Reed Sheppard and Antonio Reeves (UK Athletics Photo)
John Calipari should have a lot of shooters on his team this season.
“But we want (shot) makers,” associate coach Orlando Antigua said. “He wants to be able to have guys take good shots and the right shots and open shots. Don’t settle for any shot. We have got guys who can shoot the 3, guys who can get to the basket, guys who can hit midrange shots. If you are well rounded, you can play and score at all three levels and we think we have guys who can do that.”
Antigua thinks Calipari has the kind of players he can mold into a special team.
“One of the most unique things that is underappreciated about Cal and his coaching style is that he adjusts to the talent level he has. He tries to put them in position to be the best version of themselves,” Antigua said.
“Sometimes it takes longer but he tries to put everybody in position to have success. Not every coach thinks that way and can do that. That is the uniqueness of Cal. I know fans may not always understand or see that but it is an incredible ability to have.
6 Responses
Not sure Cal has any "incredible" ability when it comes to coaching. Maybe recruiting.
You are correct sir!
The game is truly dependent upon matchups and this year the Cats should have the ability to match up with any team they play. They have not had that luxury for years so we will now see if Coach Cal is a bench coach as well as a planner!
And the back-ups to each position are exceptional.
A break here and there and this could be the year. You make your own breaks!!!
Let’s hope they can FINALLY live up to the preseason hype that we hear every year about our 5 star McD’s All Americans every year.
How about a TEAM of Obverachievers this year instead of the Underachievers (based on perceived talent) that we have seen for the past 11 years without a National Chammpionship.
Several TEAMS with inferior talent to UK’s individual talents have managed to take home that trophy since UK did it in 2012.
Go CATS! BRING HOME #9 IN 2024!
Calipari does not have the first idea what a real shooter looks like or what to do with one. When he has stumbled onto one while at UK, that poor soul ends up living at the wrong end of a lonely bench.
He has shooters and wants shot makers? Well who recruited his team? Recruit the kind of player you want. I want, guys who impose their will on the opposition. Play balls to the wall defense. Pass the ball not dribble all day and get good open looks. If you do those things, you will win. It is over coaching. Go back to Rupps tactics. Don’t let the ball hit the floor more than necessary, pick and roll, give and go, it’s a simple game. Oh, and don’t forget the 8th grade head fake. It still works like a charm…