Calipari NBA angle has backfired

[KyCatFan1]

 

[STL_Cat]

Why should I? Your points have been discussed into oblivion. Nothing new on the table. In fact that was the only thing of merit. How utterly redundant the thought is. Given that, I commented on that aspect as it was the only thing worthy of discourse. Seems like you were aware of that when you made the post.

Well, I didn’t think it was. I made the disclaimer because I thought it might be looked at as a discussion that’s been had over and over. But I certainly believe the angle I’m taking here is slightly different than others that have been discussed here.

so Cal’s messaging, you believe, is the same today as it was when he was crushing it? Do you think that “being the program to get you to the NBA” is as strong of a differentiator as selling your program and your style?

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

You don’t think his messaging changed? You don’t think “play for ME, and everything that is unique about playing for ME” is an easier competitive advantage to leverage than “I’m the guy to get you to the NBA”?

If you only take guys that will be stars in the nba it means you will get great players. The more guys we get to the nba means the better players we had which means we have good teams/seasons. You'll win more with daaron fox and malik monk than you will askew and mintz/boston. So that angle was always solid even if it put off some fans.

The difference is even a few short years ago, the nba was a delayed gratification. Once the shoe guys dove in, there was instant gratification too and you still got the delayed gratification of the nba. Too much for kids and families to pass up, most of the time.

 

[jrpross_rivals]

I'm afraid that more because Cal is missing on his top targets instead of a planned change in recruiting.

I mean, he did miss on a few. But look at the top 25 for 2021. The only ones Cal honed in on were Hardy, Sallis, & Banchero. Collins came later when we got Jai on staff. Cal literally only targeted 3 top 25 players. That’s incredibly abnormal. He had to have an inkling that he’d have a huge pool of transfers to recruit from to cast such a narrow net.

 

[BassProCat]

We can list what we think is the problem is but it’s multiple things that’s led us into this disaster.

I also think it’s funny cuz we literally won the SEC by 3 games last season and had the SEC POTY who wasn’t a OAD. We had everything it takes to win it all as well. Post play, guard play, 3 pt shooting, FT shooting and played solid D.

This season sucked. Time to put it behind us and focus on next year.

 

[MakinMusic_rivals]

You don’t think his messaging changed? You don’t think “play for ME, and everything that is unique about playing for ME” is an easier competitive advantage to leverage than “I’m the guy to get you to the NBA”?

Calipari still has a unique advantage in that playing for Kentucky gets you instant fans for your NBA career, large numbers of fans. That matters from a marketing perspective. I didn’t pay much attention got the NBA before we started lining players up on draft night. I don’t watch as much as college basketball but I do watch teams with former Kentucky players. If a player goes to whatever state U, they won’t see near the following and exposure as playing for Kentucky. It’s a big deal.

 

[kybassfan]

Well, I didn’t think it was. I made the disclaimer because I thought it might be looked at as a discussion that’s been had over and over. But I certainly believe the angle I’m taking here is slightly different than others that have been discussed here.

so Cal’s messaging, you believe, is the same today as it was when he was crushing it? Do you think that “being the program to get you to the NBA” is as strong of a differentiator as selling your program and your style?

Again, this is discussed ad nauseum. Packaged, repackaged, hashed and rehashed. You give the same old concept, just inefficient with a wall of words.

Obviously it’s still effective. Obviously it’s been diluted by several factors because the basic premise is effective. What’s the point of going through it all again? I guess it keeps the negative on the forefront. Maybe you feel regurgitation of old concepts serves some goal of a propaganda nature in hopes of ousting Calipari. Again, laughable, as the contract makes this completely impractical. That is exactly how the school wants it. A moot point in it’s entirety.

 

[Woodrow24]

I'm surprised these exact sentiments haven't been printed before during the course of this disappointing season, unless you want to count the other 7,000 threads that have said more or less the same thing.

By the way, the idea that Cal has been a one-trick pony and that this is the only way he can win defies history and common sense.

It's not the system that got him to the Final Four at Massachusetts, and by which he elevated a totally obscure program to national prominence.

It's not the system that got him to the Final Game in Memphis, and by which he elevated a mid-major to the top ranks fo college basketball.

So, the premise of many responding on this thread is demonstrably false.

Cal can adapt if he chooses to do so, but the big question is if he is willing to do that? The Cal you’re talking about was younger and more driven. Cal isn’t a young man at this point in his career and is already in the HOF and has a national championship. He doesn’t have to prove anything at this point in his career. He can change but we will have to wait and see if he will. Going 9-16 may have been a humbling moment for him. He’s not used to losing like that. No matter how old we are, we all can learn lessons in life. I hope he learns from this season and turns this around.

 

[Atrain7732]

Nothing wrong with what you said, IMO.

Cal created a monster and the monster got too big and ate him.

I agree with everything said as well. Although, I don’t know this to be certain, I would suspect Cal has also finally recognized that the system he built is broken and requires immediate change.

I don’t get on board with replacing Cal right away as many on here would like. However, I do maintain that the shift towards correcting the system better start being apparent right away or it’s gonna get even more ugly. The good news in my opinion is there is some initial evidence that’s starting to happen. Only time will tell.

 

[Mad Max]

That’s great. And at the end of the day, it means absolutely nothing. We’re not landing stud recruits because of it.

His messaging has 100% changed and you’d have to be blind to not see it. Again, he used to sell his style. He used to sell his BRAND of basketball. That is what you call strategic intent and differentiated messaging.

“Come here because I’m the guy that will get you to the next level” is EASY to sell against. Come here because you want to play for John Calipari in John Calipari’s style is harder to sell against because it’s a differentiated message.

So was Wades argument when he “out recruited about;
A)style of play
B) failure of Calipari branding
C) a huge sweet *** offer

c....
Do you remember the team we thought we were going to get last year?

Kuminga
Green
Cade Cunningham

which players chose their final destination due to marketing pitch/style of play and which left because the other guy was paying?

I get your argument, but when you start looking at the situation on a recruit level, I don’t find many that went the direction they did due to “style of play”.

now guys are saying that, but that’s not because of Cals preferred style of play, it’s because we’ve been # 2 behind the money. Then when we miss on the big ones, we are behind on the second ones and end up with the third tier. The kids that we are getting are not the same caliber. Or they need much longer to develop.

I think Cals pitch is still about his ability to prepare guys for the NBA, but how he has done developing the non OADs. PJ, Quickley, and then the high 4 star successes, Shai, Herro to further demonstrate to those “second tier players” that they can achieve that success here better than anywhere. Those guys are less likely to sell out.

them add in the transfer portal, working that hard as well.

then add in a few “need a few years” guys like Ware. askew (and don’t have them transer...a fairly big failure so far)

the way to build a roster in the post -Emmert NCAA is different than before, but the Kentucky effect in the NBA is not a marketing negative....ever....

 

[willievic]

I just watched a 4:30 clip of his introductory press conference. If anyone is wondering what I’m talking about ... watch it.

It’s all about 1 seeds, #1 rankings, NCAA championships, and playing style. Of course he talks about getting great players to do it. But it’s all based on how the system is built, and if “you can play you’ll be in heaven here ...”. I didn’t hear him selling that NBA bill of goods back then. And not coincidentally, he was so much harder to compete against as a result. Just another observation ...

C5Matt, THANKS for your 29 years of Service to the GREATEST Country on the planet. Like you, I have traveled all over the world, but the greatest place is the USA. I hope it stays that way, but watching our Congress, and the hatred by the two parties, I doubt it. I am seeing the same hatred on here, especially in the last year. You have the people who think Cal can do no right, and the people who think Cal can do no wrong. A lot of posters have broken it down personal, instead of sticking to facts. I am not a Cal hater, even though a lot of posters have made me out to be. I just love UK, and have for many years. I believe that a coach must have more then one way to do things, to be successful, and Cal only believes in one way, at the present time. I still believe in basic plays, which most of us learned in grade school. If they are executed CORRECTLY, they work. A perfect example is the, "Pick and Roll." If a screen is set properly, someone is going to get a good shot. So many plays can be run off that one set, so it's hard for the defense to guard them all. His recruiting in his first days at UK, was with talent, above most other programs. That is no longer true, and the facts, since 2016 show that. Can he win with talent other coaches are getting, none of us know. I know he did at U Mass. The jury is still out on that, but we will see. I believe this coming year will show us a lot. Regardless, of what some posters think, I hope Cal is successful this coming year. If he isn't, then I think it's time for a change. After this year, if he doesn't know what he needs to do, then he is just to arrogant to admit it.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[ShadowFromHomewardBound]

The system is broken. Time to change or gtfo.

Yep- and the Calipari defense regime refuse to even remotely admit that he must adapt. They, for some reason, believe Calipari is beyond reproach. You’ll notice the ones who still defend him so staunchly with doe eyed idolatry have one thing in common and clearly still defend him for other reasons.

Next year is going to be bad too. Maybe not 9-16 bad but still bad.

 

[KyFaninNC]

Looks like the CLOD ran out of material and needs to reheat old turds.

Not a single thing in this thread that the quitters haven’t cried about 124575 times already.

And yet here you are whining about other posters criticizing your hero. That is all you do on here, throw shade at other posters, trying to stir the pot. That and talk about your play station.

 

[ShadowFromHomewardBound]

I just watched a 4:30 clip of his introductory press conference. If anyone is wondering what I’m talking about ... watch it.

It’s all about 1 seeds, #1 rankings, NCAA championships, and playing style. Of course he talks about getting great players to do it. But it’s all based on how the system is built, and if “you can play you’ll be in heaven here ...”. I didn’t hear him selling that NBA bill of goods back then. And not coincidentally, he was so much harder to compete against as a result. Just another observation ...

He’s got major major white savior complex. I mean major. MAJOR.

He believes he is a God send. His ego has gotten the best of him. He doesn’t even realize how offensive, prejudiced and ridiculous he sounds when he spews his mantra.

Obviously John Calipari likes to win. What man doesn’t? But winning titles, making FF runs, doing well against rivals and having great seasons are now secondary to John Calipari and he’s verbatim admitted it. His main and #1 priority is getting kids to sign a financial contract to play professionally as quickly as possible. He got his title, his HOF induction and he just isn’t hungry like he was before. He refuses to adapt despite being owned on the recruiting trail (no longer landing elites) because he runs literally zero offense.

John Calipari will view this season (worst in Kentucky basketball history) as a success if a few players are able to ink a professional $ contract.

 

[willievic]

Well it’s either that, otr other teams started paying those players and the NCAA turned a blind eye...

was it style of play that drew Cade Cunningham to OSU?

was it style of play that allowed LSU to become a recruiting power?

was it style of play that led to the Green kid to go to the dleague?

was it style of play that led to RJ Hampton going overseas?

the world has shifted.

cheating is OK (for some) and the elimination of amateurism to rush to a bad form of basketball is so obvious anyone can see it...

Unless you or the NCAA can prove any of the assumptions you have just made, why say them. That just makes UK look bad. Let the NCAA call the shots on recruiting, not UK fans. We have enough bad history on cheating, without bringing up cheating by other schools, which hasn't been proven.
Innuendos, without facts, aren't worth anything, and only look like "Sour Grapes, and Excuses."

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[ShadowFromHomewardBound]

“This kind of stuff has been talked about here pretty much as nauseam.”

You should have stopped with this opening sentence.

Idiotic comment (per usual). You’re too concerned with being a whiney clown hellbent on defending John Calipari (idolatry) at all costs that you let it cloud your judgment and ability to have a dialogue completely.

At least read his entire comment before menstruating all over it. Got it?

 

[willievic]

You both missed my point AND reinforced it. Guys going to OSU and LSU and Oklahoma because, like I said, it’s been proven you can get exposure and go to the league no matter where you go now. Cal’s “I can get you to the league” pitch is easy as hell to sell against. It’s like if my competitor has a unique competitive advantage over me but all of a sudden decides to focus all their messaging on something that isn’t a unique competitive advantage. Now I can sell against you. You got away from what made you special.

I’m not arguing that nothing else has changed. Certainly it has. But when I think of something like this what I want to do is control the controlables, and in this case it’s messaging. Cal 100% made himself easier to recruit against when he went all in on his “players first, this is the program to get you to the league” message.

What you just said, is so true. To many posters want to put the blame somewhere else, instead of facing the FACTS.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[ShadowFromHomewardBound]

I don't think it backfired as much as it ran it's course mainly due to cheaters.

Cal and uk were so strong with recruiting and developing nba guys they were able to leverage out the street agents and leeches. Cal even said after his first season, he put up with some things that year he never would again. On the wiretapped calls, the shoe guy even clearly said if kids go to UK we lose control. That created a need for these agents and leeches to steer their kids elsewhere.

In steps Duke, Arizona, Oregon, USC etc. For Nike the connection is easy - it's to anyone coaching for usa basketball at the time. K sean miller etc. Nike runs team usa basketball.For adidas we don't know exactly how those relationships formed but we saw them play out in wiretapped calls. Then the fbi brought their case and created another need.

That need is now filled in part by gonzaga. We know the aau coach for suggs/holmgren is as scummy as it gets and completely runs the show for their recruitment. Duke and UK stayed away. Gonzaga took him. Also all indications point to the aau coach not even allowing teams to contact chet, except Gonzaga. Now Sallis choose Gonzaga too. Do the math.

Now recruiting is gonzaga, G league, and whatever other schools willing to play the game. So nothing really backfired. The landscape just shifted in a major way that Cal just won't match. That's clear. The question is what does he do next.

so every other school is cheating besides UK and that’s why Calipari is no longer able to land the elites. Believing this way allows Calipari and his biggest defenders and fans to stay stagnant.

Players now simply realize they can go almost anywhere and Still be drafted high. Is every single other school that has landed the top 3-5 elites the last 6 years cheating? Calipari hasn’t landed them in years and years...and it’s because every single other team that has landed them is cheating?

cmon man...

 

[richbrookstomato]

That’s great. And at the end of the day, it means absolutely nothing. We’re not landing stud recruits because of it.

His messaging has 100% changed and you’d have to be blind to not see it. Again, he used to sell his style. He used to sell his BRAND of basketball. That is what you call strategic intent and differentiated messaging.

“Come here because I’m the guy that will get you to the next level” is EASY to sell against. Come here because you want to play for John Calipari in John Calipari’s style is harder to sell against because it’s a differentiated message.

It all started to go downhill after the 2017 season. When Cal used the "Kentucky isn't for everyone" and "playing at UK is hard" BULLCRAP, it turned off the very top tier players. Cal's arrogance got the best of him after having his pick of whoever he wanted. So opposing coaches used those 2 catchphrases to convince them that Cal is right, it is hard and not for YOU. Then you throw in the other things he has spewed like "if you come here, your not getting 20 shots a game and you have to be able to defend".

That's when the top 3 ranked players each season started going to other schools and were able to STILL be drafted high. This tore down Cal's perceived EXCLUSIVE OAD model. So now we are at a point where we only get 2nd tier NBA talent yet those same players THINK they are in that top tier. That's why our results have been less than what we saw the first 6 seasons.

So Cal is going to either change his approach with the OAD by getting multiple top 5 kids again or develop the 2nd tier kids with them KNOWING they AREN'T OAD.

The MAIN thing he has to do is adjust his offensive philosophy to put an emphasis on scoring.

 

[willievic]

I have no doubt Cal will have a winning season next year. Our schedule will be filled with "Cup Cakes," which will help us get a winning season. That will help soothe Cal's ego. How we will do against the good teams, I don't know, but I hope we win them all.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[TBCat]

Hear me out -

This kind of stuff has been talked about here pretty much as nauseam, but not sure this angle has been considered as much.

To me, where Calipari killed the competition from a recruiting standpoint 5-10 years ago was he was selling a unique product. Cal crushed the recruiting trail because he sold playing for him, he sold playing his style, he sold his brand of basketball. We can argue about whether or not the “dribble drive” was just a marketing gimmick, but nonetheless it was a gimmick unique to Cal and his style and he sold it that way. And the recruits bought it. Dudes wanted to play for Cal.

Then he went all in on this “I’m helping solve generational poverty and I’m the program to get you to the NBA” angle. It suddenly became all about the NBA. Which I do understand the strategy, these high profile guys are looking at the NBA, I’ll sell them the NBA. Easy Peasy. The players first, I’m going to help you achieve your dreams pitch. UK players pictures in their NBA jerseys all over the facility.

This strategy has a fatal flaw, though. It made Calipari much easier to recruit against. Once you see a few guys out there killing it regardless of where they went to college, how much easier is it for rival recruiters to say “why do you need Calipari to get you to the NBA? You don’t. You can go anywhere and get the exposure you need these days, if you’re good enough.”

As opposed to, “I want to play for Coach Cal because he’s a great coach and he plays a great style that will highlight my abilities and set me up for success.” It’s much more difficult to sell against a product that has unique features and benefits. When all of a sudden the sales pitch is into “I’ll get you to the NBA,” it’s easier for rivals to mitigate that pitch.

just an early Sunday morning thought. I’ll take my slings and arrows now

I've been saying this for several years now. Calipari made a strategic blunder when he went all in on the one and done. The "players first" campaign sounded like good marketing but it was actually pretty dumb. Cal has been marketing himself as the guy to get you to the league. Not the guy with the #1 ranked team. Not the guy winning titles. Not the guy that develop your skills best or even that the recruit will have a life changing experience. Cal is simply the guy that will get you out the door as fast as you come in. Ready or not, go.

The problem with that is that the top ranked recruits soon learned that they don't need Cal to get drafted. If I'm the number #1 player in the class then even Tom Crean can get me to the league. So..... why does the #1 player in the class actually need Cal again? Well they don't. The idea that UK's pro day is what is getting them drafted or that UK's system is what gets them drafted is absolute non sense. And the players all know that.

The one thing Cal can do like no other is to put them in practice against other elite NBA talent. He can develop and improve them like no other coach can. But of course Cal isn't selling that anymore. He should have picked a school first mind set. He should have sold the university and not the NBA draft. They can get the draft anywhere they go. UK if done right is a unique experience that they can't get anywhere else.

 

[ShadowFromHomewardBound]

I have no doubt Cal will have a winning season next year. Our schedule will be filled with "Cup Cakes," which will help us get a winning season. That will help soothe Cal's ego. How we will do against the good teams, I don't know, but I hope we win them all.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

We are going to go 16-14/ 17-13/ 18-12 or something similar and will have the same half dozen or so John Calipari defenders left say “Look! Improvement!”.

 

[BassProCat]

It all started to go downhill after the 2017 season. When Cal used the "Kentucky isn't for everyone" and "playing at UK is hard" BULLCRAP, it turned off the very top tier players.

The MAIN thing he has to do is adjust his offensive philosophy to put an emphasis on scoring.

Couldnt agree more with those two statements.

I hated those first two quotes by Cal and he just drilled those quotes into the media.

 

[mebeblue2]

every angle that could possibly be talked about has been discussed to nauseam
this is a message board, if you want to talk about, do it
sure everything is "rinse and repeat"
that is what these boards are for

if we would win it next year all this would disappear

 

[Kampus Korner_rivals164031]

You could have read the rest of my post and actually commented on the content ... but, you chose not to. Why?

Seriously, you have to ask this question after all of the innumerable and repetitive rants posted on this board about Coach Cal regarding his: recruiting, style of play, comments to the media, and more? I simply agreed with the first full sentence of your post.

 

[STL_Cat]

every angle that could possibly be talked about has been discussed to nauseam
this is a message board, if you want to talk about, do it
sure everything is "rinse and repeat"
that is what these boards are for

if we would win it next year all this would disappear

Well hell yeah it would.

 

[jrpross_rivals]

We are going to go 16-14/ 17-13/ 18-12 or something similar and will have the same half dozen or so John Calipari defenders left say “Look! Improvement!”.

With the front court we’ll have, I think a couple top notch guards transfers could make it a really good team, though I think it’d be closer to 10-15 rather than top 5.

That’s a big IF though. If they do indeed end up with 12-14 losses, I’ll probably be ready to agree it’s time to move on at that point.

 

[Kampus Korner_rivals164031]

Idiotic comment (per usual). You’re too concerned with being a whiney clown hellbent on defending John Calipari (idolatry) at all costs that you let it cloud your judgment and ability to have a dialogue completely.

At least read his entire comment before menstruating all over it. Got it?

Woof Woof! Another anonymous message board faux bad boy who has to resort to pathetically lame personal attacks on a message board. because he is so deficient in his ability to frame an intelligent and well crafted retort.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I'm surprised these exact sentiments haven't been printed before during the course of this disappointing season, unless you want to count the other 7,000 threads that have said more or less the same thing.

By the way, the idea that Cal has been a one-trick pony and that this is the only way he can win defies history and common sense.

It's not the system that got him to the Final Four at Massachusetts, and by which he elevated a totally obscure program to national prominence.

It's not the system that got him to the Final Game in Memphis, and by which he elevated a mid-major to the top ranks fo college basketball.

So, the premise of many responding on this thread is demonstrably false.

There's a deep irony when you of all people accuse others of redundancy, considering you're essentially the minister of pro-Cal propaganda for this message board.

 

[ftp000]

We are a long way from the “it” program we once were. Other than being a long term fan of the program, I can’t think of a reason a recruit would come to UK. Style, system, and the program no longer translates to the NBA.

There is no "it program" anymore. Top recruits spread out over all of D1 basketball. They have caught on to the reality that the record of your college team has no bearing on your draft stock. Being the big fish in a small pond does.

 

[turkeywildturkey]

Hear me out -

This kind of stuff has been talked about here pretty much as nauseam, but not sure this angle has been considered as much.

To me, where Calipari killed the competition from a recruiting standpoint 5-10 years ago was he was selling a unique product. Cal crushed the recruiting trail because he sold playing for him, he sold playing his style, he sold his brand of basketball. We can argue about whether or not the “dribble drive” was just a marketing gimmick, but nonetheless it was a gimmick unique to Cal and his style and he sold it that way. And the recruits bought it. Dudes wanted to play for Cal.

Then he went all in on this “I’m helping solve generational poverty and I’m the program to get you to the NBA” angle. It suddenly became all about the NBA. Which I do understand the strategy, these high profile guys are looking at the NBA, I’ll sell them the NBA. Easy Peasy. The players first, I’m going to help you achieve your dreams pitch. UK players pictures in their NBA jerseys all over the facility.

This strategy has a fatal flaw, though. It made Calipari much easier to recruit against. Once you see a few guys out there killing it regardless of where they went to college, how much easier is it for rival recruiters to say “why do you need Calipari to get you to the NBA? You don’t. You can go anywhere and get the exposure you need these days, if you’re good enough.”

As opposed to, “I want to play for Coach Cal because he’s a great coach and he plays a great style that will highlight my abilities and set me up for success.” It’s much more difficult to sell against a product that has unique features and benefits. When all of a sudden the sales pitch is into “I’ll get you to the NBA,” it’s easier for rivals to mitigate that pitch.

just an early Sunday morning thought. I’ll take my slings and arrows now

The reason we had the season we had was because if Covid, not the NBA angle. Same with Duke. Do you think Coach K is hearing the same criticism as Cal. No, he is not. Duke fans have more sense than UK fans. We have a lot of idiot fans. That’s a fact.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

Bottom line: If it's not prevalent in the NBA, then you won't see it in Cal's system...

Problem is, it's not 2015 anymore and the NBA has moved on...who wants to tell him?

The gold standard is over.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

so every other school is cheating besides UK and that’s why Calipari is no longer able to land the elites. Believing this way allows Calipari and his biggest defenders and fans to stay stagnant.

Players now simply realize they can go almost anywhere and Still be drafted high. Is every single other school that has landed the top 3-5 elites the last 6 years cheating? Calipari hasn’t landed them in years and years...and it’s because every single other team that has landed them is cheating?

cmon man...

Strawman. I didn't say every other school. I listed the ones we know. It's an actual fbi investigation with evidence guilty pleas etc. It isn't like I just made it up.

The gonzaga stuff is factual too. It's all out there if you go look.

Dunk on cal all you want. I'm pissed over this season too but at least get the facts right.

 

[ShadowFromHomewardBound]

Strawman. I didn't say every other school. I listed the ones we know. It's an actual fbi investigation with evidence guilty pleas etc. It isn't like I just made it up.

The gonzaga stuff is factual too. It's all out there if you go look.

Dunk on cal all you want. I'm pissed over this season too but at least get the facts right.

Oh okay lol. Whatever you need to tell yourself brother.

 

[cats#1again]

Hear me out -

This kind of stuff has been talked about here pretty much as nauseam, but not sure this angle has been considered as much.

To me, where Calipari killed the competition from a recruiting standpoint 5-10 years ago was he was selling a unique product. Cal crushed the recruiting trail because he sold playing for him, he sold playing his style, he sold his brand of basketball. We can argue about whether or not the “dribble drive” was just a marketing gimmick, but nonetheless it was a gimmick unique to Cal and his style and he sold it that way. And the recruits bought it. Dudes wanted to play for Cal.

Then he went all in on this “I’m helping solve generational poverty and I’m the program to get you to the NBA” angle. It suddenly became all about the NBA. Which I do understand the strategy, these high profile guys are looking at the NBA, I’ll sell them the NBA. Easy Peasy. The players first, I’m going to help you achieve your dreams pitch. UK players pictures in their NBA jerseys all over the facility.

This strategy has a fatal flaw, though. It made Calipari much easier to recruit against. Once you see a few guys out there killing it regardless of where they went to college, how much easier is it for rival recruiters to say “why do you need Calipari to get you to the NBA? You don’t. You can go anywhere and get the exposure you need these days, if you’re good enough.”

As opposed to, “I want to play for Coach Cal because he’s a great coach and he plays a great style that will highlight my abilities and set me up for success.” It’s much more difficult to sell against a product that has unique features and benefits. When all of a sudden the sales pitch is into “I’ll get you to the NBA,” it’s easier for rivals to mitigate that pitch.

just an early Sunday morning thought. I’ll take my slings and arrows now

Cal said from day one he wanted to help kids and their family.
The only thing that changed for uk and cal is the ncaa turning a blind eye to cheating. Just so happens the same year it all started changing in recruiting, when duke took over, they hired a known cheater as their assistant

 

[cats#1again]

I'm afraid that more because Cal is missing on his top targets instead of a planned change in recruiting.

So it just started this class? He's landed several highly rated kids each year. Our first commits in this class were kids he never tried to recruit before

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Oh okay lol. Whatever you need to tell yourself brother.

I don't need to tell myself anything. If you want to refute what I posted go for it. You can't

 

[willievic]

The reason we had the season we had was because if Covid, not the NBA angle. Same with Duke. Do you think Coach K is hearing the same criticism as Cal. No, he is not. Duke fans have more sense than UK fans. We have a lot of idiot fans. That’s a fact.

Any idiot would know, that if the COVID affected Duke and UK, it would affect Michigan, Gonzaga, Arkansas, and other programs. Do you think it just picked a few programs to effect. Don't give us the crap, that it's all about the Freshmen. I believe Gonzaga has a Freshmen guard. We started two senior transfers, one soph. and two Fresh. When are you going to understand, "It's all about the coaching, or lack of at UK." I don't know about other schools, and I really don't care about anyone except UK.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[kybassfan]

Any idiot would know, that if the COVID affected Duke and UK, it would affect Michigan, Gonzaga, Arkansas, and other programs. Do you think it just picked a few programs to effect. Don't give us the crap, that it's all about the Freshmen. I believe Gonzaga has a Freshmen guard. We started two senior transfers, one soph. and two Fresh. When are you going to understand, "It's all about the coaching, or lack of at UK." I don't know about other schools, and I really don't care about anyone except UK.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

Any idiot knows that the effect of the virus on team performance depends on age, prior experience, temperament rigor of compliance, and a dozen or more other factors.

Well most idiots. Some obviously lack the acumen to figure it out or are too blind with seething hatred that all common sense is lost. All they see is the crap they spew.

 

[willievic]

Any idiot knows that the effect of the virus on team performance depends on age, prior experience, temperament rigor of compliance, and a dozen or more other factors.

Well most idiots. Some obviously lack the acumen to figure it out or are too blind with seething hatred that all common sense is lost. All they see is the crap they spew.

***, have you ever thought that some of the other teams lacked the same that you do, common sense. A lot of coaches deal the hand their given, and others lie, like Cal, and you, if you had any sense, make excuses. The season is over, COVID didn't affect us any more then most teams. We started two senior transfers, a Soph, and two Freshmen. What affected us more then anything, was Cal's ability to do something other then the Dribble Drive. You and I have never agreed, because you hold on to Cal's balls so tight that your vision is blurred. Lower your head. I don't respond to any of your post, unless their directed to mine. I don't like responding to an idiot, who doesn't know basketball, and now doesn't appear to know much of anything. Do you ever wonder why you don't get very many LIKES to your post? It's because your STUPID! Unless you respond directly to mine, I will NEVER acknowledge your post. That way it's better for both of us. The only thing you probably have in relation to a bass, is a big mouth.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!