Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
Today marks the beginning of one of the more underrated events in sports, at least on the American side, the European Soccer Championships, otherwise known as Euro 2012. For the next month, every afternoon your television will be full of soccer and if you aren’t careful, you might actually get into it. It happened to me in 2004, when I lived in Washington DC and was just a block away from a local sports bar. There, every day at noon, the place would fill up with Europeans of whatever two countries were playing, to watch their teams in the tournament. IT was one of the more fun atmospheres I have ever seen in sports. Each day, individuals would show up dressed in their countries’ colors and flags, and proceed to get absolutely sloshed while watching their team. By the end of the game, the place was rowdy, fights were common and the excitement was palpable. When England lost to France on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals, I witnessed an all-out brawl between five fans, ending with an Englishman being dragged away crying, while his friend consoled him by saying, “it’s ok, he will never win in the end because we are ENGLISH!” The excitment may not be as great for you on your couch, but if you don’t work, have plans in the afternoon or friends who want to see you, turn the games on. I bet you like them.
Ten quick hitters from the day:
1. Today was the NBA Combine in Chicago and as usual, the Kentucky guys were the story. The six former Cats used the time as a reunion, with media reporting that they joked and laughed the entire day. Most everyone around the event suggested that Kentucky will certainly get 4 First round picks, will probably see 5, and may even see 6. If the latter happens, it will be the first time in the history of the league and yet another “Best Day in the History of Kentucky Basketball” (and yes, for those that say I never criticize Calipari, I have always thought that comment was ridiculous).
2. The winner of the day may have been Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who didn’t even actually participate in workouts. MKG met with the media and after telling him that he had missed them (I dont believe this one bit), he then charmed everyone by talking about his goals in the league. He said that he worried he would spend a lot of nights crying during the season if drafted by a losing team, but that he would nevertheless give maximum effort at all times. It is also worth nothing that everyone involved noticed what was already starting to show at the end of last season, mainly that MKG as a public speaker has improved exponentially. Kudos to him for overcoming some of his early struggles. A truly great kid.
3. Doron Lamb compared his game to NBA legends and said he planned on being a combination of Penny Hardaway and Paul Pierce. High standards for our man Doron, but we all should aim high, which is why everyday I am the radio equivalent of a combination of Chris Cross, Don Imus and the Car Talk dudes.
4. Anthony Davis is still really good and the media swarms him at every move. He came to the Combine wearing a shirt that said “Check My Stats”, which caused Thomas Robinson to say that if people checked the stats, Robinson would be the first pick. I love Thomas Robinson’s story, but my man needs to check himself before the Unibrow wrecks himself (one of Ice Cube’s best hits).
5. The wildcard in the draft at this point is Darius Miller. The Kentuckian is projected all over the place on NBA Draft boards, from a sneaky selection at 22nd in the First Round to a mid-Second Round pick. Chances are that Darius hovers around the end of the first/early second round and more than any other player, his slot might be determined by his workouts during the next month. Many teams are interested in him, including some of the best in the league, the Thunder, Spurs and Heat.
6. I am beyond tired of talking about UK-IU, but it is worth noting that we have another reason to tell IU fans to hush. If you have been around one of them the past few weeks, you have probably heard some form of “UK and Calipari are scared” in reference to the end of the series. Well today, Rick Pitino said that he had offered to play Indiana, and even go to play in Bloomington, but Tom Crean said no. So there you go…now everyone is scared.
7. This wont be surprising, but UK is apparently the hottest recruiting program int he land according to ESPN and Dave Telep. In an ESPN Insider article, Telep says that when it comes to buzz amongst recruits, Kentucky is far and away ahead. The combination of Calipari, the national title and the NBA Draft success, has Kentucky on the top of the most kids’ lists in the AAU circuit. While that is not in the least bit surprising considering UK has four straight #1 classes, like telling your wife that you still love her, it is always welcome.
8. Kentucky is not however the best job in College BB according to ESPN, as Eamonn (“wears his war wounds like a crown”) Brennan picks North Carolina for the honor. Brennan says that while UK and UNC are essentially tied, the older status of Rupp Arena puts the Cats’ job in second place. While I don’t agree with the conclusion (I still think UK’s fan base makes it the best), it isn’t an absurd conclusion. However the biggest selling point to UNC has always been the pros it produces and Michael Jordan. Kentucky is catching up and may soon pass this as well…one legit transcendant superstar (maybe Wall, maybe Davis?) and then UK is the clear choice.
9. We have talked a lot about the Thunder being in Lexington this summer, but I have one story about the time there that I love. I snuck in one day and watched the Thunder guys playing pickup against a group of UK guys, and amazingly, the UK guys won a number of games in a row. After the third straight victory, Marquis Teague looked at James Harden and Kevin Durant as they walked off the court and said, “We are UK, we don’t give no f***s.” Both guys laughed and Teague walked off with confidence. At that moment, I knew he had the toughness to lead the team…we are Kentucky and we don’t give no….
10. Finally, if you get some time, read this article. It was sent in by a reader today and is about a young woman who is a UK fan and deals with her emotions following being raped. UK basketball is mentioned a great deal and there is a connection with a former player that is also intriguing. Not your usual KSR blog fare, but worth your time.
We get started with the radio with Mike Pratt in the morning at 10. See you then
[powered by WordPress.]
Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
7 queries. 0.357 seconds
June 7th, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Matt, great to see you doing some work, again. I think you need to confront ‘ol Lachlan McLame
about all the IU-UK crap he’s been talking for over a month. He now needs to acknowledge that nobody is scared of anybody, and he is a butt-clown.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:27 pm
Why are ALL of my comments ALWAYS awaiting moderation? I didn’t curse, or say anything even remotely nrgative. Damn, I may as well move to communist China. Geez.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:35 pm
Great post on the Euro Cup! My DVR is set to record every match. I am one of the likely few KSR fans who loves soccer.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:36 pm
WE ARE UK WE DON’T GIVE NO FU**S
I Loooove it!
June 7th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Matt is right.
The UEFA (Euro) Cup is the best thing sport has to offer outside of the World Cup and NCAA Tourney. It’s like the World Cup, except with better overall quality in teams(Russia in, North Korea out). What it lacks in terms of scale and pomp (let’s face it; 50% of the World Cup is the party,,not that I’m complaining), it more than makes up for (well, almost) in skill on the pitch.
Hosts Poland & ’04 champs Greece get the party started tomorrow (noon, I believe, EST), and look out for Germany vs. Portugal on Saturday (promises to entertain with loads of attacking football), Spain vs. Italy on Sunday (offensive artistry on the pitch in the former versus defensive stinginess in the latter), and England vs. France (old world rivals..need I say more?) on Monday.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Not a good day to compare yourself to Paul Pierce.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
“There, every day at noon, the place would fill up with Europeans of whatever two countries were playing”
wild guess, but doubt this kind of thing will catch on in KY
June 7th, 2012 at 11:50 pm
Of course there are a lot of fights with soccer fans…they have to have something else to do other than watch some dudes run around a big field for a couple of hours, with an occassional ball in there somewhere…right there with watching golf and old people *^@!.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:50 pm
We… Dont… Give… No… F**ks
Please please please let this be a thing! Most bad ass funny as hell saying since big cuz said call me!
June 7th, 2012 at 11:51 pm
England lost to Portugal in Euro 2004
June 7th, 2012 at 11:55 pm
One legit transcendant superstar? How bout that ragin’ rajon character? No love?
June 7th, 2012 at 11:55 pm
Matt, you might not understand right now why Cal said it was “the best day in the history of kentucky basketball,” but when you’re looking back five years from now you will.
June 8th, 2012 at 12:00 am
Regarding the possible Mark Emmert news, if he leaves his post with the NCAA to go to LSU, would that not be interesting in and of itself?
Soccer is ruining my life.
June 8th, 2012 at 12:00 am
Im going to be honest…that article was difficult to read. I felt like a second grader reading a high school textbook.
June 8th, 2012 at 12:06 am
Love it that you mentioned Euro Cup!!! My son plays and loves soccer and loves KSR as well. Wish UK had a stronger soccer team.
June 8th, 2012 at 12:13 am
“We Are UK and We Don’t Give No F***s!”. -@MarquisTeague
June 8th, 2012 at 12:37 am
Matt, did Davis guard Durant at any point? and if so how did he fare? I wonder if he will be the only guy with the length and mobility in the NBA to even bother a jump shot from Durant, he’s looking unstoppable, or like there is no person in the league so far that can even think about slowing him down and I wonder is Davis can be that guy.
June 8th, 2012 at 12:42 am
WE ARE KENTUCKY! GO CATS!!
June 8th, 2012 at 12:47 am
That Teague comment was so great, can’t wait for Cal to drop the line next time some reporter is giving him shit. We Are UK Jerry Tipton, we don’t give no F()@#s !!
June 8th, 2012 at 12:48 am
Happy to see Matthew writing
June 8th, 2012 at 1:07 am
14. Aww sweetheart did you have a rough day at work?
June 8th, 2012 at 2:33 am
Didn’t Eamonn Brennan go to IU? I’m also ready for some Euro! People can hate on soccer all they want. It’s cool. Soccer is only the most played and most popular sport in the WORLD. I will trade Marquis right now straight up for his older bother Jeff who is PG of my Hawks. It’s 2:30 in the morning? When did that happen. Damn I got to up in about 4 and half hrs. I need to go check the locks on my snake cages since tonight was a feeding night. My white owls are burning kinda slow…. hootie hoo!!!!!
June 8th, 2012 at 6:19 am
Pitino running players off that get hurt. He would be sued in the working world for that. Players that are run off by the coaches should not have to sit out a year. As a matter of fact, their scholarship should still count against the team. That would stop this crap.
June 8th, 2012 at 6:34 am
BREAKING: LeBron is good.
June 8th, 2012 at 6:45 am
“we are Kentucky and we don’t give no f***s” is up there with my favorite quotes of all time
June 8th, 2012 at 7:34 am
Clearly, T-Rob has Unibrow nightmares.
June 8th, 2012 at 7:47 am
I’ve been seeing this for days now and just can’t hold my silence anymore. Why are we all so quick to forget the boys in blue that lost their scholarships when Cal came to town? I’m a huge UK fan, but man are we displaying a double standard when criticizing Pitino on that one. Matt Pilgrim, AJ Stewart, Kevin Galloway, and Donald Williams would like to have a word. All for picking on lil’ bro, but lets be fair guys.
June 8th, 2012 at 7:48 am
I HATE soccer. I want to vomit everytime ESPN forces the highlights down our throats. It may be the most popular sport in all the world, the third world. Please keep it there.
June 8th, 2012 at 7:55 am
27-Not quite the same. Cal didnt bring in the guys you mentioned. A previous coach(who shall go unnamed) did. Ricky P. brought in everyone he is showing the door. Now if Cal, asks Hood to leave, you are on to something.
June 8th, 2012 at 7:59 am
14 – I agree.
June 8th, 2012 at 8:06 am
29) I know it’s not the exact same scenario, and it’s definitely worse that they are Pitino’s own recruits he’s cutting. But it’s not that much of difference, young men still lost their scholarships and were told to go elsewhere. I’m not saying Cal was in the wrong, I’m just saying we shouldn’t be throwing stones in our house of glass.
June 8th, 2012 at 8:20 am
Soccer may be the most popular sport in the world, but that does not make it exciting to watch. As proven by the fact that people mostly talk about the fans/brawls more than the game. I tip my hat to the stamina it takes to play the game, but exciting it is not. I do rate it much higher than baseball, which is the epitome of a boring sport.
June 8th, 2012 at 8:24 am
31) – So you admit what Pitino is doing is worse. That is what most people are saying. I don’t recall anyone saying they really liked what Cal had to do. But he inherited a D II roster, that had to be upgraded immediately. Pitino created the roster he is now purging. There is a HUGE difference.
June 8th, 2012 at 8:27 am
Let’s see. UK with more titles than UNC with fewer pros. Now you do the math and tell me who is the #1 program.
June 8th, 2012 at 8:30 am
Typical lafty lib Matt Jones tryin to force soccer down our throats personaly I dont believe in know game you cant youse your hands its a bunch of socialist homos runnin round and fallin fakin hurt is all ive seed and i dont know why yuns think its so funny that teague swore we need to be witnessin to him some forgiveness I hope John Hood gets to play this year
June 8th, 2012 at 8:30 am
33) I just don’t see the “HUGE” difference. All human beings, all getting their scholarships cut for incoming recruits. Different scenarios, same results. Just because they’re less talented “DII players” (which is debatable with Stephan Van Treese being the player in question) they are less important? I’m not trying to be a debbie downer, I just don’t see how we can slam on Pitino for this one without looking like hypocrites.
June 8th, 2012 at 8:46 am
36) I agree with you that there is not a lot of difference between the two- a little, not a lot. The biggest difference is how the media is handling it- no criticism of Pitino. I guess C.L. Brown learned his lesson about criticizing Pitino. The article in the C-J yesterday was complete fluff. I have a co-worker who read the article and didn’t even understand that SVT was asked to leave.
June 8th, 2012 at 8:52 am
Now that, I 100% agree with. The national media ripped Cal for weeks when he cut those players. Pitino is getting a free pass because he’s Pitino. The media has always treated Kentucky and Calipari as a stigma, it’s disgusting and disgraceful. Too bad they can’t control who wins, #8 baby
June 8th, 2012 at 8:58 am
I would pay lots of American dollars for a t-shirt that says “We are UK and we don’t give no f*@%s!” – Marquis Teague
June 8th, 2012 at 9:16 am
cram it down the throat mixtape
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/03/crammed-down-the-throat-t_n_704961.html
June 8th, 2012 at 9:17 am
That comment from Marquis Teague deserves its own post. The media criticizes Cal and his one-and-done players, but, these players come in here and are really serious about playing for UK. It means a lot to them, they aren’t just biding time until the pros. They have a lot of pride in themselves and in UK. Teague’s attitude is the reason they won the championship. What a slogan.
June 8th, 2012 at 9:19 am
Lamb’s game reminds me more of Ray Allen.
June 8th, 2012 at 9:20 am
#39 I second that!
June 8th, 2012 at 9:51 am
This is stupid!!!Just because Rupp Arena makes it the 2nd best job in the country???How stupid!!!Smith Center isnt that newer by a considerable amount by any means…what maybe 6 or 7 years…Kentucky is the #1 job without question…
June 8th, 2012 at 9:52 am
Just because Rupp is older makes it the 2nd best job is what i meant (by that article)…stupid pc…lol..
June 8th, 2012 at 10:24 am
#8. So Rupp being old keeps KY at # 2. It still fills up with fans every game. Are you talking about jobs or venues? Lame analogy.
June 8th, 2012 at 10:26 am
I hope to see more posts about the Euro. It’s just like the World Cup, only with no bad teams. Match of the Tourny will be Holland vs. Germany.
June 8th, 2012 at 10:31 am
The “Big Blue Nights” article was one of the best things I’ve read in a long time. Thanks for sharing, Matt.
June 8th, 2012 at 11:43 am
Agree with 28.
June 8th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Lol 35, I think you need to learn how to ‘youse’ a dictionary.
June 8th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
…concerning UK being “scared” to play IU in Bloomington, they are probably afraid that if they lost in Bloomington, they could never never win the NCAA Championship in the same year…..Oh wait a minute, they did that last year…
June 8th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
#3 I scrolled through this first weekends games and have everyone set to my DVR. I am pumped! There are some great match ups in the first weekend too. Germany v Portugal. Italy v Spain I believe are two
June 8th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
The artical “Big Blu NIghts” linked to #10 on Matt’s list above is an outstanding piece of writing and one that every man should,in my opinion,read with reverence and respect.
June 8th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
I need to learn how to spell article…..reference #53. (and Blue)