Isn't Humphries still 17 yrs old? Serious question. I thought I heard that on a broadcast.
Jarrett Allen
- Thread starter Cornered Weasel
- Start date
Isn't Humphries still 17 yrs old? Serious question. I thought I heard that on a broadcast.
I don't believe cal is in the business of straight telling a recruit one thing, they sign and then changing his plan for the kid. I think cal fully intends to play him at the 3. He will develop other parts of his game but he ain't switching it up and planting his ass at the 4.
Thank you . I wouldn't want a coach who does that . It is sad that Jason thinks so little of our coach as that is the tactic of an ass hat coach like K and 15 seconds.
I wonder what coach Cal thinks of all these fans ideas of what he should do with these players. I sure would like to see his comments.
Come on coach, what do you think?
Come on coach, what do you think?
like Chad said, learn recruiting. Cal absolutely will sell a player on doing something if that's what it takes to get the player to sign. Once they're on campus, you try and figure it out bet you can. If Gabriel signed thinking he's going to be solely a 3 playing on the wing jacking 3s at 6'10", he's an idiot. Cal will tell him the same thing he told Town and Labissiere. Unless he's got all-world ball handling skills like Kevin Durant and can create his own shot on anyone, he' gonna have to learn a little back to the basket game and develop that mid range jumper even more.
Would be damn nice if he can move well enough to guard the 3 though. UK could be HUGE and skilled both next season.
While that may be true to an extent, I don't see Cal telling Gabriel he will playing him at the 3 spot, then stick him primarily at the 4 spot with his back to the basket. Plus, we have our 4 spot committed already. I'm sure he will see some time on the block but I just don't see Cal doing that to a kid too often at all. Maybe I'm being naive but that's just how I feel. Guys poke fun of other coaches all the time for pulling that crap on kids. I like to think that out coach doesn't need to do that to land recruits. Like I said, maybe that's naive but I don't see that happening too often with Cal. Can't think of many but possibly Alex that it has maybe happened to here.
Yes. His DOB is 1/5/98.
That's younger than Josh Jackson, De'Aaron Fox, Dennis Smith, Bam Adebayo, Miles Bridges, Jonathan Isaac, and Wenyen Gabriel- the majority of the top 10 in the 2016 class.
Sacha-Killeya Jones is also very young. He just turned 17 in August.
The recruiting issue that I see for Cal right now is that he's going into next year without a guaranteed star frontcourt player. Gabriel is the closest, and very well might end up there, but as of right now there is no Cousins, Terrence Jones (and Kanter, who Cal thought he would have), AD, Nerlens, Julius Randle, or KAT. The 2016 class just lacks big guys on that level. Giles is, but UK missed, and now with the 2nd ACL tear, who knows about him? You can add a Bolden or Allen, but neither of those guys is really at that level either.
The thing is, Cal saw this coming, which is why Humphries and Wynyard will be on the roster this year. And though there isn't the obvious lottery-level talent, the combo of Humphries, Wynyard, SKJ, Gabriel, and (maybe- we'll see what happens in real games) Willis is really intriguing. Especially Humphries- if he can defend and rebound enough to warrant big PT, he has the potential to be the best post scorer UK's had since Cuz.
If Willis continues progressing, he and Gabriel could complement each other nicely.
Do you remember Terrence Jones?
He was a kid recruited to play small forward who played exclusively at PF both years at Kentucky.
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Cal's PFs don't generally play with their backs to the basket.
Cal should just tell Gabriel "You're a forward, don't worry about what kind". Not a post player, because yeah, I can see how Gabriel wouldn't want to be stuck there, but a versatile guy who contributes all over the court.
Kevin Durant wasn't really a small forward in college. Yeah, he did small forward things on offense, but if you look at that Texas roster, it was very guard-heavy, and very small, so Durant was also doing a lot of power forward (and even center) things, like getting 11 rebounds and 2 blocks a game.
And look at Larry Bird. What position did he play? Definitely forward, but early in his career, when he was paired with Cedric Maxwell, he was more of the 4. When McHale came along and established himself, Bird was definitely the 3. But really, all along, he was just Larry frickin' Bird, one of the best forwards to ever play.
And if Gabriel wants to be the best he can possibly be, he needs to just be a forward.
Kevin Durant wasn't really a small forward in college. Yeah, he did small forward things on offense, but if you look at that Texas roster, it was very guard-heavy, and very small, so Durant was also doing a lot of power forward (and even center) things, like getting 11 rebounds and 2 blocks a game.
And look at Larry Bird. What position did he play? Definitely forward, but early in his career, when he was paired with Cedric Maxwell, he was more of the 4. When McHale came along and established himself, Bird was definitely the 3. But really, all along, he was just Larry frickin' Bird, one of the best forwards to ever play.
And if Gabriel wants to be the best he can possibly be, he needs to just be a forward.
Cal has been preaching "positionless basketball" for months, I guess people aren't listening.
http://www.nationofblue.com/calipari-emphasizes-positionless-basketball-on-nba-draft-teleconference/
http://www.nationofblue.com/calipari-emphasizes-positionless-basketball-on-nba-draft-teleconference/
Losing Allen would not be devastating but it would be nice to add another low post talent. As it looks, we will be filling the center position through a committee approach with: Wynard, Humphries, and SKJ in a pinch.
Based on the way things are playing out Bolden and Adebayo are both long shots, but they would put us over the edge with a complete front court. However, given the shift to small ball lineups recent success, i would prefer to add Fox, Monk, and Alkins/Simmons to what we should have coming back. Talk about a dynamic dribble drive lineup.
Based on the way things are playing out Bolden and Adebayo are both long shots, but they would put us over the edge with a complete front court. However, given the shift to small ball lineups recent success, i would prefer to add Fox, Monk, and Alkins/Simmons to what we should have coming back. Talk about a dynamic dribble drive lineup.
A sophomore Humphries may well be the best Center prospect in the country next year - who's going to be better?
Diallo will be gone at KU, so it's whoever they recruit to replace him - Bolden? A sophomore Jeter at Duke doesn't scare me. Diamond Stone may be OAD at Maryland, a Senior Meeks at UNC doesn't scare me. Mangok or Nanu or Klaatu or whoever at UL doesn't scare me.
Center class is weak next year, we'll be fine with Humphries/SKJ.
The positions of concern are PF, because Duke will have the best player in the country there, and SF, because Duke will have the best SF in the country too. Michigan State will also be absurdly talented at those positions if they get Jackson.
I think our best hope at PF is for a Senior Lee to come back. I like the idea of wearing Giles out with a Lee/Wynyard rotation. At the small forward position, we can rotate two elite defenders on Tatum with Gabriel/Matthews, with Willis for offense.
I also agree with those saying Cal wants to play Gabriel at SF. That's not just recruit-speak. Cal loves to go big. The only way Cal plays Gabriel at PF is if Lee leaves for the NBA and we add no other bigs. If that happens, we won't be okay upfront.
Diallo will be gone at KU, so it's whoever they recruit to replace him - Bolden? A sophomore Jeter at Duke doesn't scare me. Diamond Stone may be OAD at Maryland, a Senior Meeks at UNC doesn't scare me. Mangok or Nanu or Klaatu or whoever at UL doesn't scare me.
Center class is weak next year, we'll be fine with Humphries/SKJ.
The positions of concern are PF, because Duke will have the best player in the country there, and SF, because Duke will have the best SF in the country too. Michigan State will also be absurdly talented at those positions if they get Jackson.
I think our best hope at PF is for a Senior Lee to come back. I like the idea of wearing Giles out with a Lee/Wynyard rotation. At the small forward position, we can rotate two elite defenders on Tatum with Gabriel/Matthews, with Willis for offense.
I also agree with those saying Cal wants to play Gabriel at SF. That's not just recruit-speak. Cal loves to go big. The only way Cal plays Gabriel at PF is if Lee leaves for the NBA and we add no other bigs. If that happens, we won't be okay upfront.
People are way too hung up on positions. Yes, TJ was the PF, but he also shot 2 threes a game his freshman year. He wasn't a power forward the same way that Marcus Lee is.
Gabriel could very well be in the 3 spot on the floor, just like Trey Lyles was. Depends on the readiness of SKJ, whether Lee comes back, etc.
But even if he's in the 4 spot, he will get a chance to showcase his 3 skills...if he's got them.
Cal doesn't lie, even in recruiting. If he recruits a player to play the 3, he will play the 3. That's what recruits like about Cal. He's straightforward and doesn't lie. Gabriel won't play the 4 spot next year, except for a rare ocassion.
![[eyeroll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/rolleye/rolleye0011.r191677.gif "Eye roll [eyeroll]")
First off, it's NOT lying. IT'S RECRUITING. IT'S SALES. And you have no clue what Cal told Gabriel when recruiting anyway. Guarantee he sold him on his new buzz phrase positionless basketball and the fact he'd utilize his perimeter skills...which he certainly can AT THE 4. Always love sports fans who act like their coach is some sort of moral paragon.
![[laughing]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/laugh.r191677.gif "Laughing [laughing]")
I'll bet you a million USD Gabriel plays some PF as well as SF at UK.
What's crazy is these kids don't realize that all positions in the NBA post up if the matchup is there. The greatest player in history was a 2G that posted up nearly every possession. And what Cal teaches more than anything is being tough on both ends, including fighting for position to receive in the post. If you noticed, the first two plays against KSU was Briscoe starting the offense, getting a rub screen, and posting up.
Cal is a marketer, but the emperor is wearing clothes in this case.
We win lots of games and players are getting drafted in record numbers. Once in the pros, most are playing exceptionally well.
Maybe some of it is self-fulfilling prophecy but whatever. It works.
We win lots of games and players are getting drafted in record numbers. Once in the pros, most are playing exceptionally well.
Maybe some of it is self-fulfilling prophecy but whatever. It works.
Exactly my point, he didn't sell Gabriel on just playing the 3 as another poster said, but thanks for helping.
Always love sports fans who act like their coach is some sort of moral paragon.
.
cal is indeed a moral paragon compared to users of kids like pitino and kzryzewski
pretty obvious okafor had no coaching or accountability at duke. contrast that with how cal treated his most talented player
i didn't hear calipari talk that much about the ddmo after the first year or so. not his fault basketball simpletons like bilas didn't catch on more quickly
"players first" is a slogan, but it is an accurate one
That was more a figure of speech to make a point about deceiving a kid into thinking one thing, then doing another.
Anyway, I think Cal has played his PF a ton of different ways over the years, depending on personnel. He adapts to his players.
Position doesn't really matter.
Gabriel will spend most of his time on the perimeter. Call him a 3 or a face up 4, it really doesn't matter in Cal's offense.
Gabriel will spend most of his time on the perimeter. Call him a 3 or a face up 4, it really doesn't matter in Cal's offense.
I'm sorry, I really mean no disrespect at all but that whole positionless basketball talk is for the birds. Just recruiting talk. We have always had positions and I don't see the need to say positionless. There will always be a need to have positiins on defense unless we run all zone. It's more about having players who can play multiple positions. Cal mentioned this when he was going after Murray but I can't recall ever hearing him say it before then. Maybe im wrong though, just cant recall hearing him say it. We definitely had positions last year and I don't think Tyler can play on the block or anywhere but the PG. I'm just not buying in to the whole positionless basketball talk. JMO though.
I mean, he had our guys switching on almost everything on defense, and if even our forwards have the ability to handle it on offense, it opens up a lot of options that wouldn't be there otherwise. I think it's just his fancy way of saying "come here and I won't limit you as much as some other coaches"
Maybe so. I just think it's a recruiting ploy. Not limiting a player doesn't mean it's positionless though. To me, that basically means that he will use them in multiple ways and whatever suits their skillset. It was the player skill set that gave the options last year. But Cal is still going to have a PG bring the ball up the court and have his bigs around the basket. We loves the lob and the rim protector. That's all I mean by not being positionless.
I thought we switched too much last year and teams started using it against us late last year, really so in the last few games. Sure, Willy could guard just about anyone on the court when he wanted too but the rest of the guys couldn't, except possibly Karl at some times. I thought it hurt us defensively at the end of the year. That's just my opinion though.
It's a recruiting tool not a ploy.
Call it whatever you want, though, but there is truth to it.
You are entitled to your opinion, though.
Question...
If you had 5 Lebron James' on your roster, would you start them all? What position would they play?
In a perfect world, you would have a bunch of 6'10" guys who are all quick as lighting, with handles and range out to 25 feet.
They would be able to lockdown the perimeter or meet you at the rim.
Pure positionless basketball is the holy grail. Cal wants as many guys who are as close to that ideal as possible.
If you had 5 Lebron James' on your roster, would you start them all? What position would they play?
In a perfect world, you would have a bunch of 6'10" guys who are all quick as lighting, with handles and range out to 25 feet.
They would be able to lockdown the perimeter or meet you at the rim.
Pure positionless basketball is the holy grail. Cal wants as many guys who are as close to that ideal as possible.
Yeah, you're are correct. Bad choice of word on my part. I do agree that there is some truth to it with this team and with certain players.
But we don't have 5 Lebrons and we don't have 5 Kevin Durants. Other than Lebron, I'm not sure any other player could play all 5 positions and still dominate. Each position offers something to the team. If you have just 1 type of player at each position, it would be easily exploited by a good coach. There just isn't that ultimate basketball player than can do everything at every point on the court. It just doesn't exist, so you need guys that can fill a position to offer that skill set to the team. There is a reason that players are labeled to a position. I guess we wouldn't need them if we had that ultimate basketball player but that just doesn't exist.
I really do like your thinking. Im not trying to be argumentative. I would love to see that type of ball.
I'm saying that's the ultimate goal.
There will always be a place for cat quick 5'10" guards. There will always be a place for 7 foot, 290 pound bangers.
Those guys clearly fill a specific role. Depending on matchups, there will be times when guys like that are more or less effective.
But players like Wenyen Gabriel, Willie Cauley Stein, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist...your goal as a coach is to get them to comfortably play 2, 3, maybe even 4 spots on the floor. It's all about flexibility.
And yes, the ultimate is a guy like Lebron or Magic Johnson who can suit up and play any spot on the floor. Ball players.
And for his own good I might add . No way Towns is drafted no. 1 if Cal didn't make him get his butt in the paint and develop his inside game . That's what the NBA is short of now , dominant inside scorers . Any outside skills he develops are gravy to them .
like Chad said, learn recruiting. Cal absolutely will sell a player on doing something if that's what it takes to get the player to sign. Once they're on campus, you try and figure it out bet you can. If Gabriel signed thinking he's going to be solely a 3 playing on the wing jacking 3s at 6'10", he's an idiot. Cal will tell him the same thing he told Town and Labissiere. Unless he's got all-world ball handling skills like Kevin Durant and can create his own shot on anyone, he' gonna have to learn a little back to the basket game and develop that mid range jumper even more.
Would be damn nice if he can move well enough to guard the 3 though. UK could be HUGE and skilled both next season.
I know it is early but I am surprised at how few rebounds Okafor is averaging given how much pt he is playing. I thought I saw he is averaging 6 rebounds a game. Terrible defender and average rebounder. Not sure I would put him same conversation as towns, cousins and Drummond. Just to many holes in his game. And he will probably be a 50-60% free thrower his entire career.
Y
Ya I agree. I will chill on my duke hatred for a moment to agree with this on Okafor
Ya I agree. I will chill on my duke hatred for a moment to agree with this on Okafor
That 20ppg is grossly inflated due to the 76ers utter ineptitude. Noel for instance has a chance to only be the second NBA player in history to average 2.5 blocks and 2.5 steals both for a season. I love the young man but his defensive stats are inflated also by a near unlimited amount of playing time and a no discernible threat as a back up. The 76'ers are sooooo bad they are letting Okafor and Noel play as much as they want this year and letting Okafor take as many shots as he wants. In a typical balance NBA offense Okafor would still be around 14-16 points per game but not 20. Good lord I just checked and he is averaging 17.5 Field Goal attempts per game which is insane. He does have 50.7% field goal percentage which is excellent though. Towns is at 13.4 Field Goal Attempts per game for comparison.
Yeah for a little context here are the only players averaging more Field Goal Attempts per game then Okafor right now: Andrew Wiggins, Bradley Beal, CJ McCollum, DeMarcus Cousins, Reggie Jackson, Paul George, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Damian Lillard, Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
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