Quote Originally Posted by MrSplitshot View Post
Nope.


I had it in my head from media coverage that he was a cheater. I really didn't know that much about the dude other than Marcus Camby, a vacated Final Four, Derrick Rose, a vacated Final Four...and really didn't know the particulars of those deals either.


I know more about him now...and though I'm not tugging on his scrotum like some, I at least like what he has done at UK thus far. I can't speak for his past, but I think his nose has been clean so far at UK, be that of his own choosing or of our administrations. I can't find it in my heart to believe that our administration would put our storied program's nuts on the chopping block with a questionable coach unless they were sure about him. I just can't. Hopefully they won't prove me to be naive.


Cal is slick. He's a fast talking Italian Guido. He's bound to have a shady vice or two, but a lot of people have a shady vice or two. He's a master player developer and under-rated at x's and o's. He knows what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. I think he loves his players, wants the best talent, and wants to see them make coin in the pros...using that in the meantime to win games (hopefully a championship) and keep his employer and checkbook happy. He has a pretty solid system and a place like UK was fertile ground for it to explode with growth. It ain't your Daddy's basketball though.


It's enjoyable to watch. As long as the NCAA ain't knocking on the door, I'll enjoy watching it....and seeing if he can win the big one.


But in the end, it's about Cal and the spotlight. He loves it. He loves it when they call him big papa. (There's a real Biggie Smalls reference for you homies.)

I agree with most of what you said. I even agree that he is a better x and o coach than he gets credit for. Where I disagree is "He's a master player developer."

I think that is something he and his homies (see what I did there?) try and convince people of, but I really don't see it. Outside of the big white kid, who has he developed? Everyone else was already a lock for the NBA or was drafted on potential during a weak draft. Going back over his career, I have rarely seen him develop a player, but I have seen some stall in improvement under him.