Which UK Player(s) from the Cal Era Get's an NBA Ring First?

[BlueRattie]

One of the unfortunate aspects of being a high lottery pick in the NBA is that you are most likely landing on a team that is lousy, or at least had a lousy record. What's worse is that this team's misfortune could stem not from a simple bad season but from systemic mismanagement of the franchise. The team isn't simply bad on the court; they're broken from the ballboy to the team president, ensuring that without a serious change in philosophy, they're going to be lousy for a long time.

We all want to see former UK greats hoist the big trophy, but one could argue that a great many of our former players have landed in less than ideal spots for that to happen. We could argue all day as to which players have landed in the worst spots, but a better discussion is to ask ourselves which players have landed in the best spots, the places where good things could happen on the court in the next ten years or so.

With that in mind, which former Cal player(s) will get a ring first? Which player(s) have landed in spots where real growth is possible?

 

[JStaff2187]

It's really hard to say. At the moment no one can hold a candle to Golden State. And Cleveland has the east under it's thumb. If these two teams are able to keep their pieces... I don't know? It'll be awhile before we ever get a chance to see.

To take a stab at it, I'd say KAT. Minnesota has a solid foundation. If they make good draft choices and land a prized FA, they could make some noise.

 

[Smashcat]

Hard to even take a stab in the dark.

 

[docholiday51]

Probably no one on their current team,someone gets traded or picked up on waivers.I'll go off the wall and say Wall

 

[WildMoon]

It's not so much how high of a pick and how bad of a team they go to.

It's about how much they prioritize winning ring over royalty to team drafted you and how good you are in terms of big picture.

If Davis is recognized as the best player in the league chances of him winning title is high.

However, I just don't see that for at least another 5 years.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Honestly, none of them on current teams. And we cannnot predict the future of trades and such and where they will be in 3-5 years so I'll say none of them. As someone else said GS will rule the NBA for the next 2-3 years for sure at minimum.

 

[TopCatCal]

Which ever one is lucky enough to get on with either Cleveland or Golden State.... If Cleveland can come back & win this championship. I believe DeAndre Liggins will get a championship ring, because earlier this season he was on the Cavs roster.

 

[BlueRattie]

I think all of us hold out on the impossible dream that one day a gaggle of them will reunite and create a mega-team of former UK stars:

Wall
Booker
MKG
Davis
KAT

 

[docholiday51]

I think all of us hold out on the impossible dream that one day a gaggle of them will reunite and create a mega-team of former UK stars:

Wall
Booker
MKG
Davis
KAT

Let's add Fox,Bam and Monk and kick the $&it out of everybody

 

[drew_ukfan]

Which ever one Portland signs first

#RipCity

 

[LeonThe Camel]

One of the unfortunate aspects of being a high lottery pick in the NBA is that you are most likely landing on a team that is lousy, or at least had a lousy record. What's worse is that this team's misfortune could stem not from a simple bad season but from systemic mismanagement of the franchise. The team isn't simply bad on the court; they're broken from the ballboy to the team president, ensuring that without a serious change in philosophy, they're going to be lousy for a long time.

The problem is Wall, Patterson, Bledsoe and Cousins have been in the have been in the league 7 years. They have 2 playoff series wins combined.

When you look at the number of players and then the teams, you have to wonder why there are no significant playoff appearances or victories.

 

[bookerfan66]

The problem is Wall, Patterson, Bledsoe and Cousins have been in the have been in the league 7 years. They have 2 playoff series wins combined.

When you look at the number of players and then the teams, you have to wonder why there are no significant playoff appearances or victories.

Actually it's very easy to see why.The Pelicans have no guards.the Kings are a joke of an organization,The wizards have a star in Wall and another solid guard in Beal but nothing else.

 

[Nubb16]

It'll be a non superstar that gets traded to someone like the Spurs/Cavs/Warriors

 

[LeonThe Camel]

Actually it's very easy to see why.The Pelicans have no guards.the Kings are a joke of an organization,The wizards have a star in Wall and another solid guard in Beal but nothing else.

What I am saying is players are not flocking to play with them and in the 5 or 6 years they have been in the league, they have not been good enough to lead the teams to the playoffs.
We will disagree on the Pelican not having good guards. Gordon, Holiday, Evans. Holiday has been in the all-star game.

At some point you say the money is GREAT but winning is important as well.

 

[Jmeeks54thebest]

It's really hard to say. At the moment no one can hold a candle to Golden State. And Cleveland has the east under it's thumb. If these two teams are able to keep their pieces... I don't know? It'll be awhile before we ever get a chance to see.

To take a stab at it, I'd say KAT. Minnesota has a solid foundation. If they make good draft choices and land a prized FA, they could make some noise.

Agree with KAT. But for a different reason. I think KAT is more like the old school guys than our other alumni in that I think he'd be willing to take a pay cut to get better teammates. Guy loves to win more than anything else.

Tim Duncan was the last guy I heard of doing this, and he's retired now...

 

[calamitybone]

Which ever one is lucky enough to get on with either Cleveland or Golden State.... If Cleveland can come back & win this championship. I believe DeAndre Liggins will get a championship ring, because earlier this season he was on the Cavs roster.

100% correct. Will be someone who signs on with GS, SA or CLE. Won't be a top 10 draft pick.

 

[Rupp'sRunt]

Bam to GS

 

[Cardsstink]

UK players from the Calipari era wil rack up a bunch a rings when they are Veterans.

 

[KyCatFan]

Probably will be 0 of them unless they stop signing max contracts with horrible franchises. They all want to get paid first and worry about winning second. I'd take a $60 million dollar contract to play for a winner over a $90 million one and always suck. No matter how good you are you likely won't be mentioned as an all time great if you can't be on contenders.

I looked at a list of top 10 players all time in the NBA and they all were on championship teams. Everyone of them had at least 2 Titles and had regular season and/or post season MVP Titles. Anthony Davis for example, has the talent to be a top 10 or 20 all time great, but if he stays with New Orleans and never makes any noise in the playoffs, he likely won't be top 40.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

If Cleveland happens to come back and win, will liggins get a ring as well since he started the year with Cleveland and traded? I think he was traded anyway, but would he get one since he started with the cavs this yr, similar to to verajo? (Sp?) don't care guys a douche

 

[crittel56]

What I am saying is players are not flocking to play with them and in the 5 or 6 years they have been in the league, they have not been good enough to lead the teams to the playoffs.
We will disagree on the Pelican not having good guards. Gordon, Holiday, Evans. Holiday has been in the all-star game.

At some point you say the money is GREAT but winning is important as well.

Washington, Sacramento, and New Orleans aren't exactly cities big name FAs want to flock. Also it is incorrect to say that none of the ex UK players have taken their teams to the playoffs. Wall has taken Washington three times since he has been there. AD has taken NO to the playoffs before. BTW while those guards you mentioned were on NO, Gordon averaged 44gms/yr, Evans 51gms/yr, and Holiday 51gms/yr. So the Pelicans had them for about half the games they were there. Although those guys have talent they are rarely healthy. Also Holiday was in an all-star game before arriving in NO. FWIW I agree with you that winning is more important than money to a certain extent. Maybe some of these guys might see that now.

 

[wromanp7]

It'll more likely be a bench guy on the cheap.
TJones, PPat, James Young.. a player that makes a roster on en elite team on the cheap.

 

[OSOK]

Bam going to Golden St.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

If Cleveland happens to come back and win, will liggins get a ring as well since he started the year with Cleveland and traded? I think he was traded anyway, but would he get one since he started with the cavs this yr, similar to to verajo? (Sp?) don't care guys a douche

He was cut. It really depends on how the players feel. There is no set rule about who gets a ring (active roster vs anyone who was on the roster during the year). Cannot remember if Varejo got a ring last year. He was with Cleveland for several years if that is any gauge

 

[jrpross]

He was cut. It really depends on how the players feel. There is no set rule about who gets a ring (active roster vs anyone who was on the roster during the year). Cannot remember if Varejo got a ring last year. He was with Cleveland for several years if that is any gauge

An article I read the other day said that if Cleveland wins, that Ligins would get a ring. If the first 2 games were any indication, it's a moot point though.

It would be nice if the Pelicans could find a decent facilitating point guard and a wing to go with the best big-man tandem in the league. Holiday is an ok player but I don't see them even sniffing at a championship with him as their best guard.

 

[nascarforthedead]

The problem is Wall, Patterson, Bledsoe and Cousins have been in the have been in the league 7 years. They have 2 playoff series wins combined.

When you look at the number of players and then the teams, you have to wonder why there are no significant playoff appearances or victories.

This isn't accurate at all. The Wizards have won 3 playoff series since Wall has been there. The Raptors have also won 3 playoff series since Patterson got there.

 

[YouKay]

Guessing it will be Cousins because he will be traded again, maybe to the Celtics (PLEEEASE Danny) now that they have seen they need somebody to go up against Tristan Thompson to beat the Cavs. I could see a dynamite Celtics lineup in a couple of years with Markelle Fultz, Gordon Hayward, Avery Bradley, Jaylen Brown and Cousins. Celtics could offer the Pels Isaiah Thomas or Marcus Smart and a couple of their draft picks for Cousins.

But I also like the Bam to Golden State idea. Would be sick to see him fall that far in the first round but end up with a ring at age 20.

 

[crittel56]

An article I read the other day said that if Cleveland wins, that Ligins would get a ring. If the first 2 games were any indication, it's a moot point though.

It would be nice if the Pelicans could find a decent facilitating point guard and a wing to go with the best big-man tandem in the league. Holiday is an ok player but I don't see them even sniffing at a championship with him as their best guard.

They also need a new coach. The up tempo offense that Gentry likes to run doesn't match the way they have built their front court. You can't have two 7 footers and then try to run everybody.

 

[K-mac18]

Golden State doesn't have any draft picks this year due to trades and other moves.

I don't see Bam falling that far but if San Antonio were to draft him and they signed Chris Paul...could make a run at the Warriors.

 

[UKUGA]

The problem is Wall, Patterson, Bledsoe and Cousins have been in the have been in the league 7 years. They have 2 playoff series wins combined.

When you look at the number of players and then the teams, you have to wonder why there are no significant playoff appearances or victories.

Wall has won 3 play-off series.

Patterson has won 3 play-off series.

First off, your totals are wrong. Second, I'm not sure what you consider significant. But, if you want to limit significant to winning a conference championsip and/or NBA title, then you basically just look at the fact that in the Calipari era, a small number of teams have dominated both the East and West.

Since none of these guys have played for SAS, GSW, Cleveland, or Miami, the odds are sort of stacked against them.

Kanter (whom you didn't list) has been in the WCF. James Young, while not much of a contributor, is a member of the Boston Celtics, who just lost in the ECF.

As for Wall, he's probably been the most impressive, and had he not been sidelined by injury in 2015, he almost definitely would have been in the ECF, if not the Finals.

Davis has probably been the biggest disappointment, especially since NO won 50 games and made the play-offs just two years ago.

All that said, I suspect we are within 3-5 years of consistently seeing UK stars as featured players on at least 2 of the 4 conference finalists each year.

The Lakers acquired Shaq, in his prime, in 1996, and didn't reach the Finals for 4 years - and he joined a play-off team.

It takes time. (And, it looks worse when you ignore the success players have actually had).

 

[BBUK]

Liggins...