COMPETITION: A test of skill or ability; a contest.
Never before have these words rung more true than on the current University of Kentucky men's basketball team.
Last season, we saw players such as Perry Stevenson get called to action, and despite his limited abilities on the court, he had moments of greatness (maybe I had a slight indulgance w/ that wording). After a season that saw him average nearly 8 points, 6 boards, and 2 blocks per game, while playing nearly 30 minutes each contest (and thank the Lord we had him, or it could have/would have been much worse), he has now been relegated to the bench.
Is it because he suddenly lost a great deal of the abilities he showed last season? Maybe he took for granted the fact that he had an easy ticket to starting at PF/C? Did he eat too many Pop Tarts? Any and all of these are possible, I suppose... but also highly unlikely.
Instead, he is having to COMPETE for his minutes. Not compete against a floundering walk-on who got the start for sheer spite. No, not just a warm body, but some of the best talent in this year's national freshman class. I'll be the first to admit that I've yet to become too comfortable w/ Big Cuz, but when you can't step onto the court over a TRUE FRESHMAN, who is 7 months removed from high school, that implies a HUGE disparity in talent and ability.
Thank Goodness we now have players that make things like this so obvious.
I was thinking the same thing when I wrote my "rotation" editoral. I really hope that Perry can steal some minutes here and there and go out with a bang, but he's going to really have to step up his game for that to happen. I really wish Cal had red shirted him, but I understand why he didn't.
ReplyDeletePerry has to earn his minutes. So far, that hasn't happened.
ReplyDeleteTo me, Stevenson and HArrelson are only playing when Cuz and Orton do something stupid and/or get into foul trouble. If Orton and Cousins are effective we don't need anything more than 5-10 minutes a game from Stevenson. Harrelson can play as match-ups allow, but he is atrocious on defense. He can't guard a BCS type big guy.. He does some things well, and if we are in a bind he is a great guy to have at the end of the bench. HE can do enough positives to offset his defensive shortcomings. He is one of our best shooters, and is good rebounding.
ReplyDeleteStevenson is soft. I like him, but he just had to get stronger over the years to be a serious player. He, like HArris takes forever to gather himself once he catches the ball and allows the defense to adjust. Harris and Stevenson can do things to help you out, and I am glad they are this team. They just aren't complete players.