That is a pretty big accusation.
So you think Cal played the number one ranked center in his class (even over Embiid 2 years in a row) over a volleyball player, so that Dakari could get drafted, whether it caused harm to the team or not?
I'm not sure how one can take a fair look at Cal's successful career and the passion he displays every game and thinks he plays the game this way.
I don't know if it is a big accusation. You're talking about a man that has been VERY open about wanting his players to achieve more success than the program. He just came out and said, "For all the program's success, I want my players to benefit more". In his most recent "manifesto" he's talked about having 25 guys get drafted, etc. This is clearly something that is constantly on his mind is helping kids with NBA aspirations.
Do I think he would intentionally sabotage a game or a season over this philosophy? No, not intentionally. But you have to admit, Lee had a VERY short leash in comparison to Dakari. I can remember talking about it with some friends "Why is Lee's leash so short"? Anyone can come on here and say "well he is messing up in practice", but NO ONE really knows if thats true. Seemed to me that Dakari was a liability many times but never got yanked like Lee.
Go back to a couple of seasons ago; James Young was ALWAYS lost on defense. He never knew where to be. He made horrible passes (his post-entry passes were some of the worst Ive ever seen). He even admitted in the Wichita St game that he forgot the play that Cal called so he just jacked up a three and it went in. His help side defense was horrid. In the title game I could have killed him for helping off of the white guy that drilled those threes against us. I guarantee the scouting report (if there was one since Cal admits he doesn't always watch film on opposing teams) said to not sag off that guy.
My point with the above is that James Young never saw his minutes dwindle and he was the most obvious in terms of mental mistakes. Why didn't he pay for that? Because he came to UK because Cal promised him he would get him in the lottery. Cal can't promise a kid this only to not play him.
Cal said it himself "I can't hide you here". What do you think he means by that? A lot of our fans and blue-koolaid drinkers want to think that this has to do with the prestige of UK basketball…….it doesn't. I think Cal means, "Look, you want to go to the league you come to UK. Ill play you a ton of minutes (unless i have 9 AA's) and get you all the exposure you need to go pro. But if you don't play well, you'll still play and might get exposed, which is why I can't hide you."