So Does Knox Start at 2 Guard?
- Thread starter GoNoles111
- Start date
![[banana]](https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/891/1682178.gif "banana [banana]")
Cal told Knox while recruiting him he wanted to play Knox like he played Monk. Cal will honor that promise and Knox will be playing the 2 to begin with.
Wether that changes during the season or not remains to be seen.
Unless you wanna call Cal a liar...
Wether that changes during the season or not remains to be seen.
Unless you wanna call Cal a liar...
Exactly, because it wouldn't be a good move in the eyes of future recruits.
Last edited:
Knox is about Magic Johnson's size and he did okay playing guard. Heck he even played the point.
No, I don't think Knox or Vanderbilt have the handle Magic had, but I don't see why they can't man the 2. They are both pretty quick and would pose more of a match up problem for the other team than the other way around imho.
No, I don't think Knox or Vanderbilt have the handle Magic had, but I don't see why they can't man the 2. They are both pretty quick and would pose more of a match up problem for the other team than the other way around imho.
I'm watching Golden State/Utah right now. Utah is generally running lineups with Gobert or another big guy, a PG, and then some combination of 3 of Hayward, Hood, Diaw, and Ingles. Every one of those guys is 6'8".
I think Cal is going for something like that. I question whether it will work (shooting and floor spacing?), but if you're going to try it, Vanderbilt, Washington, and Knox are the trio to go with. They're all skilled and versatile, all comfortable playing away from the basket. None of them are the Poythress type, meaning athletically gifted but not really comfortable handling the ball or doing things away from the basket.
I think Cal is going for something like that. I question whether it will work (shooting and floor spacing?), but if you're going to try it, Vanderbilt, Washington, and Knox are the trio to go with. They're all skilled and versatile, all comfortable playing away from the basket. None of them are the Poythress type, meaning athletically gifted but not really comfortable handling the ball or doing things away from the basket.
If Diallo is gone, then Knox is the 2. Cal starts his best five. Right now if Diallo stays in the draft and Bamba goes elsewhere, it is:
G Green
G Knox
F Vanderbilt
F Washington
F Richards
If Bamba signs, Washington goes to the bench. If Diallo comes back as well, then Knox slides to the 3 and Vanderbilt goes to the bench.
G Green
G Knox
F Vanderbilt
F Washington
F Richards
If Bamba signs, Washington goes to the bench. If Diallo comes back as well, then Knox slides to the 3 and Vanderbilt goes to the bench.
Coach K just lost his lunch money. Cal's got it.
Yes. Alexander and Green would start. Alexander is way better then people understand. Not the passer that Green is but I think a better prospect and overall player.
Good thoughts. UNC pulled it off last year with even less spacing. UK would have Knox, Vanderbilt, and Washington, which – as you noted – would be effective skills-wise and probably more offensively skilled than the Pinson/Jackson/Hicks combination UNC used at the 2/3/4 last year.
Three 6’8” guys with real NBA skill is just the type of thing many of us have coveted for years. Cal pulled it off, and it’s a remarkable achievement, even for him.
In the scenario where UK gets both Diallo and Bamba to suit up next year in Lexington, I'd like to see something like this:
G - Green
G - Diallo
F - Knox
F - Vanderbilt
C - Bamba
That said, Washington's a damn fine player. Can't really go wrong with either guy at the 4.
True. I want Diallo back because I think he and Vanderbilt (and Alexander) would collectively lock up the defensive perimeter. With Bamba/Richards on the low block, UK would probably lead the nation in defensive efficiency, or come close to it.
I'd bet the ranch that Knox, Vandy, and Wash would be more effective skills-wise
Knox will play the 2 and the 3 some IMO. Just so nice to have these options. Remember these things and these days all you naysayers and Cal bashers.
Kansas played Josh Jackson at the 2 last year and he is 6'8 and that worked great for them. There has been other teams that would play a 6'7 or 6'8 2 guard. I could see Coach Cal going with this lineup to start the season. I do believe where Diallo is right now in most 2017 Mock Drafts and then goes next week to Draft Combine 5 on 5 and plays outstanding he will hear many scouts saying Diallo would be a late 1st rounder. I am sure Coach Cal with his Scouting Contacts from the NBA know approx. where Diallo could end up in the 2017 draft. I am sure Coach Cal if hearing from multiple scouts that Diallo would go from mid to late 1st round would advise Diallo to go since he didn't even play this year. To sit on the Kentucky Bench and then to get in the 1st round of draft picks without playing Coach Cal would likely advise him to go but would leave his final decision like he does all players up to Diallo. So, lets say Diallo heads to the NBA then we would look at this lineup.
G - Green
G - Knox
F - Washington
F - Vanderbilt
C - Richards/Bamba(if he commits next)
Then we would have Alexander, Baker, Gabriel, and SKJ off the bench.
We know how difficult it is in the SEC Conference especially the big men to stay out of foul trouble. We know that BAM this year had games where he was in foul trouble as well as Monk and Fox. I would love to see that change and to let the players play more and not have so many touch fouls but I really doubt that we see it with our SEC referee's next year.
G - Green
G - Knox
F - Washington
F - Vanderbilt
C - Richards/Bamba(if he commits next)
Then we would have Alexander, Baker, Gabriel, and SKJ off the bench.
We know how difficult it is in the SEC Conference especially the big men to stay out of foul trouble. We know that BAM this year had games where he was in foul trouble as well as Monk and Fox. I would love to see that change and to let the players play more and not have so many touch fouls but I really doubt that we see it with our SEC referee's next year.
Positionless basketball. There is no 2, just dudes who can ball. Versatility is going to be insane next year
Diallo is the best natural fit for the position. Assuming he comes back. If not, we very well might see Knox, Vanderbilt, and Washington all start at the same time. There are still too many questions about who will be on the roster, how good the new guys actually are, and how much the returnees will improve.
Kansas played Jackson at the 4 more than anything else. They were basically a 7 man rotation like UK was in 11-12, and Bragg was the Wiltjer in the equation, the guy who played every game, but far less than the other 6. Their top 6 was Mason, Graham, Vick, Mykhailiuk, Jackson, and Lucas. Given that personnel, I don't see how you can call Jackson a 2. He was 2nd in rebounds and led that team in blocks.
With the type of players Cal is recruiting, he's bucking prevailing trends. Honestly, most coaches (even many in the NBA) would love to see each of Knox, Vanderbilt, Washington, and Gabriel as a 4. Knox especially, because he has the most potential as a shooter. You're starting to see more and more NBA lineups that are struggling to find any room for big guys, and often employ 3 guards. Versatile inside/out forwards with decent size and athleticism are being utilized more as 4's than ever before.
The reason this might work in college, though, is that college teams aren't anywhere near as good as NBA teams, especially in terms of shooting. If you play a 6'8"-6'9" guy who can't necessarily guard smaller players at the 2 in the NBA, you might have your opponent torch you for 15-20 three pointers. That's far less likely to happen in college. And the sheer physical edge guys like Knox give you is obviously far greater against college players than pros.
I think a few people are getting too caught up on Knox "can't guard SG". His size alone will give most SEC 2s fits, but ultimately I don't think he needs to guard a SG, Vanderbilt (whom if healthy I believe will be starting at the SF ) can guard the SG. On top of that I think next year our backcourt will mainly only have to worry about stopping their man from shooting open 3pt shots. With Bamba & Richards lurking in the lane I don't see guys occasionally getting beat off the dribble being a problem.
I agree about Vanderbilt. I think he's capable of guarding most college 2's.
Still, there are reasons why you almost never see a college guard much above 6'5", and why you continually see teams going smaller and using talents like Jackson (or Knox) more as 4's than anything else. Traditional power basketball is all but gone from the NBA, and definitely fading in the college game. But I like what Knox, Vanderbilt, and Washington bring as a trio, so if you're going to buck trends, that's the way to go about it.
Krybabyshitski is already looking into more staring roles in the "angry beaver" commercials.
I agree with a lot of your post. The game changes certainly, however, I just watched Theo Pinson (6'6" SF) play the 2 and help lead UNC to a title. I'll take Knox over Pinson all day everyday.
I really hope Diallo comes back. I am very intrigued by what he could do defensively. He is an explosive athlete with a wingspan that is nearly 7'. I don't know that UK has ever had a 2 guard like him. Tony Delk had a great wingspan for a 2 guard, but he wasn't as tall or athletic as Diallo. I think Diallo would be a monster on defense. Having said all of that he will probably show well during the NBA combine and be a first rounder.
Latest posts
-
-
Worst defensive team since Pitino’s first bunch?
- Latest: WallMashKyBall
-
