FB Recruiting Skal Labissiere hits rock bottom against Arizona State
- Thread starter Derek Terry
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No offense but this story is written as if Skal is a druggie. This team may mature late in the process. Maybe a lot later this season than normal but I bet he DOES make a positive impact for UK THIS season before it's over. Why do I sound so confident? CAL!!! He hasn't missed very often. He brings out the best in his players most of the time. Skal is too decent of a kid to not rise to the occasion. It may take him a while but my money is on the fact that he will be what Cal thinks he is at the end. What I ask is that you spend as much sensationalism at that point as you are using now. If so you can be considered fair and objective.
Sensationalism? If you can find anything in the story that isn't accurate then feel free to correct me on it. The issues with Skal are obvious at this point. I didn't write the kid off. He still has plenty of time to progress but he's going to receive criticism after the way he played yesterday but more so for the last four or five games. It has to be a concern at this point.
If he starts playing well then he'll undoubtedly have stories written about him saying as much. I appreciate the feedback.
If he needs time so be it. I have no problem seeing Skal mature with 2-3 more years. The mind set has changed of fans and it appears people want to see top 5 picks every year bolt for the league. Let's give this kid a chance to develop and support him during his time as a CAT!
I don't think there's any chance he stays beyond this year. That's why fans are impatient. We know he's gone.
I don't think it's time to hit the panic button yet. On the contrary I think yesterday can do more good for Skal than a mediocre performance. It's a long season and Skal will figure things out.
It's kentucky Vitale ranted how we are not good as we throttled a solid ASU team we manhandled Duke. It's the whole hoping UK fails agenda. Skai is struggling but what about guys like Lee Poythress and Willis stepping up. I've watched all the top teams and UK is more talented and younger than them all. I love this teams chances.
Please
The only NBA team I can see drafting Skal at this point is the 76ers.
Skal needs confidence and a killer instinct. He's currently lacking both but has the body to do great things when he finally gets it. Far, far more passive than a high level big man should be. Confidence is everything in sports. He has very little right now.
Might not be a project in college. Not saying he won't leave. If he doesn't get it together at KY, then I'm afraid he's got a rough road ahead that will dwarf his experience thus far.
I think you are correct about everything you wrote. He has a good group of Wildcats around him to help him improve.
One word; "Project"
You can call Skal many things but he is not a project in any sense of the word. The kid can shoot from many places on the floor like no project I have ever seen. His main issue now is he is getting beat up from opposing teams. I literally mean he is getting beat up.
What I see happening is he will get tired of getting beat up and turn that into his motivation and turn that motivation into aggression. When he does that and learns how to do that he will go from "Project" to lottery pick. (I still say that happens THIS season.) Sorry that is way too much of a change. I am not sure I have ever seen a project go to being a lottery pick. Jorts was a project. Skal is not. Never has been, never will be.
Don't think I'm jumping on you though I am to a degree. UK has enough people from Refs, to fake fans to local media that spend their day being fair and honest (In their opinion) about the Cats. I think UK deserves better treatment from their own. What am I talking about? UK gets no hometown breaks from their refs but they continually play in places where the refs go out of their way to make "questionable" calls all game against UK. (It's really not debatable.) Fans (Or so called fans spend their entire time damming UK because the player or coach can't live up to their expectations or desires. (These are only a few but they are in many places regularly spouting nastiness. You'd think that if they are ever going to be happy with UK, now'd be the time but....nooo.) The local UK media has a representative that hates UK and anything about UK.
When I saw your email address I was to say the least shocked as I read your article. In my umble opinion UK need some media friends, not the fair and balanced. Especially from their own. Be Good
If Orton could get drafted after one season, then expect Skal to be gone.
Nothing looked as sad as Skal bowing his head on the bench and appearing completely depressed.
My tweaks with him would start on the defensive end which would be to remove his effort to block shots and instead focus on his keeping position between the basket and whomever he is defending. He is getting crushed on the pick and roll and tries to block shots instead of keeping his body in front of the opposing player. He is almost 7" feet and whether pushed around or not, he has leaping ability and can rebound if taught to hold his position. In other words, he needs to play near the basket. He will have problems against outside shooting centers but otherwise could do well against traditional centers.
On offense, he isn't needed.to be a planned option. Sure if he establishes a low post position, get him the ball. But, the strength of this team is the guards and Murray should be the main option, Briscoe driving to the basket, and of course Ulis running the team. He may do better facing the basket with Lee or Poy in the low post. Cal hopefully moves away from trying to have him play a similar role like KAT, it just isn't going to happen.
Nothing looked as sad as Skal bowing his head on the bench and appearing completely depressed.
My tweaks with him would start on the defensive end which would be to remove his effort to block shots and instead focus on his keeping position between the basket and whomever he is defending. He is getting crushed on the pick and roll and tries to block shots instead of keeping his body in front of the opposing player. He is almost 7" feet and whether pushed around or not, he has leaping ability and can rebound if taught to hold his position. In other words, he needs to play near the basket. He will have problems against outside shooting centers but otherwise could do well against traditional centers.
On offense, he isn't needed.to be a planned option. Sure if he establishes a low post position, get him the ball. But, the strength of this team is the guards and Murray should be the main option, Briscoe driving to the basket, and of course Ulis running the team. He may do better facing the basket with Lee or Poy in the low post. Cal hopefully moves away from trying to have him play a similar role like KAT, it just isn't going to happen.
If Skal is willing to stick around Lexington and improve his game, he has my support 100% (and I'm sure most fans feel the exact same). But, if he's willing to skip out as a late first or second round pick, then best of luck but don't except everyone to love you going out the door. I get the AD's, MKG's and Walls leaving after one year.
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anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y
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Didn't read the article. I've attended one game thus far this year, the NJIT game. What the OP labeled as a "project" scored 26 points that night. "Projects" don't score 26 points in an NCAA game. Do better OP.
So do you see Skal as being where he needs to be? There are very few freshmen in college who aren't projects, we have been spoiled by those. Yes, Skal showed the potential he has by scoring 26 points but he has also showed why he is being labeled as a project by some in more than one game this season. If you would've read the article you would see that 80% of it was quotes by either players or coaches.
Skal is not a project-poor use of words. Skal needs work like every other freshman not named Ben Simmons but he is far from a project. Great thing is it is early December and there is plenty of time for Skal and this team for that matter to grow and improve. Heaven forbid we show any form of patience---indy
Maybe had something to do with playing NJIT. He scored more that single game than he has the last four games combined. It's not all about points though. He's the fifth leading rebounder on the team (as the center). Tyler Ulis has one less rebound than him and Ulis didn't play against Illinois State.
Project is used for lack of a better word. I don't want to call him a bust because he's played 10 games. He has a lot of time to turn it around. But he has a really long way to go and certainly hasn't been what he was projected to be at this point (i.e. potential No. 1 pick).
Jerk article from a "UK Fan". If you don't have better words don't write them.
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anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y
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This is what Cal has to say about Skal or the "project" to which you refer to him as:
Kentucky coach John Calipari said there is no questioning the skills the 7-foot Labissiere has.
I am telling you he has a ways to go. He knows it and will be the first to tell you. He’s a great kid. He’s trying to find his way.
Calipari says not playing on a regular team last season — Labissiere was on a team put together by his guardian, Richard Hamilton, after he was ruled ineligible at a Memphis high school after transferring there for his senior year — did not help Labissiere
People saying Skal is gone are basing it off of "typical" logic, because you don't "typically" see a player that high fall off the draft boards. Here's the thing, Skal is not going to be a top pick LOOKING like he looks on the court. I could be very wrong, but the guy really looks bad. I don't think some of you really comprehend how bad. We've not been in this position before, and I know some just want to take up for the kid, but it is what it is. He's in a mans game now and he doesn't look the part.
To me it's simple. He will improve, drastically, or he should return. That guy would lose any confidence he has left getting manhandled in the d-league. He might be in a unique situation where he needs 2 years. There's nothing wrong with it.
Hopefully it's all moot and he comes out on fire soon. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic, but I don't see it. Prove us wrong Skal.
Btw, he's no project. That's insane. It's a unique situation.
To me it's simple. He will improve, drastically, or he should return. That guy would lose any confidence he has left getting manhandled in the d-league. He might be in a unique situation where he needs 2 years. There's nothing wrong with it.
Hopefully it's all moot and he comes out on fire soon. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic, but I don't see it. Prove us wrong Skal.
Btw, he's no project. That's insane. It's a unique situation.
I didn't read the article, but as far as Skal and UK go this season...if we do not play Skal and he does not get better hard to take this UK team serious as a legit Final Four/National title contender with our lack of consistent outside shooting (so far and that could change).
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anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y
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According to Rivals' stats, Skal is averaging 10 pts./4 rebs. in his first 10 college games. Towns averaged 9 pts./7 rebs in his first 10 games. Was KAT where he was projected to be? Also, Ben Simmons is projected to he the No.1 pick by nearly all services including Chad Ford.
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Why are some of you so offended by the idea of Skal being a project? What has he done to suggest he isn't? He's played one great half all year. The rest of the time he's been average to unplayable.
So are you basing it on his Rivals ranking? Cliff Alexander was 4th last year. Chris Walker was 6th the year before. Shabazz was No. 1 in 2012 and Ricardo Ledo was 6th. Austin Rivers was No. 1 in 2011. Josh Selby was No. 1 in 2010. Jordan Hamilton was No. 6 in 2009 and Michael Snear was No. 7. The point is, Rivals gets it wrong with Top 10 players - a lot.
There's really no track record to suggest Skal isn't a project. He barely played in high school, and when he did it was against subpar competition. As coaches like to say, what he's put on film to this point doesn't lie. He apparently was very good during practice at the Hoops Summit, but we have no idea the level of intensity at those practices - and the intensity of the game is exactly what Skal is struggling with. He's either not playing as hard as other guys, or he simply isn't physically strong enough to handle them. If it's the first, then that's hard to fix. If it's the latter, that's the very definition of a project.
So are you basing it on his Rivals ranking? Cliff Alexander was 4th last year. Chris Walker was 6th the year before. Shabazz was No. 1 in 2012 and Ricardo Ledo was 6th. Austin Rivers was No. 1 in 2011. Josh Selby was No. 1 in 2010. Jordan Hamilton was No. 6 in 2009 and Michael Snear was No. 7. The point is, Rivals gets it wrong with Top 10 players - a lot.
There's really no track record to suggest Skal isn't a project. He barely played in high school, and when he did it was against subpar competition. As coaches like to say, what he's put on film to this point doesn't lie. He apparently was very good during practice at the Hoops Summit, but we have no idea the level of intensity at those practices - and the intensity of the game is exactly what Skal is struggling with. He's either not playing as hard as other guys, or he simply isn't physically strong enough to handle them. If it's the first, then that's hard to fix. If it's the latter, that's the very definition of a project.
All you homers calling for Skal to get more time are morons. He fouls too much to stay on the floor by jumping for every single pump fake within 10 feet of him. Hell, against ASU he had 0 pts. 0 rebounds in 13 minutes before fouling out. His effort is poor and his motor is that of an elderly person.
If Skal sat out from basketball so long, why was he ranked #1 by rivals and #2 by ESPN?
I'm sorry but no, it isn't what people WANT to see. People would love to see him stay and develop but they know he is gone whether he is ready or not, so given that fact they want to see him do well immediately while at Kentucky, because if he doesn't do so in the first year he won't be around to do so in the second. Make sense?
I think Labissiere's problems are these:
1. He's been one of the key players to stop on most of these teams' scouting report so far, and they've set out to shut him down, and he's never played against teams with the size and strength to get that done.
2. He's got a very fragile psyche right now. If things don't go well early in the half, he is losing his confidence. He needs a boost of confidence.
3. He's not fighting back. He needs a mean streak in a bad way. He seems almost too nice for his own good.
There is no question this kid is skilled. This is why I think much of his issue is mental. Murray has had a similar issue but has managed to play his way through it. I think Labissiere can do the same, but the problem now is that UK's schedule isn't filled with a bunch of cupcakes for him to gain confidence.
The good news for the Cats is that Lee and Poythress, and even Willis, are looking pretty good and can take up the slack while Skal gets ready.
And here's the best thing for Skal: when you hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up.
1. He's been one of the key players to stop on most of these teams' scouting report so far, and they've set out to shut him down, and he's never played against teams with the size and strength to get that done.
2. He's got a very fragile psyche right now. If things don't go well early in the half, he is losing his confidence. He needs a boost of confidence.
3. He's not fighting back. He needs a mean streak in a bad way. He seems almost too nice for his own good.
There is no question this kid is skilled. This is why I think much of his issue is mental. Murray has had a similar issue but has managed to play his way through it. I think Labissiere can do the same, but the problem now is that UK's schedule isn't filled with a bunch of cupcakes for him to gain confidence.
The good news for the Cats is that Lee and Poythress, and even Willis, are looking pretty good and can take up the slack while Skal gets ready.
And here's the best thing for Skal: when you hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up.
I think the kid has the talent and is far from a "project" ,but is definitely having confidence issues. I don't think this would even be an issue pre-2009,but as UK fans ,we have been spoiled by the awesome ,young talent going through here in recent years.
I do believe others should start over him until he gets the motivation to improve,poor play,talented or not,does not deserve reward over less talented, give better effort players.Personally the kid just needs time,maybe even another year or more,what he doesn't need is our own beating him down more than he already is.
How many freshmen pre-one and done would we be crucified this fast? I have faith in our Coach and Staff that they will give him the help he needs,but ultimately it is Skal who will have to put in the time and effort to improve,it is what it is.
I do believe others should start over him until he gets the motivation to improve,poor play,talented or not,does not deserve reward over less talented, give better effort players.Personally the kid just needs time,maybe even another year or more,what he doesn't need is our own beating him down more than he already is.
How many freshmen pre-one and done would we be crucified this fast? I have faith in our Coach and Staff that they will give him the help he needs,but ultimately it is Skal who will have to put in the time and effort to improve,it is what it is.
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Nicely written article and very accurate up to this point but I'll have to disagree with you about him being a project, not yet anyway. While his shortcomings have always been glaring every time you look at his frame, we weren't talking this way during the exhibitions or the first 5 or so games. He is having a horrendous stretch here lately but I'm not about to give up on him and label him as a "project" just yet. If he is still playing this way after Camp Cal and into the 2nd week of January, then I may start to agree with you but just not so fast. Cal is the best in the business at getting these young kids going and in a position to succeed. Cal won't give up on him and neither should we. He will continue to coach and drive him but its up to him to step up. I just want to see some fight and effort. I think that's the key for Skal. Start fighting for your team and teammates and everything will fall into play. It's just not time to call him a project. Should've waited another month to release this article. Very well written though. Just disagree with that 1 thing. Look forward to reading more of your articles.
It's not an issue of being offended. I'm not offended at all by that assessment. I just don't agree with it. It's just as simple as that. I don't agree with it, not yet anyway. It's just too early to tell at the moment.
Rivals weren't the only site or blog saying Skal was extremely talented. Everyone who ever watched him thought the same as well. I don't think that I've ever heard a single person who thought he would be a project at the collegiate level. Not 1 single person! So, its not about Rivals getting it wrong because its obvious to anyone who has watched him play that the tools are there and that he is extremely skilled. I think the issue lies between his ears. That's what seems to be the problem. His lack of fight, his body language, and just his overall lack of confidence in anything on the court is glaringly obvious. Nobody would have seen that coming. He played extremely well during the summer and with the All Star circuit.
With all this said, having Coach Cal on our bench is another reason that I don't think he is a project yet. Not saying that I won't change my mind but I just think it's way to early to put that label on him. Give the kids until mid January at least.
Really? You couldn't find a better word to use, so you just went with "project". I figured a blogger would have a thesaurus laying around close by. Would've thought anyway.
He really only sat out 1 yr due to injury.
Played 3 yrs of HS ball. Played the AAU circuit. Killed the Hoop Summit practices + game which took his HS rating from top-10ish to top-2 w/ Simmons.
He doesnt lack in-game experience, which is something i see fans & Cal try to say to cover up for his struggles, its coaching. He hasn't been coached at all coming up thru the ranks. His guardian was coaching him last yr lol.
I'm a moron then. Thanks...IF UK is to get to the promised land this season they will have to have Skal playing the way he can. Cal can fix EVERYTHING you state Skal doesn't have BUT not if Skal is not on the court. I'd step back and think about the moron comment just a little bit more.
Think about it; No Skal playing well, No championship this season. You don't want him on the floor to learn and get better.....if I was calling anyone a moron and I am not....
He's got to learn to position himself and play defense without fouling. Due to his lack of lower body strength, he's doing too much pushing and grabbing and getting called for a lot of stupid fouls. That's really his biggest problem right now. He's getting saddled with a couple of stupid fouls or has to foul because he gives up position and that makes him even more tentative.
Can't really impact the game when yr riding the pine.
Can't really impact the game when yr riding the pine.
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anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y
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Latest NBA Mock Drafts. Professional scouting services disagree on Skal being a "project".
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2016/
http://m.espn.go.com/nba/mockdraft?source=chad-ford-big-board&version=2&season=2016&src=desktop
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2016/
http://m.espn.go.com/nba/mockdraft?source=chad-ford-big-board&version=2&season=2016&src=desktop
