Cal staying at Kentucky
- Thread starter Xception
- Start date
Yes, how great it would be to leave Kentucky to coach in the NBA.
Ask Rick Pitino how that worked out.
Pitino regrets ever leaving Kentucky and has said so publicly.
It was probably one of the worst decisions Pitino has made in his life.
Ask Rick Pitino how that worked out.
Pitino regrets ever leaving Kentucky and has said so publicly.
It was probably one of the worst decisions Pitino has made in his life.
If Cal goes to the NBA after this season, I thank him for what he brought to this program. Awesome work history for him at UK.
With a 40-0 season, He might say, "What else could I do at UK?"
However, was all that "It is all about the players" and making millionaires of young people just BS?
From here, it would be BS if he now goes to the NBA to prove his capability and to reverse his perception as a NBA coach.
I don't think Cal goes to the NBA based on his own words.
With a 40-0 season, He might say, "What else could I do at UK?"
However, was all that "It is all about the players" and making millionaires of young people just BS?
From here, it would be BS if he now goes to the NBA to prove his capability and to reverse his perception as a NBA coach.
I don't think Cal goes to the NBA based on his own words.
Remember that song that says, "You don't know what you got till it's gone?"
Cal is smart enough to know that to be able to coach Kentucky at this high level, and to receive the adoration of millions of Kentucky fans is something not to be taken lightly or for granted, and is something that most coaches can only dream of.
Cal is smart enough to know that to be able to coach Kentucky at this high level, and to receive the adoration of millions of Kentucky fans is something not to be taken lightly or for granted, and is something that most coaches can only dream of.
The flawed logic in the whole "Cal to the NBA" talk is that advocates of this hollow position, while sure to point out that Cal returned last year due to Willie/Poy/twins returning, never mention that Cal will likely have a core of Johnson, Poythress, Ulis, Lee, and Booker returning for next season.
So why would Cal come back for one returning group but not another? It's contradictory and flawed logic and it typically leaks out from the arseholes of contrarian UK fans or attention whoring media members.
So why would Cal come back for one returning group but not another? It's contradictory and flawed logic and it typically leaks out from the arseholes of contrarian UK fans or attention whoring media members.
Cal is very much like the rest of us.
Yes, flirting with those who want us (the NBA) is almost irresistible, and it is flattering always to be wanted. But, he's wanted AND needed here--his players need him to lead them through some tough years, the years where they essentially change from boys to men. His masterful leadership of these kids and of the entire program is quite noteworthy, and he genuinely feels (I think) best suited in his life right now to mentor these kids and help them find their place in life. I would personally love for my sons to play under his tutelage. His ability to hold people accountable will not be the same in the NBA. Multi-million dollar contracts ruin everything about professional sports, and mitigate what effect coaches can have on their personnel, the exceptions being possibly with the Spurs and the Clippers. Cal can be everything to these kids--father figure, coach, mentor, adviser, and is uniquely qualified (experience and age) for this job. He is, in effect, able to reach self-actualization here at UK--heading to the NBA would only be a positive in terms of actual dollars, but would be a negative in virtually every other life category.
That all said, he cannot do this at the tempo he himself has set so far. Something has to give if he is to remain our coach long-term. His delegating authority is helpful in taking some of the pressure off, but other measures have to be taken in order for him to stay another five to ten years. He's so intelligent, I cannot imagine his wanting to coach much longer just because as you age you want to experience and do other things--at least most do. It will be interesting to see what pathways he chooses--in my view, he may not be qualified to be president of the US, but he certainly is qualified to do most anything else.
Right now, we're at the very pinnacle of UK Basketball--there has never been another time (maybe 1948-1953) when we were so close to dominating the national scene with a dynasty-like quality to our program. His basic needs are all satisfied and beyond--there is little for him to achieve in the NBA (championships there are not quite the same because you're already dealing with grown men). Why leave now? He's got it all.
Yes, flirting with those who want us (the NBA) is almost irresistible, and it is flattering always to be wanted. But, he's wanted AND needed here--his players need him to lead them through some tough years, the years where they essentially change from boys to men. His masterful leadership of these kids and of the entire program is quite noteworthy, and he genuinely feels (I think) best suited in his life right now to mentor these kids and help them find their place in life. I would personally love for my sons to play under his tutelage. His ability to hold people accountable will not be the same in the NBA. Multi-million dollar contracts ruin everything about professional sports, and mitigate what effect coaches can have on their personnel, the exceptions being possibly with the Spurs and the Clippers. Cal can be everything to these kids--father figure, coach, mentor, adviser, and is uniquely qualified (experience and age) for this job. He is, in effect, able to reach self-actualization here at UK--heading to the NBA would only be a positive in terms of actual dollars, but would be a negative in virtually every other life category.
That all said, he cannot do this at the tempo he himself has set so far. Something has to give if he is to remain our coach long-term. His delegating authority is helpful in taking some of the pressure off, but other measures have to be taken in order for him to stay another five to ten years. He's so intelligent, I cannot imagine his wanting to coach much longer just because as you age you want to experience and do other things--at least most do. It will be interesting to see what pathways he chooses--in my view, he may not be qualified to be president of the US, but he certainly is qualified to do most anything else.
Right now, we're at the very pinnacle of UK Basketball--there has never been another time (maybe 1948-1953) when we were so close to dominating the national scene with a dynasty-like quality to our program. His basic needs are all satisfied and beyond--there is little for him to achieve in the NBA (championships there are not quite the same because you're already dealing with grown men). Why leave now? He's got it all.
I highly doubt he leaves, but if he did, we migut just put a damper on bama's get marshell efforts. I think Cal has at least 2-3 more years at UK though if not more.
All of the Cal to the NBA rumors help us IMO, because when the season ends, he can turn down the NBA offers and as soon as it becomes public and our current players declare for the draft, the next band of UK brothers gets on board. Despite all the opposition saying Cal is leaving. We will have another #1 class.
New roles open on this team and before long everyone will be saying, "This may be the greatest amount of talent ever to be assembled in the NCAA."
Number 10 may be just around the corner if we can put number 9 away in a couple of weeks.
New roles open on this team and before long everyone will be saying, "This may be the greatest amount of talent ever to be assembled in the NCAA."
Number 10 may be just around the corner if we can put number 9 away in a couple of weeks.
Where do these Cal to the NBA rumors come from?
I listened to Mike and Mike on the way to work this morning and the discussion
was Cal to the Nets and Cal to the Lakers. How does this get started?
I listened to Mike and Mike on the way to work this morning and the discussion
was Cal to the Nets and Cal to the Lakers. How does this get started?
Mike and Mike don't know any more than the average fan about Cal staying or going. Cal is at the very top of college basketball and is getting talked about on sports shows non stop. Cal loves the spotlight. If he went to the NBA that would change overnight. He would just be another high paid coach and if he didn't win right away subject himself to a lot of criticism. I don't buy the argument that since he was fired in the NBA that he wants to go back and try to show that he can be successful. Cal is closing in on 60. I just don't see him wanting to double his workload for basically the same money and being gone from home that much. His son is about to walk on at UK and I am sure that's important to him. Relax guys. The King is not leaving his throne.
They're clowns. Now, Calipari may leave or he might stay...only he knows that but Mike & Mike don't have a clue, they're just throwing out their opinions. That show is about as useless as it gets when it comes to sports talk...they should just change the name of the show to:
"M & M talk NFL 90% of the time regardless of the season and regardless of the topic and 10% on other things which might include other sports"
Cal, contrary to what he says, loves to have his ego stroked. He's just like Pitino in that regard. Yes, he puts players first and that much is obvious....but he also loves him some Calipari. I think Cal uses these NBA job offers as a form of motivation and ego stroking. That's the reason you won't hear Cal ever dismiss the idea of going back to the NBA. He wants to be wanted by the best of the best in the NBA, but it's all just an ego stroker for him.
But I don't think there's anything more to it than that. He wants to be wanted, but he will never make that jump.
Think of it from a different perspective. You are married to your wife/husband, but how good does it make you feel if someone else compliments you or acts like they are flirting with you? It makes you feel like you've still "got it" even though you know you're not going to leave your wife and beautiful children. UK is Cal's wife and the players are his children.
But I don't think there's anything more to it than that. He wants to be wanted, but he will never make that jump.
Think of it from a different perspective. You are married to your wife/husband, but how good does it make you feel if someone else compliments you or acts like they are flirting with you? It makes you feel like you've still "got it" even though you know you're not going to leave your wife and beautiful children. UK is Cal's wife and the players are his children.
