Duke Insider Andrew Slater Just Changed Pick For Bolden To UK

Clive Gollings

All-Conference
Nov 10, 2014
6,004
4,725
0


 

RalphDaltonFan

Heisman
Apr 3, 2002
60,144
41,438
113
Bolden signs with UK--he'll start and be the best low post scorer Cal has had. Not best Center (that's KAT) but best low post scorer-think of it this way--the moves that Kenny Payne had to really instruct the other kids, Bolden already possesses offensively--he needs work on defense (most HS bigs do) but he also did a great job of improving his shot blocking this year--the rebounding/toughness would be next step--especially out of area Rebs but he's a tremendous offensive talent and would start.

Also--not sure why UK fans are not more excited about next year's team. As a friend of board and lot of UK fans, I just tend to look to Cal's reaction/comments for how he views the potential of his team. This year--he liked them IF........and when a Coach says "IF" a lot--then certain things have to happen. He's talking about going to WAR--if you know coaches and especially Cal--that's sign #1 he loves his team--warriors are what Cal's best teams are about. Kids that play hard on BOTH ends and aren't asked to play hard have a way of carrying the 50/50 kids to their side or approach to the game. Fox, Monk, Gabriel, SKJ, and symbol of this style BAM, are warriors. If Briscoe returns--he's a warrior. Hawkins plays hard. That is what Bolden needs-but he's got frame and talent to adapt to that--which takes him from great offensive post to great player. Willis would benefit greatly as well and you have kids like Matthews, Humphries, and Wynyard who can practice against this daily and be ready for a chance to shine following year when the next wave hits--and '17 class isn't as deep/talented as this one.

2016 is a special HS class that will make CBB great for some time--due to the depth of talent and fact that kids staying will make programs better with so many talented guys. '17 UK class will be fantastic but a lot of youth/less NBA talent--especially at guard spot. Just enjoy this group/team because it has chance to be Cal's best defensive team ever--and if you disagree--he said that--not me. lol

Size, Speed, Length, Athleticism, Fight/Toughness, and at all spots. That is special. You land 6 of the top 15 prospects in country (Killeya Jones is being massively undersold and those laughing at idea of Gabriel being best NBA prospect will be surprised where UK takes his development/game-not saying he will be because I love the trio of Bam/Fox/Monk--think it's best trio Cal has ever signed) if Bolden signs with UK--and he'll be better for it. Not a knock at all on Duke-just a better UK fit for his development and playing time wise.

This happens and you need to really get excited for '16-17 Season because it's about to be the best group Cal has signed (again--he said same thing--I go by his thoughts because he's a HOF for reason) and they have an approach that fits what type of team he loves coaching. You may not shoot well, may not play well every game, but you can play hard/go to war every night and that will get you through a lot of those games that UK lost last year (UCLA, Ohio St, Auburn, Tennessee, Vandy,). If last year's team wins those games--they likely have different route in March--and don't get shipped out to Des Moines. Next year if you take care of business, the path is Indianapolis to Memphis to try and get to Phoenix and that is a lot more BBN friendly. See how a few games where effort is not certain can change a season? Just how things go and next year you'll need to because deeper group of elite teams so good luck and hope you all are happy when Marques decides.
 

Panthur

Heisman
Aug 5, 2008
9,225
12,782
0
Bolden is a poor man's Towns....great back to the basket...in fact better back to basket player out of HS than Towns. He's not near as good facing the basket as Towns though, nor as good on the block as Towns was by tourney time.
[banana]:cool2:[banana]:boxing:[jumpingsmile][smoke][banana]:cool2:
 

jrpross_rivals

Heisman
Feb 21, 2008
17,558
36,091
113
Bolden signs with UK--he'll start and be the best low post scorer Cal has had. Not best Center (that's KAT) but best low post scorer-think of it this way--the moves that Kenny Payne had to really instruct the other kids, Bolden already possesses offensively--he needs work on defense (most HS bigs do) but he also did a great job of improving his shot blocking this year--the rebounding/toughness would be next step--especially out of area Rebs but he's a tremendous offensive talent and would start.

Also--not sure why UK fans are not more excited about next year's team. As a friend of board and lot of UK fans, I just tend to look to Cal's reaction/comments for how he views the potential of his team. This year--he liked them IF........and when a Coach says "IF" a lot--then certain things have to happen. He's talking about going to WAR--if you know coaches and especially Cal--that's sign #1 he loves his team--warriors are what Cal's best teams are about. Kids that play hard on BOTH ends and aren't asked to play hard have a way of carrying the 50/50 kids to their side or approach to the game. Fox, Monk, Gabriel, SKJ, and symbol of this style BAM, are warriors. If Briscoe returns--he's a warrior. Hawkins plays hard. That is what Bolden needs-but he's got frame and talent to adapt to that--which takes him from great offensive post to great player. Willis would benefit greatly as well and you have kids like Matthews, Humphries, and Wynyard who can practice against this daily and be ready for a chance to shine following year when the next wave hits--and '17 class isn't as deep/talented as this one.

2016 is a special HS class that will make CBB great for some time--due to the depth of talent and fact that kids staying will make programs better with so many talented guys. '17 UK class will be fantastic but a lot of youth/less NBA talent--especially at guard spot. Just enjoy this group/team because it has chance to be Cal's best defensive team ever--and if you disagree--he said that--not me. lol

Size, Speed, Length, Athleticism, Fight/Toughness, and at all spots. That is special. You land 6 of the top 15 prospects in country (Killeya Jones is being massively undersold and those laughing at idea of Gabriel being best NBA prospect will be surprised where UK takes his development/game-not saying he will be because I love the trio of Bam/Fox/Monk--think it's best trio Cal has ever signed) if Bolden signs with UK--and he'll be better for it. Not a knock at all on Duke-just a better UK fit for his development and playing time wise.

This happens and you need to really get excited for '16-17 Season because it's about to be the best group Cal has signed (again--he said same thing--I go by his thoughts because he's a HOF for reason) and they have an approach that fits what type of team he loves coaching. You may not shoot well, may not play well every game, but you can play hard/go to war every night and that will get you through a lot of those games that UK lost last year (UCLA, Ohio St, Auburn, Tennessee, Vandy,). If last year's team wins those games--they likely have different route in March--and don't get shipped out to Des Moines. Next year if you take care of business, the path is Indianapolis to Memphis to try and get to Phoenix and that is a lot more BBN friendly. See how a few games where effort is not certain can change a season? Just how things go and next year you'll need to because deeper group of elite teams so good luck and hope you all are happy when Marques decides.
Cousins was a heck of a low post scorer. Probably better than Bolden but I haven't watched Bolden play a whole season so we'll see.
 
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LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,964
61,143
113
Willis had a great season last year. I'd imagine he'd win many Most Improved awards if they ever existed. But he still has a ways to go. Cal loves defense and motor.. Gabe has plenty of that, Willis is still finding it. I'm not sure who the starting 5 will be, but it won't be Willis unless there are drastic changes in his game over the summer.

We need Willis to come off the bench.
 

CarolinaCatsFan

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2015
1,290
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Bolden signs with UK--he'll start and be the best low post scorer Cal has had. Not best Center (that's KAT) but best low post scorer-think of it this way--the moves that Kenny Payne had to really instruct the other kids, Bolden already possesses offensively--he needs work on defense (most HS bigs do) but he also did a great job of improving his shot blocking this year--the rebounding/toughness would be next step--especially out of area Rebs but he's a tremendous offensive talent and would start.

Also--not sure why UK fans are not more excited about next year's team. As a friend of board and lot of UK fans, I just tend to look to Cal's reaction/comments for how he views the potential of his team. This year--he liked them IF........and when a Coach says "IF" a lot--then certain things have to happen. He's talking about going to WAR--if you know coaches and especially Cal--that's sign #1 he loves his team--warriors are what Cal's best teams are about. Kids that play hard on BOTH ends and aren't asked to play hard have a way of carrying the 50/50 kids to their side or approach to the game. Fox, Monk, Gabriel, SKJ, and symbol of this style BAM, are warriors. If Briscoe returns--he's a warrior. Hawkins plays hard. That is what Bolden needs-but he's got frame and talent to adapt to that--which takes him from great offensive post to great player. Willis would benefit greatly as well and you have kids like Matthews, Humphries, and Wynyard who can practice against this daily and be ready for a chance to shine following year when the next wave hits--and '17 class isn't as deep/talented as this one.

2016 is a special HS class that will make CBB great for some time--due to the depth of talent and fact that kids staying will make programs better with so many talented guys. '17 UK class will be fantastic but a lot of youth/less NBA talent--especially at guard spot. Just enjoy this group/team because it has chance to be Cal's best defensive team ever--and if you disagree--he said that--not me. lol

Size, Speed, Length, Athleticism, Fight/Toughness, and at all spots. That is special. You land 6 of the top 15 prospects in country (Killeya Jones is being massively undersold and those laughing at idea of Gabriel being best NBA prospect will be surprised where UK takes his development/game-not saying he will be because I love the trio of Bam/Fox/Monk--think it's best trio Cal has ever signed) if Bolden signs with UK--and he'll be better for it. Not a knock at all on Duke-just a better UK fit for his development and playing time wise.

This happens and you need to really get excited for '16-17 Season because it's about to be the best group Cal has signed (again--he said same thing--I go by his thoughts because he's a HOF for reason) and they have an approach that fits what type of team he loves coaching. You may not shoot well, may not play well every game, but you can play hard/go to war every night and that will get you through a lot of those games that UK lost last year (UCLA, Ohio St, Auburn, Tennessee, Vandy,). If last year's team wins those games--they likely have different route in March--and don't get shipped out to Des Moines. Next year if you take care of business, the path is Indianapolis to Memphis to try and get to Phoenix and that is a lot more BBN friendly. See how a few games where effort is not certain can change a season? Just how things go and next year you'll need to because deeper group of elite teams so good luck and hope you all are happy when Marques decides.

Always appreciate your insight - thanks @ralphdaltonfan
 

FFWhite

All-American
Dec 20, 2006
26,540
7,694
98
This is easily the most athletic class any team has brought in sense the Fab Five. Bolden gives them the back to the basket guy.