To all the critics of the Diallo situation

[EvilMD]

You feel UK was used. I get it. You feel he should have at least played in the UNC game. I definitely get it.

But it truly comes down to this. What if it were your kid? UK and Cal did right by the kid. They put him into position to make life-changing money as quickly as possible. Every parent in the country has to be watching.

Am I disappointed if he never plays for us? Of course. But the big picture is more important.

 

[ulismyman]

My view is this and it is America and i am entitled to it....Cal is paid very well to do whats best for UK not put players in the NBA...certainly not one thats never played for UK. CAL will take a ton of heat if Diallo bolts and there wont be much anyone can say to defend him

 

[Wall2Boogie]

My view is this and it is America and i am entitled to it....Cal is paid very well to do whats best for UK not put players in the NBA...certainly not one thats never played for UK. CAL will take a ton of heat if Diallo bolts and there wont be much anyone can say to defend him

Just stop. You and I know he will take no heat. Posts like this, are just bad. The only people pissed will be some idiots on a free message board.

 

[track42]

I guess you couldn't post your opinion in one of the other 300 Diallo threads.

 

[TruBluCatFan]

My view is this and it is America and i am entitled to it....Cal is paid very well to do whats best for UK not put players in the NBA...certainly not one thats never played for UK. CAL will take a ton of heat if Diallo bolts and there wont be much anyone can say to defend him

Wrong as usual.

 

[Catfan2226]

If the kid stays in the draft I wish him nothing but the best and a long and healthy career.If he stays at UK I expect him to be a team player and contributor BUT in my opinion this is a situation that I hope is never repeated again by Calipari.I love Cal as our coach,wanted him here back when Tubby bolted and I don't think anyone can argue with the results he has given us.He has had us in the conversation every season except the NIT one.The one and done is something I don't care for but the name of the game is winning and as long as we do that I don't care how many are shoved out the door after a season but the none and done is a whole different animal and something I think the vast majority of BBN cares nothing about.For me,I'm all about the UK program and whats best for it

 

[Cardsstink]

My view is this and it is America and i am entitled to it....Cal is paid very well to do whats best for UK not put players in the NBA...certainly not one thats never played for UK. CAL will take a ton of heat if Diallo bolts and there wont be much anyone can say to defend him

Any heat towards Cal will be from people that aren't happy with their own lives that are looking for someone to blame. Only if Cal does this again will he deserve blame, and he won't do it again.

 

[Calsarmy]

I am about UK. Period. "None and Done" will not go over well among a whole lot of UK fans. Any idea it was good for UK does not fly. Might be good for Cal or the kid, but if your about UK winning titles this is not a good look and nationally we will take heat for it.

 

[Calsarmy]

Any heat towards Cal will be from people that aren't happy with their own lives that are looking for someone to blame. Only if Cal does this again will he deserve blame, and he won't do it again.

What a crock. Im totally happy with my life other than not winning any titles in a few years. Im 1000% about UK and dont apologize for that,

 

[Cardsstink]

What a crock. Im totally happy with my life other than not winning any titles in a few years. Im 1000% about UK and dont apologize for that,

Ok then in your case if you are blaming Cal for this then you're just an idiot.

 

[sefus12]

I am about UK. Period. "None and Done" will not go over well among a whole lot of UK fans. Any idea it was good for UK does not fly. Might be good for Cal or the kid, but if your about UK winning titles this is not a good look and nationally we will take heat for it.

We have no idea what Diallo looked like in practice. It's just as likely that he could have really botched up the team chemistry if he were inserted into games as it was that he would have made us better. As others have noted, Diallo was here about as long as most freshmen are by the time the season starts. And if you don't remember, we don't have too many freshmen that are polished and ready to go from day 1.

I want Diallo back, but if he leaves I'm not going to be upset. Far more important things for me to stress over than Diallo's decision to make guaranteed millions or play for UK for free for another year.

And the people complaining about "none and done" becoming a trend, get over it. This was a unique situation with a ton of upside and not much downside. Cal had already missed on a few SGs for next year, so this was a scenario where he could potentially "steal" a top recruit without losing much in return if he bolted for the pros after his half year.

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

I'm still trying to figure out why some fans are upset over this. This situation did nothing to harm the program. The coaching staff had the opportunity to bring in a top 10 player, give him an unused scholarship/roster spot, with a 50/50 chance he stays and plays next year. Where's the downside?

Sure, Diallo gets the bigger benefit from this situation. Personally, I'm glad that Coach took the chance that he might stay. Even if he leaves, our HC is the best recruiter on planet earth and will never have any problems filling a roster spot. Given his historic success at recruiting, winning games, and advancing deep into the tourney, I'll always give Cal lots of leeway on decisions that this. If he's OK with it, I'm OK with it.

 

[Catfan2226]

We have no idea what Diallo looked like in practice. It's just as likely that he could have really botched up the team chemistry if he were inserted into games as it was that he would have made us better. As others have noted, Diallo was here about as long as most freshmen are by the time the season starts. And if you don't remember, we don't have too many freshmen that are polished and ready to go from day 1.

I want Diallo back, but if he leaves I'm not going to be upset. Far more important things for me to stress over than Diallo's decision to make guaranteed millions or play for UK for free for another year.

And the people complaining about "none and done" becoming a trend, get over it. This was a unique situation with a ton of upside and not much downside. Cal had already missed on a few SGs for next year, so this was a scenario where he could potentially "steal" a top recruit without losing much in return if he bolted for the pros after his half year.[

t if this un

We have no idea what Diallo looked like in practice. It's just as likely that he could have really botched up the team chemistry if he were inserted into games as it was that he would have made us better. As others have noted, Diallo was here about as long as most freshmen are by the time the season starts. And if you don't remember, we don't have too many freshmen that are polished and ready to go from day 1.

I want Diallo back, but if he leaves I'm not going to be upset. Far more important things for me to stress over than Diallo's decision to make guaranteed millions or play for UK for free for another year.

And the people complaining about "none and done" becoming a trend, get over it. This was a unique situation with a ton of upside and not much downside. Cal had already missed on a few SGs for next year, so this was a scenario where he could potentially "steal" a top recruit without losing much in return if he bolted for the pros after his half year.

And what if this unique situation happens again and we lose out on a kid that wants to play here and could help us but we don't have a scholarship because we are waiting for a kid to decide if he's good enough to play in the NBA but not good enough to play for a half season in college.I'm not pissed at Diallo.I want the kid to do what's best for him and wish him the best.I just hope UK isn't in this unique situation ever again

 

[mj2k10]

I'm still trying to figure out why some fans are upset over this. This situation did nothing to harm the program. The coaching staff had the opportunity to bring in a top 10 player, give him an unused scholarship/roster spot, with a 50/50 chance he stays and plays next year. Where's the downside?

Sure, Diallo gets the bigger benefit from this situation. Personally, I'm glad that Coach took the chance that he might stay. Even if he leaves, our HC is the best recruiter on planet earth and will never have any problems filling a roster spot. Given his historic success at recruiting, winning games, and advancing deep into the tourney, I'll always give Cal lots of leeway on decisions that this. If he's OK with it, I'm OK with it.

Many of them aren't upset. They're happy. They just won't admit it. They hate Cal, but they know how stupid they sound criticizing him when he's won more games, overall and in the tournament, than anyone since he's been at UK. They look for any excuse to go on some kind of idiot rant about Cal's shortcomings, and absolutely love it when bad things happen to the UK program because they think it gives them a logical leg to stand on.

In the case of Diallo, if he does stay in the draft, there is precious little difference between what he's doing and what happened all the time from the late 90's through 2005, which saw a lot of guys commit to or even sign with a school, then decide to enter the draft without ever playing in college. OK, Diallo spent a semester at UK, but I suspect that most of the doofs having an aneurysm about this would still be having an aneurysm if Diallo had signed with UK, stayed in HS all year, then was still wavering about entering the draft. These people want these kids locked in to entertain them for years at a time, and are totally resentful that the players have the ability to decide the terms of when they leave to pursue a career.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

You feel UK was used. I get it. You feel he should have at least played in the UNC game. I definitely get it.

But it truly comes down to this. What if it were your kid? UK and Cal did right by the kid. They put him into position to make life-changing money as quickly as possible. Every parent in the country has to be watching.

Am I disappointed if he never plays for us? Of course. But the big picture is more important.

If my kid agreed to be part of a team, he would be, umm, encouraged to play.

 

[Blue Decade]

You feel UK was used. I get it. You feel he should have at least played in the UNC game. I definitely get it.

But it truly comes down to this. What if it were your kid? UK and Cal did right by the kid. They put him into position to make life-changing money as quickly as possible. Every parent in the country has to be watching.

Am I disappointed if he never plays for us? Of course. But the big picture is more important.

It doesn't come down to that. It truly comes down to whether Diallo's decision process works for the Diallo family. It has nothing whatsoever to do with us. Some people on this board always have something to complain about. At the end of the day, Calipari and Diallo have been honest about the kid's plans from the beginning. Diallo said he would like to play 1 year at Kentucky. He never said that was guaranteed. This is his life. And if this was a bad thing, then why would Calipari handle it as he has? Calipari is thinking proactively and strategically. Fans are only reacting.

 

[Aike]

Many of them aren't upset. They're happy. They just won't admit it. They hate Cal, but they know how stupid they sound criticizing him when he's won more games, overall and in the tournament, than anyone since he's been at UK. They look for any excuse to go on some kind of idiot rant about Cal's shortcomings, and absolutely love it when bad things happen to the UK program because they think it gives them a logical leg to stand on.

In the case of Diallo, if he does stay in the draft, there is precious little difference between what he's doing and what happened all the time from the late 90's through 2005, which saw a lot of guys commit or even sign with a school, then decide to enter the draft without ever playing in college. OK, Diallo spent a semester at UK, but I suspect that most of the doofs having an aneurysm about this would still be having an aneurysm if Diallo had signed with UK, stayed in HS all year, then was still wavering about entering the draft. These people want these kids locked in to entertain them for years at a time, and are totally resentful that the players have the ability to decide the terms of when they leave to pursue a career.

Bingo.

 

[KingOfBBN]

You feel UK was used. I get it. You feel he should have at least played in the UNC game. I definitely get it.

But it truly comes down to this. What if it were your kid? UK and Cal did right by the kid. They put him into position to make life-changing money as quickly as possible. Every parent in the country has to be watching.

Am I disappointed if he never plays for us? Of course. But the big picture is more important.

Oh, here we go with the "What if he was your kid" guilt trip to defend legitimate criticism of a guy who lied and used Cal, the university and the resources. He lied to Cal, lied to the fans, lied to media and had this planned for months.

You trying to act like I give a crap about this guy's financial situation is humorous. How about honor your commitment? How about this not being a charity and it being quid pro quo? You dont get to take something from others while knowing you never had any intentions of contributing.

He's not our kid. You all using this as justification shows you can't defend it. What if we pulled this crap on every employee that was fired? Every criminal that's arrested? Every person who gets dumped? Haha. It's nonsense.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Bingo.

Not so much. That would be accurate with very few.

 

[Aike]

Not so much. That would be accurate with very few.

You think there are very few Cal haters who look for reasons to pounce on him?

I think that would depend on your definition of "very few."

 

[KingOfBBN]

Many of them aren't upset. They're happy. They just won't admit it. They hate Cal, but they know how stupid they sound criticizing him when he's won more games, overall and in the tournament, than anyone since he's been at UK. They look for any excuse to go on some kind of idiot rant about Cal's shortcomings, and absolutely love it when bad things happen to the UK program because they think it gives them a logical leg to stand on.

In the case of Diallo, if he does stay in the draft, there is precious little difference between what he's doing and what happened all the time from the late 90's through 2005, which saw a lot of guys commit to or even sign with a school, then decide to enter the draft without ever playing in college. OK, Diallo spent a semester at UK, but I suspect that most of the doofs having an aneurysm about this would still be having an aneurysm if Diallo had signed with UK, stayed in HS all year, then was still wavering about entering the draft. These people want these kids locked in to entertain them for years at a time, and are totally resentful that the players have the ability to decide the terms of when they leave to pursue a career.

There's no difference between a guy deciding to go pro before ever college ever starts and a guy committing, enrolling, actually on the team and practicing with players and leading the coach to believe you're gonna play this year when he agreed to let you in?

Why is it so hard for you all to not be a blind fantatic about this stuff? You act like a cult sometimes.

And we are Kentucky fans. I'm a hardcore Calipari fan and don't think this is his fault. Based off of the quotes, Diallo lead him to believe he was gonna play and then decided not to once he was here. This isn't "Oh, they hate Kentucky and Calipari" just because we can use logic instead of being a blind sheep to evey situation.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

You think there are very few Cal haters who look for reasons to pounce on him?

I think that would depend on your definition of "very few."

UK fans? A terribly low percentage. On here? More but still a low percentage. I'd have to work to name a dozen of them.

 

[~Keyser Soze~]

My view is this and it is America and i am entitled to it....Cal is paid very well to do whats best for UK not put players in the NBA...certainly not one thats never played for UK. CAL will take a ton of heat if Diallo bolts and there wont be much anyone can say to defend him

A ton of heat? LOL, you and the other anonymous haters on this board dont have enough pull to generate anything close to heat.

 

[KingOfBBN]

UK fans? A terribly low percentage. On here? More but still a low percentage. I'd have to work to name a dozen of them.

It's the process of those who use the same tactics when it comes to having their religion or politics questioned.

When the Diallo defenders encountered the people who said this was the reality of the situation, they became hostile and attacked, claimed you were wrong. Then when proven right, it becomes "You hate UK. You hate Cal."

These are people who are able to use logic in things outside of Kentucky basketball but are blinded if it's regarding basketball.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

A ton of heat? LOL, you and the other anonymous haters on this board dont have enough pull to generate anything close to heat.

It doesn't require a "hater" to be very frustrated with Cal about the Diallo situation. The BBN is pretty evenly split on this one. That's millions of people. Yep, there will be some blunt criticism.

 

[KentuckyCat420]

This may be a player's first program, but I'm not a player's first fan. I'm a fan of Kentucky basketball, I don't care about Hamidou Diallo's future if he didn't help Kentucky basketball win games.

I root for the guys who give their all to the program, Diallo gave absolutely nothing to the program, in fact all he did was take from it.

This doesn't make me a selfish person, it makes me a logical human being that isn't brainwashed by Coach Cal like so many of you.

Hamidou Diallo is not my child, so I'm not ever going to look at it in that regard. I'm going to look at it from a Kentucky basketball fan perspective that tells me the kid did absolutely nothing for us and I have no reason to wish him well in his future endeavors.

 

[Drcatfan]

To many threads on this, but think about the opposite. Cal plays Diallo last year. Diallo is a stud and Mulder and Hawk get zero playing time and he even cuts into Monk's playing time.

Now imagine you are Mulder, Hawk, Monk, or any future recruit. Cal treats his kids how they should be treated and doesn't hurt any or them. He did the right thing.

 

[mj2k10]

Not so much. That would be accurate with very few.

Very few what? Fans overall? Yeah, I agree.

Embarrassments who are having meltdowns about Diallo? No, I think that's a high percentage. Trepidation, I get, if the guy never plays a game for UK. But outrage is something else, and it's clear to me that those with the highest level of it will absolutely love it if they can use this against Cal.

 

[Cat78Scot]

I'm still trying to figure out why some fans are upset over this. This situation did nothing to harm the program. The coaching staff had the opportunity to bring in a top 10 player, give him an unused scholarship/roster spot, with a 50/50 chance he stays and plays next year. Where's the downside?

Sure, Diallo gets the bigger benefit from this situation. Personally, I'm glad that Coach took the chance that he might stay. Even if he leaves, our HC is the best recruiter on planet earth and will never have any problems filling a roster spot. Given his historic success at recruiting, winning games, and advancing deep into the tourney, I'll always give Cal lots of leeway on decisions that this. If he's OK with it, I'm OK with it.

Exactly. He has all the information and obviously can make the best decisions as to what to do for the program. This mid season transfer from a prep school situation hardly ever presents itself so the possibility of a repeat is pretty damn slim yet the payback for demonstrating again that he holds the players' best interests above all else is huge.

By doing that it will result in even more top level recruits choosing UK cause they know they can trust him. Benefits far more than it hurts.

 

[Blue Decade]

My view is this and it is America and i am entitled to it....Cal is paid very well to do whats best for UK not put players in the NBA...certainly not one thats never played for UK. CAL will take a ton of heat if Diallo bolts and there wont be much anyone can say to defend him

You are entitled to believe what you want. My view is this. Like you said, this is America, so Diallo can do whatever he wants. And anyone who doesn't believe Calipari is doing what's best for Kentucky's basketball program in the contemporary world of college basketball must be blind to what Calipari inherited from Gillispie here, blind to Calipari's coaching record here, blind to his recruiting record here, blind to the positive media attention he brings to UK, blind to fundraising, blind to his former players' loyalty to him and our school. If you are that blind to what's actually going on at UK, as opposed to preconceived notions, so be it. Aside from military deployment, I have spent my life in Lexington. I attended UK, and nobody here is more loyal to UK. I am proud of Calipari's contributions to my school. If you aren't, then keep posting that stuff and watch how other people respond.

 

[K-Town Kat]

My view is this and it is America and i am entitled to it....Cal is paid very well to do whats best for UK not put players in the NBA...certainly not one thats never played for UK. CAL will take a ton of heat if Diallo bolts and there wont be much anyone can say to defend him

Spot on and my thoughts exactly.

 

[mj2k10]

There's no difference between a guy deciding to go pro before ever college ever starts and a guy committing, enrolling, actually on the team and practicing with players and leading the coach to believe you're gonna play this year when he agreed to let you in?

Why is it so hard for you all to not be a blind fantatic about this stuff? You act like a cult sometimes.

And we are Kentucky fans. I'm a hardcore Calipari fan and don't think this is his fault. Based off of the quotes, Diallo lead him to believe he was gonna play and then decided not to once he was here. This isn't "Oh, they hate Kentucky and Calipari" just because we can use logic instead of being a blind sheep to evey situation.

When did it ever seem like Diallo was likely to play? I never once had that impression. Ever. The only thing that possibly got underestimated here was the likelihood that someone in the NBA would want Diallo enough to take him in the 1st round.

And you act like there's no substantive difference between thinking this was a worthwhile gamble that didn't pan out (if Diallo leaves), and thinking this is an atrocity that reflects badly on Diallo and/or Cal. There is a difference, even if you can't see it. Thinking the coach who's won more games than anyone this decade deserves the leeway to take a gamble is not being in a cult, it's being RATIONAL (as is not slamming a kid for passing on college to take guaranteed millions). Something I know a lot of people around here are completely incapable of, and thus something that can be unpopular.

 

[KingOfBBN]

This may be a player's first program, but I'm not a player's first fan. I'm a fan of Kentucky basketball, I don't care about Hamidou Diallo's future if he didn't help Kentucky basketball win games.

I root for the guys who give their all to the program, Diallo gave absolutely nothing to the program, in fact all he did was take from it.

This doesn't make me a selfish person, it makes me a logical human being that isn't brainwashed by Coach Cal like so many of you.

Hamidou Diallo is not my child, so I'm not ever going to look at it in that regard. I'm going to look at it from a Kentucky basketball fan perspective that tells me the kid did absolutely nothing for us and I have no reason to wish him well in his future endeavors.

In their world, it's okay for the players to have their own interests but it's not okay for fans to have their own interests?

Agree with everything you said.

 

[mdlUK.1]

What a crock. Im totally happy with my life other than not winning any titles in a few years. Im 1000% about UK and dont apologize for that,

Lol, "not winning titles in a few years". If winning titles is the only thing that will make you happy, be prepared to be miserable.

Winning a NC is hard. Doesn't happen every few years. Get over it!

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

This may be a player's first program, but I'm not a player's first fan. I'm a fan of Kentucky basketball, I don't care about Hamidou Diallo's future if he didn't help Kentucky basketball win games.

I root for the guys who give their all to the program, Diallo gave absolutely nothing to the program, in fact all he did was take from it.

This doesn't make me a selfish person, it makes me a logical human being that isn't brainwashed by Coach Cal like so many of you.

Hamidou Diallo is not my child, so I'm not ever going to look at it in that regard. I'm going to look at it from a Kentucky basketball fan perspective that tells me the kid did absolutely nothing for us and I have no reason to wish him well in his future endeavors.

Brainwashed by Cal? Who here is brainwashed by Cal? Those that support him and his decisions do so because we trust him, not because we've allowed ourselves to be brainwashed. When he came here he promised to make UK basketball the gold standard of college sports. I think he's delivered on that promise. That earns him trust. If the program ever slips from that lofty position then I'll start questioning his moves.

 

[mj2k10]

In their world, it's okay for the players to have their own interests but it's not okay for fans to have their own interests?

Agree with everything you said.

In their world, we only get players like Wall, Cousins, Knight, Jones, AD, MKG, Noel, Randle, KAT, Ulis, Murray, Fox, and Monk because they believe that Cal has their best interests in mind. Thus shitting on players who are looking out for themselves is counter to what's made the program so successful the last 8 years.

But oh for the good old days, when Tyrone Nash went to a prep school instead of coming to UK.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

I am about UK. Period. "None and Done" will not go over well among a whole lot of UK fans. Any idea it was good for UK does not fly. Might be good for Cal or the kid, but if your about UK winning titles this is not a good look and nationally we will take heat for it.

Will it be good for UK, if Diallo comes back to UK with a semester's worth of time in the system? Unless I've missed something, he still hasn't hired an agent, so the possibility is still there.

 

[morgousky]

If anyone here hates Cal then they aren't UK fans. There are legitimate UK fans that don't LIKE HIS SYSTEM. Get that through some of your heads. And it's not just them, it's MILLIONS of fans across the county.

Me? I like having the NBA players. I don't mind the system as much as most, right now. I'm using it. Then I'll want it thrown away when Cal leaves. See, honesty.

But these arguments against fans with legitimate beefs is nearing stupid.

Now they defend none and dones.

And don't let the humpers fool you. They're more Cal fans than UK fans. They've spent the majority of their time defending our system and that's now where their priorities lie. Defending anything and everything. And they know damn well that they would defend this happening yearly.

See, two can play that little "I'm a better fan" game.

THe pompous attitude of the holier than thou crowd around here is becoming unbearable.

You're not allowed two words. Blindly follow all or you're Kentucky hater who spends his time hoping UK fails. That's an incredibly over inflated ego.

Idiots.

 

[~Keyser Soze~]

It doesn't require a "hater" to be very frustrated with Cal about the Diallo situation. The BBN is pretty evenly split on this one. That's millions of people. Yep, there will be some blunt criticism.

Can you explain why you're frustrated?

 

[Cat78Scot]

In their world, it's okay for the players to have their own interests but it's not okay for fans to have their own interests?

Agree with everything you said.

Good Lord, its just like political threads with all the absolute statements. Not singling you out at all, just tired of seeing people with such common interests marginalize the other opinion.

Both sides have their point, I'm not happy he never played for us if he does decide to go, at the same time I can understand taking a good offer. Seems like Cal recruits kids that are pretty intelligent.

I may not be happy he never played this season or next but who am I to begrudge him his decisions that are infinitely more well informed than any of us on the options.

That fact and the fact that we got robbed again by Higgins in the tourney tempers my anger at this situation really. We weren't winning that game if Cotton Nash, Mashburn and Cousins were playing.