Well, the UK practice/NBA Combine has came and went and did not disappoint. I see a lot of complaining from fans on twitter about the amount of talking by the ESPN guys and the lack of basketball being shown. Well, if you have ever watched an actually NBA Draft Combine, then you know that very little basketball is shown, it's basically just the announcers giving their thoughts on the players and how they will perform at the next level. There was NO UK media whatsoever, just 90 NBA GM's and scouts and the ESPN announcers. A pretty brilliant idea by Calipari to be honest. Not only does this help with recruiting, but it will also ease some of the crowds that always attended Kentucky practices throughout the season.
However, once the five-on-five scrimmage started, you finally got to see some basketball. During the scrimmage, there was a couple of things that stood out.
Tyler Ulis is going to be a match-up nightmare for any guard who is unfortunate enough to be matched-up against him. He can drive the floor with blinding speed and amazing control all while being able to see everyone on the floor. His court vision is beyond insane, he seems to have eyes on all sides of his head. He can find the open guy at the right spot and right time which is crucial when trying to break a full-court press.
The Harrison Twins seem much more mature this season and that was something that I noticed in the Bahamas as well as tonight. Both of them are more patient on both ends of the floor and are not afraid to take an open shot, unlike last season, at least early in the year. They both have packed on quite a bit of muscle and seem to have more body control when on the defensive end of the floor. Last season, small quick guards was a nightmare for Kentucky, mainly because neither Harrison could stay in-front of someone smaller or quicker than them. Today, both Aaron and Andrew had a chance to guard Tyler Ulis (who is far smaller and light years faster) and done extremely well. They were able to stay in-front of Tyler and often made him alter his route to the basket. If they can stay with Tyler, I'd say they can stay with anyone as Ulis will no doubt be the smallest, quickest guard they will face all season long and they'll face him everyday in practice which will do nothing but make all three kids better as the season goes on.
The other interesting thing to watch today was the big-man battle down low between Dakari Johnson, Karl Towns Jr., Willie Cauley-Stein and Trey Lyels. Let's just say that whoever Kentucky plays is going to have their hands-full when trying to score inside. Another good thing is that neither Willie Cauley-Stein nor Trey Lyels showed any signs of lingering effects of the injuries that kept them from participating in the Bahamas earlier this summer. Also worth noting is how much leaner and in-shape Dakari Johnson looks. They said he lost twenty-five pounds over the summer, but I swear it looks like a whole lot more than that. With the weight loss, Dakari looks a lot faster and doesn't get winded as quickly as last season.
Devin Booker is one of the best shooters that I have seen over the last 3-4 years. His shot is so smooth and his release is so fast, teams will have a hard time guarding him on the perimeter to say the least.
All in all, everyone looked as good or better than advertised and the veterans ALL looked improved from last season. This is going to be a fun season and could be one that we won't soon forget.
Here's how some reacted on Twitter to the UK practice?NBA Combine...
Jeff Drummond: It's been a Tyler Ulis lovefest on ESPNU crew, but Kenny Payne cutaway interview says "This is Andrew Harrison's team to lead"
Jay Bilas (on air): Even Allen Iverson would like this practice
Avery Johnson (on air): If I had this opportunity when I was in college like Kentucky has, I would have been a first round pick.
Myron Medcalf: Tyler Ulis is the truth. Juice. Everywhere.
Jay Bilas (on air to Seth Greenberg): If you're a high school kid watching this, what are you thinking?....
Greenberg (response): I want to be part of that.
Adam Zagoria: That there's 90 NBA guys at UK now isn't lost on recruits like @_IsaiahBriscoe & others. I'm sure it will be mentioned once or twice at MM
CoachCalDotCom: Whoa, Karl-Anthony Towns just drained 78 shots in the five-minute shooting drill
John Caliapri had the quote of the night when he sat down with Jay Bilas and the gang for some camera time. When they were talking about whether or not this was an advantage for Kentucky, Cal was quick to note that ALL schools have the opportunity to do the something but then went on to say "All you coaches that want to do this, since I did it first, it will be outlawed." While I find this quote hilarious, it's the truth.
Now that the combine is over, it's just eight days until Big Blue Madness and it can't come soon enough.
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