John Calipari had a lot on his mind after Friday's win. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Everyone, including the media, loves Swaggy Cal. He will take his seat at the postgame press conference table, smile, survey the room, and usually have a comment for a member of the media. This is the Coach Cal that would be expected after an exhibition win in which five players scored in double figures, the team had a combined 20 assists and a shooting percentage of 59. This was not the case. Swaggy Cal was nowhere to be found after the 95-73 win over Kentucky Wesleyan Friday night.
At first, I thought it looked like a tired Cal, which seems impossible since the season has yet to begin. Then I realized the Cal sitting at the table was “Thinking Cal.”
TAKEAWAYS FROM POSTGAME
When asked about Keion Brooks stepping up and jump-starting the game Calipari stated, “He played good.”
Then immediately his praise for Davion Mintz poured out. “I think Davion fought. I love what I saw from Davion today.”
Mintz was 5-for-10 from the floor and 1-for-5 from behind the arc. “Davion helped himself today,” Calipari said.
I am sure part of his thinking is how can I keep Mintz on the bench? He averaged 31 minutes a game last year, is a six-year guy, and fights hard every time he steps on the court. Thinking Cal.
When Oscar Tshiebwe leaves the game where are we going to get our interior defense? Calipari emphasized, “Jamel (Boyd of Wesleyan) went crazy (and scored 29 points). Twelve out of 17 (from the field). Again, we got to figure it out. We tried two or three different guys to say, ‘Lets go, let’s see how you do.’ Didn’t do very well.” Thinking Cal.
Who can step in and take over when Oscar has to come out of the game? Other teams will go straight to the rim without an interior presence. Who is going to be that player? Thinking Cal.
The Cats took 29 3’s with a percentage of 37.
“I imagine a lot of teams watched this, they’re going say, ‘We’re taking away 3’s.’ It’s not all bad for us because we are a driving team. Let me put it this way: we got a lot of work to do,” stated Calipari.
Calipari is still looking for the “dogs.” If a player proves he has the fight that player will play. Who is going to show that fight? Thinking Cal.
“You can stay on the court if you defend that way. If you’re breaking down defensively and you’re one for five, ‘Let me stay in. What? This ain’t Communism, man, you got to come out.’ This team needs an interior defender other than just Oscar. Who is it? I don’t know.” Thinking Cal.
There are still many questions to be answered on this year’s team. Cal is thinking and we are just speculating. We will all know the answers when Swaggy Cal appears again.
The brightest part of the post-game was the gathering of Kentucky Wesleyan coaches and players in the back of the media area during Coach Cal’s comments. As he left the podium Jamel Boyd asked Calipari if he could have a picture.
Cal’s reply, “I should be the one asking you for a picture.
5 Responses
All the talk about playing fast proved last night to be nothing but talk. This team will be another plodding Calipari product averaging under 70 possessions per game.
In the exhibition games since Calipari arrived, his teams have averaged over 80 possessions per game in the exhibition appearances but under 70 possessions per game over the course of the season against real opponents. This team played at one of the slowest exhibition paces of any Calipari team, 74 possessions last night.
So much for the "Tubbyesque" talk about "playing faster this year". Talk is cheap, and Calipari is a big talker, and he knows better than Tubby ever knew how to pander to the fan base about Kentucky basketball playing a fast brand of round ball. It never happened with Tubby, and it will never happen with Calipari.
It is time for the talk to stop and results produced on the floor against real opponents.
Proffessor it sounds like you have jump off Cals bandwagon here last few years and I understand why. If Cal doesn’t produce this season I’m afraid he will be push out. The game against Duke will give us early measure stick were we are that is if the officials doesn’t hand Duke the easy ride.
Professor bases most of what he shares on stats — and amazing how often his numbers turn out right
I always enjoy reading Larry and Tina’s articles, especially on basketball, my favorite sport.
Not only do you report/write factually but also give thoughtful opinions. Keep up the great work! I certainly remember your willingness to drive all the way to southwest Ohio to participate in our Ohio’s UK Conventions.
Thank you,
Jim Porter
PS: Friends and I were at the exhibition basketball game last night in Rupp Arena.
Love you Jim for your support and all the love you share for Big Blue