FB Recruiting Skal Labissiere hits rock bottom against Arizona State

[BigBlueFanGA]

Poor article.

I still contend that if this kid is going to reach his potential, he must be on the floor. That'll cause the Lee and Willis fan bois some heart burn. If he doesn't get the minutes, then yes, he's a project.

Here you go again, more time, more time. Here is a quote from Cal. " Well, if I just had more time … No, you'd be bad for more time. No, it isn't about more time. It's you earn your minutes,” Calipari said." So, I still wondering why you disagree with me when I've simply reiterated what Cal said.

 

[W_Heisenberg]

If it were late January, I'd have concerns...but he's shown just as much solid play as he has underwhelming play.

 

[BBUK]

Here you go again, more time, more time. Here is a quote from Cal. " Well, if I just had more time … No, you'd be bad for more time. No, it isn't about more time. It's you earn your minutes,” Calipari said." So, I still wondering why you disagree with me when I've simply reiterated what Cal said.

Hell just throw Skal off the team. he hasn't earned being on the team.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

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....

BBUK, don't you think Skal should be earning his time by improving his play first? Wouldn't that be the more likely route to get both Skal and the team where we want them to be? Cal trumpets his mantra, you earn your time. Maybe Skal is earning it in practice,but he is a wilting violet in games and it is getting worse, not better. I'm very concerned for the kid.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Hell just throw Skal off the team. he hasn't earned being on the team.

What was that for?

 

[kybassfan]

Here you go again, more time, more time. Here is a quote from Cal. " Well, if I just had more time … No, you'd be bad for more time. No, it isn't about more time. It's you earn your minutes,” Calipari said." So, I still wondering why you disagree with me when I've simply reiterated what Cal said.

Ah, you've learned to stalk. Very good.

I think I've made it clear I don't consider your reading comprehension competent. It's pointless continuing a conversation with you. I'm very sorry.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Ah, you've learned to stalk. Very good.

I think I've made it clear I don't consider your reading comprehension competent. It's pointless continuing a conversation with you. I'm very sorry.

If stalking is demanding an actual answer. You don't have one, that is pretty obvious.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

If stalking is demanding an actual answer. You don't have one, that is pretty obvious. What's funny with you is I give you a direct quote from Cal that goes against your entire argument, then you try to deflect it away by making snide comments while totally ignoring what Cal had to say. Pathetic

 

[BBUK]

BBUK, don't you think Skal should be earning his time by improving his play first? Wouldn't that be the more likely route to get both Skal and the team where we want them to be? Cal trumpets his mantra, you earn your time. Maybe Skal is earning it in practice,but he is a wilting violet in games and it is getting worse, not better. I'm very concerned for the kid.

I'm not, he will be fine. Cal will get him going. I doubt very seriously he is getting punched, slapped, and kicked in practice. I do think Cal is trying to roughen and toughen him up but that takes TIME and it takes IN GAME action. I will state again what I stated in another post. If Skal doesn't play well then this UK team will not get where I think you want them to go...a championship. You or I do not know what is going on behind the scenes. Give the kid and Cal the benefit of the doubt. Cal at least has earned it. Cal picking Skal has earned Skal a little trust too! Be Good

 

[kybassfan]

If stalking is demanding an actual answer. You don't have one, that is pretty obvious.

There. Was that so difficult?

 

[The_Answer1313]

There's nothing wrong with the article. It's just the word "project" was a poor choice IMO.

Guys don't get rated that highly to be considered "projects".

Issac is a project.

 

[BBUK]

There's nothing wrong with the article. It's just the word "project" was a poor choice IMO.

Guys don't get rated that highly to be considered "projects".

Issac is a project.

Agreed that was the big deal but there were other things I didn't agree with. My take is, if you're in the word business, know your words... Be Good

 

[KentuckyWildcat4Life]

All I read is hypocritical comments here. Skal plays like utter crap most of the season and still everyone comments saying its just a funk. He still is a great player. Then we have a player named Willis who contributes each game and the same posters bash him saying how aweful he is.
Pathetic simply pathetic. I'm starting to wonder if these bias posters only see one color.

 

[BBUK]

All I read is hypocritical comments here. Skal plays like utter crap most of the season and still everyone comments saying its just a funk. He still is a great player. Then we have a player named Willis who contributes each game and the same posters bash him saying how aweful he is.
Pathetic simply pathetic. I'm starting to wonder if these bias posters only see one color.

He cut all his color.........off...

 

[The_Answer1313]

All I read is hypocritical comments here. Skal plays like utter crap most of the season and still everyone comments saying its just a funk. He still is a great player. Then we have a player named Willis who contributes each game and the same posters bash him saying how aweful he is.
Pathetic simply pathetic. I'm starting to wonder if these bias posters only see one color.

Skal has played a grand total of 10 games.
Willis is in his 3rd year now.

Are we really comparing the two players?

 

[kybassfan]

Hell just throw Skal off the team. he hasn't earned being on the team.

LOL, that guy is a trip.

I think that folks fail to grasp Skal's fundamental problem, not discounting the strength issue. He lacks game experience and hardening. It's not so much the need to develop skills as it is applying those skills in game situations. If Skal doesn't play, he won't gain that experience and will remain unchanged or regress.

Calipari is in the difficult position of trying to explain to a select group of fans that fail to grasp the problem. To them, 'the bestest get the mostest'. Then he has to contend with the fanbois too. With coach speak, you look at actions, not words. I expect the primary limiter of Skal's minutes will be fouls. He might not start a couple of games to take pressure off and quiet the little league crew. Bottom line, though, I expect his minutes to increase.

 

[The_Answer1313]

LOL, that guy is a trip.

I think that folks fail to grasp Skal's fundamental problem, not discounting the strength issue. He lacks game experience and hardening. It's not so much the need to develop skills as it is applying those skills in game situations. If Skal doesn't play, he won't gain that experience and will remain unchanged or regress.

Calipari is in the difficult position of trying to explain to a select group of fans that fail to grasp the problem. To them, 'the bestest get the mostest'. Then he has to contend with the fanbois too. With coach speak, you look at actions, not words. I expect the primary limiter of Skal's minutes will be fouls. He might not start a couple of games to take pressure off and quiet the little league crew. Bottom line, though, I expect his minutes to increase.

I agree. The fouls are a huge issue tho. Cause like you said he needs to be out there. He needs to gain experience. But he can't be out there is he can't play defense without fouling. So that's priority number 1 with him. He has to learn to play without fouling.

I think the offense will take care of it self. We saw the exhibition games. We know he can score. He's just gotta stay out of foul trouble.

 

[BBUK]

LOL, that guy is a trip.

I think that folks fail to grasp Skal's fundamental problem, not discounting the strength issue. He lacks game experience and hardening. It's not so much the need to develop skills as it is applying those skills in game situations. If Skal doesn't play, he won't gain that experience and will remain unchanged or regress.

Calipari is in the difficult position of trying to explain to a select group of fans that fail to grasp the problem. To them, 'the bestest get the mostest'. Then he has to contend with the fanbois too. With coach speak, you look at actions, not words. I expect the primary limiter of Skal's minutes will be fouls. He might not start a couple of games to take pressure off and quiet the little league crew. Bottom line, though, I expect his minutes to increase.

They seem to want it NOW. (Sorry it is not there to give NOW. A minimum understanding of that would fix the entire situation.) But; I highly doubt Cal is spending a second trying to appease that crowd. If he is he will go down in my estimation. Heck, besides, I'm a moron....Are you a moron too?

 

[kybassfan]

I agree. The fouls are a huge issue tho. Cause like you said he needs to be out there. He needs to gain experience. But he can't be out there is he can't play defense without fouling. So that's priority number 1 with him. He has to learn to play without fouling.

I think the offense will take care of it self. We saw the exhibition games. We know he can score. He's just gotta stay out of foul trouble.

Yeah, I agree. The game before Az St, his footwork was better, he wasn't leaning, reaching and hacking which draw attention. Last game he back slid a bit. On offense he gets ahead of himself. Frankly, he could take a lesson from Poythress who may overthink things a bit.

As we've seen in a few posts, we have a Willis fanboi or few exploiting Skal's situation to argue for more playing time. Willis must find this very embarrassing. It's a shame . It will have no effect on coaches, embarrasses their guy and just invites negative comments directed at both Willis and Skal.

 

[kybassfan]

They seem to want it NOW. (Sorry it is not there to give NOW. A minimum understanding of that would fix the entire situation.) But; I highly doubt Cal is spending a second trying to appease that crowd. If he is he will go down in my estimation. Heck, besides, I'm a moron....Are you a moron too?

I have been a moron ever since I had kids.

 

[lawrencekash]

The Op made good points but it is obvious we have many bloggers who simply get off arguing !

 

[rabidcatfan]

I don't think the kid truly understood how tough a transition it would be from high school basketball to college ball. He needs to toughen up and get stronger. He also needs to get more aggressive and needs to have his shots start falling. He keeps settling for shooting those low percentage fade-away turn around shots because he can't work his man under the basket for higher percentage shots or and-ones.

If he doesn't start doing something soon however, his confidence will dwindle to the point of non-existence, and then he'll be of no value to the team.

 

[BBUK]

The Op made good points but it is obvious we have many bloggers who simply get off arguing !

 

[brianpoe]

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 believe that Skal has actually missed the last 2 years of high school ball. He was injured most of his Junior season and was ineligible to play his senior season.

He did play AAU and Hoop Summit.

 

[lawrencekash]

Hey man I am on Kiawah Island-lots of UK fans here!

 

[kybassfan]

I believe that Skal has actually missed the last 2 years of high school ball. He was injured most of his Junior season and was ineligible to play his senior season.

He did play AAU and Hoop Summit.

Wasn't he actually declared ineligible as a high school senior over some silly rule regarding residency? Had to resort to AAU and Hoop Summit to play any organized ball? The latter is, in my opinion, more about promoting individual talents than teaching basketball as a team accomplishment.

May have my facts wrong, I pay almost no attention to recruiting.

 

[BBUK]

Hey man I am on Kiawah Island-lots of UK fans here!

I remember you stating that, we looked there (It is beautiful) and were close to buying but decided against it as we are not sure we are ready to settle down here yet. (The kids are in different states)(Didn't want to put big bucks down yet.)(If we decide to stay we may rent our home in Cane Bay out and purchase in your area. I am actually looking to get to the Atlanta area now in a round about casual type of way as I think that will be a happy medium. We love the Charleston area though. Hard to beat it here. (I'd sure like to find a place where we could do some "quiet" crabbing and fishing though. We enjoy being near the ocean. (Just me and the wife.) We fish and crab on post and along the Cooper in a couple spots. Sure would like to find a more out of the way place closer to the ocean. The wife likes salt water fish. I don't fish fresh water at all.

 

[brianpoe]

Wasn't he actually declared ineligible as a high school senior over some silly rule regarding residency? Had to resort to AAU and Hoop Summit to play any organized ball? The latter is, in my opinion, more about promoting individual talents than teaching basketball as a team accomplishment.

May have my facts wrong, I pay almost no attention to recruiting.

Correct, same rule we have here in KY, there are usually lawsuits every other year about some team shipping a kid instate or across state.

 

[FilsonCat]

Skal is one of the most skilled big men in the country. He is a finesse player without the physicality or fight to contribute as a 5. If Cal can get him to show a mean streak, he'll be fine.

 

[lawrencekash]

I remember you stating that, we looked there (It is beautiful) and were close to buying but decided against it as we are not sure we are ready to settle down here yet. (The kids are in different states)(Didn't want to put big bucks down yet.)(If we decide to stay we may rent our home in Cane Bay out and purchase in your area. I am actually looking to get to the Atlanta area now in a round about casual type of way as I think that will be a happy medium. We love the Charleston area though. Hard to beat it here. (I'd sure like to find a place where we could do some "quiet" crabbing and fishing though. We enjoy being near the ocean. (Just me and the wife.) We fish and crab on post and along the Cooper in a couple spots. Sure would like to find a more out of the way place closer to the ocean. The wife likes salt water fish. I don't fish fresh water at all.

I remember your earlier comments. Kiawah is great for golf and fishing but is expensive!

 

[BBUK]

I remember your earlier comments. Kiawah is great for golf and fishing but is expensive!

I quit golf years ago. (Was afraid I'd kill someone with an errant shot. ) Sure would like to fish over there though. I guess no way for some sort of guest pass or something of that nature? Never asked that of the realtor at the main office. Since then we found there are very limited areas that are accessible that close to the ocean.

 

[Derek Terry]

CBSSports basketball writer Matt Norlander on Skal's performance Saturday:

"Skal Labissiere, who is projected to be a top-three NBA pick, finished with no points and no rebounds -- and fouled out. Arizona State's physicality absolutely set back Labissiere. He may well have a long week ahead of him, as Cal's big men normally don't get pushed around like that. Labissiere, who has a lot of really nice tools, has turned into a project at this point. A month back, nobody would have ever expected him to go bagel-bagel in points and boards in any game this season."

His full story

 

[BBUK]

CBSSports basketball writer Matt Norlander on Skal's performance Saturday:

"Skal Labissiere, who is projected to be a top-three NBA pick, finished with no points and no rebounds -- and fouled out. Arizona State's physicality absolutely set back Labissiere. He may well have a long week ahead of him, as Cal's big men normally don't get pushed around like that. Labissiere, who has a lot of really nice tools, has turned into a project at this point. A month back, nobody would have ever expected him to go bagel-bagel in points and boards in any game this season."

His full story

Mr. Terry,
It seems you are working real hard to prove your point/ article. It happens your point is detrimental to a UK player and you seem to be spending that time against a school you are attending. I have seen others do that as well and it has never turned out good for UK. It seems whenever I see someone going out of their way or spending extra effort to point out a UK players faults or perceived faults it is from a non-UK fan. Not always but a lot of the time. I will back out of this thread now as it seems that may be best for me to do. I'm a UK fan. I take offense to anyone going out of their way to down a UK player especially on a UK site. Be Good

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

I believe that Skal has actually missed the last 2 years of high school ball. He was injured most of his Junior season and was ineligible to play his senior season.

He did play AAU and Hoop Summit.

While he was declared ineligible to play SR. ball for his school, his still played basketball vs. good competition. I mean, we all know about his guardian creating a school/team and having them play the likes of OAK Hill.

So again, Skal isn't some basketball newbie.

 

[tangojaws007]

Mr. Terry,
It seems you are working real hard to prove your point/ article. It happens your point is detrimental to a UK player and you seem to be spending that time against a school you are attending. I have seen others do that as well and it has never turned out good for UK. It seems whenever I see someone going out of their way or spending extra effort to point out a UK players faults or perceived faults it is from a non-UK fan. Not always but a lot of the time. I will back out of this thread now as it seems that may be best for me to do. I'm a UK fan. I take offense to anyone going out of their way to down a UK player especially on a UK site. Be Good

You need to take your Big Blue goggles off for a second. Skal is either A) Underperforming and worthy of his high school rating, or B) Overrated coming out of high schooland a project. It is not a crime to recognize one or the other. Hopefully he will get better with time, but he won't be able to prove that if he continues to average a foul every 2 minutes. As of now, for per minute stats, he's been about as efficient as Daniel Orton was his one year at UK. Facts are facts. Deal with it and don't get your panties in a wad.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

Mr. Terry,
It seems you are working real hard to prove your point/ article. It happens your point is detrimental to a UK player and you seem to be spending that time against a school you are attending. I have seen others do that as well and it has never turned out good for UK. It seems whenever I see someone going out of their way or spending extra effort to point out a UK players faults or perceived faults it is from a non-UK fan. Not always but a lot of the time. I will back out of this thread now as it seems that may be best for me to do. I'm a UK fan. I take offense to anyone going out of their way to down a UK player especially on a UK site. Be Good

I agree that Skal is having serious adjustment issues but to title your post about a UK player hitting "rock bottom " seems pretty harsh when describing a Freshman after 10 games on a UK fan site. That is definitely a Tipton-esque move Mr Terry

 

[Derek Terry]

Mr. Terry,
It seems you are working real hard to prove your point/ article. It happens your point is detrimental to a UK player and you seem to be spending that time against a school you are attending. I have seen others do that as well and it has never turned out good for UK. It seems whenever I see someone going out of their way or spending extra effort to point out a UK players faults or perceived faults it is from a non-UK fan. Not always but a lot of the time. I will back out of this thread now as it seems that may be best for me to do. I'm a UK fan. I take offense to anyone going out of their way to down a UK player especially on a UK site. Be Good

I'm certainly not going out of my way to down Skal. I cover the team and outside of a great second half for Kentucky, that was the biggest story of the day. Skal has had a poor stretch. I didn't write anything like this until he had zero points and zero rebounds and fouled out. As much as you would like it if only nice things were written about UK players, you can't ignore something like that.

I take it you probably don't read many of my stories and that's OK. But I'm fair to the team and the players at Kentucky. I don't go out of my way to down any player. Skal has always been great to talk to and from all accounts a great kid. Several posters didn't like the use of the word 'project.' The story from Norlander reinforces what I was saying.

Skal has a ton of potential (I said this in the story) and has shown that he can be a good offensive player (I said this as well). So far he's been a bad rebounder for his size and doesn't defend all that well. It's not unusual for a freshman to struggle (I said this in the story). But he came in as the projected No. 1 pick by NBADraftExpress and was on nearly every preseason All-American watch list. This was after barely playing at all in high school, and when he did play it was pretty bad competition. It's all new to him. If he turns it around ,and he most certainly can, and starts playing that way then I promise you I will write about it.

 

[mebeblue2]

OP, are you Tipton's grandson?

 

[Derek Terry]

I agree that Skal is having serious adjustment issues but to title your post about a UK player hitting "rock bottom " seems pretty harsh when describing a Freshman after 10 games on a UK fan site. That is definitely a Tipton-esque move Mr Terry

Calipari from Saturday:

Q. Granted that it's a process, but is it typical that you can get a guy to bend and become tough in maybe three months?

JOHN CALIPARI: "I have done it, but it's not me doing it. It's them doing it. And in most cases, they have to accept, I've hit rock bottom. You've got to accept that. OK."

Calipari didn't outright say Labissiere is at rock bottom but zero points and zero rebounds and fouling out seems like rock bottom for a player as touted as Labissiere, correct?

 

[tangojaws007]

I always love venturing over to the free boards to keep me entertained. You all are the stereotypical Kentucky fans and I love it.