Vaught: Amari Williams Might Care About UK's Success More Than Anyone

[Smashcat]

Amari Williams Might Care About UK’s Success More Than Anyone

Amari Williams fits Mark Pope's offense but former UK All-American Kenny Walker would like to be a little quicker with his decision making in the paint. (Vicky Graff Photo)Kentucky coach Mark Pope likes that centers Amari Williams

www.yoursportsedge.com

 

[know1]

What's your opinion on the article?

 

[Allcats08]

His help defense has been pathetic. I’ve never seen a big that athletic not try to block every shot he can.

 

[B.B.H.]

After reading the article, I can actually see it. Being the five in a Pope offense has an insane amount of pressure with it and Amari seems to go on stretches of outstanding play and other stretches where he is borderline unplayable. His “detached” body language may be consistent with serious mental fatigue and self-deprecation. Regardless, I continue to support Amari as I expect the finish product can still be high ceiling, just as Pope has said.

 

[WildcatNC]

Very inconsistent motor and lead shoes, likely the two are related.

 

[K_TIME]

I don’t fret on his offense issues much. It’s his defense which is the problem


He allows guys to shoot in his area often without attacking the shot That is indefensible. Vaught…he kissing up

 

[B.B.H.]

I don’t fret on his offense issues much. It’s his defense which is the problem


He allows guys to shoot in his area often without attacking the shot That is indefensible. Vaught…he kissing up

Well, it’s complicated. You’re right that there are times Amari plays like that but then there are stretches where he is engaged and can be effective defensively. Analytics still love him defensively and he has a lot of upside. Pope says Amari has only scratched the surface of what he will be and I trust that

 

[truckbrandon]

Defense is the problem. Half of the time, he doesn't even put a hand up. That's a big problem

 

[TopCatCal]

Amari Williams Might Care About UK’s Success More Than Anyone

Amari Williams fits Mark Pope's offense but former UK All-American Kenny Walker would like to be a little quicker with his decision making in the paint. (Vicky Graff Photo)Kentucky coach Mark Pope likes that centers Amari Williams

www.yoursportsedge.com

If he cares more about UK's success than anyone. He might want to start getting his hands up on defense & stop letting players that's 7 & 8" inches shorter than he is score over the top of him under the basket.

 

[NociHTTP]

Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it. On a consistent basis.

 

[RunninRichie]

He hits me because he loves me.

 

[westerncat]

Defense is the problem. Half of the time, he doesn't even put a hand up. That's a big problem

This is what I see as well. Can't tell you how many times I have yelled at him for keeping his hands down and let smaller guys score over him. This is what Pope & the staff need to adress.

 

[K_TIME]

Well, it’s complicated. You’re right that there are times Amari plays like that but then there are stretches where he is engaged and can be effective defensively. Analytics still love him defensively and he has a lot of upside. Pope says Amari has only scratched the surface of what he will be and I trust that

Regardless…we’re half way thru his final college season ball…time to get past scratching the surface…he needs to be way more impactful defensively

 

[WildcatNC]

To me caring = effort. I don't see that. Looks soft to me.

Zero excuse to let dudes 6 inches shorter than him do layup lines with him under there. He's the player that has been the most overhyped this year to me. Definitely only a "cheat code" against lower tier players.

The ability should be there, bit he's not a Freshman. Motor and fire can't normally be taught.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

He sure has a funny way of showing it.

 

[AJG-15]

He is 22 years old. He played basketball in England and has your typical European basketball player characteristics: can dribble and pass but compared to other European players he cannot make any shots. England is not known as developer of basketball talents , there other countries in Europe for that.

Like most European players he has bad habits when it comes to play defense:

1. Not standing in the defensive stands,
2. rebounding with one hand
3. Not boxing out
4. Not fighting for positions and not knowing the tricks of big man to seal

Because of soccer / rugby background he should have a good footwork. However, is shotmaking ability is very limited.

He is a physical specimen, with good heart according to the article but in my opinion he has a lot small things to catch up on and he is 22….

At Drexel he didn’t play much freshman year. The accolades as defensive player of the year were because of his physical abilities.

He needs to work on his hook shot or baby hook and of corse on his right hand and midrange.
If we would played high school in Serbia , Greece or Spain he would have been already in Euroleague and Maybe NBA.

If he had two years with coaching at Kentucky different story. Right now we should be happy with what he can give us and cheer him up.

 

[CrazyCat74]

A legit, athletic 7 foot defensive player of the year is averaging 1.5 fouls a game and slightly over 1.5 blocks per game at just under 21 mins a game.


He needs to get a lot more aggressive.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

I believe he wants it.

He just needs to value the ball more, and keep it moving on offense. NO BACKING DOWN.

On D just jeep your hands up and be a stopper and continue his good rebounding.

 

[rick64]

He's lazy on defense. Just watches shots go over his head without even attempting to alter or block the shot.

 

[NociHTTP]

I believe he wants it.

He just needs to value the ball more, and keep it moving on offense. NO BACKING DOWN.

On D just jeep your hands up and be a stopper and continue his good rebounding.

That's one of the biggest issues Pope is having to deal with right now. He doesn't WANT to keep moving on offense. And it's not just Amari. If the opponent is bumping, holding you as you run through your offense, then let them get called for fouls. Set those picks. But do our guys really want to face the kind of contact you get with picks?

 

[aikenite4uk]

He's a liability on offense. His spacing hurts us as no one respects him outside point blank range. Awful looking stroke from the line, and doesn't finish well given his size (7-0, 262). 28-25 assists to turnover ratio....not good for someone who initiates a lot of our offense. He's my number one candidate for reduced minutes. Rim protection is nothing special at all. Needs to step it up.

 

[Mash 2.4]

Hard to run Popes system without everyone being a threat to knock down jumpers. IMO Carr needs to be the 5. Would we be able to hold our own on the boards is the only downside to that.