Devin Askew criticism?

[3 fan_rivals214492]

Travis Graf tweeted UK better get another PG besides Askew. What did I miss? Some harsh criticism coming out last night?

 

[Indymycats]

Is he saying this in reference to IQ blowing up and now projecting to leave after the season? If that’s the case then yeah I agree we need another floor general to share minutes with Askew. Nobody plays 40 minutes a game.

 

[TheBigBlueSpectacle]

Quickley hit draft boards and is likely gone alone with pretty much everyone else haha

 

[Orange Soda King]

If all three of Hagans, Maxey, and Quickley are gone, we will need another PG so Askew isn’t the only one. Hopefully one of Quickley or Hagans returns.

 

[Titpwhami2014]

Yeah, basically saying we need a backup. Surely there is a mid-major grad transfer out there who can hit the open shot and protect the ball. What happens if Askew gets injured? Seems to happen to us every single year.

 

[akaukswoosh]

Both Boston and Clarke can back back up Askew.

 

[Indymycats]

Both Boston and Clarke can back back up Askew.

Not ideal IMO. We will need another true PG. the OP I think was stretching on the tweet being a negative towards Askew and it being more because all three PGs on our current team are likely gone after the season.

 

[Col. Angus]

Both Boston and Clarke can back back up Askew.

rather have someone with PG experience running PG for my college team.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Still don't think quickley will go. Needs one more year to work on creating his own shot.

 

[Greatestalltime]

Yeah, basically saying we need a backup. Surely there is a mid-major grad transfer out there who can hit the open shot and protect the ball. What happens if Askew gets injured? Seems to happen to us every single year.

I will anti jinx that comment. You’re welcome

 

[IrishMike409]

Askew should be in HS next year. He’ll have similar growing pains to Juzang. Next December, everyone will act shocked.

 

[STL_Cat]

My guess is he’s not ready to come in and be a championship level PG on par with some of the guys we’ve had in the past. The hope is IQ comes back or he can just be a Teague level player that can succeed due to the tremendous amount of talent surrounding him.

 

[STL_Cat]

Askew should be in HS next year. He’ll have similar growing pains to Juzang. Next December, everyone will act shocked.

No one should be shocked, but for sure people will be. Because he’ll get blown up on here to be the next great thing (ie we don’t need Keldon Johnson back next year, because we have Whitney coming in!).

 

[zerubbable]

He thinks Askew is a combo guard and not a pure point. There are some recruiting guys out there that doesn't think Askew is that good. He may be one of them

 

[502 Wildcat]

Askew is a really good PG. Great passer and lights out shooter. But of course, it's always good to have another option in case of fouls or injury. Boston and Clarke will both get minutes as a playmaker next season as well. They are very capable in that regard.

 

[CarolinaCatsFan]

I’m sure (I hope) Cal has a plan. Not sure because of ego — or reality — but I think Cal planned on having Cade Cunningham ... and Askew was icing...

 

[Ben101er]

Askew should be in HS next year. He’ll have similar growing pains to Juzang. Next December, everyone will act shocked.

Same could have been said for Hagans, and he survived his first year. But, I agree that if we could get a grad transfer, it would be ideal.

 

[NerlensCat]

Askew is a really good PG. Great passer and lights out shooter. But of course, it's always good to have another option in case of fouls or injury. Boston and Clarke will both get minutes as a playmaker next season as well. They are very capable in that regard.

I want to preface this with, I read this forum everyday, but very rarely post. Generally, I am a fan of Cal's and he has done some amazing things in the last 10 years, but the last 3 PG's starting with Quade have had serious issues. That could be a lack of depth at the PG position the last few years, leading to you get the best or you suffer. Quade, not a good athlete, streaky shooter, poor decision making, etc. Ashton, poor shooter with poor shooting form, decent athlete, showing more this year than last, poor decision maker, struggles to finish at the rim. Tyrese, more of a lead guard. Scorers mentality who can distribute, good, but not a great athlete, streaky shooter, who can either win you almost any game, but can also lose you any game when he is not shooting well, can play out of control. Best of the 3 by far.

Askew is the latest in seriously flawed PG's. He can shoot, he can distribute and he can handle the ball. His problem is that he doesn't do any of these well enough to make up for his limited athletic ability. So, he will struggle doing any of these things well in college until he improves his strength/quickness and/or dramatically improves all three to give him total command of the floor much like Luka Doncic, who also is not a great athlete, but uses his ball handling, size, shooting ability and great instincts/basketball IQ to make him one of the top ten talents in the league.

Devin will be a very good player for us in years 2-3, as long as he doesn't get frustrated and leave. However, anyone betting on him being the next Jason Kidd or even Ashton Hagans, needs to temper your expectations. In my opinion, which is worth about 50 cents, we will struggle next year, if he has to play point more than 25 minutes/game. The speed of the game and the increased athleticism of the opponents will give him fits next year, similar to what Juzang struggles with now.

 

[cats#1again]

Still don't think quickley will go. Needs one more year to work on creating his own shot.

Lol.ok

 

[CalipariCapo]

I want to preface this with, I read this forum everyday, but very rarely post. Generally, I am a fan of Cal's and he has done some amazing things in the last 10 years, but the last 3 PG's starting with Quade have had serious issues. That could be a lack of depth at the PG position the last few years, leading to you get the best or you suffer. Quade, not a good athlete, streaky shooter, poor decision making, etc. Ashton, poor shooter with poor shooting form, decent athlete, showing more this year than last, poor decision maker, struggles to finish at the rim. Tyrese, more of a lead guard. Scorers mentality who can distribute, good, but not a great athlete, streaky shooter, who can either win you almost any game, but can also lose you any game when he is not shooting well, can play out of control. Best of the 3 by far. Our success next year will solely depend on which pieces we get back from this team. And it has to be the right pieces. It has to be one of Hagans or Quickley, Brooks, Juzang, EJ, and Allen.

Askew is the latest in seriously flawed PG's. He can shoot, he can distribute and he can handle the ball. His problem is that he doesn't do any of these well enough to make up for his limited athletic ability. So, he will struggle doing any of these things well in college until he improves his strength/quickness and/or dramatically improves all three to give him total command of the floor much like Luka Doncic, who also is not a great athlete, but uses his ball handling, size, shooting ability and great instincts/basketball IQ to make him one of the top ten talents in the league.

Devin will be a very good player for us in years 2-3, as long as he doesn't get frustrated and leave. However, anyone betting on him being the next Jason Kidd or even Ashton Hagans, needs to temper your expectations. In my opinion, which is worth about 50 cents, we will struggle next year, if he has to play point more than 25 minutes/game. The speed of the game and the increased athleticism of the opponents will give him fits next year, similar to what Juzang struggles with now.

Good post. I think Askew will be a good one but it’s not going to happen right away. We really need Ashton or Quick back to run PG along with Askew. Let’s not forget, Askew is a reclass guy that should still be playing high school next year. He is going to go through growing pains.

As to your point on our last 3 PGs, it’s crazy isn’t it?! We used to be considered PG university and Cal was considered the best PG coach. Now, we’re left asking kids to reclassify just so we can fill the spot. And don’t even get me started on big men. We used to hand pick who we wanted and now we’re in the days of “we had to go with this guy because we couldn’t get anybody else.” I know pay for play is going on and the dynamics of the new generation of kids approach to the game is just different now, but my god, we’re the University of Kentucky. Elite kids should be banging the doors down to get in here. The 180 we’ve seen in recruiting the last few years is just baffling.

 

[caneintally]

Askew is an elite pg BUT due to his lack of athleticism he will probably be a 2 year guy . No one who watches Askew for long can doubt he will be one of the 3 best pg in the SEC next year BUT with Hagans , Maxey and Quickley all gone and only Juzang back and only Clarke coming in as a true guard ( though Allen and Boston will play guard too) We need another pg . We will find a grad transfer one to back to Askew and provide leadership .

Graf wasn't bashing Askew he was saying we need a back up for him which we do . Clarke and Boston aren't pg . Boston is closer then Clarke but no . I think we start
Askew/Clarke/Boston/Brooks/EJ if he come back and if not Banchero or Jackson

 

[IrishMike409]

Same could have been said for Hagans, and he survived his first year. But, I agree that if we could get a grad transfer, it would be ideal.

I get your point, but “surviving” doesn’t get to FF or #9. Those are the goals.

I love Askew- badass, plays hard, great skill-set.....all that being said, he’s going to have real growing pains. There’s no getting around it.

 

[NerlensCat]

Good post. I think Askew will be a good one but it’s not going to happen right away. We really need Ashton or Quick back to run PG along with Askew. Let’s not forget, Askew is a reclass guy that should still be playing high school next year. He is going to go through growing pains.

As to your point on our last 3 PGs, it’s crazy isn’t it?! We used to be considered PG university and Cal was considered the best PG coach. Now, we’re left asking kids to reclassify just so we can fill the spot. And don’t even get me started on big men. We used to hand pick who we wanted and now we’re in the days of “we had to go with this guy because we couldn’t get anybody else.” I know pay for play is going on and the dynamics of the new generation of kids approach to the game is just different now, but my god, we’re the University of Kentucky. Elite kids should be banging the doors down to get in here. The 180 we’ve seen in recruiting the last few years is just baffling.

Something to consider, we were once the undisputed leader for Jalen Green. Next year, we could be playing him 2-3 times as a member of the Auburn Tigers. In my opinion, this is in large part due to the way UK abruptly cut off his recruitment after we got a commitment from Tarrence Clarke. I think Green took that personal.

He is a good enough dribbler/distributor to play point. Man would that have been fun to watch, Green, Clarke and Boston on the perimeter, with the athletes we have in Ware, Jackson and Fletcher in the front court. Each one of Green or Clarke could have been used as a PG, with Green as the 1st choice and Clarke a backup.

 

[caneintally]

Good post. I think Askew will be a good one but it’s not going to happen right away. We really need Ashton or Quick back to run PG along with Askew. Let’s not forget, Askew is a reclass guy that should still be playing high school next year. He is going to go through growing pains.

As to your point on our last 3 PGs, it’s crazy isn’t it?! We used to be considered PG university and Cal was considered the best PG coach. Now, we’re left asking kids to reclassify just so we can fill the spot. And don’t even get me started on big men. We used to hand pick who we wanted and now we’re in the days of “we had to go with this guy because we couldn’t get anybody else.” I know pay for play is going on and the dynamics of the new generation of kids approach to the game is just different now, but my god, we’re the University of Kentucky. Elite kids should be banging the doors down to get in here. The 180 we’ve seen in recruiting the last few years is just baffling.

this post sounds so absurd. You realize UK for 2020 and 2021 are putting together their best classes ever right ? As the 2020 class right now it is as good as any class ever that Cal has brought in . All we need to do is bring in one more really good big this will his best class ever. You complaints are like 2-3 years too late. As UK recruiting took a tiny dip then but even then we were putting 3-4 guys in the NBA every year so not really.

Elite kids are banging down the UK door not sure what you would call Boston , Clarke , Askew , Jackson, BHH , Hardy , Banchero , Skyy Clarke and so on all who are top 20 kids . We have signed 6 kids so far in this class and all will be in the NBA within 2 years . You do realize Askew was considered the best pg in 2021 class right? He was ranked 6th overall in that class . He reclassed and committed to UK which caused him to drop to teens in this class but make no mistake there aren't 14-15 better kids in this class . Now he isn't the kid who is going to drop 40 next season ( that is what Boston will do ) but he IS the kid who will have games where he goes for 18/10/10 and have games where he goes 5-7 from 3 .

We do need to find a grad transfer pg to back him up as the 2020 class had almost no good pg beyond Cunningham , Cooper and askew .

 

[CalipariCapo]

Something to consider, we were once the undisputed leader for Jalen Green. Next year, we could be playing him 2-3 times as a member of the Auburn Tigers. In my opinion, this is in large part due to the way UK abruptly cut off his recruitment after we got a commitment from Tarrence Clarke. I think Green took that personal.

He is a good enough dribbler/distributor to play point. Man would that have been fun to watch, Green, Clarke and Boston on the perimeter, with the athletes we have in Ware, Jackson and Fletcher in the front court. Each one of Green or Clarke could have been used as a PG, with Green as the 1st choice and Clarke a backup.

I think Green is a good player but I don’t think he’s the type that wants to share the spotlight with other great players. He seems to be pretty self-absorbed. I say let him go take his 30 shots at Auburn or whoever is left recruiting him. There’s a reason he no longer holds an offer from any big time college programs.

 

[NerlensCat]

Askew is an elite pg BUT due to his lack of athleticism he will probably be a 2 year guy . No one who watches Askew for long can doubt he will be one of the 3 best pg in the SEC next year BUT with Hagans , Maxey and Quickley all gone and only Juzang back and only Clarke coming in as a true guard ( though Allen and Boston will play guard too) We need another pg . We will find a grad transfer one to back to Askew and provide leadership .

Graf wasn't bashing Askew he was saying we need a back up for him which we do . Clarke and Boston aren't pg . Boston is closer then Clarke but no . I think we start
Askew/Clarke/Boston/Brooks/EJ if he come back and if not Banchero or Jackson

I would not call him an elite PG now. He is a good PG, who could get to the elite status with the right training and mentorship. However, he is definitely not a finished product and UK will suffer next year, if he is the primary PG. I don't know what Graf was saying, only he can interpret, but he is not wrong.

 

[STL_Cat]

this post sounds so absurd. You realize UK for 2020 and 2021 are putting together their best classes ever right ? As the 2020 class right now it is as good as any class ever that Cal has brought in . All we need to do is bring in one more really good big this will his best class ever. You complaints are like 2-3 years too late. As UK recruiting took a tiny dip then but even then we were putting 3-4 guys in the NBA every year so not really.

Elite kids are banging down the UK door not sure what you would call Boston , Clarke , Askew , Jackson, BHH , Hardy , Banchero , Skyy Clarke and so on all who are top 20 kids . We have signed 6 kids so far in this class and all will be in the NBA within 2 years . You do realize Askew was considered the best pg in 2021 class right? He was ranked 6th overall in that class . He reclassed and committed to UK which caused him to drop to teens in this class but make no mistake there aren't 14-15 better kids in this class . Now he isn't the kid who is going to drop 40 next season ( that is what Boston will do ) but he IS the kid who will have games where he goes for 18/10/10 and have games where he goes 5-7 from 3 .

It’s as if you never learn anything. How about you wait to see these guys play college basketball before you say they’re the best class ever? Just ridiculous. Mr. “Khalil Whitney is a lottery pick this year.” How’d that projection work out? Let these guys prove something on the court before you blow smoke up their asses.

 

[stereonut]

I'm sure it's something simply deplorable and horrible. Maybe the guy is biased against us, like everyone and everything else on Planet Earth.

[winking]

 

[CalipariCapo]

this post sounds so absurd. You realize UK for 2020 and 2021 are putting together their best classes ever right ? As the 2020 class right now it is as good as any class ever that Cal has brought in . All we need to do is bring in one more really good big this will his best class ever. You complaints are like 2-3 years too late. As UK recruiting took a tiny dip then but even then we were putting 3-4 guys in the NBA every year so not really.

Elite kids are banging down the UK door not sure what you would call Boston , Clarke , Askew , Jackson, BHH , Hardy , Banchero , Skyy Clarke and so on all who are top 20 kids . We have signed 6 kids so far in this class and all will be in the NBA within 2 years . You do realize Askew was considered the best pg in 2021 class right? He was ranked 6th overall in that class . He reclassed and committed to UK which caused him to drop to teens in this class but make no mistake there aren't 14-15 better kids in this class . Now he isn't the kid who is going to drop 40 next season ( that is what Boston will do ) but he IS the kid who will have games where he goes for 18/10/10 and have games where he goes 5-7 from 3 .

That’s why I said the last few years. Yes, I know we have a great class coming in and I’m hoping for the trio of Hardy, Chandler, and Banchero in 2021. But I also think that if we lose all of our key pieces from this team and we’re left with only what we have coming in next year, it’s going to be a close but no cigar type season yet again.

 

[NerlensCat]

I think Green is a good player but I don’t think he’s the type that wants to share the spotlight with other great players. He seems to be pretty self-absorbed. I say let him go take his 30 shots at Auburn or whoever is left recruiting him. There’s a reason he no longer holds an offer from any big time college programs.

You could be right. But, just watching some of his HS games, he seemed to distribute the ball when he needed to and he was the primary ball handler/do everything for their team. Can you imagine those 3 athletes in the backcourt at the same time, wow!

 

[Uncle Adolph_rivals58629]

I wondered at the time if we should have went after Mashburn's son. He would have been a very solid backup for three or four years.

 

[CalipariCapo]

You could be right. But, just watching some of his HS games, he seemed to distribute the ball when he needed to and he was the primary ball handler/do everything for their team. Can you imagine those 3 athletes in the backcourt at the same time, wow!

In an ideal world with no egos to groom, it would be a lovely sight to behold.

 

[NerlensCat]

In an ideal world with no egos to groom, it would be a lovely sight to behold.

By the way, for those who think Boston is a finished product, be warned, he will struggle with shot selection and defense. He makes some very good plays on defense, but in one on one defense, he struggles to stay in front of his man and even though he seems to have gotten much better as the year has gone by(thanks to YT and him being on Bronny's team, you can watch all of his games), he still takes some questionable shots. Unlike, Askew, I think he gets those straightened out next year and has a very good year for us because, he is just a much better prospect. I think Clarke will struggle with his 3 point shot. He needs to get to the basket early, while he works on his 3 point shot.

 

[CalipariCapo]

By the way, for those who think Boston is a finished product, be warned, he will struggle with shot selection and defense. He makes some very good plays on defense, but in one on one defense, he struggles to stay in front of his man and even though he seems to have gotten much better as the year has gone by(thanks to YT and him being on Bronny's team, you can watch all of his games), he still takes some questionable shots. Unlike, Askew, I think he gets those straightened out next year and has a very good year for us because, he is just a much better prospect. I think Clarke will struggle with his 3 point shot. He needs to get to the basket early, while he works on his 3 point shot.

Agreed. I think Boston will reel it in a bit as Cal really focuses on shot selection. I’m just glad to be getting some guys that can hit from deep. As you said, if Clarke can come in and shoot a decent percentage (32-35%) and we can get Quickley back, that team will be one of our best shooting teams in recent memory.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Aren’t there any PG/combo guards from 2021 class that could possible reclass? I’m guessing not, considering I haven’t really read any possibilities on here.

 

[jessieshorts8]

If Ashton leaves some will need a new scapegoat to blame for everything.

 

[fisherscat]

Lol.ok

What draft boards are you seeing him on? Didn’t think so.

 

[NerlensCat]

Agreed. I think Boston will reel it in a bit as Cal really focuses on shot selection. I’m just glad to be getting some guys that can hit from deep. As you said, if Clarke can come in and shoot a decent percentage (32-35%) and we can get Quickley back, that team will be one of our best shooting teams in recent memory.

If we get Quickley back, it will be a minor miracle. He has shot the ball well enough the last few games to really get the attention of some scouts. However, if you watch, he gets almost all of those on passes with his feet set. Unlike Tyler, he has not yet learned to set up his shot off the dribble. Yet, he has the work ethic and shoots the ball well enough to believe that is the next level for him. His size is his downfall. He really needs to work on and prove through running a team that he is a leader and distributor to go along with being a lights out shooter when his feet are set.

 

[jessieshorts8]

Just because IQ is in the 40's in some draft boards doesn't mean he's gone.

 

[NerlensCat]

Just because IQ is in the 40's in some draft boards doesn't mean he's gone.

I hope your right, but past experience says otherwise. I think/hope, in the end he realizes he needs to prove he can be the primary ball handler/leader of a team. We need that next year. It would be a perfect fit for him in my opinion. However, he may not see it that way.