When Sharpe declares...

[Lempface]

Maybe some people would have complained, but what I said was reasonably complained about Sharpe never showing up and going to the draft instead. Maybe you would have had your fringe complainers, fine. But that's not even close to the firestorm that is coming to Cal if the guy just spent a semester on campus eligible to play, refused to do so, then goes to the draft anyway. It's not even close to the same thing

It may feel bad to some, but the end result isn't any different.

 

[STL_Cat]

It may feel bad to some, but the end result isn't any different.

And so we come back to, he was with the team, wearing a uniform, THIS YEAR and should have been willing to play. That my friend is where the difference is. He could have and should have been playing this year. He was on the team.

 

[Urolex]

Yes I agree, and my point was never to say necessarily that what happened was either correct or wrong. Mostly I just wanted to point out that Cal was in a no-win situation. Anything he did would have/could have upset fans. If he played and we tanked it would have been why did Cal play him. If he told him to not come and he went to the draft we'd have complainers. If he never recruited him we'd have people complaining we can't land the big fish. If he played and we were anything short of a final four/championship and moved on he would just have been classified as another mercenary. This fan base is unreasonable.

I don’t think the fanbase is unreasonable at all. I agree in the sense that Cal was in a no-win situation. That’s understandable. Where things go wrong is when he decides to use doublespeak instead of being upfront and honest. However this plays out, Cal just needs to be open and honest with everybody and say “this is how it went down“. I think fans will be more understanding if he does that instead of his usual smoke and mirrors.

 

[Lempface]

I don’t think the fanbase is unreasonable at all. I agree in the sense that Cal was in a no-win situation. That’s understandable. Where things go wrong is when he decides to use doublespeak instead of being upfront and honest. However this plays out, Cal just needs to be open and honest with everybody and say “this is how it went down“. I think fans will be more understanding if he does that instead of his usual smoke and mirrors.

Some things are best left unsaid. If he's honest and comes out and says Sharpe misrepresented himself, was focusing on his future instead of our team yadda yadda then that comes across as sour grapes and other recruits may look at that negatively. If he just says I'll take the flak and let the blame fall entirely on him, then he avoids any PR issues with recruits. It's easier to deal w/ angry fans if you haven't soured your recruiting pipeline than it is to look like an *** to top level kids and try to salvage that image.

 

[Urolex]

Some things are best left unsaid. If he's honest and comes out and says Sharpe misrepresented himself, was focusing on his future instead of our team yadda yadda then that comes across as sour grapes and other recruits may look at that negatively. If he just says I'll take the flak and let the blame fall entirely on him, then he avoids any PR issues with recruits. It's easier to deal w/ angry fans if you haven't soured your recruiting pipeline than it is to look like an *** to top level kids and try to salvage that image.

At some point, he has to be held acountable though, don’t you think? While it may keep him in good graces among the top recruits, it also runs the risk of sending the message that Cal/UK are A-OK with you coming here and not playing while also reaping a TON of benefits before bolting for the NBA. That’s not going to help us in the long run, just like Sharpe (assuming he leaves) likely did more harm than good by coming here….rather it’s chemistry issues, missed recruits (Nick Smith), etc

 

[Lempface]

At some point, he has to be held acountable though, don’t you think? While it may keep him in good graces among the top recruits, it also runs the risk of sending the message that Cal/UK are A-OK with you coming here and not playing while also reaping a TON of benefits before bolting for the NBA. That’s not going to help us in the long run, just like Sharpe (assuming he leaves) likely did more harm than good by coming here….rather it’s chemistry issues, missed recruits (Nick Smith), etc

Again I come back to what should he have done? If the kid was actively refusing to play he had no ammo to spin this positively. I still think it's the right move to try and get something from a guy, who by all accounts, is a real player. You can't please everyone.

I think every fan will be disappointed he didn't play if he doesn't come back. That's a given, but you can't run a program catering to the fanbase.

 

[Elliott Tim]

You misread my post, it happens.

I have no problems calling out the haters, them and the extreme Cal lovers are making this board hard to be on.

Have a good one

"Kentucky's not for everyone".

Then RR will explode, emergency tents will be set up and ground hog 2 will premier.

 

[jessieshorts8]

Again I come back to what should he have done? If the kid was actively refusing to play he had no ammo to spin this positively. I still think it's the right move to try and get something from a guy, who by all accounts, is a real player. You can't please everyone.

I think every fan will be disappointed he didn't play if he doesn't come back. That's a given, but you can't run a program catering to the fanbase.

But you can run a program catering to a kid that doesn't want to play?Makes zero sense.

 

[HenryMuto]

Gary Parris sees Sharpe going bye bye and how crushing that would be.

3

KENTUCKY

The Wildcats' ranking is based on CBS Sports National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe returning to school alongside fellow starters Sahvir Wheeler and Keion Brooks, the latter of whom has declared for the NBA Draft but is maintaining his college eligibility. For now, I'm projecting 5-star guard Shaedon Sharpe to enter and remain in the NBA Draft considering he's a projected top-10 pick - but, let the record show, John Calipari's Wildcats could move to No. 1 if Sharpe ultimately decides to play next season at UK.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

They don't but its not unreasonable for a player and a coach to discuss what the player would like to do before joining the team and it's not unreasonable for a coach to say that sounds like a good developmental plan.

I disagree but then you have a longstanding love of Calipari. You'd be ok with almost anything he does.