Cal Has Accepted Willis' Limitations
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Willis has been Cals whipping boy for the same amount of time. Yes, it is what it is. am a lot more let down by Bams performance and Cals coaching style!
Or.....maybe Cal is throwing out a challenge to Willis? Perhaps it's his attempt to push a different motivation button in Derek.
I like Willis so much part of me wishes he would have gone elsewhere and really shined, and been something special. I think he has some confidence problems and it's no wonder. I remember reading that he thought Cal hated him.
too late in the game, Derek has become his own motivator, don't you imagine he has Cal figured out by now.
Good point....I still like Derek's game (when its on) but honestly, the guy just doesnt look like he even wants to be out there. I've never seen the guy even have a whiff of a smile.
I think he plays with a little bit of fear of messing up, which affects your head, and therefor your play. I wish he could enjoy himself more. It's unfortunate that he has a million critics at his back, including Cal, even if some of it is true.
I love Cal but didn't like having him air this sort of opinion about one of his players to the public. Don't care if he is trying to motivate or whatever, it didn't need to be made public, in my opinion.
Willis would still be who he was here, there or anywhere. Do you realy think if he were at say Purdue he would be all that much better? He is limited offensively cannot create his own shot and has no post game to speak of.
Say what you want, all that Cal said is correct. Guys, be objective & quit getting your feelings hurt over the Kentucky boys.
Calling @KWilt43atbuzz . When he gets here . . . it's going to be ON.
Personally, I feel bad for Willis the person over it more than the player.
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He's 6'9 and he can shoot and fill the lane.....that's it; little defense unless you play zone
Play to his strengths and leave it alone...too late in the process
Play to his strengths and leave it alone...too late in the process
Square peg, round hole. Derek cannot play Cal's defense, doesn't mean he can't play defense, just can't play Cal's.
I have trouble feeling bad for Derek Willis.
He's been a four year scholarship player at the University of Kentucky - every Kentucky boy's dream.
Yet time and again, he fails to show up mentally. Displaying little passion or effort on multiple occasions.
When he's focused, he's a good player and a valuable part of the team. When he's not, he's a negative.
He's a Senior coming down the stretch run of his career, and Cal is treating him like a grown man. Have you're head in the game, and you'll play. Fail to bring it, and you'll sit.
He's been a four year scholarship player at the University of Kentucky - every Kentucky boy's dream.
Yet time and again, he fails to show up mentally. Displaying little passion or effort on multiple occasions.
When he's focused, he's a good player and a valuable part of the team. When he's not, he's a negative.
He's a Senior coming down the stretch run of his career, and Cal is treating him like a grown man. Have you're head in the game, and you'll play. Fail to bring it, and you'll sit.
Cal just basically translated into words what we see every game. If Willis is on, he plays and if not he's out. But what I'd love to see instead of Cal accepting limitations is taking advantage of a players strengths. Run more pick and pop for Derek etc.
Willis has very poor lateral movement. Even crosses his feet on occasion. He will struggle playing any defense that has him doing anything other than move forward in a straight line. As Cal said, it's just who he is. Poor guy has been victimized by false expectations by his fan club. Willis has had a great opportunity. I think he has made the most of it, within the limits of his skills.
That is the infuriating thing about Willis. Some games he buries threes and grabs boards, some games he looks like he would rather be anywhere else.
It is frustrating. I can live with missing shots. But effort is non-negotiable.
That said, I've seen some good things from Willis the past two games. Would love nothing more than for him to finish his career on a high note.
Yeah probably. Just saying he's getting an opportunity that thousands have dreamed about. Tens of thousands.
Yes and kyle was the same kyle at Gonzaga . A kid with no D , a great J and a limited post up moves . Willis is what he is - a great shooter who can't create his own shot , a kid with athleticism but can't defend out on the floor and suffers from confidence issues at times. He is a great 6th man at UK but he is at the right school . You obviously have an ax to grind and worship Willis and that is ok but let's not act like he is an all american being held back by Cal.
Willis has been at UK for 4 years,he didn't play much the first two but the last two he has made noticeable contributions to the team.Think how many NBA players have gone thru the program while he has been here,it is no small feat to be able to hold your own with the players he has seen here.Willis is a 3* talent he has played like that because he has played against 5* most of the time
Willis and Hawkins are similar in talent level,they have been here 4 years,who has made the most of or contributed more while they have been here? They both should be judged based on their talent level(not against 5* talent)what did they get out of their abilities and what did the bring to the table based on their abilities?
I think they acquitted themselves quite well
Willis and Hawkins are similar in talent level,they have been here 4 years,who has made the most of or contributed more while they have been here? They both should be judged based on their talent level(not against 5* talent)what did they get out of their abilities and what did the bring to the table based on their abilities?
I think they acquitted themselves quite well
Was Kyle not on some All-American teams at Gonzaga? Yes, he was. Do you think Kyle had a much better experience and much more fulfilled as a basketball player at Gonzaga? Yes, he did. I do not worship anyone but God, I do think Derek has been a whipping boy for years and I know he has limitations as do most players. The only ax I have to grind is I am not fond of the one and done system we use and don't give a tinkers damn about the NBA! Whats your excuse? Cal worshipper?
Dude if Willis was more than what he was, he would be it. There is plenty of room here for him to be more, he cant do it. What else can he do that Cal is holding him back from doing?
One of my all-time fav's . . .
. . . he'll be fine.
Pick Myself Up
Link
. . . he'll be fine.
Pick Myself Up
Link
We all learned to live with his weaknesses. I understand his lack of quickness when trying to guard small guys on the perimeter.
What kills me is his lack of physicality. He routinely gets out toughed for loose balls and rebounds. With his size and leaping ability, no way that should happen.
What kills me is his lack of physicality. He routinely gets out toughed for loose balls and rebounds. With his size and leaping ability, no way that should happen.
I don't think Coach Cal talking about Willis like he did was in the best interest of Willis, UK or Coach Cal. Some things just need to be left alone, and kept to your self. He felt the same about Kyle Wiltjer. Kyle Wiltjer went to Gonzaga and excelled.
This is what Orlando Antigua said about Wiltjer, "He had this array of moves that just blew you away. He had a swagger to his game. He could really, really play."
Players who can shoot the three are very valuable to a team. Just think if we had someone who could hit the three when we had Wall, Cousins and Bledsoe. A smart player can cover his lack of quickness. If a coach continues to harp about a player's poor defense, he destroys the player's confidence, and I think that is what we saw with Wiltjer and seeing with Willis. If a coach never says anything good about you, it is demoralizing. It appears to me that Willis just wants to get the season over with, and get the heck out of here. I think he realizes he can never please Coach Cal, regardless of how hard he tries. I don't think we have a chance to win the NC this year without his shooting.
OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!
This is what Orlando Antigua said about Wiltjer, "He had this array of moves that just blew you away. He had a swagger to his game. He could really, really play."
Players who can shoot the three are very valuable to a team. Just think if we had someone who could hit the three when we had Wall, Cousins and Bledsoe. A smart player can cover his lack of quickness. If a coach continues to harp about a player's poor defense, he destroys the player's confidence, and I think that is what we saw with Wiltjer and seeing with Willis. If a coach never says anything good about you, it is demoralizing. It appears to me that Willis just wants to get the season over with, and get the heck out of here. I think he realizes he can never please Coach Cal, regardless of how hard he tries. I don't think we have a chance to win the NC this year without his shooting.
OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!
Why do people always say Willis has been Cals "whipping boy"? I never did understand it, Willis was lazy and done boneheaded things like get arrested for the better part of his UK career. Id say its much deserved....hed have been kicked off some teams after an embarrassing arrest like that!
Focus consistency enthusiasm. It's coming down the stretch for DW. I've seen a lot of Srs realize it and step up their game. Love Derek when he's engaged like the last game. Pray that was the start of his consistent emergence. Remember when he was tasked with imitating Kaminsky in FF practice and the players said he was excelling in that role! Bring it out!
Had a couple guys argue that Cal doesn't call out players..He always takes the blame... maybe wills still has a drinking problem..
This. Willis was irrelevent until last season. Dumb UK fans hectoring cal about willis not playing his frosh and soph seasons does not equate to whipping boy status.
And wiltjer jacket up a ton more shots at gonzaga. He won jack **** there. Give me the natty title he won at UK.
If we played more zone both Willis and Gabriel could stay on the floor more and Bam could stay out of foul trouble. We would have well rested guards because we wouldn't have to play our triplets together! If zone isn't going to used we need to recruit more players that will allow us to play your in your face man defense!