Now that I think about it. Let’s put that poster of Zeigler in Rupp Arena. The one where he flipped us the bird before kicking us out of the tournament. I mean we support people saying **** Kentucky right?
Cason Wallace torching Reed Sheppard
- Thread starter Possum
- Start date
Screw the fanboy opposing shirt stuff. That’s petty BS. Reed objectively is missing the physical talent to play defense against many NBA guards. The problem is glaring because they don’t play that much defense in the first place. It just is what it is. He has a hill to climb and I’m not exactly sure how he does that.
Sheppard looked physically overmatched, he should still be playing college basketball
Can't be. Ive been told Reed is an elite athlete
Him wearing Arkansas WAS to support Cal. Now whether that was misguided or not, is another story.
But thats literally exactly what he was doing. It's not ME making this a big deal, it's a portion of our fanbase making it a big deal, still do this day. I don't know, maybe we're saying the same thing?
My point about his time at Kentucky is, he played for us when he didn't have to. And he also dealt with Cal and the lack of starts. He won some big games for us. And some of our fans just want to throw that away because he 1. didn't stay longer than a year and 2. wore Arkansas shorts one evening. I don't know.. to me... he put in a heck of a lot of effort, and practice and results, just have it all thrown away because of one harmless choice he made one evening.
There's definitely two things happening at once here: many of us are debating whether Reed has what it takes to be in the NBA, and that's a very worthwhile debate, because I'm very torn on it. But there's also people coming here to root against Reed because of his past. Which is fine, to each their own. I'm just saying, this isn't just us debating his NBA abilities. There's an additional element for some here.
Reed was horrific defensively, stats aside. It was painful to watch. The boxscore doesn't always tell the tale.
I seriously ain’t attacking you or trying to argue but some details matter. He didn’t wear Arkansas shorts. He wore Kentucky shorts with an Arkansas shirt on top. Pretty symbolic imo who he supports first. Reed isn’t drafted as high without Kentucky on his chest. Can’t make me believe he goes third overall if he plays for Cal at Arkansas.
in the end I don’t think it’s a big deal for fans to not like what he did. Like I said I can’t fake it like it didn’t change how I look at him. But my life don’t revolve on how I look at anybody. I just see Reed as a Cal guy and somebody I won’t support like a John Wall or Karl Towns.
edit: and I don’t think it was a harmless choice. Hes a grown man. A young man yes but very smart. He got the reaction he wanted. He did his little jab just like Cal did. That’s really the only problem I had with it was he intentionally did it. He knows more what Kentucky is than any recruit we had in 25 years. Don’t tell me it was harmless. Yes it was harmless to my life but in the sports world of a Kentucky fan it was intentional. A direct shot. No way was he clueless to what he was doing so it’s completely normal for fans to react the way he knew they would. What is odd is a true UK fan acting like it was the norm.
Reed (sorry, Ree...no D) is going to be a valuable part of the rotation against some teams, and almost unusable against others. Last night was a horrible matchup for him.
Ive been clear on both elements. I think he will end up having a very solid career. Even nights where he gets hot and has a 50 peice. But I don’t support him.
I saw people calling him out for not stopping sga. Ya. Anyone see last year's stats? Sga is unstoppable.
That said, reed is really going to have to up his on ball d. His help defense is great and will have to offset his on ball deficiency.
That's a fair and rare assessment.
I think it's hilarious that in a league where almost nobody plays ANY defense, some want to zone in on Reed. It's so fake and phony/agenda driven. And there's more agendas out there than the petty one's a very small portion of UK fans are voicing.....
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Poor Reed isnt going to get that local insurance job and free lifetime dementia buffets at Bobs diner.
Sure he will he’s still got plenty of supporters. But hopefully he improves and gets a second contract so he don’t have to.
I just cant ever care that much about a player's street wear, to decipher if the top is more important than the shorts. What are we doing here lol? And IF that were to be the case, maybe that then says something about supporting his coach more than the school. Maybe thats telling us that the program doesnt matter as much to the players as it does to us? Maybe Reed heard about how many fans were upset he left? Maybe he got blame for the early tournament loss.
Reed is drafted 100% because of his own merits. He wasnt drafted because of Kentucky, at all. I dont know how someone can think otherwise. He was drafted because Cal played a freshman (although, weirdly wouldnt start him) and his play got him drafted. And let's also be real.. that was a bad draft. Reed would have been a late lottery pick in most other drafts i imagine. But talent still rises to the top.
So im curious, you think Reed made this statement intentionally? Which maybe he did, I cant say im sure. I personally think he wasnt thinking and/or figured it wasnt a big deal.
But more importantly, if you think he did this as a shot against Kentucky.. what was his reasoning.
I mean for the school that gave him everything, that seems horribly misguided by him, no?
But more importantly, if you think he did this as a shot against Kentucky.. what was his reasoning.
I mean for the school that gave him everything, that seems horribly misguided by him, no?
I don’t care that much. If you ever see me speaking about Reed other than on a Kentucky forum with a thread about him then I think it’ll be kind of excessive.
It wasn’t much to decipher. It was pretty clear if you’re a Kentucky fan. I don’t think anybody is crazy for saying they don’t care what he wears. I don’t think it’s crazy to say you didn’t like it.
But if you’re a Kentucky fan can we agree that it was an odd choice to wear on game day? Maybe some don’t hold it against him but still was it not odd? Not life altering just a small jab?
Yes maybe all those things you said are true. Maybe he did feel like that. Regardless whatever the reason was he felt to throw a jab. That’s what it felt like an intentional jab. When Cal started doing that stuff I was ready for him to hit the road. Same with Reed. I was never mad he left for the draft. I was never mad at him period. Just disappointed.
Yes I do think it was intentional 100%. I do think he had a little ill will towards the fan base for calling out his bad play in the tournament that last game. I don’t blame him for feeling like that. I don’t blame fans for acknowledging the big F U.
I don’t think players have to bow down to Kentucky. They don’t have show support. But if they want to support another program then go ahead. Don’t expect love from two different programs.
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The NBA is all about defense. Luka, a 25 year old offensive superstar, was traded because he doesn't guard.
If you can't guard in the NBA you have to have otherworldly talent on offense, harden, Carmelo, etc.
I don't know if Reed is good enough there to overcome his lack of defense. Time will tell.
Well.. In this scenario .. which came first?
Its just weird to me that a portion of this fanbase just refuses to point the finger inward. Ever. We blast Reed for his performance in the tournament (somewhat fair) and for leaving after 1 year (unfair).. and were surprised when he chooses to half support the coach? Just like we are surprised when so many other past players chose Cal over Kentucky? Or surprised when so many coaches didnt want to come here, and we lucked out with Pope, who we will probably run off in a few years?
Idk, we (some) **** all over these players and then act surprised when they write us off. It goes back to my point in that some assume we are the end all be all for these players and the sport.
Everybody ain’t built for Kentucky. That’s what it comes with. If I was a top athlete idk if I would be built for Kentucky. I actually don’t **** on players. But I’m aware a large portion of the fanbase does. We got legends like Jeff Sheppard that we love and then there’s some we kind of forget.
as much as I’m making it aware that I didn’t like what he did I’m still giving him a unbiased opinion when it comes to his abilities.
Every fanbase is going to have portions that blast the players, but the bigger franchises sometimes have the loudest naysayers.
Really, Reeds tournament short comings should be pointed towards Cal for not starting him all year (and his coaching these final years, in general).
LMAO.! I won't say why Luka was traded but it was obvious with that GM. The NBA all about Defense? Laughable until the final four each year.
I agree which makes it even stranger when Cal went with DJ instead of Reed all season. Dilly handled the situation like I figured Reed would. You could tell Dilly took the high road but knew no way in hell he should have been coming off the bench.
Did Dilly do something differently? They both seemed to take it well during the year, which was kind of surprising.
I also sometimes wonder, knowing what we know about Reeds confidence and timidness.. maybe he never really asked to start? Sometimes these guys have to want it. Coach isnt gonna put you in if youre unsure. Then again, we know Cal was gonna play DJ no matter what, so who knows.
Yeah Luka was not traded because of defense. It was a piss poor GM, it was Luka's dedication to basketball as a whole (conditioning and the like), and it was also a clear back door deal to get Cooper Flagg. Im sticking to that final one. Mav's GM handed Luka to LA in exchange for Flagg.
If I’m a GM I’m taking Coooer Flagg over Luka 10 out of 10 times. IMO Luka is the most overrated athlete i have ever seen. Hes nice no doubt but he’s just not superstar level like they try and force on him. I’m sure others feel he is good as advertised.
Dallas fans were pissed but I think they won the trade. You got Cooper AD and Kyrie. That’s pretty strong and I feel like they will make some noise this year. If they have any bit of a supporting cast they can be dangerous. AD has more left in the tank than people give him credit for I think he can turn it on if they get in the playoffs which they should.
I’ve made an interesting observation about this thread. Why are people not discussing Cason Wallace? The thread title serves as a dual compliment, acknowledging Cason’s abilities while criticizing Reed's defense. Cason is also a Kentucky alum and had more success in his brief career here and even went further in the NCAAT than Reed. Rather than commending his impressive stats - 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals - fans are staunchly defending Reed. The various responses are quite revealing.
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Anyone who compares their love for a UK player they don’t know to their wife has bigger issues than being upset on a message board.
Let’s not act like Wallace won anything here. He didn’t. He’s nothing more than a chitstain in the history of Kentucky basketball.
Some of you may forget, but, during one of his early interviews, he said he just wanted to put his 6 months in here and move on. Sounded like he was doing jail time. Never said anything about what a privilege it was to be here, or winning a championship.
Screw him also.
Some of you may forget, but, during one of his early interviews, he said he just wanted to put his 6 months in here and move on. Sounded like he was doing jail time. Never said anything about what a privilege it was to be here, or winning a championship.
Screw him also.
He’s a pretty high level NBA guy. I can’t knock him for saying he’s trying to get to the league as quick as he can. He just won a championship. I remember the comment you’re talking about but it’s not as bad as wearing rival gear on game day. I don’t knock you for feeling how you do about it.
My first comment was acknowledging Cason. I said I expect a NBA champion to get the best of a player that barely plays.
At the very least, that's a compliment, regardless of how backhanded it may be.
Cason can basically guard 1-5, reed can make defensive plays but can't really guard anyone one on one.
I really didn’t mean it to be back handed towards Cason. He’s levels above Reed is all I mean. Maybe a jab at Reed but I didn’t mean anything bad towards CW.
I’ll just say this as a blanket statement. If all you did was look at the box score and didn’t watch the game you’re not qualified to comment on this. He was instantly targeted by OKC when he was on defense when he was in the game, by multiple players (not just Cason Wallace). At one point Wiggins went right past him in half court for a dunk like he was standing stilll. SGA left him about 7 feet away from him on a drive. These are great players Reed is trying to guard, I’m sure he’ll get better. But it was tough for him last night. Even if you’re a big fan of the guy you’d have to admit that if you actually watched the game and didn’t just check a box score and decide to argue about it with no context.
The NBA is all about defense. You obviously don't watch the NBA. They score a lot because the players are just that good. When NBA guys don't play defense, like the all star game, the score 200-190. This particular game last night was 58 minutes and the best players in the world scored in the 120's.
Go ahead and laugh. Maybe you should step out and show the world how to score on an NBA defense?