I think this pretty much sums it up! What do y’all think? Three small ideas that could help this team get though the growing pains! I’m curious to see what everyone thinks of #2! http://www.sportsmediapass.com/2018/12/10/caution-kentucky-growing-pains-in-progress/
Growing Pains & Some ideas to fix them
- Thread starter DerrinRogers
- Start date
I agree with much of that. And as to point #2, I’d take it a step further. I cut this from a different thread that I just posted it in but I feel like it fits this discussion.
“For every 1 thing Hagans does right he does 10 things wrong. He gets credit for on the ball defense but in reality he plays a high risk/high reward style and gets beat over and over again right now. At this point his role should be what Hawkins was, an adrenaline shot in a couple minute spurts. Because when he plays for any length of time he is turnover prone, out of control, gets beat and loss defensively, and can’t shoot outside of 5 feet, offensive liability at this point. It’s uncany how similar he is to FR-JR Hawkins.
Currently, I’d play IQ (better all around player and more efficient), Herro, Johnson, Washington, Travis as many minutes as possible with EJ getting the 4/5 reserve minutes and NR for foul trouble situations and Hagans/Green/Baker subbing for foul trouble and quick breathers. But let the first 5 (+EJ) play as much as possible to find a rhythm and let them play through mistakes.”
Now, if Hagans starts playing more efficiently in his limited role and practices and plays better/more consistent D instead of gambling all the time, then you can go back to splitting time a little more evenly with him, IQ, Herro.
“For every 1 thing Hagans does right he does 10 things wrong. He gets credit for on the ball defense but in reality he plays a high risk/high reward style and gets beat over and over again right now. At this point his role should be what Hawkins was, an adrenaline shot in a couple minute spurts. Because when he plays for any length of time he is turnover prone, out of control, gets beat and loss defensively, and can’t shoot outside of 5 feet, offensive liability at this point. It’s uncany how similar he is to FR-JR Hawkins.
Currently, I’d play IQ (better all around player and more efficient), Herro, Johnson, Washington, Travis as many minutes as possible with EJ getting the 4/5 reserve minutes and NR for foul trouble situations and Hagans/Green/Baker subbing for foul trouble and quick breathers. But let the first 5 (+EJ) play as much as possible to find a rhythm and let them play through mistakes.”
Now, if Hagans starts playing more efficiently in his limited role and practices and plays better/more consistent D instead of gambling all the time, then you can go back to splitting time a little more evenly with him, IQ, Herro.
IQ plays to tenative.
The job was his and he lost it.
He and Hagans are yin and yang.
Hagans is a risk taker while IQ seems scared to make a mistake.
Cal has said that he will accept a certain amount of turnovers from his PG if they are trying to make plays.
I'm in favor of giving IQ some run at the two in place of Herro but he can't be scared to shoot the ball.
Sometimes I look at IQ and say damn kid you should have went to Virginia.
The job was his and he lost it.
He and Hagans are yin and yang.
Hagans is a risk taker while IQ seems scared to make a mistake.
Cal has said that he will accept a certain amount of turnovers from his PG if they are trying to make plays.
I'm in favor of giving IQ some run at the two in place of Herro but he can't be scared to shoot the ball.
Sometimes I look at IQ and say damn kid you should have went to Virginia.
Sure but the big one is that you can't lose 90% of your roster every year. We can tolerate situations like we are seeing now but when it's become a baked in part of the product then it's a problem. If we bring back every one but PJ, Keldon and Reid and build on what we are learning this year then I don't have a problem with it. But when we go through the pains of learning basic basketball, then lose the entire roster and have to start off next year teaching basic basketball all over again then it's an issue. The roster turnover we are seeing every year will prevent success.
Growing pains every year are starting to give me bowel pains. I'm ready for consistency. I'm ready for this coaching staff to put winning at Kentucky as a higher priority than notching belts with more top NBA draft picks. Bit burned out on restarting every year from ground zero.
Additionally getting tired of seeing game announcers spend more time and detailed graphics raving about Cal's billion dollars of players in the NBA than they do on Kentucky's winning tradition. Let's get back to things good for Kentucky and its fans - like keeping the most wins, continuing to go to Final Fours, and a few more championships closer to UCLA.
Then maybe the items in that list won't matter and we won't have to worry about growing pains every new season.
Additionally getting tired of seeing game announcers spend more time and detailed graphics raving about Cal's billion dollars of players in the NBA than they do on Kentucky's winning tradition. Let's get back to things good for Kentucky and its fans - like keeping the most wins, continuing to go to Final Fours, and a few more championships closer to UCLA.
Then maybe the items in that list won't matter and we won't have to worry about growing pains every new season.
It is frustrating to see guys leave after one year that don't go in the first round and especially the 2nd round or worse. With some it may be the best shot they have - strike will the iron is hot. But many could improve their draft stock if they stayed. These are the guys we're missing each year.
I still think Hagans is young, Quickley played so well in the Bahamas but his minutes have decreased with Hagans playing more.
For some reason I believe we only lose PJ and Reid...PJ because he is SEC POY...
KJ should stay another year unless he avg double double or shoots 43% and above from three.
If all return except the 2, plus who we have coming in...oh Lord, we will dominate, imho
The season,of course, still needs to be played out
KJ should stay another year unless he avg double double or shoots 43% and above from three.
If all return except the 2, plus who we have coming in...oh Lord, we will dominate, imho
The season,of course, still needs to be played out
I just wish Cal would ease up in game, let the kids play loose and let them play thru mistakes. Also, quit screaming at them while they are trying to run set plays. They are confused. trying to run the offense while stopping and listening to their leader scream at them. Use practice for that, teach in practice, let them play during games. He wants them to have fun, but he has them scared to make mistakes and are constantly looking over their shoulder. In the Bahamas he did not do that, and the results where a lot better. Save the competition was not good, most teams UK has played early on are a lot worse.