Re: 2009 NCAA Tournament thread

[Transmogrified Tiger]

WTF? Kentucky is really going to fire Gillespie. He's been there two years.

 

From what I've heard, it's almost as much based on off the floor stuff than actual performance. Though missing the tourney for the first time in forever certainly doesn't help.

 

They knew about the drinking before they hired him. Is there something else?

 

He's been really abrasive to the media(especially ESPN), plus he apparently played himself up as "always a Texan" and has distanced himself from the UK culture.

[mul21]

WTF? Kentucky is really going to fire Gillespie. He's been there two years.

 

From what I've heard, it's almost as much based on off the floor stuff than actual performance. Though missing the tourney for the first time in forever certainly doesn't help.

 

They knew about the drinking before they hired him. Is there something else?

 

The tail chasing. He apparently also hasn't fostered very good relationships with the powers that be in the area according to some of my co-workers who are from the area.

[cubbinalltheway]

that and the whole part about him losing a ton of games. more than any other year in kentucky history, iirc.

[illiniguy]

that and the whole part about him losing a ton of games. more than any other year in kentucky history, iirc.

Well, they just fired Tubby Smith. Well not really he left before they could. But, they wanted him out because he wasn't getting talent in there. How in two years should Gillespie have been able to turn that around? JOhn Wooden wouldn't have won a ton with the Kentucky team there now.

[jersey cubs fan]

that and the whole part about him losing a ton of games. more than any other year in kentucky history, iirc.

Well, they just fired Tubby Smith. Well not really he left before they could. But, they wanted him out because he wasn't getting talent in there. How in two years should Gillespie have been able to turn that around? JOhn Wooden wouldn't have won a ton with the Kentucky team there now.

 

Isn't college basketball all about the young-uns? 2 years seems like plenty of time to bring in 2 or 3 difference makers that will change a program.

[illiniguy]

that and the whole part about him losing a ton of games. more than any other year in kentucky history, iirc.

Well, they just fired Tubby Smith. Well not really he left before they could. But, they wanted him out because he wasn't getting talent in there. How in two years should Gillespie have been able to turn that around? JOhn Wooden wouldn't have won a ton with the Kentucky team there now.

 

Isn't college basketball all about the young-uns? 2 years seems like plenty of time to bring in 2 or 3 difference makers that will change a program.

Only if you land DRose or Michael Beasley. Hell even with Eric Gordon and Michael Beasley both of their teams got beat out right away in the tournament. You need 4 years to build a program into what you want it to be. This would be very foolish.

[Guest]

I came in here to say Go Purdue, and I know I shouldn't bother, but you really think Henderson can't play in the NBA?

 

Maybe as a backup.

 

I just don't think he's that good.

 

EDIT: Is he really only 6-4? I always thought he was a 6-7 or 6-8 guy playing power forward. Now I really don't think he'll do anything in the NBA.

 

He's a lottery pick.

 

Really... is this sarcasm?

 

I always thought of him as an undersized power forward. Is there any possible way he can play the two in the NBA? Cause there's not a chance in hell he's big enough for the three to guard guys like LeBron, Pierce and Carmelo. Hell, I'm not even sure he could guard a good two guard either.

 

you say this like you've seen him play, yet you were four inches off in your scouting report

 

look, no one can guard a good 2 in the nba... it's the nba

 

henderson isn't going to be great, or likely even good, but it's a weak draft and he has some talent

 

I know I addressed the lottery pick post but I'm speaking more along the lines of how much he'll do in the NBA.

 

Adam Morrison (No. 3) and JJ Redick (No. 11) were also lottery picks and look at what they've done, especially Morrison. I was exaggerating a bit in my earlier post about him playing in the D-League or in Europe, but there's not a chance he can be a starter. I'm sure he can play some minutes as a backup on a team like Memphis or the Clippers but athleticism only gets you so far.

[illiniguy]

I came in here to say Go Purdue, and I know I shouldn't bother, but you really think Henderson can't play in the NBA?

 

Maybe as a backup.

 

I just don't think he's that good.

 

EDIT: Is he really only 6-4? I always thought he was a 6-7 or 6-8 guy playing power forward. Now I really don't think he'll do anything in the NBA.

 

He's a lottery pick.

 

Really... is this sarcasm?

 

I always thought of him as an undersized power forward. Is there any possible way he can play the two in the NBA? Cause there's not a chance in hell he's big enough for the three to guard guys like LeBron, Pierce and Carmelo. Hell, I'm not even sure he could guard a good two guard either.

 

you say this like you've seen him play, yet you were four inches off in your scouting report

 

look, no one can guard a good 2 in the nba... it's the nba

 

henderson isn't going to be great, or likely even good, but it's a weak draft and he has some talent

 

I know I addressed the lottery pick post but I'm speaking more along the lines of how much he'll do in the NBA.

 

Adam Morrison (No. 3) and JJ Redick (No. 11) were also lottery picks and look at what they've done, especially Morrison. I was exaggerating a bit in my earlier post about him playing in the D-League or in Europe, but there's not a chance he can be a starter. I'm sure he can play some minutes as a backup on a team like Memphis or the Clippers but athleticism only gets you so far.

Morrison got hurt. That's really not a fair comparison. Reddick was a product of the hype machine that is ESPN. Anyone who thought that he was good enough to be a lottery pick should be drug tested.

[Guest]

I know I addressed the lottery pick post but I'm speaking more along the lines of how much he'll do in the NBA.

 

Adam Morrison (No. 3) and JJ Redick (No. 11) were also lottery picks and look at what they've done, especially Morrison. I was exaggerating a bit in my earlier post about him playing in the D-League or in Europe, but there's not a chance he can be a starter. I'm sure he can play some minutes as a backup on a team like Memphis or the Clippers but athleticism only gets you so far.

 

There's not a chance he can be a starter? You're still exaggerating.

[SouthSideRyan]

WTF? Kentucky is really going to fire Gillespie. He's been there two years.

 

From what I've heard, it's almost as much based on off the floor stuff than actual performance. Though missing the tourney for the first time in forever certainly doesn't help.

 

They knew about the drinking before they hired him. Is there something else?

 

He stopped winning. This firing has nothing to do with Billy's off-court behavior. If he won 25 games this year, somehow UK would be able to put up with his boozing.

[Guest]

I know I addressed the lottery pick post but I'm speaking more along the lines of how much he'll do in the NBA.

 

Adam Morrison (No. 3) and JJ Redick (No. 11) were also lottery picks and look at what they've done, especially Morrison. I was exaggerating a bit in my earlier post about him playing in the D-League or in Europe, but there's not a chance he can be a starter. I'm sure he can play some minutes as a backup on a team like Memphis or the Clippers but athleticism only gets you so far.

Morrison got hurt. That's really not a fair comparison. Reddick was a product of the hype machine that is ESPN. Anyone who thought that he was good enough to be a lottery pick should be drug tested.

 

Morrison was built up nearly as much as Redick was and was billed as the next Larry Bird. I thought he had a better shot at a decent career than Redick did, but that's not saying much since I thought Redick would suck in the NBA.

[Guest]

I know I addressed the lottery pick post but I'm speaking more along the lines of how much he'll do in the NBA.

 

Adam Morrison (No. 3) and JJ Redick (No. 11) were also lottery picks and look at what they've done, especially Morrison. I was exaggerating a bit in my earlier post about him playing in the D-League or in Europe, but there's not a chance he can be a starter. I'm sure he can play some minutes as a backup on a team like Memphis or the Clippers but athleticism only gets you so far.

 

There's not a chance he can be a starter? You're still exaggerating.

 

What are his skills? Athleticism? Anything else?

[SouthSideRyan]

that and the whole part about him losing a ton of games. more than any other year in kentucky history, iirc.

Well, they just fired Tubby Smith. Well not really he left before they could. But, they wanted him out because he wasn't getting talent in there. How in two years should Gillespie have been able to turn that around? JOhn Wooden wouldn't have won a ton with the Kentucky team there now.

 

What about John Wooden plus that guy that paid everyone. Kentucky had one contributing player that BCG brought in. He has been a disaster. And he STILL deserved more than 2 years.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I know I addressed the lottery pick post but I'm speaking more along the lines of how much he'll do in the NBA.

 

Adam Morrison (No. 3) and JJ Redick (No. 11) were also lottery picks and look at what they've done, especially Morrison. I was exaggerating a bit in my earlier post about him playing in the D-League or in Europe, but there's not a chance he can be a starter. I'm sure he can play some minutes as a backup on a team like Memphis or the Clippers but athleticism only gets you so far.

 

There's not a chance he can be a starter? You're still exaggerating.

 

What are his skills? Athleticism? Anything else?

 

He can take the ball to the basket and has a decent jumper.

[dew1679666265]

WTF? Kentucky is really going to fire Gillespie. He's been there two years.

 

From what I've heard, it's almost as much based on off the floor stuff than actual performance. Though missing the tourney for the first time in forever certainly doesn't help.

 

They knew about the drinking before they hired him. Is there something else?

 

He stopped winning. This firing has nothing to do with Billy's off-court behavior. If he won 25 games this year, somehow UK would be able to put up with his boozing.

 

I haven't heard a thing about him drinking. Everything I've heard about is that he's not winning enough and how he's not sucking up to the high rollers at UK enough. He's turned away some speaking engagements that were 70+ year traditions and that's angered quite a few important people at Kentucky.

 

If they were winning 25 games a year and going far in the NCAA tournament, those off-the-court things might be overlooked, but they're certainly playing a part now.

[imb]

I know I addressed the lottery pick post but I'm speaking more along the lines of how much he'll do in the NBA.

 

Adam Morrison (No. 3) and JJ Redick (No. 11) were also lottery picks and look at what they've done, especially Morrison. I was exaggerating a bit in my earlier post about him playing in the D-League or in Europe, but there's not a chance he can be a starter. I'm sure he can play some minutes as a backup on a team like Memphis or the Clippers but athleticism only gets you so far.

 

There's not a chance he can be a starter? You're still exaggerating.

 

What are his skills? Athleticism? Anything else?

 

you're the one who thought he was a 6'8 power forward that couldn't guard NBA 2s, why don't you tell us

[mul21]

I haven't heard a thing about him drinking. Everything I've heard about is that he's not winning enough and how he's not sucking up to the high rollers at UK enough. He's turned away some speaking engagements that were 70+ year traditions and that's angered quite a few important people at Kentucky.

 

If they were winning 25 games a year and going far in the NCAA tournament, those off-the-court things might be overlooked, but they're certainly playing a part now.

 

He has a driver take him everywhere he goes at night because of his drinking and the university not wanting to deal with a DUI. I'd say he has a bit of a drinking issue.

[Guest]

I know I addressed the lottery pick post but I'm speaking more along the lines of how much he'll do in the NBA.

 

Adam Morrison (No. 3) and JJ Redick (No. 11) were also lottery picks and look at what they've done, especially Morrison. I was exaggerating a bit in my earlier post about him playing in the D-League or in Europe, but there's not a chance he can be a starter. I'm sure he can play some minutes as a backup on a team like Memphis or the Clippers but athleticism only gets you so far.

 

There's not a chance he can be a starter? You're still exaggerating.

 

What are his skills? Athleticism? Anything else?

 

you're the one who thought he was a 6'8 power forward that couldn't guard NBA 2s, why don't you tell us

 

My apologies for not being able to tell how tall the guy was from watching him on TV.

[Guest]

I haven't heard a thing about him drinking. Everything I've heard about is that he's not winning enough and how he's not sucking up to the high rollers at UK enough. He's turned away some speaking engagements that were 70+ year traditions and that's angered quite a few important people at Kentucky.

 

If they were winning 25 games a year and going far in the NCAA tournament, those off-the-court things might be overlooked, but they're certainly playing a part now.

 

He has a driver take him everywhere he goes at night because of his drinking and the university not wanting to deal with a DUI. I'd say he has a bit of a drinking issue.

 

I'd call that intelligent. How many times do we see high-profile guys who make millions get DUI's and then are criticized for not calling a cab or having a driver?

 

If he wants to go out and drink, that's his deal, unless it's affecting his work. Then I could see the university having a problem with it. But at least he's being safe when he drinks and doesn't try to drive himself home.

[cubbinalltheway]

he has a personal driver so that he doesn't drink and drive. if that's not a sign of a drinking problem, i don't know what is.

[Exile on Waveland]

that and the whole part about him losing a ton of games. more than any other year in kentucky history, iirc.

Well, they just fired Tubby Smith. Well not really he left before they could. But, they wanted him out because he wasn't getting talent in there. How in two years should Gillespie have been able to turn that around? JOhn Wooden wouldn't have won a ton with the Kentucky team there now.

 

Isn't college basketball all about the young-uns? 2 years seems like plenty of time to bring in 2 or 3 difference makers that will change a program.

Only if you land DRose or Michael Beasley. Hell even with Eric Gordon and Michael Beasley both of their teams got beat out right away in the tournament. You need 4 years to build a program into what you want it to be. This would be very foolish.

 

Currently, Kentucky has signed a five-star (No. 22 overall) and a four-star player (No. 32) for the Class of 2009. Another five-star (No. 6) has committed for 2010. I agree with your four-year time frame, and it seems UK's recruiting has/had picked up.

[illiniguy]

that and the whole part about him losing a ton of games. more than any other year in kentucky history, iirc.

Well, they just fired Tubby Smith. Well not really he left before they could. But, they wanted him out because he wasn't getting talent in there. How in two years should Gillespie have been able to turn that around? JOhn Wooden wouldn't have won a ton with the Kentucky team there now.

 

What about John Wooden plus that guy that paid everyone. Kentucky had one contributing player that BCG brought in. He has been a disaster. And he STILL deserved more than 2 years.

Yes even with the guy who bought all the plaers, it still would have taken a couple of years to get the type of team he wants in place.

[dew1679666265]

I haven't heard a thing about him drinking. Everything I've heard about is that he's not winning enough and how he's not sucking up to the high rollers at UK enough. He's turned away some speaking engagements that were 70+ year traditions and that's angered quite a few important people at Kentucky.

 

If they were winning 25 games a year and going far in the NCAA tournament, those off-the-court things might be overlooked, but they're certainly playing a part now.

 

He has a driver take him everywhere he goes at night because of his drinking and the university not wanting to deal with a DUI. I'd say he has a bit of a drinking issue.

 

Ah, never knew that. But like I said, I haven't heard any word that it is a reason he may be fired. All I've heard is that he's not hobnobbing with enough big-time people with the university and that the winning only makes that worse.

[Exile on Waveland]

that and the whole part about him losing a ton of games. more than any other year in kentucky history, iirc.

Well, they just fired Tubby Smith. Well not really he left before they could. But, they wanted him out because he wasn't getting talent in there. How in two years should Gillespie have been able to turn that around? JOhn Wooden wouldn't have won a ton with the Kentucky team there now.

 

What about John Wooden plus that guy that paid everyone. Kentucky had one contributing player that BCG brought in. He has been a disaster. And he STILL deserved more than 2 years.

 

Sam Gilbert.

 

I don't disagree that Gillispie has not been successful at all, but as per my above post, he's clearly got some nice recruits lined up the next two seasons.

 

Regardless, this is karma for ousting Tubby. Hey, who was that in the NCAA Tournament this year? Oh right, it was Minnesota. The same Minnesota team that was 9-22 the year before Tubby took over.

Edited March 27, 2009 by Exile on Waveland

[Guest]

he has a personal driver so that he doesn't drink and drive. if that's not a sign of a drinking problem, i don't know what is.

 

How much does he drink though? You don't have to be drunk to be over the legal limit.

 

If he's going out and getting plastered every single night, sure, he's probably got a drinking problem.

 

But if he's having a few beers per night, might be over the legal limit and doesn't want to risk a DUI, I don't think that's a drinking problem.