What's wrong with Alex?

EvilMD

All-Conference
Dec 29, 2003
7,327
2,419
0
I've never seen that highlight video before. Damn. What could have been.
 

StubbornPenny

All-American
Nov 2, 2009
10,562
9,892
0
That highlight video is the most confusing thing. He doesn't just look good, he looks all-world. My personal favorite is when he dunks it hard and the ball hits a Duke player square in the face. We've only seen glimpses of that guy since. Utterly baffling...
 

katwest

Heisman
Feb 16, 2003
39,966
13,932
113
I really like Alex, he reminds me of another Tennessean who had all of the talent in the world but only showed glimpses of what he could be, just wish he would play all the time like we know he can.
 

OHcatfan

Junior
May 22, 2002
1,323
359
0
The only thing wrong with Alex is that he chose the wrong sport. He should be a DE in football!
 

SkyPrince1

All-Conference
Aug 17, 2004
4,793
3,764
0
Is it possible that with one year of eligibility left, Alex could be a "done-and-one" that actually leaves Kentucky for a smaller, less stressful place? I've seen him look at Cal a couple of times this season with an "Oh shut up" look on his face.

Has a redshirt for Alex even been applied for?

Any redshirt for Alex would not automatic would it since he played several games last season.
 

Blueathletics

All-Conference
Dec 21, 2007
4,955
3,577
0
Alex is just not an 'alpha male'....Those rare occasions he comes out of his shell is not who he really is; it's forced

Put Julius Randle inside of AP and you have a top 5 pick and first team AA
 
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Mar 13, 2004
14,745
12,925
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Has a redshirt for Alex even been applied for?

Any redshirt for Alex would not automatic would it since he played several games last season.

In the event that he wants to play next year, he can apply after this season and would almost certainly be granted an extra year since he had a clearly season ending injury and played under the max % of games in that season.
 
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AllBall

All-American
May 5, 2015
4,896
6,433
93
This is insufferable. Yes, i want Alex to be a beast and play like he looks (chiseled from stone) but he isnt that type of person. While i'd love for him to develop a mean streak and lead this team with a fiery passion, it isnt who he is.
I exhausted the ball handling question 2 seasons ago. If he could dribble and i had a feather up my a$$ we'd both be tickled.
 

struggler

All-Conference
Jan 23, 2013
1,358
3,283
0
When I posted the question - I more meant in the LSU game - he was completely disengaged in that game - not into it at all. For me it's sad, very sad. Like seeing a genius throw his intellect away for lesser things. It may be simple apathy - or feeling entitled (told he's elite - so it should come easy?). The old adage "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard" comes to mind. I wish him the best and that he would realize what he is throwing away. He's just not that into it it seems. Anyway - Go CATS - Go Alex.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,313
61,749
113
This was sort of the time period when Darius Miller FINALLY came into his own and had the confidence to play. Granted, Alex had a major injury setback (which, we all forget, he could be coming back from, mentally and physically).

But the time is now. I haven't heard word on red-shirting, so I'm assuming this is his last year, especially with the talent we have coming in next year. This is a crucial point to either make a stamp on your legacy at Kentucky, or forever be a letdown and a "what could have been".
 

BoulderCat_rivals187983

All-Conference
May 22, 2002
7,871
3,227
0
I played basketball in college many moons ago, at a level well below Kentucky. I mention that because I have a theory about Alex that I'll admit would have applied to me. I'd played basketball all my life to get a scholarship, and battled through lots of injuries in both high school and college. By the time I was a senior in college, I was burned out on hoops and much more interested in getting on with my post-educational life.

Of course, I didn't have the prospect of making millions of dollars in the NBA or Europe, but maybe Alex has come to realize he's not really an NBA-caliber player, and he's just ready for the rest of his life to begin. Maybe this is a feeling that has grown for awhile, but he's kept it at bay as he fought back from last year's injury because part of him realizes how privileged he is to be at Kentucky as a basketball player. Internal conflicts are not that uncommon, especially among intelligent 21-year-olds. By all accounts he's a great kid and an excellent student. If so, good luck to him.

It's easy for people whose careers topped out in junior high to say, 'man, if that were me I'd be running through brick walls to play for Kentucky.' I'm not doubting anyone who feels that way. But the reality can be more complicated.

I don't know Alex, but think you could be right. I get the sense as well he may be ready to just move on to what's next, but the opportunity to go to grad school while still on scholly wasn't one he could walk away from. I never played college ball, but I did go to grad school two years right after 4 at UK. It was 2 of the best years of my life, but at the end I was way more than ready to move on with what came next. Alex may never have much of a pro basketball career, but I think it likely he will succeed in life.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,313
61,749
113
If he keeps this type of play up, history won't be kind to him, that's for sure. Kentucky fans may not trash you when you're here, but once you're gone, it's a different story.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,313
61,749
113
I don't know Alex, but think you could be right. I get the sense as well he may be ready to just move on to what's next, but the opportunity to go to grad school while still on scholly wasn't one he could walk away from. I never played college ball, but I did go to grad school two years right after 4 at UK. It was 2 of the best years of my life, but at the end I was way more than ready to move on with what came next. Alex may never have much of a pro basketball career, but I think it likely he will succeed in life.

I'm fine with that mentality. But maybe it's time for Alex to take the bench and enjoy the ride. Pretty selfish to think "Yeah, I'm not really into it, and won't give you much more, but I want and deserve a starting spot".

If that is indeed his mentality and approach for this year (I think his injury has more to do with it, personally, as mentioned above), then he needs to ride pine and let others step up. If he's conceding his NBA dreams and wants to play it easy, he should not be getting the minutes he has now.
 

UKWildcats#8

All-American
Jun 25, 2011
30,327
9,338
0
If he keeps this type of play up, history won't be kind to him, that's for sure. Kentucky fans may not trash you when you're here, but once you're gone, it's a different story.

Kentucky fans trash our Coach and players plenty when they are here.
 

UK-Chulo

All-American
Mar 22, 2007
3,472
5,005
98
I'm fine with that mentality. But maybe it's time for Alex to take the bench and enjoy the ride. Pretty selfish to think "Yeah, I'm not really into it, and won't give you much more, but I want and deserve a starting spot".

If that is indeed his mentality and approach for this year (I think his injury has more to do with it, personally, as mentioned above), then he needs to ride pine and let others step up. If he's conceding his NBA dreams and wants to play it easy, he should not be getting the minutes he has now.
I really don't see any difference in his attitude before or after the injury. He is who he is. He has never shown that he'll live up to his full potential on the court. I've met plenty of really smart folks who are disconnected from entire sections of real life. Alex just happens to have an all-world athlete's body. The clueless expression on Alex' face when he is on the court has never changed.

I'm just going to enjoy the few brief moments when he teases us with something spectacular and wish him all the success when he is pursuing whatever it is that engages him.
 
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May 27, 2007
31,941
25,080
113
Nothing wrong. Just because your athletic doesn't always mean your bound to be a great player.

Alex is what he is.........a good role player.
 

jwheat

Heisman
Aug 21, 2005
97,626
24,206
42
Timing isn't great. Neither is his handle. Small hands as folks have pointed out. Has never had high self esteem. Just have to accept he can have horrible games and very good games.
Unless you have held Alex's hand and know from personal experience I would suggest researching the pro day measurements for Alex hand size.
 

CatsIndy2010

Senior
Jan 27, 2010
1,948
742
0
I just think we had an off night. Nobody is perfect and Alex is talented, regardless of his play in several games this season. I think we've had a good season so far. Just have to figure out how to play better as a team.
 

Chuckinden

All-American
Jun 12, 2006
19,001
5,953
113
Yep. It's crazy to have been so athletically/genetically gifted in most other areas but to simultaneously have such freakishly small hands.



M1
Almost lost some teeth on that dunk.

I have sympathy for Alex. He just can't get it going.
 

BourbonBalz

All-American
Mar 5, 2005
11,430
9,235
0
I really like Alex, he reminds me of another Tennessean who had all of the talent in the world but only showed glimpses of what he could be, just wish he would play all the time like we know he can.
The "Master Blaster" Richard Madison? Similar game and build.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,313
61,749
113
Is there a more on and off player in basketball?

Very happy for Poy. He can do this anytime he wants! Forget the stat line Alex! Just play.. Play hard!
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,313
61,749
113
He's done it against great front courts. Yes, he can. If he wants to. That's the problem.
 

ZZBlueComet

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2009
46,208
2,152
113
Alex was great today, granted against a smaller front court, but great. I'll have confidence in Alex when I see him string 5-6 solid games in a row, something he hasn't done since he's been here. Sorry to be so negative, but we've seen great games from him before and then he dissapears- let's hope this isn't the case this time.
 
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LexCatnOhio

Junior
Mar 27, 2009
732
259
36
Alex is the scapegoat. He's a great player that has bad nights. I think he was peaking last year until he got hurt but don't think (unlike some others) that his best game was the Duke game his freshman year. He was crucial in our run 2 years ago and was a flop away from being a hero that year. I believe he will also be critical in the tournament this year
 
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Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
24,236
55,153
100
Alex is the scapegoat. He's a great player that has bad nights. I think he was peaking last year until he got hurt but don't think (unlike some others) that his best game was the Duke game his freshman year. He was crucial in our run 2 years ago and was a flop away from being a hero that year. I believe he will also be critical in the tournament this year
That flop on that baseline charge call against UConn was a killer. Terrible call by the way.
 

.S&C.

All-American
Jul 8, 2014
45,292
6,422
0
Something that was brought to my attention by rod Strickland a few years back was Alex is, if it's possible, too in love with academics. He spends lots of hours working on his studies and not in the gym.

In that highlight video, he was young, energetic, and wanted to play basketball. It's apparant to lots of people around the program he doesn't care about playing basketball past college. I think it's that simple. He's half in it, half out of it.

At this level you've got to be fully "in it" to do what he did to Duke as a freshman.
 

BigBlueFanGA

Heisman
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,456
0
Loved Alex's play yesterday . I still don't see the explosiveness he had before the ACL, I can only pray that it comes back. He played hard and his numbers showed it.