Street Ball comes to Kentucky

Apparently Kentucky has found the coach that can revitalize their fan base. Former Memphis Coach John Calipari introduced himself to the Kentucky basketball nation. One of the most intriguing questions during the press conference was about Calipari's "dribble drive" offense that has made him such a winner at Memphis. His response was true. Kids want to play for a team where their skills can be showcased.

Before delving into all of the pros and cons of Mitch Barnhart's decison, let me say that Kentucky is getting a very complicated individual to coach its team. Calipari is very confident in his abilities as a basketball coach. His success at Umass is well documented. The recruiting scandal that made it easier for him to bolt the program for the NBA after the school's only final four appearance is very obvious to watchful eye as well.

What makes Calipari so complicated is that he appears to genuinely care about his players on and off the court. He makes no bones about doing things his way. He's the equivalent of the steady boyfriend with the wondering eye for beautiful women. N.C. State apparently couldn't get him to commit but Kentucky could. The Memphis program was improved during his nine year tenure. Graduation rates went up considerably which was something that former coaches like Dana Kirk, Larry Finch and Tic Price seemed allergic to.

He turned the Memphis program into a place where kids from all over the country would consider. How else do we explain how an east coast kid like Dejuan Wagner comes to Memphis over the likes of Louisville (his dad Milt Wagner played there) or any other storied program in the country. Oh I forgot, Milt was actually an assistant there hired by Calipari at the same time that "Juanie" was being recruited. Let's not forget how childhood pal and high school team mate Arthur Barclay came along for the ride to. Nothing illegal but classic Calipari. Back in the day, the Andre Turner's of the Memphis community stayed home to wear tiger blue.

Guys like Penny Hardaway, Billy Smith, Baskerville Holmes, Elliot Perry and William Bedford carried on a tradition of home grown talent that could compete against some of the biggest programs in the country en route to multiple appearances in the NCAA tournament. It was a love affair that came to an end after Larry Finch was fired when he failed to land local high school stars Tony Harris and Robert O'kelly.

Calipari got the job in 2000 following the stint of Tic Price that ended in a messy scandal. Calipari guided the program through the messy divorce of strictly recruiting local talent to competing nationally against the heavyweights of college basketball. Larry Finch took the Memphis program as far as he could. Calipari raised the programs profile to new heights.

Calipari's Nine year run produced an N.I.T. championship, several elite eight appearances and a final four that ended in a close shave in the 2008 national title game. Memphis basketball has become a national program visible enough to compete with any traditional power for great players. The Memphis basketball program under Calipari was among the winningest college programs in a 5 year span averaging well over thirty wins for 4 years of that 5 year span. So Calipari is no slouch by any stretch of the imgagination. (even mine) Now lets get down to some honest criticisms of Coach Cal's coaching style.

1. Does Calipari's style of coaching makes players better?

In fairness, this question maybe better suited for someone who played for him but for the sake of argument and observation I can say NO... Dejuan Wagner was a first round pick (#6 overall) in the 2002 draft but hasn't really panned out in the league after a semi impressive rookie campaign. Guys like Shawne Williams, Sean Banks, Darius Washington, Jr. Rodney Carney and Chris Douglas Roberts didn't develop a killer instinct in this junk food diet type of offense.

Who can forget D Wash missing three straight free throws to miss out on the NCAA tourney? What about the arrogance of breaking the huddle saying B.I.A.(Best in America) only to watch player after player miss costly free throws when they counted. How about the 2005 and 2006 teams that went flat offensively in the regional final championship games.

Who can forget the meltdown of the Umass team in the 1996 final four that saw Kentucky erase a ten point lead with two mintues to go. It must have been ground hogs day in last years championship game against Kansas. Another double digit lead was squandered by a team led by Cal in the 2008 championship game.

Derrick Rose is the lone exception of a player who may get better as his playing career goes on but it will not be because of Calipari's coaching. Rose has special talent that doesn't improve necessarily because of coaching. That guy does things on the court that can't be coached.

The professional environment offers a player the opportunity to get better if they commit themselves in the areas of physical fitness, a great diet and a regimented routine that improves the fundamental aspects of a players overall game. None of Coach Cal's players at the NBA level can be put into that category yet. Frankly kids aren't attracted to playing for Cal because he improves their fundamental skills.

2. Lets tell the truth about the "dribble drive offense"

Most fans live up to the abbreviated meaning of the term. Their analysis of the teams they (I have fan tendencies too.) root for can be down right wrong sometimes. In the same vein due to their (our) love and devotion for their teams, they also have some valid criticisms as well. The dribble drive offense is glorified street ball. That sentiment shouldn't minimize the success of coach Cal but it is a sweeping indictment on some of the issues of why he hasn't won a national championship playing this style of basketball.

Very few times have we seen this offense produce in a situation where absolute chaos existed. Sure there are scenarios where a player takes matters in his own hands.( i.e. Tyus Edny.) This style of play rarely produces a Tate George or Christian Laettner like moment. Sure Chris Douglas Roberts made a play against UAB on the road during their final four run that kept the Conference USA streak alive but that wasn't necessarily a bread and butter play drawn up by Cal to free up the guy to make that play.

3. How long will the Kentucky faithful put up with this style of play before getting disgruntled?

Calipari has the brass Kaones to silence any critics of his style. His demeanor in the press conference was a classic example of that. The Kentucky faithful should be prepared for Cal not recruiting some of the states home grown talent. This will be a national program. Richie Farmer and Deron Feldhaus aren't walking through those hallowed locker room doors. Patrick Sparks will never be allowed to transfer there. So check your home state passions at the door.

Calipari can be feisty when it comes to silly questions in the local media. His ego is as big as any coach who has actually won multiple national championships.(Oh forgot he hasn't won any yet) Be prepared for the possibility of several one and done prospects to filter in and out of the program. Expect some of the players that he was recruiting to Memphis not to follow him to Kentucky.

The college basketball recruiting world is a brutal place to navigate. Opposing programs are a cross between pirhana and vultures when coaches leave programs for greener pastures. Expect the recruitment of the kids who were considering Memphis to get interesting. Suddenly those who didn't have a chance are now in the running to get those players.


4. Can Calipari bring a national championship to Kentucky?

Sure he can but it will be a lot harder at UK than it would've been at Memphis. Elite eight appearances are acceptable in Memphis but the fan base in the bluegrass state will have some questions when Calipari's coaching deficiencies get exposed for the world to see. Though the SEC was down this year, one could expect the likes of Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt to be an upgrade in competition.

Don't bet on the Wildcats going undefeated in SEC play for 3 years. The tigers dominance of Conference USA gave them a boost in their seeding the last three seasons. To their credit they played a stellar non conference schedule but most top tier teams from any of the BCS conferences would like wise dominate the C-USA.

Thirty win campaigns are hard to come by in leagues like the SEC. Coach Cal will do a great job there. This was more about ego than money. Reportedly Memphis was able to pony up the money to match any offer that Kentucky made. This was certainly more about the lure and mystic of coaching at Kentucky. The renewed rival syndrome possibly came calling.(Pitino ain't that far away) John Chaney got so hot at Cal once until he was ready to choke him out UFC style at a press conference. A guy can't get a rush like that playing in the C-USA.

It also was about meeting a new challenge for a guy who seems to be driven by how others esteem him in the coaching ranks and most importantly in the media. Excellence in human endeavors makes all of us ponder the evaluation of our peers. Success can be a funny thing. It can make us blindly ambitious or it can expose what's really behind door number one.

In classic Monty Hall fashion Kentucky and John Calipari made a deal. Many fans and Kentucky haters alike are anxious to see how the 30 million dollar man pans out. A rabid fan base and unfulfilled expectations has a funny way of taking the shine off a coach. Time will definitely tell.. Kentucky just won the SEC media day championship... The circus has arrived in Lexington yet again or has it ever left?