Skal going forward

[JonathanW]

With the new (& better) rules in place, he will be able to tryout for a few teams, and he & Cal should get good feedback on whether or not he should go in the first round.
Personally I think a GM would be STUPID to take him in the 1st, but GMs make stupid picks sometimes. It just takes one team/GM to really like you.
If he is expected to go in the 1st & get the guaranteed 6/7 figure contract, I think he leaves. If he is projected in the 2nd (or later) I think he returns.

If he returns, I don't think it's a given that he doesn't play. He has the height, length, athletic ability, and mid-range jumper. He just needs strength (especially in his hands), and determination & confidence. No reason why he can't fill those needs this summer. In which case, Lee could be the odd man out (in terms of minutes). Or maybe (hope not) Gabriel or Killeya-Jones is less impactful than expected.

 

[kats23]

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

Uhhh..yeah I know. That's why I wrote..." 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"

But Cal knew Karl would be asked to post up and play back to the basket in the NBA. I don't think Skal will be asked to do that.

 

[WeWant9]

At this point Skal is just a reserve to give our other bigs a breather from time to time. I think Cal has given him plenty of opportunities to succeed, he's just not at that level yet. You can tell he has the attributes and tools to be a good player, but like a puzzle you got to find ways to connect them. I liked another posters though on Lees NCAAT game vs Mich, perhaps Skal will have a similar game come March.

You can't blame the kid for his preseason hype, it's not like he was the one saying I'm a top pick. I think after the Duke game I completely adjusted my expectations of Skal. He's a guy with a lot of talent, but he lacks some fundamentals. I really think a guy like him could benefit from the d-league. He would be able to devout 100% of his time to hoops, something you just can't do in college.

 

[spotter34]

I think Skal's demeanor on the floor draws a lot of UK fans ire. He isn't intense in the least. He's always kind of smiling and always looks lost. Humphries looked the same way earlier in the year. He doesn't look that way anymore.

 

[Bluegrass79]

I put SKAL in the game and tell him to TRY and block everything till he fouls out. Keep him in even after 2 fouls. Just block all shots and don't worry about fouls or coming out of the game.
On offense ALWAYS pass after 1 move to the basket. Never shoot or try anything. Just decoy. Thanks Skal good luck in the NBA.

 

[ukcatsfan2]

"If" Skal would opt to come back next year, he would be competing with some extremely talented Players.

it could work for him or against him, but there is no doubt the talent UK has next year would be as good as the NBDL.

So if you can make "some" money while honing skills, do you go?

Or continue living the College Experience and working towards a degree?

it's a tough position to be in, and it hasn't worked out for all Players who jumped at the chance....

 

[TriCountyCat]

I don't get projections sometimes. I would much rather have that bruiser from Texas A&M under the basket than Skal but I would venture to say that he isn't on any draft boards. I could see that guy developing a jump shot before I could see Skal learning how to rebound, get proper position, play defense, or finish under the basket.

 

[assistbyhawkins]

I think Skal's demeanor on the floor draws a lot of UK fans ire. He isn't intense in the least. He's always kind of smiling and always looks lost. Humphries looked the same way earlier in the year. He doesn't look that way anymore.

This is a large part of my problem with Skal. I simply think he doesnt try very hard, and that drives me nuts. Rebounding is about effort and hes a pathetic rebounder, especially for a 7 foot athlete. Its embarrassing.

My other problem with the guy is his cheap shots, flexing and other antics. I dont like that crap out of guys that are actually good or can back it up, let alone a guy that should be playing Division 3 hoops. I find Skals entire game and act to be an embarrassment.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

I think Skal will go if he's a first round pick...And I think in 3-4 years and 50-60 pounds, he'll emerge as a decent NBA 4, with nice touch out to the 3 point lane and the size and quickness to be a serviceable rebounder.

But if he figures out he is slipping out of the first round, I predict he returns to Kentucky. And I hope he does. Writing off a kid who got overwhelmed as a college freshman who'd never played against top competition before is the definition of foolish. Give him nine months of weight training and stacked up sessions in a big man's camp, and he will surprise people.

 

[spotter34]

This is a large part of my problem with Skal. I simply think he doesnt try very hard, and that drives me nuts. Rebounding is about effort and hes a pathetic rebounder, especially for a 7 foot athlete. Its embarrassing.

My other problem with the guy is his cheap shots, flexing and other antics. I dont like that crap out of guys that are actually good or can back it up, let alone a guy that should be playing Division 3 hoops. I find Skals entire game and act to be an embarrassment.

Wow! Don't be shy. I do happen to agree with everything you said other than plaing Div 3. I actually think he could play Div 2.

 

[anewfanatic]

Guy needs to return. If you have potential and projected late first round max, come back and move up to lottery/top 5. You'll get waaaaay more money over your contract and waaaay more playing time. Dont leave for the nba when you get pushed around like a rag doll against COLLEGE players

 

[TNCatfanforever]

I keep hearing about this potential....I could see potential in some of our others who got drafted...I see no potential in this young man right now....it may come but not there now.

 

[moe#8]

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.

I wish someone would explain to me what they actually see in Skal to say he is oozing with potential. I am not knocking the kid, but I hear all over this board that Skal has so much potential, I personally have never seen any. that doesn't say much for Cal either, if he has all that potential Cal sure hasn't brought any out of him. He isn't a bit better at the end of a full season as he was at the start of the year, again what do you see that I don't.

 

[.S&C.]

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.

Orbzut would own Skal. Absolutely own him.

 

[.S&C.]

I wish someone would explain to me what they actually see in Skal to say he is oozing with potential. I am not knocking the kid, but I hear all over this board that Skal has so much potential, I personally have never seen any. that doesn't say much for Cal either, if he has all that potential Cal sure hasn't brought any out of him. He isn't a bit better at the end of a full season as he was at the start of the year, again what do you see that I don't.

Great quotes of the board for 2016 used way to much.

1. Skal and potential used in the same sentence. That was the 3,323,435,342 time.

2. Briscoe could shoot well in high school.

 

[JohnnyGentle]

orbzut played 200 minutes as a 21 year old freshman. had 26 rebounds and 6 blocks

he wouldn't own anybody

 

[.S&C.]

orbzut played 200 minutes as a 21 year old freshman. had 26 rebounds and 6 blocks

he wouldn't own anybody

He would own Skal.

 

[JohnnyGentle]

no, he wouldn't, because he was terrible

skal is bad. orbzut was worse

 

[LineSkiCat14]

He needs to make some life choices real soon. Either get better and fight for minutes with a great incoming front court next year or transfer to a smaller program/mid-major.

One thing is for sure, he's not going to get more than 5mpg next year unless he improves his game and effort. Will he be fine with that?

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Skal never developing has hurt the team, but not as bad as I thought. Willis and The Hump being better role players has prevented my worst case for this team if Skal never came around.

 

[JohnnyGentle]

skal is already 15 blocks over orbzut's career total, and 15 points from equaling orbzut's career total

orbzut's rebounding, for his career, was even worse than skal's

skal is a huge disappointment. orbzut couldn't play and had zero business being here

 

[willievic]

I don't understand how anyone doesn't think another year in college woudn't help him. He could get in the weight room, add some pounds to start with. His basketball IQ is very low. If you watch him when he sets a pick for one of the guard, he then just stands there, basically just watching the game, while the guard drives to the basket.
If you watch Humphries, after he sets the pick, he rolls to the basket, for a pass or to be in position for the rebound. When Humphries blocks out for a rebound, he pins his man on his back, with the elbows out, knees bent, and his big butt preventing his man from getting around him. A world of difference between the two players.
Another year under Cal. and scrimmaging against Humphries and the players coming in would definitely help Skal. I'm not for sure he will be a first rounder.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[JohnnyGentle]

I don't understand how anyone doesn't think another year in college woudn't help him. He could get in the weight room, add some pounds to start with. His basketball IQ is very low. If you watch him when he sets a pick for one of the guard, he then just stands there, basically just watching the game, while the guard drives to the basket.
If you watch Humphries, after he sets the pick, he rolls to the basket, for a pass or to be in position for the rebound. When Humphries blocks out for a rebound, he pins his man on his back, with the elbows out, knees bent, and his big butt preventing his man from getting around him. A world of difference between the two players.
Another year under Cal. and scrimmaging against Humphries and the players coming in would definitely help Skal. I'm not for sure he will be a first rounder.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

i think the problem, from his perspective, is that even with that development, he'd be a year older, in a stronger draft, and with better frontcourt players coming in and at least two guys currently ahead of him returning

the nba guys are going to look at him as a guy who probably adds some strength, and make a judgment on how likely it is that he can become even an average rebounder

 

[TriCountyCat]

Daniel Orton looked like a God compared to Skal, Orton is no where to be found in the league now. Only thing working for Skal is his height, touch and he is still young. He has time to grow up and be an OK player but he is 5-7 years away IMO.

 

[chevyman 50]

Just cannot see any pro team would want him, they got to be alot better players out there they would take a chance on, I thank Brisco will be the same way who wants a 6 3 guard who cannot shoot..I would say he will be at UK next yr..

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

I wish someone would explain to me what they actually see in Skal to say he is oozing with potential. I am not knocking the kid, but I hear all over this board that Skal has so much potential, I personally have never seen any. that doesn't say much for Cal either, if he has all that potential Cal sure hasn't brought any out of him. He isn't a bit better at the end of a full season as he was at the start of the year, again what do you see that I don't.

If you can't see his potential, then I don't think that I can say much to open your eyes, but I'll give it a shot.

Skal's 6'11" size, bounce, quickness and inside-out skills still fuel enticing pro potential. While he hasn't been a defensive stopper that some projected, he does have the foot quickness and length to be a quality defender and rim protector as he also possesses a good wingspan.
He has shown to have great touch and a beautiful shooting form on his jumper. Also has a decent low post game, although he is very rarely able to show it because he gets shoved off the block so easily. Even if he is able to get his initial proper positioning down low, he is unable to hold that position long enough to make any kind of move cause he can't hold that position at all. But he has shown that he does possess good skills down low with a really good jump hook.

I think it's his mid range game that can be something he hangs his hat on in the future. Skal's got a great mid range game for his size. It can become his foundation for him do build around in the future and can open up many different skills and weapons in his game. That is very enticing to the NBA teams and something they can build around if he develops. With more strength and confidence, that skill set alone can be a huge weapon for him as a player.
I'm not sure what you see when you watch him play but I do see a player that has great potential. With his skill set, size, and length, I can easily see him developing into a good pro. There is nothing I see that screams career threatening and I think most of his issues are fixable, such as his frame, strength, and confidence. Even his lack of understanding the game can be developed. Players get smarter and smarter with experience and Skal will be no different. It's obvious that his lack of competitive basketball has been extremely detrimental in his development as a player. More time on the court and in the weight room will help him tremendously, IMO. Unless there is something going on behind the scenes that I can't see, I can't see anything that I believe will keep him from developing. He does well in the classroom, so we know he is intelligent. There just isn't any glaring issues that are not fixable. He just needs more coaching, weight room time, and court time and I think he will become a great player. Thats just my opinion though.

 

[KY Long Rifle]

Skal never developing has hurt the team, but not as bad as I thought. Willis and The Hump being better role players has prevented my worst case for this team if Skal never came around.

You read my mind. Early on I saw Skal was going to struggle. I thought then that if he didn't get the hang of it, this could be a rough season. But, he hasn't improved and we are doing just fine. I agree, other guys stepping up has saved our season.

 

[moe#8]

If you can't see his potential, then I don't think that I can say much to open your eyes, but I'll give it a shot.

Labissiere's 6'11" size, bounce, quickness and inside-out skills still fuel enticing pro potential. While he hasn't been a defensive stopper that some projected, he does have the foot quickness and length to be a quality defender and rim protector as he also possesses a good wingspan.
He has shown to have great touch and form on his jumper. He also has a decent low post game, although he is very rarely able to show it because he gets shoved off the block so easily. Even if he gets his wanted position down low, he is unable to hold that position long enough to make any kind of move but he has shown in the past that he does have decent skills down low with a really good jump hook. He also has a great mid range game for his size. That is a very enticing skill set to the NBA. With more strength and confidence, that skill set alone will be a huge weapon for him as a player. Skal has great touch and a beautiful looking shot, as he has shown from time to time. That skill will lead to more weapons for him to use.
I'm not sure what you see when you watch him play but I do see a player that has great potential. With his skill set, size, and length, I can easily see him developing into a good pro. There is nothing I see that would career threatening and I think most of his issues are obviously his frame and strength, as well as his mental state. It's obvious that his lack of competitive basketball has been extremely detrimental in his development as a player. More time on the court and more time in the weight room will help him tremendously, IMO. Unless there is something going on behind the scenes that I can't see, I can't see anything that I believe will keep him from developing. He does well in the classroom, so we know he is intelligent. There is no glaring issues that are not fixable. He just needs more coaching, weight room time, and court time and I think he will become a great player. Thad just my opinion though.

thanks for your reply, I honestly only see his mid range game as being somewhat acceptable, at the moment that's all I can think of. I hope you are right and I am wrong.

 

[Dablueman]

You read my mind. Early on I saw Skal was going to struggle. I thought then that if he didn't get the hang of it, this could be a rough season. But, he hasn't improved and we are doing just fine. I agree, other guys stepping up has saved our season.

I agree. He has good timing on block shots. I mean the kid has been a disappointment for sure but blasting him the say we are. People really don't remember him early in the season? Playing against the mid majors? They think he could only play in division 2? Several things happened to Skal when we struggled to shoot early teams packed it in on him and he wasn't able to score. Then when he was aggressive for rebounds he was called for fouls. What I see is a kid whos confidence is shook to the core. This is still the same kid who took it to Simmons for a week straight at the Hoops Summit. He is weak and he has more than likely got a guardian in his ear and not helping matters now he has virtually no confidence. What we think is effort is hesitance. All u have to do is rewatch the summit and early games here to see that. The right now everyone is right Hump has gotten over the wall. His confidence is growing and u can see it And he deserves the minutes. However to fight off Skal as being a div 2 or 3 player or not as good as some of Tubbys stiffs come on! He has no moves other than a jumper funny early on he was hitting a hook shot fairly often. Now one thing most of our other big fresh had was some competition in practice to help them get better day after day. If he goes to work outs and performs well he will get drafted first round. Remember Andre Drummond? Can't miss 7 ft had a terrible fresh season at UConn considering he was supposed to dominate from day one. Goes to work outs performs well and he was drafted lottery

 

[westerncat]

If Skal goes after this season he may go 1st round because as many of you have said the draft is very weak this year. But for the life of me I just don't see him going in the 1st round. He does not even know how to position for a rebound and when he does get one a child could take it away form him. It would be better for him to come back for another year gain strength and have another year of coaching under Cal but even then he may not see that much playing time. I think he will leave after this year and will get eaten alive even in the D league.

 

[BoulderCat]

I think he likely goes, or probably stays 3-4 years. He's really not ready, but if someone will draft him he may go. I'm certainly not looking for him to make much of a contribution to this year's team. Humphries may end up getting more minutes, and making a bigger contribution. He already is.

 

[stoneycat_20]

Skal is going make a lot of you people look and feel foolish

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

Lol how out of touch do you have to be to think Skal will be getting $30k D-league checks next season.

He's not good right now, but he;s going in the 1st round. Thats a lock.

 

[stoneycat_20]

I agree. He has good timing on block shots. I mean the kid has been a disappointment for sure but blasting him the say we are. People really don't remember him early in the season? Playing against the mid majors? They think he could only play in division 2? Several things happened to Skal when we struggled to shoot early teams packed it in on him and he wasn't able to score. Then when he was aggressive for rebounds he was called for fouls. What I see is a kid whos confidence is shook to the core. This is still the same kid who took it to Simmons for a week straight at the Hoops Summit. He is weak and he has more than likely got a guardian in his ear and not helping matters now he has virtually no confidence. What we think is effort is hesitance. All u have to do is rewatch the summit and early games here to see that. The right now everyone is right Hump has gotten over the wall. His confidence is growing and u can see it And he deserves the minutes. However to fight off Skal as being a div 2 or 3 player or not as good as some of Tubbys stiffs come on! He has no moves other than a jumper funny early on he was hitting a hook shot fairly often. Now one thing most of our other big fresh had was some competition in practice to help them get better day after day. If he goes to work outs and performs well he will get drafted first round. Remember Andre Drummond? Can't miss 7 ft had a terrible fresh season at UConn considering he was supposed to dominate from day one. Goes to work outs performs well and he was drafted lottery

I agree Skal has lots of bb skills..He has a jump hook over both sholders..he has a turn around jumper..he can hit the short jumper..he can also make 3's...This is not the real Skal we see right now..Anyone see him at the MCHF??..wow..His main problem is confidence..He's weak but not as weak as he looks or plays..I think he dont know how to handle Cal's screaming.

 

[fla.cat]

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.

WELL SAID....ON THE NOSE. I ONLY WISH THE BEST FOR HIM, WHETHER HE STAYS OR NOT, BUT HE HAS NO BUSINESS GOING TOMTHE NBA this year.

 

[assistbyhawkins]

Lol how out of touch do you have to be to think Skal will be getting $30k D-league checks next season.

He's not good right now, but he;s going in the 1st round. Thats a lock.

Werent you on here about a year ago guaranteeing that both Harrison twins would go first round and be starters in the league for a long time??? Im pretty sure that was you. How did that prediction turn out??

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

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.

You must not watch a lot of basketball if you don't think skal was in position to EASILY grab that rebound. Easily could've had it. He just stood there and looked at the rim as he was standing under the rim.

 

[brianpoe]

You must not watch a lot of basketball if you don't think skal was in position to EASILY grab that rebound. Easily could've had it. He just stood there and looked at the rim as he was standing under the rim.

You know, I have purposely avoided your posts since you came back from humiliation and changing your user name.

Granted you havent been nearly as awful as you were but still..

Dont make me release your photo and awful rap videos full of curse words and language denigrating females.

 

[jauk11]

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.

Some of you guys would get a lot of attaboys if I gave attaboys for eating your own.

I would imagine you would stuff him in a one on one game, right?

 

[struggler]

Skal - he's been the source to a lot of
debate and frustration. I am not going to be super harsh, because though he was over-hyped, he is also an overwhelmed kid who isn't going to benefit much from a verbal smash-down from a middle aged blog poster. He may be a great kid, rough to suffer through the tragedy in Haiti, but let's be honest about where he IS (not potentially could be) basketball-wise. To his benefit, he can shoot when wide open - decent touch, he can shoot free throws decently for a big guy, and he can dunk over inferior size and strength. He has a 7 foot frame. That is all I can come up with. To his deficit - and many have already said this - He cannot defend, and he cannot rebound. There is nothing to indicate that he has potential to ever do either. NONE other than wishful thinking. He is consistently out of position for both and more importantly does not have the internal mindset to do either well. One person said rebounding is effort - I agree - but it's even more about desire - and there is no desire to get the rebound. It is so hard to watch. No drive to the ball. No IQ for basketball - consistently out of position and ZERO improvement throughout the season. Cal and Ulis have to try to scream him into position - but then he's stuck there waiting to be told his next move. Always moving away from the basket as a shot goes up. I


I could rant on - and some say the NBA drafts on size and potential. His only hope is size, because he's shown no potential in defending or rebounding - compounded by zero progress indicating a disconnect from being coachable. I would never pick Skal for this NBA this year. Is there potential for the future - I mean maybe - but there is a TON to fix. It is very laughable to think he could be an NBA 4 - I spit out my drink when I read that. Draymond Green VS Skal? Watch Draymond rebound. He is nothing short of violent when rebounding. The NBA is ruled by the aggressive force of the will. I wish Skal nothing but the best - but right now him in the NBA would be beyond harsh. How does he fair if he stays? Again that is as crystal ball a question as does he reach his potential ever... but maybe, just maybe having a year under his belt he'd realize where he is and isn't with the professional game and work to improve. But even with that - the climb is huge for him imho.

As to him playing more this season - Please... just no. Stop the Skal project now unless absolutely no other option. Yes - he's that bad. Suggesting he get 10-15 per game is asking for losses. Not here to "eat my own". I acknowledge he's an overwhelmed kid. But objectively basketball-wise - he is a project and a half. A 7 foot one - but a project none the less.