KB a Gator
- Thread starter HICATFAN
- Start date
KB, you sir are dumber than a bag of hammers. I don’t respect your decision at all.
Richards and EJ are going to eat your lunch. Yea I’m bitter, I just don’t understand these kids today. You had a guarantee lock to a final four team, but you chose a sweet 16 exit, if even that.
I’m praying EJ and especially Nick will work hard at becoming what we need them to be.
Richards and EJ are going to eat your lunch. Yea I’m bitter, I just don’t understand these kids today. You had a guarantee lock to a final four team, but you chose a sweet 16 exit, if even that.
I’m praying EJ and especially Nick will work hard at becoming what we need them to be.
Incredibly stupid decision. You have a once in a lifetime chance to play at the number one program in college basketball, you want to have media attention, development, fan attention, NBA scouts visiting, Vitale gushing with national audiences, and you go to Florida instead? This is why you are not NBA caliber.
I believe those recent posts by Cal how we don't throw other players to the curb or promise that all focus will be on one or two players was totally directed at him and his father.
I believe those recent posts by Cal how we don't throw other players to the curb or promise that all focus will be on one or two players was totally directed at him and his father.
Florida got just what they needed. Anyone think FL wont be good is stupid. Lewis kid is a stud. However, I think UK is better still...
At least Florida is understandable. The EwwTee garbage is what was making me question the whole thing. Meh. Would have been nice to have him. I'm not going to worry about him anymore. We got guys already on our team that haven't made it to the league yet. I'm sure even Nick will get a contract. You can't teach 7'. If he sticks is up to Nick. Same with EJ.
I cant dislike this comment enough .. " compete for minutes against EJ and Nick " I know all of us are disappointed we didnt land him , but the guy averaged 16 and 9 in the ACC last year and somehow fans think he cant compete against two guys that didnt exactly set the world on fire last year . If you combined Nick and EJ they averaged 8 and 7 , combined . But a senior that averaged 16 and 9 cant compete for minutes . Take the blue goggles off .
Blackshear is a great player but here is the thing to think about, if he came here we have a traditional lineup with prob Whitney, EJ and Blackshear at the 3,4 and 5. While on paper this looks great the reality is the game is going away from this lineup. Now Cal can put Juzang at the 3 some, Whitney and Brooks at the 4 and EJ at the 5. I have always thought this was the best possible lineup next year!
Unless EJ really bulks up, him being at the 5 will be fascinating. The thing with Blackshear was a proven player versus two players who have yet to really do that. So we "hope" but haven't seen it yet.
Again, from Cal's practice comments I really get the impression Blackshear and his father were seeking assurances that he gets major minutes, attention, focus, etc. Cal doesn't do that (again his comment about not throwing others to the curb for one or two players) and I believe White did make that committment. So, it's not that he couldn't compete against EJ or Richards, or easily win out over them; but Cal isn't going to have two returning players just watch from the bench without opportunities as well. Again, this is why if I were a NBA scout I would never take a player like Blackshear based upon his decision. I want guys who seek the challenge and want to improve against competition not avoid it to pad stats.
Again, from Cal's practice comments I really get the impression Blackshear and his father were seeking assurances that he gets major minutes, attention, focus, etc. Cal doesn't do that (again his comment about not throwing others to the curb for one or two players) and I believe White did make that committment. So, it's not that he couldn't compete against EJ or Richards, or easily win out over them; but Cal isn't going to have two returning players just watch from the bench without opportunities as well. Again, this is why if I were a NBA scout I would never take a player like Blackshear based upon his decision. I want guys who seek the challenge and want to improve against competition not avoid it to pad stats.
Chris Dortch on Leach said he went to Florida because "mom won out."
That's a smart decision to base your NBA hope on.
The starting five probably looks like this:
PG Andrew Nembhard
SG Noah Locke with Tre Mann
SF Scottie Lewis
PF Keyonte Johnson or KB
C Kerry Blackshear or Isiah Stokes
Probably one if the better defensive teams in the country, but offense was their issue last year. I think a real sleeper who could surprise is Quez Glover at point, speed to burn.
Last edited:
That's a smart decision to base your NBA hope on.
It didn't work out to well for Bolden
Yes sir!!! Then I will laugh in his face again when he doesn’t get drafted! Can’t wait!
Don't really see the UF hype. They lost their 3 best players from last years team and just the addition of KB isn't going to transform them into a FF team. White hasn't shown ability to win with freshmen. Maybe I'm just nuts (well no one needs to comment on THAT - LOL).
So true...
signed
Dan Issel
Kevin Grevey
Kenny Walker
Tayshaun Prince
Chuck Hayes
Nazr Mohammed
I bet their PER-40 numbers are close. EJ and Richards had to sit behind Washington and Travis last year. What would Blackshear had done last year if he were on the team with Washington and Travis? Not post those gaudy numbers. Just look at Reid Travis' time at Stanford.
There's no way Stokes will start. Plus he is coming back from an ACL injury. Bassett was probably their starting big man, but, regarding Blackshear, they had been playing Keyontae Johnson at the "4" last year, Koulechov as the "4" in '17/18, and Devin Robinson as the "4" a lot in '16/17. It's a standard Mike White offense. Blackshear will be the 5 and will get as much burn as he can handle.
They will definitely be good next year with Nembhard, Mann, and Lewis. Those 3 are all legit. Getting Blackshear puts Florida probably at like 6-7 in the rankings imo. Their inside presence was so weak before with Gak, Payne, and the aforementioned Bassett and Stokes.
EJ and Nick consistently get pushed under the basket on rebounds by a slight breeze. Travis and PJ provided some muscle inside last year and I was hoping Blackshear could provide it this year. It's going to be interesting.
I don’t agree that he lost millions by doing this. If he came here, I don’t think he’d be a lottery pick. He tested the waters and the feedback wasn’t what he wanted. He’s not just going to completely change his game and be a top 15 pick. He’ll get exposure at UK no question but he’s going to get that at UF as well. All of their games are going to be on TV too.
If you can play, the NBA will find you and draft you accordingly. Ja Morant is an example of that.
If he came to UK, I think he would’ve developed some but after 3/4 years of college ball, most players don’t drastically change their games.
All of this said, I wish he were coming to UK. This isn’t a post saying “well we didn’t want him anyways.”
Matt Jones summarized it the best on the radio. If you have an offer from UK or Duke, and you go somewhere else, you’re a moron. There are exceptions, however. Home state schools, etc. In this case, Kerry stayed home. Even so, this is your last chance to prove yourself to the NBA, and you went to Florida. Bye Felicia.
This is probably the most sensible post of the entire thread.
Wow, I couldn't disagree more. Yes, Florida games are televised as are most major teams now. Do you really think Florida vs ________________ gets the same attention and audience that Kentucky vs even Transylvania gets???? Does Florida have competitive facilities, basketball orientation, national following, NBA scouts all showing up pre-season, the connections Cal has, and on and on and on? It is also very hard to get better by practing against lesser skilled players. Comparing Morant and saying see you can play at a lesser program and get drafted isn't the point. If you are super skilled, yes the NBA will find you anywhere. This is a kid that needed to kick it up a notch higher and I don't see that happening at Florida. He may pad his stats but no way does the Florida program compare to Kentucky's. Plus, with one year of eligibility left, even if everything else was equal, really you would pass up the experience of playing at Kentucky with BBN, again all the media attention, every game a real competition, versus half empty arenas and a ho-hum fan based until late in the season? Again, I think whether his "mom" won out, whatever, it is every reason I would avoid drafting him. It is mental aspects and an alpha dog mentalitiy most pro teams want, not a guy who avoids the challenge.
What do you think NBA scouts and GM's do all day? Do you think a scout or GM isn't going to see Blackshear play because he's not at UK? Who cares how much attention from fans the games get? No one is going to get drafted because they've played in sold out games with a rabid fan base. An NBA team isn't going to draft someone because of attention they get during the college season. I promise you NBA scouts and GMs are going to watch Blackshear as much at UF as they would if he were at UK. Any scout or GM that won't watch him because of a lack of high profile games isn't very good at what they do.
I'm not sure why Blackshear didn't choose to play here. I don't know him, but I'm not sure it's fair to assume he's not up for the challenge. If he came here, he'd absolutely be the starter from day 1 whether Cal guaranteed him that or not. He wouldn't lose out to Richards or EJ.
Maybe Blackshear wanted to play closer to home, I have no idea. I think there's a lot about playing at UK that would be awesome, and you touched on that. I can also understand why someone wouldn't want to play here. Maybe he didn't want all of the constant attention. When Cal says "you people are crazy" he's not wrong. I can see why it would be a turn off for someone. Personally, I would rather play at UK, as any of us on here would, but I'm not going to assume someone is weak minded because they don't want to play here.
We’ve had countless scouts and NBA personnel talk about how they like UK players and Kentucky kids get far more attention in that way AND it has been proven to improve draft stock in some cases. Obviously it’s not the end all, but in a kid like Blackshears situation, you take it because you need every inch. You are wrong and over generalizing the entire situation to look moderate and it’s just not true.
Morant is not what we’re talking about.
I’m glad. I’d rather see Nick and EJ get minutes and develop. This guy is not a program savior. In the end I think it’s going to work out best he went elsewhere. Good luck to him.