He played Pope and UK for a month
- Thread starter TNCatfanforever
- Start date
so you're telling me that of all the podcasts and whatever is out there, if someone knows Stokes signed his paperwork with Kansas, they aren't going to report it?
well they didn't appear to report, they just held onto the hit piece against Pope.
Yes we dodged a bullet in one sense. The fact that Pope went all in on this dude for 2 years and got played like a fiddle is MORE concerning than Stokes not committing.
Why?
Because they could of gotten Caleb Holt and maybe someone else. I would have taken Holt over Stokes for sure.
The major reason why a Stokes commit to UK was the "Perception is reality" thing, that may kick start Pope up a notch to get better guys. But nope.
Anyone who thinks Pope and his staff is up to par for this job are in denial.
Why?
Because they could of gotten Caleb Holt and maybe someone else. I would have taken Holt over Stokes for sure.
The major reason why a Stokes commit to UK was the "Perception is reality" thing, that may kick start Pope up a notch to get better guys. But nope.
Anyone who thinks Pope and his staff is up to par for this job are in denial.
UK is not in the top 10 of schools KU is worried about or competing with on a regular basis for recruits. That ended when Cal left. Eventually UK fans will realize the perception of the UK program from people outside of BBN is not remotely close to what it was 10 years ago. Stokes was 7 years old the last time UK went to a Final 4.
Why would Pitino, who loves Pope so much he wouldn’t let him within a mile of ANY of his coaching staffs, and said if Pope ever needed a recruit that he would write the NIL check, operate behind Pope’s back to poach his main PF target, knowing that this is Pope’s make or break season?
Hint: They both did it for the same reason
They know a good train wreck when they see one, why tip the guy off and advert it?
Everyone in CBB has been waiting for UK to be down like this, to get their punches in…
UK’s response should be Billy Donovan, but they’ll screw around and let Kansas take that away from them as well, just like they did with Stokes, and are about to do next season with the all time wins lead.
I agree 100% and apparently he would have alienated a major booster. But, let's get real, these coaches are paid millions to do their jobs. Sometimes they have to make difficult decisions and take the heat.
That’s hardly the same thing. Pitino was just doing his job by recruiting Freeman. And there was a very logical reason for it, he needed a PF.Why would Pitino, who loves Pope so much he wouldn’t let him within a mile of ANY of his coaching staffs, and said if Pope ever needed a recruit that he would write the NIL check, operate behind Pope’s back to poach his main PF target, knowing that this is Pope’s make or break season?
Hint: They both did it for the same reason
But I see no logical reason for Stokes to play us like this. Did he do it just for the fun of jerking UK around? I just don’t get what the kid was thinking.
Weren’t you saying Stokes AND Slim Jesus were locks a few weeks ago?
I'm jealous honestly, I would've loved if the shoe was on the other foot. Not so much about Tyran, I would've liked to have got him. The way Self orchestrated the whole thing to not just to hurt us by losing Stokes but so many other recruits we could've had. I can't even be mad about it. I just wish it was us and Pope laughing at Kansas.
Sure, but you don't spend valuable resources of time and money unless you want them. Plus, you take a PR hit when you lose.
Are people seriously saying that they wouldn't want Stokes on this team? Comments like "dodged a bullet" and "glad he didn't come" make me think there is a segment of the fanbase that didn't want the number one recruit to come to Kentucky.
He purposely trolled Kentucky for an entire month and even longer when you consider he was likely heavily leaning towards Kansas prior to the portal opening. Had he gone ahead and committed, Pope would not have thrown his eggs in one basket. It was a lose-lose. That announcement segment and the way he’s handled himself thus far makes me think he’s a cancer in the locker room. Imagine him on a Kentucky squad filled with scrubs? He’d likely be disgruntled or just hero ball 90% of the time. Plus, have some ******** respect for the program. The character of this kid ain’t Kentucky. That kinda crap flies in Arkansas or Louisville but not here. Peterson 2.0.
The positives are this raises pope’s chances of being fired and there is likely a ton of money in booster funds sitting around. Save it for next year when pope gets the boot.
