John Calipari with, from left, Kellan Grady, Keion Brooks and Lance Ware. (UK AthleticsPhoto)
If you think John Calipari has his swag and mojo back, I would say you are right. More importantly, ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg would agree and he knows the Kentucky coach very well.
I talked to Greenberg several weeks ago for my Kentucky preview for Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and he said Calipari was as excited as he has been in the last 10 years about a team.
“He likes his guys and loves being in the gym with them,” Greenberg said.
Greenberg thinks the return of Orlando Antigua to the coaching staff has added to Calipari’s mood.
“Coach Antigua is that guy who never has a bad day,” Greenberg said. “He is excited about this group, too, and that helps John.”
Kentucky was 9-16 last season, by far Calipari’s worst mark at Kentucky. Big Blue fans were visibly disappointed not only in the team’s record but the way the team played. Greenberg says all that took a toll on Calipari.
“John is so generous to everyone around him but is also so prideful,” the ESPN analyst said. “You don’t think last year was brutal for him. He wants to be special and wants his team to be special. He was more disappointed than any Kentucky fan last season. He’s put last year behind him but he’s not forgotten. He’s not going to have that happen again.”
14 Responses
Maybe this team will stand for the flag.
Wondering the same thing, LarryPup!
This was the most disappointing act, even above the abysmal record, for me last season. More disappointing was Cal’s backing them up instead of standing up and teaching these kids a lesson. I will still vigorously root for the team this year as I have for 50+ years but not for Cal. This is but one example of what is wrong with our country.
Except having a silent boycott to voice their displeasure regarding police brutality is one of the inalienable rights protected by our constitution. As a Marine Corps vet, I can tell you that enjoying and exercising those freedoms is the best way possible you can honor our fallen and our country. Because you don’t agree with their cause or opinion doesn’t give you the right to strip them of their rights. You’re welcome to your opinion, but don’t claim second amendment rights when your infringing upon someone’s first amendment rights.
Y’all missed The whole reason why those boys Neil they did Neil the disrespect the flag and our country they Neil for earth Black people to have the same rate as the white people but the only reason why people are mad because it Black people doing it but we love our countryWe just want to have the same rights as the next person and not be slaughtered like animals in the street
Shut tf up, You don’t have to agree with people to support them. He encouraged them to stand up for what they believe in or in this case kneel. If you don’t like it than don’t watch.
Better look out,here we come.goBigBlue
I don’t understand the comments on this article. Completely inappropriate.
Jim, what is inappropriate?
Is it not a fact that the team and coaches kneeled at the Florida game when the National Anthem was played? That is a fact and I think facts are completely appropriate!!!
I can tell you that this years team feels the same as last years. The fact is it’s none of you business. If you don’t like it, find a new team to cheer for. Duke would be good. More than likely they think like you.
Thanks Jim, just making a comment that I did not like what the team did at Florida last year.
Mark,
I don’t mean to sound so harsh. This country is in a bad place at this time. It all started after 2016. If we don’t put our petty differences behind us we are done. "United We Stand. Divided We Fall."
Jim,
Don’t mean to sound so harsh?
Telling me to root for PUKE – I consider the ultimate insult
“It is none of my business” – Again I was just asking if you remembered kneeling at the Florida game
Not wasting any more of my time debating you
I don’t get it. What do standing for the flag have to do with winning and loosing. I am a Marine and proud about it. I served for rights and freedom and even to this day I do not stand every time the flag raised.
Well, SO far, we have one (1) reader response that was ALMOST about basketball.
Here’s another:
Still wondering if we’ll have issues at the Five, but not so much at the One & Two.