Kentucky’s Anthony Davis, left, is congratulated by former teammate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, right, after Davis was selected the No. 1 overall draft pick by the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June, 28, 2012, in Newark, N.J. Kidd-Gilchrist was selected No. 2 overall by the Charlotte Bobcats. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
By LARRY VAUGHT
They were nearly inseparable at Kentucky and often were each others biggest cheerleaders. Perhaps that’s why it was only fitting that Kentucky stars Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were inseparable at Thursday’s NBA draft as well.
For the first time ever, two players from the same school went one-two in what could be called the Cat Draft. This came two years after UK had five players picked in the first round of the draft — UK had two more first-round picks (Terrence Jones and Marquis Teague) — in this draft and with the way Calipari recruits no one would be foolish enough to predict that Kentucky could not have the top two picks again in the future.
Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist were both, special unique players. Davis blocked shots better than anyone I have ever seen. Kidd-Gilchrist played harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. Both cared as much about winning as any two super talented players as I have ever seen. If the team won, they were always happy. If the team lost, which happened only twice, they were never going to be happy.
They were both great with fans and the media. They bought fully into the UK basketball tradition even though Davis was from Chicago and Kidd-Gilchrist from Philadelphia.
They also both did something that seems impossible. They came to Kentucky with huge expectations — and exceeded them. They led Kentucky to a national championship with their talented, team-oriented play and both had a knack for making game-winning plays. And that could be a blocked shot, steal, rebound or pass as well as a field goal.
It was a certainty that Davis was going to be the first pick. Every draft analyst had him No. 1 and called him the class of the draft. He tried to downplay being a lock for No. 1 for weeks, but when his name was called he hugged his mom and dad as expected. He also had a hug for Kidd-Gilchrist. It was a scenario he could have been envisioning.
But Kidd-Gilchrist? He looked absolutely stunned when Charlotte took him with the second overall pick. For the last two weeks critics had been pushing Kidd-Gilchrist down the draft board to perhaps five, six or seven. His lack of a proven outside shot was being questioned by everyone. Yet when Charlotte’s Michael Jordan had to make the call — and he knows a thing or two about basketball — he went with a proven winner in Kidd-Gilchrist.
Chris Dortch of Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, who also writes a NBA column, could not have predicted a year ago that the two UK teammates would go one-two in the draft even though he had big expectations for both.
“I’d heard so much about them by that point. I thought they were both top five picks, but one-two is unprecedented,” said Dortch. “I was surprised because I’d heard Michael Jordan didn’t think Kidd-Gilchrist would be a star. My guess is Bobcats couldn’t get fair value to trade the pick. They had four power forwards. I never thought (Thomas) Robinson (of Kansas) made sense if they kept the pick.”
It is unprecedented to have players go one-two in the draft and even prompted Calipari to joke to media members at the draft in Newark, N.J., that perhaps the NBA should stop calling the spot it keeps the players attending the draft the green room and change it to the blue room.
Could Dortch see having the one-two picks in the draft make Calipari’s recruiting at Kentucky even better if that is even possible after four straight No. 1 recruiting classes that includes Nerlens Noel, the nation’s top-ranked prospect, in the incoming freshman class?
“It’ll give him more ammo, not that he needed it,” Dortch said.
After winning a national title in early April and having the first two picks in the late June draft, Calipari has all the ammo he needs.
Davis’ parents were humble and gracious as always when interviewed on ESPN after their son was picked. Kidd-Gilchrist’s mom, Cindy Richardson, was, too. .
“Always stay humble, do what the team asks you to do, keep the hard work going,” Anthony Davis Sr. said.
“Always be comfortable in your own skin, accept who he is in strengths and weaknesses, and keep it moving,” Cindy Richardson said of advice she would offer her son.
Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist did exactly what their parents advised at Kentucky and it was fun to watch and see. Now they’ll follow that same path to the NBA and there’s little doubt they’ll be just as successful. They were special on and off the court at UK and they will be in the NBA, too.
9 Responses to Only fitting that Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were inseparable at NBA draft as well
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Good article! – So proud of these Cats!
Larry, I had figured you would have an outstanding piece on last night’s draft, so I had to visit here this morning. Then, of course, here it is — and well-done, Sir.
Indeed, what special players and young men were, appropropriately, “inseparable” at the draft. Yes, one of those “had blocked shots better” than any I, too, had ever seen, and the other “had played harder” than I, too, had ever seen. Then, yes, how both super-talented young men “had cared about winning” as much as any I, too, had ever seen.
So, again, what an outstanding piece — and that you had included that “HUG” between the two had made it even more special to me, for I had been waiting, expecting just that hug for Michael after Anthony had hugged his parents. Anthony was hugging his “brother,” and, again, how special and appropriate that hug had been — for his teammate and brother and the young man that would be called next to the podium!
So I’ve just started with reading this one fine piece, but, knowing you, I feel sure more will follow. By the way, I enjoyed last night’s draft more than any I have ever watched. Kidd-Gilchrist and Darius Miller were the two Wildcats I had loved the most, the two who had been/are especially attached to my heart. Seeing Michael follow Anthony and then later seeing Darius’ name being called to join Anthony in New Orleans was absolutely perfect (and as soon as I had seen it was the Hornets’ time to pick, I had started hoping for that reunion with all my heart — how perfect that is for Darius!). Darius’ name’s being called meant the nearly perfect draft night was over for me, too — so off to snooze-time and dreams with beloved Wildcat dreams’ seemingly already accomplished!!! Anyway, thanks again for a great piece, Larry, and I so look forward to reading more.
Thanks Tana. Really a special night for all those guys
Larry, I live close to Memphis and was a fan of Coach Cal when he was at Memphis and was very happy when he got the KY position. My wife is a big Memphis fan and both of us hated to see him leave. He and Memphis got the shaft on the Rose deal and that is all I will say. I’m so happy that he has done so well for KY and himself and what so many people don’t realize is he still does a lot for the community in Memphis. The man gets a lot of flack he doesn’t deserve but this Championship and this NBA Draft says it all for him as a coach. To me he has proven he is one of the top coaches in college basketball.
Well said Larry!
Great article. I sat up until Darius’ name had been called and then I toddled off to bed with a big smile on my face. The draft wouldn’t have been complete without all 6 guys being picked, IMO. I too was especially happy to see Darius join his big little brother in New Orleans. I had been obsessively reading all the mock drafts and was trying to brace myself to see Michael fall out of the top 5, but luckily, all the experts were wrong. When the Bobcats picked MKG, it was awesome. You could see the surprise and delight on his face. I wish all the guys the best of luck in their soon to be long NBA careers.
Truer words have never been written about those two young men. Larry you just said exactly what I think and feel about those guys. From the BBM campout to the Picture of them standing with Cal after going 1-2 in the draft they are everything right with college BB and I enjoyed this season more than just about any I can remember.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GO BLUE OR STAY HOME
The whole night I was plastered to the TV. I have never watched a draft before. I thought Wed was Thurs and disappointed I had to wait another night. I thought the commercials featuring our boys were the best I have ever seen. Did you notice the were the best dancers? LOL They need to give Cal lessons.
I thought the superlatives that Jay Bilas had about Anthony were just exceptional. He spoke of his demeanor, being humble and what a great person and player he was on and off the court.
I think Michael was stunned but also, I don’t think he spoke much because of his speech problem. His motor will do the talking for him.
I am so sad now. Until last night when their names were called, they were still our boys. Not they are men who belong to an NBA team. What an exceptional year they all gave us and like the previous two years I will miss every darn one of them from the top of their head to the bottom of their feet.
How can any one team be so fortunate to have the players we have had for the past 3 years and they seem to just get better.
I want to see a pic of that white on white Bentley, I heard AD has already been driving one.
Livin’ Blue & Lovin’ It!
They will always be Kentucky Wildcats….Coach Cal is more than just a Basketball Coach…The State Of Kentucky can be very Proud of our Team, our Coaches and are School… I have never seen a Run of Pride, Power, Fun, and Respect ( EARNED ! ), in these last few years, and it’s only just begun ! NBA, here comes BIG BLUE NATION (NBA) …Darius Miller, only the Man above could have laid the path any more beautifully, for you to be your Brothers Keeper…And, help out that little Dukey young man, he’s gonna help make you’ll very good.