Antonio Reeves should have more help getting him open shots this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
It’s one thing to take 3-point shots. It’s another thing to make 3-point shots.
“The number of 3’s Kentucky will take will be a direct relationship to how many shot-makers that John (Calipari) has,” said ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg.
Greenberg does think from what he saw in UK’s four games in Canada along with conversations he’s had with Calipari that the Cats will take more 3-pointers this year.
“They are going to play faster and will shoot more 3’s. I am not saying they will shoot 30 (per game) but it is going to be more of the makeup of this team,” Greenberg said. “They are a good passing team. They move the basketball. They will get paint touches and make the extra pass to get guys open looks.”
That could really benefit super senior Antonio Reeves, UK’s best 3-point threat last season and one of the best in the Southeastern Conference.
“Guys are going to create and get him the ball. He can either knock it down or drive it,” Greenberg said. “In transition he can get out and get open which could be really important.
“He’s an elite, elite shooter, but he’s playing with guys now who can make plays to get him more open shots. When you’ve got four or five floor gamers on the court, it creates spacing — as long as those guys can shoot. Floor games create spacing and Antonio is a guy I think will really take advantage of that spacing.”
6 Responses
Spacing is important but floor position is what matters for Reeves. He consistently shoots better from the deep corners and wings than he does from out top. Calipari will most likely want him to play the 2 spot where most of his shots will come from out top. He will do this because he wants Edwards to play the 3 and Mitchell/Bradshaw to play the 4. That leaves Onyenso and the Croation kid playing the 5. He may play Reeves at the 3 when rests Edwards and plays Shepperd at the 2. Shepperd is going to deserve more playing time and so is Thiero who will also play the 3. Wagner is a solid point but will Dillingham be happy with limited minutes? There aren’t enough balls and minutes to keep everyone happy. I look for this to show up in the midst of the conference race.
Depth is a great thing if it consists of enough role players who will be happy with 6 to 10 minutes a game until something happens. Injuries could change that as would an occasional suspension. In the absence of those events, team chemistry could take a hit at just the wrong time. Calipari has vowed that he will not platoon again because of the impact it had on recruiting, so how will he keep everyone happy?
Hopefully they all stay healthy, but based upon recent past we will probably have some players out with illness or injuries. Possibly start the season with a key player not fully ready. That will help the minutes situation. Also, they want to play fast, with this kind of depth they can and will play intense defense, and that level of intensity will address some of the minutes concerns.
That would be great to see.
Since when has Calipari worried about keeping everyone happy. He plays his pets and lets other talent languish on the bench every year. There is no reason to believe this year will be any different.
As for this article, better floor spacing helps every player, not just one.
The problem again is Calipari.
He probably won’t. I think Dillingham is a diva. Has anyone heard about Onyensos recovery?
I can see problems ahead with PT , however those have to be considered
GOOD problems. Certainly better than the “ chicken little “ mentality of nine months ago ! 🐔🐔
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