Where does Butler rank in UK history

[EastKYWildcat]

as an on-ball perimeter defender? He is among the best that I can remember. Has all the tools - lateral quickness, fantastic IQ and anticipation, maximum effort, clearly willing to sacrifice his body. Our opponents start the majority of their possessions attempting to get a switch on their primary scorer when he is guarding them.

 

[jeffky]

That steal he made where he fed Garrison for the and 1 was legendary . Nice to have veterans doing what veterans do in BIG TIME situations. BUTLER was HUGE HUGE yesterday .

 

[Fox2monk]

as an on-ball perimeter defender? He is among the best that I can remember. Has all the tools - lateral quickness, fantastic IQ and anticipation, maximum effort, clearly willing to sacrifice his body. Our opponents start the majority of their possessions attempting to get a switch on their primary scorer when he is guarding them.

I’d say he ranks up with Rondo, Wayne Turner was pretty solid as was Cliff Hawkins. Cason Wallace was really good, Dale Brown and John Wall are up there. Obviously MKG if we talk about forwards.

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

 

[TOMCATS1990]

I know he is a joy to watch, an elite alpha defender, and absolutely wish we had him back next season. He will lead this team as far as he can with one arm. His offense is underrated too.

 

[CapnBlubs]

I’d say he ranks up with Rondo, Wayne Turner was pretty solid as was Cliff Hawkins. Cason Wallace was really good, Dale Brown and John Wall are up there. Obviously MKG if we talk about forwards.

Good list. My pick would probably be Rondo. Liggins was great, too.

This isn't the be-all, end-all stat but here are the steals leaders: http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/careersteals.html

Reed Sheppard had 82 steals in only one season and given 4 similar seasons would've set the school record by a large margin. At the same time, I don't think of him as being a guy who could keep someone in front of him or challenge shots like others could.

 

[CapnBlubs]

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That was the play of the game, in my mind. It was silly that we'd scuffled our way to needing that play, but Butler made it. With one arm.

 

[megablue]

Larry Johnson, Dwight Anderson and Tyler Ulis deserve mention.

 

[BluestBlood]

Reed was a thief, he could steal it away with ease.

 

[L.O.D.]

Rondo and Wall were better. Arkansas Reed was a really good help defender off ball . On ball he was average maybe. Butler much better on defense as Reed imo.

 

[Fox2monk]

Good list. My pick would probably be Rondo. Liggins was great, too.

This isn't the be-all, end-all stat but here are the steals leaders: http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/careersteals.html

Reed Sheppard had 82 steals in only one season and given 4 similar seasons would've set the school record by a large margin. At the same time, I don't think of him as being a guy who could keep someone in front of him or challenge shots like others could.

Ah yeah Liggins I forget him somehow and absolutely deserves a mention.

 

[Fox2monk]

Good list. My pick would probably be Rondo. Liggins was great, too.

This isn't the be-all, end-all stat but here are the steals leaders: http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/careersteals.html

Reed Sheppard had 82 steals in only one season and given 4 similar seasons would've set the school record by a large margin. At the same time, I don't think of him as being a guy who could keep someone in front of him or challenge shots like others could.

I’d say Sheppard was a good gambler but nowhere near the caliber one on one defender as those other guys.

 

[Fox2monk]

That was the play of the game, in my mind. It was silly that we'd scuffled our way to needing that play, but Butler made it. With one arm.

I rewatched the game and we were up 15 and kinda had a LUL where we burned clock from 6:22 left in the game until about 2:00. They got it within 6 and that steal and bucket was huge.

 

[CapnBlubs]

I’d say Sheppard was a good gambler but nowhere near the caliber one on one defender as those other guys.

Exactly. Had excellent instincts on jumping the passing lanes but not the guy you'd want fronting...say, Kemba Walker, with the game on the line.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Imo hes the best. In my lifetime only Cliff Hawkins was comparable.

Its way more than steals. He just doesn't allow anything. Hes quick enough to stop any penetration and physical enough to bully anyone trying to power their way in. Plus he gets steals without gambling. All the other steals leaders were great at stealing the ball, but not as good at just shutting down someone. Especially so with reed.

When we went all in to get butler, i was concerned about his offense but this system and staff really helped him improve there.

 

[4849515878969812...]

Cliff Hawkins takes a back seat to no one when it comes to defending your man one on one.

 

[bigbluemist]

Have to realize Lamont is doing this with one arm. Dude is a stud

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

Tony Delk with those freakish long arms wasn't to shabby

 

[SemperFiCat]

Kentucky has a long history, but I'm not sure if we've ever played Butler. Would be amazing to see the Cats play in Hinkle!!!

 

[Bassworship]

Rondo and Wall were better. Arkansas Reed was a really good help defender off ball . On ball he was average maybe. Butler much better on defense as Reed imo.

LOL. You are crazy to think Wall is a better defender than Butler.

 

[TriCountyCat]

His performance against Louisville alone should add him to the most beloved players of a generation.

 

[wkycatfan]

Larry Johnson, Dwight Anderson and Tyler Ulis deserve mention.

Larry Johnson, good call. I'd throw in Dale Brown as well.

 

[bigbluedon]

Reed was a thief, he could steal it away with ease.

Because he couldn’t guard his man so he had to gamble trying to jump passing lanes. Reed couldn’t keep my 5 year old grandson in front of him.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

Sheppard gambled alot. He got burned as much as he succeeded.

 

[ganner918]

Reminds me of Turner

 

[nptb]

Butler is a very good on ball defender. Still I wouldn't put him in top 5 on ball defenders in the last 30 years.
1. Cliff Hawkins
2.Rajon Rondo, even when he was beat he could reach around and poke the ball loose. His arm length made him always in a passing lane
3. Gerald Fitch
4. Deandre Liggins
5. Tyler Ullis

 

[nptb]

Reminds me of Turner

Dang I got to redo my top 5.