It's a Bad Day In Catrock! BUt Porter Played a Great Game....He's a shooting guard for sure.

For those of you movie geeks you will get the title....for the rest of you (and me) it is a somber night.  We lost.  The ball never went our way.  You win some, you lose some, and some times you lose again.

On the positive note Porter was Awesome tonight...5 3pointers....He played with a lot of poise.  Darius continues to impress.  Meeks was quite but goes for average.  Patterson was tamed in the 2nd half...not necessarily tamed but, yeah he was, Georgia took him out of the equation.  It was a gut wrenching lose to watch....and Billy look different than I have ever seen him on the side lines.  I think he looks worried.  He has been humbled by the play of his Cats, his coaching, and the pressure from the fans to win.  I still think he is a great coach, but he has to win in Lex to prove it...

For what it is worth, I am a fan till the end, because I know that it can't rain all the time (and if you can get that quote you are amazing and have watched way to many movies.)

TOK out till later

What a week!!!

I must apologize...wow, I feel like I do that more than just post.  Nina and I finally signed for our house and got "mostly" moved in...we are both sleep deprived and weary.  I watched that great game on Saturday.  I am so hopeful for the future....these Cats are going to be great.  I wanted to leave a post to all of my loyal fans.

John actually had a good article , but what is funny is that why is it just now everyone talking about the "greeny" foundations of Kentucky.  We have only one Senior, Jared Carter, who barely has more minutes or points than Matt Jones (KSR got me hooked on blogging).  Of course we are green and there are only a few players who actually are very good (if not great) at their position....Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson...and both of those players have room to grow.  This is a team that will be absolutely great next season.  Here is what I said earlier in the year, that any win and any positives will be icing on the cake for the 08-09 season; 5-0 start in the SEC, Jodie scoring waves, Patterson's domination, Darius stepping up, etc... There are a great many things to be happy for....Next year we will have players who will actually be able to compete with the greats in the SEC at Every position.  (the jury is still out on point guard but we will have 4 to vie for floor general.

I agree with Mitch that it will take some time to help sure up the foundation.    I hope to post a series on why we should allow Billy G. at least four years before we lay judgement on his reign.

I am off to bed so I can function tomorrow at work....thanks so much for reading.

A Little Devan, Devan's the Whole Lump! BUT CAN THEY STOP JODIE FROM SCORING A WHOLE BUNCH!!

Top of the key. A drive to the left. A crossover right (and vice versa). Pull jump jumper 10-15 feet. Good. The last time that a player deja vu'd us like that was Miles Simon; 1997 championship game. Miles kept getting in the lane and shooting those freakin' jumpers. I wanted to tackle him or was hoping that one of our guys would have (just kidding. I don't like game violence.ha) That is the same move that Smooth used to beat teams last year (Smooth would have been good for this team, but I like to keep my eyes forward...Liggins or Galloway could evolve). If you are quick enough laterally, this is a shot that you should keep in your quiver. 

I really hope that Porter can stay with Downey and at least persuade (maybe he could talk him out of it) him to give up the ball. I know that Porter is not fast enough or quick enough, but maybe he can keep him on his toes. (hmmmm...not sure how...but you never know.)

What South Carolina brings to the table is athleticism. That has been their staple for the past five years at least (I have been married for a little of five years and Nina's family lives in Columbia...and that is where I finished my degree). The problem has been that there has been no structure to bring that athleticism to a head, to really see what it can do. Here is a philosophy that I live by and I thank it would behoove everyone to think this way (not being arrogant I promise..just listen). 

If one has a gift, let's say music, and that person is able to sing with no vocal lessons, and they are very good, that is great. But they have a talent but no understanding of the discipline of singing; why there are half notes and such. Now, take a person who is marginally good and they take vocal lessons for years and after a good many years they have learned the art of singing, but they become very good... The marginally talented can be as good as the gifted with understanding of discipline. They go on to get a record deal and both of them (the gifted and the learned) could be on the charts, and yet seemingly equal. Here is the kicker, take that person who is very good with out lessons and teach them the art of vocal discipline and what you have it something great, wonderful, and legendary.  

This is why your mid-majors beat Lordly Major Division I teams...they understood the value of discipline with talnet. Teams that have players that no one wanted to recruit are beating teams with 5 or 6 McD's AA. Passion without understading is unstable, unfaithful and volitale, but passion inside relationship is intimacy, fidelity and life long commitment....I know you did come to get a lesson on love or philosophy, but my point is that Coach Horn may have the discipline to make South Carolina a GREAT basketball school. What determines greatness (longevity) is recruiting and equipping. We will see.

On that same theme, you give a player like Jodie discipline and passion and well now you have yourself a  very gifted SCORER. I was watching a few games last week and one of the announcers was talking about one of the quick guards and he said something like, "Now, he can go for 20 or 30 a game, that is what kind of great scorer that he is.." My first thought was, "We don't know what Jodie's ceiling is." I mean he went for 54, but if the guys get him the ball a little more he could have went for 60!  99.9% of the players in college or the NBA don't have the kind of ability. On a great night when the stars are aligned and the "Conditions are Purfect! (flight of the concords qoute!) a player may go for 30 or 40...once or twice...but Jodie has hit 35+ 5x's, 40+2x, and 50+once. All this while shooting 46% from the field and 42% from the free throw line. And he is on the verge of breaking Travis Ford's record for most threes in a season, 101!

I remember that season of Ford's...He shot 53% for the year. Travis used to do this fast break 3 that I loved (and still do) to mimic. He would race down the court, get to the 3 point line, plant his feet, jump/lean forward (with the toes almost on the floor...just to let the ref know that it was a three), and let the momentum of his speed take the ball toward the rim as he drops his wrist. BOOM! So pretty!  That shot used to bring me out of my chair every time. But in all fairness, as great a shooter as Travis was he had a lot of help...Jamal Mashburn. Travis had a lot of shots and lot of chances to shoot because of the attention that Jamal would get. Want proof? Jamal goes to the NBA and Travis's 3 point percentage drops to a paltry 42% the next season...what a joke! LOL.

I really believe if the Cats come out in this game armed with Porter, Meeks, Miller, Perry, and Pat Pat they will have there best chance to win. Ramon would be a great 6th man. He plays great defense and is good for a few points and rebounds. A.J. could be the answer for a 2nd power forward, he can score and is athletic. Liggins and Galloway would be great spark plugs. I would really like to see Harrellson step up and be a power forward threat, but he just hasn't established himself. I see him being someone who has the light come on next season....I believe that he has two more years of eligibility. He will be a force, in time.

Tomorrows game will not disappoint, but I wouldn't feel bad it the Cats "beat the fire" out of the Gamecocks. They are my Alma mater, but my heart belongs Kentucky.   Go Blue.  Let's hope the Darius comes out of swinging for the fence.  "Felt wrong not to swing!" (Joaquin Phoenix, Signs).

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