Grady
- Thread starter Jailbreakcat
- Start date
I don't think he's under the radar. When there are multiple threads on a guy that's going to "surprise people" he's no longer under the radar.
Grady Judd has to be the best sheriff in the entire country.
“Some people think he needs therapy and a chance, I think he needs about 20 years and a concrete pillow”.
“Some people think he needs therapy and a chance, I think he needs about 20 years and a concrete pillow”.
I went back and watched the game as a freshman where Grady and Davidson played Kentucky in the NCAA tournament.
He actually had a bit of a rough game, though I think he scored 16-18 points, had a few rebounds and did a few other things. His outside shot was off, partly because Kentucky had some athletic defenders like SGA and Diallo keying on him.
But even as a freshman it was clear he was really an intelligent player, could score at the basket, mid-range and from deep, and had a real playmaker's mentality. Assuming he's gotten stronger, even more canny about the game, and will benefit from playing with other elite guys, I think he'll be a very consistent offensive asset.
He actually had a bit of a rough game, though I think he scored 16-18 points, had a few rebounds and did a few other things. His outside shot was off, partly because Kentucky had some athletic defenders like SGA and Diallo keying on him.
But even as a freshman it was clear he was really an intelligent player, could score at the basket, mid-range and from deep, and had a real playmaker's mentality. Assuming he's gotten stronger, even more canny about the game, and will benefit from playing with other elite guys, I think he'll be a very consistent offensive asset.
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Another bizarre post from Morgousky. Hard to watch a neutered dog try to run the playground.
Hey JayHawkCat, thought I’d post in your thread. I feel that we enjoy one another, even though you always get me confused.
Actually watched that game a few months ago. 16 points for an off game. Me like.
CJ Fredrick might better fit this description this season. I don't think Grady is under anyone's radar. He may be the #1 guy on everyone's scouting report for UK this coming season. He's a very dangerous player, not just shooting from 3, but scoring from all 3 levels. I fully expect him to be a guy who leads the team in scoring. Fredrick, on the other hand, is not as well known and not a very intimidating looking player, and may not be very high on anyone's scouting report. But he could be the best shooter (by percentage) on the team this season.
I agree that he’s a highly intelligent player and I’m looking forward to it, but if he’s the guy circled it’s not going to be a dynamite year IMO.
Kanasas is a slimy, cheating scum program. Since you are an advocate for cheating, I’m surprised you aren’t their number one fan.
One thing I've noticed from watching some of his games at Davidson was he mostly relied upon to create his own shot (outside of the occasional backdoor cut).
Still had great efficiency but he's going to benefit SO much by with playing two PGs in TyTy and Wheeler and also solid frontcourt playmakers in Brooks and even Hopkins. I believe he's been a career ~37% shooter from 3 but I think you could see that get up into the 40's because he's going to get so many open looks. Would not surprise me if he ends up getting into some mock drafts for next year.
Really just love how this roster constructed and this team could potentially have one of the most potent offenses we've had under Cal. If one of our bigs (Keion, Oscar, Hopkins, Collins) can develop a better low-post game and score on the block consistently then it can be really special.
I've seen many fans say we don't have our usual star power or lack some top-end talent which may end up being true but I think the one thing that can negate that is how a roster fits together and just on the surface it seems like that may be true with this team.
Are you referring to Grady or Fredrick?
I don't think we have any superstars on this roster. There are some with the potential to become superstars, like Tshiebwe, Toppin, and maybe even a guy like Wheeler or even Brooks. What we have is something we haven't had very often under Calipari- we have experienced, skilled guys at every position. Calipari can start 5 guys who all have starting experience and all have scoring ability.
G Wheeler- Jr
G Mintz- Grad
G Grady- Grad
F Brooks- Jr
F Tshiebwe- Jr
This could be the first time under Calipari when we don't HAVE to rely on true freshmen to win games. Now, if we're talking about crunch time, I think we're going to see the ball in the hands of Wheeler and Grady quite a but down the stretch of games, and that isn't a bad thing.
Agree, but Grady is a flat out scorer. He will be top three in scoring for us IMO. He most likely will be the focal point early on, but I expect that to change. I believe TyTy will be the focal point on the perimeter by mid season.
Also, Mintz could have a big year, with the supporting cast around him. I totally look for Oscar to have a good year for us in the middle. I think he is flying under the radar somewhat. He could be an AA type player for us when it’s said and done.
I’m thinking Allen will be the surprise, with all the talk about Grady and Frederick, where is the talk about Allen? Or will it be a surprise that he doesn’t get much time.
4 years averaging over 17 PPG in a proven conference and has produced against solid competition outside the A10, he is not a unknown by any means. Which is why he was rated as one of the top transfers.
I just hope he can handle the fish bowl effect that is BBN. HUGE difference between Davidson and Kentucky.
I think a 21-22 yr old handle that a lot better than a 17-18 yr old FR.
I think there are 11 guys on the team that you can make a valid argument that will be a big contributor, surprise people, maybe even start. (I like Ware, but he won't be that.) But obvious not all 11 will, when there are just 200 mpg to go around. Even if we went platoon, which I would love for us to do, but don't think we will, 1 of the 11 is left out. So probably 2, maybe even 3 of those 11 play <12 mpg (maybe even less than 8mpg).
I agree. I’m not saying Fredrick will be our best player or anything like that but he fits the bill for “under the radar assassin”, IMO. He seems to be criminally underrated here. I rarely see his name on lineup projections & ppl seem to dismiss him as a spot up shooter only, like Cameron Mills. But, he’s much more than that.
I seem to be in the minority but I think he maximizes our offensive potential if he’s on the floor with Grady & TyTy. Especially if we truly play 4 out, 1 in. He’s a damn near 50% 3pt shooter & has a nice floater & pull up if defenses close hard on him on the perimeter. He’s also not a bad passer & while he won’t be MKG he’s not the defensive liability he’s made out to be, either. His presence alone will open up everything & make it easier for everyone else on the court. He won’t have NBA scouts drooling over his game but he’s the type of specialist & glue guy that every good team needs.
Well he said he thinks he might be circled on everyone’s sourcing report. If that’s the case then it means he’s the guy they need to contain in order to win. If that happens we probably won’t be as good as some are thinking we will be.
What am I missing..
Agree. A lot of people around here think CJ's just a 3pt specialist. Truth is 50% of his shots and 50% of his makes were 2 pointers. Can't say that about Grady, Mintz, or Allen, all of whom shot significantly more 3's than 2's.
CJ's overall field goal percentage of 47.4% was better than any of those 3 last season, and it was better than any UK player getting significant minutes last season, except for Isaiah Jackson.
And his effective FG% of 59.2 is better than anyone playing significant minutes for UK last season, and better than anyone else on the team this year (excluding the freshmen, for whom I have no stats).
He's very crafty around the basket, often initiating contact and using his body to keep defenders off balance to get his shot off, and is skilled at shooting high off the glass, floaters, and pull up jumpers and fade aways in the paint and along the baseline. He's much like Grady in this respect.
If he gets and stays healthy this season, he's going to surprise a lot of people.
I Just
I also bet anyone that wants to take it, that Cal will pull the plug on this new offense he’s talking about. We all know he's comfortable with the offense he has been running and I don't believe he truly wants to change it.
It's going to be like the zone defense thing. He runs it to satisfy others, but comes out of it quickly.
The other reason I think he reverts back is the amount of 4's he has that are actually very good. They would all he riding the pine all game long if he played 4 out, 1 in. If Brooks, Toppin, Oscar and Collins are hot, he's going to play them.
I just don't think CJ will see the floor enough to be thought of as an assassin.
I just don't think CJ and Allen are going to play very much this season. I can't believe either of them will get PT over the other bunch of guards and 3's we have.
I also bet anyone that wants to take it, that Cal will pull the plug on this new offense he’s talking about. We all know he's comfortable with the offense he has been running and I don't believe he truly wants to change it.
It's going to be like the zone defense thing. He runs it to satisfy others, but comes out of it quickly.
The other reason I think he reverts back is the amount of 4's he has that are actually very good. They would all he riding the pine all game long if he played 4 out, 1 in. If Brooks, Toppin, Oscar and Collins are hot, he's going to play them.
I just don't think CJ will see the floor enough to be thought of as an assassin.
The SEC is a much different league than the BIG10. It’s a more athletic league and it ain't close.
We saw what Cal did with Allen last year and I see no reason to believe CJ will be treated any better.
Allen can literally take games over and turn a sure loss into a win, but he sat the pine and watched others butcher any chance UK had at winning. The reason given was that Allen wasn't a good defender, but there is no way he was worse than Boston and Askew.
CJ is a great shooter, but Cal is not going to loosen up on his stance about defense. If CJ can't check his man, he won’t play and in the SEC, the 2's and 3's he will face, can blow by him at will. I'm not saying that because CJ is white, I'm saying it because I've seen him play.
Good post. I appreciate the research. He’s just a good basketball player & I wish we had one of him on every team. Guys like him are invaluable to teams with championship aspirations. My only concern is his history with injuries. If he can stay healthy he’ll be a huge part of our success, IMO.
I don't think either Mintz or Grady are significantly better defensively than Fredrick.
Boston and Askew weren't better defenders than Allen either.
Do you honestly see Cal playing CJ over Grady, DM, Wheeler or Tyty? I don't.
I don’t doubt that Cal will revert to his traditional offense but I disagree completely about Fredrick. He’s at least as good of a player as Mintz; I think he’s better. In fact, Grady is the only player I’d rank ahead of him at the 2/3. I also disagree that the SEC is vastly superior to the B1G. That’s actually been a very good & deep league in recent years. Maybe not littered with title favorites but it ain’t the WCC, either. I think the SEC is better & more athletic too but you act like he’s coming from a D2 school.
This team has one true big man & we’ll need to have 3 shooters on the floor at all times or we’ll struggle to score 65 points/game. If Cal does revert to playing Brooks or Toppin at the 3 then that would definitely cut into Fredrick’s minutes. And, like I said, I can see Cal doing it. But, with the way our roster is constructed it wouldn’t be the smartest approach, IMO.
Fredrick isn’t gonna wow anyone with athleticism but he’s not a statue, either. He does a lot of things well & isn’t just a mannequin on the arc. I agree with most of your takes but I think you’re selling Fredrick WAY too short. I’m not saying he’s gonna be All-SEC but he can absolutely be a BIG help to this team, IMO. I’ve watched quite a bit of him too & just don’t have the reservations regarding his athleticism that you do. I’ve seen guys much less athletic than him do well in the SEC. But, we’ll see. And, if I end up being right I’m gonna rub it in your face every chance I get. J/K, lol.
It reminds me when twice a year someone starts a post about “must underrated player in UK history” and Epps always gets an insane smoking of people mentioning him…making him no longer “underrated”
In my head I take it a step further. Something in my gut tells me Grady is going to be our leading scorer this season. It’s the same feeling I had about Meeks before his junior year despite everyone telling me it was going to be PPat.
If nothing else, I guess I’ll get to find out if my gut is accurate or FOS
edit: before someone undoubtedly puts words in my mouth, I am not predicting Grady to carry us like Meeks did. But he strikes me as a guy who can score from anywhere on the floor much like jr year Meeks.
Grady and Mintz have skills but can give UK steady ball handling and help get scoring from all 5 positions inside and out. Maybe a team without a dominant player although Ty and Collins get there quick, but something lacking of late. A team that builds on itself.
I work in Polk County and if Grady hasn’t said that, he at least has thought it. Lol
I hope you're right about CJ, I just don't see it and I don't see how he's going to take minutes from the guys in front of him, especially since he's injury prone and is actually recovering from an injury right now.
One other thing to keep in mind is Cal plays favorites, will CJ make the cut?
Also, I didn't say the SEC was better than the BIG, I only said the SEC is a more athletic conference. But, my opinion is the SEC has been a better conference in some years, including 21/22.
I have the same concerns about how it will actually play out. I’m just saying what I hope happens & what I would do if I was coach. I don’t think Cal will start Fredrick, but I wish he would. I’m sure he’ll have Wheeler & another poor shooter at the 4, starting instead. That’ll make it tough inside on Oscar & whomever the 4 is. I’d just like to see a perimeter rotation of TyTy, Fredrick, Grady & Wheeler, Mintz & Allen, 1-3. I worry about Fredrick staying healthy too & always make a disclaimer about it when I mention him. I’m hoping like hell he can avoid another injury.
My bad, I misread your B1G comments. But, I think the SEC will be better this year, too. Should have a handful of ranked teams, IMO. And, half the league or more could make the tournament. It IS a more athletic conference but I don’t think it’s a big enough difference to turn Fredrick into a scrub. I just really don’t want to watch us struggle to score while 2-3 40% 3pt shooters sit on the bench. Sitting them would defeat the entire purpose of the conscious effort Cal made to improve & put more emphasis on 3s.
I just don't know who's minutes he'll take. But we also have to remember, Iowa, as good as they were, couldn't play a lick of defense and that was their eventual demise. Fran isn’t a defensive minded coach, they just tried to outscore everyone.
But yeah, if Frederick and Allen are riding the pine and he has Oscar and Toppin in the game, it's just a matter of a few minutes before Cal resorts back to Georgetown 1985. It’s going to happen.
I thought there was a bigger world out there than just threads on this board. Who knew?
Assuming Cal rarely if ever plays Brooks or Toppin at the 3, then I think he takes minutes away from all the guards. We'll see if he sticks with it, but Cal's already said he might press this year - if he does guys are going to need to come out more often and won't be playing 30+ minutes.
I hate to be posting negative things about guys on the team, but I don't think Wheeler is great defensively. He's very quick, but at 5'8" taller guards can easily shoot over him or post him up. And IMHO TyTy at 6'3" is a much better NBA prospect as a PG than an SG/CG, so he really should be playing more point. Wheeler might start early in the season, but once TyTy establishes himself as ready, I think he'll start at the point. Ultimately, I doubt Wheeler will play more than 20 MPG off the bench. That leaves 100 minutes to split between TyTy, Mintz, Grady, Fredrick, and Allen to play the 1, 2, and 3.
Iowa's defense was weak, but it wasn't *that* bad. They only gave up 2.5 more PPG to opponents than UK last year. They held Big-10 opponents to under 70 points ten times, including a run of 5 in a row and 7 out of 8.
Admittedly their zone was inconsistent (downright bad at times), but their man-to-man was actually pretty good. Unfortunately they had no choice but to stop playing it when Garza's only viable backup, Jack Nunge, went down with a torn ACL. They had to keep Garza out of foul trouble. And even in the zone, Garza had to play conservative D and avoid fouling.
On top of that, CJ and Conner McCaffery both played most of the season injured. Even defensive minded backup PG Joe Touissant played injured and needed foot surgery after the season. CJ also played much of the season out of shape, because what a lot of people don't realize is that they really limited his minutes in practice to avoid aggravating his plantar fasciitis.
I would argue that their eventual demise was due to injuries. CJ could barely walk in the Oregon game. Conner had double hip labrum surgery after the season. Nunge is still rehabbing his knee at Xavier.
I mostly agree with this, but they really wanted to play better defense, just struggled due to the aforementioned issues.
CJ has a tremendous work ethic, so I have no doubt that if he's healthy he'll rectify any defensive shortcomings he has. The only question is, after all the time healing and rehabbing after his surgery, how long will it take him to get back in shape and begin that process. He's also missed out on a lot of opportunity to gel with his teammates, so that could also delay his incorporation into the rotation. We'll see.
Well, nice work, but I have some #s to counter you with.
Kellen Grady - Career
2FGs - 4.3 / 7.8 = 55%
3FGs - 2.1 / 5.7 = 37%
Total Shooting % = 47.2%
17.4 PPG average
CJ Fredrick - Career
2FGs - 1.5 / 3.1 = 49%
3FGS - 1.6 / 3.4 = 47%
Total Shooting % = 47.9%
8.8 PPG average
CJ has actually taken more 3's than 2's a complete opposite of your argument.
Grady took over double the #2 compared to 3's.
One thing you did not mention, Grady was the FOCAL point of opposing defenses and they game planned for him. Where as CJ Fredrick had the luxury of being the 3/4th option at Iowa, sometimes even 5th. So you argument just does not hold water. I am very happy we got CJ and think he will be a very solid contributor when it is all said and done. But he and Grady are not even close to being comparable and he is not near being in the same league as Grady. He may get there, but Grady got there year 1 as a freshman. He has been the model of consistency.
FR. -18.0 PPG -2FGs - 4.4 / 7.3 = 60% 3FGs - 3.2 / 5.9 = 37%
SO. -17.3 PPG -2FGs - 4.5 / 8.7 = 52% 3FGs - 1.9 / 5.7 = 34%
JR. - 17.2 PPG -2FGs - 4.5 / 8.7 = 52% 3FGs - 1.7 / 4.6 = 37%
SR. - 17.1 PPG -2FGs - 3.5 / 6.2 = 57% 3FGs - 2.6 / 6.9 = 38%
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