The view from the "backs" this season... The ticket says right across the top “GAME 1” but tonight seemed to be much less about playing in the “Game” than it did trying some things that appeared to take the young wildcats out of their comfort zone and practice what they have only been able to collectively do for about 15 days now in this new system. DDMO stands for Dribble Drive Motion Offense and it appears this team has conquered the first D but that is about it. I am not trying to portray the whole performance as a negative one but the drives often fell short of anything but running into a crowd. They seemed to drive knowing that the play wouldn’t work itself out and they would have to pass. Many times plays would blow up and look great with only a turnover or fizzle at the end. I do on more than one occasion recall Cal simply screaming "Drive!", "Drive!". Kudos to Campbellsville for making the cats honest the whole game. The perimeter portion of ‘the’ motion that Darnell Dodson was playing appeared to be right on track with what he is capable of doing for our team from the floor. When he starts clicking his outside shot its gonna be a beautiful thing. The other guys, especially the bigs, simply filled the lane up and didn’t give much option due to the lack of the motion in the system they have been learning. With the promise of the excitement that will follow the DDMO once the players are able to play it I cant help but say with the first D in place the other 3 should follow but how easily will be the question. The promise from Coach Cal early in the season that balls would be flying all over the place and %70 of the time we will be doing it wrong may not be his spinning a new program with a new style for new players, it may be him just being honest.
The first half was what we have been missing at UK for the past few seasons, aggressive attacking style basketball that awards taking chances and making plays. The second half was what we have been used to for about 10 years now, a good team being complacent because they were better than their opponent and just forgetting that defense was necessary – I call this the “Goliath Syndrome”. The Cats stunk it up in the second half and at one point by my count were being outscored by Campbellsville due to their relentless pursuit of the ball trying to make turnovers. We were hot from the floor early but only one of those was from long range. A great majority were close range jumpers and dunks. Everybody and their brother will be questioning who our perimeter players/shooters will be kind of like that proverbial missing third scorer from last years team. Unlike the cats of 08-09 we won’t be looking for that other guy night in and night out because he won’t ever be the same player. The depth that we will enjoy this season is hard to believe compared to last year when we were begging for at least one other guy to show up each night. We will however on occasion be asking what happened to the all the ‘3’ signs that used to get tallied up during games. Until there is a consistent outside scorer expect to see a lot of zone defense from our competitors as they will want to gum up the middle and avoid Wall & Bledsoe tearing them new ones right up that middle.
Speaking of Bledsoe, he is for real. Dare I say the reincarnation of Jodie Meeks’ role last season? (Minus that carrying the team on his back thing). My first impressions are that he is as good as advertised however with the signing of Wall many simply aren’t going to expect Eric to be as good as he appeared he is going to be last night. He is a fast, smart handler with the ball, often ahead of his teammates on the rotation on the court. He seemed to be able to see what was supposed to be happening but then not having anyone else in position to score nor be in great position himself to drive to the rim. He appears to have the ‘it’ factor as a playmaker and a game changer. I couldn’t help but notice on the 2nd half charge to the rim and put back of the missed free throw that he had lined up like a school kid racing his classmates on the playground and was bubbling eager to get off that line to the basket. A very smart play on the froshs part to make the other 9 players look like they didn’t even know the ball had bounced off the rim. His presence will grow on the floor and making plays like the monster block (coming from our point guard mind you) and getting up the floor on offense shows he is going to be something special.
As the leading scorer you would think Dodson would have been very noticeable. The last play in the first half was a set play that got him open and reminds a UK fan of shades of the past, say oh 12 years ago? While he didn’t hit the 3 the sheer openness of his position and the ability of his teammates to get him the ball says he may be our go to guy when we’re down with one shot left. While he seemed to be a smart player perhaps he was over thinking some things as he appeared somewhat timid in going up strong with the ball. It seemed he wanted to keep it in front of him rather than up and in front. He is another one that we will be glad is shooting in blue late this season although his speed down the court may be a factor.
DeMarcus Cousins – from what I could tell he thinks he is superman. He might just be right. He goes up strong, makes smart defensive moves and but acts loose on other plays. Definitely, he will be the intimidator of this team but it could cost him in fouls in close games if his emotions are on the outside of his skin where they are likely to be hurt at some point. His frosh counterpart Orton was a silent partner tonight thanks to other people being more visible but made great plays including the one where he received the pass from behind his head to simply dunk with a procession move that made it look like he was 13 feet tall. A great feed from Bledsoe made it an open play that no one in a burgundy jersey could even get near. My personal opinion based on appearance tells me that Orton is not only big but his is in extremely good shape very similar to his summer “hell camp” roommate Patterson. PP or P2 as I will refer to him from now on – was tonight another silent partner by making everyone work that much harder on defense. He was simply stronger than everyone he posted or dribbled against. Speaking of dribbling it was noticeable that with both hands he has taken a weakness away that the competition must now look elsewhere to try and defend him. He looks thinner this season but it is an optical illusion as he is just leaner and meaner and not bulky like he was last season resulting in his speed with and without the ball going through the roof.
More player notes:
Perry – earning his keep as a senior partner in the firm, proving desire makes up for what some say is a lack of talent.
Miller – picking up from last year, needs to be a bit more aggressive offensively like he did on the early head fake spin move to pull up jumper from about 8 feet out. Truly a beautiful play that appeared to be what he placed on this earth to do.
Krebs – aint’ skeered’ and seemed to please the coach by that play.
Hood – solid minutes but didn’t have a super floor presence. Just guessing those are the nerves of playing in front of Rupp crowd with Kentucky on your jersey not to mention being the reigning Mr. Basketball in this round-ball obsessed place.
MVP – Bledsoe over high scorer Dodson for the simple presence of position, duty on the floor, and improvisational skills. Could he be that reincarnation of a jersey number very close to his?
Overall - ?. It was just an exhibition game against an NAIA opponent silly, there really isn’t that much one could analyze is there? Whoops…
The first half was what we have been missing at UK for the past few seasons, aggressive attacking style basketball that awards taking chances and making plays. The second half was what we have been used to for about 10 years now, a good team being complacent because they were better than their opponent and just forgetting that defense was necessary – I call this the “Goliath Syndrome”. The Cats stunk it up in the second half and at one point by my count were being outscored by Campbellsville due to their relentless pursuit of the ball trying to make turnovers. We were hot from the floor early but only one of those was from long range. A great majority were close range jumpers and dunks. Everybody and their brother will be questioning who our perimeter players/shooters will be kind of like that proverbial missing third scorer from last years team. Unlike the cats of 08-09 we won’t be looking for that other guy night in and night out because he won’t ever be the same player. The depth that we will enjoy this season is hard to believe compared to last year when we were begging for at least one other guy to show up each night. We will however on occasion be asking what happened to the all the ‘3’ signs that used to get tallied up during games. Until there is a consistent outside scorer expect to see a lot of zone defense from our competitors as they will want to gum up the middle and avoid Wall & Bledsoe tearing them new ones right up that middle.
Speaking of Bledsoe, he is for real. Dare I say the reincarnation of Jodie Meeks’ role last season? (Minus that carrying the team on his back thing). My first impressions are that he is as good as advertised however with the signing of Wall many simply aren’t going to expect Eric to be as good as he appeared he is going to be last night. He is a fast, smart handler with the ball, often ahead of his teammates on the rotation on the court. He seemed to be able to see what was supposed to be happening but then not having anyone else in position to score nor be in great position himself to drive to the rim. He appears to have the ‘it’ factor as a playmaker and a game changer. I couldn’t help but notice on the 2nd half charge to the rim and put back of the missed free throw that he had lined up like a school kid racing his classmates on the playground and was bubbling eager to get off that line to the basket. A very smart play on the froshs part to make the other 9 players look like they didn’t even know the ball had bounced off the rim. His presence will grow on the floor and making plays like the monster block (coming from our point guard mind you) and getting up the floor on offense shows he is going to be something special.
As the leading scorer you would think Dodson would have been very noticeable. The last play in the first half was a set play that got him open and reminds a UK fan of shades of the past, say oh 12 years ago? While he didn’t hit the 3 the sheer openness of his position and the ability of his teammates to get him the ball says he may be our go to guy when we’re down with one shot left. While he seemed to be a smart player perhaps he was over thinking some things as he appeared somewhat timid in going up strong with the ball. It seemed he wanted to keep it in front of him rather than up and in front. He is another one that we will be glad is shooting in blue late this season although his speed down the court may be a factor.
DeMarcus Cousins – from what I could tell he thinks he is superman. He might just be right. He goes up strong, makes smart defensive moves and but acts loose on other plays. Definitely, he will be the intimidator of this team but it could cost him in fouls in close games if his emotions are on the outside of his skin where they are likely to be hurt at some point. His frosh counterpart Orton was a silent partner tonight thanks to other people being more visible but made great plays including the one where he received the pass from behind his head to simply dunk with a procession move that made it look like he was 13 feet tall. A great feed from Bledsoe made it an open play that no one in a burgundy jersey could even get near. My personal opinion based on appearance tells me that Orton is not only big but his is in extremely good shape very similar to his summer “hell camp” roommate Patterson. PP or P2 as I will refer to him from now on – was tonight another silent partner by making everyone work that much harder on defense. He was simply stronger than everyone he posted or dribbled against. Speaking of dribbling it was noticeable that with both hands he has taken a weakness away that the competition must now look elsewhere to try and defend him. He looks thinner this season but it is an optical illusion as he is just leaner and meaner and not bulky like he was last season resulting in his speed with and without the ball going through the roof.
More player notes:
Perry – earning his keep as a senior partner in the firm, proving desire makes up for what some say is a lack of talent.
Miller – picking up from last year, needs to be a bit more aggressive offensively like he did on the early head fake spin move to pull up jumper from about 8 feet out. Truly a beautiful play that appeared to be what he placed on this earth to do.
Krebs – aint’ skeered’ and seemed to please the coach by that play.
Hood – solid minutes but didn’t have a super floor presence. Just guessing those are the nerves of playing in front of Rupp crowd with Kentucky on your jersey not to mention being the reigning Mr. Basketball in this round-ball obsessed place.
MVP – Bledsoe over high scorer Dodson for the simple presence of position, duty on the floor, and improvisational skills. Could he be that reincarnation of a jersey number very close to his?
Overall - ?. It was just an exhibition game against an NAIA opponent silly, there really isn’t that much one could analyze is there? Whoops…
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