Skal going forward

[TriCountyCat]

i noticed he only got 9 minutes last night, and very little impact in those 9 minutes. I think 2 minutes of that was mop up time. What is this kid gonna do? If he gets drafted he will be like Daraki or Andrew making 30 grand in the D league. Will he improve enough to get a second contract? I can't see it. If he comes back and our incoming roster is as good as advertised he may get very few minutes next year. Could Skal be a 3-4 year player. I've seen players in middle school who are stronger and have a better feel for the game.

 

[brianpoe]

i noticed he only got 9 minutes last night, and very little impact in those 9 minutes. I think 2 minutes of that was mop up time. What is this kid gonna do? If he gets drafted he will be like Daraki or Andrew making 30 grand in the D league. Will he improve enough to get a second contract? I can't see it. If he comes back and our incoming roster is as good as advertised he may get very few minutes next year. Could Skal be a 3-4 year player. I've seen players in middle school who are stronger and have a better feel for the game.

If he is drafted in the 1st round as they say (???) he will have 3yrs of millions.

Big difference from D league nondraftees.

 

[GLR5555]

I find it hard to believe some GM will pick him in the 1st round. Stranger things have happened tho.

 

[anon_q409idbs5m40a]

He's probably gone, but even if he did stay would he really be a contributor next season, given our recruiting class that's coming in? He would give five more fouls in the paint but that's about it.

 

[uk78]

From what we read, even though he is marginal at best right now, he will be a high draft pick based upon his "potential." So, he will get a decent contract.

Many here take pride in how our players do in the NBA. I want anyone who comes to Kentucky to have success because it demonstrates why future recruits should come to our program. However, I would prefer they also do well when they are here.

I know some will jump on my post but quite frankly Skal has been a waste or a scholarship. He may have cost us some games as well with Cal doing everything possible to give him playing time. I also watched the over-time against A and M, and that second chance bucket might not have happened if Skal had maintained his position and rebounded the miss. But, he was easily pushed out of the way. He may eventually prove to be the reason we don't get to a Final Four or win a championship. Just imagine if we had KAT on this team or even someone a little less but still skilled? Plus, we all can see retrospectively that Humphries should have been getting his minutes during the season to develop.

 

[Bill - Shy Cat]

From what we read, even though he is marginal at best right now, he will be a high draft pick based upon his "potential." So, he will get a decent contract.

Many here take pride in how our players do in the NBA. I want anyone who comes to Kentucky to have success because it demonstrates why future recruits should come to our program. However, I would prefer they also do well when they are here.

I know some will jump on my post but quite frankly Skal has been a waste or a scholarship. He may have cost us some games as well with Cal doing everything possible to give him playing time. I also watched the over-time against A and M, and that second chance bucket might not have happened if Skal had maintained his position and rebounded the miss. But, he was easily pushed out of the way. He may eventually prove to be the reason we don't get to a Final Four or win a championship. Just imagine if we had KAT on this team or even someone a little less but still skilled? Plus, we all can see retrospectively that Humphries should have been getting his minutes during the season to develop.

Good post. I wish Skal the best in his future endeavors. After he gains about 20 pounds in the next three years, he will be a fantastic NBA player.

 

[brianpoe]

From what we read, even though he is marginal at best right now, he will be a high draft pick based upon his "potential." So, he will get a decent contract.

Many here take pride in how our players do in the NBA. I want anyone who comes to Kentucky to have success because it demonstrates why future recruits should come to our program. However, I would prefer they also do well when they are here.

I know some will jump on my post but quite frankly Skal has been a waste or a scholarship. He may have cost us some games as well with Cal doing everything possible to give him playing time. I also watched the over-time against A and M, and that second chance bucket might not have happened if Skal had maintained his position and rebounded the miss. But, he was easily pushed out of the way. He may eventually prove to be the reason we don't get to a Final Four or win a championship. Just imagine if we had KAT on this team or even someone a little less but still skilled? Plus, we all can see retrospectively that Humphries should have been getting his minutes during the season to develop.

Skal had to pick up the shooter who simply went around Murray.

Leaving his man for the easy putback while Jamal stood behind him.

Blaming Skal for that is awful. He has been a huge disappointment, no need to make things up.

 

[kats23]

Skal is gone and he'll be a 1st rounder. Too much potential and if he falls to one of the better teams in the NBA as a late 1st rounder, it will be better for him. No knock on Cal, but I still don't think he's using him correctly. I think he's a decent pro at the end of the day.

 

[assistbyhawkins]

Skal is gone and he'll be a 1st rounder. Too much potential and if he falls to one of the better teams in the NBA as a late 1st rounder, it will be better for him. No knock on Cal, but I still don't think he's using him correctly. I think he's a decent pro at the end of the day.

How do you think Cal should use him?? And how do you think he will be used in the pros??

We are talking about the worst rebounder and defender I have seen at UK, the weakest most pathetic excuse of a 7 footer Ive ever seen, a guy with zero post skills and quite frankly, a mediocre to good jumper, with zero handles.

So where does he fit at the next level and how could have Cal used such a worthless hack any differently than he has to where he could be a productive player?? He has him on pick and rolls now and he cant even do that.

 

[brianpoe]

Skal is gone and he'll be a 1st rounder. Too much potential and if he falls to one of the better teams in the NBA as a late 1st rounder, it will be better for him. No knock on Cal, but I still don't think he's using him correctly. I think he's a decent pro at the end of the day.

I think Cal is playing dumb like he doesn't know the kid is simply a stretch 4.

But this team needed more than that. This is how he is playing now and there is nothing to offer if the jumper isn't falling.

Cal was hoping to develop some post game for the betterment of the team.

Lee has none and Alex is Karl Malone but only once every 4 games.

 

[KA4Prez]

Here's the thing. Remember Marcus Lee's Freshman year? The guy wasn't as hyped as Skal, but he got buried as the rotation tightened. He contributed very little during SEC play. He got his chance in the NCAA's after WCS's injury. This team, while deeper than that team, isn't necessarily bulletproof when it comes to injuries and you never know when they might have a match-up where they can exploit Skal's size.

I'd like to see them give him 2 or 3 legit post touches going forward, but I'd almost guarantee he will be needed at some point during this year to contribute.

 

[kats23]

How do you think Cal should use him?? And how do you think he will be used in the pros??

We are talking about the worst rebounder and defender I have seen at UK, the weakest most pathetic excuse of a 7 footer Ive ever seen, a guy with zero post skills and quite frankly, a mediocre to good jumper, with zero handles.

So where does he fit at the next level and how could have Cal used such a worthless hack any differently than he has to where he could be a productive player?? He has him on pick and rolls now and he cant even do that.

I think an NBA team will use him out on the floor more and continue to develop that jumper. Cal is a back to the basket coach with his bigs. Look at Towns last year. Cal knew for him to succeed in the NBA he would have to learn to play back to basket. Even though Karl has a really nice shooting touch he wasn't asked or was he needed to to step out and hit long jumpers. But he's a 5 in the NBA and the T-wolves are using his jump shooting skills to their advantage. They use him in a number of ways. Skal isn't a back to basket player and while I think he will get better in that retrospect, I don't think he will be asked to play the 5 in the pros. He's a 4. Cal's offense is just traditionally not going to be great for a big that can't play back to the basket with his Dribble Drive and motion because you have to attack the basket, something Skal doesn't do well.

I think bc of his age and lack of experience to this point, I think he'll wind up being a better player in the pros than what we saw here. That happens, we don't always get the best of these one and done players.

 

[docholiday51]

The kid is in a tough spot,maybe he is a late first round pick based on "potential" but at his current developmental level he also has great "potential" to fail rather quickly in the NBA.If he returns he has "potential" to improve his draft position and to be more ready for the NBA.

UK doesn't need him to return,but in order to give him the best chance to succeed at the next level he needs to return.He is not ready from a basketball,mental or emotional standpoint

 

[qwesley]

Will go somewhere around 20th, get a $5m deal, spend 2-3 years in the NBDL, get random call ups, and bounce around after that first contract getting minimum deals or going overseas. It all depends on how much range he adds and if he can add 20-30 pounds to keep from being run thru in the post.

 

[assistbyhawkins]

I think an NBA team will use him out on the floor more and continue to develop that jumper. Cal is a back to the basket coach with his bigs. Look at Towns last year. Cal knew for him to succeed in the NBA he would have to learn to play back to basket. Even though Karl has a really nice shooting touch he wasn't asked or was he needed to to step out and hit long jumpers. But he's a 5 in the NBA and the T-wolves are using his jump shooting skills to their advantage. They use him in a number of ways. Skal isn't a back to basket player and while I think he will get better in that retrospect, I don't think he will be asked to play the 5 in the pros. He's a 4. Cal's offense is just traditionally not going to be great for a big that can't play back to the basket with his Dribble Drive and motion because you have to attack the basket, something Skal doesn't do well.

I think bc of his age and lack of experience to this point, I think he'll wind up being a better player in the pros than what we saw here. That happens, we don't always get the best of these one and done players.

Cal has tried him at the 4 shooting jumpers. It hasnt worked either because Skal is such an uncoordinated, worthless hoops player, it wont matter where you play him.

Sorry but I laugh at the notion Skal can play the 4 in the NBA. Which one of these 4s does Skal's game resemble?

Anthony Davis
Blake Griffin
Lamarcus Aldridge
Dreymond Green
Paul George
Kevin Love
Zach Randolph
Serge Ibaka
just to name a few. Skal playing the 4 in the NBA will be an even bigger joke than him playing it at UK. Skal doesnt have a position. Hes not a 4 and is too big of a pussy to be a 5.

Hes an overrated waste of a scholarship and he will be a career D-Leaguer at best. This has zero to do with how Cal has used him and everything to do with the fact that Skal lacks the desire or brains to get better.

 

[qwesley]

Could be the next Matt Bullard with some hard work.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

i noticed he only got 9 minutes last night, and very little impact in those 9 minutes. I think 2 minutes of that was mop up time. What is this kid gonna do? If he gets drafted he will be like Daraki or Andrew making 30 grand in the D league. Will he improve enough to get a second contract? I can't see it. If he comes back and our incoming roster is as good as advertised he may get very few minutes next year. Could Skal be a 3-4 year player. I've seen players in middle school who are stronger and have a better feel for the game.

Not if he is drafted in the 1st round. He will have a guaranteed 3 yr contract. In the latest mock draft, he was at 14th spot. So, while he is falling, it's not a huge fall. If he can somehow even just play halfway decent the rest of the way, he could improve on that. He oozes potential and it seems like the NBA people are looking for him to just give them a reason to draft him. When Alex dropped, it seemed like he dropped quickly and it just seems like Skal is sticking around the lottery with contributing absolutely nothing to this team. I think it cements the fact that the most important variable in your draft stock is potential.

 

[docholiday51]

I think there is value in Skal's game,he is just so far behind in his understanding and approach to high level basketball that he is like a high school sophomore playing against top 20 college competition. He can make up the ground in the right situation but he needs Cal to have the best chance to do that.

 

[KyFaninNC]

pathetic excuse of a 7 footer Ive ever seen

Do you not remember, Shag, Jared Carter, and Orbutz? That was 21 ft and 7 inches sitting on the end of the bench while a 6' 1 PG led the team in rebounding. So, he is not the worst, I have seen.

 

[qwesley]

If he can somehow even just play halfway decent the rest of the way, he could improve on that.

He isn't trending that way and even with Willis out he only got 9 minutes including mop up.

 

[assistbyhawkins]

Do you not remember, Shag, Jared Carter, and Orbutz? That was 21 ft and 7 inches sitting on the end of the bench while a 6' 1 PG led the team in rebounding. So, he is not the worst, I have seen.

Which one of those guys was ranked the number 2 player in the class and slated to be a top 5 pick in the NBA draft??? None of them.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

Cal has tried him at the 4 shooting jumpers. It hasnt worked either because Skal is such an uncoordinated, worthless hoops player, it wont matter where you play him.

Sorry but I laugh at the notion Skal can play the 4 in the NBA. Which one of these 4s does Skal's game resemble?

Anthony Davis
Blake Griffin
Lamarcus Aldridge
Dreymond Green
Paul George
Kevin Love
Zach Randolph
Serge Ibaka
just to name a few. Skal playing the 4 in the NBA will be an even bigger joke than him playing it at UK. Skal doesnt have a position. Hes not a 4 and is too big of a pussy to be a 5.

Hes an overrated waste of a scholarship and he will be a career D-Leaguer at best. This has zero to do with how Cal has used him and everything to do with the fact that Skal lacks the desire or brains to get better.

Yeah, I know he is struggling but an "uncoordinated, worthless hoops player" is a bit harsh and just untrue. He lacks the brains to get better? The kid is actually really smart. I guess all the NBA people who still see him as a lottery pick are all just off their rockers. One major reason for his struggles now is due to his frame and his lack of strength at the moment. Yes, his lack of grasping the college game is concerning and it's obvious that he was over rated but to say he is worthless is just ridiculous. He has potential and has the skill set that can make him a great basketball player. I really think the year off and just his overall lack of competitive basketball has dramatically hurt his basketball IQ but I don't think it's because he is dumb. He is literally the weakest basketball player that I've ever seen and he seriously needs to add to his frame. Even Davis was slot stronger than Skal and we all know his frame when he was here.
Im sure there are other problems going on with him besides his frame but my point is that he is not a worthless, uncoordinated hoops player who is too dumb to get better. That's all I'm saying.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

He isn't trending that way and even with Willis out he only got 9 minutes including mop up.

Oh, I'm not saying it's going to happen. I was just saying if he could somehow play well. LOL.

 

[Ukblue12]

He won't get drafted, at least not in the first round. No way, no chance. Nba gm's can be dumb, but they aren't that dumb. And please stop saying they draft on potential, he doesn't have any! A kid like Wiggins had potential, Young had a ton of potential, skal has no potential and everyone sees is. He's not getting drafted

 

[uk78]

"Do you not remember, Shag, Jared Carter, and Orbutz?"

Wow, if we are comparing Skal to these 3, he is in big trouble. I will agree that Skal is a big disappointment from how he was rated, but these comparisons really might sum it all up as well.

By the way, what ever happened to Skal's baby hook? He now only takes these jump shots from the paint and they are not money in the bank either.

 

[runt#69]

Could be the next Matt Bullard with some hard work.

OMG !!! I haven't thought of "Air Bullard" since I lived in Houston way back in the nineties !!! Great pickup, qwesley ! lol

 

[tbone.ky]

Obviously, the best thing Skal has going for him is potential at the next level. Going forward this season, it wouldn't surprise me to actually see him get even fewer minutes with Willis and Hump's improvement.

Cal may be thinking that limiting his playing time is not only the best option for the team, but for Skal also. Limited minutes and lack of exposure could maintain the "mystery" about his potential with the NBA. We all know that Cal is devoted to his players reaching the next level (sometimes too much).

Draft combines are a product of sport's "science" (rather than fundamentals and production from scrimmages) that assess athleticism, measurements, etc. And at 7', Skal just may have enough "athletic potential" at NBA workouts that will impress some NBA teams to roll the dice with a late first-round pick-- especially with this weak draft.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

sounds like someone needs to get a timeout. Pretty sure that disrespecting players like ABH is doing is not only not allowed but a classless act by a coward sitting behind a keyboard. Skal hasn't played anywhere near his potential but he is still a Cat so show some f'ing respect.

 

[JohnnyGentle]

he doesn't rebound. can't be out there

looks ok shooting jumpers and blocks some shots, so he is draftable, though probably a bust

 

[Elliott Tim]

sounds like someone needs to get a timeout. Pretty sure that disrespecting players like ABH is doing is not only not allowed but a classless act by a coward sitting behind a keyboard. Skal hasn't played anywhere near his potential but he is still a Cat so show some f'ing respect.

Fair post. Think some of the Chrystal balls and tarot cards being used are worn out. I suggest the eight ball. You just ask it till it gives you the answer you are looking for.

 

[KA4Prez]

he doesn't rebound. can't be out there

looks ok shooting jumpers and blocks some shots, so he is draftable, though probably a bust

Skal isn't ever going to be a great rebounder until he gets stronger and understands where to be. It doesn't mean he shouldn't be on the floor.

 

[KyFaninNC]

Which one of those guys was ranked the number 2 player in the class and slated to be a top 5 pick in the NBA draft

Sorry, I don't remember seeing that qualifier in your post. In that case, I agree with you.

 

[assistbyhawkins]

Skal isn't ever going to be a great rebounder until he gets stronger and understands where to be. It doesn't mean he shouldn't be on the floor.

Can you tell me why he SHOULD be on the floor?? What does he do to contribute when he's out there? He doesnt rebound, he doesnt play defense, he doesnt score. So what qualifies him for minutes??

Its really sad when a 17 year old Australian is light years ahead of an almost 20 year old guy ranked as high as 2 in his class.

 

[KA4Prez]

So Skal shouldn't play at all?

And why do you keep bringing in his recruiting ranking and NBA projection? That has little to do with his effectiveness for UK. Nobody is going to disagree with you that Skal isn't a bust compared to expectations.

To say he shouldn't get minutes when Charles Matthews and Dominique Hawkins are getting consistent minutes is stupid.

 

[LHScat]

Regardless of what happens the rest of this year, Skal is gone. He is absolutely oozing with natural basketball talent.

He's an all time workout wonder. Go watch some of his workout videos on YouTube, especially the one at the Hoop Summit this year. He made Thon Maker, Chieck Diallo and Tai look pedestrian. He just can't translate it to basketball game speed.

Get him in front of a few coaches and GMs and their egos are going to tell them they can fix whatever is wrong with this kid. He has too much ability, whether he'll ever apply it or not. He's the ultimate boom-or-bust pick.

 

[spotter34]

I think an NBA team will use him out on the floor more and continue to develop that jumper. Cal is a back to the basket coach with his bigs. Look at Towns last year. Cal knew for him to succeed in the NBA he would have to learn to play back to basket. Even though Karl has a really nice shooting touch he wasn't asked or was he needed to to step out and hit long jumpers. But he's a 5 in the NBA and the T-wolves are using his jump shooting skills to their advantage. They use him in a number of ways. Skal isn't a back to basket player and while I think he will get better in that retrospect, I don't think he will be asked to play the 5 in the pros. He's a 4. Cal's offense is just traditionally not going to be great for a big that can't play back to the basket with his Dribble Drive and motion because you have to attack the basket, something Skal doesn't do well.

I think bc of his age and lack of experience to this point, I think he'll wind up being a better player in the pros than what we saw here. That happens, we don't always get the best of these one and done players.

First of all, Karl wouldn't be the player he is in the NBA if Cal hadn't made him play primarily in the post last year. Cal knew he could already shoot the ball but he wasn't developed playing in the post. Same for Cousins. Demarcus loved shooting 3's in high school. That was his biggest flaw as a recruit, shot selection. Cal made him play in the post and it made Cousins the player he is now. Same for AD. We needed all of those guys to play in the paint at Kentucky and it made everyone of them better all-around offensive players and they would all tell you the same thing.

Skal was Cal's next project to expand their game by forcing him to play in the paint. Cal knows he can shoot but Kentucky needed him in the paint. He just hasn't developed that fight that is required to succeed playing in the paint. Plus his understanding of the game is way behind what Cal's other post players was. The lack of fight and strength really shows on the defensive end and this is the main reason his playing time continues to diminish.

He'll get drafted somewhere and he'll either develop his strength and understanding of the game or he'll be playing foreign ball for as long as he can. I don't expect to see him on the roster next year. But Cal is not to blame for Skal's lack of success. His track record for developing NBA ready post players is undeniable. He just brought in a guy that had more holes in his game than anyone realized and weaknesses that couldn't be resolved with one year of his coaching. If he stayed and continued developing he could really become an outstanding all around player and make it back to the lottery by his junior year but I think we all know he'll probably take what money he can get now and fall through the cracks of the NBA.

 

[assistbyhawkins]

So Skal shouldn't play at all?

And why do you keep bringing in his recruiting ranking and NBA projection? That has little to do with his effectiveness for UK. Nobody is going to disagree with you that Skal isn't a bust compared to expectations.

To say he shouldn't get minutes when Charles Matthews and Dominique Hawkins are getting consistent minutes is stupid.

He should absolutely not play in front of Lee, Poythress, Willis or Humphries. Absolutely not. Those 4 guys are all much better than him at the things this team nees and bring way more to the table. Skal should be a guy you use in a pinch for foul trouble, give someone a breather, if someone gets injured. Other than that, no, I dont think he should play.

And Hawkins and Matthews are both more productive than Skal is. They can at least play defense, grab some boards, contribute something.

 

[KA4Prez]

Disagree. You're being blinded by Skal's hype. Advanced statistics has him as a more valuable offensive player than Humphries and Matthews. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he should get any more than his 10-15 minutes, but he shouldn't be getting 0 and those guys getting more.

 

[brianpoe]

This is the main problem for so many of our fans... incoming recruit projections.

Their feeling were hurt because the "experts" touted these kids as the next great thing and when they dont play as well as they expected, as true freshmen, they crap all over them....

Terrible fans like this were embarassing to be around with Archie, the Harrisons, and some times with Dakari.

Its not about UK, and these are our players for better or worse along with fairly critiquing their play, it's personal and they are mad. mad, mad.

 

[brianpoe]

He should absolutely not play in front of Lee, Poythress, Willis or Humphries. Absolutely not. Those 4 guys are all much better than him at the things this team nees and bring way more to the table. Skal should be a guy you use in a pinch for foul trouble, give someone a breather, if someone gets injured. Other than that, no, I dont think he should play.

And Hawkins and Matthews are both more productive than Skal is. They can at least play defense, grab some boards, contribute something.

Lee, Poy, Willis, and Hump have deserved more time than Skal, that I agree.