Needed speed + 1135 + depth + fundamentals

by Blueobsessed on Mar 13, 2009 10:33 PM EDT Comment 14 comments

I have a theory that mass and strength combined with speed are needed to be dominate in the SEC and college basketball. In order to have speed, you must have a bench that has a skill level and experience that is close to the starting five. This is particularly true when it comes to the first man off the bench. This sixth man must be good enough to start for most teams and needs to be an enforcer who makes an immediate impact on the game. I don't care if he eventually fouls out, he has to be feared/respected by the opposition. This is a psycological imperative.

Back to mass and strength height really doesn't not matter, but:

LG/PG: under 200 lbs is too small

Wing/SG: under 215 lbs. limits what he can do when guarded by long SFs

Wing/SF: under 220 limits your rebounding ability which we need

Post/PF: under 250 lbs doesn't permit you to bang the boards when the opposition plays two centers (Vandy)

Post/Center: under 250 lbs doesn't permit you to bang the boards when the opposition plays two centers (FLA nest year)

Total weight=1135 lbs.

All of these players need to be mobile and athletic and ready to run. Everyone needs to be a shooter and everybody needs to be willing and able to set a screen. The bench needs to be deep in order to rest the starters and develop the second string. No one should play more than 25-30 minutes. The backup forward and backup center need to be big strong players.

Kentucky is close to putting this type of team together. Obviously, they need an outstanding point guard who can step right in, but they will also need a quality backup if they crank up the speed. Jodie simply has to get stronger and look for the screens. Miller and Harris have to develop skills that are the other player's strengths. Miller needs too become a defensive presence and Ramon needs to hit his free throws and three point shots. Patterson needs to add 10-15 pounds of muscle in his upper body. In the show business of the NBA you are more marketable when you look powerful. Orton should start at Center permitting Patterson to move to the PF. Stevenson will be a backup for the SF or PF positions. If he is good enough, Pilgrim will back up PF and I think we need one more four star Center who weighs in at around 250.

Finally with al of this new strength, depth and increased fundamentals, there needs to come an iron will that will not bend no matter how many losses occur. Here is where we fans need to make Rupp rock for 40 minutes no matter what the outcome. If all this occurs, other teams should, and I feel will, fear UK again.

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You need to apply this to some successful teams

for it to be valid. I don’t think total weight is any indication of success unless your starting 5 weighs a combined 500 pounds and 2,500 pounds (much too small and much too big).

by mrmondaynite on Mar 14, 2009 8:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I am too far out there, but did you not feel that even our stars were out muscled this year.

It seemed to me that this year, we were and are a physically weak team. If I remember, Porter was reported to have won teh bench press competition. If this was not based on proportion of weight lifted to actual weight, we are in trouble.

by Blueobsessed on Mar 14, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1978 Wildcats

Don’t know exact weights but will guess anyway.

F Givens 200, F Robey 235, C Phillips 240, G Claytor 180, Macy 180.

About 1035 pounds overall.

30-2, NCAA champs, very successful.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 14, 2009 9:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Possibly too big of numbers on my part, but let take that '78 team.

Given the weights/strength ratio of those players, IMO our current players do not play as powerfully. The combination of speed and power that that the 78 team exhibited and the mental toughness they demonstrated was legendary. They were expected to win it and they did. It was in your face basketball and the strongest opposition withered when confronted with Kentucky basketball.

Think of the six men in recent UK history, James Lee, Larry Stamper, and others who have come off the bench and driven a dagger into the hearts of the opposition. To be successful, we need that again. Someone who races out to the court and plays in your face, hard foul defense emotional “don’t mess with me” basketball.

by Blueobsessed on Mar 14, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The 78 Team Is The Best UK Time Of My Lifetime

Although I’m in minority on that – most put 1996 ahead of them.

The 1978 (and 1975) teams won many games with powerful basketball.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 14, 2009 10:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's what I'M talking about!!!!!!

by Blueobsessed on Mar 14, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who was it that said

that Coach Hall’s game plan was to have all five players foul at the same time, knowing that the refs could only call one?

No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!

by oldcat'69 on Mar 14, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who do you see being that in your mouth kind of sixth man next year?

GJ
Hood
Miller
Pilgrim
Stevenson

by Blueobsessed on Mar 14, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pilgrim Has James Lee Potential

Same build, maybe same impact on the team?

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 14, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right, Forty.

Many will belittle him ’cause he played at Hampton, but they play a pretty physical type of ball, and Pilgrim is a real stud. I hope his quickness is good enough, ’cause if it is, he could be the reincarnate James Lee. Boy, would I like to see a dunk like that to win the NC again. 8-))

No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!

by oldcat'69 on Mar 14, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Freight Train Dunks Were A Sight To Behold

My favorite was his dunk over the Russian 7-footer in Nov 77 preseason exhibition game.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 14, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was sitting behind the basket

about 4 rows deep. The basket was 15-20 seats to my left. It was midway through the second half. Most of the game UK had been ahead, but never by more than 5-6 points. They couldn’t put the Russians away.

Then Lee takes an outlet pass on the right side of the court just behind the center line. He explodes toward the top of the key, taking only 2 dribbles. Two big Russians are back on defense between the basket and the foul line. Two UK players fill the outside lanes, a classic fast break. They were coming right toward me.

At the top of the key, Lee hesitates just slightly as if he is going to pick up the ball and pass to one of the cutters. The Russians shift out a step to shut off the cutters. But instead of passing, Lee explodes to the basket taking off from some 6-8 feet from the rim. The Russians recover — and as I recall — both got to the rim just in time to get the ball rammed through their hands, which were above and in front of the rim.

Lee was fouled, made the free throw, and the Russians were out of the game. UK coasted to the win.

It was the most spectacular display of speed, grace and power I have ever seen. It is all I remember about that game.

by Fortunatus on Mar 14, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs