April 6, 201610 yr Agreed! Most folks I have heard are saying they are glad he's gone, he sucked anyways, he sucked in college, etc. I get that he was a disappointment but the discontent for him from some UK fans I have seen rubs me the wrong way. If he was a disappointment I'd think folks would want him to stay instead of having the attitude that he sucked in one year so he's worthless/good riddance. Just bothers me for some reason. Bothers me too. It's a microcosm of today's "win now" approach, I suppose. I'd love for Skal to stay in Lexington and I'd love to watch him develop over the next 2-3 years. I realize that's not going to happen, and I don't blame the kid. That's the nature of the beast under the current rules. But I don't understand the disdain and the urgency to push these kids out after 6 months if/when they're not immediately dominant.
April 6, 201610 yr Bothers me too. It's a microcosm of today's "win now" approach, I suppose. I'd love for Skal to stay in Lexington and I'd love to watch him develop over the next 2-3 years. I realize that's not going to happen, and I don't blame the kid. That's the nature of the beast under the current rules. But I don't understand the disdain and the urgency to push these kids out after 6 months if/when they're not immediately dominant. Me either. I'll always feel like Skal deserved better from some of those "UK fans."
April 6, 201610 yr I could be 100% wrong, but I believe most of the disdain came from the school of thought that correlates softness with lacking a competitive heart. And we all know BBN expects their players, if nothing else, to be warriors. Think most fail to realize, Skal just hasn't played enough basketball for his instincts to take over and get him to the right position ready and expecting the ball when it comes his way. Often heard fans observe he was a " lost ball in high weeds" or "he looks like a deer in headlights". I think a year in D league will do more for him, than another year at UK. But, the 2nd contract will tell us all a lot!
April 6, 201610 yr Agreed! Most folks I have heard are saying they are glad he's gone, he sucked anyways, he sucked in college, etc. I get that he was a disappointment but the discontent for him from some UK fans I have seen rubs me the wrong way. If he was a disappointment I'd think folks would want him to stay instead of having the attitude that he sucked in one year so he's worthless/good riddance. Just bothers me for some reason. Unfortunately there are far too many in this fan base that are so focused on moving on to the next thing. That's why in January a lot of fans were already so focused on how good the 2016-2017 team would be, instead of enjoying the current ride.
April 6, 201610 yr But I don't understand the disdain and the urgency to push these kids out after 6 months if/when they're not immediately dominant. I don't agree with it, but it's because if every kid isn't immediately John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, or Karl Anthony-Towns, they want them to just get on out of Lexington to free up scholarships for the next group to come in. And that's a real shame. If you aren't completely elite, then you're almost better just being good. No expectations and the fans don't want to force you out. Willie Cauley-Stein probably had the best case scenario with all that. Wasn't elite, didn't really have any expectations but had a high ceiling.
April 6, 201610 yr If Skal stayed at Kentucky for 3 years, he could be Willie Cauley-Stein (with a jumper).
April 6, 201610 yr He would have been better served for the longevity of his career to remain at UK and develop his size and strength. However doing this is "betting on yourself" as he will get paid right now, however I don't see him ever getting that second contract.
April 6, 201610 yr He would have been better served for the longevity of his career to remain at UK and develop his size and strength. However doing this is "betting on yourself" as he will get paid right now, however I don't see him ever getting that second contract. He's got unlimited time to do just that now, while making millions. He comes back to Kentucky, he has a limited amount of time to dedicate to basketball, not to mention the risk of not developing his game or injury that ends any shot at $$. I honestly just don't understand, outside of Kentucky fandom reasons, how anyone can think this is the wrong decision. His game will translate well if he can simply add strength. Can make a long career running that pick and pop game in the NBA off the bench.
April 6, 201610 yr He's got unlimited time to do just that now, while making millions. He comes back to Kentucky, he has a limited amount of time to dedicate to basketball, not to mention the risk of not developing his game or injury that ends any shot at $$. I honestly just don't understand, outside of Kentucky fandom reasons, how anyone can think this is the wrong decision. His game will translate well if he can simply add strength. Can make a long career running that pick and pop game in the NBA off the bench. Mine isn't UK fandom, it my opinion. I don't know much about the "D League", I am sure they have great coaches, a great strength coach, and nutritionist and cooks that make sure he has the right diet to gain and maintain weight. I am sure the D league also offers the pressures of playing in front of big crowds in large venues in pressure packed situations. My thoughts (and I might be way out of line) are that once you turn pro, everything is now on you to improve and develop...In college it's on the coach...Some kids aren't ready for it to be on them at 19.
April 6, 201610 yr Mine isn't UK fandom, it my opinion. I don't know much about the "D League", I am sure they have great coaches, a great strength coach, and nutritionist and cooks that make sure he has the right diet to gain and maintain weight. I am sure the D league also offers the pressures of playing in front of big crowds in large venues in pressure packed situations. My thoughts (and I might be way out of line) are that once you turn pro, everything is now on you to improve and develop...In college it's on the coach...Some kids aren't ready for it to be on them at 19. It doesn't matter who it's on if the development doesn't happen after 2-3 more years of college.
April 6, 201610 yr I fault the system that is in place. They kids are only kids once. They should be required to say in college for at least 2 and maybe even 3 years or until age 21. That's just my opinion of course. Under the current system, he has to go.
April 6, 201610 yr It doesn't matter who it's on if the development doesn't happen after 2-3 more years of college. That's why in my original comment, I said to stay is betting on yourself...I don't blame him for cashing in... Skal is in a similar situation IMO as James Young...
April 6, 201610 yr I fault the system that is in place. They kids are only kids once. They should be required to say in college for at least 2 and maybe even 3 years or until age 21. That's just my opinion of course. Under the current system, he has to go. Under the current system, you are correct in that he has, or at least should go at this time. There should be 0 requirement for going to college though. If Skal thought he was ready last year then may God bless him on his journey. Big money college sports is the only profession we deem it a requirement to go to college to gain experience in a supposed "extra curricular" before being allowed to pursue your "extra curricular" as a career.
April 6, 201610 yr There should be 0 requirement for going to college though. If Skal thought he was ready last year then may God bless him on his journey. Exactly. Requiring these kids to go to college for a year (or at all) is stupid, IMO. If they are ready or want to go to the NBA straight out of high school, they should be allowed to.
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