Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
Last night, Matt dedicated the Monday News and Views to “Skydiving With The Army.” Tonight, I’m dedicating the Tuesday News and Views to the parachute. It’s just my way of saying thanks in advance for what the device will be doing for us early Tuesday morning.
The word “parachute” comes from the French prefix paracete, originally from the Greek, meaning to protect against, and chute, the French word for “fall.” It was originally coined as a hybrid word, which meant “that which protects against a fall,” by the French aeronaut François Blanchard in 1785. That is what Wikipedia says. But to me, the word “parachute” has a different meaning, at least for the next 12 hours. It means “Please open up without complication and get me to the ground safely.”
We’re leaving Louisville at 6:30 a.m. to meet up with the Army’s “Golden Knights” skydiving team at Fort Knox. After a brief class, a few prayers and a couple phone calls to our loved ones, we’ll jump from 13,500 feet and land just as the radio show begins at 10:00 a.m. The plan is for Matt and I to both be on the radio show, assuming our good friend parachute allows us to do so. It’s going to play a pretty big role in our morning.
News. Views.
Terrence Jones worked out for his third team on Monday when he joined five other prospects in a workout with the Golden State Warriors. Afterwards, Jones said, “ I think it went real well. I think everybody got after it, it was real competitive. I think it was a great workout.”
Jones also told the San Jose Mercury News that he’s comfortable playing both forward spots and “it doesn’t matter” if he’s drafted to play the three-spot. If that’s where he plays, he’ll have to go up against guys like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, but he’s ready for the challenge.
“I think I have the potential to get up there to those players,” he said. “Those are great players. Hopefully getting into the NBA and working on my skills, I think I can get there.”
Jones couldn’t get away from the California media on Monday without answering a question about his disappearance in the Indiana game. When asked if NBA personnel has brought his performance in Assembly Hall up in interviews, Jones said, “Not too much. I think I really tried to work on that at the end of the season, throughout both tournaments and just tried to compete at the highest level to help my team win a national championship. I think that’s what I accomplished.
As if we haven’t seen enough lists and projections for the NBA Draft, DIME Magazine ranked the top shooters in the draft and Doron Lamb came in at No. 3 on the list.
3. DORON LAMB
Sometimes lost in the flood of talent outpouring from Kentucky in this year’s draft is Doron Lamb. After two years for the defending national champions, he leaves with a career average of 13.1 points, aided by his 1.8 treys per game. His shooting percentages are what really stick out as he shot 49 percent from the field, an absurd 48 percent from behind the arc, and 81 percent from the free-throw line. Lamb’s role at the next level will be a strict floor spreader. His inability to see the floor along with his lack of size will restrict him from making a major impact. Nonetheless, expect to see Lamb get drafted sometime late in the first round.
Vanderbilt’s John Jenkins took the spot spot ahead of Florida’s Brad Beal and then Lamb.
If you were upset by the talk of Michael Jordan not being sold on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Adam Morrison. Kwame Brown.
And MJ isn’t the only NBA personnel that isn’t impressed with the MKG, one anonymous scout told Larry Vaught that the draft’s youngest player isn’t as good as people believe:
”MKG is a good defensive player, but he isn’t as good as people believe. Having Davis camped around the rim allowed players to play defense in a way which minimized their weaknesses,” he said.
He added, “In reality, the Kentucky system is smoke and mirrors. I remember being out in Vegas for a Summer League and I was sitting and watching games with a long-time Director of Scouting in the league. He said he was stunned at how unprepared Kentucky players were for the NBA, and he had drafted one of them.”
So if the system is smoke and mirrors, why did Kentucky win the title this past season? And why are so many young Wildcats doing well in the pros?
Congratulations to the final five semifinalists for the KSTV Casting Call! After a week of fan voting, Joshua Hensley, Chris Labar, Drew Johnson, Jonathan Martin and Anthony Bersaglia are moving on to join the ten semifinalists that were handpicked by the cn|2 staff in the round of 15.
I’ll leave you with a photo of Alex Poythress and a young Cats fan.
[powered by WordPress.]
Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
29 queries. 4.465 seconds
June 11th, 2012 at 11:56 pm
It’s the first time I’ve heard that criticism, and it’s a total non sequitor. Having lots of talent means the occasional misstep can be caught and fixed more often than on a crappy team. That doesn’t say anything about a “system,” that’s just what happens when you put a bunch of really talented athletes together. Structuring your playstyle around the talent you have and don’t have…well, that’s what every coach does.
That’s not smoke-and-mirrors, that’s just coaching. Good coaching, actually. And it’s not unique to Cal.
Indeed, you could take the exact same observations and reach the opposite conclusion: Cal teaches players their role and coaches them not to play above or below it, and his players respond. They also learn to play both individually and as a team in a way in which the weaknesses in their games aren’t exploited. But they continue to take advantage of their strengths.
That’s just being a good player.
Once you actually look at the criticism, you realize there’s no substance behind it. You might say it’s smoke and mirrors.
June 11th, 2012 at 11:56 pm
I’ll trade “smoke & mirrors” for a title all day long. Besides, the UK pros seem to be holding their own in the Association.
June 11th, 2012 at 11:59 pm
Go Jon Martin! I guarentee no one in the competition is more enthusiastic about UK sports.
June 12th, 2012 at 12:04 am
On more thought
Want to know who the ultimate smoke and mirrors team is? Duke. Coach K runs a very deliberate system that plays to the team’s strengths (white guys shooting 3′s) while minimizing exposure to flaws (great help system covers up the horrible one-on-one defensive abilities, never giving it to the post because post players can’t play offense, etc.).
It works, too, as you can tell by Duke’s tradition of taking in solid talent, sending it out 4 years later having not actually improved as overall basketball players in any discernable way. The smoke and mirrors comes in when those players command lofty draft picks and, with few exceptions, universally fail to justify their selection.
June 12th, 2012 at 12:14 am
I think that it’s absurd to credit Anthony Davis for the amazing defense of MKG. He is one of the most intense defenders I’ve ever seen! Think about how frustrating it must to have been to face those two. Teams were lucking to get in the paint, but when they did most of their shots were forced because MKG was all over them! Made it even easier for Davis to get those blocks!
June 12th, 2012 at 12:15 am
Your not jumping from 35 thousand feet unless you have a pressurized suit or bottled oxygen. I guess your with the army, so who knows, but I’m guessing your jumping from about 10k. Regardless, good for you guys. I’ve done it once and it truly is the experience of a lifetime. Im already anticipating your post telling us how awesome it was.
June 12th, 2012 at 12:26 am
While I think MKG could’ve improved his game if he came back – particularly his jump shooting – why do people ignore how much each of our stars sacrificed? MKG could’ve scored more, but focused on D. Yes, he and others could gamble more with Davis behind them, but if there’s one guy in this draft you don’t want to underestimate, it’s MKG.
We had the most balanced scoring in the country. It wasn’t because our guys were covering up each other; it was because all of them were good and Cal got them to buy into putting the team first, unlike, say, guys like Austin Rivers at Duke.
June 12th, 2012 at 12:55 am
1 f*cking great comment, ser.
June 12th, 2012 at 1:47 am
Could the team be saying that about MKG in hopes that he falls in the draft to say #5?
June 12th, 2012 at 5:19 am
He said 13.5k, not 35k. A typical first jump is at about 10k, but 13.5 isn’t unreasonable.
June 12th, 2012 at 5:21 am
help…can’t sleep
June 12th, 2012 at 6:35 am
in reference to these type quotes:
“MKG is not a good player and NBA Personnel aren’t impressed”
Then change the godd-damn rule to force them to stay in college 3 years ass-holes!
June 12th, 2012 at 6:42 am
MKG will tear it up in the NBA. Hatin’ scouts.
Drew has some burly Sgt strappin his junk to his back. Gross. I hope Drew washes his back when he gets down.
June 12th, 2012 at 6:43 am
MJ has proven time and again that he may have been the best player to every play the game but one of the worst executives. It should help MKG’s draft stock that MJ wasn’t impressed, given MJ’s history of what he sees as “elite” talent. Good Luck with the jump. Remember that Johnny Utah was an actor and in no way should you try to be a similar bada$$. We need the website to live on.
June 12th, 2012 at 7:12 am
Brad Beal is ranked ahead of Lamb on that “Top Shooters” list… I don’t care how perfect his mechanics are, he shot 34% last year!
June 12th, 2012 at 7:12 am
Everyone’s entitled to his opinion. Funny thing about opinions, though. They can be disasterously wrong. Here’s one of my faves:
“We don’t like their sound, and guitar groups are on the way out.” – Decca Records, 1962, in refusing to sign the Beatles.
oops
June 12th, 2012 at 7:12 am
Even if there were 87 billion different universes, Bradley Beal wouldn’t be a better shooter than Doron Lamb in any of them. No way. No how. He might have the potential to be a better shooter, but as of right now, it’s laughable.
June 12th, 2012 at 8:14 am
16 OF 17….THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE INDIANA ALL-STARS HAVE BEATEN THE KENTUCKY ALL-STARS. THE ENTIRE STATE OF KENTUCKY IS NO LONGER RELEVANT. YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO STEP FOOT IN THE HOOSIER STATE WITH YOUR GARBAGE BASKETBALL PLAYERS. I THOUGHT YOU WERE A BASKETBALL STATE!?!?!?!?!
June 12th, 2012 at 8:19 am
Fly Safely! Hope you guys didn’t see this vid. before you left this AM about US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team accident (WARNING: not for the squeamish):
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6fa_1197189816
June 12th, 2012 at 8:22 am
Jabbar, Jordon, Magic, and Bird, without a doubt were the 4 greatest NBA players in history. Bird isn’t a owner, but by far he’s one of the best in recognizing talent, Jordon was great at being a player but honestly his choices at being an owner has the same resemblance as trying to force a round peg in a square hole.
As for smoke and mirrors of Cal’s coaching…..REALLY? This scout must be from Orlando with their drafting of D.O. is all I can think of who maybe a bust in the league.
June 12th, 2012 at 8:26 am
18) 15 of 19..THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE KENTUCKY WILDCATS HAVE BEATEN THE INDIANA HOOSIERMAMAS. THE ENTIRE STATE OF INDIANA IS NO LONGER RELEVANT. YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO STEP FOOT IN BLUEGRASS WITH YOUR SLOW LITTLE STRIPED PANT CORN EATING DEBBIE GIBSON LISTENING JUSTIN BIEBER LOOKING BASKETBALL TEAM. YOU’RE NO LONGER A BASKETBALL STATE…CORNHOLE IS YOUR NEW OFFICIAL SPORT.
June 12th, 2012 at 8:28 am
Beal will be a better player at the next level, but Lamb is pound-for-pound a more pure shooter.
June 12th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Good luck at 30,000 feet with a chute…10,000 in a sailplane is tricky w/o a oxy/msk…nice move with the paid ad at top if you wish to annoy 2/3s of the population plus Cal… political ads???
June 12th, 2012 at 8:49 am
#20, those four were Better than this guy: Bill Russell, Boston Celtics 11× NBA Champion (1957, 1959–1966, 1968–1969)
5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961–1963, 1965)
5× NBA rebounding champion (1957–1959, 1964–1965)
12× NBA All-Star (1958–1969)
3× All-NBA First Team (1959, 1963, 1965)
8× All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968)
June 12th, 2012 at 8:52 am
And, if the chute fails to open, there will be a gigantic safety net on the ground to catch you…..right?……right?
June 12th, 2012 at 8:52 am
23- I could be completely wrong, but I think that the types of ads that appear are specific to you. They are all based on your internet history. So not everyone sees the same thing you do.
June 12th, 2012 at 9:16 am
Someone needs to tell Terrence you don’t work to get to the level that Lebron James & Kevin Durant are at, you’re just born that way. It’s nice to know he believes that hard work will some day put him in the same class of players, but that’s not how it works. You can work hard all day Terrence, bottom line is, you’ll never be that good.
June 12th, 2012 at 9:26 am
Oh brother on the smoke and mirrors comment. A team that young doesn’t hang Banner#8 using smoke and mirrors. Haters all.
Go Doron & T. Jones! Actually for all 6 of these guys, it’s all about the team they go to and the opportunity they’re given. I surely didn’t think Bledsoe was ready and he’s done quite well for himself. Jorts is doing well also. Please don’t sell these guys short.
Have a great jump, Drew!
June 12th, 2012 at 9:29 am
That wasn’t what I was talking about 24, He was also a player coach if memory serves me correct for Boston. He and Chamberlain had great battles in the pros. What I was talking about being an owner, GM, or other front office positions after their playing days were over. By the way Russel also had two NCAA championships in a row while at the University of San Francisco if your counting.
LMAO 25, that best be one bigassed net for that melon of MJ’s.
June 12th, 2012 at 9:29 am
I recall when a person jumping from a plane hit the ground a couple of miles from my home without the benefit of his parachute, or his backup chute, successfully opening. Story was that the problem was that whoever packed the things didn’t follow proper procedure. Because of that, the gentleman met his end and taught me the foolishness of jumping from a perfectly good airplane when it is not absolutely necessary. Especially when you are betting your life on a couple of pieces of cloth that may or may not get you safely to the ground.
June 12th, 2012 at 9:35 am
#26 Thanks much and I believe in hindsight you are correct. My apologies to all and correction is appreciated!
June 12th, 2012 at 9:40 am
And the smoke and mirrors guy is making these comments based on his memories from Vegas Summer league. That league didn’t happen last year, which means that assuming he means the Calipari Era, he is only talking about one season, with John Wall, Boogie, PPat, Bledsoe and Orton. I think Orton was hurt, so he’s out. I gotta think PPat represents preparedness extremely well, even when he is doing something for the first time. So his smoke and mirrors is talking about how well freshmen Wall, Boogie and Bledsoe were prepared for the pros, after one season in which the coach was installing a new system at the school. I can live with that kind of criticism.
June 12th, 2012 at 9:46 am
I’ve jumped out of a plane a few times. In fact, the first time I ever got into a plane I jumped out of it. Having said that, you’ll get three primal emotions…fear when you step to the door (we had to hang from the wing of the plane for about 10 seconds), the intense rush of falling thru the sky, & finally sublime contentment when you’re floating down to the ground. Gives you perspective. Queue up some Pink Floyd in your mental IPod & enjoy the ride.
June 12th, 2012 at 9:47 am
I’m “not sold” on Michael Jordan making personnel decisions for an NBA franchise either, so we’re even.
June 12th, 2012 at 11:48 am
Jordan was a helluva basketball player, but a cesspit of a human being. Nothing would make me happier than to see him take Harrison Barnes and watch him flame out. I hope MKG is able to avoid that Bobcat train wreck.
June 12th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
I guess Michael Jordan missed the North Carolina at Kentucky game last year when MKG scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against his beloved Tarheels?