Yes, Cal gives some players much longer leashes especially if it’s someone he’s trying to get to the NBA on the fast track. He doesn’t seem to always place winning for UK over getting his One-N-Dones to the NBA.
Sheppard in practice
- Thread starter Smashcat
- Start date
I'm looking forward to getting some No. 15 NIL merchandise. I was in school when Jeff was, so know I feel really old 
Sheppard reminds me of Tyler Herro in some ways. He's the guy who isn't as highly rated as other guys in his class but he's showing more early than anyone expected. I hope he's the diamond in the rough we think he could be.
But we saw what happens two years ago when they aren't.
Grady and Tyty beat up and exhausted from too many minutes and the injuries that helped to cause.
I really pulling for the kid, just radiates high baskettball IQ, so does Wagner, I hope they get big minutes together. If this kid could have gotten three more inches of hight from his dad he'd be Rex Chapman.
Every kid/guy is different.
Never once heard anything about Wall or Bledsoe needing rest. I think today's kids are just soft by comparison.
I think you are all setting yourselves up for disappointment with Reed because he is a legacy guy and grew up in KY. Hope he proves me wrong.
Yes, coaches see these kids in practice every day, but Cal is a different guy. He uses different logic than most coaches.
Cal watched Askew, Boston, Wheeler, Hagans, Greene, Whitney, Skal etc… in practice every day, but he played them endlessly for wayyyy too long and watched those guys lose games all because, in Cal's mind, they need to play through it.
Those guys didn't earn those spots in practice, Cal just gave them their starting positions. He already had it in his mind that they were starters and nobody, or nothing was going to tell him any different.
Tyty should have been the pg over Wheeler. Askew never should have been on scholarship, Skal was never a back-to-the-basket center, he was a face up 4, Greene was not UK starter caliber, Boston was a huge mess every game, he single handedly lost many games for that 20/21 team and Maxey should have been the pg on the 19/20 team.
It doesn't matter what Cal sees in practice, he has his lineups pre-determined, so if Reed wants to see minutes this year, he's going to have to be very patient, because I can about guarantee he is not in Cal's pre-determined lineup at this point.
Sensible UK fans have known this since this blowhard started coaching at UK.
I would agree. The question that begs an answer is "why" does Cal do this ... year after year?
I don't know why people throw out the "if he stays 3-4 years" stuff. He won't be here 3-4 years. Nobody is. Plus, he is going to be a star. I'll be elated if we get him for year 2.
I’ve watched reed play numerous times in person. I watched him single handedly beat Noah’s Clowneys team (reed was only a JR). Reed had 1 player besides himself that was good at basketball, and somehow willed his team to beat a much more athletic team. He’s done this his entire high school career.
Reed can score if needed, can also make full court passes left handed in tight windows, he can play damn good defense… he can break a press by himself. Some people are forgetting that reed played against some of the best high school competition in the US
I don't think he is a bad player by any means, I just think Dom Hawkins' impact or a little more is what we'll see from his time at UK.
I watched Reed in 4 games last year. I question 2 things:
1) Can he create a shot in UK’s offense? He can shoot, but the question will be will anything be run to get him (or anyone really) an open look. Maybe Welsh will help revamp the offense some to help.
2) I saw him have good anticipation off the ball. I was not overly impressed with him staying in front of his man. He gambled quite a bit and could get away with it in HS. He may be able to, but I just didn’t see it in 4 games.
1) Can he create a shot in UK’s offense? He can shoot, but the question will be will anything be run to get him (or anyone really) an open look. Maybe Welsh will help revamp the offense some to help.
2) I saw him have good anticipation off the ball. I was not overly impressed with him staying in front of his man. He gambled quite a bit and could get away with it in HS. He may be able to, but I just didn’t see it in 4 games.
Very well stated. Those that do not see this are in complete denial of cal and his ways. If you aren’t in that pre-determined group you don’t just have to be good to play you have to bring all star level talent to the floor almost every minute your on the floor because as soon as you misstep (especially early when on the floor) out you go and likely will not see meaningful time the rest of the game.
Yep its funny because people said the same things about Herro that they do about Reed. Reed Sheppard has the talent to play in the league.
I think (or better stated - not much better than a wild guess at this point) that Shepherd could possibly play in the NBA. But I think he'll have to do so as a PG. One of those game manager PGs that don't make a lot of mistakes and kill you from the perimeter if left open.
Quick first step and he can score at all 3 levels. Finisher as well. UK can run some of the offense that they used for Lamb, Murray and Grady for him to get shots but he’s more creative than those 3 off the dribble. No worries he’s a team first guy.
Do think he’s a pg and can help there as well. Best long outlet passer I’ve seen in a long time. If teammates run the floor he’ll get it to them.
Thought his d was good and I’m sure he was told not to get around anyone and risk getting fouls.
People dwell on what players don’t do well more than what they do do well. He’s got a ton of attributes not to mention a terrific role model for Ky kids. He’s one of us. Nice to see.
Looking forward to watching this group develop.
Yeah I agree. I sometimes think its got something to do with the fact that everyone talks about it so much that it puts the idea in the players minds and kind of manifest itself into an issue. I feel like if it wasn't talked about or of it was kind of expected that the players are going to play every minute they can then it wouldnt be as big of an issue. I dont remember tired legs ever being an issue or something that was worrisome even just 5 years ago. It seems like the incident with Kellen Grady is what got everyone talking about this all the time.
I can’t wait just the preview we witnessed in Canada…. He’s going to be a really good player and we can bank on that…
If Cal will let him.
I'm really hoping Calipari doesn't screw this thing up. All the talk about Welch being here is fine, but I will only believe Cal has changed offensively when I see it. I'm expecting more rock fights and a season when we only average about 18 to 20 threes a game.
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Damn there are some awful takes in this thread. From what we’ve seen I don’t know what there is to complain about. Kid looked awesome and way ahead of where almost any other freshman we’ve had has looked at this point. I just hope we have him for a couple of years and not just one. Regardless, thank you to Mr and Mrs Sheppard!
His dad’s 15 should be in the rafters. I wish UK was more progressive in that matter. The Delk had to wait something like 20 years. Process of adding names should be changed imo.
@chroix I'm revising my statement after seeing him at GLOBL Jam. Even if his shot isn't falling he's a very headsy player. I do think he got away with a bunch which made him look very good, but he won't get away with that in the SEC. That said, his instincts are really good on defense as far as getting steals and blocks but a lot of those were gambles so we'll have to see how it translates to the NCAA and their uneven officiating.
I don't really know what to expect out of him now, but I've certainly revised my ceiling to somewhere much higher.
Agreed. Hard not to get excited the way he handled himself up north. Let’s hope it translates over in the states.
crazy how he crosses his feet on that dunk just like his dad
not quite the same athlete, but well ahead skillwise
not quite the same athlete, but well ahead skillwise
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