The Big Blue Daily Mail -- The Jodie Meeks Aftermath
by Truzenzuzex on Jun 16, 2009 12:20 PM EDT
in News
124 comments
As you might expect, today's main topic of the Daily Mail will be Jodie Meeks, and the commentary surrounding his exodus from college basketball. Jodie only really had two good years at Kentucky, his sophomore year being an injury-hobbled affair where he was only able to impact the team for a few games early in the season before being struck with a nasty sports hernia that eventually required surgery to correct.
There were a number of games that Jodie really showcased his skills in before the tremendous season he had last year, the most memorable of which was the Louisville game at Freedom Hall in Jodie's freshman year, where Jodie showcased his trademark efficiency for the very first time, scoring 18 points in only 21 minutes of action, shooting 4-7 from the arc and breaking the back of an inept Louisville Cardinal team. That performance by the Cards led a sudden outburst of anti-Pitino outrage which lasted right up until the 2007-08 game.
Another of my favorite Meeks memories was against Appalachian State last year where he racked up 46 points in 34 minutes. That wasn't great competition, but it was a terrific performance by Jodie. And of course, who could forget the record-breaking, "we're not worthy" performance by Meeks in Kentucky's beclowning of Tennessee last year. Rare stuff, and one of the moments that made UK basketball interesting last season. Sadly, that was virtually the high point of last season -- UK fans had precious few moments to cheer about thereafter.
So I suppose this post is a "farewell to Jodie" missive. We will surely miss him, and the moments he provided us. I know we all wish Jodie well in the NBA, and I am confident that, no matter what the outcome of the actual NBA draft, Jodie Meeks will be on a league roster next year if he remains healthy -- and I expect he will play quite a few good years in the Association. Thanks so much for the memories, Jodie. You provided a bunch of them, and we will miss you next year.
And now, for the news.
UK Basketball News
-
Meeks Leaves Kentucky
Rush The Court examines what no Jodie Meeks means to UK next year. I think they get it pretty much right. -
Meeks' future in NBA
More Meeks from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. -
Team Speed Kills talks Meeks
He brings up an interesting game next year -- Kentucky vs Mississippi State. -
Winners and losers in this year's NBA Draft
The Loathsome Troll Jeff Goodman thinks that UK is a winner overall because Patterson came back. He has a point, and if we had lost both, I think all the early hype would have been dealt a real setback. Fanhouse agrees. -
Meeks right to follow his heart
John Clay thinks Jodie will have to play his way on like Hayes and Azibuike. I'm not so sanguine that he won't get drafted in the first round. Either way, I don't think Meeks' road will be as rocky as Hayes or Azibuike, or even Joe Crawford. -
Bring Back Michael Porter
Matt Jones calls for the return of Michael Porter now that a scholarship is available. I don't think Porter is interested, he has bigger fish to fry. But you never know. -
Top 25 (and one): Meeks' UK departure leaves KU No. 1 - CBS News
Parrish drops UK a spot in his rankings, and I think I would drop them even more. But the 'Cats will still be very tough, perhaps even better than people expect. -
It’s been real Jodie Meeks
Straitpinkie farewells Jodie Meeks. -
Meeks' loss will hurt more than you think.
I think this is right. We will feel Jodie's loss, and probably drop some games we could have won with him back on the roster. -
Katz picks UK as a draw
Lots of winners and losers, but UK's situation, according to Katz, is status quo. I'm not sure I agree, but I do believe that UK will still have a very good team without Meeks. -
Wildcats can still flourish with Meeks gone
Rick Bozich thinks Kentucky will be fine, and I think he makes some good points. -
Hurricane Jodie: How Will Kentucky Recover?
Everybody's talking about Darnell Dodson as a Meeks replacement. That's a lot of pressure for a JUCO transfer who will be seeing his first Division I action next year. -
Gary Parrish on Jodie Meeks' departuer.
No doubt this hurts UK's standing, but it doesn't devastate it. -
John Clay's Big Blue Links.
Meeks, Meeks and more Meeks. -
Looking to the future
Kenneth Spears looks to the future over at True Blue Kentucky, and tries to find who will replace Meeks' scoring.
UK Football News
-
Athlon sports ranks UK
UK comes in at #56, just above Maryland one spot below ... Michigan? I wonder when the last time UK was ranked this close to Michigan by anyone? -
Patience in '09, Pays Off in 2010?
Ira Combs is the second person I have seen with this view. It does make some sens, it would seem to the seasoned observer that UK is really a year away from being really good in football. The schedule for the upcoming season is particularly brutal, with many of the games against the more beatable foes in the SEC on the road. He also sees Jarmon's loss as more devastating than I do, but he does make a strong argument.
Could this be the first no-bowl season for UK in four years? Let's hope not.
Other UK Sports News
-
Kentucky Cat Scratches
Always worth a read. -
Clint Tilford Agrees to Terms with Colorado Rockies
One of our most talented baseball players decides to turn pro.
NCAA Sports News
-
Newspapers Sue Florida State for NCAA Documents
This does look suspiciously like an attempt by the NCAA and member schools to circumvent state "sunshine laws." -
So what is exactly going on at USC?
This writer sees USC heading for the "Lack of Institutional Control" charge. That would surely be ugly. -
Rush The Court looks at other draft deciders
Austin Daye, not surprisingly, gets the skeptical eye from RTC. But he will be drafted, I expect, on upside alone.
Other News of Interest
-
Adams: SEC coaches will do well at other jobs
John Adams thinks UK football coach Rich Brooks would make a good ... banker? Really? I just can't see it.
The Daily Schadenfreude
-
Coaching USA Basketball again would be perfect exit strategy for Mike Krzyzewski
Heh. Exit strategy. I like that.
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meeks will be missed more off the court...
i know we are losing a high % of 3-pters, but i really wish the younger guys could see how hard he works in practice and on his own – that example will clearly be set by PP, but to have 2 guys busting it would have been even better.
selfishly, i wish he would stay but i do hope this is the best for Jodie…..
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Jun 16, 2009 12:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
UK Will Be Top 5 Team Regardless
I hope Meeks gets drafted in 1st round.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 16, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agree on both statements
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Jun 16, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Disagree
A new coach, new system, and a bevy of new, untested players do not typically result in a top 5 team.
Perhaps, at the end of the season, I’ll be proven wrong. However, expectations for this coming season need to be managed (and lowered) a bit, especially now that Meeks is definitely not returning to the team.
by tooblue on Jun 16, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It Happened In 1986 And 1998
New coach(es) anyway.
Both Top 5 teams.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 16, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1998 team was experienced
I can’t speak for 1985 since I was born in 1984, but in 1998, we had just come off 2 exceptional years of being champions and runners-up and were already a good, experienced team. Our team next year has no experience, and our team last year had an early exit in the NIT.
Not wanting to be a downer, just a realist.
by WildcatInHouston on Jun 17, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1998 Team
No returning (full-time) starters. No All-SEC players. No 10+ ppg players.
Saul, Anthony, Bradley, Hogan, and Evans had never played a UK game before.
The 1996 and 97 teams sent 6 players to NBA and graduated 2 more who were 4 year starters (at least part-time). Lots of experience GONE by 1998.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
Good point. I stand corrected. I bow to the master. :-)
by WildcatInHouston on Jun 17, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The 1986 Team Was More Experienced
Really 1986 and 1998 had similar results.
98 edged Duke in Regional final but 86 got edged by LSU in Regional final.
Had the 86 game gone the other way, UK may well have won 1986 NC because the Cats defeated eventual NC Louisville already that season.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought the 1998 team
had plenty of experienced leadership, including Turner, Shepard, Padgett, Mohammed, Edwards, and even Magliore.
Am I mistaken?
by tooblue on Jun 17, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depends On How You Define Leadership
Turner was a 2-year back-up PG. Sheppard redshirted the year before 1998 but started on 1995 team. Padgett was a part-time starter in 1997. Mohammed and Magloire were part-time starters in 1997. Edwards was rarely used by UK before 1997 injury to Derek Anderson.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The '98 team was one of the most seasoned, talented, and capable teams in history.
Any suggestion to the contrary is absurd. Numerous pros, all seasoned by previous NCAA tourney experience.
Scott Padgett was a returning NCAA ALL FINAL FOUR player.
Wayne Turner had just been named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Regional Tournament.
Wayne Turner used to hold the all-time record for most NCAA games played. To say he was a mere “back-up” point guard says more about the commentator and his agenda than it does about Wayne.
The most important thing about that ’98 team, though, is that it had received three solid years of instruction under Pitino and his top-notch coaching staff, and they were primed to go back to another Final Four.
It is unfortunate that subsequent coaches have not left their UK teams in the same condition.
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I'm thinking Wayne was actually named to the ALL NCAA Regional team two years running.
I know he was coming off a great year in ‘96-’97 (when this Parade and McDonald’s All American “Back-up point guard” was named to the NCAA ALL REGIONAL team), but I’m pretty sure he won the MOP in his Junior Year.
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He Was MOP In 1998, Not 1997
If you check his PT in 1996 or 1997, you’ll find he was back-up PG to Anthony Epps both years.
Oh.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wayne Turner, a McDonald's and Parade All-American and future NBA player,
had played over 1,300 minutes in 75 UK games going into that ’98 season.
Oh, to be so green…
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wayne Turner one of my all time favorites
I had a class with him my freshmen year, and some annoying girl kept bringing in stuff for him to sign all the time.
If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis.
by btcoop71 on Jun 18, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not Exactly
No full-time starters from 1997 team. No one who had ever scored 10+ ppg or made All-SEC at UK. And 5 players who never played a minute at UK before 1998.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The 1998 Roster Had One (1) McDonalds A-A On It
Such wonderful recruiting in 1996 and 1997 (with UK on top of the world).
If 98 was such a powerhouse coming back, why were they ranked #9 to start?
They wound up #1 (of course) due to improved coaching over 1997.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your mistake is to claim they weren't great just because they played behind the likes of Ron Mercer and Anthony Epps and Derek Anderson and Jared Prickett and Allen Edwards.
That ’98 team had SIX future NBA players on it! It was STACKED.
And if you will check you will see that Wayne Turner and Scott Padgett were in fact ALL NCAA (Regional and Final Four, respectively) in ’97.
And that was true even though they played behind those other outstanding Wildcats.
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stacked???
Turner and Sheppard played a handful of NBA games.
Turner was NOT the MOP in 1998 as you stated. You’re WRONG.
The 98 team was the leftovers from 96 and 97 teams plus 1 transfer and 4 recruits.
They won because they had 1 better coach who could beat Duke.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You have never been one to let the facts stand in your way, but I will present them to you once again.
Wayne Turner was in fact Named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1998 NCAA Regional Team. See here to get your facts straight: http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Players/Turner_Wayne.html
I will accept your apology any time.
The ’98 team had SIX future NBA players, THREE Parade All-Americans, PLUS Mr. Basketball from Massachusetts, AND Mr. Basketball from Florida.
Oh, to have such pitiful talent.
If it was the successor coach’s talent that took these six future pros to the national championship, I wonder that said coach has never once made it back to even the Final Four since.
I note that the coach who left him that talent has made it back, and nearly did again last year.
I think history has shown which of the two of us is correct in our analysis of those two coaches.
I admire your slavish devotion to a certain former failed UK coach, Forty, but please do not allow that passion to cause you unfairly to disparage the tremendous talents and abilities of our past Wildcats.
Wayne Turner and Jeff Sheppard were both phenomenally talented Parade All Americans who played up to their abilities as promised, and they each wear not one but TWO National Championship rings as a result.
I can’t wait for you to tell me how Tubby gave them that first one…
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Numbers From Jon Scott Website
As of May 1997:
Sheppard 5.64 ppg
Mohammed 6.29 ppg
Padgett 7.30 ppg
Turner 5.60 ppg
Edwards 4.98 ppg
Magloire 4.88 ppg
Mills 4.33 ppg
Masiello 0.87 ppg
As of March 2007:
Morris 12.6 ppg (later opted for NBA)
Crawford 9.28 ppg
Bradley 8.65 ppg
Meeks 8.68 ppg
NOTE – that’s 4 with HIGHER career ppg than anyone in 97.
Jasper 3.88
Stevenson 2.91
Porter 1.52
Carter 1.0
Harris 0.75
Coury 0.4
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 18, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
False -- Parade All American and future NBA player Jeff Sheppard had 25 games in double digits BEFORE the '98 year.
If you need a source so you can get your facts straight, let me know. I can give you some good places to go to get accurate info so you will not be saying things like, “No one who had ever scored 10+ points per game.”
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he means "averaged 10 pts per game".
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
by davw83 on Jun 18, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe you are correct...
especially about the “realist” part.
by tooblue on Jun 17, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
SEC should be better next year..
although UF was labeled a “loser” on the draft issue by Katz, ut, usc, msu, ark and lsu were all winners – looks like SEC will have some experience to make some noise next season.
that will help UK….
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Jun 16, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Porter
I also thought of Porter returning for that final scholarship now. On a team that needs a three-point-shooter, he might be a good fit for spot minutes. We all know he wasn’t a PG, but I’d love to see him come back next year. It’s no-lose for UK, if he’s interested. Plus, it guarantees he gets the much-deserved recognition on senior day.
Bring back Mike! LOL
by Acdixon on Jun 16, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
All In Fun...I Hope.
Pleased to see the “LOL”, Acdixon, just for a moment I thought you were serious. If there ever was a player who was antithetical to that required by the DDMO it would be Michael Porter. Kevin Galloway would be a much better option.
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares."
--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12, 27 November 1787
by Wild Weasel on Jun 16, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually Porter Played In A High Speed, Faster Paced Offense At Modesto Christian
His teams were 115-23 over 4 years.
Porter is an excellent athlete. far superior to someone like Josh Harrellson.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 16, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DDMO And Porter
Dribble ≠Porter
Drive ≠Porter
Motion ≠Porter*
Offense ≠Porter
- (Unless you include slow)
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares."
--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12, 27 November 1787
by Wild Weasel on Jun 16, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As Indicated
Porter played fast paced, higher speed offense at Modesto Christian with great success.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 16, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
For that matter...
Why not bring back Mark Coury as well?
Oh, the horror… .
by tooblue on Jun 16, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not DDMO Player
Walk-on who saw little PT until Gillispie came.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 16, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I just hate that Marc Maggard
was wrong again……dont know what I’ll do…..lol….I wonder if Jodie went to the NBA just to prove Maggard wrong….lol….along with about 50 others….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 16, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
Maggard never said Meeks wasn’t going to the NBA.
by BBallSophist on Jun 16, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
question:
i know Jodie is gone, but if he were to fall to the second round and did not hire an agent, could he come back? i know if he fell completely through the draft he could come back (ala morris), but what if he is drafted late second round? i thought if you were drafted, you lost college eligibility, regardless of hiring an agent or not.
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Jun 16, 2009 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No
He must go undrafted (and not hire agent) to have chance to return.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 16, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep.
Seems like a longer shot than Mine That Bird, to me. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jun 16, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All the best
to the most exciting, memory-producing Wildcat in the last four seasons. I hope this move works out for him as he envisions it, and I wish him a big, fat wallet playing the game he obviously loves. Thanks for being a Wildcat, Jody, and a BIG thanks for spanking the Vols in such a regal fashion on their home floor.
by blupride on Jun 16, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jodie
Was an unbelievable Wildcat both on the court and off. Even he doesn’t go in the first round, his work ethic will get him to where he wants to be. Good luck Jodie! You deserve it.
by kykat51 on Jun 16, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Qualtified
Just wondering if all the Freshmen have met the entrance requirements yet? Could we have more than 1 scholly available before this team’s members are set? Thoughts???
by UK1972 on Jun 16, 2009 4:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good question
And I don’t know the answer. Do they have to be cleared by HS about their SAT score before they can enroll at UK? I know the NCAA has to clear them before they can play. But what about the enrolling part?
by kykat51 on Jun 16, 2009 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
UK Admissions Clears Their Enrollment
NCAA clearinghouse rules if they are eligible to play.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 16, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
UK fans are top notch
I’m so pleased that virtually all the posts regarding Meeks’ decison have been positive. That speaks volumes for the loyalty of UK fans.
by UKCat on Jun 16, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah.
Kind of like the line from “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” … “We hate to see him go but we love to watch him leave.”
Kind of. In a non-gay sort of way. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jun 16, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Play his way into the NBA
I agree with John Clay’s article today and think Jody will have to play his way into the NBA like Hayes, Azuibuke and Crawford. He’s a motivated guy and a hard worker, so hopefully he’ll get his chance.
by chicagoblues on Jun 16, 2009 5:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just as I thought...
…and pointed out several weeks ago…
Good luck Jodie..!!!!!
I’d also like to see Porter back on scholly…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
by vinceuk1 on Jun 16, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I see a lot of comments for adding someone as the 13th scholarship
Wouldn’t we be better off with someone in that posiiton than to have it empty (even me … LOL)??
by ukcris on Jun 16, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking we jumped the gun on dumping Pilgrim before Jodie decided.
But Cal has never needed my advice before, so I’m assuming he knows what he’s doing flushing the one PPat called “The Beast.”
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It wasn't jumping the gun.
I think Cal decided it was best for Pilgrim to leave regardless of what Jodie was going to do.
by BBallSophist on Jun 17, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also
If you’re going to keep someone around, a senior makes sense so that the scholarship is free next year anyways. I don’t think Cal liked Pilgrim, and he wasn’t willing to give him two years to see if he was wrong.
I question a guy that was supposed to be a draft prospect that only averaged a couple of points and sat a lot of games at Hampton. I would think that there are some Derrick Character-esque issues going on with the kid. I hope he finds a place where he can show his skills, but it’s not going to be Kentucky.
by Wunderkind on Jun 17, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, there is no reason to think there were any character problems with Pilgrim at UK.
That’s purely speculative.
He has two years of eligibility left to play, and he needs to be at a place where he can play for 25-30 minutes a game so he can show his game enough to see if he can work his way into an NBA draft pick. That wasn’t going to happen at Kentucky with the players who are in front of him.
by BBallSophist on Jun 17, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's an interesting perspective -- that Cal was doing the young man a favor.
If Matt was capable of playing SOMEWHERE, just not here behind PPat, Cousins, and Daniel Orton (and perhaps even Perry St.), then that makes perfect sense and was actually a very kind thing to do. I would love to watch him play wherever he winds up to see whether the hype was justified.
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I have to admit that I'm basically just regurgitating what Marc M. has been saying.
That’s how he’s been explaining it at TBK, and it makes sense to me. One thing is certain: Pilgrim did not want to leave and he felt he could compete with those guys. Maybe he could and maybe he couldn’t, but Calipari couldn’t afford to sign two of the top 4 big men in the 2009 class and not play them ahead of a guy that few people outside of Kentucky have heard of. That might hurt down the road in recruiting.
I feel bad for Pilgrim and I really hope he does well wherever he ends up.
by BBallSophist on Jun 17, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marc Maggard Is A Freaking Moron
They don’t come any dumber.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And True
No doubt, either M could stand for Moron.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 18, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That made me laugh
If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis.
by btcoop71 on Jun 18, 2009 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jodie's Parents Must Be Very Proud
They have a very intelligent son who had a goal and was willing to work hard and smart for years to achieve it. He will continue to do that. As talented and intelligent as he is, he has remained humble in his relationships with coaches, teammates, media and others.
It would seem that Jodie is taking a substantial risk by staying in the NBA draft, but he is a better prospect than Hayes or Azibuke. He’s probably as good as Mercer and Anderson when they entered the NBA. His speed probably makes him better suited for the NBA than Joe Crawford.
I think he likes the challenge of proving the experts wrong. And maybe proving that Tubby Smith and his staff were right in recruiting him to UK in the first place.
Jodie seems to be an intelligent young man who is focused on achievable goals and who is willing to work very hard to attain them. I am sure that his parents are very, very proud of him. I know I am. He has given us UK fanatics 3 good years under difficult circumstances. Making an NBA team can’t be any tougher a challenge than playing for UK the past 2 years.
by Fortunatus on Jun 16, 2009 10:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Near Total Agreement
Your sentiments are well taken, Fortunatus, especially concerning Meeks personal attributes as we know them. Not as pettifoggery but rather as a point of discussion I would differ in that, one, I believe Azubuike was a better prospect and, two, the NBA will be a greater challenge than UK even considering injury and coaching conflict.
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares."
--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12, 27 November 1787
by Wild Weasel on Jun 16, 2009 11:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree with fortunatus
Meeks is a better prospect then Azubuike; barely. Meeks has a couple of things going for him that most don’t. Above average speed – for a two guard, and the ability to score. Buike is really close and may prove over the long haul to be the better of the two, but my money, if I was a betting man which I’m not, is on Meeks. Jodie can score in bunches. And he’s smart. I think Meeks will be an all-pro for a couple of years. But, so was Magloire. I think we are about to see a steady flow of both NBA players and great NBA players from UK.
Food for thought: The virgin birth has much more to do with the absense of a natural earthly father then the use of a virgin mother. Now, chew.....Because, it's called a "corrupt seed", not a "corrupt egg"!
by blubloodcatfan on Jun 17, 2009 12:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Never All Pro
All-Star and All-Pro are two entirely different things.
There are a little over 20 all-stars every year… there’s only 5 all pros.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
by chirop1 on Jun 17, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Magloire Never All-NBA
Azubuike has better size at SG in NBA but Meeks is better shooter.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 6:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Meeks is a streakier shooter, though, which is one thing that has hurt his draft position.
He would go very cold in big games, usually excelling against the weaker competition, and all too often being iffy against the big dogs. I would say Buike was more consistent in college and has been so in the NBA, which is why he’s making 3 mil a year now, after initially going undrafted.
Interesting question which of the two one would prefer in any given college game.
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Meeks
Meeks without a doubt.
Meeks was a little streaky but I attribute quite a bit of that to the vast amount of attention defenses gave him as the season wore on. I think he ran out of gas.
Buke never received anywhere near the level of focus from opposing defenses that meeks did but to his credit I think Buke has grown a lot as a player since leaving UK. I love watching him in the league.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
by davw83 on Jun 17, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he ran out of gas.
I think that’s probably an accurate statement. I’d say it gets tough carrying a team on your shoulders each and every game. There was just no one else that was consistently capable of having a good shooting game.
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jun 17, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I considered that, too, but that "late season attention" does not explain why Jodie stunk up the joint in our FIRST four losses.
Despite torching up smaller schools like App State early on, Jodie seemed to take a walk when we needed him most in the early going as well.
In our first four losses (mostly against the big boys , like UNC, U of L, and Miami) Jodie missed 30 out of 41 shots from 3 (a measly 26.8%), and committed 17 turnovers against 4 assists.
There’s no way we can pretend that erratic play in the bigger games early was a result of increased defensive focus on Jodie. If anything, the focus was on Patrick Patterson, and Jodie should have had free reign. Heck, two of those losses were the first two games of the season.
I think that’s why the NBA folks remain dubious.
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Meeks gone FINALLY!
I didn’t think this day would ever come. sayanora sucka! glad i could let y’all know about his decision before he did……a loooooong time ago. I admit, I thought Pat gone as well, I whiffed that one, I really think he should have left too though.
UK better without Meeks….REALLY! he a good person and all that, just don’t need him on the squad this season. he’ll get picked before 20.
UK still FF team without him. Eff Kansas.
GO BIG BLUE!!
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
by bluecrip on Jun 17, 2009 9:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We will feel the effects of Jodie being gone crip
We will be good, but we will NOT be better without Jodie…..he was a special kid with special talent….you dont lose the single game scoring record holder in the history of UK without feeling the loss…Patterson’s upside from staying is MUCH better than Jodie’s….Pat has something to prove…..Jodie didnt….anyone that cant see that kid’s talent is blind….FF now will be a lot more work, but it can be done…..Kansas will be the backbreaker for a lot of schools this year….I just pray it is not us
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 17, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly???
Are you serious?
You think losing a guy who can score 20+ per game and has never been reported to be a locker room cancer can be a benefit?!!? Explain please. This kind of comment requires further discussion.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
by chirop1 on Jun 17, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All my ACC friends are telling me the same thing.
That UK will be better off without Meeks, due to his (they say) tendency to choke against better competition, and to continue to ball hog even when he went stone cold. They hate Jodie because they say he is responsible for getting Calipari here (which they know is bad news for them) in that his ball hogging cost BCG so many games that he lost his job. I think what they are trying to define is a sense that UK relied too much on Jodie, and that we lived and died based on his streaky shooting (something BCG was said to have complained about a lot.)
Certainly we did live and die on his outside shot — which was absent in each of our first four losses (25% from three against VMI, UNC, Miami, and U of L). And in those four losses he had 17 turnovers against 4 assists, which is something I’m sure the NBA guys took a second look at, but whether that can be said to be choking against the better competition I don’t know.
I’m going to do a little statistical analysis before I pass judgment on their claims, but as disrespectful as it might be to the memory of one of my favorite UK players ever, it might also give me some comfort with respect to our chances this year.
I do recall that both Porter and Miller outshot Jodie from 3 down the stretch (over the last full third of the regular season or so), and that Jodie was shooting something like 29% from 3 for the last 13 games of the regular season. Over that stretch he had only two games with a positive Assist-to-Turnover ratio, and during those two games he was a combined 1 for 11 from three. For NBA purposes, it doesn’t help your draft status to have those kinds of issues.
I still think those things could be coached out of him, and his shot could become consitent enough to make him a valuable NBA commodity.
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But how much of that has to be attributed to
Gillispie Ken??
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 17, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
UK Was 16-4 When Meeks Was Involved
UK was 6-10 when his role was diminished.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All of it
I’m sure.
/sarcasm
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jun 17, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ding Ding Ding
Tink you when a prize for that answer.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
by davw83 on Jun 17, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am SO not suprised.
Even though I feel that is completely ridiculous. Whatever gets people through the night though….
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jun 17, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was a joke. I thought it was funny.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
by davw83 on Jun 17, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah
My bad.
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jun 17, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My comment was directed at
Gillispie’s ordering Meeks not to shoot so much the last few games there Tink….nothing personal about BCG….but that has pretty much become accepted fact
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 17, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand what you're saying
But I have to say that there were games I actually wished Jodie wouldnt shoot as much as he did – games when he was obviously having an “off” night but continued to force his shots, for example. I understand that he was arguably our best scorer but there were plenty of shots that were taken that just shouldn’t have been.
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jun 17, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The numbers do seem to bear you out.
I’m still doing the crunching, but over the last 13 games of the regular season, Jodie averaged more than 5 missed shots from 3 per game.
In 6 of those 13 games he missed at least 7 threes.
In 5 of those 13 games he hit either NO threes at all, or made a single one (although he never took fewer than three shots from 3 per game, and shot 9 or more threes on 6 occasions). This last third of the season was certainly not where Jodie earned his reputation as a great outside shooter — during this stretch, he was clearly not.
We lost 9 of those 13 games, by the way, which is where folks get the argument that Meeks’ excessive, cold shooting cost BCG his job.
I will not defend the mistreatment of players that has been attributed to BCG, but one would have to say that telling Jodie he should consider shooting less or at least more carefully would seem to have been good advice from a team standpoint.
A balanced scoring team is always a more consistent threat, and one cannot help but wonder what might have happened in those 9 games we lost over that stretch if those 67 missed shots from three had been taken instead by Patrick Patterson from a lot closer, where PPat was hitting on almost 60% of his shots.
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not really disagreeing
but wwas PPat shooting 60% at the end of the season? i know his finger affected him greatly in the middle of the season, but i didn’t think he was shooting that well at the end of the season either.
also, UK was a 2 man team last year, that could be easily guarded by denying meeks the ball, or doubling him, and sagging off the other three guys onto patterson. obviously you’d love to have your highest FG% guy shooting as many shots as possible, but no one could get him the ball (and getting him the ball in good position to score: no chance). we had guys who were hesitant and almost refused to shoot, and guys who were no threat from outside (Liggins). So Meeks had to try and make plays, whether forced or not, and as the eason progressed, it got harder and harder to find good looks.
GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!
by UKWildCatFanatic on Jun 17, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, we are being told that BCG was instructing him NOT to try to make those ill-fated shots.
Patrick finished the year over 60.5%. Don’t know what he was hitting at any particular time. I do recall the finger making him look downright bad a couple of games.
I suppose we’ll never know the truth, but if Jodie was repeatedly taking bad shots in an effort to “create something” when the coach was telling him to work the ball into PPat, I can see why BCG would have had a few choice words for him.
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 17, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
subject line is wrong (probably)
i’m sure you meant to say “take” rather than “make.” not nitpicking, just made me laugh a little the other way. :)
GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!
by UKWildCatFanatic on Jun 18, 2009 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think your ACC friends have an interesting perspective.
I’m certainly not going to go so far as to say that we will be a better team without Jodie Meeks, as I really happened to appreciate his contributions on the floor last year and there were definitely moments where I wouldn’t have traded him for anything in this world, but at the same time I also value different perspectives from all kinds of fans as it really does cause one to stop and think. I hope you actually get around to doing that little bit of analysis, I’ll be interested to see it.
I have been traveling the past few days and when I got on here late Monday night and read that Jodie had opted out of his last year at UK, well, to be quite truthful, I really didn’t have any feeling whatsoever on the matter and I was one of Jodie’s biggest cheerleaders last year. I didn’t feel sad, glad, mad, nothing. Nothing, at all. Weird, huh?
Obviously, we’ll miss Jodie, but instead of lamenting about how bad this is for us, I think I’ll wish him luck and have faith in the players who will actually be sporting the blue and white next year. I’ve never really hung my hat on one player being able to make or break and entire team anyway and I think we’ll be just fine.
One last thing: I think the bit you mentioned about Jodie’s ball hogging is interesting, too. I don’t put a whole lot of stock in the visibly strained relationship between Gillispie and Meeks being the main reason Gillispie is gone as I think there are a number of factors that contributed to Gillispie losing his job, but it is interesting to note that it was widely rumored that Meeks would have been gone had Gillispie stayed at UK. Now Gillispie is gone, and so is Jodie. ; )
by BigSkyCat on Jun 17, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What???
That performance by the Cards led a sudden outburst of anti-Pitino outrage which lasted right up until the 2007-08 game.
Tru, you really need to expand your circle of Cardinal fans. I don’t know where or how you have developed this much written opinion.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on Jun 17, 2009 10:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
UK Had Pitino Well In Hand (4 W, 2 L) Until 2007
Pitino regained the edge (2 W, 0 L) the past 2 seasons.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 17, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What would you call it Hoze?....the call-in shows were
screaming bloody murder, the fans were complaining that Pitino was brought in to BEAT Kentucky….it may be a para-phrase, but it was dead on point….. you may not be among them, however, quite a few Louisville fans have expressed their displeasure about Pitino’s record against UK
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 17, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pitino brought in to beat Kentucky???
Too funny. Here’s a bulletin for you:
The basketball world doesn’t revolve around your Cats.
Good grief. Get a grip.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on Jun 17, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dont kid yourself there Hoze.....
UL knew that Pitino represented the type of talent they could not get elsewhere in a coach. And his knowledge of UK and their supporters was a big key in getting him at UL. And another little tidbit…..the basketball world DOES revolve around UK….if you dont believe me, just ask 100 people who know college basketball….no matter what you guys at UL do, no matter who you play, no matter how much you win, you will ALWAYS be the “2nd class” basketball program around here. And if we throw the rest of the NCAA basketball world in, you dont even make the top 10….by those same 100 people’s standards….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 17, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that perspective feeds your sorry & starved ego, I am good with that.
I’m guessing you don’t even have a UK degree or have seen the inside of a UK classroom. Just guessin’.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on Jun 17, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My ego is just fine, not sorry or starved at all...not sure whay that came up, since
my ego has nothing to do with it. As our resident stat guru Forty would say , facts is facts. I have seen the inside of a UK classroom, as I have attended seminars there for various things, but no I do not have a degree from UK, ( I was not aware that it was a requirement) and what in the world does ANY of that have to do with what you said? My statement was derived from records now available, and from the recent coaching addition at UK. Like I said above….go poll 100 people who know college basketball, and you will find that a majority of them not only know UK, but revere the program, and those same 100 people will have a hard time placing UL in the same neighborhood( within 10 places). The fact that I ( as so many more on here will confess to) do not have a degree from UK, and still remain totally dedicated to the program should have given you a little hint as to the status the program holds for so many.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 17, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What does that have to do with anything?
Just askin’.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jun 17, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has about as much to do as with debating the 'position' of UK v. UofL actually.
Of which I never bring forth, but constantly find it brought as some sort of either defense or false bragging. Regardless, chalk it up to me being right once again. :-)
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on Jun 17, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I find the claim of being "right" subjective only to your
opinion of your position, which in turn would make the debate of UK vs. UL much more pertinent when speaking of your position of it being false bragging or a defense mechanism of some kind. Your unwillingness to bring it up probably comes from the position you hold as a minority in the context of the discussion.
I find it hard to believe that someone who claims to have the ability to reason and think that you claim to have cannot differentiate between fact and fiction.
Webster’s Dictionary online membership: $19.99
UK Basketball: A History of Greatness ( hardback) :$29.99
Monthly DSL service to go online and debate Hoze: 24.99
Hearing Hoze defend the UofL on a UK website: Priceless
What’s in your wallet??
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 17, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let me spell it out for you.
Prediction that you didn’t graduate from UK. You confirmed I was right. Give it a shot to understand…it’s really not that difficult. You don’t even need a college degree.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on Jun 17, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You gotta be kidding? Your user name HozeKing pretty much says it all.
Doesn’t the U of L have a web site.
by blue oregon on Jun 17, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh.
As if. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jun 17, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unlike UofL
UK actually attract fans that didnt actually attend the school.
It’s what they call a vastly broader fan base.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
by davw83 on Jun 17, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hoze-your on this site a lot. Apparently at least a part of your world revolves around "your" Cats too!
by blue oregon on Jun 17, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL!
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jun 17, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh.
Sorry you apparently weren’t around back in those days. I was posting screen shots of some of the Cardinal boards calling for Pitino’s firing.
Of course, they weren’t representative of every Cardinal fan, probably not even the majority. Still, it was out there, a lot. I was a subject of much schadenfreude around the UK sites, I can tell you. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jun 17, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking Of Those Days
How long has ASOB been around. I have been reading it for 3-4 years, mayby more. Most people still liked Tubby back then. Just joined this month. Not much of a joiner, but this site is special.
"SPORTS"--Not interested----"CATS"--Pull up a chair,I've got all night.
by kydamcat on Jun 17, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well ...
… it was around back in 2004 (I think) as Bogans Heroes. It became A Sea of Blue circa February, 2006. Hard to believe I have been blogging on this thing, either as a commenter or a front page author, for that long.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jun 17, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This site IS special
…..and addictive! ;)
which may explain the long term affair for you Tru.
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
by bluecrip on Jun 17, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
'...probably not even the majority.'
Kind of hard to reach the level of outrage if you don’t have a majority, isn’t it? Just askin’.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on Jun 17, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ask a politician
If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis.
by btcoop71 on Jun 17, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No more so than to claim denial of the event when it is published
that it happened…..just statin’
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 17, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jun 17, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know I caused a ruckus with my earlier statement
I did not mean for folks to think that I thought that Jodie wouldn’t benefit the team but I honestly believe that UK wil ultimately be better off this year without him. I reason this because off all the talent already on the team. It will be enough to get the ball to the six or seven studs already playing. The team doesn’t NEED him. If anything I hope this gives them a chip on their shoulder for not being billed #1 without Jodie. Can be a good thing to have a little extra encouragement going into the summer workouts. :)
I know he would work his tail off, be a good role model and ambassador for the UK program and I am eternally grateful for what he has accomplished while at UK, however, I think he would be better suited using those qualities in the NBA.
Whether he was a ball hog or whatever I don’t really have an opinion on that. All I know is that each game is a team effort and last year’s squad didn’t play well together. Understatement, I know. He may have felt like he needed to take over games, like Devan Downey was often praised for doing, maybe he was trying out for the NBA, who knows, who cares? The season is over and he is gone. I wish him well, not that he needs it, he’ll do well I’m sure.
So please don’t think I think him a cancer or a detriment, I just feel he’ll be better off in the NBA.
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
by bluecrip on Jun 17, 2009 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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