Who received a bigger ovation for Senior Night than Alex Poythress will? I've been at a couple back in the 90s and they were nice (Ford/Gimel, Riddick, and a couple others) but I have to imagine Alex's will bring the house down more than usual.
Other Than The Unforgettables ...
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He's a junior, albeit redshirt, but being called a junior all year still makes it less cool. Patterson was far more significant than an also ran like Poythress and his pseudo senior ceremony wasn't crazy.
It won't be near as electric as you think either. You are just caught up in the upcoming season and carried away with positive Pollyanna thoughts. It's cool.
Darius was a legit senior farewell, but Chuck Hayes was the last really really great farewell. When he checked out and waved it was intense.
Ramel and Joe had a good senior night.
It won't be near as electric as you think either. You are just caught up in the upcoming season and carried away with positive Pollyanna thoughts. It's cool.
Darius was a legit senior farewell, but Chuck Hayes was the last really really great farewell. When he checked out and waved it was intense.
Ramel and Joe had a good senior night.
A. Rivals and UKAthletics both list him as a senior. He COULD apply for a redshirt but unless he does, he's a senior.
B. To refer to him as an "also ran" is a true indication that you are an ignorant asshat.
The kid was part of an NIT team that was the brunt of unmeasurable criticism, then was forced to be less productive in a position he's not meant to play and then goes down with an injury in a historic season in which he probably would have been the x-factor in their only loss. Now he finally gets his chance to play and start at th position where he's built for and lead the team in his last season. And he's done it all with dignity and class. He should get a standing ovation on senior night.
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I like Poythress a whole lot, but statistically speaking he is an also ran for this program. There are countless players that match his significance and that's even if he does have that elusive breakout year we've waited on.
I'm not understanding how Poythress was "forced" into being less productive. Perhaps you can explain that one.
As for the topic at hand, it will be hard to top Hayes' senior night.
As for the topic at hand, it will be hard to top Hayes' senior night.
Kyboy I've honestly never had a feeling one way or the other about any of your posts. However you're showing quite a bit of ignorance here.
You ought to look up the definition of "also ran" and get back with us before exposing yourself any further.
On the main topic though I agree that it might not be as huge a deal as the op thinks. UK does have a long list of guys like Poythress.
You ought to look up the definition of "also ran" and get back with us before exposing yourself any further.
On the main topic though I agree that it might not be as huge a deal as the op thinks. UK does have a long list of guys like Poythress.
Oh statistically. So I guess Farmer, Woods, Pelfrey, and Feldhaus were also rans because their stats weren't as good as Mashburn's.
I do think Poy could have a good year, but stats aren't the issue. His maturity and leadership could have a huge impact on this young team in an era where we have very few upperclassmen. And after what he went through last year, I think it's disrespectful to write him off as an "also ran"
His move to small forward made him less offensively efficient. Quite simple really. I thought that was generally understood And agreed upon.
I agree with that. I'm not saying he's an all-time great or a perennial fan favorite that should receive a big going away ceremony. But he's far from being a footnote.
We've got long time posters who were calling him "no more than a role player" in a long thread the other day but no one destroyed them on it.KYboy gave his opinion, but he doesn't deserved to be piled on over it.
On the thread,
Poythress is a tremendous player and I've enjoyed him. I think this is his year. Not every PERSON matures at the same rate. Poythress loves academics and college as much as basketball. There's nothing wrong with that and he's added a great service to UK in a time when players like him don't show up at our door. I'm cool with OAD and our system, but I'm not going to act like a 9 month guy means must mean more to this program and our fans than a senior young adult who cares about other life issues besides cash and the NBA, simply because they are more talented.
To me, Patterson was the ultimate senior.
1. Came to UK in an extremely dark period and Didn't have to do it.
2. Cares about school, and graduated early. Put an emphasis on graduating from UK the day he arrived.
3. Could have left early, but didn't. Literally rejected a good draft pick.
4. LOVES this program and placed us back on the mountain top when he left.
You won't beat that unless of course you're talking about something like the unforgettables.
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I question a couple of those statements.
Poythress has been a role player every year. He may change that this year, we all hope he does.
Kyboy used the phrase "also ran" which some deemed as derogatory towards Poy, as it is defined as "a loser, especially by a large margin".
I am with you on Patterson.
Wrong. Calling someone an "also ran" is equivalent to calling them a nobody or a loser. Anyone talking about our players that way deserves to be called out.
Even more ridiculous is that he's talking about a guy who was a key contributor on a Final Four team.
That's what bothered me more than anything. And yeah I may have overreacted with the "ignorant asshat" comment. To call him a role player is one thing but it irritates me when people talk about guys who have done nothing but play their tails off as if they were of little significance. Especially when it had to kill Alex to sit out all year. It's like calling someone a has been.
This will be Poy's 4th year at UK, and he's already graduated. The only reason he could come back next year is by appealing for 5th! year of eligibility with the NCAA. The guy is a senior in anyone's mind who has half of one. He's been one of the program's toughest competitor's in recent years, has stuck it out, is recovering from an injury, and again has already graduated. I think he'll get an outstanding reception as a well deserving senior.
I also think he will he receive a very good ovation this year.
But what has he "stuck it out"?
There's little doubt in my mind he came to UK hoping to get drafted the next year as most 5 star recruits do these days. That didn't happen. He could have transferred, but didn't. He might have also had the opportunity to get to the NBA this year despite his injury. Some suggested he should have. Instead he's stuck it out through all of that, graduated, and hopefully is poised to have his best year yet.
There is no opinion involved in the definition of the phrase "also-ran".
From Merriam-Webster online:
1: a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race
2: a contestant that does not win
3: one that is of little importance especially competitively
Now, Poythress fits none of those definitions, and there is no argument that can be made to refute that.
I definitely see your point.
But I will say, there are a lot of kids with high hopes who don't leave early. I'm thinking he made the best personal decision by not risking a move too early...
I really hope he has an outstanding year for us and himself.
The obvious difference between Poy and Patterson is Patterson, having played all but his last year under Gillispie, came from an era when hardly any of our kids were leaving early. They just weren't good enough. So PPat playing his third year, while it was unusual due to his talent, wasn't uncommon here in that day.
Same thing with Chuck Hayes.
Alex is not all-world, even though we all know he certainly has his moments when he looks all world. But for the purposes of this thread, he doesn't have to be all world.
In an era when teammates no better than him are cashing in as freshmen and sophomores every single year, he's going to be leaving as a senior, a senior out of eligibility (assuming no redshirt app).
That's uncommon. In fact it's entirely unprecedented in Cal's tenure. (While we love Dariius he was a different level talent and was not really making a choice to come back his senior year.) The difference between Poy and all his peers will stand out, and that will make the moment dramatic. It's not rocket science.
Same thing with Chuck Hayes.
Alex is not all-world, even though we all know he certainly has his moments when he looks all world. But for the purposes of this thread, he doesn't have to be all world.
In an era when teammates no better than him are cashing in as freshmen and sophomores every single year, he's going to be leaving as a senior, a senior out of eligibility (assuming no redshirt app).
That's uncommon. In fact it's entirely unprecedented in Cal's tenure. (While we love Dariius he was a different level talent and was not really making a choice to come back his senior year.) The difference between Poy and all his peers will stand out, and that will make the moment dramatic. It's not rocket science.
Poythress is far more than a role player and "passer by" or what the hell ever isn't close to describing him either.
After seeing his defense in the Kansas game I'm not sure how anyone could say he's is just a role player. He's going to be the glue guy and defensive juggernaut on this team.
After seeing his defense in the Kansas game I'm not sure how anyone could say he's is just a role player. He's going to be the glue guy and defensive juggernaut on this team.
5 points and 4 rebounds his last two years says he is a role player.
His potential or what you may think he might do this season doesn't really count. IMO
Chuck was a special farewell. He didn't want it to ever end. You just had to love the kid.
If serious, calling Alex Poythress an "also ran" is one of the top 5 most asinine statements I've ever heard on this board. There are some idiot fans who only look at points per game to measure the quality of a player. Before Poythress went down last year, he was the most effective wing defender in the nation. You're an absolute idiot for saying that and for trying to defend the statement. Absolute clown of a poster.
hes far from that. I'd also say Calling the "best wing defender" in the nation a "role player" is also a bit from the truth. Points and rebounds are not the end all for all players.
As I said in another thread, Jefferson absolutely solidified dukes championship last year, and by raw offensive numbers and rebounds, he wouldn't be considered very good. Poythress is far too important AND far too good on defense to call him a role player.
It's not about what he could do or might do. he was one of the best defenders in the nation when he went down. That in itself makes him more than a role player. There's more than offense in basketball.
Big Sam Bowie's Senior day was the best one I can remember. For all that he had gone through in his time as a Wildcat and to come back to lead UK to an SEC Championship(making Charles Barkley cry) made that pre-game special.
So was Liggins not a role player?
A big man like WCS, AD, or Noel I can agree with as they can change the entire offensive philosophy.
But a wing only shuts down one player.
IMO, a very good wing defender or a very good rebounder, that doesn't provide much else, is a very good role player.
There is a reason that points and rebounds are the two most often used stats, especially for wings.
Don't get me wrong, great defenders should be appreciated. Guys like Poy, Liggins and Cliff Hawkins were huge for their teams but in order to be considered much more, I think you have to bring another element to your game.
See Gary Payton.
Alex can hopefully do that this year.
Poythress was more than a role player as a freshman, imo. He was our second leading scorer and third leading rebounder.
For whatever combination of reasons one wants to ascribe, Poy has functioned more as a role player since then.
I don't think that's an insult. To me, a role player is a guy who hustles, plays D, sets picks, and knocks down an open shot when it presents itself.
Occasionally, guys who are really good at one aspect of the game transcend the definition of role player and are seen more as specialists. Someone like Bruce Bowen comes to mind.
Or how about Steve Kerr/Kyle Korver? Their role was/is to knock down open spot up jumpers. But they became so proficient at it, that the term role player seems too flimsy.
Then there are players who are truly stars, but accept whatever role can help their team win. Dennis Rodman might be the best example, and I think this can apply to a guy like MKG.
Watch these types for long enough and their greatness shines through, no matter what role they are filling.
For whatever combination of reasons one wants to ascribe, Poy has functioned more as a role player since then.
I don't think that's an insult. To me, a role player is a guy who hustles, plays D, sets picks, and knocks down an open shot when it presents itself.
Occasionally, guys who are really good at one aspect of the game transcend the definition of role player and are seen more as specialists. Someone like Bruce Bowen comes to mind.
Or how about Steve Kerr/Kyle Korver? Their role was/is to knock down open spot up jumpers. But they became so proficient at it, that the term role player seems too flimsy.
Then there are players who are truly stars, but accept whatever role can help their team win. Dennis Rodman might be the best example, and I think this can apply to a guy like MKG.
Watch these types for long enough and their greatness shines through, no matter what role they are filling.
I just can't completely agree with this. To me, a roll guy is someone who brings a simple "roll" to the team and doesn't do much at all outside of that. A guy you need to bang 22 points a night is not a role player. A guy you need to shut down a teams best Player (Poythress here) is not a role guy. These are far more important to a team than a role player who's job is to do his only real roll well. Not to be a juggarnaunt in any facet really. Again, to me, that's not Poythress.
When you are a defender of Poythress's quality, that in itself defines you as needed and necessary, not someone who just fills a roll. Putting him in the same sentence with Hawkins would probably be an insult to Poythress, and liggins was more than a role player as well.
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Hawkins was the starting pg on a team that won 26 straight games. Why would it insult Poythress to be mentioned in the same sentence?
So you just have a different definition of role player than some of us.
I agree with Aike that Poy was more than a role player his freshman year, but not the next two.
If we are categorizing players as only stars and role players, then yes, a wing defender who can shut his man down is a role player if that is the only thing he excels at.
Now, if you are throwing in additional levels beyond those two categories then that changes the conversation.
The only UK player insulted here is Hawkins with your comment.
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