By LARRY VAUGHT
Earlier today a NBA scout questioned how prepared Kentucky players were for the NBA draft and indicated that the best part about John Calipari’s system “is that can hide so many flaws at first glance.”
The scout noted that iIn reality, the Kentucky system is smoke and mirrors,” despite the success Calipari has had putting players into the draft and then having those players succeed. Anthony Davis will be the No. 1 pick — Calipari’s second in three years — in a few weeks and four other Cats could go in the first round as well.
That’s why I sought the opinion of another NBA scout — who also did not want to be identified because his team has several Cats on its draft board — about the job Calipari does preparing players for the NBA.
“First, all the good college coaches hide flaws and use a player’s strengths. Guys in the NBA do the same thing. That’s coaching,” the scout said. “Second, no college player is ever fully prepared for the NBA. Doesn’t matter if it is Kentucky or anywhere else.
“But what Calipari does is teach his players how to handle playing in the NBA. Look at Eric Bledsoe. No one expected him to flourish the way he has so quickly. Or look at the success even a guy like Josh Harrellson had. Who could have expected that? Personally, I think what he did developing Patrick Patterson’s game was very, very good. He made him a more versatile player.
“Heck, look at how he let Davis expand his game late in the season. But he was a center for Kentucky and Cal had to keep him in the paint on offense. Cal puts his players in the best positions to help his team win, but to say he doesn’t get them more prepared for the NBA is a little bit ridiculous. You don’t have the first-round picks he’s had, or the success his players have had in the league, without teaching those guys how to play at the highest level. This doesn’t mean Kentucky guys are sure to be a success in the league, but I know our team certainly likes the chances of a player Calipari had turning out well.”
6 Responses to Second opinion: Scout says Calipari teaches his players how to handle playing in the NBA
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Bledsoe is the perfect example of getting a player ready for the NBA. I still think the first guy is either nuts or deflecting attention from someone he wants.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GO BLUE OR STAY HOME
I didn’t even bother commenting on the story with the first idiot scout’s remarks. The scout in this story is at least grounded in reality.
Also, it is EXTREMELY important to remember that preparing kids for the NBA is not Cal’s only job. He is also in the business of winning games to keep his OWN job. It is dead-on accurate when this scout says that hiding flaws and exploiting strengths is the very essence and meaning of COACHING.
Anyone who thinks Cal doesn’t get players ready for the next level is probably a relative of Pete Thamel.
great points Jim. And remember, all scouts have their own opinions
I do wonder if the first scout is affiliated with or sympathetic to COIA. Those comments reek of IU/B1G dogma.
Don’t think so Bob, but really I don’t know
Let’s talk about Cousins for a second. The guy averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds last year. That’s in his second year as a pro. The idea he didn’t come into the NBA prepared is absurd. He should have been a junior in college. The NBA stopped taking high school players because nearly every one of those straight out of HS players bombed out for many years and some never made it at all. But here we see guys like Wall, Bledsoe, Patterson, Cousins, Harrellson, and Knight all doing very well I don’t see how anyone could think those players weren’t prepared. If he wants to see unprepared take a look at 90% of the straight out of HS players the NBA signed. Cousins alone would prove the point that Cal’s players show up prepared. He is fast turning into an all-star level player with many games with nearly 20 rebounds (second in the league for games with 18 rebounds) and his scoring is exploding with games where he scored 41 and 38 points. His future is incredibly bright and yes, he showed up prepared to play in the NBA. Was he a star when arrived? No but no one is IMO. Maybe Wilt was. That’s about it.
Anyone who thinks Cal’s players aren’t prepared is clearly just another UK basher. Jealousy is such an ugly thing.