Willis lack of love for the game....disheartening
- Thread starter ulismyman
- Start date
Willis has worked his butt off and this was before him getting playing time 2014/2015. He's more into it this year and he has fun and laughs when we do a good play.
I don't think he would stay with something for 4 years if he didn't love it.
I don't think he would stay with something for 4 years if he didn't love it.
He's not as good as a 5 star. Not all are super like Davis/Wall/Towns/Knight/MKG
He's a very good 4 star player ( some had him rated 3 out of high school) that can block shots and hit 3's. Not bad as a rounder, another off night but it happens.
Willis is what he is. He's an average basketball player wit decent size and a stroke, maybe even a good basketball player as of now certain nights. He's asked to contribute too much and I applaud him for sticking it out at UK and not selling out and transferring. I don't think Derek is a secret, seems to have a more cavalier attitude toward that game, and at this level it's tough to be great when that's your personality. I don't think Cal was able to make Derek go 100 mph, but he probableyjust doesn't have that gear at this point in his life.
Dude has balls though for sticking it out at a program like UK over the last 4 years . He could have meant a lot for a hella lotta other programs out there, including half or more of these SEC teams.
Dude has balls though for sticking it out at a program like UK over the last 4 years . He could have meant a lot for a hella lotta other programs out there, including half or more of these SEC teams.
Last edited:
It's Willis. If you want to love him UMM, then you must accept the difficulties of your relationship for what they are. He's a senior.
Something deep inside says we need a "good" Willis to be an elite team. We gotta go 7 deep in order to climb back into Top 10.
Something deep inside me, as she said, says you don't always get what you want.
We will need him in key games but he needs to help around the basket and rebound, get stops when he's not scoring. He's a better defender then people think and he has to make plays when he's in.
No body on this team can guard but Willis can shot I look for him to get more playing time unless these forward and guards defend better.
I'm not ready to count on Gabriel for consistent shooting.
Against UT and KU (back-to-back losses which occurred in "recent weeks"), he shot a combined 1 for 9, including 0 for 6 from behind the arc. Sometimes forcing it.
I love the kid and want him to keep improving, but Willis is still 38.6% on threes and Gabriel is 32.6%.
On any given night, we just need to play both and hope one of them is on.
not surprised at Willis this year, he has been Cals whipping boy the last few years. I personally wish he would have transferred a couple years ago. Could have been another Kyle Wiltjer at another school. Several on this team are gonna be in the same boat. Never good enough, always recruited over. No matter how good you are, you will not play over a 5 star.
Actually you just hit the nail on the head. You and a couple of others created this huge expectation of Willis that was completely unreasonable. Basically you made him out to be something he never was. Willis is a respectable college basketball player. He does what he can.
The only problem he has is living up the false impression in your mind. That's your problem, not his.
Willis's problem isn't his size or skill level...
He just shies away from physical play.
If there is ever a situation where a critical rebound is up for grabs and it's between him and another player, he'll get beat every time.
I'm sure that he's a great kid, but on a team that needs a physical leader, he sets the wrong example to the younger players.
He just shies away from physical play.
If there is ever a situation where a critical rebound is up for grabs and it's between him and another player, he'll get beat every time.
I'm sure that he's a great kid, but on a team that needs a physical leader, he sets the wrong example to the younger players.
I've tried to bite my tongue with your idiotic posts, but this is pathetic even by your standards.
Willis plays his *** off. He's the least of this teams problems.
I'm sick and tired of Derek getting the blame for every single thing. Basically every single player on this team sucks defensively. Quit blaming Willis because Monk gives little to no effort on the defensive end.
Bam can't guard a soul, Gabriel isn't much better,(though he gives 100% effort) Fox gets burned time after time after time, and Briscoe isn't very good defensively either, but you want to blame Willis? Amazing
We need him in "Key" games?
Please tell me other than Kansas where he hit a couple 3's, what "Key" games has he ever done well? For me, the Indiana game said everything last year regarding Willis.
We can appreciate him as a 4 year player, he is a good rebounder, and he can hit those 3's when it isn't crucial. However, there are so many things with this year's team and how Cal is making decisions on whom to play, I simply cannot understand. The 3 guard line-up as our main configuration when even a blind man can see the glaring problems. This loyalty to Briscoe and acceptance of multiple mistakes and other players pulled for one mistake or none. Wynyard, blocks his man from rebounding the basket although face-up, yanked and never saw the light of day again. Hump every single game the offensive player just goes right around him for a lay-up; that's OK. A 20 point lead at one moment and SKJ can't even get off the bench? Diallo eligible to play but we will save him for next season, maybe if he isn't drafted?
I love Cal, I love Kentucky basketball, but it seems we are supposed to ultimately just enjoy and feel pride in how our guys do in the pro's.
You know you are in trouble when posts each week talk about how other teams lose. So, does it help that pre-season, Duke and Kentucky were 1 and 1 A? Well, Duke looks like a way better team as the season is progressing (but not awesome) and we have gone downhill. Oh, I feel so much better now.
Please tell me other than Kansas where he hit a couple 3's, what "Key" games has he ever done well? For me, the Indiana game said everything last year regarding Willis.
We can appreciate him as a 4 year player, he is a good rebounder, and he can hit those 3's when it isn't crucial. However, there are so many things with this year's team and how Cal is making decisions on whom to play, I simply cannot understand. The 3 guard line-up as our main configuration when even a blind man can see the glaring problems. This loyalty to Briscoe and acceptance of multiple mistakes and other players pulled for one mistake or none. Wynyard, blocks his man from rebounding the basket although face-up, yanked and never saw the light of day again. Hump every single game the offensive player just goes right around him for a lay-up; that's OK. A 20 point lead at one moment and SKJ can't even get off the bench? Diallo eligible to play but we will save him for next season, maybe if he isn't drafted?
I love Cal, I love Kentucky basketball, but it seems we are supposed to ultimately just enjoy and feel pride in how our guys do in the pro's.
You know you are in trouble when posts each week talk about how other teams lose. So, does it help that pre-season, Duke and Kentucky were 1 and 1 A? Well, Duke looks like a way better team as the season is progressing (but not awesome) and we have gone downhill. Oh, I feel so much better now.
But, but you said he would be in the NBA.
I would ask which player you like; however it is easier to ask; What player have you not given up on, that was previously lauded by you?
the constant brow beating of Willis is worn out...........why single him out
What did Hawkins contribute? How many rebounds did Monk get? If a couple of his shots had gone in, everyone would be praising him
How many layups & turnovers did Briscoe have? How does Gabriel miss a wide open dunk? How many points did Monk's man score?
Why has Bam been such a disappointment? Why won't Cal play zone?
Plenty of blame to pass around, yet Willis & Mulder catch it all. Might as well add KSJ to that group as well, as it seems he will never get the chance to play.
Cal is stubborn & this team plays no defense...........NO ONE, yet everyone piles the crap on Willis
Cal has let him go four years with that weird hitch in his shot so who should get the blame for that. It should have been eliminated in year 2.
At this point he is what he is.
He's a better than average shooter who can get hot and make 4-5 3's in a row.
Not especially quick.
Physically quite weak.
Stuck playing a finesse game against better athletes.
His chance to change the script was in his first 2 seasons. Should have lived in the weight room and bulked as much as possible. (Don't think that wasn't going to happen if he had went to Purdue). At least then he would be better prepared to battle.
He's a better than average shooter who can get hot and make 4-5 3's in a row.
Not especially quick.
Physically quite weak.
Stuck playing a finesse game against better athletes.
His chance to change the script was in his first 2 seasons. Should have lived in the weight room and bulked as much as possible. (Don't think that wasn't going to happen if he had went to Purdue). At least then he would be better prepared to battle.
Did you forget which account you were logged into again? :joy::joy:
What a flaming pile of dog [poop].
Willis' personality is very stoic and that leads to very stoic performances. He is what he is, but if he had some of Cousins' mean streak, he would be much, much better.
I'll agree with this, Derek isn't a good fit for this system for a number of reasons.
I don't think he is a super star, but I don't think we've seen the best version of him either.
Personally I think the whole team seems disinterested. Not sure why you want to single out Willis. Plus it seems Willis has a short leash, he can come in and have the ball slip out of his hand and boom a sub is up and off the bench. But that leash does not extend to his prize NBA wanna be's maybe that is part of the problem. Some of this team know they are going to get their minutes no matter how they play. Unlike Gabriel who seems to want to be out there.
Last edited:
I suspect he'll be in the league ..............maybe have a better career than some 5-stars on this current roster.....(Briscoe) :flushed:
Who know? IMO, Derek could have benefited by transferring after his freshman year. It was his decision to stay and I hope he doesn't regret it.
Wait a minute. I thought the last time this was brought up, everyone wanted Gabriel on the bench and Willis to play more. Now it has flip flopped again.
I cannot keep this straight. Which one is the superstar and which is the bench player.
To be fair, seems UMM is saying Willis has been his favorite player other than Ulis.
Grammar perhaps inartful.
Love DW and thank him for his four years...just think he picked the wrong school. Not that he can't play, he just wasn't going to the way CAL recruits...just like KW wasn't going to.
Last edited:
Latest
-
01
KSR Football
Kentucky Offensive Line Lets the Running Backs Shine
-
02
KSR Football
Instant Takeaways: Kentucky fails to meet standard but still passes September test
-
03
KSR Football
Kentucky gets a Wake-Up Call. Stein: "That Was Not Our Standard"
-
04
KSR Football
Will Stein wanted to run the damn ball against South Alabama
-
05
KSR Football
CJ Baxter was happier for his fellow running backs than himself