Project X's Monday News and Views

I used to never miss a movie. I guess that isn't exactly true. There were plenty of movies I missed, but they were usually romantic comedies or movies starring Vin Diesel. But virtually other (a) critically acclaimed movie or (b) movie that was popular enough that it would enter into the cultural lexicon, generally had me as a customer. But as I have gotten older and busier, the latter of these two categories has become less and less of a must see. Take this summer. I have missed The Avengers, Spiderman, Men in Black 36 and virtually all of the other big name films, movies I used to see even if I knew I wouldn't like them. This weekend however, I took the time to see one such film from the past, "Project X." While it is completely ridiculous, I couldn't help but be entertained by Project X's "every teenager's fantasy party" debauchery that quickly passed 90 minutes on a weekend in Cincinnati. By now virtually all of you under 30 have seen this movie, and if you are above 30, the people you know under 25 have CERTAINLY seen it. Its plot needs no description...parents go away and teenagers throw a party, but what I found is that the movie as a whole made me nervous. Maybe it is because I have gotten older, think as a homeowner or just focus on worst possible options, but the movie kept me anxious. As I saw one thing after another get broken in the lead character's house, all I could think about was how much trouble he would be in and how it would ruin his parents financially. Those "detail" thoughts led to mockery by my friends (they didn't seem as concerned as I did about the fact that if the midget drove the car into the pool, he would probably drown before he could get out), but it also showcased to me that I have become way too detail oriented. When you worry more about the roof damage caused by skateboarders, rather just laughing when they crash, it might be time to lighten up and do something fun to rebalance yourself. So I guess the question becomes, who is throwing a party next week? To the news on a slow July weekend... 1. RECRUITING CIRCUIT GETS ROLLING: I have said this a number of times on the radio show, but it bears repeating here as well. In my seven years here at KSR, the last 8 weeks have without question, been the slowest from a news perspective that we have ever seen. The combination of Calipari's focus on the Dominican Republic, the general disinterest from many UK fans on football and the fact that UK has been recruiting the same six names for the last 18 months, has made real news tidbits few and far between. Part of this is good, but I do wish Calipari would pounce in and add some real drama. The closest we got this weekend was James Young's weekend domination and committed allegiance to all things Kentucky. Young had 29 points in the Nike Global Challenge, was named MVP and once again showcased why he is one of the five best players in his class. He also confirmed what we all know, when he said that his list is basically "UK and then everyone else." I was told he would commit to UK two weeks ago (hence the "bum, bum, bum" tweet...and no Frosty Tip-ites, it didn't refer to Mamadou...although I love the idea of him more than I can express), and as of yet such a commitment hasnt been announced. But it is almost certain to happen and if it doesn't by the end of the summer I will be very surprised. 2. LONDON BRIDGES BROWING DOWN: I was genuinely thrilled when I heard that Anthony Davis will get to join the USA Olympic Team and compete for a gold in London. While losing Blake Griffin stinks (I wanted to see him dunk on some Gasols), having Davis in London immediately makes the Games more interesting for UK fans and allows us to have a rooting interest in games that will likely be blowouts most of the time. Whether Davis gets to play a great deal remains to be seen, but his ability to play defense on a thin front line and the international goaltending rules (which strike me as awesome and very much helpful to a player like Davis), do make him a valuable asset. After his 9 points in 9 minutes game on Thursday night, it was great to hear the various USA players talk about what a great kid and player Davis was and see them embrace him into their "top shelf players" community. This will be invaluable experience for Davis long term and should make the first two weeks of August quite entertaining here in Kentucky. 3. SUMMER LEAGUE GOING AS EXPECTED: Some UK players (Darius Miller, Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague) as of this writing have yet to debut in the Summer League, but three have taken the court in Vegas...and each did what you would expect. MKG played in one of two Charlotte games (he sat out the second for cautionary reasons due to knee pain) and was dominant. To this point, his game has been called the best of the entire Summer League by a number of observers. Terrence Jones has been solid, going into double figures in both games, even as trade rumors persist that he might end up in Orlando. And Daniel Orton has been Daniel Orton. He had a ten minute performance that included a goaltending call, poor effort and a performance that one scout was quoted as saying was "an embarrassment to the Summer League." The more things change... 4. UK FOOTBALL GOODWILL: While negativity persists around much of the fanbase, I have gained a lot of respect this week for the coaches and former players out there moving forward for the program regardless. Wesley Woodyard put on a free camp at UK on Saturday that drew a huge crowd and featured appearances by a number of former UK greats and served as almost a mini UK football reunion. Everyone who went raved about it and the players should be saluted for the time. Plus, Joker Phillips and the coaches brought their Gameday Ready Tour to Louisville on Saturday and had a great crowd in West Louisville wearing Blue and working out with the staff. Joker Phillips spoke this week at the QB Club in Louisville and this quote I think summarizes how he feels going into this year: “Get behind this football team. You don’t have to get behind me,” Joker told the audience, “But I’m selling you to recruits, not me. You don’t have to get behind me because when this thing is all over for me, I’m going to become one of you (fans).” I am not sure how any fan can't get behind that feeling. 5. KENTUCKY HS BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTS INAUGURAL CLASS: I just assumed that Kentucky already had a High School Basketball Hall of Fame, but until this weekend, such a place did not exist. However on Saturday, the first ever class was picked and inducted, sending this group in to represent the first 75 years of Kentucky High School basketball history: Players Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones, Harlan (1940-’44) Ralph Beard, Male (1941-’45) Cliff Hagan, Owensboro (1945-’49) “King” Kelly Coleman, Wayland (1952-’56) Clem Haskins, Campbellsville Durham (1959-’61), Taylor County (1962-’63) Wes Unseld, Seneca (1961-’64) Jim McDaniels, Allen County (1963-’67) Darrell Griffith, Male (1972-’76) Geri Grigsby, McDowell (1975-’77) Clemette Haskins, Warren Central (1979-’83) Rex Chapman, Apollo (1982-’86) Richie Farmer, Clay County (1984-’88) Coaches S.T. Roach, Dunbar (1943-’65) boys Ralph Carlisle, Lafayette (1945-’61) boys Roy Bowling, Laurel County (1974-’89), Mercy (1992,-’97) girls Bobby Keith, Clay County (1972-’99) boys A very strong group and while one can quibble with some left out, over time, it will certainly be remedied. A great event on Saturday and a good start in honoring the best of the best to play the game in this state. We get the week started in the morning at 10 am on radio. Josh Hopkins will host with me on Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, Drew and I will be at the Peach Jam in Atlanta reporting on the Class of 2013 and 2014 for the Cats. Stay tuned for what should be a great week!