Late Thoughts From the Game

I know this is a bit late but I wanted to throw up tidbits after the first Wall game.

1. Its already been said over and over but Miami (OH) coach was hilarious. Blew the room away. When talking to a few reporters they said they didn't know anyone who had controlled a room like that (pretty big talk especially in the Cal era).

He also made a point that I really agreed with (when I stepped back). That was a FANTASTIC game. Just like the Kansas-Memphis and Zags-Mich St. games. One inferior team playing above themselves and out of their minds and the other more talented team just struggling to get back in and just willing themselves to win in the end. (although I was really rooting for Memphis for 2 reasons--Cal's old team AND Kansas being the team to beat for everybody, it would be fun to see a chink in their armor).

There wasn't a lot of show boating. Just tons of emotion and hard, tough basketball. With 2 exciting plays at both ends to finish the game.

2. Cal is the exact opposite of Billy G, in a good way. Not to kill Billy Clyde (I liked the hire at the time, still wish him luck, and his Texas A&M team was my favorite non-UK team in the tourney with Acie Law IV being my favorite non-UK player that year) BUT, that being said at least Cal has an answer or reason for his moves. he wouldn't come out and say "we got beat" or "got a win" Cal explained his decisions in a way that made sense. Maybe we don't agree with him not calling timeouts in certain situations or whatever but at least he has a purpose. (and an offense besides lets switch Patterson and Stephenson in the high and low posts; and offense&D that actually responds to what the other team is doing)---which is nice

3. Cousins--read Austin's excellent recap (plus more on him later). Although I will say when he took over the game down the stretch I saw what all the hype was about. He ran the floor, was making big plays on offense and defense and singlehandedly kept Kentucky from letting that game get away. I'm hoping he can put it all together for a full game. There is no telling what he could do then. We are talking somebody like Ewing, Olajuwon, Bias or Amar'e if he had gone to college. I know that's high talk but He owned the game on both sides for about 4 full minutes. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself But I see why he is considered such a high pick.

4. JOHN WALL--I'm saying that in Caps b/c he is quickly joining the short list of my favorite UK players ever (with Delk and Rondo). I love all the Cats but there are always favorites and those are mine. Also he gets 2 sections because there is a lot to talk (GUSH) about. 1st I mean MY GOODNESS. Your first college game ever, national stage, 24,000 screaming fans and you roll down the court and knock down the game winner with less than a second on the clock. That's Disney Movie type stuff. That's how you imagine things going in your first game when your a kid in your driveway with a hoop, counting down seconds out loud and hitting the shot before you were done (I usually got fouled on my attempts since I wasn't every good...shut up that fake defender hacked me and you all know it). But how does he react--lets go to 5.

5. Let me say the kid has SUPER poise. I think he was built to be a basketball player in every way including attitude. He shows a ton of emotion and knows how to get his team fired up. He knows the importance of big plays and MO-mentum. He has a sense of "the moment" and doesn't shrink away from a big stage. These are all things you can't see in stats, you just have to see by watching them play. Its what separates Jordan from Karl Malone and Bill Russell from Chamberlain. Stats don't matter as much as being able to come through when it matters. So obviously after hitting that shot and totally arriving he had to be going nuts right????

WRONG--all he talked about were his teammates and Coach. Asked about the shot he said, yea Coach had me working on pulling up and hitting those shots in traffic because the other team would take charges and cut off my dribble. (Um John, you just hit a game winner in your FIRST game!) He was happy the shot went in to get the win, but kept talking about all the things he needed to improve upon, which is true but I mean wow. Kid is really low key. I liked that. He doesn't give in to all his hype he knows he needs to work.

You can say, well he is just trying to say the right things, but I don't believe that. I stayed beside him for most of the interviews. He really seems like saying the right thing comes natural. Like he was glad they won but knew there were mistakes and wants to play GREAT basketball and knows he can do that here. (sorry if thats a run-on but I just love the guy)--which brings me to my next and finally (your welcome) point

6. EVERYBODY LOVES THIS GUY. Miami (OH) coach talked about how great he was, not just as a player but as a person. Eric Bledsoe talked about how great it was to play with him after the first game. Miller, Patterson and Cousins all talked about how great he is. With Cousin's having the best quote about John Wall's legacy starting that night. I loved that. Reminds me of how much Chris Paul's teammates love him and people around the NBA respect him. He just has that charisma that draws you in. These guys would kill themselves for him because they know he will do the same for them.

Maybe I'm Biased (Hint: I am) but that's why I love this guy. Sure he needs to improve certain things like outside shooting, not turning the ball over, not making freshman mistakes. BUT all his intangibles more than make up for it. At least for him. Sure he's an uber-talented player that could cost by and still be a good player (think Derrick Coleman) but he seems more like the guy that kills himself to win and get better which is the easiest way to become one of my favorite players.

Here's hoping for a few more Disney games and a great season from the Cats.