Stop blaming the players

[TheBlueMist]

I don't blame the players. I am also not putting their poster on my wall, giving them endearing nicknames, buying their jerseys (or &*^% NFTs), naming my pets after them, or looking forward to following their NBA (or Euro) careers. These guys are probably decent people, but I don't invest in them like I did Mash, Hayes, Sheppard, Pelphrey, Hawkins, Prince, etc. They are here for NIL and fast passes to the NBA. It's a transactional relationship for most of them.

 

[Bkocats]

100% agree with this.
It's not really blaming players. Ultimately Cal is responsible for roster construction but anyone who is watching this can see the different in talent we are getting now vs what we had in the past.

I disagree with the OP. Could another coach do better with this squad? Sure. Is this team a final four level team or even a S16 level team? No. Not at all.

I don’t think they are more than a Sweet 16 team with a lucky break
However there are some solid pieces to make a decent team. I don’t blame them at all though
It’s a poorly constructed roster with a “coach”
that has no clue how to use them to best advantage.
Worse though..there is no trust on this team. These guys don’t like Calipari and there is no joy in playing . I don’t see anything that makes me think they want to be here
There is not one positive here

 

[NostraDanis]

I think the discussion about a lack of 'dogs' or 'alpha' players interesting. I totally agree that this team, as it is now, has none, except for Wheeler, who's obviously limited. But, here's the thing, ALL of these guys arrived at UK as an Alpha, Go-To, Big-Shot players. Every one of them. In fact, these guys have spent a lot of their short lives being "the man" on whatever team they played for, so what's happened?

We have former superstars shying away from being in the spotlight and afraid to shoot. Sure, the move from High School to college is huge, but your telling me that none of the players we sign over the last few years could compete at the college level? They were ALL uber competitive in the past or they wouldn't have gotten this far.

The evidence and responsibility is clear, for those who wish to see.

 

[revcort]

I think the discussion about a lack of 'dogs' or 'alpha' players interesting. I totally agree that this team, as it is now, has none, except for Wheeler, who's obviously limited. But, here's the thing, ALL of these guys arrived at UK as an Alpha, Go-To, Big-Shot players. Every one of them. In fact, these guys have spent a lot of their short lives being "the man" on whatever team they played for, so what's happened?

We have former superstars shying away from being in the spotlight and afraid to shoot. Sure, the move from High School to college is huge, but your telling me that none of the players we sign over the last few years could compete at the college level? They were ALL uber competitive in the past or they wouldn't have gotten this far.

The evidence and responsibility is clear, for those who wish to see.

That's probably the best argument I've heard.

 

[katkraze]

Who should I blame most - players coaches AD?