I think Cal would have utilized his strengths but who knows... He would have been lethal in the open court (which we didn't see much under Tubby) and in a true dribble drive.
Wall Vs. Minnifield who was the better all around guard.
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I think Cal would have utilized his strengths but who knows... He would have been lethal in the open court (which we didn't see much under Tubby) and in a true dribble drive.
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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Macy was a scorer, as well and could really fill it up from outside. He's very underrated as an offensive threat and if one looks at some of the games from his era he was one of the purest shooters to ever play at UK. Dickie Beal made the most offensive strides from his freshman to senior season as any UK guard I've seen play. He went from having the absolute worst jump shot by any guard to ever play at UK to a player that would burn you if left open. It would've been interesting to see guys like Dirk, Hord etc. play under Pitino's system.
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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It is but remember that Macy was an offensive threat as well as a distributor. He looked slow and his shot came somewhat from the hip but he would really fool other teams into thinking he couldn't score. A prime example of this is during the IU/UK game in 1979. Even against IU's stellar defense he was able to score almost at will.
I agree, Macy could score.
No one was a bigger Macy fan than me growing up, but he will never be considered an athletic guard on the level of an Anderson, Dirk, or Blackman - guys who may have performed better under a guy like Cal.
Doesnt mean Macy wasnt the better player, but he fit Joe B's mold much better.
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If you're talking about NBA accomplishments then you're right, however, if you're looking at their PT while at UK one can't discount the fact that Macy a key player on a National Title Team and did more than Wall. Dirk was good but not a great player.
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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No, Macy was not athletic by any means and I think that's one of the reasons he was so successful. Opposing coaches knew he could shoot but he had an uncanny ability to get his shot off in traffic. Totally agree about guys like Anderson, Dirk and Blackman being able to flourish under a Cal or Pitino system, but let's remember that these guys were hindered by no shot clock during their respective tenures at UK. Not having a shot clock in those days really held down a lot of players in the college game.
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Wall was/is a much better inside shot than Minnifield and better on the drive. Dirk's biggest asset was his athleticism and outside shooting. He could score from outside but lacked the inside game that Wall has.
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Yep, when he broke through on the baseline I thought it was an easy score but Charles Jones blocked him from behind, as I recall. I always thought it was close to goaltending but as I only saw it on TV I really couldn't tell.
Kyle had a good career in the League. But he transferred to Ky from Purdue. He would not have been a one-and-done.
My handle would be UKY7 without him!! After Kyle, every kid in Ky wiped their hands on their socks and followed his routine before free throws.
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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No, he would not have been a one and done but he did average around 15ppg as a freshman at Purdue. Without him we don't win in 1978.
lol, I was screaming because I just knew he was going to do a monster dunk and when he tried to lay it it off the backboard I was so stunned especially when he was blocked, I couldn't talk.
I never said Hall totally isolated the guards. I just meant he really liked to pound it inside. Sure he had some great guards and I loved them all. But no one can seriously debate where his focus was. And that is not a criticism...it was just his coaching style.
I go back as far as Claytor and Macy, btw. I always wiped my socks and dribbled three times before free throws because of him. I practiced that same shot he made against KU to tie the game (in Dec 78 or 79?) Bet I made that shot 1000 times on the playground and in the gym. We came from 6 down in 22 seconds to tie it and eventually win in overtime if memory serves. Without the 3-point shot.
Macy's closer than Dirk. I think Macy's the most reliable guard we ever had here. You knew he was always gonna make the right decision, hit the open shot, get the ball where it needed to be, he handled pressure wonderfully, even defended well for an under-athletic white guy. There really were no flaws to his game here. You always felt comfortable when the ball was in Kyle's hands.
Dirk's game was more ..well ....complicated. One of the most athletic UK players ever, had a very nice UK career, but he was far more erratic and mistake-prone with decision-making that could leave us shaking our heads.
But you're right that neither measure up to John Wall. It's just too bad we only got him for one season.
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Nonsense. I don't mean to bash one of our own, but to keep things honest, I must say: There's absolutely NO basis to claim Dirk was "best in his day."
He never made any sort of all american team (not even a third team), he never won anything of major distinction, and his teams were disappointing flameouts in the NCAA tournament.
I've noticed Dirk is one of those players our fans increasingly overrate as the years pass. And I think the reason is because of his dunk highlights. Folks keep re-watching his dunk highlight until it's the only thing they remember about him, they forget about the flaws in his game, and soon start thinking he was better than he actually was.
I liked Dirk, he had a real nice career. But, frankly, the thread topic is silly. Dirk was never near the same level as an overall player as John Wall (or Macy).
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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True, Dirk had a good career, but was not a great player. He became more of a leader in his last season but prior to that was really erratic. Great athlete, good shooter and played hard every minute. Just way too many off the court issues that got in the way of his abilities.
Wall's ability to get to the rim makes him better. He also is a better defender.
Former national HS player of the year Dwight "The Blur" Anderson was in John Wall's same class talent- and speed-wise.
Dirk Minniefield was a journeyman in the NBA with poor teams, then he got on the talented Bill Walton-Larry Bird Celtics and was very good when surrounded by all sorts of talent to pass to. Too bad, he could not make that stick. That one dunk he had was Beamonesque though, quite an outlier.
Dirk Minniefield was a journeyman in the NBA with poor teams, then he got on the talented Bill Walton-Larry Bird Celtics and was very good when surrounded by all sorts of talent to pass to. Too bad, he could not make that stick. That one dunk he had was Beamonesque though, quite an outlier.
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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I saw Anderson play during his short tenure at UK and I'm convinced that had he stayed, we would've won the National Title in 1980, not UL. He had more talent and athleticism than any other guard I've seen in watching UK Basketball for over 50 years. He could take over a game and before the other team had realized what was happening he would put up 8-10 points in a hurry. Really just a shame that he had off the court issues. He was the real deal.
Calling Dirk a "journeyman" is being generous.
Dirk lasted only three seasons in the League, yet played on four different teams because he kept getting cut or traded. He did not play on the Walton Celtic teams, but did spend over half a season with the Celts.
A lot of UK fans seem to remember Dirk as more than he actually was.
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Implies you are old enough to remember Dirk as he ought to be remembered. So I'm curious: were you born in the 1960's or before?
You are right. Bill Walton and Dirk Minniefield both were in Boston in 1987, but Bill Walton played the 1986-87 season while Dirk Minniefield played in 1987-88 for a half a season. Bill Walton used to still live in Boston when Dirk Minniefield was there. I would see Bill Walton out with Larry Bird, and Bill Walton did make positive comments about Dirk Minniefield playing for the Celtics. The point I was trying to make was that Dirk Minniefield was not so hot when he played with players that were not so hot, but when he was with great players like at Kentucky and Boston, he was really very good [but not great]. It was some of the same with Rajon Rondo, who was a phenomenal passer at Oak Hill and Boston, but did not have as much to pass to during his time at Kentucky when Tubby had let the talent level drop.
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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I think a lot of us are seeing Dirk for more than what he was, especially when we had players like Saul Smith and Michael Porter running the point later on. Wall was head and shoulders above Dirk, although Minnifield was one of my favorite players.
I think Minnifield was an outstanding player but Wall is on another planet. As for college, I guess you would have to give Dirk some big time credit as a four year player who did accomplish a great deal and Wall only had the one year. However, Dirk's problems with drugs did him in while Wall is succeeding at an extremely high level. I love both players but it's Wall by a landslide.
"The Blur" -- Dwight Anderson -- was not a PG. He was a 2G, and the best athlete that has ever laced 'em on for the 'Cats, bar none.
