Posts Tagged “john wall”
2010 NBA Lottery: Three Cats in Top 11?
By: Carl H | February 8th, 2010 | Category: CatsPeter May, in a special to Yahoo! Sports, has penned his EARLY order for the upcoming (as in FIVE months from now) 2010 NBA draft. However, it is an interesting list, and at least one that could spark some healthy debate.
The Pinkie Squad had just this debate one night here recently (they all run together these days). There were a couple topics discussed that relate directly to UK: 1) If he continues at this pace will Demarcus Cousins go number one over Wall based solely on size/potential? and 2) Cole Aldrich vs. Demarcus Cousins.
May has Cousins going fourth and Aldrich sixth, definitely not a big enough gap to lend any more confidence to one members offer of a $100 wager on who would be drafted first.
Patrick Patterson is penciled in at May’s 11th slot. It seems to be a foregone conclusion that Kentucky will match Louisville’s T-Will and Earl Clark with two lottery selections, will they get three??
What do our six readers have to say about these hypotheticals?
John Wall May Actually Be Able To Fly
By: Carl H | January 4th, 2010 | Category: Cats - VideosYes this happened two games ago. And yes Guy is usually the one to post the random John Wall vids… But seriously, this could be the proof that the man is not human.
A Few Thoughts On the John Wall Experience
By: Guy | December 17th, 2009 | Category: Cats
My off the wall theory about John Calipari taking over the John Wall/LeBron James-led New Jersey Nets has gotten a fair amount of attention in the last day. It was talked about all day on the Cats Pause and a few other message boards, including the Memphis Roar, where it was met with hysterical laughter by Tiger fans.
Let me talk about it a bit more before I get into what I really set out to discuss. First of all, here’s the way I thought of it in the first place. I was thinking about what the ideal NBA destination for John Wall next year and the possibility of LeBron and Wall playing together crossed my mind. I was intrigued to say the least.
I then tried to conceive of every possible way the two could end up playing together. The two most likely ways I could come up with were for the Clippers and for the Nets. Both teams could easily come up with the cap room to sign LeBron and both figure to be in the lottery.
However, the Clippers are such a shoddily ran organization that I decided that there is no way they could pull of such a thing, so I crossed the Clips off the list. I focused on the Nets. Eventually, drooling over the possibility, I thought about Calipari’s relationship with LeBron, and my inkling that Cal could be thinking about coaching LeBron down the road returned. Then, my ridiculous scenario came together.
Also, I constantly remind myself of how unlikely such a scenario really is. Coaching LeBron and Wall is really the only way I can see Cal leaving UK so abruptly, so I think the Nets thing has to happen for Cal to even think about it. If the Nets finish with worst record in the NBA, they will still only have a one in four shot of winning the lottery. Then the hard part of luring Calipari and LeBron simultaneously begins. It’s tough to put a number on that, but it’s no small task.
In other words, that scenario, no matter how worrisome, is a big time long shot, so let’s get to my thoughts on the obsession of UK fans (with me at the forefront) with John Wall.
-First up, let’s talk about the John Wall dance and how absurd and hilarious it is that it’s become so big. It started as some little move that John Wall probably put about five minutes of thought into before he was introduced at Big Blue Madness. We as UK fans are so fascinated by Wall that we have given the dance a life of its own. I find this amazing.
Also, doesn’t Dorrough’s “Ice Cream Paint Job” have to shattering hip hop record sales records in the state of Kentucky among middle aged people?
-I’d like to introduce an ailment that I am currently suffering from, and I think it probably applies to a lot of you. It’s called John Wall Tourette’s.
I have to give credit where credit is due on this one, a coworker who is a big sports fan, but not a big UK or UofL fan, has suffered over the past few months because all I ever want to talk about is John Wall. It’s gotten to the point where I really can’t help it. It’s gotten to the point where I would almost call it a tic. There are times where I stop a conversation or an email thread dead in its tracks and just say “JOHN WALL”. It’s involuntary. I think I need help.
-Last, is it just me, or does it feel like this season has turned into a ten game long feeling of deja vu? Mind you, it’s the best feeling of deja vu I’ve ever had.
I’ll explain. Games go one of two ways: (1) John Wall dominates, controls the action throughout, and the ‘Cats win big (2) the game comes down to the stretch, but John Wall swoops in and wins the game for the ‘Cats. Then, UK fans post YouTube videos of John Wall highlights within 12 hours of the buzzer.
Also, Patrick Patterson does his thing in the same way every game, hitting high percentage looks in the post and off of offensive rebounds, mixing in a long distance shot every once in a while.
Outside of the games, we hear the exact same speech from John Calipari no matter what question he is asked, in which he says some variation of the following things: “We should be 5-5″, “This team has a will to win”, “We do dumb things”, “I love my team”. Cal really could be a politician with how he knows his talking points and hits every single one during his stump speeches.
Kentucky Basketball: An Eye on the NBA, Part One
By: Guy | December 16th, 2009 | Category: CatsIt’s only been four days since the last UK game, and I’m already slipping into minor withdrawal. That’s great that the student-athletes get time off for finals and everything, but there are collateral consequences for us obsessed fans. Anyway, since there’s no writing to be done about actual game action, I had to find something to write about, so here we go.
As UK fans, we are going to have to get accustomed to dealing with players making decisions about entering the NBA Draft early, there’s just no choice in the matter. We had a sampling of it this spring with Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson, but since the mid-90’s, that’s been a bit of a rarity compared with some of the other high profile college programs.
I think we’ve always been a bit reluctant about going after kids that won’t be on campus for longer than two years, but John Calipari and John Wall are showing us together that we had no reason to be. We’ll still have the Patrick Patterson’s and Darius Miller’s and their three and four year careers sprinkled in, but UK’s big time players are going to be more along the lines of DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall (OK, not John Wall, he doesn’t come along every year).
John Calipari embraces the fact that the guys he recruits have the ultimate goal of playing at the highest level in the NBA as quickly as possible. In fact, he recruits based on that fact. His track record is one of getting guys into the League successfully.
With that in mind, I thought I would take a look at the NBA prospects of each player on the Kentucky roster (with one surprise mixed in), what their ceilings and floors are with respect to position in the NBA Draft, and when they could make the jump. It may not be that much fun to think about, but it’s better to embrace it sooner rather than later. I am making this evaluations based on the assumption that nothing absolutely crazy (good or bad) happens like Josh Harrelson suddenly growing a couple inches and being inhabited by the ghost of George Mikan.
JOHN WALL
At this point, I’m not sure there’s any reasonable UK fan left who has deceived themselves into thinking he will wear the UK uniform past April 2010. The kid is unlike anything we have ever seen in a Kentucky uniform and has wowed basically anyone who watches him for longer than two minutes.
I consider myself lucky to be a fan of the school that got him, not only because I get to watch him dominate for a season at UK, but also because I’m going to get to watch him in the NBA for the next 15 years. I’m going to go ahead and declare it right now: whatever team drafts him will immediately become my favorite team in the Association. I’m just hoping he lands in one of those Tim Duncan situations where you know he’s going to win multiple titles, a situation not unlike the one I’m about to postulate…
Draft Ceiling: #1 overall
Draft Floor: #2 overall
Earliest he could leave: 2010
Latest he could leave: 2010
Prediction: #1 overall in 2010
JOHN CALIPARI
Here’s the surprise I’m talking about, and yes, I know he’s not a player.
Calipari has previously said he would not rule out a return to the NBA, but has said there are only a few situations that could entice him away from the NBA. Conventional thought would say that he’s talking about one of those historically successful, big market teams like the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, or Bulls.
However, I think that John Calipari’s previously failed foray into the NBA from a few years back has taught him that your chance at success in the NBA is more determined by whether you have a true superstar in the realm of a Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, or Duncan. Sam Cassell, Kerry Kittles, and Jayson Williams, some of the high profile Nets of his tenure, do not fit the bill.
Did he really have a chance with that Mr. Rogers tie?
LeBron James does.
Today, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo confirmed for me something I had wondered about ever since I heard about Cal and LeBron’s “budding relationship”, as he calls it: that Cal may just be positioning himself to coach LeBron James down the road.
Wojnarowski mentions two or three years as a possible timeframe for a potential LeBron-Cal marriage. Yikes, that’s an awful short tenure for Cal at UK. I don’t think Cal has any intention of staying at UK for that short of a time.
However, is there a situation that could pull him away that quickly, maybe even sooner? Unfortunately, I would say yes.
Picture this. Leading up the 2010 NBA Draft Lottery, the New Jersey Nets have the best chance of winning the John Wall sweepstakes. They are still without a coach. The Nets win the lottery and the Nets do the obvious and take John Wall. They are still without a coach.
Realizing that they have some cap space and a franchise cornerstone, they trade Devin Harris, whose value is very high, getting value in return and dumping more salary. Then, one of two things happens:
1) Realizing that they have that cap space, they Nets decide to go all in for LeBron James, arguably the most valuable free agent in the history of the sport. Recognizing the intertwined relationship between LeBron, Worldwide Wes, and Cal, they make a play for John Calipari in an effort to woo LeBron. Cal signs, LeBron signs, and the Nets win at least five titles in the next ten years.
2) Still without a coach, the Nets make a power play for LeBron. LeBron, in his negotiations, makes a power play and has Cal installed as coach. LeBron signs, Cal signs, and the Nets win at least five titles in the next ten years.
Picture either of the above two situations playing out or something comparable…as difficult as this may be to admit as a UK fan, could you really blame John Calipari for leaving to coach that team? It would be an absolute dream of a situation for any coach with professional aspirations.
Cornerstone franchise player…check and double check.
A motivated owner that wants to win…check.
Proximity to a big market…check (plus the rumors of a move to Brooklyn)
John Calipari is a guy who LOVES the big stage. He’s embraced the biggest college basketball stage out there and capitalized on it. The Nets with LeBron and John Wall would be the biggest story in the Association, instantly leaping to the forefront past the Lakers and Celtics. I thought that the seven month turnaround that Cal has pulled off at UK was one of a kind, but the sudden shift in the Nets’ future might just one up it.
The one saving grace is that Cal already failed once in the NBA, once with the Nets as a matter of fact. It’s hard to imagine a team rehiring a fired coach, but if LeBron wills it, do think anyone would stand in the way?
I just had to take a quick break just to decide if I actually want to publish this. Let me say that this little theory of mine is just that, based on nothing more than a tiny bit of fact, some intuition, my natural pessimism, and disbelief that this whole Calipari dream is real. I think the ‘Cats would end up being alright. I think they would hire another good coach (as long as they don’t rehire a fired Billy G), but I don’t think he’ll be the perfect fit that Cal is.
The crazy thing is that I really don’t think I would be mad at Coach Cal. I would be too excited about watching the Nets to blame him.
CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR PART 2
Should We Be Worried That UK Is Unbeaten?
By: Guy | December 10th, 2009 | Category: Cats
AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
OK, let me start by saying that I realize that the title of this post is absolutely ridiculous. However, I’ve been thinking a lot about how every time you hear John Calipari talk, he says something along the lines of “We’re 4-5″. Coach Cal obviously is trying to cut his team down to size to some extent.
Kentucky is 9-0 on the strength of some serious talent, a phenomenal will to win, and the seriously phenomenal John Wall. In some measure, these ‘Cats are unbeaten and #4 in the nation in spite of themselves.
For looong stretches in most every game to this point, UK looks lost when playing half court, five on five basketball. Possessions go by on offense without even getting a glimpse of a good look at the basket. Defensively, the ‘Cats can’t seem to position themselves, forgetting the concept of team defense entirely.
Teams aren’t supposed to win games with those kinds of stretches. John Wall just keeps doing what he does and UK just keeps winning close games.
I think Cal is legitimately worried that if UK keeps winning games against quality opponents like this, that they will never gain the perspective necessary to realize their full potential. The idea was for UK to jell as team before conference play and take a couple blows the mouth, peaking in February and March. Miami, Stanford, UNC, and UConn dished out a couple would be knockout blows, but to this point, UK has been able to absorb each and every one.
Don’t get me wrong, I think this team has shown that it responds very well to John Calipari (did you see Big Cuz sprint towards Calipari when Cal called him over late in the second half?), but I’m not sure if Cal thinks he has their full attention and focus yet. Wall is just talented enough and the squad as a whole is just gritty enough to pull off wins and maybe that’s enough to advance deep in March, but the last thing Cal wants is for them to think that it is.
UK is going to continue to be tested. Saturday’s trip to Assembly Hall will provide another new challenge and the SEC is much improved, but the more tests that this team passes, the better they think they are. Reader Quickdraw said it best I think when he said that UK is a good team with a great player right now, but they have work to do to become a great team.
John Wall Dunks Against UNC Asheville
By: Guy | December 1st, 2009 | Category: CatsThis one made it online pretty quickly.
ESPN names John Wall Player of the Week
By: Guy | November 23rd, 2009 | Category: Cats
John Wall has had a decent start to his UK career, huh?
After an opening three game stretch to be remembered, Andy Katz has named John Wall the national player of the week in his Weekly Watch column:
Wall ushered himself into Kentucky lore with his game-winning shot to beat Miami (Ohio) 72-70 in his first collegiate game. He finished the game with 19 points, shooting 10-of-14 from the free throw line. But Wall didn’t stop there. He scored 21 points in each of Kentucky’s next two games — wins over Sam Houston State and Rider — including 11 assists in the win over the Broncs.
You could see his game develop over the course of the week, even if Kentucky’s defense faded. Wall committed a combined 11 turnovers in his first two games, but had only two in the win over Rider. The Wildcats won all three of their games last week and Wall was a major player in each of them.
Teammate DeMarcus Cousins joined him as another honoree:
DeMarcus Cousins, Fr., F, Kentucky: Yes, one of those other freshmen faces on the Wildcats made himself known this week with 27 points and 18 boards in the Wildcats’ close call against Sam Houston State. He followed it up with 18 points, six rebounds and five blocks in UK’s win over Rider.
Oh yeah, and while we’re on the subject of stand out performances by Wildcats, Sam Maxwell has been named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his showing against Georgia in which he made a career high 11 tackles and the game sealing interception.
It has been a joy to watch Maxwell step up during his senior year, getting his first chance to start. All the kid has done is make plays, and in the process has likely earned himself a chance at the next level.
John Wall highlights vs. Rider
By: Guy | November 22nd, 2009 | Category: CatsI predicted in my recap yesterday that you could put together a mixtape of John Wall’s highlights just from the Rider game. Lo and behold, someone has already done it.
Some belated thoughts on UK’s close call against Miami
By: Guy | November 17th, 2009 | Category: CatsYou may be wondering why Carl H recapped the UK game last night (check out the recap by the way, he did a great job). Cardiac arrest was not the reason why I skipped out on it. In fact, I am traveling in the Lone Star State right now and was barely able to even make it to a BW3’s in time to watch it.
By the way, if you want to get some strange looks, I suggest requesting to watch a college basketball game in a bar in Irving, Texas. I don’t even know if they realized that college basketball was played in November.
Anyway, the Kentucky Wildcats revealed to us on Monday night what they began to reveal to us in the Campbellsville game: that UK is just not there yet. John Calipari has been trying to tell us that UK is not going to live up to the hype overnight. The ‘Cats oh so close call against Miami of Ohio was all the proof I needed.
UK struggled all game on offense with Charlie Coles’ packed in defense. They frustrated John Wall and Eric Bledsoe into trying to do way too much when UK couldn’t get a thing going, combining for 9 of UK’s 15 turnovers. Defensively, UK lacked intensity as Miami raced out to a 36-18 lead early.
There are going to be times all season during which UK struggles offensively against teams with effective zone or sagging man defenses. That’s the way to defend the dribble drive most effectively, especially when UK doesn’t have it down pat early this season.
However, the way UK is going to survive during those games is with the kind of defensive intensity they lacked early. I really believe that John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, Darius Miller, Patrick Patterson, and Daniel Orton have the potential to be excellent defenders, and guys like DeMarcus Cousins and Darnell Dodson can be very good.
There are things to be discouraged about following the Miami escape, namely sketchy offense, poor decision making/shot selection, and Wall and Bledsoe not looking great on the floor together, but after 24 hours, I’ve decided that one big positive outweighs all of them: the way the ‘Cats competed and responded in the face of the first sign of adversity this season.
Down 18 at home with 7 minutes left in the first half, Patrick Patterson and UK flat out decided that they were not going to lose that game. They found another gear on defense, showing the kind of intensity that could make them a great team. They extended their pressure in the half court, and they all showed me something with the way they stepped up…especially John Wall. As phenomenal as Wall is with the ball in his hands, he can really be as much of a terror playing on the ball defense, which is scary.
When UK did pick up the intensity, it took them a while still to find their way offensively. At first, they were a bit out of control, trying to do way too much. Darnell Dodson got things started with a few big threes, but eventually, the post guys started getting it done and the guards settled in.
As UK faced pressure for the first time as a team and prospect of a bad early season loss was very much real, every single one of UK’s top 7 responded. John Wall, in spite of not playing his best game, found ways to score, getting to the line 14 times, and played great defense. Oh yeah, and he’s clutch.
Eric Bledsoe had an atrocious offensive game, but was good on defense. Darius Miller showed poise and confidence in scoring some big, big baskets in clutch situations. Darnell Dodson hit some big shots in his 18 minutes. Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins put up double-doubles and provided excellent post play on both ends. Daniel Orton did his fundamental thing despite taking a nasty head shot.
Like I said, the ‘Cats showed that they have a long way to go, but I believe they also showed that they have it in them to do it.
There are also a few other pieces of news floating around tonights, so let’s go through them quickly:
-First of all, John Wall has returned to North Carolina to be with his family after the passing of an uncle. Thoughts and prayers go to Wall and his family. There is no indication at this point whether he will be available on Thursday.
-On the recruiting front, Tobias Harris is slated to announce his college decision on Thursday on ESPNU. Tobias previously said that he will sign during the fall 
period, but there is some thought he may commit now, then sign in the spring.
Syracuse, Tennessee, Louisville, West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and Kentucky are on his list, but Tennessee got a surprise visit from Tobias Tuesday night. Harris has said that he has not yet committed, but Bruce Pearl has to be feeling good with a visit so late in the game.
Harris is my personal favorite player in this class, so I’m disappointed to say that it’s not looking good for UK.
-The only other potential fall commit that we know of right now is Doron Lamb. Lamb recently surprised us by saying he would commit this fall, but hold off on signing until spring. We will keep you updated.
-Finally, we haven’t heard anything further about DeAndre Liggins. DeAndre warmed up with the team on Monday night, but did not see the floor. I think it’s a matter of time before he gets a chance, because he could be an x-factor for this team. Unfortunately, word is circulating that another player may be facing a suspension for a violation of team rules. We know little beyond that, but again, we’ll keep you updated.
Miami (OH) @ Kentucky Recap: The Legacy Of Wall Begins
By: Carl H | November 16th, 2009 | Category: CatsKentucky fans already have The Legend Of Cobb, and we were witnesses to a pretty decent first chapter to The Legacy Of Wall tonight.
Kentucky jumped out early and scored the first five points of the game, including another Patrick Patterson three (the second of his career). The Redhawks then built an 18-point lead aided by a 19-2 run as Kentucky went more than seven minutes without a field goal, until a Dodson three with 5:55 to go.
Flashes of VMI and BCG likely began running through many fans’ noggins.
Early, the Redhawks were shooting the lights out, almost literally. At one point more than halfway through the first half they were shooting 79% (mostly from downtown) and finished the half 10-of-16 (.625) from beyond the arc.
Orton looked aggressive and was moving well. Bledsoe was trying to do too much, basically dribbling strait into the defenders and generally just being careless with the basketball.
Wall was also shaky to start, but you can clearly see he has all the potential in the world. His length alone makes him a force on the defensive end of the court and he can get to the rim whenever he chooses. He also has the shiftability (think i just invented that word) to avoid charges and make ‘routine’ circus shots.
The Cats clawed back and eventually cut the Miami lead to three, but Nick Winbush hit his sixth three of the half (on his sixth attempt) to push it back to six. Dodson answered with his third three (on his third attempt) and the Cats finished the half on an 18-3 run to trail by three 39-36.
————— SECOND HALF —————
Kentucky came out playing much better defense in the second half but Miami countered by still hitting contested shots and the Cats helped them out with more sloppy play on the offensive end.
If you like offensive basketball, eventually you will enjoy watching this team. I’m not sure the shot clock went under 20 once the entire game when Kentucky had the ball.
Big Cuz, who had a terrible first game and a half, came out and dominated the game for a five minute stretch, starting at around the 15 minute mark — when Orton went to the locker room to get six stitches above his right eye from an accidental headbutt.
Wall got a breakaway jam with 7:57 to go to finally tie it up for the first time since it was 14 all with 13:32 to play in the first half.
Kentucky came out of the TV timeout and went underneath to Cousins who missed but stayed with it and finally got it to go on his second tip back. The Redhawks missed a three and Darius Miller got his first bucket since the first one of the game, hitting a three to give the Cats their biggest lead of the game at five.
Wall then fouled senior Kenny Hayes on a three point attempt, which of course he made to cut the lead to one. Cousins beasted it inside to push the lead the three, but Jeffersonville, Indiana’s own Antonio Ballard drained the Redhawks 13th three ball of the game to tie it at 59.
Winbush somehow got open and drained another three, his eighth, to give Miami a 65-63 lead with three minutes to play. Then following the final TV timeout, Patterson made two free throws, something Kentucky did not do well, just 14-of-24 (58%) for the game, to tie it up again at 65.
Wall penetrated and dished to Cousins who went strong to the hoop for an and-one with just under a minute and a half to play. The free throw wasn’t close and Charlie Coles called Miami’s final timeout with 1:15 to go and the Redhawks trailing 67-65.
The Cats locked em up on D and forced Miami’s Orlando Williams to take a running, floating jumpshot that wasn’t close. Then, as Calipari teams are known for doing, Kentucky sunk just one-of-two from the charity stripe to keep it a one possession game, 70-67.
Hayes then launched one from about 25 feet to tie it up with six seconds to play.
Enter John Wall. Wall pushed it up the floor and nailed the 12-foot pull up with a half second to go, allowing the Wildcats to escape 72-70.
Wall finished with 19 points, five assists, three steals and four turnovers. He was 4-of-9 from the field and 10-of-14 from the line.
Bledsoe had just two points on 1-of-5 shooting to go with four turnovers of his own. Patterson finished with 17 points and 10 boards, while Cousins also put up a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Nick Winbush finished with 26 points, six rebounds and three assists to lead the Redhawks.
I’m sure you’ll hear more about this one before Kentucky’s next contest on Thursday night against Sam Houston State in a warmup game for the Cancun Challenge.
