This might be it for Nazr in the NBA - what a run!

[KMKAT]

Its incredible to think that he lasted 17 years and this may be his first year of retirement.

$65M in career earnings as well.

A truly great run for the former Cat.

http://nbpa.com/nazr-mohammed-the-fork-in-the-road-leaving-my-first-love/

Has he been around longer than Cats Illustrated?

 

[westerncat]

I remember when he came to UK, he was a little on the heavy side to say the least. Turned into a very good player. He should get into coaching somewhere. He would be a good example for some kids.

 

[UK90]

How many remember Nazr when he first showed up at UK? Fat--like literally obese fat--unheralded nobody who had fans wondering if Pitino had lost his mind recruiting that out of shape stiff. Who'd have imagined back then that kid would end up having a 17 year NBA career?

Has UK ever had a more dramatic transformation project than Nazr?

 

[Big Foot 275]

How many remember Nazr when he first showed up at UK? Fat--like literally obese fat--unheralded nobody who had fans wondering if Pitino had lost his mind recruiting that out of shape stiff. Who'd have imagined back then that kid would end up having a 17 year NBA career?

Has UK ever had a more dramatic transformation project than Nazr?

I saw him in an all star game and thought Pitino had lost his mind. He was so slow that the other players would sprint down the court and meet him coming back at half court. I remember telling my son he would never be a factor at UK. Now to think about what he has accomplished it really has been an amazing career.

 

[mj2k10]

How many remember Nazr when he first showed up at UK? Fat--like literally obese fat--unheralded nobody who had fans wondering if Pitino had lost his mind recruiting that out of shape stiff. Who'd have imagined back then that kid would end up having a 17 year NBA career?

Has UK ever had a more dramatic transformation project than Nazr?

Nope. Even back then, Pitino had a reputation for "impulsive" player evaluations. Think Carlos Toomer and Aminu Timberlake (and Oliver Simmons later). Nazr was seen as the next in that line, one of Rick's wild stabs that no one really thought would amount to anything. If you asked a Vegas oddsmaker to set odds on a guy like that ending up as a 17 year, 1000 game NBA player, I think he would have made comparisons to winning the lottery.

Remember the JV team that Pitino put together in 95-96? That thing paid off in a huge way, because I think that was the key to Nazr becoming a really good college player, and to Cameron Mills being able to step up and compete at the highest level.

Some guys are born to be professional athletes. They're just bigger, faster, stronger, and more coordinated. Nazr had the bigger part, but really, when you look back on it, his most likely path was that he ended up as a workaday stiff, some huge guy who played a little college ball back in the day, but then moved on to the rest of his life. Instead, he got the fairy tale.

 

[CUT-NETS]

Nope. Even back then, Pitino had a reputation for "impulsive" player evaluations. Think Carlos Toomer and Aminu Timberlake (and Oliver Simmons later). Nazr was seen as the next in that line, one of Rick's wild stabs that no one really thought would amount to anything. If you asked a Vegas oddsmaker to set odds on a guy like that ending up as a 17 year, 1000 game NBA player, I think he would have made comparisons to winning the lottery.

Remember the JV team that Pitino put together in 95-96? That thing paid off in a huge way, because I think that was the key to Nazr becoming a really good college player, and to Cameron Mills being able to step up and compete at the highest level.

Some guys are born to be professional athletes. They're just bigger, faster, stronger, and more coordinated. Nazr had the bigger part, but really, when you look back on it, his most likely path was that he ended up as a workaday stiff, some huge guy who played a little college ball back in the day, but then moved on to the rest of his life. Instead, he got the fairy tale.

Good post and well-spoke.

 

[Chuckinden]

Nazr....one of my favorites. I like his attitude.

 

[KopiKat]

Nazr Mohammed. Just a tremendous story and yet what do will really know? Other than he worked his ass off, earned every single ounce of success on his very own and there isn't a flaw one to be noted along the way. I hope the man writes a book. I'll be in line at his signing.

 

[UK90]

Remember the JV team that Pitino put together in 95-96? That thing paid off in a huge way, because I think that was the key to Nazr becoming a really good college player, and to Cameron Mills being able to step up and compete at the highest level.
.

That's right. Good memory. It's like Nazr wasn't even considered a real UK player his freshman year. He was put on Pitino's self-styled "JV" team alongside manager and intramural level players.

And the crazy thing is Nazr isn't even the only one who made it big from that "JV" team, Cameron Mills was part of that too. Anyone think we win the 98 national championship (or reach the 97 title game) without Nazr and Mills?

Those were damn fun days. Threads like these remind me how much so. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the Cal era too, but one thing that's missing in this era is the fun watching players like Nazr and Mills grow, improve and evolve into something different over a few years. That don't happen much any more.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

Those were damn fun days. Threads like these remind me how much so. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the Cal era too, but one thing that's missing in this era is the fun watching players like Nazr and Mills grow, improve and evolve into something different over a few years. That don't happen much any more.

Yeah I know what you mean. Having Mash for 3 years was awesome, kid would be a 1 and done in this era. Glad we're starting to see a bit more of a mix of some OAD along with having a few guys stay 2 and 3 years.

 

[jrpross]

I'll never forget his crazy game winning lob shot off the backboard to beat Vandy in 98.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Cal has stated before that he would love for Nazr to be a coach here. I think he would be excellent for teaching our young bigs on post up moves and how to correctly clear your man and positions for ball angles. Not to mention his connections to the NBA teams. He's made a lot of friends throughout the years. As a team you don't keep around a vet like Nazr unless he provides something to the young guys and is a very like able guy. An ass hat that can no longer put meaningful numbers up is cut.

 

[bthaunert]

Back in 1995, if you could get Vegas odds on Nazr becoming the longest tenured NBA player in UK history and put $10 on it, you could retire right now. Amazing what he has done!

 

[KopiKat]

the longest tenured NBA player in UK history

wow. Is that factual? astonishing. Not that the 17 year body of work isn't astonishing by itself but I really didn't know that. Just more marvel to the marvelous. Hoping that somehow we can engineer a reason to invite him back to Rupp for a legitimate congratulations and homecoming - something MUCH more significant than doing the Y. Not suggesting he should be considered for his jersey in the rafters . . . but then again some could possibly argue that because he won a title (the favorite title of many, btw) and because no former Kentucky player represented the UK program at the top professional level longer or, quite frankly, any better . . . the UK player with the longest NBA career.

 

[BassCat75]

Back in 1995, if you could get Vegas odds on Nazr becoming the longest tenured NBA player in UK history and put $10 on it, you could retire right now. Amazing what he has done!

I didn't know that either. I don't think anyone saw that coming. One of my personal all time favorite Cats.

 

[Chairman Meow]

I'll never forget his crazy game winning lob shot off the backboard to beat Vandy in 98.

I was watching that game live and it seemed like he was moving in slow motion and 2.whatever seconds seemed like 5 or 6 and all the other players on the court were watching him like statues. (At least in my mind...maybe it was hotly contested but I don't remember that.)

Seemed like the Laettner shot in reverse at the time to me. Little did we know, the ultimate revenge was just a few weeks away...

 

[gossie21]

Those were damn fun days. Threads like these remind me how much so. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the Cal era too, but one thing that's missing in this era is the fun watching players like Nazr and Mills grow, improve and evolve into something different over a few years. That don't happen much any more.

I'm not sure I follow. In Cal's tenure we have had Patterson, Liggins, Harrelson, Miller, WCS, and still have Poythress and Lee who are multi year players that we have been able to watch grow, improve and evolve.

We have also been able to watch super-human players like Wall, Cousins, Davis, Noel, and KAT mixed in. I think I really enjoy that formula.

 

[gossie21]

As for Nazr he is definitely one of my favorite players from UK. Not only was it amazing he made the NBA, it's also amazing he stuck around. His first 2 years he barely got off the bench. I remember watching him fight for minutes with another rookie this big white stuff. McCullough or something. That he even made it to year 5 in the NBA is a testament to his work ethic.

My first memory of him was at the Derby Festival Classic. We had some UofL fans behind us cracking jokes on all the UK recruits. In fairness they were funny but you probably had to be there. When they introduced Naz they said "man, he must weigh 52 biscuits" In the game when he dove for a loose ball they quipped "did somebody drop a cheeseburger?" He was rather large. But he always had good hands and body control. He just needed to get his weight down. And Pitino was the perfect coach for that.

 

[UK90]

wow. Is that factual? astonishing. Not that the 17 year body of work isn't astonishing by itself but I really didn't know that.

That surprised me too when I read it, but I believe he's right. I can think of a lot of UK players who had mighty long NBA careers, but Nazr is the only one who made it to year 17. Who in 1995 could've imagined the guy who'd end up holding that record would be that unranked unknown out-of-shape fatass forced to play on the "JV" team?

Although I doubt it's a record that'll last. With all these one and dones in recent years I suspect we'll have a few guys reaching year 17 and beyond in the coming years.

 

[Zakk Wyldcat]

The guy was 300+ pounds when he got to UK, very slow afoot but he had soft hands and a great work ethic, apparently.

IIRC, the JV team was created specifically for Nazr. Get him in actual game situations, have him run up and down the court, etc. Otherwise he'd just have wasted away during regular practices and games. A really forward-thinking move by RP.

 

[UK90]

and still have Poythress and Lee who are multi year players that we have been able to watch grow, improve and evolve.

Well ...except for the fact that they haven't. I'd like to think it's been fun watching Poy and Lee improve and evolve, but the honest truth is they were not any better their second year than their first year, and if anything, may've actually gone backwards. Whereas the transformation guys like Nazr and Mills had seemed damn near miraculous.

 

[Kycatspaws]

I'll never forget his crazy game winning lob shot off the backboard to beat Vandy in 98.

What a game, I was jumping with joy when that shot went in.

 

[KyCatFan]

If only he were a good free throw shooter when he got here. His legendary status would have been even more incredible.

 

[BIGBLUE402]

For the last five years now when someone would post the list of UK players in the NBA I was always shocked to see Nazr still on there.

 

[gossie21]

Well ...except for the fact that they haven't. I'd like to think it's been fun watching Poy and Lee improve and evolve, but the honest truth is they were not any better their second year than their first year, and if anything, may've actually gone backwards. Whereas the transformation guys like Nazr and Mills had seemed damn near miraculous.

They're not done yet. And that doesn't take away that harrelson, liggins, and Miller did improve each year they weren't a blip on the NBA radar when Cal arrived and each got drafted.

 

[throatpoker]

he's a hero in my eyes

 

[CastleRubric]

I saw him in an all star game and thought Pitino had lost his mind. He was so slow that the other players would sprint down the court and meet him coming back at half court. I remember telling my son he would never be a factor at UK. Now to think about what he has accomplished it really has been an amazing career.

he was a force to deal with in the paint at UK for sure
teamed up with Magliore and a Fr Michael Bradley coming off the bench --- one of our best center rotations ever IMO

 

[UK90]

he's a hero in my eyes

Not sure what part's more embarrassing there, Lebron's ridiculous "what me?" gesture after blatantly hammering Nazr, or his ridiculous flop after Nazr pushed back.

 

[Chairman Meow]

They're not done yet. And that doesn't take away that harrelson, liggins, and Miller did improve each year they weren't a blip on the NBA radar when Cal arrived and each got drafted.

Exactly, Pitino had plenty of duds too. Rodrick Rhodes "development" was non-existent.

Cal and Rick have each had lots of success stories while at UK. They owe a lot of credit to their coaching staffs too.