Jerry Tipton and myself spent more than 30 minutes with UK coach John Calipari, part of interview sessions he did throughout the morning, and may still be going on as I post this. Jerry will have the newsier stuff on his blog, but here are five quick impressions:
- 1. “I don’t hold players back.” That’s what Calipari said, and that’s why he gets players. As we were wrapping up, Sam Bowie came into the office to say hello to Coach Cal. On the way out, we were talking to Sam, and he was raving about Calipari and the offense and the whole attitude. Bowie played in the NBA. He knows the league. And he said that Cal’s approach is exactly what players are looking for to get to the next level. Make the players better. Make them play in a team concept. But don’t hold guys back.
- 2. Calipari said he had the feeling that this team wanted to be loved. No kidding. After two years of the emotional beat-downs they suffered under the tactics of the former coach, that’s no big surprise. The t-shirt story is just the latest example. Apparently, Billy Gillispie couldn’t handle one of his players getting publicity above and beyond the normal. (There are those who believe Billy G. started treating Jodie differently as soon as Meeks was being pushed for National Player of the Year honors.) Maybe those mind-games worked in Bob Knight’s glory days. They don’t work now. Those days are over.
- 3. Calipari said flat-out that he knows there are players on the current roster who can’t play his style. To me, there’s nothing wrong with that. Better to be honest now, when players have options, than to keep guys around just to have bodies. Be up front, even if it’s not what the players want to hear. Honesty is the best policy. Even if you don’t like, or even agree with, the answer.
- 4. Back to the NBA thing. As has been reported, and Jerry confirmed, Tony Delk and Scott Padgett will both be on Calipari’s staff in some capacity. That’s a two-fold bonus. By including former players, you do nothing but impress and please the basketball alumni, especially at a school with Kentucky’s tradition. Plus, both are NBA guys. Both played years in the league. Not only that, they played years, not as stars, but grinders who had to earn a roster spot each season. They know what that’s like. Now, if you come to Kentucky, you will be around three former NBA players — Delk, Padgett and Rod Strickland, who played 17 years in the league. Never underestimate the significance of that.
- 5. On the eve of the SEC Tournament, I wrote that “If you’re Kentucky, be KENTUCKY,” column. Calipari is doing that, and then some. Everything is on bigger scale. The numerous radio and TV appearances. Being on the tube during the Final Four. Being on PTI, Dan Patrick, etc. The open workouts to the media, with unrestricted player interviews. At Wednesday’s practice, there was Kenny Walker, Joe B. Hall, Coach S.T. Roach, Scott Padgett, Chip Rupp, just to name a few. Word is Calipari had a dinner with many of UK’s biggest donors and supporters on Wednesday night. Those are all things you need to do as Kentucky coach to promote the “brand,” as Calipari is calling it.
I don’t know enough about Coach Cal to say whether or not he is a great in-game coach, but as far as a marketer and spokesperson the guy is brilliant with his simple moves. He seems to understand that Kentucky basketball is an entity unto itself, kind of like Coca-Cola. The smart thing to do is build up the image and the sales (wins) will come with time.
the man gets ” it “……this is going to be great
Skip, I couldn’t agree more.
I like the fact that he is willing to tell the guys if they will be able to play or not in his system. I know that will be hard for some, since they came to school only because it was Kentucky. But if they are not going to play they can find another school and get playing time.
Tubby was always a gentleman and a great representative of UK and the community. However, his “stream of conciousness” responses during pressers and interviews became a trademark. Typically, an answer to why we were out rebounded would veer off track and be summed up with something like “…and that’s why there’s no noodles in potato salad.” What? I loved the guy, but that damaged his persona. Tubby was always a gentleman and a great representative of UK and the community. However, his “stream of consciousness” responses during pressers and interviews became a trademark. Typically, an answer to why we were out rebounded would veer off track and be summed up with something like “…and that’s why there’s no noodles in potato salad.” Huh? I loved the guy but he was hard to listen to.
Billy was…..Billy. Brash, abrasive, terse and all business. His persona said “No time for stupid questions, dame. I got some kids to beat down”. Never very likable and toward the end blatantly despicable.
Calipari has it all. So smooth and cool, yet self-deprecating and funny. Sometimes continental other times disheveled, always charming. In two short weeks he’s unwound the knot that BBN had worked itself into. He gets it. JC, does he start his press conferences by saying, “I’m Calipari…John Calipari”?