Following last night’s embarrassing loss to Arkansas (really no other way to put it), I tried to digest it, find a silver lining and move on. I woke up today expecting to do just that, but the more I thought about that loss, and this season as a whole, the more angry I became. Angry, first, at players who don’t seem to enjoy playing together. The “offense”, an endearing term that would make James Naismith roll over in his grave if he knew I was calling what UK tries to run “offense” is a mess, and the defense from the front court is nothing short of an attempt to imitate wearing shoes made of concrete. Yeah, I was angry at a bunch of freshman who can’t seem to understand the sheer will and non-stop aggression, focus and hard work it takes to win at Kentucky, let alone the Division 1 level.

 

I was mad at those freshman until I started reading Coach Calipari’s post game comments. There he was, after another loss at Rupp Arena (mind you, we were one Randle putback from losing 3 straight at home), trying to downplay the various factors that caused us to lose. Calipari said a couple players quit (they did), but he also said some questionable things. He said he wasn’t worried about the free throws…a mere 15 minutes after his team shot 11-22 from the line while his opponent was a perfect 16-16. You’re saying free throws matter more to an unranked Arkansas team who was 7-7 in the SEC than they do to a team that started the season as the #1 team in the nation? Second, he said some guys played too long and were gassed, and that he was trying to make them understand they need to sub themselves out. Wait, what? What exactly are we paying Calipari to do on the sidelines? If the head coach isn’t subbing his players in and out based on their conditioning, who is?

 

 

 

http://therealsportsandstuff.com/2014/02/28/why-i-stopped-drinking-the-calipari-kool-aid/​

Talked it over with PP before posting it.

Now that is reasonable criticism. I agree with a few of his points but I still don't understand all the jumping ship all of a sudden.

Now that is reasonable criticism. I agree with a few of his points but I still don't understand all the jumping ship all of a sudden.

The same things were mentioned in my thin ice thread I made yet I was being unfair? Lol.

Funny how that works out.

The same things were mentioned in my thin ice thread I made yet I was being unfair? Lol.

Funny how that works out.

 

It's not unfair to say his team has underachieved this season and he deserves the blame. It's unfair to say his coach methods don't work when 23 months ago he won a national title. I will ask you the same question I asked in that thread, what would you go back and do differently?

If it's that painful I'm sure there is a bandwagon somewhere to jump on. Wait til Cal's gone then come back.

 

Enjoy life and don't take this so seriously...I'm a huge Kentucky fan and I get upset when they lose too, but I afraid some are going to give themselves ulcers getting this upset.

 

As a fan I know it's our right to complain, but let's wait til the season is over and see where this ends up. Kansas just lost their seventh game, you think Jayhawk fans are ready to fire Bill Self? Michigan St has seven losses...Izzo's out right? Duke has six losses including Notre Dame and Clemson...I guess Coach K has his house on the market? Syracuse has lost 3 of their last 4...Jimmy B has to go right?

The same things were mentioned in my thin ice thread I made yet I was being unfair? Lol.

Funny how that works out.

 

Your expectations are unfair. Many of these people bashing Cal were admiring him 2 years ago. It makes no sense all this animosity

It's not unfair to say his team has underachieved this season and he deserves the blame. It's unfair to say his coach methods don't work when 23 months ago he won a national title. I will ask you the same question I asked in that thread, what would you go back and do differently?

I answered it and I will answer it again. I love his recruiting etc. and AGAIN said I don't want any other coach here.

N

ow what would I do differently? I'd watch what I say because if what he says is what he believes then his priorities are really skewed.

1. Don't tell us that your #1 priority is to get as many kids to the NBA. That isn't his job.

 

2. Don't tell us that the teams free throws are not a concern when in reality most of the games they lost this year could have been avoided if they could make free throws.

 

3. Don't blame the p,ayers for not pulling themselves out of games on their own when that is the coaches responsibility.

 

I hope that answers your question.

 

He is a coach who was hired to Coach a college team. That should be his #1 priority period. That is what he is getting paid for.

If it's that painful I'm sure there is a bandwagon somewhere to jump on. Wait til Cal's gone then come back.

 

Enjoy life and don't take this so seriously...I'm a huge Kentucky fan and I get upset when they lose too, but I afraid some are going to give themselves ulcers getting this upset.

 

As a fan I know it's our right to complain, but let's wait til the season is over and see where this ends up. Kansas just lost their seventh game, you think Jayhawk fans are ready to fire Bill Self? Michigan St has seven losses...Izzo's out right? Duke has six losses including Notre Dame and Clemson...I guess Coach K has his house on the market? Syracuse has lost 3 of their last 4...Jimmy B has to go right?

 

Exactly, I get the frustration, I'm frustrated. If someone wants to say Cal acted like and idiot yesterday, fine. If they want to say he has underachieved with this team, fine. The same people complaining about too many one and done players will also say "I don't want them back".

Your expectations are unfair. Many of these people bashing Cal were admiring him 2 years ago. It makes no sense all this animosity

I admire him also and have since he got here. That doesn't mean I turn a blind eye when I see or hear things that raise concerns.

 

Raising concerns is not jumping ship. It is however revealing possible flaws in a coach that many hope changes for the better.

I answered it and I will answer it again. I love his recruiting etc. and AGAIN said I don't want any other coach here.

N

ow what would I do differently? I'd watch what I say because if what he says is what he believes then his priorities are really skewed.

1. Don't tell us that your #1 priority is to get as many kids to the NBA. That isn't his job.

 

2. Don't tell us that the teams free throws are not a concern when in reality most of the games they lost this year could have been avoided if they could make free throws.

 

3. Don't blame the p,ayers for not pulling themselves out of games on their own when that is the coaches responsibility.

 

I hope that answers your question.

 

He is a coach who was hired to Coach a college team. That should be his #1 priority period. That is what he is getting paid for.

 

Let me give you my take on all three points.

 

1. It's a recruiting pitch, plain and simple. However, if you get 5 guys drafted in the first round don't you think that means you had a successful season? So in a way it is his job. His job is to make the Kentucky basketball program it can be while playing within the rules. I can assure you that if you consistently get 3 to 5 guys in the first round of the NBA draft you will be successful more often than not.

 

2. I agree that free throws are important.

 

3. Ultimately everything is the coach's responsibiltiy but if a player is tired he should ask out.

 

But lets just say that he never said any of those three things, would UK's record be any different?

Let me give you my take on all three points.

 

1. It's a recruiting pitch, plain and simple. However, if you get 5 guys drafted in the first round don't you think that means you had a successful season? So in a way it is his job. His job is to make the Kentucky basketball program it can be while playing within the rules. I can assure you that if you consistently get 3 to 5 guys in the first round of the NBA draft you will be successful more often than not.

 

2. I agree that free throws are important.

 

3. Ultimately everything is the coach's responsibiltiy but if a player is tired he should ask out.

 

But lets just say that he never said any of those three things, would UK's record be any different?

Maybe not, the record could be the same. But then why say those things? If free throws matter then don't say they don't matter in public. What kind of message does that send to your players? What kind of message does saying "I hate the SEC tournament and think its a waste of time" send to the biggest supporters you have who take over the hosting city each and every year and paint it Blue because it is very important to them, the same ones who help make the program what it is and the money that fills your pockets.

 

What you say does leave an impression. He is a master motivator and is what I loved most about him. But lately he seems to really be saying some stupid stuff.

Maybe not, the record could be the same. But then why say those things? If free throws matter then don't say they don't matter in public. What kind of message does that send to your players? What kind of message does saying "I hate the SEC tournament and think its a waste of time" send to the biggest supporters you have who take over the hosting city each and every year and paint it Blue because it is very important to them, the same ones who help make the program what it is and the money that fills your pockets.

 

What you say does leave an impression. He is a master motivator and is what I loved most about him. But lately he seems to really be saying some stupid stuff.

 

Free Throws are 75% Mental, you think they would shoot team better if he was freaking out about them in every press conference. UK is hitting more FT's per game than any team in the SEC while shooting 68.6%, 3% better and they would be 3rd in the league

 

Cal has relented on the importance of the SEC tourney, he said he never thought it was important UNTIL he saw how much it meant to the fans.

Looks like the article was taken down.

Never mind, was a broken link: Why I Stopped Drinking The Calipari Kool-Aid | Sports! And Stuff