KSR just said about Bamba....

[Cat Ballou]

This is my suggestion for Bamba, if academics is so important to you, go to UK, and after 15-16 years in the league after being the No. 1 draft pick, you can take the eleventy billion dollars you've earned and go to Harvard and get a doctorate in proctology or whatever.

Then you can live out your years post-NBA studying the ailing arseholes of the rich and famous. The world is your oyster, dude. Grab the gusto.

 

[PhattyJ4UK]

the only thing that bothers me is the waiting. some kids get tired of waiting and all the pressure and just say I am going here. I wish Bam would either come out and say going or staying so Bamba can make up his mind. some of these coaches can get in his ear and say Bam coming back better sign with us now

So you want a kid to not take his time and make a proper informed decision after trying out and getting feedback because it bothers you? Wow. Hope someone gets this to Bam, I'm sure he will risk losing millions to not bother you.

 

[JerseyCat84]

Me too and I don't really understand it.Looks like these kids would want a chance at a title and Smart has done nothing at Texas.

Hey if Cuonzo can get 5 stars to Cal and Mizzou, then Texas shouldn't be a problem. It's a beautiful campus with limitless resources and facilities.

 

[Bluesnky]

Source guess: Jason Jordan, USA Today.

 

[anon_q409idbs5m40a]

Hey if Cuonzo can get 5 stars to Cal and Mizzou, then Texas shouldn't be a problem. It's a beautiful campus with limitless resources and facilities.

With absolutely no one to get the ball to Bamba. Talent level at UT is the worst I've seen since the Bob Weltlich days.

 

[bucsrule8872]

With absolutely no one to get the ball to Bamba. Talent level at UT is the worst I've seen since the Bob Weltlich days.

This. How is it a good business decision to go to Texas if you want to play bball?

You aren't going to win a lot of games, you aren't going to get much exposure, you aren't going up against future pros everyday, and you won't have a staff that has proven they can get guys to the league.

Not a good business choice.

This kid is smart, right? He isn't going to Texas, right?

 

[LukaszObrzut]

I want Bamba. He's huge.

If we lose Bam, IMO he's a must.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

Why do you constantly kiss up to him and feel the need to defend him? Look in the mirror before you lecture.

Also, I was referring to his knowledge of basketball not being any better or deeper than the average Joe on this forum. Listening to people ask his advice on anything is hilarious and embarrassing.

"Whatcha think we gotta do to win dem ball games and who you think we gettin' to win da championship, Matt?"

I'm not kissing up to anyone, I'm just calling it as I see it and there is a HUGE difference in replying to someone that has highjacked a thread and doing what you guys do with Jones. I'm just giving my opinion of Jones and II feel like if you guys are going to sit there and flood the threads with MJ butthurt material, then I can voice some logic into that. But nobody ever wants to talk facts, they just want to through insults at him and say....." he doesn't know shit" or " he doesn't have anymore sources than I do". It's so funny.

How can you say that you were referring to his knowledge of basketball when you've thrown sooooo many insults his way. You've commented on just about every MJ comment and you reply to anyone that says anything about him, bashing him on multiple things.

Now you're making fun of the people who call into a radio show and blasting Matt for answering them? Seriously? He was the host of the pre game show, bro. That's what people do on a a pre game show.

Look, it comes down to basic logic for me. I get that you don't like him but honestly, if you listen to him everyday or even a lot, how can ANYONE say that he doesn't have sources? That's just so beyondstupid, if you ask me. When anyone says that, it just drops their credibility down to about nothing and proves that they're just butthurt about him and can't look at things without biased opinions getting in the way.

 

[morgousky]

I'm not kissing up to anyone, I'm just calling it as I see it and there is a HUGE difference in replying to someone that has highjacked a thread and doing what you guys do with Jones. I'm just giving my opinion of Jones and II feel like if you guys are going to sit there and flood the threads with MJ butthurt material, then I can voice some logic into that. But nobody ever wants to talk facts, they just want to through insults at him and say....." he doesn't know shit" or " he doesn't have anymore sources than I do". It's so funny.

How can you say that you were referring to his knowledge of basketball when you've thrown sooooo many insults his way. You've commented on just about every MJ comment and you reply to anyone that says anything about him, bashing him on multiple things.

Now you're making fun of the people who call into a radio show and blasting Matt for answering them? Seriously? He was the host of the pre game show, bro. That's what people do on a a pre game show.

Look, it comes down to basic logic for me. I get that you don't like him but honestly, if you listen to him everyday or even a lot, how can ANYONE say that he doesn't have sources? That's just so beyondstupid, if you ask me. When anyone says that, it just drops their credibility down to about nothing and proves that they're just butthurt about him and can't look at things without biased opinions getting in the way.

You and I have been through this before. I personally witnessed the guy take bogus info planted for him to take and pass it along to the followers. I was around in the day when that group was exposed and it just made me realize, connected to UK or not, he's a phony. That's my choice to ignore most of his work and I'm allowed to pass my knowledge of the situation on to others who might not know. Would you rather people not get all the information? Can you justify that?

There's a big difference in being connected to a few guys around the program, and being connected to RECRUITING people, families, other coaching staffs etc. He brings up Maggard in jest as a way to discredit what he knows and doesn't want you to know. Maggard was connected on the recruiting scene. He had contacts connected to other programs. He was a scout for other programs and coaches. He presented himself as a guy with uncommon knowledge in recruiting and he was correct. Jones passes along his info from a one sided sources who really don't know. My gripe is the same as it was. Stop insinuating you're a recruiting source. Admit that you don't have those kinds of contacts to make any kind of informed decision.

And just so you know, getting information about a recruit directly from our own coaching staff won't tell you much with recruits like Bamba. They don't know where they're going.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

Signed

Matt's Mom

 

[KYFOSSIL]

That's you and Matt after making up another "source" or stealing info from rafters.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

You and I have been through this before. I personally witnessed the guy take bogus info planted for him to take and pass it along to the followers. I was around in the day when that group was exposed and it just made me realize, connected to UK or not, he's a phony. That's my choice to ignore most of his work and I'm allowed to pass my knowledge of the situation on to others who might not know. Would you rather people not get all the information? Can you justify that?

There's a big difference in being connected to a few guys around the program, and being connected to RECRUITING people, families, other coaching staffs etc. He brings up Maggard in jest as a way to discredit what he knows and doesn't want you to know. Maggard was connected on the recruiting scene. He had contacts connected to other programs. He was a scout for other programs and coaches. He presented himself as a guy with uncommon knowledge in recruiting and he was correct. Jones passes along his info from a one sided sources who really don't know. My gripe is the same as it was. Stop insinuating you're a recruiting source. Admit that you don't have those kinds of contacts to make any kind of informed decision.

And just so you know, getting information about a recruit directly from our own coaching staff won't tell you much with recruits like Bamba. They don't know where they're going.

I know, you and I have went through this before and I honestly respect you and your post. I'm usually always on board with what you say, with exception to this obviously but that doesn't mean that I don't like you or don't like your post. We can agree to disagree on this and other things down the road and I'll still have respect for you and others that I'm talking on here about this.

With that said, the thing is that Matt doesn't pretend to be a recruiting "expert" but people continue to portray him as such. He doesn't say he is a recruiting source. He gives his opinion from the things he hears. I'm sure that he knows other guys from other places as well considering they're on his show all the time, even guys from other schools. He still doesn't pretend to be a recruiting expert. I fact, I think he goes out of his way to get that point across. He gets asked these questions a million times by people and just gives the audience what he hears and his opinion from that info. That's it. He knows his audience want to know about these recruits and about UK as a whole, so that's what he posts on his site. A lot of times it's not even him posting this stuff but it's his sight, so I see the correlation.

The thing with Maggard, I get it. I was around then too on another account and am familiar with the story as well. I'm not debating its legitimacy but I think it's been exaggerated on here but even if it were true, it happens all the time in recruiting and I'm not going to form my opinion of him based solely on that. I'm sure he has met a lot of people and opened his profile of "sources" a lot since then. That was years ago and it just seems like the Maggard guys on here are jealous that Matt "made" it and Maggard did not. I followed Maggard closely and honestly, he may have known people but he wasn't right very often. With Matt, he's been pretty damn spot on with just about every recruit that we have gotten since 2011 and has gotten better and better with his opinions.

All I care about is who I believe has the best sources with my team from everyone out there and to me, that's Jones and I don't even think there is a close second. A lot of times the staff does know what a recruit is going to do before they announce it, sometimes for a good while before the announcement. If sources close to the schools don't know much then I don't know who would.

But that's it, that's all my MJ defending for the night. Like I said earlier, it's just disagreeing. Doesn't change the way that I see or look at anyone's posts. I still got tons of respect for guys on this thread. It's all good.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

That's you and Matt after making up another "source" or stealing info from rafters.

Do you come up with these awesome knee slippers all by yourself?

 

[Dreklie]

Oh boy....here we go. It will be okay, guys. There is a ton of front court talent already signed and with Gabriel, SJK, Humphries and Wynyard, UK will be fine. Not worried if Bamba goes elsewhere. He has to make that choice and as Calipari always says "Kentucky is not for everyone." More concerned about guard play next year....

Since when did Gabriel, SKJ, Humphries and Wynyrd mean we're ok in the front court?

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

This recruitment has the feel of Andrew Wiggins and Marques Bolden to me. Maybe that's just me though.

I don't expect him to end up at UK anymore. Too much drama. Usually those go against us.

Not sure if this statement is true.

Wall (Baylor) Noel (G-Town), Murray (Oregon), Skal (academic questions), Poythress (Memphis), Bam (NC State), Monk (Arkansas), Randle (supposedly hated the twins), twins (Maryland), Diallo (skip college or UConn), Vanderbilt (TCU), Green (Syracuse) - to name a few - all featured drama in the sense that few saw them as UK locks and considered UK either an underdog in their recruitments or as 50/50 shots for the majority of their recruitments.

 

[gracetoyou]

I woukd day MJ's source is Evan Daniels with maybe new info which has led him to say no UK. FWIW, Daniels & MJ talk often.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Since when did Gabriel, SKJ, Humphries and Wynyrd mean we're ok in the front court?

I'm not saying Jazzycat is doing this, but I think generally speaking, some of our fans are already setting themselves up with an emotional parachute of sorts if UK loses out on the Bamba sweepstakes. Not landing Bamba while still being a real contender next year has to be okay for some. The reality is that not landing Bamba would be an enormously significant loss and negate UK's chances for a real shot at a title next year. I'm okay with that prospect, but I don't think some of our fans will be. That means a new narrative has to take place in the case that Bamba goes elsewhere. Cue the talk of Richards being underrated and a potential top 5 pick.

 

[GonzoCat90]

If you think this recruitment has had drama, you need a new hobby. I can't remember a top five kid who was a late signee with less drama and chatter than this one.

I have no idea what some of you are upset about. Good grief.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

I'm not saying Jazzycat is doing this, but I think generally speaking, some of our fans are already setting themselves up with an emotional parachute of sorts if UK loses out on the Bamba sweepstakes. Not landing Bamba while still being a real contender next year has to be okay for some. The reality is that not landing Bamba would be an enormously significant loss and negate UK's chances for a real shot at a title next year. I'm okay with that prospect, but I don't think some of our fans will be. That means a new narrative has to take place in the case that Bamba goes elsewhere. Cue the talk of Richards being underrated and a potential top 5 pick.

Sort of the same for me. I would be bummed if we don't get him, but I think our odds of winning it all are not that good even if we do. Just think we need more experience than we will have. One thing in our favor though is that nobody really returns a great team.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Not getting Bamba hurts. I would be fine with what we have now, but our chances of winning a title next season drop dramatically without Bamba. Even with him, I don't see us as the favorite. We will be very young, even younger than your average Cal team. And with this class being weak overall, that does not bode well.

I think the best we can really hope for is to land two more impact guys, most likely Bamba and Johnson. Knox to UK does not seem to be in the cards. Those two, though, with everyone else back gives us a fighting chance, maybe better depending on who comes back for the other usual contenders.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Cast my vote in with th not too worried crowd. There's always gonna be atleast one guy who picks someone other than uk, just look at Kenny smith. He wouldnroot for Isis over us. That's said it's not just green that is doing all he can to get bamba here. Diallo has been working him since January when he got to campus. Bamba came out and said that diallo was his eyes and ears so he could get an idea of what to expect when he and if he comes to uk. Not to mention the other all Americans that are recruiting him and Knox to join them at uk. In the end I think we will get bamba. I know recruiting changes like the wind but I feel confident we will get bamba for sure

 

[morgousky]

Not getting Bamba hurts. I would be fine with what we have now, but our chances of winning a title next season drop dramatically without Bamba. Even with him, I don't see us as the favorite. We will be very young, even younger than your average Cal team. And with this class being weak overall, that does not bode well.

I think the best we can really hope for is to land two more impact guys, most likely Bamba and Johnson. Knox to UK does not seem to be in the cards. Those two, though, with everyone else back gives us a fighting chance, maybe better depending on who comes back for the other usual contenders.

Quade Green is severely underrated. I think he could easily end up top 5 in the class when it's all said and done. Bamba is a stud. He's the prototypical rim protector that Cals teams flurish with. Diallo is a beast and at 6'6 he can bully people with his size and the way he attacks. He's also got a head start on everyone else in the class.

Those three players are alpha dogs. I think with Bamba they are a favorite to be in the final four. We just need outside shooting (suprise) and I think we could be there with a shot.

 

[Blue Decade]

We may be loaded next year with big guys but not sure we have a major difference maker in the bunch like Bamba. He would make us a totally different team and I want him here rather than at a place like Duke or another Blue Blood. Plus, Bam is likely gone and who knows what Humphries will do yet so we may not be as loaded as we could be.

Exactly right.

 

[anon_q409idbs5m40a]

This. How is it a good business decision to go to Texas if you want to play bball?

You aren't going to win a lot of games, you aren't going to get much exposure, you aren't going up against future pros everyday, and you won't have a staff that has proven they can get guys to the league.

Not a good business choice.

This kid is smart, right? He isn't going to Texas, right?

My point exactly. I don't know what UT's recruiting class looks like but I haven't heard anything outstanding. You won't even be playing in the NIT by going to UT. Like I said, the talent level is the worst since Bob Weltlich was coach.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Cast my vote in with th not too worried crowd. There's always gonna be atleast one guy who picks someone other than uk, just look at Kenny smith. He wouldnroot for Isis over us. That's said it's not just green that is doing all he can to get bamba here. Diallo has been working him since January when he got to campus. Bamba came out and said that diallo was his eyes and ears so he could get an idea of what to expect when he and if he comes to uk. Not to mention the other all Americans that are recruiting him and Knox to join them at uk. In the end I think we will get bamba. I know recruiting changes like the wind but I feel confident we will get bamba for sure

Jones is sometimes right (I have no dog in this fight either way); but it’s important to realize not he nor anyone else saw the Briscoe/Skal/Bam/Green/Vanderbilt recruitments going UK’s way a week or so before those young men put on the UK hats. Same for Monk. Malik caught many off guard by committing in the fall; as many saw him as a spring commit.

I actually think it’s quite probable that Diallo might be Jones’ source (or to a lesser extent, one of the recruiting gurus). Diallo keeps in contact with Bamba weekly, and as you noted, gives him updates on what the UK experience is all about. That said, this might be a case of a player misleading at the media (see Trey Lyles with his weak attempt at doing so when he picked UK).

Ultimately, I think Bamba picks UK. Jones is, first and foremost, a media member. His job is to tell stories and sell stories. This is a story. His first objective is to promote something that causes chatter. He’s done just that.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Not getting Bamba hurts. I would be fine with what we have now, but our chances of winning a title next season drop dramatically without Bamba. Even with him, I don't see us as the favorite. We will be very young, even younger than your average Cal team. And with this class being weak overall, that does not bode well.

I think the best we can really hope for is to land two more impact guys, most likely Bamba and Johnson. Knox to UK does not seem to be in the cards. Those two, though, with everyone else back gives us a fighting chance, maybe better depending on who comes back for the other usual contenders.

Diallo might be the source. Makes me think Bamba is all but inches from picking UK and this is the proverbial last second deception.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Hey if Cuonzo can get 5 stars to Cal and Mizzou, then Texas shouldn't be a problem. It's a beautiful campus with limitless resources and facilities.

So is Michigan. Only difference is that Michigan is actually a real academic institution.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Quade Green is severely underrated. I think he could easily end up top 5 in the class when it's all said and done. Bamba is a stud. He's the prototypical rim protector that Cals teams flurish with. Diallo is a beast and at 6'6 he can bully people with his size and the way he attacks. He's also got a head start on everyone else in the class.

Those three players are alpha dogs. I think with Bamba they are a favorite to be in the final four. We just need outside shooting (suprise) and I think we could be there with a shot.

UK would have three top 20 picks in Richards, Bamba, and Diallo; probably another top 35 pick in Vanderbilt; and a young man in Quade who could certainly find himself in the first round due to a subpar point guard class. Bottom line: UK would have five guys (maybe six in Washington) capable of making real noise next year. Bamba is the key. It can't be stated enough.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Sort of the same for me. I would be bummed if we don't get him, but I think our odds of winning it all are not that good even if we do. Just think we need more experience than we will have. One thing in our favor though is that nobody really returns a great team.

I agree. No one brings back elite talent (unless UNC shocks everyone again and returns Jackson/Berry). Kansas, Arizona, Duke, etc. are all losing a ton. Bamba is a transcendent talent and would propel UK to the front of the line amongst teams that are reloading.

 

[wildcatcorner]

Matt sucks...and he has no sources....and he is a Dukie...and he steals from Maggard...and I hate his voice...and he is a dirty liberal...and he is mean to Ryan...and he isn't very smart...and he thinks he can beat Mitch McConnell....and he was wrong that one time about something or other...and he doesn't know anything about football....and he gets on my nerves...and he needs to grow up....and he failed as a lawyer...and he gives our fan base a bad name....

I can't remember a time I agreed with you more.

 

[morgousky]

UK would have three top 20 picks in Richards, Bamba, and Diallo; probably another top 35 pick in Vanderbilt; and a young man in Quade who could certainly find himself in the first round due to a subpar point guard class. Bottom line: UK would have five guys (maybe six in Washington) capable of making real noise next year. Bamba is the key. It can't be stated enough.

It's why I've been quietly hoping Bam doesn't return. I know how that sounds but I want Bamba that bad. Duke with Carter and Bamba would be unreal and a problem.

 

[poppycat]

Since when did Gabriel, SKJ, Humphries and Wynyrd mean we're ok in the front court?

When we added Richards and Washington.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

If Bamba is making a "Business decision" then he's got one choice--Kentucky. He's the type of kid that UK would put in the discussion to be the #1 pick in the draft. Those awkward, garbage looking hook shots--will be makes, there is no other program close to developing NBA bigs that will make hundreds of millions in the NBA and when pundits want to trash UK guys--they "surprise"--look at Labissiere who has a ways to go still but is already putting up numbers nobody saw coming when the media decided to bash the kid.

As for Bam-I'll be surprised if he returns based on what I was told. Think it's far more likely he has an agent within the next 2 weeks then returns to college. Cal's comments usually are the best indicator and he has been praising the kid and telling NBA they are going to be making a huge mistake if they don't take him--and he's got more then enough ammo to back that up.

Bamba is intelligent--and that's great. Intelligence is also knowing that $300 Million plus can do a lot more to make an impact then being a guy going into Jr year trying to figure out if he's going to develop. If he chooses Matt Coleman over Quade Green, he's not intelligent. If he chose Duke over UK when it comes to being a PF/C--he's not intelligent. Doing your homework means understanding the difference in what type of players programs develop--Duke will excel with Wendell Carter-that is type they do well with--and those guys tend to be good, solid pros. Calipari has sent more frontcourt elite players in his 8 years at UK then Duke has in 38 years. I'd argue he's sent more in the last 2 years then Duke. Towns trumping anyone Duke has sent to league at those positions ever.

So it really comes down to whether someone is being straight or if they are full of bull$hit. The intelligent decision is to do what's best for your career and those you care about. School doesn't go anywhere--but where you choose to play can change the development and eventually the outcome of your career. Where you play DOES MATTER despite people thinking it doesn't.

 

[Cat Ballou]

It's interesting to me that Bamba has talked about two things in interviews recently that are important to him - "brand" and a tight relationship with his coach.

The "brand" stuff is pure Duke, he started spouting it after his OV there, and I think it's a spiel that Duke came up with to counter Cal and UK, probably subtly implying that Cal's brand is more controversial vs. Saint K's. I thought it was interesting that Bamba specifically noted he was going to watch the 30 for 30 on Cal.

It's also pure bullshit, Kyrie's or AD's marketability at this point in their careers have nothing to do with where they spent 9 months before they entered the NBA - it's driven by who they are as players and individuals.

The "relationship" stuff reads Shaka Smart, but that's inconsistent with the "brand" stuff. Texas has zero "brand" when it comes to basketball, and right now Smart's brand is in the crapper, and Matt Coleman and Bamba aren't enough to salvage it.

 

[Cardsstink]

With absolutely no one to get the ball to Bamba. Talent level at UT is the worst I've seen since the Bob Weltlich days.

They have a good PG coming in but I just can't see it unless he's found a connection with Shaka. If he picks Texas that just means we dodged a bullet as it will mean he doesn't want to work hard.

 

[CarolinaCatsFan]

If Bamba is making a "Business decision" then he's got one choice--Kentucky. He's the type of kid that UK would put in the discussion to be the #1 pick in the draft. Those awkward, garbage looking hook shots--will be makes, there is no other program close to developing NBA bigs that will make hundreds of millions in the NBA and when pundits want to trash UK guys--they "surprise"--look at Labissiere who has a ways to go still but is already putting up numbers nobody saw coming when the media decided to bash the kid.

As for Bam-I'll be surprised if he returns based on what I was told. Think it's far more likely he has an agent within the next 2 weeks then returns to college. Cal's comments usually are the best indicator and he has been praising the kid and telling NBA they are going to be making a huge mistake if they don't take him--and he's got more then enough ammo to back that up.

Bamba is intelligent--and that's great. Intelligence is also knowing that $300 Million plus can do a lot more to make an impact then being a guy going into Jr year trying to figure out if he's going to develop. If he chooses Matt Coleman over Quade Green, he's not intelligent. If he chose Duke over UK when it comes to being a PF/C--he's not intelligent. Doing your homework means understanding the difference in what type of players programs develop--Duke will excel with Wendell Carter-that is type they do well with--and those guys tend to be good, solid pros. Calipari has sent more frontcourt elite players in his 8 years at UK then Duke has in 38 years. I'd argue he's sent more in the last 2 years then Duke. Towns trumping anyone Duke has sent to league at those positions ever.

So it really comes down to whether someone is being straight or if they are full of bull$hit. The intelligent decision is to do what's best for your career and those you care about. School doesn't go anywhere--but where you choose to play can change the development and eventually the outcome of your career. Where you play DOES MATTER despite people thinking it doesn't.

@ralphdaltonfan has your friend who's involved in recruited hinted at all about where we stand with Knox and Bamba?

 

[CatGotMyTongue]

I'm not impressed with Duke for academics. Criteria for ranking is so subjective, it's terrible.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

@ralphdaltonfan has your friend who's involved in recruited hinted at all about where we stand with Knox and Bamba?

I'll catch up with him at Jordan Classic this upcoming weekend. Going to hangout and talk with him/watch the game and see family. Figure CoachX11 will have something for you all soon as he's likely got some great info/stories from Final Four weekend and I'll share what I have been told.

 

[CarolinaCatsFan]

I'll catch up with him at Jordan Classic this upcoming weekend. Going to hangout and talk with him/watch the game and see family. Figure CoachX11 will have something for you all soon as he's likely got some great info/stories from Final Four weekend and I'll share what I have been told.

Thanks @ralphdaltonfan! Look forward to hearing what you find out..

 

[kev69]

I'm not impressed with Duke for academics. Criteria for ranking is so subjective, it's terrible.

Same classes as UK