Bryan the Intern's Picks to Click

Yesterday, you saw my argument for where John Wall could/should rank in the pantheon of all-time great UK guards.  Today, we look at Patrick Patterson and other great UK forwards.  But first, let me rundown how I ranked these guys in order of significance: 1) Individual stats/accomplishments 2) Team accomplishments 3) Era/Competition 4) Popularity I don't care how much people loved Anthony Epps or Richie Farmer, those guys did not have the individual careers to warrant Top 10 consideration.  It's also why a guy like Dirk Minnefield (who clearly was not that popular after yesterday) makes it, because his stats back it up.  If I was torn on where to rank guys, I often used team success as a tiebreaker, but I took individual stats into a much greater consideration that the team stats.  Hence why Dan Issel easily is #1 for forwards, despite a lack of serious team success. By the way, before we move on to the forwards rankings, a poll was put up yesterday asking who you thought was the best guard in UK history, and the results were: -Tony Delk: 39% -John Wall: 27% -Kyle Macy: 16% -Ralph Beard: 14% -Frank Ramsey: 3% There should be a poll up now about the Best UK Forward of all-time. Top 10 UK forwards (not including Patrick Patterson) 1. Dan Issel UK ranks: 1st in points, 1st in rebounds Career: 81 games, 25.8 ppg, 13.0 rpg Notes: 2 All-American, 3 All-SEC 2. Jack Givens UK ranks: 3rd in points, 12th in rebounds Career: 132 games, 15.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg Notes: 1 National Title, 1 Final Four, 1 Final Four MVP, 3 All-American, 3 All-SEC 3. Kenny Walker UK ranks: 2nd in points, 6th in rebounds Career: 132 games, 15.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg Notes: 1 Final Four, 2 All-American, 4 All-SEC 4. Jamal Mashburn UK ranks: 6th in points, 17th in rebounds Career: 98 games, 18.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg Notes: 1 Final Four, 1 SEC POY, 2 All-American, 3 All-SEC 5. Kevin Grevey UK ranks: 7th in points, 38th in rebounds Career: 84 games, 21.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg Notes: 1 NCAA Runner-Up, 1 Final Four, 2 SEC POY, 2 All-American, 3 All-SEC 6. Pat Riley UK ranks: 17th in points, 25th in rebounds Career: 80 games, 18.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg Notes: 1 NCAA Runner-up, 1 Final Four, 2 All-American, 1 SEC POY, 2 All-SEC 7. Tayshuan Prince UK ranks: 8th in points, 18th in rebounds Career: 135 games, 13.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg Notes: 2 All-American, 1 SEC POY, 3 All-SEC 8. Johnny Cox UK ranks: 18th in points, 4th in rebounds Career: 84 games, 17.4 ppg, 12.0 rpg Notes: 1 National Title, 1 Final Four, 2 All-American, 3 All-SEC 9. Winston Bennett UK ranks: 22nd in points, 11th in rebounds Career: 133 games, 10.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg Notes: 1 Final Four, 2 All-SEC 10. Chuck Hayes UK ranks: 39th in points, 7th in rebounds Career: 134 games, 9.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg Notes: 2 All-SEC TBD: Patrick Patterson Current UK ranks: 20th in points, 22nd in rebounds Projected UK ranks: 12th in points, 11th in rebounds Career: 86 games, 16.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg Notes: 2 All-SEC Outlook:If PPat fell and broke his leg TODAY, I would rank him 5th on this list, ahead of Kevin Grevey.  So, no matter what happens individually or team-wise the rest of the way, Patterson has his place in UK lore secured.  But, with a national title in hand, I think an argument can be made to put Patterson as high as 3rd on this list.  Issel is untouchable, and unless Patterson stays a 4th year and breaks his scoring record, there no use even arguing that one.  And Jack Givens is also a tough one to bump out of the #2 spot because of his magnificent career and performance in the NCAA title game.  But, a national title gives Patterson something Kenny Walker never got.  And something Jamal Mashburn never got.  At that point, you are splitting hairs on those guys, but in my book, Patterson moves to #3 with title #8. What makes Patterson #1:Unless it comes out Issel was taking roids during his time at UK, there isn't anything in my mind to bump him out of the #1 spot. ______________________________________________________________ -Yesterday, we celebrated the greatest upset in US sports history with the Miracle on Ice, but there was a great article on CNNSI that talks about 10 things you didn't know about that game. -So, if you let a pretty lady chew on your Olympic medal while it hangs near your crotch, it that reason enough to be thrown out of the country by the US Olympic Committee.  I think not.  They disagree. -Deadspin brings us this great story about a Swedish rabbit convention that turns to tragedy when the roof collapses.  And when I say tragedy, of course I mean comedic gold.