The House of Blue

Honestly just thinking about the guys in that article it is so insane to me that it's even a debate as to whether or not Goodwin, Poythress, and WCS will be back next year. They simply are not NBA players, the guys that preceded them at UK were dominant in college and they are struggling. Teague and Lamb are going to struggle to stay in the league, same thing could happen to this years group if they aren't ready to make some kind of positive impact on the team they're drafted to.

I think there are two major misconceptions when it comes to the NBA. The first being that they will draft you JUST on potential. I think that only happens in spots in recent years, more the exception than the norm. I believe most guys are picked because teams see them as being able to help sooner rather than later. The second is that you can practice and get better in the NBA while getting paid so it's better than practicing in college. If you come into the NBA unready to make an impact it's a gamble. Teams will forget about you, you can get a stigma attached to you, or you can lose confidence from getting dominated all the time. College ball is on job training which I personally think is the best way to learn and get better. Again though it's just almost impossible to imagine passing up the guaranteed money on the table. Nerlens Noel wasn't a double-double guy in college but he's projected top 3 so how do you pass it up? I think Barkley is right, the only way is to make it to where the kids can make some money in college while getting better prepared for the trade they will be doing for the rest of their lives. Of course that opens a whole other can of worms about how you can pay college kids but it does seem like it would be beneficial for them.

I think Nerlens and Goodwin are gone. Nerlens more of a protection play while Arch just seems to think he is ready, he isn't. I understood everyone leaving last year except Teague he would have really excelled with one more year

I like this post if for no other reason than reaching into your bag and pulling out a Joseph Forte mention, such a random selection, haha. Good post.

I think WCS may buck the trend. Seems like an interesting and kind of off beat guy. He also wasn't as ballyhoo'd and I don't think he is as spoiled.

As to Archie, I like him as an NBA prospect, but I think if he comes out now he may only be a one contract guy. Has so much to work on in his game and he is at the easiest of all positions to get lost in the shuffle.

I wish there was a way to make kids stay 3 years unless they had a lottery guarantee.

Maybe Cal can't do it every single year, but at least for next year he has enough talent coming in that we needn't worry our sweet little heads about what this crew does. IMO it's not a great draft year. I won't be at all surprised when some very marginal players go fairly early. This year's left-overs will provide a bigger/better bench than Cal likes to use anyhow. No need to fret about our talent/depth.

UK has one commitment for next season from a Ky kid who'll be around a while. He'll also offer, and get, the kid from Madison Central and one other Ky kid in next year's class. He can kill two birds by bringing in some Ky kids, which will please most of us, and get some players he can use in roles for 4years or so. Smart.