What a difference a year makes!
Last year was Team Unity and this year is Team Discord
Along with The Unforgetables, last years team was one of my favorites. No, they did not win the SEC regular season, the SEC tournament, nor the NCAA championship but they did win my heart as did John, Richie, Sean, and Deron did a generation ago. WHY - they were a team that played together, loved each other, and succeeded far above what their talent and the experts imagined.
Amari, Lamont, Jaxon, Andrew, Ansley, Kerr, and Kobe played for each other, their coaches, and the loyal UK fanbase. None of them ever imagined they would ever put on a UK jersey. It was not a realistic dream but when it happened, they showed their appreciation by playing to honor the past teams and traditions. Each of them seemed to verbalize how fortunate they were to be at UK and playing for the greatest fans in college basketball.
Ansley seemed so happy even though his playing time was limited. He had a UK poster on his wall and wondered what it would be like to play at UK. He verbalized his appreciation, it seems to me, in every interview.
After the last game in the NCAA tournament; Lamont, Andrew, and Kobe spoke to the media heartbroken but so thankful for the opportunity. Kobe said that they were going to have to rip his jersey off to get it back. Andrew and Lamont said that you want to play here, speaking to potential future UK players. In their 1 year, each stated that they had made lifelong friends.
What about the players on this year’s roster? I don’t know any of them but how many have the attitude and thankfulness exhibited by last year’s players? I am sure that the majority do as I am equally sure that there are 1 or more that could care less and only came for their payday. If all are not pulling together with the only goal of winning every time they step onto the court, then winning will not be attainable. Coach Pope may want to have his staff put together a video of last year’s guys talking about their 1 year experience at UK and say nothing but show it to this years team. It may cause each player to think about what is really important.
My heart goes out to the players that are giving the effort and desire for this team to be successful. Those playing for themselves and causing discord no matter who they are need to be dismissed. If that leaves us with a thin roster, hold tryouts to find guys like Walker and Zach who are living their dream.
This is not a “how can it be fixed” post. More so, it is a trip back remembering last year’s great team, the great Unforgetables, and, for me, the start of my fandom with the Dan Issel, Mike Casey, and Mike Pratt teams
Last year was Team Unity and this year is Team Discord
Along with The Unforgetables, last years team was one of my favorites. No, they did not win the SEC regular season, the SEC tournament, nor the NCAA championship but they did win my heart as did John, Richie, Sean, and Deron did a generation ago. WHY - they were a team that played together, loved each other, and succeeded far above what their talent and the experts imagined.
Amari, Lamont, Jaxon, Andrew, Ansley, Kerr, and Kobe played for each other, their coaches, and the loyal UK fanbase. None of them ever imagined they would ever put on a UK jersey. It was not a realistic dream but when it happened, they showed their appreciation by playing to honor the past teams and traditions. Each of them seemed to verbalize how fortunate they were to be at UK and playing for the greatest fans in college basketball.
Ansley seemed so happy even though his playing time was limited. He had a UK poster on his wall and wondered what it would be like to play at UK. He verbalized his appreciation, it seems to me, in every interview.
After the last game in the NCAA tournament; Lamont, Andrew, and Kobe spoke to the media heartbroken but so thankful for the opportunity. Kobe said that they were going to have to rip his jersey off to get it back. Andrew and Lamont said that you want to play here, speaking to potential future UK players. In their 1 year, each stated that they had made lifelong friends.
What about the players on this year’s roster? I don’t know any of them but how many have the attitude and thankfulness exhibited by last year’s players? I am sure that the majority do as I am equally sure that there are 1 or more that could care less and only came for their payday. If all are not pulling together with the only goal of winning every time they step onto the court, then winning will not be attainable. Coach Pope may want to have his staff put together a video of last year’s guys talking about their 1 year experience at UK and say nothing but show it to this years team. It may cause each player to think about what is really important.
My heart goes out to the players that are giving the effort and desire for this team to be successful. Those playing for themselves and causing discord no matter who they are need to be dismissed. If that leaves us with a thin roster, hold tryouts to find guys like Walker and Zach who are living their dream.
This is not a “how can it be fixed” post. More so, it is a trip back remembering last year’s great team, the great Unforgetables, and, for me, the start of my fandom with the Dan Issel, Mike Casey, and Mike Pratt teams
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