:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67453873/thumbnail_1.0.jpg)
The NBA bubble has been a tremendous success.
Not only has the league managed to completely tame the coronavirus from disrupting play, they’ve also been blessed with some incredible games, many of those spearheaded by former Kentucky Wildcats.
Since the playoffs began, a Calipari-coached player has impacted a game pretty much every single night. It’s been truly incredible.
This past weekend, Anthony Davis drained a game-winning three vs. the Nuggets as time expired in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals — a moment that will forever be archived in the NBA history books, though Jamal Murray rebounded to score 28 in Tuesday’s win over the Lakers.
The bubble has been a recruiting commercial for Kentucky and John Calipari is taking advantage of it.
On Tuesday night, Coach Cal joined the NBA ON TNT crew, and in no surprise, he had a hilarious exchange with Charles Barkley.
Barkley, a comer Auburn Tiger, implied that the Cats have no chance on the road this weekend in the opening SEC football game.
Calipari didn’t flinch and said he would shave his beard if Auburn beats Kentucky.
You can see the entire exchange here.
John Calipari and Charles Barkley trash talk about the UK/Auburn Football game coming up this Saturday.
— Things #BBN Likes (@ThingsBBNLikes) September 23, 2020
(@NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/nxIHWQ33Vl
John Calipari is already a master of staying relevant in the media even when no college basketball news is trending. So when his former players are lighting it up on the biggest stage in sports — you cant blame him for flexing when he gets the chance.
Cal also made an appearance on the ESPN alternate Monday Night Football broadcast.
As far as Kentucky’s chances go against Auburn this weekend?
I think it’s fair to say that there is a great deal of uncertainty heading into the first SEC game of the 10-game conference schedule. All typical routines have been, and will be, interrupted when Mark Stoops takes his team on the road.
Opening lines have Auburn at around a 7.5 point favorite.
Per usual, the majority of the college football world is doubting Kentucky’s chances at being a real contender in the SEC.
We’ll learn a lot about this team on Saturday.