Antonio Reeves (Vicky Graff Photo)
If having great guard play is truly the key to postseason success, Kentucky surely looks like it could be in great shape this season.
— Antonio Reeves not only can make 3-point shots, but he’s better at finishing inside and he’s probably the team’s most improved defensive player.
— DJ Wagner can be unstoppable getting inside and his floor leadership has been terrific most of the season.
— Rob Dillingham, projected mainly as a scorer, has been a reliable 3-point shooter, terrific passer and bundle of energy.
— Reed Sheppard has been the team’s best all-around player and top 3-point shooter. He’s become a regular stat-stuffer.
Many wondered how four guards could co-exist together. They have flourished because they all accept roles and playing time. All four are team-first rather than me-first guys.
No one guard has to be the “star” each game because the team has such great depth.
“For sure, it takes pressure off so much,” Dillingham said. “The spotlight is not on me, and it’s always been (on me) through high school. Now, it’s like playing with all these dudes, I don’t have to do as much.
“I can just pass the ball and I don’t even have to have a stat (yet) I am contributing by helping them.”
Wagner said it’s easy to fit in on the team because of the players he’s with.
“It makes it a lot easier out there for all of us knowing that the next person you pass it to is going to make a play or the next person you pass it to is going to make the right play,” Wagner said. “I won’t say (there is less) pressure.
“I don’t even know what I would call it, but it just makes the game a lot easier, a lot funner. We all like sharing the ball with each other and seeing each other play good.”
Kentucky coach John Calipari certainly embraces having four guards who can play so well and knows if it is a game all four are playing well the Cats could be close to unbeatable.
“When you have choices now, you start rotating them in, and if somebody is having a tough day, we can still win, so don’t worry. Now, it’s not on you, it’s on us,” Calipari said.
“Go play your best. Go play harder than them, go have a ball. If you get it rolling, you play. If someone else has it rolling, they’ll play.”
Kentucky will open SEC play Saturday at Florida.
2 Responses
They are all saying the right things. Hopefully that doesn’t change as we get closer to the draft.
They will do well to learn these things now. Most will not be superstars in the pros but you can have a very long career by being a player that plays team ball and not worried about your stats.
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