EJ making me nervous

[cats#1again]

I just can’t say I ever see EJ play really hard ,or is it just me ?

He looks as if he's playing out of position. With a team full of playmakers it's hard to stand out if u are a 6'11 power forward that is a jump shooter.
For a couple of games Cal needs to put him on the block n keep him there to build his confidence up.

 

[cats#1again]

He reacts way too late to a loose ball. Something is off with his balance. Looks to always be going the wrong way when there is a play to be made. Plus he just doesn't seem to have much lower body strength.

Going to be a long season. Glad to have Sestina.

He's definitely weak in the lower body. It's hard to rebound running in from the 3 point line. Coach needs to change some things with him

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

I f EJ were rebounding and being a rim protector I would be ok with how he's playing offensively. He's not done anything that has stood out so far.

 

[Eastkybball]

He looked like he came close to getting hurt every other play too. Him and Nick have gotta find a way to produce.

 

[Poetax]

You mean by giving up more points than he contributed or helped stop. Then yea, you're right. Quade Green is arguably the worst scholarship player to play here outside of maybe Skal under Coach Cal.

Please let’s not forget Harrow.

 

[JesusCal91]

Tyrese maxey and sestina are our best rebounders

 

[Justwar]

Do you all not remember how much PJ struggled early on.
This board is getting so hard to read. So much negativity and the season hasn’t even started

PJ had a very good freshman year to prove his value. Montgomery hasn't shown much production

 

[Justwar]

Thing about montgomery is he hasn't accepted a role. He desperately wants to be this stretch big. But what evidence is there to that?

 

[Wildcats1st]

Ej may have the highest potential compared to where he is on the team. His size and abilities are there. With his new leadership role there is going to be a big learning curve. He’s not just coming off the bench now. He has to learn to play without fouling and has to increase his drive. If he can do those things he can be a dominant player. He was 6th rated recruit so he has the tools. Mental game will put him over the top and I figure it’s going take him 7-8 more games to get there.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

5 rebounds vs Georgetown
4 rebounds tonight vs Kentucky State.

That's not going to get it done vs MSU.

He can play a lot better than this, but was hoping he'd at least rebound well tonight.

You and me both brother. He looks like he has the same confidence as last year even though there is no one to push him for time. He looks the part body-wise not, but I just don't see a guy searching out contact and being aggressive. I think Cal is going to have to accept small-ball. EJ worries me more than Nick at this point. I think we can forget a PJ like improvement I'm just hoping he will rebound the ball and play competently.

At the end of the game, I was like let Ben Jordan get out there for a minute so we can just see what he has. Dude was a big-time shot blocker in HS. I know he just joined but we are down to an 8 man rotation with EJ fouling when he steps on the court. I know Ben isn't going to be an answer or anything, but maybe he could play hard and be a spark for 5 minutes here and there with Nick hurt and EJ looking like it's a tape from last year. I know that's desperate, but I just wanted to see him on the court. Honestly, it is time to embrace small-ball and play Ashton-Maxey and Quickly together and Sestina will be like RT in the fact that he will need to be out there for 38 minutes or so a game.

 

[UKWildcatT]

You mean by giving up more points than he contributed or helped stop. Then yea, you're right. Quade Green is arguably the worst scholarship player to play here outside of maybe Skal under Coach Cal.

Stacey Poole Jr

 

[musrat59]

I would like for EJ to play a good game just to help his confidence.

 

[Montana81]

Quade Green was solid for a freshman. He didn’t appear to have improved much as a sophomore though.

I don’t think I’d have him on any list of worst players though.

Harrow had a ton of talent and infinitely more actual basketball ability than EJ. He was just a bad fit for Kentucky personality wise. He played well enough at Georgia state. Harrow was way more talented than Quade green. He had one of his best games against that national champion Louisville squad. They tried so hard to turn him over and they couldn’t.

I will add that harrow was however one of the most disappointing players we’ve had. So much talent and ability but just didn’t have the mindset to be the bad *** point guard we all thought we were getting.

 

[K_TIME]

1. I think our hope to be a strong top 5 team and NCAA title winner went out the window when Blakshear didn't pick us. We still may have a puncher's chance with an ultra small ball attack (ala Ullis/Murray) but those kind of teams are hard to depend upon getting hot enough in NCAA
2. EJ is a 6'10 kid with I guess a long wingspan....but what else? I hear of his potential but he has no post moves, not explosive athlete, can't dribble well enough to go by guys and this face up game has literally non existent at UK. And he has a below average motor to boot
3. Why Nick gets some this much negative pub on this thread is beyond me...he's looked fine so far in short spurts of minutes. Nick has always been a plus shot blocker and at least Nick has a decent baby hook.

My last comment is this is why Cal's roster management perspective baffles me. Why he won't fill up 13 scholarships is just trying to show off to me. (i.e. we don't need all scholarships, I like to only coach 9-10 guys, etc..). We could use a 4* big man that develops over years to at least give us depth or maybe evolve into a player. Guys like Ried/Sestina should show us there is a place for solid and not elite guys. But we've already passed on JJ Traynor and other decent recruits to only focus on another round of kids that have no desire to develop at UK. EJ even thinking of going NBA was dumb and his early showing in SO year only exemplifies how tone deaf things can be at UK.

 

[Montana81]

I like to think Cal doesn’t fill up scholarships because he thinks it’s wrong to recruit kids to just come here and sit the bench. If that’s the case I respect him immensely for it.

Also I don’t know for sure that missing on blackshear cost us that chance. Sestina looks solid as heck. Like a guy that a lot of title teams have had at the power forward. And I really like Brooks in that utility forward role as well. He’ll have a lot of ups and downs like most freshman do but some of his bad games aren’t gonna look so bad because his energy levels are so good. He’s always gonna do something to help.

We really just need one of Richards or Montgomery to be a solid role playing center. I think Richards has a better chance to be that guy at this point. Just gotta cross our fingers.

 

[SophiesDad]

I bet he goes for 12 and 7 against MSU.

I sure hope you’re right because if EJ gives us that, then that means we won the game

 

[bcox13]

If you’re expectations of EJ were he would be a one and done/lottery pick then yes, he’s been a big disappointment.

if you’re expectations were that EJ was a somewhat raw talent with good size and length that may take a couple full years to develop then I think he’s about what you expected.

Most of us depend on recruiting ‘expert’ reports of these guys coming out of HS and that sometimes sets unreal expectations with the fan base. Based on some of what I read of EJ coming out of HS made me hope he was the one and done. After about 5 games of watching EJ I tempered expectations and realized he was much closer to the ladder.

Long story long, he appears (in only two exhibition games) to have improved very little from last year, but that isn’t abnormal for a guy that may not take that big step until his junior year. I expect him to have a couple really good games for us this year and have a bunch of head scratchers too. I think by next year EJ could be a damn good player, I just hope he’s still at UK for me to see it (selfishly)

 

[billoliver40]

He may not be great, but he's a hell of a lot better than Nick. EJ has the potential to get better, where as I believe what we see is what we get with Nick. We'd all be making fun of Duke for relying on a Bucknell transfer as our low post presence. Sestina is UK's version of Luke May, who they won a championship with btw. We're just thin down low this year. Cal bringing in the baseball player is evidence that he expected to land Blackshear and got caught shorthanded on the roster with lack of bigman depth. Gotta hope Whitney, Juzang, Maxey and Brooks can bring it this year to be semi elite. Also, would love for Allen to get a shot at some point. Accept it, we're going to be a guard heavy/strong team,and that may be enough to reach the final four.....

Luke May went to Duke???????
My oh my....

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'll give him some more time. The staff and media we're raving about him. He is still a Freshman, more or less. Let's get through MSU, and then he has another 8 or so games of weaker opponents to get going.

Still to early to call it.

 

[seccats04]

He was definitely a 5 star because of his height and wingspan and some scout saw him hit a jumper once.

Yea but Cal signed him. We've mis-evaluated a lot of big guys recently.

 

[Indy Cat]

He's just not good I'm afraid he'll be putting in his transfer papers by early December

Last week it was Whitney being crucified, now EJ. It will be someone else next week.
Some posters on this forum are simply dumbfounding.

 

[Titpwhami2014]

It’s going to be fascinating to see EJ defenders in this thread on Tuesday once Xavier Tillman breaks him in two.

EJ’s like the muscular chestnut colt who looks good in the post parade...but then stays in 7th the entire race and finishes 9th.

 

[Justwar]

1. I think our hope to be a strong top 5 team and NCAA title winner went out the window when Blakshear didn't pick us. We still may have a puncher's chance with an ultra small ball attack (ala Ullis/Murray) but those kind of teams are hard to depend upon getting hot enough in NCAA
2. EJ is a 6'10 kid with I guess a long wingspan....but what else? I hear of his potential but he has no post moves, not explosive athlete, can't dribble well enough to go by guys and this face up game has literally non existent at UK. And he has a below average motor to boot
3. Why Nick gets some this much negative pub on this thread is beyond me...he's looked fine so far in short spurts of minutes. Nick has always been a plus shot blocker and at least Nick has a decent baby hook.

My last comment is this is why Cal's roster management perspective baffles me. Why he won't fill up 13 scholarships is just trying to show off to me. (i.e. we don't need all scholarships, I like to only coach 9-10 guys, etc..). We could use a 4* big man that develops over years to at least give us depth or maybe evolve into a player. Guys like Ried/Sestina should show us there is a place for solid and not elite guys. But we've already passed on JJ Traynor and other decent recruits to only focus on another round of kids that have no desire to develop at UK. EJ even thinking of going NBA was dumb and his early showing in SO year only exemplifies how tone deaf things can be at UK.

We have a Jr and sr big guy but in nicks case no one wanted to be patient. It's a lot more common to not fill your scholarships though, you get a happier locker room.

 

[Aike]

You mean by giving up more points than he contributed or helped stop. Then yea, you're right. Quade Green is arguably the worst scholarship player to play here outside of maybe Skal under Coach Cal.

Skal doesn’t belong on a short list of worst players. Underachievers, sure. And did you forget about Stacey Poole?

 

[STL_Cat]

these pretzels are makin’ me thirsty

 

[FrankUnderwood]

He's just not good I'm afraid he'll be putting in his transfer papers by early December

His transfer papers lol?

cringe

 

[FrankUnderwood]

You’re right. Quade put up much better numbers and added discernible value by being on the floor.

I think both are mediocre/ below average personally.

So, how was his defense? How many points did he allow thus negating his “much” better offensive stats...

 

[caneintally]

EJ is a really good player who continues to conceal the evidence supporting that claim.

This . BUt we have Sestina and Brooks and Whitney ( who blocks shots like a 7 fter) who can help him carry the load til Nick is back in a week or so .

 

[caneintally]

EJ always looks like he's trying to figure out what to do next instead of doing it.

In a lot of years, we've been forced to play guys who aren't ready. This year we've got Nick, Sestina, EJ, Brooks that can play the front court spots.

Most guys improve a lot by year's end. EJ won't be definied by this early season stuff, but he's got a long way to go.

Very well said.

 

[CatsIndy2010]

The problem is somebody wants him to be more than a post player...

I've heard it before, some say he can play multiple spots....

But he really could do wonders just being aggressive, turning to the basket and trying to score. Not bring the ball down, the basics...

 

[STL_Cat]

This . BUt we have Sestina and Brooks and Whitney ( who blocks shots like a 7 fter) who can help him carry the load til Nick is back in a week or so .

Whitney blocks shots like a 7 footer? Really?

 

[yoshukai]

EJ has some nice basketball skills , but he is so sooffftt . Softer than charmin .

 

[DerekMcPwn]

I think both are mediocre/ below average personally.

So, how was his defense? How many points did he allow thus negating his “much” better offensive stats...

Montgomery hasn’t exactly been tremendous on defense. No blocks, few defensive rebounds that didn’t just fall into his lap, and when he does stop somebody from scoring, it’s usually by fouling and they get the points back at the charity stripe anyway.

At least with Quade, for all of his flaws, you knew you were putting a shot-maker on the floor. A 40% guy from 3 who also had a nasty midrange jumper. That’s what I mean by “discernible value.” Put EJ on the floor, and I can’t tell you what we get above and beyond anyone else who is 6’6” or taller.

 

[Random UK Fan_rivals71127]

EJ has some nice basketball skills , but he is so sooffftt . Softer than charmin .

 

[BBallin23]

Please let’s not forget Harrow.

Or John Hood or Stacey Poole.

 

[SPECT imaging]

5 rebounds vs Georgetown
4 rebounds tonight vs Kentucky State.

That's not going to get it done vs MSU.

He can play a lot better than this, but was hoping he'd at least rebound well tonight.

There is nothing to be nervous about. A judgment error that is common on this board is to get down on freshmen and sophomores because people think they should immediately be finished products. The lack of patience some fans seem to have with our players has nothing to do with our coaches' development plans for the players. Some players develop faster than others. Some players reach higher performance ceilings than others. It has always been that way.

EJ Montgomery is a key player on this team. He isn't Karl Towns. He isn't Anthony Davis, and he never will be. He is EJ Montgomery, one of the top prospects in last year's class. He has talent, and our head coach thinks he should be a member of our team. Three months from now, he will be a better basketball player than he is today. While our players are at UK, be glad we have them. Be glad our basketball roster isn't what it was prior to the 2009 class.

 

[Cats192]

There is nothing to be nervous about. A judgment error that is common on this board is to get down on freshmen and sophomores because people think they should immediately be finished products. The lack of patience some fans seem to have with our players has nothing to do with our coaches' development plans for the players. Some players develop faster than others. Some players reach higher performance ceilings than others. It has always been that way.

EJ Montgomery is a key player on this team. He isn't Karl Towns. He isn't Anthony Davis, and he never will be. He is EJ Montgomery, one of the top prospects in last year's class. He has talent, and our head coach thinks he should be a member of our team. Three months from now, he will be a better basketball player than he is today. While our players are at UK, be glad we have them. Be glad our basketball roster isn't what it was prior to the 2009 class.

Yeah. I'm not asking him to score 20 points a game or dominate. But if you're a sophomore in line for 25-30 minutes, you need to rebound well vs Georgetown and Kentucky State.

My expectation of a sophomore EJ Montgomery is that he rebounds like he's 6'10.

That's not a judgement error.

9 rebounds vs 2 teams the likes of Kentucky State--something isn't working.

 

[richbrookstomato]

EJ has the skill to get the shots he wants, he just doesn't have the toughness to make those shots. He isn't that bad on defense, but again doesn't have the toughness to battle for position or rebounds.

This is what makes watching him play so frustrating. Adding to the frustration is remembering what he has said in pre-season interviews about how close he was to leaving for the NBA, which watching him now makes that seem ridiculous!!

He needs to apply more attention to detail and work HARDER!! Maybe Cal can get Billy Clyde to come back to be EJ's personal trainer.

 

[STL_Cat]

There is nothing to be nervous about. A judgment error that is common on this board is to get down on freshmen and sophomores because people think they should immediately be finished products. The lack of patience some fans seem to have with our players has nothing to do with our coaches' development plans for the players. Some players develop faster than others. Some players reach higher performance ceilings than others. It has always been that way.

EJ Montgomery is a key player on this team. He isn't Karl Towns. He isn't Anthony Davis, and he never will be. He is EJ Montgomery, one of the top prospects in last year's class. He has talent, and our head coach thinks he should be a member of our team. Three months from now, he will be a better basketball player than he is today. While our players are at UK, be glad we have them. Be glad our basketball roster isn't what it was prior to the 2009 class.

The “lack of patience” by fans isn’t because they can’t accept that it takes some players longer than others to develop. That’s been imo cultivated by the players that can’t wait to declare themselves for the NBA draft. We just don’t expect many of the players themselves to have the patience to develop before they’re out the door. I mean for crying out loud, EJ declared for the draft last year to get “feedback”.

 

[ScrooDook92]

There is nothing to be nervous about. A judgment error that is common on this board is to get down on freshmen and sophomores because people think they should immediately be finished products. The lack of patience some fans seem to have with our players has nothing to do with our coaches' development plans for the players. Some players develop faster than others. Some players reach higher performance ceilings than others. It has always been that way.

EJ Montgomery is a key player on this team. He isn't Karl Towns. He isn't Anthony Davis, and he never will be. He is EJ Montgomery, one of the top prospects in last year's class. He has talent, and our head coach thinks he should be a member of our team. Three months from now, he will be a better basketball player than he is today. While our players are at UK, be glad we have them. Be glad our basketball roster isn't what it was prior to the 2009 class.

Great post.