Tag: kentucky

Caron Butler’s Unoriginal Hair and Analysis of Tyler Herro

NBA TV analyst Caron Butler and his brand new hair seems to have stumbled on some old takes (Read this, his new hair is absurd). The oldest, in particular, is about Miami Heat newcomer, Tyler Herro. He says that Herro, after a very impressive Summer League, reminds him of two former Heat players.

Butler said, “He’s got a little bit of everything in him; I see a little bit of Jason Williams, I see a little bit of Rex Chapman, I see a little bit from an athletic standpoint, being explosive… Just being aggressive. His mentality, he’s extremely comfortable out there on that platform, on that stage knowing that everybody’s watching. And he’s having fun.”

Really, Caron? Rex Chapman and Jason Williams? Did you come up with that comparison all by yourself there, bud? I am all for the former Cats getting high praise in the NBA, but that take by Caron Butler is somehow more unoriginal than his hair.

Image result for caron butler new hair

Every white basketball player to come through Kentucky since the 90’s has been compared to Rex Chapman. John Hood even got the same comparison. Caron Butler is about 30 years late on this take. I believe the first headline written after Tyler Herro changed his commitment from Wisconsin to Kentucky was “The Next Rex Chapman Is Coming to Lexington.”

To be completely fair, Herro does play a lot like Chapman, more so than others that have been given the same praise, but it doesn’t sound like a lot of effort was put into that take. To me, Herro plays a lot like Jamal Murray, Devin Booker, or maybe even a young Paul Pierce. How hard would it have been for Butler to put a little bit of thought into that? Also, the Jason Williams comparison doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Yes, Herro made some sweet passes in the Summer League, but it’s a stretch to say the least. Herro’s game and White Chocolate’s don’t exactly match up.

Even though Chapman and Williams are relatively lazy names to throw out, that is still very good company to be grouped with. Herro is going to be a star in this league and it is only a matter of time before players are being compared to him and not the other way around.

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Aaron Harrison Underwhelms in Summer League with Celtics

Aaron Harrison is the classic college basketball case of “what the hell happened?” After an incredible 2 year career at Kentucky, he has had a serious fall from grace. In his freshman year, Harrison’s last second heroics was the sole reason Kentucky made it to the NCAA finals. The next season, he was on the 38-1 Final Four team where he started over Devin Booker. Probably the best team ever that did not win a championship. Obviously, the kid can ball. But every since he left Lexington, he hasn’t been able to get a solid footing in the NBA.

Harrison currently plays for Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Ligi, but is using this summer to take another stab at the NBA with the Celtics Summer League squad. Sadly, it looks like he may be heading back to Turkey for at least another year. In the Celtics’ three Summer League games, he is averaging 5.3 points and 1.7 rebounds. Not exactly the kind of production Danny Ainge wants to see in a possible signee. For a SG/SF to really impress in Boston, he is going to need a lot more than the occasion three pointer in 14 minutes of play. Here are his full stats from his three games:

vs. Denver

vs. Cleveland

vs. Philadelphia

It looks like it is going to be another fruitless summer for Aaron Harrison. Sad to see especially from such an amazing college player who gave us some of the best moments in Kentucky March Madness history.

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Patrick Towles Reveals Handwritten Letter He Received from Jared Lorenzen

Patrick Towles has looked up to Jared Lorenzen his entire life. Both having gone to school and played quarterback at Ft. Thomas Highlands High School, Patty Ice knew exactly who he would want to mentor him on his way to playing football at Kentucky. It is a truly special moment when you find someone on the same path as you. After Jared’s passing a few days ago, Patrick decided to share this handwritten letter he received from Hefty Lefty when he was just a sophomore in high school.

Game recognize game.

There is something so special about handwritten letters. Those simple yet powerful mementos that the author never realizes the impact of. I am sure Towles held this close to him since the day he received it and even closer now that tragedy has struck.

Thank you for sharing, Patrick. I know you made Jared proud.

Kentucky Basketball 2019-20 Projected Starting 5

With the offseason in full swing and recruiting basically over, all that is left for the Kentucky Basketball fans of the world is to sit back and speculate about the season to come. Hey, at least we are good at football now. Watching our entire lineup get picked at the NBA Draft every year is rewarding and depressing all at the same time. We’re proud, but wish that at least one of them would stay another season. Luckily, we get a new batch of ballers every single year and watch the process repeat itself.

Image result for swaggy cal

So, as I wait for my cats to hit the hardwood again, it is time for me to jump to conclusions like Perry Stevenson jumping to block a free throw. Here is what the starting lineup should be for the 2019-20 season. As always, I am here to argue. Let me know what you think on Twitter and throw us a follow @soft7sports and me @soft7wic.

Projected Starting 5 for Kentucky

PG– Brad Calipari
*record scratch

I’m totally kidding, but you’re lying to yourself if you think Ellen Calipari hasn’t thrown out the idea at least once. Maybe on senior day if he wasn’t dead set on transferring.

The REAL Projected Starting 5 for Kentucky

PG- Ashton Hagans
SG- Tyrese Maxey
SF- Kahlil Whitney
PF- EJ Montgomery
C- Nick Richards

Ashton Hagans proved last year that he can do much more than just run an offense. He was one of the best on-ball defensive players we have seen since DeAndre Liggins. Hopefully, he has developed a jumpshot.

Tyrese Maxey has an uncanny ability to get to the rim. Think of John Wall with the ability to shoot outside of 15 feet. He’s going to be a special player and I can see him assuming the starting role at point guard if Hagans is underperforming.

Kahlil Whitney is the player I am most excited for next season. After watching hours of his highlights, he reminds me of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with the jumping ability of Hamidou Diallo. Expect two alley-oops a game and several players’ careers being ended by getting dunked on.

EJ Montogomery has major expectations to live up to. After a rather disappointing 2018 season, his decision to return to Lexington for his sophomore year will make or break his future. A 6’10” versatile forward that can step out and hit a mid range shot consistently looks great on paper. Now, he needs to prove it this season.

Nick Richards has had one of the more mediocre careers of Cal’s Kentucky bigs. Better than Skal, but average nonetheless. When he decided to come back to Kentucky for his junior year, Calipari told him that he expects him to be the best big man in the country. Something like that may have given him all the confidence he needs to finally make something of his college career. Some guys are just late bloomers, like Willie Cauley-Stein. It may take more than a year, but they can still be lottery picks when it is all said and done.

The starting 5 is never static and it could change multiple times throughout the year. The power forward position is the most uncertain. EJ would be the best option, but Nate Sestina will be breathing down his neck all season. As will Keion Brooks and Dontaie Allen. According to Coach Cal, Johnny Juzang has been playing out of his mind so far in practice. If he keeps it up and proves to be as good of a shooter as Tyler Herro, then he will be a very real possibility as the starting small forward or shooting guard. Don’t forget about Immanuel Quickley either. He will jump at any opportunity to take the starting role from Hagans.

CJ Conrad’s Uncertain Road to the NFL

Despite being one of the highest rated prospects at tight end for the 2019 NFL Draft, CJ Conrad from Kentucky went undrafted. Due to an enlarged pulmonary artery in his heart discovered in his physical examination, Conrad was not even allowed to participate in the NFL Combine.

Several weeks later, a second opinion found the medical issue to not be as significant as once thought and he was declared eligible to play in the NFL. The Giants may not have made the smartest decisions during the draft, but they made one hell of a pick up afterwards, signing Conrad as an undrafted free agent.

Image result for cj conrad giants

The weeks between the diagnosis and the second opinion had to have been some of the hardest of Conrad’s life. But anyone who knows him will say that his positive attitude carried him though. He was even positive about his future regardless of if included football or not, telling his parents, “No matter what happens, I’m a college graduate, things will work out the way they will and I’ll be successful no matter what happens.” (USA Today). That’s one of the most mature, glass-half-full outlooks you’ll hear from an NFL prospect.

And now that football will most certainly be his future, his attitude is what will keep him there and make coaching staffs fall in love with him. Even missing out on thousands of dollars from being undrafted, Conrad is still optimistic that he will make the Giants 53 man roster.

The road that led CJ Conrad to the NFL had to be one of the most emotional of anyone in his class. One second he was a top TE prospect and the next he was never going play in the NFL. That couple week span between his first and second opinions had to have been emotionally devastating. He probably even thought about applying for a couple coaching jobs. The mental fortitude he needed to stay confident that everything would work out fine shows just how strong of a person he really is.

Good luck on the Giants, CJ. All of BBN is rooting for you.

Brad Calipari Down to Two Schools: It’s Really Happening

After the long, exhausting saga that was the Kerry Blackshear Jr. transfer, it is nice to have relaxed transfer process like that of Brad Calipari. What began as a testing of the waters, now looks like a done deal. Brad Swag will be leaving Lexington.

As announced via his Twitter, Calipari is down to two schools: Detroit and Hampton.

Brad Calipari has taken visits to Hartford, Detroit and Bryant so far. After redshirting for last season, Calipari still has two years of eligibility and will be allowed to play immediately.

Everyone has their opinion on Brad. Some say he isn’t good enough to play D-1 and some go even further to say that he never belonged in Kentucky Blue to begin with. Say what you will, but he is definitely better than Saul Smith, Tubby’s son. Also, Brad has been playing the last 3 years against the top talent in the country in practice. Many of the players he guarded are now in the NBA. That kind of competition has to translate to some kind of improvement and playing time for a mid major school.

Regardless, he will easily be the best dressed and get the most attention on and off the court.

Remember When Kentucky Knocked Off #1 LSU in Overtime

The year was 2007. T-Pain wanted to Buy U a Drank, Soulja Boy just taught us how to Crank Dat and Kentucky was about to have their most successful football seasons in a long while. Achieving a 5-1 record and #17 national ranking led the Cats to their biggest test. The #1 LSU Tigers came to Lexington for a battle they did not expect. Kentucky, however, came ready to play.

It was back and forth all game. The Kentucky greats solidified their place in Kentucky history. Names like Andre Woodson, Derrick Locke, Stevie Johnson, Jacob Tamme, Dickie Lyons Jr. and Trevard Lindley all played pivotal roles in knocking off the best team in the country. Relive the whole game here:

The craziest part about this game is that LSU actually had a quarterback that was capable of throwing the ball in Matt Flynn. And even he was no match for the secondary led by Trevard Lindley. Only posting 130 yards to Andre Woodson’s 250.

This team was destined for so much more. Reaching as high as #8 in the rankings, this Kentucky team ended up unranked with a 7-5 record. Eleven year old Wic watching this game though Kentucky was going to at least the SEC Championship, if not a BCS bowl. But Kentucky football is going to Kentucky football, especially before the Mark Stoops era.

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