Yardbarker likes Pope over outdated Calipari
- Thread starter Smashcat
- Start date
Yeah, he's primarily focused in this article with roster building, and he's right. Building a team almost exclusively built around freshmen doesn't work in 2024. With the transfer portal in place, there is no good reason to recruit a roster full of freshmen. I would also add, potentially great athletes who have great measurables, but don't have as much skill, are also very tough to win with in today's game. Pope has proved that by beating elite athleticism with skilled and experienced players.
I thought the article was going to take on the offensive strategies of Calipari and Pope, which would also yield a big win for Kentucky (and Pope). There is no doubt, Cal's offense is outdated and Pope has created an offense that is based on the analytics, utilizes the 3pt line much more effectively, and actually creates shots for the team.
All one really needs to do is consider how Calipari's team just before last year played, contrast with then assistant coach Robics "tweak" last year to the style and play, and how that changed the look Cal teams had. Now look at Calipari WITHOUT Robics offensive looks.....
The Arkansas team looks like a regression from the style I thought Cal was going to embrace at Kentucky. Yet he failed to do so, and now that he's gone from UK, and with no Robic to help him, Cal appears to me to be on display as "the emperor that has no clothes on."
It's that simple. And for a HOF coach like Calipari, I don't understand why he would try to double down on his antiquated looks and systemic approach.
But then again, that's just what - and WHO - he really is.
Us Kentucky fans already know this, though.
I join many in BBN giving thanks to having moved on from Coach Cal.
It was actually past time for it.
The Arkansas team looks like a regression from the style I thought Cal was going to embrace at Kentucky. Yet he failed to do so, and now that he's gone from UK, and with no Robic to help him, Cal appears to me to be on display as "the emperor that has no clothes on."
It's that simple. And for a HOF coach like Calipari, I don't understand why he would try to double down on his antiquated looks and systemic approach.
But then again, that's just what - and WHO - he really is.
Us Kentucky fans already know this, though.
I join many in BBN giving thanks to having moved on from Coach Cal.
It was actually past time for it.
Oops, sorry for all of that above from me....
I'm just one of those basketball bennies that doesn't understand the game of basketball.
Thanks for putting up with me ....
- Bennie
I'm just one of those basketball bennies that doesn't understand the game of basketball.
Thanks for putting up with me ....
- Bennie
Ego/narcissism. He’s incapable of admitting to anyone, even himself, that he might be wrong, so he doubles down.
Guys....take my word for it. Once you hit 60 change is hard. Especially when you had a history of success. Calipari just stayed 5 years too long.
It wasn't just Robic who was helping Cal's offense, it was also John Welch, whom Calipari also lost when leaving UK. Welch ended up out at Fresno St. Without either of those guys, Cal is back to running the offense, which means it's the same style he ran at Memphis and at UK pre-Covid. So, it's basically the dribble drive. One guy tries to drive, hands it to the next guy. Somebody sets a screen, next guy drives, and on. It can work when you have the most elite athletes on the floor at all times.
Thanks for clearing that up for me. I'm turrible with names. 😆
I'm just a basketball Bennie, what do I know? 😂
Yardbarker...Sounds like a description of a dog. 'Ole Spot is a yardbarker.'
Worked great in the early 2010's.
In the 2020's, between the portal and NIL, college basketball is so old. Guys are more experienced and smarter. They're more physical mature and stronger. And Cal's dream that his freshmen can consistently drive past them is...just that, a dream.
Yep, there is a huge difference between a 17-18 year-old and a 22 year-old. The transfer portal has changed things significantly. If I were recruiting, I'd go about 50/50 on trying to find elite freshmen and bringing in elite transfers, and it would depend on who I have coming back next season. You've got to have some experienced and mature guys on the team.
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