My apologies for another Skal thread - but needed

[wromanp7]

Killer article by Gary Parrish, check out how it starts. http://www.cbssports.com/collegebask...ssieres-talent


The Kentucky freshman was celebrated coming out of high school and projected to be a top-three pick in the NBA Draft, perhaps even the first overall selection. But he only scored three points in the second game of the season. And he only got four points in his fourth game. And when the Wildcats played another blue-blood program in December, another school that also has championship banners hanging from the rafters of its home arena, he finished with just two points and two rebounds in 19 minutes on the court.

You probably think I'm writing about Skal Labissiere.

But I'm not.

Those words above are about Karl-Anthony Towns.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Great post.

So very true.

Most fans on here must be my age or older, because they can't remember much past today, let alone what happened this time last year.

 

[W2R]

Davis Noel KAT wcs all had to adjust. All had timing issues biting on the head fake pump.

It amazes me every year we go through this
Some with guards. Wall and Bledsoe out of control. Knight was soft. Fans in here lost their minds against uconn in Maui
Teague was picked on all the way up to postseason. Harrison twins I could go on and on

 

[bucsrule8872]

Davis Noel KAT wcs all had to adjust. All had timing issues biting on the head fake pump.

It amazes me every year we go through this
Some with guards. Wall and Bledsoe out of control. Knight was soft. Fans in here lost their minds against uconn in Maui
Teague was picked on all the way up to postseason. Harrison twins I could go on and on

So very true.

I remember the "Knight is not a point guard, he is a shooting guard. We won't do much in the tourney with him running the show" posts. And those posts were in February. LOL!

 

[CatPhight]

A lot of fans thought Skal would be a plug and play like #23AD.

The truth of the matter is we tend to forget the early season struggles and the fact they're 17 & 18 year old kids.

Particularly in Skal's case where he's coming off one season with a significant injury and another playing against
sparse competition, back-to-back...in high school.

Cal is the master psychologist and motivator and I have no doubt will have #1SL rocking in March when it counts!

 

[Smashcat]

Most fans on here must be my age or older, because they can't remember much past today, let alone what happened this time last year.

Funny but true.

 

[bucsrule8872]

First road game of the year.

Against a blue blood program (historically speaking) that has been struggling in recent years.

Against inferior talent that just played harder than us.

Indiana just wanted it more on December 10, 2011.

And you guys thought I was talking about the UCLA game this year.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

But, but, but I thought we were headed to a 10 loss season and a 1st rd flame out in the Dance.

Love it. Maybe this will silence some of the chicken littles on this here board.
i say, I say....

 

[EvilMD]

I love what Gary did there, but the eye test tells me that Skal is not going to suddenly change his personality. That's not teachable.

I wish Skal would just do what he's best at, that 10 foot jumper that no one can stop. Quit trying to make him into Davis or Towns or Camby. Work on Isaac and Tai for your inside muscle.

 

[MegaBlue05]

The way this fanbase overreacts to everything good and bad is crazy.

Beat Duke: OMG!! We're going undefeated again. No team will stay within 20 of us.

Lose to UCLA: Skal's a bust, we're gonna lose 10 games, first round exit, blah, blah.

Mellow out, y'all. It's not that serious.

 

[wromanp7]

The way this fanbase overreacts to everything good and bad is crazy.

Beat Duke: OMG!! We're going undefeated again. No team will stay within 20 of us.

Lose to UCLA: Skal's a bust, we're gonna lose 10 games, first round exit, blah, blah.

Mellow out, y'all. It's not that serious.

You had me the whole way... until the last sentence.

 

[MegaBlue05]

You had me the whole way... until the last sentence.

It's true.

I used to get bent out of shape over this stuff. Rant and rave like a madman. Throw stuff. Break stuff. Get online and call college athletes names because they didn't perform to my expectations. And on and on and on.

Then I lost my job, had to sell my home to keep from getting it foreclosed on, lost a family member to an OD, had a cousin fall over dead of a heart attack at 35, lost a childhood friend to suicide and another to cancer (both in their early 30s) all in the last 7 years. It taught me that in the grand scheme of things, sporting events are entertainment and a release to bring joy, not something to dwell on and be miserable over.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Davis Noel KAT wcs all had to adjust. All had timing issues biting on the head fake pump.

It amazes me every year we go through this
Some with guards. Wall and Bledsoe out of control. Knight was soft. Fans in here lost their minds against uconn in Maui
Teague was picked on all the way up to postseason. Harrison twins I could go on and on

I think Knight had 8 turnovers in that UConn game in Maui.

 

[wildcat_bigd]

It's true.

I used to get bent out of shape over this stuff. Rant and rave like a madman. Throw stuff. Break stuff. Get online and call college athletes names because they didn't perform to my expectations. And on and on and on.

Then I lost my job, had to sell my home to keep from getting it foreclosed on, lost a family member to an OD, had a cousin fall over dead of a heart attack at 35, lost a childhood friend to suicide and another to cancer (both in their early 30s) all in the last 7 years. It taught me that in the grand scheme of things, sporting events are entertainment and a release to bring joy, not something to dwell on and be miserable over.

Sage advice my friend, perspective is everything. Sorry about your troubles.

 

[wromanp7]

It's true.

I used to get bent out of shape over this stuff. Rant and rave like a madman. Throw stuff. Break stuff. Get online and call college athletes names because they didn't perform to my expectations. And on and on and on.

Then I lost my job, had to sell my home to keep from getting it foreclosed on, lost a family member to an OD, had a cousin fall over dead of a heart attack at 35, lost a childhood friend to suicide and another to cancer (both in their early 30s) all in the last 7 years. It taught me that in the grand scheme of things, sporting events are entertainment and a release to bring joy, not something to dwell on and be miserable over.

Good post.

I am a fourth generation rabid UK fan. I lost my grandfather (that really got me going on UK) and then it was my dad and I. We went to dozens and dozens of games and traveled thousands and thousands of miles to do so. Along the way, my brother and my sons have become just as passionate about UK. It is something that binds our family well.

I lost my dad to drowning several years ago.

Now it's just me and my boys. UK is as important as at any point in my life. It's far from everything, but it's more than a game, to us.

 

[WildMoon]

comparing outputs of points of KAT on a platoon system

and to biggest issue of Skal's in ability to rebound and get position is stupid.

...it's not the same. At this point KAT has already gotten multiple double digit rebounding. Skal has not.

 

[wromanp7]

comparing outputs of points of KAT on a platoon system

and to biggest issue of Skal's in ability to rebound and get position is stupid.

...it's not the same. At this point KAT has already gotten multiple double digit rebounding. Skal has not.

The point isn't to compare two players. It's merely to draw attention to how early it is in the season and his basketball career.

I find the "sentence" that contains the word "stupid" a tad rich.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

Anthony Davis' line in his first road game (a loss): six points, four fouls.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

All I can say is, If Skal is a top 3 pick in the draft, UK is going to have a heck of a March.

 

[runt#69]

I fight the cancer in my head that came out of remission a few years ago with a passion to hold onto life - every year. Kinda' like staying alert and mindful to swat all the ignorant people that post on our board over to my ignore list (and every year I tend to take a couple off just to see if they've improved, or changed their tune, they never do ... but I still give people second chances all the time).

The whole thing about perspective is the way I look at things, considering my condition. Add to the fact that I've got almost 40 years of being a member of BBN, I tend to have historical perspective like the older people among us here on the board have to judge things, as well.

Perspective is essential to acquiring wisdom in the long run. Looking at this thread, where we have a plethora of posters I highly respect and love to hear thoughts from, and it shows, even if you're a new poster, haven't followed this board for very long, and just scan the number of posts people have in this thread ....

My point is, usually I get on the board and try to convey some thoughts and words of wisdom for those of us who still ten to overreact with the losses in going overboard and melting down. (Don't make me get on my "Reverend Runt soapbox !! *wink*) But I really don't think I have to after this loss at UCLA.

Most people seem to have taken it in as much stride as it seems possible on our board these days, as much as Coach Cal has spoiled us. For those of you who still take things a little too hard, its' ok, even us old timers get frustrated and angry from time to time.

So hang in there, gang. We gonna' be fine. I Still think we have an excellent shot at the promised land and to stand on top of the mountain when it's all said and done.

Just remember this is truly a third golden age of Kentucky basketball, and you HAVE to enjoy this ride.

It's one of those things that keeps me looking forward to every day, fighting that good fight !

Go Big Blue !

 

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

I have faith in Skals offensive skills but I do think he's a little thin to be playing any serious defense.
That article is a little silly. Comparing SL and KAT makes no sense....completely different build and potential

 

[Bkocats]

Most fans on here must be my age or older, because they can't remember much past today, let alone what happened this time last year.

Funny but true.

I resemble this remark

 

[uky8unc5]

Slow pace + packed zone + beefy mature center = Skal struggles until he matures

But he WILL mature.

 

[Bkocats]

Slow pace + packed zone + beefy mature center = Skal struggles until he matures

But he WILL mature.

don't most - not all, mind you, but most boys not mature physically until they are 21-22 years old? (Or older?) One of the reasons why players play college football for three years.

I could be wrong