|
Post by CardHater on May 14, 2005 8:31:34 GMT -5
I just wanted to get on here and say that we are damn lucky to have Tubby Smith as our men's basketball coach. Anyone who doesn't think so is crazy. Tubby is one of, if not the best college coach in America. Some will say Pitino is a better motivator, some will say What about coach K or Roy Williams. Well I say there is no body more knowledgeable about the game. There is absolutely nobody that is better at developing players. No one at any level can draw up a play after a timeout better than him, and when it comes down to it nobody works a game like Tubby Smith.
I know some of you will hate on this statement and question the lack of a final four since his first year. Well I will say this to you. Three years ago we were going to be national champions and were playing better basketball than I have ever witnessed a Kentucky team play ( I am only 24 years old so old farts don't bring up early eighties and beyond), then Keith Bogans goes down with the ankle injury. What happens next is what I love about Tubby. Instead of setting the senior on the bench for his possible last game because of the injury, he shows the ultimate sign of loyalty to his player. He lets Bogans make the decision on whether or not he wants to play. Now we all know this did not work out since Bogans was guarding the best player in the country Duane Wade and he had his best game as a collegian, but loyalty to the team and to his players was shown.
Two years ago we just overacheived the entire year. Everyone who will read this post knows that we were a six man team and we had no right being the number one team in the land going into the tournament. But our guys wore the blue and white proudly and earned that right wether they were number one or not. What happened next to the casual observer was a big disappointment but you had to see it coming. Game one against a run and gu Florida A&M team. They push us to the limit by running up and down, up and down. Six man teams do not thrive in this type of game. We pulled it off though. Unfortunately waiting in the wings was the best run and gun team in the nation last year. UAB. when we got into foul trouble early we all knew we were in trouble. We were destined to lose that game. Any other draw in the tourney and we make it at least to the second weekend.
This year we again played over our heads.
What does next year entail? I do not know. We are all surprised about Azubuike leaving. We are all shocked about Randolph Morris leaving (maybe). We are all wondering what might have been and what will be. I am here to say somewhat longwindedly that we will all be pleasantly surprised and happy next year for one reason. That reason is the man sitting on the sidelines leading our team into every game. As long as those big ole' eyes are looking out on every player when they make a mistake, and that long finger is pointing out where everybody should be on every play, our team will always be in the middle of every game whether we lose or not. Glory will come again, our coach is to good for it not to.
|
|
|
Post by kentubbybasketball on May 14, 2005 8:54:31 GMT -5
Tubby doesn't need an introduction like that, but it's good to read anyway. Based on sheer coaching ability, everybody knows that Tubby is one of the best, if not the best. If I need a coach, I want Tubby Smith before anybody, and especially in a tight game situation, give me Tubby over anybody else.
Tubby is meeting with Morris sometime next week I think, and Tubby will recruit Morris hard to come back. With the ball back in Tubby's court, I think Morris will be fine. But, Kentucky will be fine, especially since Tubby will be controlling the sidelines.
|
|
|
Post by 4uktrey on May 14, 2005 13:07:07 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by wyldcatzrool on May 14, 2005 13:37:50 GMT -5
yeah, Tubby is a genuinely good guy... I had the opportunity to meet both Ree Pee when he was coach at UK after the Tennessee home game during the 1995-1996 season when we won it all under Pitino... And I had the opportunity to meet Tubby Smith right after the team had just come back from playing rounds one and two in Atlanta of the 1998 NCAA tournament...just before they were leaving for ST Pete where we annihilated UCLA and we beat Duke in the regional final on the way to winning Tubby's national title... my experience with Pitino was brief...like a quick hey...handshake...on his way...probably lasted all of 5 to 7 seconds! Tubby shocked me totally...I had my five year old son with me (he's 12 now)...Tubby stood there and talked to us for about 5 minutes easy...I had just returned from Atlanta myself and was preparing to leave for St Pete...he was just a real great guy and very down to earth...he even took time out to speak to my son and show him some attention too...if you ever get the chance to meet Tubby, you'll see he really is this way... not to mention all of the charitable work he does... now I am sure that Rick is probably at heart a good guy and does good things for the community and stuff too...but IMO he just does not match up to Tubby in the character dept...if you are not anyone rich or important or a basketball prospect or a family member of a prospect, I doubt you will get the time of day from Ree Pee...he and Joanne are new money...not old money...meaning they were not born into wealth...they acquired it...but they both act like 'old money'...especially Joanne...they do not remember their roots and that they were not always wealthy I guess...they really do have a 'we are better than average folks' attitude about them...it is not very becoming to say the least... other folks may have had different experiences and maybe I caught Rick at a bad time...who knows...whether or not one would consider it a character flaw or not is a personal opinion kinda thing...but Tubby and Donna are just down to earth good people where Rick and Joanne seem to be somewhat uppity and elitist... anyway...just my two cents... GO BIG BLUE! ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by CatDaddy on May 14, 2005 14:03:12 GMT -5
Keep ;D
|
|
|
Post by golfnsr on May 14, 2005 14:10:05 GMT -5
Tubby is the type that would act just as genuine whether the camera was keyed on him or not.
Slick Rick would have a split personality. - one good guy image for the camera and one don't bother me off camera unless there is something in it for him.
Both are great coaches but Tubby brings true character beyond coaching with him contrary to Mr. Slick.
|
|
|
Post by wyldcatzrool on May 14, 2005 19:19:20 GMT -5
Tubby is the type that would act just as genuine whether the camera was keyed on him or not. Slick Rick would have a split personality. - one good guy image for the camera and one don't bother me off camera unless there is something in it for him. Both are great coaches but Tubby brings true character beyond coaching with him contrary to Mr. Slick. yes...I think you summed it up quite well golf...whereas I tend to be a little too wordy at times ...you get right to the point and hit the nail on the head! Slick Rick...yeah, he's a real slickster alright...I recall that when he was the UK coach, I figured they had to bring Rick in through those large overhead doors around the Cox street parking lot side of Rupp just because that would be the only way to squeeze his huge head into the building! what an ego! Geez! anyhoo...good post there golf...you know what they call that don't ya? when someone is one way for the cameras and another way away from them like you so accurately portrayed Ricky P? It is called being a FAKE!!! As much as I appreciate what Pitino did for UK and the way he quickly brought the program back to prominence and all, I sincerely would NOT want him back...if for no other reason at all other than the fact that he obviously did not ever really learn to understand what UK basketball is all about in his years here...if he had, he would never have taken the U of L job...that's for sure...and if he did learn it and he took the U of L job anyway...well, that just makes him a Class A pRick...either scenario, I would not wish to have him back again... Tubby is a guy who we can all be proud of and who represents the University and the state with a lot of class...I have never heard one negative word about Tubby Smith...not one...and I think that speaks volumes... GO BIG BLUE! ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by lexblue on May 14, 2005 23:07:30 GMT -5
First of all I think Tubby is 1 of the best and we are lucky to have him...... I have a question for all the fans that think we can do better. Who do you want?
|
|
|
Post by katman on May 15, 2005 5:29:30 GMT -5
Tubby is a good coach. I am in his corner right now. Whether or not he is a great coach will be determined in his NCAA success. At this point, it is lacking. But that begs the question, if not Smith here...who in his place? Sometimes I feel change is good for a program who hasn't been to a Final 4 in seven years, but we are so close now that a change "Right Now" would be a mistake. Tubby brings a lot of good to our program, but if he doesnt coach into the final weekend at some point he will be remembered as a great regular season coach and a great human being and only a good NCAA coach that got his best year with a team he took over...Again, on that I give Tubby tons of credit for that, but why have we not been able to replicate the offensive putout of that team with 7 years to replace it. Just a thought. Honestly, with the foundation and resources that UK has...Gumby could make the NCAA tourney here.
|
|
|
Post by snickram on May 15, 2005 7:32:37 GMT -5
Tubby is a good coach. I am in his corner right now. Whether or not he is a great coach will be determined in his NCAA success. At this point, it is lacking. But that begs the question, if not Smith here...who in his place? Sometimes I feel change is good for a program who hasn't been to a Final 4 in seven years, but we are so close now that a change "Right Now" would be a mistake. Tubby brings a lot of good to our program, but if he doesnt coach into the final weekend at some point he will be remembered as a great regular season coach and a great human being and only a good NCAA coach that got his best year with a team he took over...Again, on that I give Tubby tons of credit for that, but why have we not been able to replicate the offensive putout of that team with 7 years to replace it. Just a thought. Honestly, with the foundation and resources that UK has...Gumby could make the NCAA tourney here. FINALLY a post with some logic.. Yes Tubby is a great regular season coach in a usually weak conferance, but I do have allot of respect for the man.. My main complaint with Tubby was his recruiting ability but with the most recent class (Rondo and Co.) I see Tubby or someone actually becoming more active in the recruiting efforts. I personally HAVE NOT enjoyed UK basketball for a LONG time, not since 1998 to be exact. Tubby ball is a bit on the boring side, but I think it's mainly because of the lack of athletes he's recruited.. I really don't want to dive too deep into this topic because it's been discussed over and over again. However, one fact cannot be dismissed, Tubby HAS NOT made a final four appearance (with his recruits) since taking over at UK and to me this is most important.. Also, cardhater stated that three years ago we were going to be national champions and were playing better basketball than he's ever witnessed a Kentucky team play and that the team with Bogans was UK's best since he can recall, well I most definetly disagree with that!!! Both teams from 96-97 were MUCH - MUCH better then that team and I actually think the 98 team was better as well.. The team with Bogans was just that, other then Estill that's all we had along with Tubby's overachievers.. I also believe this next season UK will have the best team they've had in a long time assuming Morris is back, and there's no reason this team shouldn't ATLEAST be in the final four.. Even Gumby could lead this team to the final four... I think ALL UK fans will get good vibes this coming season and MANY will be understandably upset if this team isn't in the final four assuming everyone is healthy..
|
|
|
Post by wyldcatzrool on May 15, 2005 9:04:13 GMT -5
I agree about the NCAA success (or lack thereof)...like it or not, a coach's success is largely determined on Final Four appearances and Titles...certainly the pressure is mounting greater and greater for Tubby with each passing year of NOT making at least the Final Four... I do hope Morris returns...he has about another 5 weeks before he would have to pull his name out or have no turning back... But Morris or no Morris, if Tubby once again fails to get this team to at least the Final Four, well...that small but vocal faction of Tubby bashers are going to be getting even louder... Not only do I want to see the Cats back on the grand stage of the Final Four for the sake of us fans, but for Tubby too...he is too good a coach and too good of a guy to be saddled with carrying a monkey around on his back...and as we all know, that monkey gets heavier and heavier as the years go by... GO BIG BLUE! ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by kj on May 15, 2005 9:11:29 GMT -5
Tubby is a good coach. I am in his corner right now. Whether or not he is a great coach will be determined in his NCAA success. At this point, it is lacking. But that begs the question, if not Smith here...who in his place? Sometimes I feel change is good for a program who hasn't been to a Final 4 in seven years, but we are so close now that a change "Right Now" would be a mistake. Tubby brings a lot of good to our program, but if he doesnt coach into the final weekend at some point he will be remembered as a great regular season coach and a great human being and only a good NCAA coach that got his best year with a team he took over...Again, on that I give Tubby tons of credit for that, but why have we not been able to replicate the offensive putout of that team with 7 years to replace it. Just a thought. Honestly, with the foundation and resources that UK has...Gumby could make the NCAA tourney here. Reality has begun to seep in on Kman. Good post.
|
|
|
Post by BlueCat on May 15, 2005 10:16:43 GMT -5
I think his first two sentences were right on.
|
|
|
Post by katman on May 15, 2005 10:21:00 GMT -5
I think his first two sentences were right on. Meaning the rest wasnt?
|
|
|
Post by BlueCat on May 15, 2005 10:29:35 GMT -5
I think his first two sentences were right on. Meaning the rest wasnt? Selective reading. Let me just say that I don't disagree with the rest of your post.
|
|