Tyler Herro compared to Rex Chapman

[HICATFAN]

I agree with Coach Cal...Is it appropriate to do comparisons at this stage?

Calipari doesn’t want Tyler Herro compared to Rex Chapman

Tyler Herro (Chet White/UK Athletics Photo)
By LARRY VAUGHT

It only took two exhibition games for some Kentucky fans to start comparing freshman guard Tyler Herro to former UK great Rex Chapman. He was UK's leading scorer in the Bahamas, proved he could score from a variety of spots and did not miss a free throw.

“Rex thinks he’s the next Rex. But I just want him to be Tyler Herro. Be who you are,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “Rex was a real high-flyer. Tyler can jump and do that, but Rex was unique and Rex ended up being special.

“Maybe in time that may be the case, but right now just let him be Tyler.”

Herro led UK in scoring at 17.3 points per game in the Bahamas. He made 23 of 40 shots from the field, including 8 of 18 3-pointers. At the foul line, he was 15-for-15. He had seven assists, five turnovers and two steals in 87 minutes.

Herro has only seen YouTube clips of Chapman, who ended his NBA career in 2000 – the same year Herro was born. However, Chapman has introduced himself to Herro and texted him before he played in the Bahamas.

“I’m excited that he has my back. It’s good to have a guy like that,” Herro said.


AlohaCat

 

[stoneycat_20]

I said this last year. Rex with less hops

 

[mbc82584]

Tyler will end up being the top scorer of the Calipari era

 

[Blueaz]

i hope the skill set is very similar and none of the asshat attitude about UK and our great fans

 

[LolAtThis]

Screw that. Let's just call him the Kobe Bryant of college basketball.

 

[GonzoCat90]

The entire thing has been pretty embarrassing so far.

Greenberg and Dakich were falling over themselves to name the most beloved Wildcats and it was completely cringeworthy. Vitale was pumping him on twitter. The articles are all about "the comparisons."

It's weird and gross and the only thing more strange is all of the "I bet he's cleaning up with the coeds" stuff.

 

[Xception]

Players would do well to completely ignore fans and their ridiculous opinions but they’re young and opinions matter to teenagers. Herro will play well and then probably struggle when teams key on him because of his scoring, then he will struggle to get open or get spacing for his shot. When he learns to properly use screens and picks then he’ll start to be a threat again.

 

[JC43]

Players would do well to completely ignore fans and their ridiculous opinions but they’re young and opinions matter to teenagers. Herro will play well and then probably struggle when teams key on him because of his scoring, then he will struggle to get open or get spacing for his shot. When he learns to properly use screens and picks then he’ll start to be a threat again.

With all the ways we can score, don't think Herro will have trouble. Like Cal says, take the shot or pass for the better opportunity. Herro oozes confidence, with him feeding off of KJ and PJ, he is in for a special season...we all are in for a special season indeed

 

[Kyfan37]

Players would do well to completely ignore fans and their ridiculous opinions but they’re young and opinions matter to teenagers. Herro will play well and then probably struggle when teams key on him because of his scoring, then he will struggle to get open or get spacing for his shot. When he learns to properly use screens and picks then he’ll start to be a threat again.

I don't think teams can really afford to JUST key on Herro. He seems to enjoy getting the ball down low to our post players. Reid, PJ, and NR will have a field day. His possible struggles will be due to just not making shots. He doesn't seem too selfish to just keep jacking up shots.

 

[Cindog28]

I used to have a shirt that said, "I live in Louisville, but my heart is in Rexington."

If I still had it now I wouldn't piss on it if it were on fire, so count me out as someone who would EVER compare a good kid like Herro to Chapman.

 

[kyjeff1]

Herro will carve out his own nitch here.

 

[kyboss360]

Looks like we're just gonna keep on beating this ridiculously dead horse. I said this in a thread about a week ago and I guess I'll just say it again. Can we please stop comparing Tyler to every Jim, Jack, Rex, Shep, John Denver, David Hasselhoff and Suzy on the planet and just let him be Tyler Herro because of that will be plenty good enough I promise you.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

I can see the comparison as far as style of play but I’m almost certain Tyler won’t be a pandering hypocritical **** bag like Rex is.

 

[westerncat]

Rex was an *** ! Hero will be much better player. Enjoy him while he is here.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

The entire thing has been pretty embarrassing so far.

Greenberg and Dakich were falling over themselves to name the most beloved Wildcats and it was completely cringeworthy. Vitale was pumping him on twitter. The articles are all about "the comparisons."

It's weird and gross and the only thing more strange is all of the "I bet he's cleaning up with the coeds" stuff.

I really enjoy your posts and think you’re one of the better posters on here but ...
What is weird? What is gross? Tyler getting love ? Or people jokingly saying he will be popular with the females ? John Wall did too. So did Bledsoe and MKG

Doesn’t really seem weird or gross to me...?

Would you say the same thing if this discussion replaced Herro with KJ?

There’s nothing really wrong with fans loving/ hyping a player like Herro

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

”Tyler can jump and do that, but Rex was unique and Rex ended up being special.

There’s your money quote. A coach with, what, 20 lottery picks referring to a player as “unique” and “special” tells you what you need to know about Rex Chapman. I know he’s said and done some things that make it hard for some to objectively assess him. Others are too young to recall - it’s been 30 years since he played for Kentucky. But Rex was indeed special. I would argue he’s the most gifted 2 guard I’ve seen at UK, and my memories date to the 1976-77 season. He was a lottery pick as a sophomore, at a time when that really didn’t happen (outside of Magic and Isaiah, I can’t think of another). I know we love to compare players to previous players, and as fans we want to get ahead of ourselves and see greatness before it’s there. Tyler Herro could be an outstanding player, one of the best at Kentucky in a long while - and still not reach the measure of Rex Chapman.

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

I said this last year. Rex with less hops

Better comparison is Grayson Allen without the punkishness.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

The similarities are endless:
Both caucasion
Both studs as Freshman
Both around 6’5
Both very athletic
Both excellent shooters
Both high BB IQs

Why “not” compare them?

 

[FrankUnderwood]

Rex was an *** ! Hero will be much better player. Enjoy him while he is here.

 

[Xception]

I don't think teams can really afford to JUST key on Herro. He seems to enjoy getting the ball down low to our post players. Reid, PJ, and NR will have a field day. His possible struggles will be due to just not making shots. He doesn't seem too selfish to just keep jacking up shots.

I never suggested he would be selfish but he will draw the best defender if he continues to play this way. He will take a step back if he isn’t fast enough to receive the ball, we’ve seen it happen time and again when they deny your best shooter the ball. You better believe he will get serious attention should he keep playing well.

He wasn’t being defended in the Bahamas like he will be in the sec. He will certainly struggle as all of our freshman have over the years, almost none have been immune to that and I’m not seeing Herro as any exception here. He will however learn and likely develop as the others did and by March should have learned enough to be effective.

 

[Rod Crandler]

The similarities are endless:
Both caucasion
Both studs as Freshman
Both around 6’5
Both very athletic
Both excellent shooters
Both high BB IQs

Why “not” compare them?

Why are the only comparisons made about his game only made against other white players? That's what I think is strange. His quick release and form actually reminds me a bit of Monk.

 

[Bmenk]

Didn’t I read where KJ and Herro go against each other in practice? If so, then Herro is already being hounded by a mad dog daily.

 

[4430]

Saw Mike Casey , Rex , Jeff Shepherd all play .
Rex was in my opinion “ special “ .
I remember listening to WHAS when he was being recruited ( no internet back then ) and was so excited when he signed .
Herro may end up being on their level ; but , let him be him .
Let’s enjoy this ride BBN !

 

[natchezrule]

I hope he actually likes UK

 

[tWildcat]

Why are the only comparisons made about his game only made against other white players? That's what I think is strange. His quick release and form actually reminds me a bit of Monk.

I actually like the Monk comparison, but I think Herro will be a better scorer.

 

[throatpoker]

There’s your money quote. A coach with, what, 20 lottery picks referring to a player as “unique” and “special” tells you what you need to know about Rex Chapman. I know he’s said and done some things that make it hard for some to objectively assess him. Others are too young to recall - it’s been 30 years since he played for Kentucky. But Rex was indeed special. I would argue he’s the most gifted 2 guard I’ve seen at UK, and my memories date to the 1976-77 season. He was a lottery pick as a sophomore, at a time when that really didn’t happen (outside of Magic and Isaiah, I can’t think of another). I know we love to compare players to previous players, and as fans we want to get ahead of ourselves and see greatness before it’s there. Tyler Herro could be an outstanding player, one of the best at Kentucky in a long while - and still not reach the measure of Rex Chapman.

this. people been sippin' too much haterade on rex or they're just plain clueless. not sure which.

 

[Swimcat76]

Who can ever forget that wonderful day when Bombasuras Rex poured in 26 to stomp U6 into floorboards at Freedom Hall. Tard fans thought they were hot $*** coming off an NCAA championship. Rex reminded them they were still and will always be the crybaby little brother in this state. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...E96D475FFA807F595E18E96D475FFA807F5&FORM=VIRE

 

[ZZBlueComet]

Unlike Rex, you can trust Herro. Jeff Hornacek comes to mind for me.

 

[throatpoker]

 

[Xception]

I would never compare a player to someone who is a drug addict, thief and liar. Rex Chapman is not a role model and his teams did nothing of note, he made himself look good at times which is what he cares about.

 

[Jkwo_rivals113955]

The entire thing has been pretty embarrassing so far.

Greenberg and Dakich were falling over themselves to name the most beloved Wildcats and it was completely cringeworthy. Vitale was pumping him on twitter. The articles are all about "the comparisons."

It's weird and gross and the only thing more strange is all of the "I bet he's cleaning up with the coeds" stuff.

First off, the "in-race comparison" phenomenon is incredibly silly and results in a bunch of ridiculous takes, particularly with elite white guys, because there are comparatively few in the US.

But if you're going where I think you're going with this, well..

I don't get it.

I'd assume you don't take issue with this particular phenomenon (special attention from demographics who wouldn't otherwise be quite so interested based on racial similarities in an under-represented event) when it's directed towards, say Tiger or Pacquiao or Jeremy Lin? Gross? Really?

You're a great poster, Gonzo, but that sounds like one of those socially damaging purple-hair double standards.

You can certainly retain the moral high ground if you're chastising people for treating others badly based on immutable characteristics. I think the second you chastise people based on whom they feel a special bond with, you've gone from the defender to the aggressor (for example, telling people that they're not allowed to have categorical dating preferences).

If I got you wrong, then I apologize. But I'm not sure what else you'd be talking about.

 

[Bungalow Bill]

They're really nothing alike other than being white and having Kentucky across their chest. Rex relied on his hops to get his shot , drifted a lot and shot off balance. Tyler is much more fundamentally sound. Straight up on the jumper. Better BB IQ. I hope Tyler has the type of results on the court Rex did. Rex's game was tailor made for the NBA at that time.

 

[3kidsandme]

I would never compare a player to someone who is a drug addict, thief and liar. Rex Chapman is not a role model and his teams did nothing of note, he made himself look good at times which is what he cares about.

As far as I know he's a recovered addict. I guess being a former liar drug addict and thief I'm gonna burn in hell. People screw up he seems like a decent dude now.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

As far as I know he's a recovered addict. I guess being a former liar drug addict and thief I'm gonna burn in hell. People screw up he seems like a decent dude now.

Problem is he continued to lie and be a douche well after he got sober/ got caught being high AF stealing a bunch of iPhones.

 

[Cindog28]

As far as I know he's a recovered addict. I guess being a former liar drug addict and thief I'm gonna burn in hell. People screw up he seems like a decent dude now.

Do you read what he writes on Twitter?

Just asking.

 

[UK2005_24]

Herro is the first Herro, no one like him!! He's a 6,6 smooth big time scorer. He shoots with unlimited range, can get his shot off easy, has the fade away , cuts to the basket well, a very high BBALL IQ and hits freethrows. The kid is a special offensive talent!!

 

[JC43]

I would never compare a player to someone who is a drug addict, thief and liar. Rex Chapman is not a role model and his teams did nothing of note, he made himself look good at times which is what he cares about.

People change, he brought much joy and love to the Bluegrass. He was placed on a pedestal most only dream of, and made tons of mistakes. Cal and co let him around the players, that's enough for me. We forget that these players are people, yeah he says stupid things on twatter, but go thru all our posts and I'm sure that we have posted ridiculous things that were unfit as uk fans. Like it or not, Rex is a part of BBN, unlike 99.9% posters here, he actually put his body on the line, he sweated and bled for UK. His name will forever be in the annul of Wildcat lore, you and me won't
Give him a break. Addiction is a disease. prescription meds were handed out unporportionally more in Appalachia than anywhere else in the country. Im pretty sure everyone on here knows or has been directly touched by the epidemic of addiction. Kudos to Rex for humbling himself and publicly discussing his life. Better him than a Holier than thou, overweight, money taking Mills who still is an apologist for his head coaches...tells others how wrong we live, but for 20.00 on the collection will start your salvation...
Rant over.
Rex yes
Mills no....

 

[morgousky]

As far as I know he's a recovered addict. I guess being a former liar drug addict and thief I'm gonna burn in hell. People screw up he seems like a decent dude now.

Being a liar and a thief isn't of the same category as an addict even though the paths intersect at times.

I am an addict (mostly recovering) and I've never stolen anything. People who abuse drugs don't necessarily steal and lie compulsively. Those are character flaws that will be with you whether or not you abuse drugs or not. They aren't the result of drug abuse unless you're hooked out of your mind.

Liars and thieves cannot be rehabilitated, much like a chomo. If you lie for the sake of lying and have the urge to steal, you don't need a drug to make it happen.

 

[utbb01]

I see Herro as a mix of Devin Booker and Brad Beal!!

 

[DelkBowl]

Rex was a far better athlete and shooter at this age. Rex was in the NBA about 100 years. Rex took over and dominant Nate’s every game. Rex was a far better dunker. Other than that. I guess.