Kentucky Basketball: Calipari Talks About His Infamous Conversation With Terrence Jones
by Glenn Logan on May 24, 2010 4:31 PM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
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PrintVia Coast 2 Coast Recruiting and Portland 95.5 The Fan :
"Well we thought that he was coming with us [Kentucky] and when he said ‘Washington’ we were like ‘what just happened?’ That was the first thing. Then he called about an hour later and said ‘Cal, I made a mistake. I don’t know what I was doing.’ That is when the thing went like ‘You what?’ So we talked to him and said that we are going to do whatever you want. I am holding your scholarship. At one point I said, ‘Look, if you want to go to Washington then go to Washington, and if you want to come with us, come with us. Just make a decision so that we can all move on.’ But I felt bad for him to be honest with you. Because he is 6’9’’ everybody thinks that this guy is a grown man." ...
Read the whole thing.
This is the first known solid evidence of the legendary "silent verbal." If I had not read this, I would never have believed it, but apparently, Calipari was so sure that Jones was coming to Kentucky that he didn't even watch the now-infamous ceremony (or so he says, I admit to just a little skepticism about that).
This is an "inside baseball" look at the recruiting process that you don't normally get, and we never, ever got from Gillispie or Tubby Smith. Nothing wrong with that, I doubt very many coaches are this frank.
I'm sure no haters will be convinced to change their minds, but it's interesting how close this all seems to this, absent the obvious satire comparing Calipari to The Godfather.
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Thanks for posting.
Up until now, I was very curious of what went down that night—how the call happened, what was said, etc. This certainly clears some stuff up for me, haha.
Yep.
I’m fine with what he did. If the kid told him he wasn’t sure, that is an indication that his verbal commitment was not real. It is unusual, and I can understand why UW might be frustrated.
But the reality is, it is likely he would have changed his mind even without the phone call, assuming he was honest with Calipari in that call. Given that Jones hasn’t exactly set the bar very high for honesty so far, I suppose that’s subject to some … doubt.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Kind of like not wanting to break up with a girlfriend
He ends up dating more than one girl and doesn’t want to hurt the others feelings
Apt.
I’ve seen this before in that kind of scenario.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
There always seems...
to be a storm brewing around coach Cal. I’m positive he doesn’t want it, but when you are in charge of the biggest basketball program in the country, it comes with the territory. Now with the unbelievable recruiting the storm continues to manifest itself. He can’t possibly be this good at recruiting without cheating can he? I think so, but the haters won’t buy it.
I love the attention.
Even the negative attention. At the end of the day, it boils down to fear and jealousy, although every one of them would profess otherwise.
Too much success always breeds suspicion. That’s human nature.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Confirms My Belief And Understanding
It’s easy for me to say ex post facto that the situation Calipari describes is nearly exactly my take at the time of the press conference and especially after the moment of doubt became known, but following the announcement I immediately called my KU alum sons and stated as much. As alluded to in Tru’s interview with the SEC group, the reaction of Terrence Jones’ parents was truly bizarre and one could tell they were indeed shocked and not at all pleased. I also believe — and perhaps the truth, as it was here, will be outed one day — that CJ Leslie was informed of Jones’ decision to attend UK, thus cementing the NCS decision.
"There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." --James Madison
I am glad
that he let the world know the information. Typically he keeps info like that to himself.
Tru...
I think that this write is probably as good as we’ll ever. Seems straight forward to me.
Thanks for posting it. Great job as always.
"What to do with a mistake....rcognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it....that's
why they put erasers on pencils".- - - - Adolph Rupp
by WildcatBlue1930Adolph on May 24, 2010 6:13 PM EDT reply actions
Keep your cool.
This is not what we want at A Sea of Blue. I appreciate the passion but let’s not bait others.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
It is nice to know what really happened
I was thinking we might never find out.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
I certainly don't think Cal cheated.
But at the same time, I believe about ‘half’ of this story. He comes across as my youngest did when he was 17 trying to explain away trouble. After reading his words, I don’t know how or why his fans would be outraged when others call him ‘slick’. Sorry.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on May 24, 2010 9:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
me either
Calipari is the definition of slick, and I doubt you’d get too many UK fans to disagree with you—much to your disappointment, I am sure ; ) Just to keep it as nonpartisan as possible, I’d say he shares this quality with both Clinton and Reagan. A lot of leaders have that smooth salesmanship, and that’s not a bad thing—IMO.
by blue kentucky girl on May 24, 2010 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
OMG!!!!
Someone actually equated Clinton and Reagan. Take it back!! Please! It’s not too late!
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on May 24, 2010 9:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
nope, I'm sticking with it : )
I’m not talking about politics, obviously, just public persona and leadership style. Smooth characters and effective salemen, both of ’em
by blue kentucky girl on May 24, 2010 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm sure
BKS didn’t mean any disrespect to Reagan, HK ;)
by bigbill992001 on May 25, 2010 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Or Clinton.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
NO COMMENT
I will not make political comments, I will not make political comments…….
by blue kentucky girl on May 25, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
right
I brought up applicable examples from both political parties to make my comment unpartisan and apolitical. I meant I would avoid the discussion of which person I thought was being “disrespected” by the comparasion—seeing as that would definitely be political disscussion.
by blue kentucky girl on May 25, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Kudos to you, BKG.
Color me impressed. It’s easy to be dragged in, but you refused. Awesome.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
The example...
…that was introduced had politicians in it and everyone knows that politicians/politics go hand in hand and that that is a rather sensitive subject to Americans, and I personally would have tried to come up with a non-political example to use since political talk is taboo on the blog (thank goodness), but from what I can tell, I think everyone here did a good job of following the blog rules of no political talk. wineman’s comment was trying to keep it non-partisan as well, as far as I can tell, so, kudos to everyone, I say. ; )
That comment suggests that I was doing some sort of draggin?!?!?!
Like BigSky wrote, she started it. Mommy!!!!
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
Neighbor
I don’t see a word about politics. You brought up two men!
Happy Days are here again! Wildcat's have #1 recruiting class again!
thanks neighbor : )
I also don’t feel it is political speech to merely mention the name of people that have been in elected office. I hope and pray that Americans are not so very trigger-sensitive and overly partisan now that one cannot even hear the names of former presidents uttered without it starting a (virtual) playground brawl. That thought is kind of depressing to me.
That said, I get what BSC is getting at. I also personally would have preferred to use a non-political example, since I know some people literally cannot heard the name Clinton or Reagan without seeing the red flag. Unfortunately, it is REALLY HARD to come up with non-sports, non-governmental examples of slick charismatic leadership figures that are well-known to everyone. Like, I couldn’t think of ANYTHING. Politicans are so obviously THE example.
by blue kentucky girl on May 25, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
How about Bill Maher or Glen Beck?
Just tryin’ to help.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
hmmm
no, I don’t think those work either ;)
by blue kentucky girl on May 25, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know either.
“Slick” can be both a pejorative, and praise.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I believe every word of what Cal says
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Paris, I never thought I would see the day
you would admit that. :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
I corrected it below
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
I'm sure he is totally sincere
and not being even a little sarcastic. Our paris would NEVER resort to base sarcasm to make his point ; )
by blue kentucky girl on May 24, 2010 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions
never
and I know once labeled a hater, you’d rather burn in hell that take the sh-t that the non haters can shovel! ;)
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Do you have to be a hater to not agree with everything Cal says or does?
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Of course not...
I don’t hate you but I don’t believe everything you say…. lol… I kid, I kid..
I just wanted to be sure. Cause if so I just want to go down as 'slightly disliking him' ;) just teasing.
you got to admit some of the stuff gets a little ‘ify’
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
I like the grin sign
you can question someone’s knowledge, sexuality, loyalty, citizenship, hell, anything if you put that ;) in!
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Well ...
… humor does help, but some things even humor can’t soften.
Just sayin’.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on May 24, 2010 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I know so well.
what’s you opinion about the agreeing with Cal. Are you a hater if you don’t buy into everything he says or does?
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Of course not.
You’re only a hater if every comment you make about him is negative, or if the negative comments so outweigh the positive as to indicate irrationality.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
There are other examples of ways to soften the harsh blow of an insult.
Like “With all due respect” — see Talladega Nights
Or, “Bless his/her heart ….” – see anyone raised in the South.
Right.
Or, “Lord forgive me and bless all the pygmies in New Guinea.” :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
hey!....I stole that line fair and square....what are you doin stealin it from me???
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
Did you come up with it?
I think not. So how could I “steal” it from you?
Larry and I are old fishing buds – he gave it to me for free. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I said I stole it myself......lol....
you and Larry need to discuss him trading his Nebraska hat for a UK one then…..lol….
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
yeah
kinda like when you say “bless his/her heart”
by bigbill992001 on May 25, 2010 7:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Dont forget the winky sign!
Gotta agree with you on this, Paris. There are those that feel they can say whatever they want as long as it is marked with a smiley or winky to show their “light-heartedness” when really its just them being rude plain and simple. I think people are intelligent enough to know the difference 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 May 25, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
anyone ever sometimes wonder if Cal is Pitino's long lost brother? ;)
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
I guess you don't remember Tru's article
from months ago, Twin sons of different mothers, or something like that?
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
I must have missed that one. my computer died for a couple of weeks.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
This sounds completely plausible
This is roughly what I had imagined from the beginning and hope that everyone, including the Washington fans can finally put this saga to rest.
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