Online Now 518

The House of Blue

The home for all discussion on UK athletics

On this Board 326
Record: 3046 (4/11/2012)

Online now 583
Record: 6210 (3/13/2012)

Boards ▾

The House of Blue

The home for all discussion on UK athletics

The Paddock

The place to discuss general topics outside of Kentucky

UK Ticket Exchange

Buy, sell or swap tickets

Reply

The myth of UK Basketball

  • Forgive me if this link was posted elsewhere. I just finished reading a GREAT article by Coach Cal where he explains the "myth" that UK is simply a one-and-done factory or that Cal, himself, forces kids to the NBA. He really does a great job of explaining himself and his style. Basically, it all boils down to Cal being forced to play within the framework given to him by the NBA and the NCAA. He can either become the best within the one-and-done rule while it is in play (and push for it to change) or our program wouldn't keep getting better.

    Read it in his own words at this link if you haven't seen it. Great read:

    The great myth of our program - CoachCal.com

    As most of you are now aware, I don’t believe in the one-and-done rule. I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the student-athletes, the NCAA or the NBA. I personally think kids should have to stay two or three years.

    www.coachcal.com
    signature image

    Welcome the new generation of domination.

    Derek

  • I linked it in a different thread but it is deserving of its own. . . Very good read. . .

    signature image signature image signature image

    BG631 ●

  • I think the majority of "BBN" understands his stance. I don't know why this seems to be directed at the fans because I think the media is who label's UK and Cal's style as a NBA farm team. I also think he should bring up more often that Wall is coming back to school in the summer to finish his degree. Unfortunately for Cal if he uses Turner and Rondo as examples people will point out they aren't his players.

    I have no problem with the way he's running this program because when you morally consider the facts it would be wrong to hold these kids back from such an opportunity as to play in the NBA. I'm sure plenty will come to this thread talking about how it shouldn't be about money and and more about UK, blah, blah, blah. If my kid had the opportunity to go pro after one year and Cal thought it was in his best interest I would take his advice and decide with my son if that's what he wanted to do.

    This post was edited by Nate87 on 2/28/2012 at 10:59 PM

    signature image signature image signature image

    Nate87

  • Good read, and if he has a kid like MKG stay a year after Jones and Lamb both decided to come back, it's going to help erase that "He's a one-and-done coach" label.

    signature image

    E-mail: JDRUM@247SPORTS.COM Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JDrumUK

    Jeff Drummond

  • Jeff Drummond said...

    Good read, and if he has a kid like MKG stay a year after Jones and Lamb both decided to come back, it's going to help erase that "He's a one-and-done coach" label.

    Maybe with UK fans, though I agree it should. People hate Cal too much to accept anything that goes against their beliefs. It's quite ridiculous.

    signature image signature image signature image

    Nate87

  • As a comparison, in the 1960s, 1970s and really still now, exceptional baseball players were scouted (as early as 15-16 years old i.e. my brother), received letters from scouts and considered themselves fortunate to sign a contract out of high school. If a player wanted to get an education while playing and in the off season then they did so. Why is basketball any different?

    This post was edited by dkennedymd on 2/29/2012 at 2:35 AM

    dkennedymd

  • dkennedymd said...

    As a comparison, in the 1960s, 1970s and really still now, exceptional baseball players were scouted (as early as 15-16 years old i.e. my brother), received letters from scouts and considered themselves fortunate to sign a contract out of high school. If a player wanted to get an education while playing and in the off season then they did so. Why is basketball any different?

    Lol, good point

    signature image signature image signature image

    BG631 ●

  • The critics of one-and-done need to leave Cal alone and stop painting him as evil as a result of perfecting his recruiting as a result of the rule. The very elite HS players can no longer jump straight to the league. They have to go to school somewhere and Cal is willing to risk great turnover in his program every year in order to recruit the elite. He has done a masterful job. There is not another coach in the country, IMO, that can blend so much elite talent into a team that functions as an us and not a collection of me's. It is an incredible feat and one that deserves more praise.

    signature image signature image signature image

    "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." ~ Emerson

    alphacat93

  • People and media that are not familiar with Calipari/Kentucky tend to go with the argument that is easiest and requires the least amount of research.

    It's easy to label Cal as a cheater and UK as a one and done factory. It's not Calipari's rule, just the one that he's forced to operate by.

    I just think people are upset that he's been able to take the most advantage of that rule. Now if players weren't graduating and not going to school second semester, I could see a legitimate gripe there. But players are graduating and the team GPA is higher than it's been in some time.

    Plus, I find it hilarious when people pick and choose their battles of when to toot the 'purity of amatuerism' horn when talking about UK/one and dones/etc. while the NCAA does everything in its power to take advantage of these kids no matter how long they're on campus.

    Amateurism is about as outdated as rotary telephones.

    signature image

    Chris Fisher ●

  • Cal is a class act. Period.

    poliglotcat

Kentucky
247Sports
Features
Resources
Connect

247Sports In partnership with CBS Sports