Archive for the ‘09 Team Preview’ Category

One scout for ESPN recruiting said that Eric Bledsoe’s energy on the court is as contagious as his smile, This kid loves the game and is passionate about constantly improving,  that’s a great fit for rabid UK fans who are about as passionate as you will find.

How often does a team get the #1 and #3 ranked PG”s in the nation to commit in the same season, it is probably unprecedented, and I know that im partial towards Bledsoe, but I am not the only one who thinks he is better than Abdul Gaddy the #2 ranked PG. Many scouts feel Gaddy is a little overrated do to the weak competition he has played on the West Coast. If this is the case that would give UK the two best freshmen Lead Guards in the country.

I am truly excited to see Bledsoe as a Cat and I believe he is being overlooked because of the hype of the superstar John Wall (go back and read my previous article DONT UNDERESTIMATE ERIC BLEDSOE ) But regardless of who joins Eric in the back court he brings a dynamic to the team that even Wall doesn’t possess, he is a true Point Guard.

Eric Bledsoe is a lighting quick, pass first PG who excels at putting his teammates in position to score, he also can get to the rim at will and is described as a BULLDOG on the court meaning he plays tough and has a stubborn streak, and refuses to back down from any challenge. Eric as a decent perimeter shot and has consistently improved in this area.

With a competitive player like Bledsoe you know practicing with John Wall will only improve his already terrific game, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, Look for Bledsoe to get plenty of minutes this season regardless of who else is in the back court.

This video is a little grainy, but Eric is the one breakin fools down.

 JON HOOD

Man its great to see a Kentucky boy suit up for the Cats, there’s just something a little different about the kids that grew up dreaming of playing in Rupp, living the dream of every young man in the state, they just understand our passion and our desire to be the best, the fans arent as crazy in the home grown boys eye’s, they relize that the heart of the Commonwelth is UK Basketball, and they will give their all to hang another banner.

2009 Mr Kentucky and Gatorade player of the year Jon Hood dindt have a hard decision when given the opportunity to be a Cat, it’s what he had worked for his whole life, so to those out there who are underestimating the impact Jon can have as a Wildcat, DONT, he will before its all said and done be a great addition to the team, it may not be this season but before he leaves he will be a fan favorite, and a STAR at this glorious program.

The amount of playing time and impact that Hood can have this year largely depends on the decision of Jodie Meeks, if Jodie returns Hood will most likely get spot minutes but if Meeks stays in the draft look for Jon to get plenty of chances to shine, and his game is a perfect fit for the Dribble Drive Motion Offense. 

Jon Hood was Ranked top 50 in every ranking coming out of Madisonville North High school, at 6-6 190 lb’s this young man is has the ability to play either wing spot, SF or SG, Jon has great size for a combo wing and has good range on his jumper, including a nice mid range game and solid shooting from behind the arc. Jon can do everything required to be good as his position, from creating his own shot off the dribble, to slashing and scoring at the rim. Hood is an above average rebounder for his position and has really good floor vision for a wing.

The only knocks on Jon have been poor defense and being unaggresive at times, alot of  that was due to being the best player on his team by far, and being the focus of the other teams defensive strategy, at times drawing double an triple teams, this led to Hood acting as a decoy for his teammates and at times neglect his own offense. Look for this home grown product to make all Kentuckians proud before his time as a Cat is done.

The biggest surprise on this years team has to be Josh (the chick magnet) Harrelson, not for his play but for the fact he is even going to be on the team. I dont think anyone in the state thought Josh would still be on the team, it was immediately assumed when Cal was hired and the new recruits started rolling in that Josh would be pushed out the door, but not so fast !

Although Big Josh obviously suffers from a terrible case of White Mans Syndrome, he was able to impress Coach Cal enough to keep his spot on the team, Josh recently stated on his Facebook page that he was definatly staying, and all those who didnt believe in him could kiss his a$$, Tell em how you really feel my man.

Now i think its safe to say that Josh will be playing a supporting role on the bench, but I like this young man and he will be a pretty solid reserve to add depth to a stacked front court, Josh really has a nice shot for a guy his size and is pretty crafty in the post, it was reported that he played really well in Cals workouts and can drive with the ball better than expected.

Here’s some old school video of Josh back in Junior college in St Louis shooting clutch free throws, they called him Jackie back then.

What else can be said about the MAN, the MYTH, the LEGEND, Patrick the MAN CHILD Patterson, well a whole hell of alot, the impact this young man will have on this team cant really be described in words. He gives this team of young superstars a role model of how to conduct yourself on and off the court, he will show his teamates how hard a proven star works on a daily basis on the hardwood and in the classroom, he will lead by his actions and his attitude, and provide a veteran focus to a group of highschool phenoms.

I cant state enough how impressed I am by PPat, this kid has the perfect mix of character,work ethic, determination, and passion that every young player should strive for, this is the kind of young man who places a higher importance on his college degree than on a big pay check.

Just think about the fact that this kid was a gauranteed top 20 pick in this years NBA draft, but being a Wildcat was more important to Pat, you got to have a special place in your heart for a guy like that.

Think about the risk Pat is taking, he will be learning a new system, and playing out of his comfort zone, he will have to show skills out on the perimeter that he hasnt shown yet, shooting the 3, beating guys off the dribble, creating for his teammates, guarding faster players at times, he is in a situation where he could decrease his stock. But PPat is so determined to improve himself and his game that he is willing to take that risk. Pat will also recieve his degree at the end of this season after just 3 years, that is something to be proud of in this day and age of prima donna atheletes who are only worried about getting the CHEDDA.

It is almost impossible not to wish success for a high quality young man like this, and with his attitude and HEART, it will be hard to deny PPat anything he tries to acomplish.

Just on a personal note PPat has secured his place on my all time favorite top 10 list and is climbing fast.

Check out some of his man dunks from this past season below:

Daniel Orton

Apparently the guys doing the player rankings were smoking a little to much whacky weed when they ranked Big D as the #5 center and the #19 best player overall, there is no possible way that four centers are better than Orton, I mean Mason Plumblee is on the list because he is going to Duke, but to say he is the better player, is to have lived a long life of hard drugs and ugly women(ugly chicks degrade the mind after a while). Then you look at Tiny Gallon, now i like Tiny but he is not in Orton’s league in all around talant. The only Center in the country as skilled as Orton is his new teammate Demarcus Cousins, which in my estimation gives UK the #1 and #2 best Freshmen Big men in the country.

At 6-10, 260 lb’s Daniel is a true center and is a Beast in the post, this kid has all the moves, baby hooks, quick drop steps, explosive dunks, and a steller face up game, but what sets Big D apart from other bigs is the rest of his game. He runs the floor like a man half his size, and has a very strong floor game, the kid can light it up from three, and he is ecstatic that he will finally get the chance to show his whole game in Cal’s system. He is also a terrific passer out of the post and an outstanding post defender, as you can see in the video below that Daniel has the ability to take over a game, as much as any of UK’s new players Im truly excited to see Daniel Orton in Rupp.

The only thing that worries me about Daniel is his knee problems, which caused him to miss most of his senior season, but as long as D stays healthy the sky is the limit for this kid. Make sure to check out the video and you will see the unreal potential that Daniel brings to the table.

How did you like when Big D shattered the Backboard, SICK