Roundabout: The Joe Show

by Glenn Logan on Mar 25, 2008 8:46 AM EDT in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

From the depths of unrequited expectations to the heights of ... media hype?

Yes, as amazing as it seems, Joe Crawford has made the transformation from disappointment to kinda-sorta diva in just 2 months time. The mind fairly boggles at what this could have been like if he had done this, say, a year or so ago. But as the old saying goes, "Better late than never."

Exhibit A: NBA stock watch from HoopsWorld had this opinion of Crawford recently under the heading of STOCK UP -- Who's on the rise:

Joe Crawford
Crawford ended his Kentucky career in style on Thursday, scoring 35 points before fouling out and keeping his Kentucky Wildcats squad in a game they had no business being in. The heart he displayed in putting everything he had on the court was admirable.

This performance should keep Crawford's name bandied about as a possible second-round pick. At 6-4, Crawford doesn't have the size to play the 2 at the next level, but he has the athleticism and intangibles (leadership, unselfish, etc.) to make up for some of that. He's a scorer, plain and simple, able to finish acrobatically around the basket and also hit jumpers. Should the NBA not work out this summer, Crawford has a future playing ball in Europe and might be able to come back around later after his game develops some more.

Now, I can hear some of you say, "Second round? He's better than that!" Well, from an NBA standpoint, Joe is kind of a 'tweener. He isn't really big enough for the two spot in today's NBA, and he doesn't really have point guard skills. Still, Crawford has a good handle and can absolutely score. He has a powerful body and an amazing knack for getting the ball in the hole amongst the trees, and that is a rare gift. And what Wildcat fan would have used the words "unselfish" and "leadership" in a positive way when talking about Crawford early in the year?

I think he may well go in the second round, and has a reasonable shot to make a roster next year. If not, he still has lots of pro possibilities. Joe will definitely be making a living off basketball somewhere.

Exhibit B: NBC's Beyond the Arc:

I know a 74-66 loss to Marquette in the first-round wasn't what Kentucky or its fans was hoping for, but after a season where the `Cats started 7-9 only to win 11 of their last 14 games, this wasn't a bad way to go out.

But it wasn't easy, either. Especially after watching Crawford torch the Eagles for 35 points.

"I came here to win," he said. "That's what I wanted to do. So I'm just kind of sad right now because, you know, I feel like we had a good chance and I'm just kind of down right now."

And then there is this:

4:30 p.m.: With mid-afternoon blowouts, everyone's attention turned to Kentucky-Marquette. Joe Crawford became a media room hero, while you could get dizzy seeing UK coach Billy Gillispie on six different TVs at the same time. Unfortunately for those of us who like upsets, Marquette ended up winning. Somewhere, former Marquette coach Al McGuire is smiling. [Emphasis mine]

How must it feel to be called a "media room hero?"

Finally, we have this observation from College Hoops Net:

Yet with everything that happened this season, one image stands out to me. As the seconds ticked off the clock in UK's 74-66 loss to Marquette, the camera panned to a close-up of UK senior Joe Crawford, who had just fouled out of the game. Crawford, normally stoic and unemotional throughout his career, had tears streaming down his cheeks, barely able to watch the final few seconds. Despite gutsy, gritty and phenomenal performance by Crawford (35 points) and fellow senior Ramel Bradley (19), the Cats would be going home. An 18-13 season, marked by extreme ups and downs, was finally over.

Sweet. Justly deserved.

There was a lot more to this than just some well-deserved praise by sportswriters. As a member of the Big Blue Nation, the pathos of this season is hard to get my head around, especially when faced with the reality that it was anything but a typical Kentucky season in many, many ways. Sometimes during this year I felt like I was cheering for a team I did not really know, and watching the development of Crawford, Bradley and Stevenson from afterthoughts into fallen heroes is just ... well, it's one of those alternate universe kind of things.

It is good that Crawford is getting this praise, and Bradley, too. Sometimes, all you need is to charge forth into battle with no concern for self or consequences, trusting your coach and teammates to watch your back, and amazing things can happen. This season was fascinating in so many ways, the proper words do not exist in my vocabulary to extol the depth of its reality. It has the feel of something out of Hoosiers or Remember the Titans, almost as though it has a deeper meaning, somehow, than just a barely passable basketball season. In a way, I feel that somehow the world has changed as a result of it, and I can't quite put my finger on how.

I guess it will just take time to figure out.

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Good for Joe

College hoops net has had Joe in their "next in line" since February (they haven't updated their mock draft since mid-February). His late-season performance should really help him.

Tipton had an informative article this morning, touching on many topics of recent discussion here, including Gillispie leaving (he's quoted in the article as saying he hopes UK will have him for many years to come) and the need for a scorer (he doesn't seem to see Liggins or Miller as making a big impact from a scoring perspective early on). Also, it looks like Meeks will have surgery - I take this as a good think, however. It will force him to rest, and perhaps surgery will put this groin stuff to rest for good (I hope).

The article: http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/356394.html

by blbskue on Mar 25, 2008 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

Deserved

Thanks for the article Tru....it was very well deserved by Joe. I just cannot believe how well he has done this year. I am so proud that he is being considered for the NBA. Good for him.

by tenken on Mar 25, 2008 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

Jay Bilas had high praise as well

Most Courageous Player: Joe Crawford, Kentucky. Crawford scored 35 points against Marquette and laid his heart on the floor. He fought his guts out from the start of the game to the moment he fouled out, and he is a highly respected player. There are others who can match his talent, but few can match his heart and determination.
Classiest Move: Dominic James, Marquette. After Crawford fouled out of the first-round contest with Marquette, James followed him to the Kentucky bench and congratulated him on his career and his effort. It was a classy move by one great competitor to another and a show of respect for the game. That is what this tournament is really all about.

ESPN Insider Link

by piketaylor on Mar 25, 2008 9:53 AM EDT reply actions

Bilas

Still on the road coming back from Anaheim (taking the scenic tour through San Fran), yesterday I heard just a little bit of Jay Bilas
on ESPN radio making a really weak argument for
Duke's loss to West Virginia.

One of his excuses is that several players had the flu etc.... Duke was a one dimensional team this year. No inside game!! ACC was down!!

Interesting, that Bilas was brutally honest about Kentucky's current status this season, but he sure is soft on his beloved Duke team. I really think he should listen to himself.

Duke had no business being a 2 seed!!

Kentucky is College Basketball.

by oregonblue on Mar 25, 2008 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

Duke

All of a sudden, missing out on Patrick Patterson looks huge for Duke doesn't it?

by chirop1 on Mar 25, 2008 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Truly ...

it does.

I find that somehow satisfying.

Now, if we could only steal one that Carolina was depending on ...

by Glenn Logan on Mar 25, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Passion and Heart

Ain't it amazing how passion and desire and hard work rubs off on a player!

by wildcatfever on Mar 25, 2008 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

Complete non sequitur, but. . .

. . . now that baseball season is approaching, does anybody have a recommendation for a Cincinnati Reds blog that is worth reading (you know, like ASoB in terms of content, temperment, etc.)? Thanks.

C! A! T! S! CATS! CATS! CATS!

by NYCCats on Mar 25, 2008 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

Fellow SBN blog

While I don't read them myself, there is an SBN blog (the blog network ASOB belongs to) that covers the Reds: http://redreporter.com/

If it's a part of the SBN, then it's likely a quality blog.

Looking for a rock to wind a piece of string around.

by JLeverenz on Mar 25, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Red Reporter ...

is a good blog and some of their people are Kentucky fans. Plus, they are part of the SB Nation, just like ASoB.

Check them out.

by Glenn Logan on Mar 25, 2008 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks much

C! A! T! S! CATS! CATS! CATS!

by NYCCats on Mar 25, 2008 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Crawford's Transformation

I'm not one to get into the Tubby versus Billy debate. However, Crawford's amazing transformation this season from underachiever to potential NBA draft pick makes you wonder how good he could have been had Billy G been able to coach him sooner in his college career. (Same for Bradly).

Although--besides Patterson and the oft-injured Meeks--we have no obvious scorers on the roster, I am really looking forward to next season. Until then, thanks, Tru, for an entertaining outlet this season on all things Blue.

by tooblue on Mar 25, 2008 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

Compare Bradley's Junior And Senior Years

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Players/Bradley_Ramel.html You'll find them pretty similar.

This is the aspect of the Tubby Angst that really bugs me. Tubby Bad, Pitino Or Gillispie Good all the time.

Not fair to OTS.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 25, 2008 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Not so much for Bradley

I'd say Bradley improved at his clutch endgame play quite a bit. Last year, you felt trouble whenever he had the ball at the end of the game. This year, you wanted him to get it. Ramel made a lot of huge plays for us at the end of games this season. Of course that could just be maturity that he would have achieved under any coach.

I do credit Gillispie with getting Ramel to follow instruction. It was clear a lot of last year that he was doing things Tubby just didn't want him to do. I don't think we saw that rogue Ramel in the latter part of this year. And that definitely benefited the team in ways that don't show up on the stat sheet. Especially when these things the coach wants you to do are slow down the game and run down the clock, which actually make your stats look worse. Again, this could just be maturity, but I don't think so in Ramel's case.

Otherwise, I agree, not that drastic of an improvement for Bradley. Most of his stats were about the same, from free throw percentage to turnovers. I just don't think the stats tell the whole story. These improvements people are seeing are real and not just Tubby Angst.

Crawford and Stevenson, though, had definite dramatic improvements. I give a lot of credit to Gillispie. Crawford clearly does too. Stevenson gives his credit to "just maturity".

As far as the other players, everyone else was either playing with some injury (Jasper) or just didn't play much last year. I guess Jasper's shot got much better, but that's from his personal dedication to practice during the off-season, so Smith gets credit for that if any coach does.

by EEWildcat on Mar 26, 2008 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions

More Assists, Fewer TO As Junior (Bradley)

I think his Junior and Senior years were similar, too.

Crawford had a better Senior year much like Sheppard in 1998. Credit that to Tubby for bringing out his best play?

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 26, 2008 4:02 AM EDT up reply actions

No Disrespect....

but I am personally growing very tired of all the Tubby stuff - period. We ALL know (believe me) how you feel about Tubby - he is your friend and you dont like it (at all) when people bash on him and that is very understandable it is not necessary to do so, but on the same hand it is just as not necessary to forever credit the man with all things Kentucky. He is gone. Period. Good, bad, or ugly - he is gone.

by kentuckygirl0724 on Mar 26, 2008 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Just Stating Facts

UK has had a ton of players who got better every year and had their best years as seniors.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 28, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

Yes I think so. Sheppard was known to be a nervous player (his nickname on the team reportedly was "shaky"). I think Tubby, being a bit calmer than Pitino, was able to get him to calm down some and play his best play.

Really, Jasper reminds me of Sheppard. I'll be curious to test out my theory over these next couple of years. Will Jasper show just as dramatic improvement for his senior year like Sheppard? If so, I might be wrong and it's just a senior thing. Time will tell. But right now, I definitely give Tubby credit for Sheppard's huge improvement (and his awesome floor coaching to get the 1998 team its NCAA championship).

by EEWildcat on Mar 26, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

NBA Prospects

If Azubuike and Chuck Hayes can make it in the NBA as solid role players, I have no doubt that Crawford and Bradley's talent, sprinkled with some determination and hard work, can get them both the league.

For all the negative talk about Kentucky and Tubby not churning out NBA players, there sure are a lot of boys in blue in the league. It's true there aren't many stars, but even good teams need the glue guys.

by jc25 on Mar 25, 2008 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

Crawford Will Be 2nd Rounder And Make NBA

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Players/Crawford_Joe.html He improved every year at UK.

Hayes and Azubuike start for their NBA teams.

UK put 8 players in the NBA from 2002 through 2007. Look for Crawford to become #9 this year.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 25, 2008 7:35 PM EDT reply actions

Regardless of Coach -

The demonstrable transformation in Bradley and Crawford in heart, leadership, maturity, and competitiveness this year was so noticable it was inspiring at times - in this instance I don't care how big or small the change in statistics are from this year to last. And regardless of who was coaching when, it would have most certainly been interesting to see what the finished product would have been had Bradley and Crawford demonstrated such marked improvement during their freshman, soph, and junior years as well.

All the same, I think both are great players UK can be very proud of, like so many players we have had in our rich history.

by cdnWildcatfan on Mar 25, 2008 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

Senior Year

Sheppard, Edwards in 1998. Padgett, Evans in 1999. Magloire in 2000. Bogans, Estill 2003. Fitch, Daniels 2004. Hayes 2005.

Each had their best UK years as Seniors.

Point is (as seen at the links) both Bradley AND Crawford improved every year at UK.

Bradley played behind Ronso as frosh and soph. Any other coach would make the same choice.

Crawford started 3 years and kept getting better.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 25, 2008 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

Excellent points

by Ken Howlett on Mar 25, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Indeed

Only time will tell, my gut says players will flourish well under Gillespie. Was Hayes really that much better senior year than junior year? Or was he just playing under Daniels in 04?

by Byron on Mar 26, 2008 12:21 AM EDT reply actions

Hayes Got Better Every Year

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Players/Hayes_Chuck.html And senior year was his best.

Daniels played C, Hayes F as a junior.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 26, 2008 4:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not

convinced that stats mean too much. Another year will generally make someone have better stats. Teams also lean on seniors more and depend on them to make plays. Juniors who play, usually become seniors that other players use to make plays.

by Byron on Mar 26, 2008 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

To praise is not to bash.

I love UK.
I love to point out how great they are.
We have a coach named Billy.
Support is an act of "now" and for tomorrow.

This is a fan site that loves UK. When we see things we are pleased with we will all say it. It does not mean that supporting the team and the coach they HAVE is always a dig on the coach who left to take another job. It is just support of the now. Yes there are those who identify better with themselves when they are bashing. I am sorry for them.

Statistics are great but they do not always tell the emotional story. That story says this year was awesome. Stats say different. Saying this year was awesome to behold is not saying Tubby is a bum.

For argument, I never gave Pitino any credit for the 98 NC. All Tubby!

Just as has been pointed out in this thread many times and one very succinct time by Tru, some cuts were deep and are still painful. Is time all we need to throw 100% behind THIS team and THIS coach? OUR coach. We, the BBN, are nuts and we all know it but we did not fire anyone nor could we. We did not hire anyone nor could we. BCG did not aid in the separation of TS and UK. He was not even the first call after. As we have ZERO control to reinstate Tubby or anyone else, to continually rehash is pointless to me, IMHO only. Yes the voices were loud and growing. Drum beats were echoing in the hills. "The love" was gone. Did Mitch "botch" things? Mitch had to have known where is coach's head was as some here with knowledge of the Smith family say they had good sources that said "something' was up in October before the season even started. I refuse to go back over this in detail and point out all the issues on either side of the debate. I will only say that the debate is over. This just may be a cautionary tale of a loud collective voice learning their strength.

My heart says I enjoyed this year more than last. That is a step forward in my fan book. Being a national brand, Kentucky ended THIS year with positive press, respect and a new identity that more people across the nation liked. The stats say I am wrong. Oh well.

The air is clear and fresh and I am so happy that Tubby is doing well at UM. Really I am. However, I am a UK fan. Period. I cannot, nor will I tread softly with my praise for fear it may hurt our past coach or his supporters. Nor will I make any direct digs on a fine man and coach.

Go Cats! Whoever is the coach and players and whoever recruited them or who developed them. Just, GO Cats!

by wilson452 on Mar 26, 2008 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

Well said!

by wldcatsfreak on Mar 26, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

YES, THANK YOU--EXCELLENT POST!

You really are in the PR business aren't you.. :)

by BigSkyCat on Mar 26, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice.

Very nice.

by Glenn Logan on Mar 26, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Great post wilson.

by Ken Howlett on Mar 26, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

Had been building up for a long while.

by wilson452 on Mar 27, 2008 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Except For 1989

I enjoyed every year I followed UK since 1966.

I did not enjoy November and December (2007) but certainly enjoyed January through March (2008).

Certainly MB knew a coaching change was in the wind. UK tried to force one in 2001 and Tubby would have taken the Virginia job in 2005.

I have never seen any statements here that UK Fired Tubby nor have I made any like that.

Never, not once, ever. All of the changes last March were voluntarily made by the people who made them.

by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 28, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Do we

also get excited about football on here? I'm in the heart of LSU country. I loved being the odd man out at the sports bar last season. The only blue-blood in a sea of yellows.

by Byron on Mar 26, 2008 10:52 PM EDT reply actions