Stirring up a Hornets. John Clay Posted Me On His Blog.

Wow, I have really done it this time.  My last article really exploded, thanks to  A Sea of Blue and John Clay.  I could take this time to defend myself, but I think that John will be just fine.  I grew up reading Mr. Clay.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on his stories, he brought fresh perspective...I am sure it was easier to write articles about the teams in the '90's.  So it was an honor to have a page dedicated to me...haha.  There is no such thing as bad publicity.  

And I have been reading A Sea of Blue for over a year, and think they do a great job over there...I love the new website.  A shout out to them for posting a link to TOK.  Hopefully the next one they pull over will be a better crafted argument.

Having said that, the only thing that I regret is writing 'alas'  in regards to Porter.  This is The Optimistic Kat, that shouldn't be in my vocabulary.  Today they played a great game.  UK 77 and UT 58.  Porter's three 3's were great (though I do agree with KSR...Porter's grouping of shots was really bizarre.  It is unusual for a shooter to miss everything and swish the very next one.  But he hit very timely shots... I am so happy for him.  He is becoming the harmonic balancer, lead guard, that we have needed [see my older posts to clarify that I did indeed say this earlier in the year]).  Darius was great, well he was perfect.  Patterson is a force.  Jodie played hard.  We would say he had a quiet game, but he does those little things so well; he is just a work horse.  He wants to make sure the offense flows and he gets his points in the flow.  

I don't think I sat down once during this game.  I was on my feet clapping and fist pumping (My neighbors below us probably hate all the pacing).  WHAT A VICTORY!  It was so great to sweep Tennessee.  I have similar feelings that KSR has toward UT, and they are not warm and fuzzy.  I can root for most teams in the SEC but I would just as soon see UT lose (unless they were playing Duke or North Carolina).

I knew that if the Cats continued to play defense the way they started the game, we would have a chance to route them.  The posture and demeanor of the Vols was one of defeat; Chism was moping most of the day.  And they looked dejected.

I still plan on writing "The Deatheaters" soon so stay tuned.  It is feeling that the local sports media have painted Gillispie in an unrealistic light (or maybe I am viewing him unrealistically).  I understand that when you are at Kentucky that you are under a microscope.  But guys listen, the media and unstable Kentucky Fans, have been ready to ship Billy G. out of town after the Gardner-Webb Loss and the San Diego loss last year.  Even though he turned Crawford and Bradley in to prime time players.  I am frustrated with the media's reaction(s) because we finally get a coach, after 10 years, who actually makes the guys practice and play hard.  The look like they are in great shape and they are athletic.  Give the man a fair shake, can we still give that to people here in Kentucky, especially a coach who is die-hard as we are.  I don't get it.

I am more excited about Kentucky Basketball than I have been since the one who shall not be named coached here.  And would some journalists please ask a real question!  There are rarely good questions being asked.  I can understand why Billy G. gets frustrated with interviews.  He does appear to be a bit more sarcastic in post game interviews after a loss, than a win.  Today, Billy G. talked a lot without being prompted.  That is part of the job and Billy G. does need to "humor" the media.  For more on this you should go to the archives here and pull up, "Laughter is the Best Medicine, A Ocean of Blue,  and A Weak to Get Strong."

Now, before I am labeled, a Gillispie's fan club president.  I don't agree with everything that Gillispie does, but there is so much negativity hanging on the state of Kentucky that it makes frustrated.  I was at the Mississippi State games and the fans were in rare form, yelling and booing.  Kentucky is my team and I am a passionate fan, but I want to give support without tearing down.  I would like to know why that there is no contract for Billy G., but my feeling is that if this were a major concern of the University that it would be taken care of.  But enough already. 

Wow, I have been on here too long...need to go to sleep.  After this week I will be ready to blog away, in preparation for SEC Tourny and March Madness.  Thanks so much to my loyal readers (and to those who are looking for spark to ignite their torches [to run Billy G. out of town.])haha.  Every one have a great night.

Get the Broom, Billy G and the Cats Just swept the Vols.

I can't go to bed before I just say, "That game was Awesome!!!"  I hope tomorrow to go deeper into the depths of the Victory. 

There is No Harmonic Balancer.

John, John, John...you are one of the DeathEaters (coming soon).  You speak so sordidly towards Gillispie as though you know enough about him to make a judgement.  Mr. Clay don't you understand that once you bring up negative questions to a rabid fan mob, that you can say as many things nice or logical afterward and all they hear is white noise...the ringing of rage is so loud in their ears they cannot and will not listen to reason.  They question you raise are not stories they are sensationalism.  You have not even addressed the team or evaluated the team in a respectable manner.

Gillispie is in practice everyday.  He knows his players ability.  Here is the main point that needs to be addressed; the harmonic balancer.  The lead guard or point guard is the key ingredient that is missing.  Did you notice that we our guys cannot figure out what to do with the ball once the get it in the lane.  Why, because Liggins and Miller have not matured enough.  Galloway is out of control.  Porter, alas, is the closest thing to a harmonic balancer.  The point guard is supposed to be an extension of the coach on the floor.  Gillispie says that players will do the opposite of they play they called.  You can coach them but can't make them execute.  Meeks, as I have said before, cannot be concerned about being a leader (harmonically) if he is trying to work to get open and score.  There is no other player on the team that can be trusted to score.  I know that I am supposed to see the positives and I will get there.  This team will be great if next year we get a true point guard (like John Wall) or if Liggins just wakes up and becomes a great point guard.  Billy G. is getting the best out of these players that he can...they are not just the greatest at every position.  There are better players in the SEC, and they have proved it.

And for the record John, Tubby's recruits didn't do much under Tubby but flourished under Billy G..  Bradley, Crawford, Meeks, Porter (yes, he is much better than he would have been under Tubby).  That is all I have for now...must sleep!

Game Day

I apologize for not get you guys more positive analysis.  I am not sure how much blogging that I will be able to do the next two weeks.  We are moving into a new house.  Between boxing up, working, and making sure everything is ready (financially and with the builders).  After the move TOK will be back in full force.

I will blog in the next two weeks before or after games and when I can.  My goal is to write a blog every day after the move.

TOK

Dear Loyal Readers:

There are a couple of reasons that I haven't been able to get you the optimistic perspective of UK Basketball in a timely manner: 1. we are moving in two weeks and the time and energy packing and making sure everything is in order is cosuming us. (Nina and I). 2. My laptop is extremely slow. Usually when I get a blog up fast I am using the Macbook Pro not my Toshiba Satellite (it was really good about 4 years ago.) Nina uses the Macbook for editing pictures...that is a little more important. 3. The time needed to devulge and delve in to the stories has not been there for me like I would like. 4. Started a new job. All this adds up to less time to blog about 1 of my many passions. Don't worry I will have a post up about the game sometime tomorrow (we are meeting with the Mortgage Lady tomorrow) and I will have an insightful Piece. But my great work maybe the piece on The Death Eaters, so stay tuned for that one. There is no projecte date on that...but you can bet that I have negativity in my cross hairs and I am pulling the trigger. So until tomorrow. Thank you so much for reading it is a pleasure to serve you.

Sincerely,
TOK

The DeathEaters (coming soon...)

"The Next Game is the Most Important of the Season [...]" Billy G.

I think it was 1991. I was in my room on a Saturday afternoon. The Cats were playing USC. The Gamecocks were on an early run and Ralph Hacker said "The Cats better get it together, South Carolina can let the air out of the ball." The Cats then went on a tear. Caywood calls this play, "Quick 3 by Pelphrey, write it down...inbounds the ball...turnover, quickly down Farmer for 3...YES SIR...WRITE IT DOWN." The Cats went on to win huge, that was the spark that was needed. Man, I loved that team. Before they were the Unforgetables, they were near and dear to me. Pitino's Bombinos were so exciting. I don't care who Pelphrey coaches for I will root for him (except on Saturday). He is and was unforgetable.

Over the last few days I have been rummaging through all of the audio over the last week and there is so much great stuff. I found a great tidbit on Billy D.'s pre-game Kentucky audio, "I don't think that the SEC has any one who would intentionally hurt someone...I know that there has been some around the league [...]" Then his own Hodge goes out and intentionally steps on Perry's arm. That seems bizarre and it happened the very next game.

We, Big Blue Nation, are waiting with baited breath to see if Patterson will play. I think we could win with out him, but I like having him in there. He just hustles so freaking much. It appears that he is about to hit his stride, where he just takes over games. He is the one that keeps us grounded. (with Jodie we are [breaks into singing],"SOARING, FLYING, WE'RE BREAKING FREE...uh hum...sorry about that.") "He is relentless...Warrior-like...One of my favorite players in the league". That was straight from Pelphrey's mouth. How cool is that. See you can't get away from the connections. Funny things is, Pelphrey means as much to Kentucky basketball as Patterson, but ONLY one can actually help secure the future of Kentucky Basketball. One day we will be able to reflect on the NBA star Patrick Patterson and how he shouldered us in our lean years. Yeah, I'd raise my glass to that.

Here's to the momentum that Porter and Galloway played with against Florida, that it would continue. I really think that if Galloway and Liggins can hold down the point that Porter can get some open looks without having the pressure of holding the team together. See, here is the difference in the mentality of a point guard (and lead guard as well) and a scorer. Notice that I did not say shooting guard. Let me explain, when a player has spent his career as a catch and shoot scorer (or slasher scorer), and he is used to just putting the ball in the hole, the added weight of making sure that everyone else is in position can take you out of your rhythm and your head. If Porter can relax and just focus on shooting or setting up the post with a quick drive and dish, I think that he can give great minutes. Now, those of you loyal readers with know that I said earlier in the year that Porter would be a great point guard and that we would be glad to have him in the tournament...well, if he is our only option, then yeah, but if Kevin establishes himself...We suddenly become a real threat: 2 tall, quick point guards in Liggins and Galloway. 2 shooters in Jodie and Mike. Mike may wind up being a John Paxon or Steve Kerr. (To those of you young ones, the Bulls won a couple NBA Championships on their 3 point shots, and Jordan was on those teams. Those 3's were last second game winners.)

I know the mentality of a scorer, that is what I am. I can play point (since I am 6 feet tall, I would be a 1 or maybe a 2 in college) but my mind doesn't tick like that on offense. If you get me the ball, I look for the best option; if it's me, then the ball goes in the air. More so If I am posting up or I curl around for the 3...but when I am playing, my mind is on getting the ball in the hole.

Disconcerting News from Arkansas, Fortson suspended indefinitely and Marcus Monk. Marcus Monk is quote, "No longer a member on the University of Arkansas basketball team." Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long. (I hate the source of this article but it was the only good one I could find in a pinch...I have a real dislike for Jerry. My "positivity" is for the Team not for the Local Media...because the influence the perception of lots of people, and I think they get it wrong way more than right.) So, one of the best guards in the SEC this year is out for a while. I think this is a game where we can establish some dominance "again". Billy G. did say though that Bud Walton arena is on of the best arenas in college basketball. I know that we can't overlook anyone, and I don't suggest that we do that but without solid point play any team is in trouble. (We should know that).

1:00pm is when this all comes down...we'll see you after the game.