FanPost

Santa oldcat's Big Blue Christmas List

Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports


Okay, boys and girls, I need a little help loading the sleigh, and Rudolph's getting a little frisky about getting underway, so help me by putting the presents onboard as I read out the inventory of gifts for our favorite team.

Bam-a package of No-Doz and better face-up shooting, to include free throws. We saw the fearsome beast you can be in the Louisville game. Stay awake for us the rest of the season and work on the shot and you can carry this team a long way. Oh, yeah, a huge box of inlet passes from the guards.

Malik-More consistency in the shot and more trust in your teammates to help you win games. Your future is unlimited, but you'll need to share the load at the next level. May as well learn to do it now.

De'Aaron-A box of work on the outside shot and that small package over there containing the drop-passes inside when you are cut off. Oh, yeah, good health, because as hard as you play, you'll need it.

Wenyen-A framed copy of Coach Wooden's quote, "Play fast, but don't hurry." When you harness that incredible athletic ability, you'll be amazing. Oh yeah, let's throw in a more confident mid-range shot.

Isaiah-Confidence in the jumper and a bag with a hole in it to (not) carry your hesitation around with you. Also, BBN's thanks for being this year's "coach on the floor."

Derek-Throw in a bag like Isaiah's for this KY boy and also give him a package of consistency for his defensive game, and a box of teammate confidence, so he's not the last option for outside shots. He needs reps, not yanks.

Isaac-Ball handles and bent knees and determination to continue the hard work he's put in this last year. We need him to continue to improve.

Mychal-A pound of defensive intensity and a big bucket of playing time. Toss in a bag of coach's confidence to get him in there when others' outside shooting goes missing.

Dom-Some more shooting confidence from that pile over there and continued enthusiasm for playing a supporting role. Also a little envelope of thanks for the work he puts in.

Sacha-A big sack of playing time and a little container of knowledge that you don't have to block every shot within 10 feet of where you are. Also, better FT shooting.

Tai-Santa hasn't seen enough of you to know exactly what your biggest needs are, but we'll toss in some PT for you and better court awareness so you can take advantage of the PT when you get it.

Brad, Dillon, and Jonny-Opportunity to get in before 1:00 remaining in some games and a nice jacket with a K on it at the end of the season as a reward for the hard work you put in at practice.

Cal (and coaching staff)-More flexibility in tailoring your strategies to the talent you have. This should be easy for the man who invented the modern-day CBB platoon. Also, the ability to balance the incredible load of recruiting you carry, family time, the practice demands of a new team each year, and some good outside shooting and FT dust to sprinkle on your teams. Oh, yeah, one last thing: long-term tenure as head of the BBN; you produce, you entertain, and you "get it" like most of our previous coaches have not. Finally, good health for a man who's constantly under pressure.

The BBN-Support for "our" teams, patience when they fail, consideration for each other, and Number Nine.