Matt jones

yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
29,651
41,904
102
Yea man I mean the hall of fame top 5 winningest coach in the last decade just doesn’t care about winning. Nope no drive at all to win. He wakes up and wins by accident every day. Never in his life did he want to win a basketball game. In fact he even hates winning.
Some people lose their passion and drive as they age . The vast majority of coaches in the HOF were “ nudged “ into retirement and very , very few went out on top. I think this off season and next season will show us if Cal still has “the fire” .
 

UK till Death

All-American
Dec 21, 2012
10,529
8,655
0
I was a MJ supporter for a long time, even though he and I couldn't possibly be on more opposite ends of the political spectrum. But, I lost a lot of respect for MJ around March-April of last when he went political on the whole Covid thing. Traded text messages with him several times. But, honestly I haven't listened to his show since then. No idea what he's been talking about for the last 12 months. However, I am listening to the first hour of today's broadcast and he seems to be pretty much nailing it. Especially on Calipari's player management and relationship with UK fans.

On Kyle Tucker, he was on the Finebaum show this afternoon and he said a lot of the same things MJ did on his show. Hit on the toxic relationship between Cal and UK fans, including the massive yearly roster turnover.

The bottomline is Calipari can't just replace the guys exiting the program without changing his system, bringing in new assistants and trying to reconnect with the fanbase. This offseason is VITAL for Kentucky Basketball. Probably the most important off-season since 1989.
Is there any way to listen to the KT interview? Thanks.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,573
70,800
113
Yes of course he did all of that. He was a screw up all season long and he pointed fingers and was an ******* about it. He singlehandedly lost us games. I just don’t think it’s going to continue to be like that.
But you're attacking people for, understandably, believing that Cal isn't going to change. You have your right to your opinion and I respect that, but Cal has blamed everyone but himself. He has said nothing about making changes, so it's really hard for me to believe he’s going to change a single thing.

The guy is as stubborn as it gets.

I mean, he attacks Allen in interviews, because he knows that bothers UK fans. He also calls UK fans "Basketball Benny's". He's at war with UK fans and that is a big mistake.

What has he said or done to make you think he's going to change anything at all?
 

SmedMoley

All-American
Nov 14, 2020
3,690
7,959
0
Does he want to win? Yes. Is it his biggest priority? No. He’s said as much himself. Winning is fine with him as long as his priorities are accomplished in the process. Cal has gotten fat and lazy, both figuratively and literally. He’s won his title and has now taken on the mantle of social justice warrior. Winning is fine with him, but it’s incidental.
I'm not sure why he keeps arguing that point. Cal has said it on multiple occasions. Multiple.
 

SmedMoley

All-American
Nov 14, 2020
3,690
7,959
0
But you're attacking people for, understandably, believing that Cal isn't going to change. You have your right to your opinion and I respect that, but Cal has blamed everyone but himself. He has said nothing about making changes, so it's really hard for me to believe he’s going to change a single thing.

The guy is as stubborn as it gets.

I mean, he attacks Allen in interviews, because he knows that bothers UK fans. He also calls UK fans "Basketball Benny's". He's at war with UK fans and that is a big mistake.

What has he said or done to make you think he's going to change anything at all?
You've hit directly on it. I'd be surprised if he makes any changes to his staff. He's still haphazardly constructing next season's roster. He has said this season was on Covid and the players. Nothing I've heard him say makes me think he'll change even the slightest thing.
And this war with the fans. Cal needs to be smarter than this. Nobody ever wins wars with fans. I remember Mitch defiantly digging in his heels with Joker. Tossed several barbs at us. A few games later, he fires Joker.
I'm not seeing any mindset from Cal that he thinks he was complicit in this failure. It was all the fans, Covid, and the players not getting it done.
 

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,990
54,417
100
He never had the chance to get into any kind of a rythem, he played 2 minutes here and there.

Take a long look at Askew and Boston's stats. There was a point when Boston was shooting 17% from 3 point range, but still got 30+ mpg. That's crazy.

Yeah, he got 11ppg, but he constantly shot 3-11, 4-15, 4-12 or do, to get it.

If Allen had the same leash and the same minutes, he would have far better year end numbers than Boston and Askew combined. At least Allen can make a layup or a 5 footer. Boston might be the worst finisher from 8' and in that I've ever seen.

But yeah, lets focus on what Allen did in the 2 minute spurts he was getting every game.
Exactly right! Nobody can get in a flow playing 2 or 3 minute segments. That’s especially true for a shooter. You think Cal doesn’t know that?! Of course he does!

He never allowed Allen to play long enough to get into a RHYTHM. Because of this he couldn’t gain any confidence either. Ask any basketball player the keys to playing well. They’ll tell you 100% of the time - it’s rhythm, confidence and preparation.

As for Boston, SMH. He had the longest leash of any player I’ve ever seen in a Kentucky uniform. It was truly unbelievable the BS that kid got away with, while Allen was the whipping boy.

Cal said it himself with the whole not wanting to take his heart thing. Or that he needed other guys in the game to miss shots. Speaks volumes and tells fans all they need to know.
 
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irishcat1965

Heisman
Apr 22, 2012
20,462
43,279
113
But you're attacking people for, understandably, believing that Cal isn't going to change. You have your right to your opinion and I respect that, but Cal has blamed everyone but himself. He has said nothing about making changes, so it's really hard for me to believe he’s going to change a single thing.

The guy is as stubborn as it gets.

I mean, he attacks Allen in interviews, because he knows that bothers UK fans. He also calls UK fans "Basketball Benny's". He's at war with UK fans and that is a big mistake.

What has he said or done to make you think he's going to change anything at all?
I don’t know that he is going to change jack ****. But he isn’t going anywhere, so we all better hope to hell he does whether you hate him or love him. And that starts with the construction of next year’s roster.
 

ryanbruner

Heisman
Sep 10, 2017
13,646
21,848
113
But you're attacking people for, understandably, believing that Cal isn't going to change. You have your right to your opinion and I respect that, but Cal has blamed everyone but himself. He has said nothing about making changes, so it's really hard for me to believe he’s going to change a single thing.

The guy is as stubborn as it gets.

I mean, he attacks Allen in interviews, because he knows that bothers UK fans. He also calls UK fans "Basketball Benny's". He's at war with UK fans and that is a big mistake.

What has he said or done to make you think he's going to change anything at all?
I agree he needs to change somewhat I just don’t think who he is is the reason they were losing. Normally he’s going to have his guys who fit his system. I don’t think he had those guys this year and they couldn’t practice early on so it resulted in the season from hell. I still expect us to win 30+ games on average from here on though. If next year is awful again where we don’t make the tournament then by all means kick him to the curb.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,573
70,800
113
I agree he needs to change somewhat I just don’t think who he is is the reason they were losing. Normally he’s going to have his guys who fit his system. I don’t think he had those guys this year and they couldn’t practice early on so it resulted in the season from hell. I still expect us to win 30+ games on average from here on though. If next year is awful again where we don’t make the tournament then by all means kick him to the curb.
And the reason he didn't have his typical players, is because his culture. That culture is what chased Hagans and EJ. He didn't recruit those players back, he failed them. Look where they are now. Hagans wasn’t mature enough to go the the NBA and look what happened. He broke a rule and got axed.

He talks about "doing it for the kids" and "doing what is right by the kids", but that looks like a lie to me. The kids that need his help, are guys like Whitney, Hagans, EJ, Allen, Baker, Fletcher and Juzang (many more), but he ***** on those guys.

It looks to me like it’s more like "NBA potential first and foremost". I don’t see how anyone can disagree with me on that.

College players are different than kids that are built for the NBA. It's way past time Cal starts building college players and helping those kids. The NBA potential kids don’t need help.

Boston is a perfect example. The kid had an awful season, but he would still get drafted if he jumped. In my opinion, Cal failed him. He WAS a lottery pick, now he's probably a 2nd rounder. But why does Cal choose to help him and push the others to the side?

Lastly, the types of kids that thrive under Cal, simply aren’t coming here anymore. All the facts are there for him to stop this madness.
 

irishcat1965

Heisman
Apr 22, 2012
20,462
43,279
113
I agree he needs to change somewhat I just don’t think who he is is the reason they were losing. Normally he’s going to have his guys who fit his system. I don’t think he had those guys this year and they couldn’t practice early on so it resulted in the season from hell. I still expect us to win 30+ games on average from here on though. If next year is awful again where we don’t make the tournament then by all means kick him to the curb.
My friend, it wasn’t just the roster. In game strategy was lacking as was his substitution patterns. His refusing to make Mintz point guard even in January probably cost UK a NCAA bid. He should have given Allen more minutes earlier in the year. Mintz averaged 18 points and 8 assists the two games he was our point guard. Now obviously he wouldn’t have done that all year but it would have been better than Askew. And that isn’t knocking Askew- I am very happy he is coming back. He busted his *** on the court but just wasn’t ready. That isn’t his fault.
 

ABlockalypseBrow

All-Conference
May 26, 2018
1,534
3,183
0
He never had the chance to get into any kind of a rhythm, he played 2 minutes here and there.

Take a long look at Askew and Boston's stats. There was a point when Boston was shooting 17% from 3 point range, but still got 30+ mpg. That's crazy.

Yeah, he got 11ppg, but he constantly shot 3-11, 4-15, 4-12 or do, to get it.

If Allen had the same leash and the same minutes, he would have far better year end numbers than Boston and Askew combined. At least Allen can make a layup or a 5 footer. Boston might be the worst finisher from 8' and in that I've ever seen.

But yeah, lets focus on what Allen did in the 2 minute spurts he was getting every game.

Also the number he quoted is total hogwash. By my count he was 16/48 between the two Miss St games, that’s 33% not 20%. And 33% despite taking his best games away and his worst stretch is still better than a couple of Cal’s favorites that lead the team in minutes.
 

ryanbruner

Heisman
Sep 10, 2017
13,646
21,848
113
Also the number he quoted is total hogwash. By my count he was 16/48 between the two Miss St games, that’s 33% not 20%. And 33% despite taking his best games away and his worst stretch is still better than a couple of Cal’s favorites that lead the team in minutes.
I said the week of the Miss st game which I believe included vandy as well. Between that game and the last Dontaie shot 23% from 3 and 30% from the field. He only played 13 minutes a game though.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,573
70,800
113
Also the number he quoted is total hogwash. By my count he was 16/48 between the two Miss St games, that’s 33% not 20%. And 33% despite taking his best games away and his worst stretch is still better than a couple of Cal’s favorites that lead the team in minutes.
Good catch. He was probably hoping nobody would check that stat.

What's funny is, he exaggerated the number to make it seem worse than it was, but his exaggeration STILL isn't as bad as what BJB shot for a large part of the season.
 

univky12

All-Conference
May 21, 2002
9,447
3,986
90
Maybe but what I am not is a fair weather fan that bails on a team and a coach after a bad season during a pandemic. You know all this so there is no sense going over it for millionth time on this board.

Hey Superfan,

Who chooses to respond for a "millionth" time on this board? It really isn't that hard to let it go and not respond.

I sure am glad all these other teams who are doing very well, didn't have to face the pandemic. They sure were lucky.
 

univky12

All-Conference
May 21, 2002
9,447
3,986
90
Exactly right! Nobody can get in a flow playing 2 or 3 minute segments. That’s especially true for a shooter. You think Cal doesn’t know that?! Of course he does!

He never allowed Allen to play long enough to get into a RHYTHM. Because of this he couldn’t gain any confidence either. Ask any basketball player the keys to playing well. They’ll tell you 100% of the time - it’s rhythm, confidence and preparation.

As for Boston, SMH. He has the longest leash of any player I’ve ever seen in a Kentucky uniform. It was truly unbelievable the BS that kid got away with, while Allen was the whipping boy.

Cal said it himself with the whole not wanting to take his heart thing. Or that he needed other guys in the game to miss shots. Speaks volumes and tells fans all they need to know.

"Allowed to miss their shots"

Cal wasn't talking about Allen.
 

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,990
54,417
100
I got thru 1/2 of page one and saw this ... mentioning these two in the same sentence should be blasphemy . I cant say how much I disagree with this.
Totally understand what you’re saying. I think, however, it does hold some merit. I mean, Matt Jones is always around UK coaches, alum, etc. He’s plugged in, so to speak.
 
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deep3

All-Conference
May 15, 2002
1,640
2,301
0
Exactly right! Nobody can get in a flow playing 2 or 3 minute segments. That’s especially true for a shooter. You think Cal doesn’t know that?! Of course he does!

He never allowed Allen to play long enough to get into a RHYTHM. Because of this he couldn’t gain any confidence either. Ask any basketball player the keys to playing well. They’ll tell you 100% of the time - it’s rhythm, confidence and preparation.

As for Boston, SMH. He had the longest leash of any player I’ve ever seen in a Kentucky uniform. It was truly unbelievable the BS that kid got away with, while Allen was the whipping boy.

Cal said it himself with the whole not wanting to take his heart thing. Or that he needed other guys in the game to miss shots. Speaks volumes and tells fans all they need to know.
Spot on ANYONE that has played absolutely knows you need to get a sweat and rhythm and it doesn’t happen in two minute intervals,
Cal knew this and was sticking it to the kid to send a message to the fan base to pipe down DAD knows best imo.
 

Anon1679859502

All-American
Jun 28, 2015
4,855
9,143
113
Hey Superfan,

Who chooses to respond for a "millionth" time on this board? It really isn't that hard to let it go and not respond.

I sure am glad all these other teams who are doing very well, didn't have to face the pandemic. They sure were lucky.
I didn’t know all the other teams replaced 10 new players either go figure
 

ukfan117

All-Conference
Apr 20, 2009
1,183
1,722
0
If Cal doesn't care about wins and losses, then his time at Kentucky is over and he can leave. That proves to me he only cares about the money, not about the tradition of Kentucky basketball. I supported Cal throughout the years, but after what he has said and done, then his time at Kentucky is done.
 

Anon1679859502

All-American
Jun 28, 2015
4,855
9,143
113
You know most people when they typed "10 new players" would have realized at that very moment they were highlighting one of the main criticisms of Cal and the state of this program......and then hit the delete button.

Most people.......
And I said that was on Calipari but it seems this is becoming repetitive and people should have figured this out by now instead of having to keep posting about a whole new roster. Yes it’s Calipari’s fault
No he shouldn’t be fired
Yes he made this mess so fix it and if he can’t after next year find someone who can
 
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univky12

All-Conference
May 21, 2002
9,447
3,986
90
And I said that was on Calipari but it seems this is becoming repetitive and people should have figured this out by now instead of having to keep posting about a whole new roster. Yes it’s Calipari’s fault
No he shouldn’t be fired
Yes he made this mess so fix it and if he can’t after next year find someone who can

But you literally used that as one reason for our bad year..........In Cal's defense.

Then you post "it's Calipari fault".

Straddling both sides of the fence is tricky. But then you can always be right no matter the outcome.
 

ryanbruner

Heisman
Sep 10, 2017
13,646
21,848
113
Which is 3 0/0 higher than Boston shot for his first ten games getting 30 minutes a game
During the same period of time Dontaie went cold BJ shot 38% on 7 3 point attempts per game. It’s really not comparable.
 

Anon1679859502

All-American
Jun 28, 2015
4,855
9,143
113
But you literally used that as one reason for our bad year..........In Cal's defense.

Then you post "it's Calipari fault".

Straddling both sides of the fence is tricky. But then you can always be right no matter the outcome.
Well he didn’t cause the pandemic..I don’t think so anyway
Roster management falls on the coach
A lot of this season failures does fall on the coach but I don’t see a trend. They won the SEC by three games last year and was playing well so who knows. It’s not like they are losing ten plus games every year. So if me thinking it’s crazy to let a coach go after having season like this with everything that went down from start to finish is straddling the line then I guess I am.
I’m hoping some players stay that’s acclimated with the program so when the new guys get here they can help them through it.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,573
70,800
113
During the same period of time Dontaie went cold BJ shot 38% on 7 3 point attempts per game. It’s really not comparable.
Season stats:
Allen: 39%
Boston: 30%

That's with Allen only playing spot minutes and Boston being able to play free as a bird.

Also, if you look at 8' and in, Allen is better there too. Did BJB even convert 1 basket all season from 8' and in that wasn't a run out? How many times did he raise up from 5' and damn near miss the rim?