Was Jodie Meeks the Missing Piece of the Puzzle?

Here's a little piece I put together last night. I thought it would make good discussion board fodder:

I will not blame everything on outside shooting but facts are facts: in Kentucky's three losses in the 2009-10 season, they were a combined 9-66 (13.6%) from beyond the 3-point line.

While shooting was not the sole reason for the losses, it was surely a key factor.

1/26 South Carolina L 68-62 3-12 (25.0%)
2/27 Tennessee L 74-65 2-22 (9.1%)
3/27 West Virginia L 73-66 4-32 (12.5%)

Last season, Jodie Meeks was an All-American on a not-so-great Kentucky team. Meeks and Patrick Patterson were essentially Kentucky's offensive weapons a year ago and Meeks was the sole threat from long range.

In a season that included a 54-point outburst by Meeks at Tennessee, the Kentucky gunner was 177-459 (38.6%) from long range. He hit 5 or more 3-pointers in 8 games, including 10 against the Volunteers.

After the season, one that was marred by controversy and a growing sense of hatred between former coach Billy Gillispie and his players, Meeks decided he had been through enough at Kentucky and opted to enter the NBA Draft.

Meeks was drafted in the second round (#41 overall) in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.

He was traded to Philadelphia during the season and has averaged 3.7 points and 0.5 assists during his rookie campaign. His 2010 salary is $650,000.

In hindsight, one has to wonder if the best decision for Kentucky (and Meeks) would have been a return for Meeks' senior season.

Sure, there are unknowns such as team chemistry, everyone buying into playing time and how John Calipari would have managed the team with another All-American on the roster. That being said, however, one can only assume that Meeks would have been a tremendous asset in the Kentucky lineup.

A shooter of his caliber would have surely ruined some of the zone defenses that hampered Kentucky's style this season - such as the West Virginia 1-3-1 and the Tennessee 2-3.

We will never know how it would've, could've and should've turned out, but we have to wonder if Meeks was the missing piece of the Final Four puzzle for the Kentucky Wildcats.

What say you? Was Meeks the piece that would've led to number 8 or would it have actually had a reverse effect and led to more losses?

He wouldn't have hurt them that's forsure.

Originally Posted by Wireman

What say you? Was Meeks the piece that would've led to number 8 or would it have actually had a reverse effect and led to more losses?

I think he would have helped but then Big Cuz numbers would have gone done as would have PP and J Wall.

I think Meeks would've brought #8 to UK.

Cousins would've dropped some but not much.

Dodson would not have been on the team IMO had Meeks stayed and Bledsoe wouldn't be in discussion for a 1 and doner, due to limited playing time.

Patterson would've still been a factor.

Miller would've lost some minutes but contributed defensively.

Bledsoe, Milller and Dodson were the beneficiaries of Meeks leaving.

I couldn't possibly begin to answer or discuss your question intelligently.

I did want to point out that this may be the oddest thing I've ever seen, though:

1/26 South Carolina L 68-62 3-12 (25.0%)
2/27 Tennessee L 74-65 2-22 (9.1%)
3/27 West Virginia L 73-66 4-32 (12.5%)

Each loss was one exactly month from the last.

How weird is that?

Jodie Meeks was absolutely the missing piece. I had this discussion the other day at work with the guys about the "what if". If he would have stayed I honestly believe that Kentucky would be getting #8 this weekend! However, we will never know.

Honestly if Meeks would have stayed I think they go undefeated and win it all.

I think we struggled at the 3 position all season for the most part. It would've been nice to plug an all-american in there...

Hadn't thought about before now, but I agree. Meeks would have been the missing piece.

Or Xavier Henry...

Meeks' upper-classman maturity and leadership must be considered, as well...

So would Meeks have started at the 3?

Yesterday I posted this same thought:

One "what if" for this team will always be:

What if Meeks had stayed for his Senior season?

His shot would have filled deficiencies this team had on the perimeter and we would perhaps be flirting with a "Greatest of All Time" discussion.

Oh, well; coulda, woulda, shoulda.

I'm just going to smile and remember how great it really was.

On this thread: http://www.bluegrasspreps.com/showthread.php?t=202610

To be honest, this is the question I've asked all year.

Originally Posted by bigblueinsanity

So would Meeks have started at the 3?

Not sure if he would've started at the 3 or if he would've taken Bledsoe's spot as a starter.

What if Oden and company had stayed at Ohio State???? What if............

I could've seen Meeks at the 3 position. Either way, he would have started. Didn't Calapai once say that if Meeks were too stay that he would make him a lottery pick?

Originally Posted by History

What if Oden and company had stayed at Ohio State???? What if............

Sounds like a good thread, you should start it.

Originally Posted by History

What if Oden and company had stayed at Ohio State???? What if............

I guess we can expect all sorts of these comments.

Originally Posted by History

What if Oden and company had stayed at Ohio State???? What if............

Oden was one of the best big men in college basketball and was taken #1 in the NBA Draft.

Jodie Meeks was a very good college basketball player, whom some thought would go undrafted. Huge difference.