Cal’s latest metaphor: the 100 lbs. coat

John Calipari loves himself some metaphors. Tonight, he trotted out his latest to explain what it’s like to play at Kentucky: the 100 lbs. coat:

“What these kids deal with to be here, to play here, to be a part of this program, they wear a 100 lbs. coat. What I mean by that is it starts with me. I am rough on them, I am tough on them, I am holding them to a high standard. I am like a hawk, I see everything. I’m coaching them the entire time. They’re getting better, it is not an option. You will get better. That’s me.

Then they’ve got this environment we live in here, which is like ridiculous. That’s another 20 pounds of the coat. Wait, what about the media? ‘They’re gonna win 45 straight, they can beat the 76ers, let’s vote on it’–what?? Then they’ve got their own clutter that’s around them individually that they have to deal with. That’s 100 pounds. The people coming, in the players have windbreakers. They’re loose as a goose, they’re just gonna go play, if I make shots, if I don’t, watch this. Every game we play–and I say this, if you’re not willing to wear the 100 lbs. coat, you don’t come here. You can’t come here because it’s not changing. I’m not changing, I don’t think our fans are changing. I really don’t think the media’s changing and the clutter around these kids, it’s all the same.”

100 lbs. coats, coming soon to The KSR Shop.