want Thiero and Edwards together, and the same can be said of Bradshaw and Ugo. As long as Thiero is out it pretty much simplifies things. But if he's healthy, he's literally the perfect stretch 4 for the group, basically as Mitchell's backup. This basically leaves Edwards out, which is tough. I'm fine with continuing to find time for him, but not at the expense of the four guards.
Judging purely by results, this absolutely appears true. I think in EVERY game this season this team has played best when 3 of those 4 guards are on the floor at the same time. And it struggles when only 2 of them are in.
Yet we still have people who insist that Edwards must start, or who seem to think Thiero is his only alternative. I don’t get it. It’s almost like they don’t actually watch the games at all.
Guess I'm in the minority and like how the program is handling Justin Edwards right now. I am not seeing any complaints from Edwards or bad body language when he sits-and his minutes are not nearly as much as expected. He sits quite a bit and has but is supportive/great teammate. For those who want to mock that-go look at last year's team when someone would do something positive and the half assed interest from teammates-it was poisonous.
Thought he showed some flashes at beginning of UF game and was active and good on both ends and then last night at start of 2nd Half-loved how they went to him and got him going a bit-the play that I felt was big--when he missed the and 1 FTA, he gets involved in the loose ball and is on the floor and eventually Cats get ball back and score-making it a 4 pt trip and really after that moment, never felt Missouri was going to be a threat. Not saying that he was catalyst but he was willing to "next play" a negative (missed FT) and fight/compete. Loved his euro to right finish in open court too.
Justin doesn't need to be putting up monster numbers every night-but get back to Toronto Edwards-which was impacting the game in various ways and the scoring output will grow with his confidence in contributing in various ways. Love his game--would also love if he stayed another year for his development but we know how that goes in today's CBB, at UK, and also the fact Justin is one of the older FR Cal's had as opposed to DJ or what Boogie Fland will be next year.
Give me "TJ" (Toronto Justin) and this team goes next level. When that happens? Up to him to produce, but he's got it in him, he's working on his game and if that's taking place which Cal said it is-he's not had a player not eventually get over the hump. But with '24 class-if you added 1 more guy to forward/wing spot and kept Justin for '25 team....he would get where he was projected to be IMO. Go when you are ready to be a Pro which was Cal's message last night and while we hope it happens in '24 season to finalize the roster's production and make them really tough to deal with--if it doesn't-this team can still win/contend and he can come back and finish his development next year. He's close though--really close to a breakthrough and he's shown flashes-now those grit/tough plays need to become more often and the shots will start falling more often. Just how the karma of sports tends to work in my experience as a player/coach/fan.
Thought he showed some flashes at beginning of UF game and was active and good on both ends and then last night at start of 2nd Half-loved how they went to him and got him going a bit-the play that I felt was big--when he missed the and 1 FTA, he gets involved in the loose ball and is on the floor and eventually Cats get ball back and score-making it a 4 pt trip and really after that moment, never felt Missouri was going to be a threat. Not saying that he was catalyst but he was willing to "next play" a negative (missed FT) and fight/compete. Loved his euro to right finish in open court too.
Justin doesn't need to be putting up monster numbers every night-but get back to Toronto Edwards-which was impacting the game in various ways and the scoring output will grow with his confidence in contributing in various ways. Love his game--would also love if he stayed another year for his development but we know how that goes in today's CBB, at UK, and also the fact Justin is one of the older FR Cal's had as opposed to DJ or what Boogie Fland will be next year.
Give me "TJ" (Toronto Justin) and this team goes next level. When that happens? Up to him to produce, but he's got it in him, he's working on his game and if that's taking place which Cal said it is-he's not had a player not eventually get over the hump. But with '24 class-if you added 1 more guy to forward/wing spot and kept Justin for '25 team....he would get where he was projected to be IMO. Go when you are ready to be a Pro which was Cal's message last night and while we hope it happens in '24 season to finalize the roster's production and make them really tough to deal with--if it doesn't-this team can still win/contend and he can come back and finish his development next year. He's close though--really close to a breakthrough and he's shown flashes-now those grit/tough plays need to become more often and the shots will start falling more often. Just how the karma of sports tends to work in my experience as a player/coach/fan.
What’s real crazy is that he’s a year and a half older than DJ Wagner and six months older than Adou. Dude is a fvcking 20 year old freshman. Lmao
Some people hit their peak earlier than others, his age really isn’t that big of a factor. He’s still young
Lol a year and a half at that age is a major factor. He should be our best freshman.
Being a year and a half older doesn’t necessarily mean he’s been playing organized basketball that much longer though
I think Goose could have worn a blind fold that game and it wouldn't have mattered.
I haven’t seen any stories that mentioned Edwards started playing basketball later in life than most guys that end up in his position. Have you?
No I haven’t seen anything, I’m just assuming he has the same amount of experience because he’s in the same class
Reminds me of when people kept saying Ashton Hagans should still be in high school, while he was actually a 20 year old freshman 😅. I was 17 when I started college, 20 year old freshman is wild to me.
A lot of times it’s because of the month their birthday is in, some people don’t get to start school until they’re 6 because of that
Lol … yes, but even starting Kindergarten at 6 (my daughter did this) that still makes them a 19 year old college freshman, not 20. They wouldn’t turn 20 until their sophomore year even in the case they start school at 6. You’d have to start kindergarten at 7 to be 20 as a college freshman (or be held back at some point, or spend a year at a prep school).
20 is an old freshman no matter how you slice it.
Maybe his mom kept him out a year, I don’t know. It is an old freshman I agree, I was 17 when I graduated high school, but it still doesn’t mean that he should be the best freshman on the team that’s all I’m saying. Age doesn’t always equal experience and everyone grows at their own pace
Of course not, I could have been been 25 and still not good enough. I think what most people are getting at is he was billed as the best of the entire group, and he’s just not. And that’s okay. I like the guy. 10-15 years ago I’d be saying man imagine this guy as a sophomore, he could be really good! Problem is today we know that’s not going to happen. People just expect more because of the hype, and they know we’re only getting him one year.
Same here! Well, graduated HS at 17. A 20 year old freshman is real difficult for me fathom.
No I agree I hold out hope for the very slim chance he does come back, probably won’t happen but who knows how good he could be as a sophomore
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