Only one title for Cal’s UK teams? ‘We could have done more,’ he says.
With Kentucky flooding the stage at this year’s NBA Finals, a question has been raised: How can 37 drafted players (28 first-rounders) translate to only one shining moment when it comes to NCAA Tournament championships in John Calipari’s 11 seasons as UK coach?
During a teleconference Tuesday, he acknowledged that the question had merit.
“I know we could have done more,” Calipari said. “I know that. But if you want to say that, that’s fine.”
The UK coach suggested that one national championship (in 2012) to show for a glut of lottery picks (20) is a product of the nature of the NCAA Tournament. Only one worthy team can win it. He pointed out that Kentucky regularly plays well at season’s end.
“With a chance to win the national championship,” Calipari said. “But it’s one-and-done (no pun apparently intended).”
One shot (Luke Maye) or a standout performance (Kemba Walker), demoralizing shooting from three-point range (against West Virginia in 2010) or a quality opponent (Wisconsin in 2015) can mean abrupt elimination.
“How about if it was the best-of-three?” Calipari asked. “How many would we have ? Or best-of-seven? How many national championships?”
Calipari cited another factor that might not sit well with some fans: Preparation for the NBA is a top priority in his Kentucky program.
“The environment here, everything about it is about preparing them for the NBA,” he said. “It’s an NBA environment. How we practice. The competitiveness in practice. The games. The shots. Every shot matters here. It’s kind of like their rookie year is here.”
The emphasis is on teaching players how to improve and diversify their games rather than fit in a preordained system, he said.
“You can teach really good players how to play and what it’s going to be like (in the NBA) or you can teach them to be in a system,” Calipari said. “We’re teaching kids how to play.”
UK connection
Former UK players in the NBA Finals include Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro for Miami. Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo play for Los Angeles. Two other UK connections are Miami team president Pat Riley and Los Angeles head coach Frank Vogel.
When asked if this presence can help Kentucky’s recruiting, Calipari said, “I don’t think it can hurt.”
It also can help with the current players, he said. There is texting back and forth depending on what happens in a playoff game. The current players recognize a teaching point at UK that shows itself in a game.
Motivation
Calipari suggested what motivates Adebayo and Herro.
For Adebayo, it is hoping to reward his mother’s sacrifices. As a UK player, Adebayo had a picture of the humble home he shared with his mother as the screenshot on his cell phone. His mother walked 2 miles to work at a supermarket each day, Calipari said.
As for Herro, “Tyler’s thing is no one thought he was good enough (to play for Kentucky),” Calipari said. “He had a chip on his shoulder that ‘I’m going to show you.’”
UK-U of L
Calipari said he does not want to see Kentucky’s series with Louisville interrupted.
“I think that game is good for our state,” he said. “It should be played. But I’m running Kentucky’s program. That’s what I do. I’m not telling any other program what they should or shouldn’t do.”
Louisville Coach Chris Mack has questioned the equity of UK possibly playing in an empty Yum Center this coming season and U of L having to play in a Rupp Arena full of fans in 2021-22.
Calipari suggested fairness can be an unreachable goal during a pandemic.
“This virus is running us,” he said of COVID-19. “We are not running the virus. … My hope is we play the game this year. But we’re prepared if we’re not.”
Schedule
Calipari said UK expects to start the season with two “bubbles”: one at home featuring Detroit Mercy and two other teams, and the second in Orlando, Fla., as part of the Champions Classic.
The makeup of a Southeastern Conference schedule remains unknown.
“What we don’t know is what it’s going to be like when we start in November,” Calipari said. Will there be a vaccine? Will fans be allowed to attend?
At least some home games will not have fans, he said, adding, “which is crap. But we have no choice.”
This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 2:26 PM.
