Westphal out at Sac-Town

Twitter blew up for a couple of days after the following statement came out about Demarcus Cousins:

"SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Jan. 1, 2012 -- “Whenever a new season begins, in any sport, there is great hope that everything will progress in only a steady, upward direction. As we all know, it seldom happens like that in this life!

As coaches, we can only ask that our players do everything they can to improve themselves as individuals and teammates. If they do this with all their hearts, we live with the results.

Everything that happens on a team does not become known to the public. This is how it should be. However, when a player continually, aggressively, lets it be known that he is unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefinitely.

DeMarcus Cousins has demanded to be traded. In the best interest of our team as we go forward, he has been directed by me, with the support of management, to stay home from the New Orleans game tonight.”"

This was like blood in the water for anyone who ever had anything against the University of Kentucky, John Calipari, and Demarcus Cousins. There was so many things said about Demarcus, anything from, "he's a headcase", "I knew this would happen", to the infamous " I told you so".
To be honest, it was kinda hard to keep up with all the chest pounding sports writers (you know who you are) that were jumping all over the situation to prove themselves right.


Then came this statement today:


" SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Jan. 5, 2012 -- The Sacramento Kings today relieved Paul Westphal of his head coaching duties, according to President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Current Kings’ assistant coach Keith Smart will serve as head coach in tonight’s game versus the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I want to thank Paul for all of his effort on behalf of the Kings,” said Petrie. “Unfortunately, the overall performance level of the team has not approached what we felt was reasonable to expect. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

In two-plus seasons as head coach of the Kings, Westphal amassed a record of 51-120.

“I would like to thank the Maloof family for the incredible opportunity they gave me to participate in the attempt to bring the Sacramento Kings back to prominence,” said Westphal. “While the job is far from finished, I am proud of the strides we were able to make.

“Geoff Petrie and his staff have been nothing but honest and supportive throughout my time here. They are first class in every way and I wish them nothing but success. My hope is to see the fans of the Kings and the city of Sacramento rewarded with many years of great basketball.

“Finally, I want to thank my loyal staff and players for their efforts in attempting to climb out of the hole we shared. Nothing comes easy in the NBA and I know they will not rest in their efforts to rebuild this team.”"


It seems that Demarcus wasn't the ENTIRE problem for the Knigs. Of course, all you had to do was take a look at their record since the hiring of Westphal to understand why Westphal may have been throwing Demarcus under the bus. Maybe he was trying to save himself. Is this what I think happened? NO. Is Demarcus a headcase? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Does he do or say things that should not be done or said? Yes. But, he is NOT what the so called sports writers try to portray him as. It was just an opportunity for them to say " see there, I told you that would happen", so they could appear to know what they are talking about.


However, since the issuing of this statement, there has been rumblings from those close to the Kings organization that it was Westphal's coaching (or lack there of) that got him canned with the Cousins situation being only a small part of the reason. Even a player on the team came out and said that it was so bad that a lot of the players didn't know the different types of offensive sets they were going to be running. Not to mention, there has been five players to ask for a trade since Paul became coach, not just Demarcus Cousins.

Did any of those "sports writers" mention any of that? I think you know the answer to that.

Kentucky Wins

The afternoon was set for a great showdown between the Cats and Cards, you had the lovely Ashley Judd in the house, as well as a surprise visit from rap icon Jay-Z. Everything was perfect, then came the officials. The amount of fouls called (51 between both teams) was absolutely insane, both teams had MAJOR foul trouble the enitre game. a game that should have been a barn burner, was quickly turned into long drawn out foul fest.


Kentucky got the win (no thanks to the upper classman) thanks two MKG (24 pts), and The Brow (18pts, 6blks, 10rebs). You saw today, why MKG is a lottery pick (I still think he returns next season), and why Anthony Davis will be the #1 pick in next years draft. Kidd-Gilchrist played like a man the enitre game, and at times, was even the vocal leader of the team, something I like seeing from a freshman. He slashed to the basket at will, and claimed any and all rebounds with serious intensity. NO ONE for UofL could handle Gillie one on one, same goes for Davis. Did I mention that Davis didn't score a single point until the second half? Insane I know.


All in all, it was a fun game (should have been even more fun) and nice to see Kentucky pull out a tough win against a quality opponent. Going forward, Kentucky will need more out of the upper classman other than turnovers and bonehead plays that freshman usually make. I'll break the game down in more detail tomorrow, right now, it's time to drink some adult type drinks, and celebrate the New Year and big win over the Dirty Birds.

About that time

Well boys and girls, it's about that time. Time for the game that causes husbands to turn on wives, and grandkids to slap grandparents. The game that splits the state like a civil war filled with pride, hate, and down right despite for the opposing side.


It's a rivalry unlike any other in college basketball. ESPN says the greatest rivalry in college basketball takes place on "tobacco road", that's because they're afraid to make the trip down I-64 to witness a TRUE rivalry. A rivalry, that every year turns brother against brother.


I could could go into stats, and try to break down the game, but it's pointless. When these two teams play, stats and facts go out the window. There is too much heart, and determination that goes into this game for the stats to matter. One team could be ranked #1 and the other #3000 and it would still be a battle till the end. That's what makes this game so special, then you through the Cal-Pitino factor into it, and it goes to a whole other level.


Louisville fans have been out in force this week (pics above) talking trash, as have the UK fans. Come around 2 pm tomorrow we will find out which side can have bragging rights 'till next season.


Until then, let's hope the game is fun, exciting, safe, and shows why it IS the BEST rivalry in college basketball.

Without Jones

Last night Kentucky took the floor without Terrence Jones, someone who most thought was the most important part of this years team. The problem was, Kentucky looked better without Jones.

Now, before you bash me, think about it for a second. In one of the most hostile games of the year against Indiana, Terrence may as well have just stayed in Lexington, and not have wasted the P.A. guys time of calling his name during intros. Going for 2 rebounds,only putting up 2 shots for the game, and standing like a statue on defense is not what you expect out of someone wanting to be taken in the lottery portion of the NBA draft.


Then, there was the UTC game. Sure he dislocated his pinkie, but what about the time he had on the floor before that? Nothing but turnovers, and poor shot selection was the theme of the game for Jones. I'm not bashing or hating on anyone, just calling it like I see it, and what I see is a player with something affecting his game. Whatever it is, Jones needs to get it worked out, or he will be forced to return for his junior year.

Patrick Patterson's new job

Looks like former Kentucky Wildcat Patrick Patterson has found a way to occupy himself while recovering from surgery to remove bone spurs on his ankle. Working at the Houston Rockets ticket window seems to suit him nicely.

Calipari still coaches Memphis

Apparently the Memphis Tigers had a game tonight. I don't know who they played, and frankly, I don't care. But one of the funniest things I have ever heard of took place during the announcement of the starting lineups.

The man in the picture above, the PA announcer for Memphis Chuck Roberts announced the Memphis Head Coach as John Calipari...

Gary Parrish of CBS sports had this to say on Twitter:

@GaryParrishCBS: PA announcer Chuck Roberts just introduced the head coach of Memphis as "John Calipari." Loudest boos of the season


I don't care who you are that is just funny. Guess ole' Chuck still misses Calipari.

Jones Responds PartII

No sooner than I made the last post, Terrence stuck again on Twitter

@TerrenceJones1: To all our true fans in the #BBN who have our backs through thick and thin, both me and my teammates will make you proud again. #WeAreUK

Now, reading that message leads me to believe as always some fans have loaded Terrence's timeline on Twitter with derogatory messages. I hope that is not the case, but you know how 1 or 2% of our fanbase is. Like I said before,if you have nothing good to say, then shut up. These are kids playing a sport, not a life and death situation, and there is never an excuse for publicly calling a player out, that is the coaches job not the fans.