Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
How can you not be excited for that face?
In a not-very-surprising draft, the most surprising fact may be this: last night may help recruiting even more than 2010 did. Billy Mays, Ron Popeil, and the Sham-Wow guy couldn’t have advertised better for UK, even if they weren’t dead or getting arrested for beating up that prostitute. I don’t think there was a person watching who didn’t realize just how pervasive John Calipari’s influence has become on NBA Draft night. Even emcee Rece Davis noticed that “it’s all about Kentucky in this Draft.” But by far the most pleasant surprise for BBN was the second pick, which the Bobcats used to make the best decision they have in their short existence.
President of Basketball Operations (what other Operations do they have, exactly?) Rod Higgins said “We had a lot of conversations going, but at the end of the day we felt comfortable selecting Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He was our number one option and that’s the bottom line.” So there you have it. Can’t fault them for loving MKG like we do.
For all the guff many of us gave Charlotte (myself included), it was unbelievably exciting to see MKG drafted in that second spot. I take back what I said about not wanting to see him drafted there. Totally worth it. Our concern for his success may have been merited, but seeing his reaction when he heard his name called was enough to tell me that he’ll be alright. This guy can change even the most disappointed cultures, and he plans to get started right away. But to many of those who followed the pre-draft rumors, seeing MKG go second was actually one of the more surprising parts of an otherwise ho-hum draft. Many had him projected outside the top three, and if Charlotte traded the pick, Chad Ford had him slipping all the way to seven. But even though Chad Ford projected Charlotte and other teams probably would pass on him, doesn’t mean he thought they should. From his “Frenemy Mock Draft” with Bill Simmons:
FORD: With Charlotte’s no. 2 pick, I’m taking Michael Kidd-Gilchrist even though the Bobcats are probably trading this pick to Cleveland for no. 4 and no. 24. If they keep it, I think they’re taking Thomas Robinson. If the Cavs get the pick, they’re taking Bradley Beal. … Pair him with an elite scorer, and I think he’ll have a few rings by the time he retires. Do you agree with that?
SIMMONS: Chad, this pick makes so much sense that I can only assume you mistakenly thought MKG was Slovenian. Everyone keeps saying there’s no “sure thing” in this draft after Davis. Why isn’t MKG a sure thing? You know what you’re getting — he’s the most competitive guy in the draft, he’s an incredible athlete, his teams win everywhere he goes, he’s the prototypical über-athlete swing guy who can defend three positions, and he could absolutely be the second-best or third-best player on a title contender some day.
So while other programs were making questionable calls (my Cavaliers-fan friend is probably still drunk and crying this morning), Charlotte stepped up and made a good decision. When you need every position, the thing you really need most is a change in your attitude. Cal said it best: “When you get used to losing, you accept it. He’ll never get used to it.” And that is exactly why Jordan and Dunlap thought MKG was their guy. They need guys who expect to win, and work even harder when they don’t.
Now that the Draft is over and done with, and we know that MKG will be starting his career in Charlotte, what do we think? Is this the first step in turning around an otherwise forgettable team? Are our fears assuaged after seeing how excited MKG is to get started there? All I know is, I can’t wait to play NBA 2K13.
Stick around and talk about it all day; there will be no shortage of post-Draft discussion as we go through the morning/afternoon/weekend.
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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June 29th, 2012 at 9:09 am
Well, Jordan will love him. Same attitude.
June 29th, 2012 at 9:14 am
Absolutely love this pick. Henderson, MKG, and Bismack will form an ultra-athletic and versatile 2,3,4 lineup. Not completely sold on Kemba Walker, and we have no Center to speak of, but if we can shore up those spots (atleast Center) in free agency, we will be OK. With 2 1st-round picks next year, we could be very good in 2014. Bright future. Glad to have such a class act and overall great kid/player in Charlotte!
June 29th, 2012 at 9:17 am
Another nothing post. EVERY Kentucky fan in the world could write this from age 5 on up. Really…can’t we do better? Just a lazy opinion. Heck, I could get up and write about how I feel the heat will affect me today and it would be as stimulating as whether Corey is happy MKG is going to Charlotte.
Heck, he even changed his mind on that!
June 29th, 2012 at 9:20 am
2. Good post Will. You have more analysis in three sentences than Corey has in his ENTIRE piece. Glad you will have MKG down your way
June 29th, 2012 at 9:22 am
Nice story CorEy. Some folks are a little grumpy before their lumpy oatmeal in the morning.
June 29th, 2012 at 9:27 am
5. lol Al! At least it is oatmeal with BLUEberries.
June 29th, 2012 at 9:28 am
LOVE MKG AND WISH HIM THE BEST!!!
June 29th, 2012 at 9:31 am
Corey, this one’s all right. (Your last two were stinkers, though.)
June 29th, 2012 at 9:31 am
good luck to all the guys who were drafted, but it’s the nba so who cares
June 29th, 2012 at 9:40 am
Henderson is a free agent. Duh. So they will not have a big 3. Lol
June 29th, 2012 at 9:41 am
MKG the face of the Charlotte Bobcats organization
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/bobcats-splash
June 29th, 2012 at 9:42 am
JUST MADE MY SEASON TICKETS THAT MUCH MORE APPEALING!!!!
June 29th, 2012 at 10:00 am
4) Thanks.
10) Henderson is priority #1 to resign. Bobcats have more salary cap room than any other team in the NBA. Our GM, Rich Cho, has been on the radio recently talking about “making a splash” in free agency. We will resign Henderson and try to get a big-name center.
June 29th, 2012 at 10:38 am
Very happy for MKG and all the cats players! Good luck to all six!
June 29th, 2012 at 10:39 am
The Cats go #1 & #2 …an incredible night for BBN. Congratulations to all the former Wildcats! Didn’t someone say that MKG has only lost 4 games in his career? That says it all. MKG = winner
and the SEC goes 1,2,3 what about the big least?
I can’t wait for basketball season to start to see our next round of Superstars! GO CATS!
June 29th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Can we finally stop talking about the NBA now that this is over?
June 29th, 2012 at 10:51 am
2) Don’t forget they just acquired Ben Gordon too. I still think he has some good years left.
June 29th, 2012 at 10:57 am
16) If you enjoy UK basketball so much then you should be happy with all the NBA talk. Elite players want a shot at a professional career and UK gives them the best shot at it. The more NBA talk associated with the CATS, the more elite players we get now and in the future, and ultimately, more banners hanging. Not 9, not 10, not 11, not 12…..
June 29th, 2012 at 11:09 am
#8, don’t be fooled, Corey still sucks!
June 29th, 2012 at 11:11 am
As a UK basketball fan living in Charlotte,i am really excited about MKG becoming a Bobcat.And am glad i bought those season tickets so i can see him in action on the court.
MKG will do for the Bobcats what Lin has done for the knicks,and that is make them an exciting competitive team to watch.
June 29th, 2012 at 11:33 am
17) Yeah! I completely forgot about Ben Gordon. He can share time at the point w/ Kemba, or come off the bench and score in bunches.
20) Me too! I’m in Raleigh but still, I will try to make it to a few Bobcats games. They won me over with MKG. Can’t wait to see the MKG/Henderson combo.
July 1st, 2012 at 4:36 pm
At the very least this time you all admitted that you’ve changed your views. I don’t think anyone outside of the BBN can take this site seriously until you all start sticking to your guns and stop changing stories and opinions at the drop of a hat.