What Singleton means, and what he doesn't ...
by JL Blue
on Nov 14, 2007 7:06 PM EST
in Commentary
Kentucky's fascination with the one that got away is as storied as it is ridiculous. For every blue chipper that inks with the Cats -- this Signing Day, there were two in Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins, both top 35 -- there are imprinted in the memory of Big Blue Nation's collective brain a list of all those _____s (fill in insult/derogatory name of choice) who for whatever legitimate or illegitimate reasons opted to go elsewhere. What's most curious is that so few of them turn out to really haunt the program, and how long that collective memory is for recruitniks.
Mention the name "Darius Rice" to a fair number of Internet Heroes in blue and you'll likely get back whatever emoticon exists for "Crushed Soul."
Now google Darius Rice's career numbers in the NCAA tournament and the NBA.
What you'll find is a surprising discrepancy between his impact on the college game and his imprint on the big blue psyche.
Like a jilted lover, Kentucky fans hold long and tortured grudges. There are to this day fans that cheered Ralph Sampson III's decision to attend some other school for one reason alone: his father had stiffed the Cats. In 1979!
And while getting punked by Sampson numero dos may have turned out to be farily significant (the dude was a three-time national Player of the Year), the fact that a full 28 years later fans haven't forgotten shows the extent to which the rather whimsical choices of teenagers hold undo sway in the lives of myriad otherwise sane and logical people.
Some of the angst in today's announcement by lanky Georgia forward Chris Singleton is no doubt precipitated by a sinking feeling that comes with the Wildcats in a seeming freefall. Beset by injuries and a shocking ineptitude, something -- anything -- resembling good news is more than welcome.
But the list of the non-chosen of late doesn't exactly fill an All-American team. Sure, there's the significant Tyler Hansbrough and Brandan Wright decisions. Each of those had UK in the top three, and both ended up hurting the squad considerably.
But are we really so broken now that Willie Kemp, Darius Washington, Jason Rich, Mohammad Abukar or Dan Werner (Florida) went their own way?
I'm not. The problems this year's team has weren't created by missing any of those turkeys, and wouldn't be solved immediately by their decidedly "OK" statures.
Obviously, on some level, every player's career takes different turns depending on where he ends up. Perhaps Marvin Stone at Alabama is a lottery pick, or Isaiah Swann at Kentucky is the linchpin of a national champion. It's impossible to know. But you do know that for that one brief moment, they spurned you, and that is what you remember, O obsessee of the recruiting jungle.
So as you gnash your teeth at Singleton's decision to attend sunny Florida State, where he'll hide ably behind third string defensive lineman at the buffet line, remember that you can't get every kid.
And more importantly, you may not want them all.
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Don't know much
With Crawford's build he should be scaring other guys on the court, slashing and knocking bodies around. Instead he settles for threes? Bradley's physique would get him the call almost everytime he drove if he weren't to bang a little. Instead he settles for ???
Remember Azubuike and Tubby's famous line about him? "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane." Well we got a lot of Jane's on this team. By the way I see that Kelenna got the message and bangs regularly in the NBA now. Bradley wouldn't see spot duty in the NBA because he's softer than Mr Staypuff. Crawford has the build to spend a few seasons in the NBDL like Azubuike and if the fog clears his brain (& the bank book sours his dreams)he could play his way onto an NBA team.
I use these two seniors as my examples because they have been there the longest and should know better. Coach G has got to not only get these guys in shape for his style of ball but he also has to get these boys to act like men on the court. Hell, the last few strength & conditioniong coaches couldn't toughen them up. The last guy was supposed to be a guru. Apparently the memo was ripped before the team got ahold of it last year. They buffed out (not Stevenson, course he could be of the Tayshaun build (wish he had half his talent)) but they didn't scare anyone with their buffness. It was all for show.
I for one would like to see a little killer instinct on a team. You see a team wilting and instead of easing back you finish them off so you can get the subs in, chill on the bench and check out the sights. Maybe heckle a fan or two on the road!!
Back to Singleton, unless he was a "killer" on the court I don't think this team needs him. This team needs players who aren't afraid to make other teams cry. Other than the name Kentucky on the jersey and a place called Rupp, I honestly don't believe that any team out there feels any fear playing UK.
The scouting report probably goes a little like this: lots of talent on this team. soft as dish foam though. just push them around, bark real loud and they'll wilt like lettuce in an oven.
I feel for Gillispie (NOT!! he gets what millions of dollars?) since he has a lot to fix with these boys minds. Somehow he has to convince them that they can be scary to play against. Tubby used his team defense to scare other opponents even if the talent wasn't that great.
It's great to recruit talented players but unless they bring toughness we don't need them. Bradley and Crawford were touted as uber-talented players but someone forget to mention that the girls squad regularly punked them around.
Please someone give this team an early X-Mas present and please let it be a killer instinct in basketball. PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!
GO BIG (KILLER) BLUE!!!!!
by bluecrip on Nov 14, 2007 7:56 PM EST 0 recs
Interesting
Also, your buddy didn't tell you that Bradley picked up his numbers mostly at the free-throw line last week, because he was driving and going up strong. I understand what you're saying about Bradley's past performance, but give him a little credit for that.
As for Killer Instinct and playing hard, I do agree. There were very few times that I've ever seen Crawford and Bradley play pedal-to-the-metal ball. Well, let me clarify; I'd see pedal-to-the-metal defense, but very little on offense, and I always assumed that was a coaching decision.
When they do go full-throttle on offense, sometimes they end up making the same silly mistakes by trying too hard. The typical palming call by Crawford, or Ramel getting the ball slapped away when trying to size up a drive.
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on
Nov 14, 2007 9:28 PM EST
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Re: Bluecrip
Uk hasn't played enough games this year for me to have an opinion on their toughness, but I will say that last year I thought there major weakness was playing intelligently. UK lost at least 4 games last year due to boneheaded plays down the stretch. Everything from an ill-fated pass, to leaving the free throw lane while the shooter is holding the ball.
Intelligent basketball is a must if a team is serious about being successful. Especially considering the caliber of the teams around the country today.
But to your point, I think one of the reasons Gillispie is working these guys so hard is to instill a greater sense of toughness into the team. Being well conditioned is a form of toughness, I feel. When a game comes down to the last 5 minutes, many times the better conditioned team wins. They make fewer mistakes, because they are not as fatigued. They get greater lift on their jump shots. They hit a higher percentage of their free throws. The list goes on.
So in that sense, yes UK needs toughening up. Perhaps a better conditioned UK team will make fewer mistakes when it matters most.
But as far as being "soft", or in other words, not physical enough, I am not sure I completely agree with your assesment. I will agree that Morris could go soft at times last year. And I think that will hurt his chances of making a long term career in the NBA.
I really feel this team, once healthy, will be successful. There is talent, but one has to expect an transition period to take place.
Let's hope the transition period is over by late December.
by Ken Howlett on
Nov 15, 2007 1:22 AM EST
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Liberty
by GregJ on Nov 14, 2007 11:20 PM EST 0 recs
Lost Recruits
I think many fans realize UK needs any great player it can get its paws on. Especially a 6'8 forward with range. But to act as if the apocolypse is upon us is a bit of an overreaction.
I do agree that there has been much unneeded angst in the past, when it comes to receiving bad news. We are spoiled and used to getting our way.
The points Blue makes in his piece are right on though. I have faith in Gillispie's ability to recruit. Afterall, he did ink two tremendous players today, let's not forget that.
It's not yet time to wring hands over the one that got away, BCG can't get them all, but he sure as hell tries.
by Ken Howlett on Nov 15, 2007 1:37 AM EST 0 recs
Darius Miller
These are Coach G's words on Miller. Being tough is an important aspect in basketball. Once we get more players that don't frighten easily then we can expect to get back to the Final Four.
In the same article the above quote was taken from Coach G insinuated that the returning players were out of shape which leads to playing soft.
I believe this team will get better, they have a whole season ahead of them. But they will not advance deep into the NCAA Tourney, will not win the SEC Tourney and sure as hell won't win the SEC regular season if they don't toughen up.
by bluecrip on Nov 15, 2007 9:54 AM EST 0 recs
I prefer ...
by Truzenzuzex on
Nov 15, 2007 3:43 PM EST
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Singleton NOT in Ghastly Orange
Trying to find a dry cleaner who will clean your repulsive, Ray Mears, orange clad sportcoat. Rumor has it most self respecting dry cleaners are afraid the sheer hideous nature of the garment may infect their other clientele's fine clothing.
by Ken Howlett on Nov 15, 2007 4:01 PM EST 0 recs
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