How Good is Kentucky?

With a class reminiscent to a group of Freshman who came to Ann Arbor in the early 1990's, this 2011-2012 Kentucky team is expected to dominate night in and night out.

Winning is a way of life at Kentucky.  From the Adolph Rupp teams that set records on their way to four national titles, to Tubby Smith becoming the first African-American coach to win a national championship, the pride of the bluegrass state definitely has a place in Basketball history.  When you mention Kentucky University, basketball has to be the first thing that comes to mind.  And why not?  The Wildcats over the years have taken place in some of basketball's most indelible moments.  The all-time winningest program in College Basketball history definitely has something to brag about.  However, since 1998, the Wildcats have only been to one final four (2011) and have no national championships, despite having incredibly talented teams and marvelous coaching staffs. 

Kentucky, a school that had appeared to be veering off track as far as winning basketball games was concerned, has earned a second life.  That second wind came in the form of John Calipari.  In his first year, the former Memphis and UMASS coach signed one of the best recruiting classes ever, by convincing four different five star players to come join the Nation of Blue.  Needless to say, in six years, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, and possibly Daniel Orton will be one of, if not the franchise player of their respectful franchises.  However, even with that incredibly talented group, the Wildcats lost what many consider to be a game that the Wildcats should have won.  However, Calipari did not stop there.  In 2011, the fourth seeded Wildcats reached the final four before eventually losing to Connecticut.  While a CBS announcer proclaimed that basketball's grandest weekend was "An Old Kentucky Home", many UK fans will not be satisfied until John Calipari brings home what the people in the Bluegrass state feel is rightfully theirs, a National Championship.  Even with DeAndre Liggins and Brandon Knight entering the draft, and Josh Harrellson graduating, the Wildcats boast a recruiting class that, in my opinion, tops any in the nation.  Freshmen are once again the theme, with Michael Gilchrist, the #1 overall rated Small Forward in the class of 2011, Marquis Teague, the top Point Guard in this year's class, and oh, how could I forget?  Anthony Davis, the nation's top Power Forward, and overall top prospect in America who hails from the tough streets of Chicago will be joining the nation's top team.




Anthony Davis will be the head of yet another highly touted
recruiting class at Kentucky.  

Anthony Davis is one of the headlines this year's class.  After growing seven inches in a single year, Davis has a very versatile game.  First of all, he can attack the basket hard with either hand, which will definitely be a big plus considering his 6'10" frame.  If you're thinking about bringing the ball inside, think again.  With an unreal wingspan, Davis is an elite shot blocker, who has great defensive awareness on the court.  While I only watched him play in the Jordan Brand Classic, I must say that I was impressed with what I saw.  He is definitely going to be one of the standout players for this year's Wildcat basketball team.  Although his strength may be often called into question this year, there is no denying that he a game changing big man who can keep teams out on the perimeter because of his interior defensive prowess.

Gilchrist will be the motor that helps Kentucky go
in the 2011-12 College basketball season.

Okay, I'm just going to ask this:  why is this guy not getting more attention?  Yes, he's ranked #3, but why isn't he higher?  No disrespect to his fellow freshman Anthony Davis, who I just raved on and on about, but Gilchrist may be the most ready to make an immediate impact for Kentucky.  While his jump shot may need some polishing, his athleticism and ability to get to the rim will set him apart immediately.  We cannot look past the intangibles, either.  Gilchrist is a guy who wants to win.  He will be the guy who makes this team go.  He will be relentless with his energy, and will make this Kentucky team go.  While he will be one of the talented players on this year's Wildcat team, he will no doubt be the x-factor as Kentucky tries to go back to the Final Four.

One of the two other notable prospects for this year's John Calipari squad are #1 overall rated point guard Marquis Teague, who is widely held as the fastest player in the open court entering this year's class, but may lack the mental toughness to succeed in college.  The other one is fifth ranked Kyle Wiltjer from Portland Oregon, who adds a big man with an outside shot.  This year's Kentucky team is talented without a doubt, and is definitely good enough to take a trip to New Orleans to the final four.  While last year's team was very good, this year's team may be great, especially with the return of Terrence Jones.  With easily the most talented team in the country in my opinion, the Wildcats should be able to dominate night in and night out, and be able to give UK fans something they have not been able to claim theirs in over 10 years, the title of being the best college basketball team in America.



LeBron Apologizes

While admitting the right decision was made when he decided to play for the Heat, LeBron admits that he went about it the wrong way.  Cleveland people don't want any of this.

Is this at least a tad bit extreme?  Fans burning a former player's jersey, voicing their disapproval of his leaving the franchise, after he promised to deliver them to greatness.  From playing extremely poorly against the Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals, to dragging Cleveland through the mud, the answer, in my personal opinion, is obvious.  It is not even the least bit extreme, and LeBron, plain and simple, quit on the franchise.  If you're going to make the decision in private, behind closed doors, go ahead.  Even holding a Press Conference announcing your decision wouldn't be ridiculous.  At least inform the owner about it.  This is the guy who has been through the wars with you.  They fired Mike Brown, they bent over backward trying to make you happy, and you abandoned them and left them hanging out to dry.

Now don't get me wrong, if I was LeBron in this situation, I would join the Heat as well.  Unfortunately, I'm not 6'8", I can't jump like Dominique Wilkins, run like Allen Iverson, or pass like Magic Johnson.  However, I would have done it behind closed doors, in private, like it should be.  And, if you're going to have a press conference (at the very most), at least have the class to let the owner know first.  Everyone knows you didn't have your head right for a lot of this free agency period, but you're a grown man, you should know better than that.  At least go out with some respect and dignity, don't apologize because you are suddenly in a good mood, and feel like apologizing.

LeBron, maybe, if you had done that ten months earlier, you would be allowed back in Cleveland restaurants.  Throwing a franchise, one that just so happens to be your hometown team under the bus, is not a mature way to go out.  Last night, LeBron James said, "I have respect and admiration for that franchise."  Let's just stop it right there, please.  Maybe you came to a conclusion and realized that you were wrong in this situation, but come on.  You had from April 27th until June 8th to think about it.  I mean, sure the proceeds went to charity, but how much of that was just a cover up for you to get face time on, not just a national scale, but all over the world.  You could have at least contemplated the possibility of not taking the city of Cleveland through all of that.  That's embarrassing, and exploiting, and if you didn't realize that,  your mind must have been on your substantial worldwide exposure with this one event, and how much money it would make you.  I'm am sorry everybody for seeming so biased in this particular blog, I just, plain and simple, don't think it's the right way of doing things.

Everything is Bigger in Texas

After their dismantling of the Lakers, the Mavericks have turned me into a believer.

Okay, I'll admit it, I was not a Dirk fan this time last Monday.  Overrated, over the hill, and soft were just a few of the adjectives I used to describe the 7'0" German Sharpshooter.  Was I wrong in thinking that, though?  Just look back at the 2008 Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Hornets, when he let David West slap him in the face, intimidate him, and get inside the head of the entire Dallas team.  I mean, when your leader, the MVP the year before lets people push him around, how can it not possibly hinder a young team's intensity and overall belief that they can win the series?  While he averaged 25 points per game in 2007-08, Dirk was not a guy who could be a reliable leader, and therefore Dallas would continue to be a talented young team who did not have the belief needed to win on Basketball's grandest stage. 

Take your DVR, and fast forward it to the 2011 playoffs.  Scroll down, click on Game Three, and fast worward to the Fourth Quater.  The calm and poised attitude that Nowitzki displayed was one that inspires admiration and demands your respect.  Not only did he take the big shot, but he made the big shots, and let all of them fly with confidence.  While veterans like Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, and Peja Stojakovic obviously had something to do with the second round shocker, Dirk was the catalyst of this victory, as he was in the entire series against the two-time defending champions. 

Although he is Getting older, Dirk Nowitzki is still a force to be reckoned with and commands double teams on a consistent basis.  This opens up guys like Jason Terry, who poured in an incredible shooting performance, lighting things up for a game high 32 points in Sunday's game four clincher.  With Dirk still performing and evolving as a leader, and the Mavericks, a team that now seems to have every piece necessary in place to be a true championship team, do not be the least bit surprised when Dallas holds up the Larry O' Brien trophy in June.

X-Factors: Grizzlies vs. Thunder

A lot of the time, especially in the playoffs, the non-traditional superstars need to step up and make a play.  It isn't always the Kevin Durants, the Kobes, or the Carmelo Anthonys of the world that have the biggest effect on their team moving forward in the NBA's "Second Season".  It is often the role players, or blue-collar contributors, in this case, that lead a team to its destiny.

Memphis vs. Oklahoma City X-Factor:  Memphis Interior

In the first round against the Spurs, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph both put their stamp on things by tearing apart the Spurs in the Frontcourt, especially in the paint.  With Z-Bo scoring 31 points and snagging 11 rebounds in the deciding Game Six, he proved to be the difference, and, more importantly, the go-to-guy for the Grizzlies throughout the playoffs.  But Marc Gasol is no slouch either, averaging 14 and 12 in the Memphis first round shocker.

Now, with many considering the tandem of Ibaka & Perkins to be the best inside defensive duo in basketball, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph will need to produce, which they did in game 1 of this series earlier today, to win the series.