If Kentucky misses on Kusturica.
- Thread starter Son_Of_Saul
- Start date
I don't get the logic of mentioning that the player is someone we've never heard of before.
Kusturica has a good spot over in Spain and there wasn't as large of a pipeline from Europe to College as there is right now, so none of us knew a lot of these guys.
There's some 6-7 basketball leagues over in Europe and players from age 17-23 are all jumping over to play in America right now. It's hard to follow who anyone is.
Guys like Houindo, Yimga, Atamna, Reithauser, Garavaglia, Butka, Biel, Ekwere, Srzentic....these are all young Europeans being openly recruited for college right now.
Thank you, sir. I appreciate you.
I am okay with the counter points from the other posters. They're usually just ad hominem or strawmen arguments. They seldom want to deal with the actual numbers.
Like you said, I'm hoping Pope gets this thing cookin'. This next year will be the true test.
To hate duke you mention them and scheyer an awful lot. Maybe you are just in denial.
The logic they employ is this: since we didn't know who he was a month ago, what skin off our back is it if we miss on him?
What they forget is that UK was a top 15ish team before Kusturica, and a second tier team that will be looking for a perfect path to make a Final Four. Kentucky is not one of the favorites.
Kusturica puts UK in the top 5-10 range, and increases their chances at a Final Four substantially over the next two years.
So it really comes down to what people are okay with, and we've already seen that a bunch of these fans are okay with Sweet Sixteen, fifth place in the SEC finishes and merely competing with good teams.
They don't really expect Kentucky to be a juggernaut anymore. In fact, I'd wager that most of the guys taking shots at my post would be okay with bringing Pope back for a 4th year even if we lose 12 or more losses next year.
I didn't want to do this to you publicly, but you're begging for it at this point. Here's the majority of what I've written about Scheyer over the last few years. Do some research before you decide to create a weak strawman. It certainly doesn't help your argument:
Spend the money for Spears and high-level portal big next year. Bring back the entire current backcourt.
I actually disagree that Kusturica puts us in the top 5-10 range (really, though the "hype" might lead voters to put us there). He has all the potential in the world, but he is young, supposedly has a self imposed minutes restriction, and wouldn't move the needle a ton more than Wilkins will. The potential is GREAT, but year 1 of him is probably lower than other options. Landing him certainly helps the team, but it doesn't push this roster over the top. I don't see his defensive upside being enough to help in conference play and we already have Milan who needs to improve defensively.
Of course you still try and collect talent like infinity stones and hope you get him. But it isn't some great tragedy if you don't. There are multiple foreign sharpshooters out there no one on this board has heard of that could be brought in to fill that last spot. You could get wild and try and convince Hampton to change his mind and reclass (highly unlikely). Or you could just choose to not disrupt the chemistry of the current roster by trying to add a starter level (6th man SG) and address the health concerns at Center by grabbing another backup big in case Big Frank and Potter remain injury prone. I'm personally much more concerned about the Center position (and health) long term than I am shooting and shot creation on this team.
Of course you still try and collect talent like infinity stones and hope you get him. But it isn't some great tragedy if you don't. There are multiple foreign sharpshooters out there no one on this board has heard of that could be brought in to fill that last spot. You could get wild and try and convince Hampton to change his mind and reclass (highly unlikely). Or you could just choose to not disrupt the chemistry of the current roster by trying to add a starter level (6th man SG) and address the health concerns at Center by grabbing another backup big in case Big Frank and Potter remain injury prone. I'm personally much more concerned about the Center position (and health) long term than I am shooting and shot creation on this team.
We don’t know if UK is a top 15, top 30, top 5 team. You rely upon preseason rankings for your conclusions when we know before the portal era those were grossly flawed. We know they are even more so now. We really don’t know what NK would have changed. He seems like he would have been a great addition, but we don’t even know that. The issue is that you are now spiraling when you did not even know about the dude last month, as if he was some must get. It’s recruiting. UK has never got them all. Never
Who knows if he would have or not? Answer: no one
False. It comes down to people who are realistic and people who defer to panic
Self flattery and false. To pretend you and your ilk are the only ones who care is laughable.
The season will be assessed on the season. If UK lost 12 or more games and made it to the final four, would you toss Pope? Quit predicting what others will think about a future we have no clue about.
There was some scuttlebutt that he unfollowed them on social media earlier this week, but I personally don't take much in that stuff. It's used as misdirection more times than not now.
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He uses Duke, Calipari, etc. to get under the skin of posters here. He gets a rise out of it. He absolutely hated Cal, never stopped voicing his hate for him and now uses him to crap on Pope. It's pathetic that it's allowed to go on, but his view alligns with the overseears of the board, so he trolls as he pleases.
Pope scared me with his Big Frank comment yesterday. If Frank is such a question mark. I want another big.
Supposedly a projected lottery pick in two years. If the reports are reliable, up to $14 million for a two year deal. With all the BS flying around, it's hard to know, really.
Guys I promise I'm not trying to dump on this kid and I know all the experts have his projection really high, but I must be missing something. I'm just no wowed by his film and keep asking myself what am I missing? To me he is tall and somewhat skilled, but needs strength and lacks explosion to play at a really high level. You can mark this and come back and throw it in my face 2 years down the road but I like a lot of guys film better than his including Ooze. I'd like to have him but just dont see it
I think the kid is obviously a big time talent....but I think you can get more bang for your buck with that $14M the next two years. He was projected as having a bigger role in year two, I just think there are other guys out there for next year that would be major players. We are sitting two deep as it is this season
Zoom
Wilkins
Momcilovic
McBride
Moreno
Williams
Morton
Kam
N'Diaye
Kepnang
Hawthorne would be 11th man, Noah 12th
Kusturica is a talented kid, but this team doesn't NEED him. I think it was all about next season. Hell, let him go play for UCLA for a year and go sign him next year when he would be a major factor. We don't have to pay him $7M this season to get him next year unless he signs a two year contract there, which I was hearing was the hold up at UK
Zoom
Wilkins
Momcilovic
McBride
Moreno
Williams
Morton
Kam
N'Diaye
Kepnang
Hawthorne would be 11th man, Noah 12th
Kusturica is a talented kid, but this team doesn't NEED him. I think it was all about next season. Hell, let him go play for UCLA for a year and go sign him next year when he would be a major factor. We don't have to pay him $7M this season to get him next year unless he signs a two year contract there, which I was hearing was the hold up at UK
Wilkins will be the more productive player this coming season. Kusturica has a ton of upside if you can keep him for a second season. He's a 17 year old playing against grown men. There will be an adjustment. If you can get him, take him and fit him into the rotation behind Wilkins, because he could be a key piece to a postseason run in his sophomore season.
Do what to me? You didn't disprove anything. I'm sure I could dog up several posts were you are complaining wishing UK was like Duke and could recruit like scheyer....but I don't really care too....the pro calipari posts by you are infinite. Again not going to search, every one knows they are there.
Pope said a recruit with his father was on campus recently saying the father played Milan in table tennis and Milan was talking some calm trash during the game. Do we know who that recruit was?
I thought it was finalized from the posts in another thread. Does this linger?
Caleb Ourigou I'd imagine. He visited recently. 2027 guy that might reclass (4* C) Arkansas seems heavily the favorite here if he reclasses.
Until I hear it is officially official, hope.
I expected Gonzaga to be the winner in this battle when Michigan lost Dusty. And, kind of surprised Illinois was not in the mix.
I think with this guy it’s all about the agents. Makes it tough. You know all they want is their percentage of the largest payday
In my view it is a win/win proposition no matter his choice. He comes to UK and we have a very good two year player that will be counted on more next season. However, coming in late might ruin the dynamics of what the team already has in practice and positions. If I were on the team and played the same position it would seem like a slight now to bring someone else. So if he doesn't come to UK then that negative possibility doesn't occur and with the amount of money being discussed as others already pointed out we might land the number one recruit or top portal players for next season.
This. Tall. 17 years old. Somewhat skilled. Weighs a buck o’five wet and can’t shoot particularly well from outside but the rumor mill has appointed him the next Michael Jordan at 2-guard.
He's focused on soccer while the team we have is likely focused on the upcoming season. Hard pass. Let the drama queen go dream about soccer somewhere else.
/s
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The rumor mill on here has proclaimed Mcbride the next Lebron so it's okay.
I've always suspected this account is performance art.