Ulis best UK pure point guard since...
- Thread starter screwduke
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Knight was a great player but more of a scoring point/combo guard. 4.2 assists to 3.2 turnovers while putting up 13.5 shots per game doesn't scream "pure point."
Hear me out before trashing me. Ulis is a better PG than Wall was (as a true PG at UK). That is because I'm comparing a sophomore Ulis to a freshman Wall and I'm ignoring Walls physical gifts. I'm looking at it as a floor general a true well rounded leader. Clearly Wall is the superior talent but Ulis is a great floor general. I'm tempted to go back to Rondo but Rondo was more like Wall than Ulis. Then you have Turner and Epps. I think my choice would be Dirk Minniefield. It isnt just scoring or assists or defense, it's all of those things plus the very rare ability to be a strong leader. So far as UK careers, we may have to go back to Rupps days to find as well rounded a PG as Ulis.
If Ulis maintains the performance he has demonstrated through the first 7 games of the SEC season, he'll be the best PG of the Calipari era.
What Wall & Knight could have been as SOPHs is irrelevant. They never were or will be. All you can compare is the information you have.
I can see the argument that Knight wasn't a pure PG, although I think he was.
I still say Ulis may be the best ever PG at UK, or at least in my lifetime (since 1969).
We will agree to disagree. We are the same age and I like Tyler a lot but I'm not going to reach out there that far.
Tyler has yet to play a full season as a starter thus I think this is quite lofty.
It really isnt fair to apply stats at this point, but as you said it is the information we have.
Wall averaged more points, assists and shot a better % than TU this year.
Wall was also a first team AA, SEC POY, and runner up national POY.
Macy averaged the same amount points, one less assist, shot immensely better and was a 1st team AA and SEC POY.
This is great company to be in, but there are some lofty accolades to reach before I say Tyler is either of these two. That said, I hope he leads us to a title and he would without question take the top spot dragging this group all the way.
The guy can do so many things, he is the best as been as Ky, I know Wall was great Knight, and been so many great guards but Ulis is very special..
It's time for UK and the SEC to start promoting him as All-American. ...yes, I'm serious.
Uhhh... did you watch Wall play? He has the single season record for assists in a season (241 or 6.5/gm). If that isn't a facilitator, I don't know what is. Also, he WAS the leader of that team on the floor. No doubt about it. Some people act like Wall was just some scoring athlete, but he's the best PG I've ever seen at UK and I only got to see him for a single year.
What sets Ulis apart from some of the other guys mentioned is that he never makes bad plays.
Wall, Knight, Rondo, they would make a handful of bad plays each game and Tyler doesn't do that.
He ALWAYS makes the right play and truly leads the team.
Ford was great but was exposed on defense at times.
Obviously it's all subjective and it's like asking who the prettiest super model is.
It just depends on what qualities you place the highest value on.
Wall, Knight, Rondo, they would make a handful of bad plays each game and Tyler doesn't do that.
He ALWAYS makes the right play and truly leads the team.
Ford was great but was exposed on defense at times.
Obviously it's all subjective and it's like asking who the prettiest super model is.
It just depends on what qualities you place the highest value on.
I think people are afraid to say Ulis is a better point guard than Wall because of Wall's quickness, athleticism, size, and especially the career he's had thus far in the NBA. It seems you'd come off looking like a fool to say that some snot-nosed, 5-9 (with shoes on) 160lb (soaking wet) little guy could possibly be in the same league as Wall. And the truth is, as a pure athlete there is no comparison. Perhaps even as an NBA point guard there is no comparison. (there certainly is no comparison YET in that regard) But that wasn't the question. The question was: fill in the blank, "Tyler Ulis is the best UK pure point guard since _____. "
What is the meaning the phrase "pure point guard?" It is primarily speaking about the ability to facilitate a team and an offense. What qualities are needed? Court vision. Passing ability. Understanding the game. Understanding the coach's gameplan. Setting up teammates for success, getting assists. Ball handling, not turning the ball over- making smart plays. Playing great defense. Disrupting the opponent's offense with ball pressure. Shooting ability. Scoring ability. Great athleticism and ability to finish on the break, over, around, and through people.
Now, when you evaluate Ulis on those criteria, he's got an edge on Wall (when Wall was at UK) in pretty much every category. Now, Wall is a great athlete. He could finish on the break, over, around, and through opponents better than any point guard UK has ever had (at least that I've seen with my own eyes, since the late 70s, early 80s). But those qualities aren't the most important for a point guard. Wall was very turnover prone, I'm not sure if some folks remember. He also often did his own thing instead of what Calipari was telling him to do. Wall had 241 assists in his 1 season here at UK. That's 6.5 assists per game. But he also had 149 turnovers that year. So, his a/to ratio was 1.62. Right now, Ulis has 108 assists and 35 turnovers. That's 6.0 assists per game, which is a bit lower than Wall. But the turnovers tell the story. Ulis' a/to ratio is a ridiculous 3.08 right now, so that's over 3 assists to every 1 turnover. If that is your primary criteria for "pure point guard" then Ulis has the edge.
