Nick Richards

Jsngabbard

Junior
Mar 17, 2019
174
250
25
Now that KB made his decision, the biggest winner in all this (and perhaps biggest loser) is Nick Richards....barring a Dante reclassify Nick is the main man down low since hes stepped foot in Lexington....my question to the BBN is what's your level of confidence in him?
 
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KYCAT78

All-American
May 24, 2006
7,858
6,073
0
Part of our issue of players wanting to leave sometimes prior to being ready is being recruited over. I think we will be fine with NR and I believe he will deliver.
 

MdWIldcat55

Heisman
Dec 9, 2007
21,620
87,141
113
He’ll be fine in the role he has to play.

Getting Blackshear would have been really nice. But instead of weeping over it like the neighbor kid stole my GI Joe, I prefer to look at the flip side.

This team is built to spread the floor, keep the middle unclogged, drive the basket and kick out for relatively open 3s. With Blackshear, you play a different way to accommodate his talent. But I’m excited to see guys like Maxey, Whitney, Brooks, Juzang, EJ and Hagans playing an up tempo game, with Sestina stretching the floor. And Nick can run the court, block shots, finish some lobs and I hope stay out of foul trouble.
 

Jsngabbard

Junior
Mar 17, 2019
174
250
25
He’ll be fine in the role he has to play.

Getting Blackshear would have been really nice. But instead of weeping over it like the neighbor kid stole my GI Joe, I prefer to look at the flip side.

This team is built to spread the floor, keep the middle unclogged, drive the basket and kick out for relatively open 3s. With Blackshear, you play a different way to accommodate his talent. But I’m excited to see guys like Maxey, Whitney, Brooks, Juzang, EJ and Hagans playing an up tempo game, with Sestina stretching the floor. And Nick can run the court, block shots, finish some lobs and I hope stay out of foul trouble.

I would love to see cal go back to the dribble drive which I think would work well with your assessment....I'd like to see him be that shot blocker inside defensive presence more frequently hes shown spurts hes been to inconsistent....as Cal has said in the past, the type of team they could be when he figures it all out..hopefully that's this upcoming season
 

KyFaninNC

Heisman
Mar 14, 2005
195,719
24,518
0
He’ll be fine in the role he has to play.

Getting Blackshear would have been really nice. But instead of weeping over it like the neighbor kid stole my GI Joe, I prefer to look at the flip side.

This team is built to spread the floor, keep the middle unclogged, drive the basket and kick out for relatively open 3s. With Blackshear, you play a different way to accommodate his talent. But I’m excited to see guys like Maxey, Whitney, Brooks, Juzang, EJ and Hagans playing an up tempo game, with Sestina stretching the floor. And Nick can run the court, block shots, finish some lobs and I hope stay out of foul trouble.
This!!
 

Sparkaces

All-American
Sep 19, 2012
6,157
6,289
0
Cal prob starts him to help confidence but this team will play a lot of small ball. For everybody talking about Brooks being a star this was huge for him, he should get all the minutes he wants now!
 

track42

Heisman
Feb 18, 2017
6,597
15,047
0
Cal prob starts him to help confidence but this team will play a lot of small ball. For everybody talking about Brooks being a star this was huge for him, he should get all the minutes he wants now!
I don't see Nick and EJ starting together because the lack of offense would be a nightmare.Might have no choice but to play small ball.
 

Sparkaces

All-American
Sep 19, 2012
6,157
6,289
0
I don't see Nick and EJ starting together because the lack of offense would be a nightmare.Might have no choice but to play small ball.
If Juzang and Brooks are as good as everybody is hoping not getting Blackshear is a blessing in disguise.
 
Nov 15, 2008
38,645
57,515
0
Rebound, block out and take up space...while Nick doesn't have the quick instincts (or confidence) to put the ball on the
floor and score in the paint, we don't need him to be that kind of scorer...other than the occasional baby hook, put backs
and throw-downs are his game.

Dude needs to turn up the intensity and get a little nasty down on the blocks. :boxing:
 

ala_kat2

Heisman
Jan 4, 2003
11,259
10,670
103
We’ll need more than lob dunks from Richards. I hope he can (has) developed an offensive move with his back to the basket other than the jump hook. He will get in foul trouble, so the 5 position will be manned by committee.
 

shutzhund

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2005
29,202
2,619
0
Rebound, block out and take up space...while Nick doesn't have the quick instincts (or confidence) to put the ball on the
floor and score in the paint, we don't need him to be that kind of scorer...other than the occasional baby hook, put backs
and throw-downs are his game.

Dude needs to turn up the intensity and get a little nasty down on the blocks. :boxing:


If he tries that he might foul out sooner.
 

kl40504_rivals

Heisman
Oct 5, 2018
15,258
11,184
0
Now that KB made his decision, the biggest winner in all this (and perhaps biggest loser) is Nick Richards....barring a Dante reclassify Nick is the main man down low since hes stepped foot in Lexington....my question to the BBN is what's your level of confidence in him?
Nick will be just fine along with Sestina we will be good.
 
Oct 24, 2018
305
291
0
Hope I start seeing Nick and EJ at these Breakfast Club Meetings. Seems to mostly be Maxey, Ashton, Whitney and occasionally Juzang and Brooks.
 

thebluestripes

All-Conference
Apr 22, 2014
2,145
2,621
0
Now that KB made his decision, the biggest winner in all this (and perhaps biggest loser) is Nick Richards....barring a Dante reclassify Nick is the main man down low since hes stepped foot in Lexington....my question to the BBN is what's your level of confidence in him?
I don't have confidence that he can walk and chew gum at the same time much less ever help the team in a meaningful way.
Keep hoping he changes my mind
 
May 4, 2009
5,370
325
0
I just hope he can get to the point to where he can hang on to a rebound or pass. Someone made a comment after a game last season, “Does Richards have fingers on his hands???”
It sure seemed like in many games he didn’t. He has a weak grip for a man his size.
 

bookerfan66

Heisman
Feb 26, 2015
9,414
20,139
0
Hope I start seeing Nick and EJ at these Breakfast Club Meetings. Seems to mostly be Maxey, Ashton, Whitney and occasionally Juzang and Brooks.
Nick should be there every single day working on holding on to the ball.This is his chance and he needs to work harder than anyone to get where he wants to be.
 
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Nicholascat

Junior
May 10, 2019
322
267
0
I remember watching Will Purdue at Vandy years ago. As a Freshman and Sophomore he was worse than Richards ever has been. His light went on his junior year and he became a All American. So who knows. I am pulling for Nick
Frank Kaminski averaged 4 points and 2 rebounds his sophomore year.
 

FinancialPlannerZac

All-Conference
May 30, 2019
1,027
1,700
0
I think a huge part of Nick's struggles came from his own disbelief in himself. Cal has been saying this too, that he knows he's got the potential in him, it's just about achieving that potential and believing in himself. Playing with confidence would even help with his hands, I believe. Blackshear not coming, and even if a raw Dante does join the club, Nick now has the opportunity of building that confidence because he is truly the leading candidate for the five-spot, and the minutes are there if he can stay out of foul trouble. As many have said, we don't necessarily need the offense from Nick, but he has that ability. Give me 20-25 solid minutes, averaging 8 pts, 8 rebs, 2-3 blocks a game, and just take up a lot of space in the middle of the floor, and I think that's all we'll need from him to be an elite team.
 

Cobb4uk_rivals287622

All-American
May 18, 2019
3,512
7,141
0
Nick hasn't done anything in 2 season to inspire confidence
Does anyone remember Rob Lock, who was stiff with bad hands his first couple of years. He completely turned things around. Jorts complete different player after working with good competition in practice every day. Well this is NR 5th or 6th year of basketball. I think your going to see a completely different NR this year. He has all the tools that any coach looks for, yes I understand he could have better hands. The 3 point line moving back should help him have more room in the middle to operate to his advantage. Lastly big men have always been the slowest to mature at the college level.
 

KyFaninNC

Heisman
Mar 14, 2005
195,719
24,518
0
Nick Richards is on the path players used to take. In the past, guys didn't become major factors until their Junior and Senior years. We have become spoiled with impact freshman
Yea. I have potential in Nick, he just confidence in himself. If he can play D and rebound, stop falling for pump fakes, stay out of foul trouble, he will be fine.
 

LadyCaytIL

Heisman
Oct 28, 2012
33,020
34,633
113
Cal would have to change everything he does on offense for Richards to be much improved on offense. Because our offense is always one on one oriented and Richards just WILL NOT attack the basket ..

Hopefully Richards brings it on defense to make up for his tragedy of an offensive game.
 

katwest

Heisman
Feb 16, 2003
40,033
14,112
113
Nick knows what Cal wants out of him, if his aspirations are to play in the NBA he has got to improve his game. If he were to average ten points and seven rebounds a game that would be great, he has to stay on the floor and not commit silly fouls or disappear at times. He has the ability to do a lot more, this is his time to shine if he really wants it.
 
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UKNothinButNet

All-Conference
Aug 31, 2012
2,581
2,704
0
If he can just figure out how play without fouling and not take himself out of every game, I will be happy. He has potential to improve his game (hands, passing, etc) if he can just get past go IMO.
 
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Nov 15, 2008
38,645
57,515
0
People tend to forget, big Nick didn't even pick up a basketball until he was like 14 years old.

So some of the intangibles most people take for granted have been new experiences.

This year could be the year he opens a can... :boxing:

 

Tapemaster8

All-Conference
Feb 9, 2003
14,662
3,930
98
Folks yearn for four-year players yet won’t give them a chance to develop.
Nick needs to “look” the ball all the way into his hands on rebounds and receiving passes and stay out of foul trouble and he will be fine!
 
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