McCullar
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@benshawks08 Gradey doesn’t move well without the ball or on defense. He has a lot to learn (and will get paid while learning) but also has an elite shot. I’d like to see more plays designed to get him open. However, as I recall (maybe incorrectly) Bill stated that this team doesn’t do as well with set plays so it’s a bunch of improvisation off the base offense. So set plays for Gradey probably aren’t coming en masse.
Gradey is long and can be disruptive by reaching in and swatting the ball, but he can’t wall up his defender due to poor footwork it seems. He’s got tons of potential, but it will be fulfilled elsewhere. For KU he gives a needed scoring presence and great enthusiasm. My only real complaint is he’s gone too soon!
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@RockkChalkk said in McCullar:
These are young people in peak physical condition in the prime of their lives. Being tired from three games in three days is a made up reason to justify a reason for them losing. Its just that they had a bad game and/or the other team wanted it more. The bigger problem I see is that it seems like the team lacks heart sometimes. I never see anyone pulling the group together on the court for huddles or encouragement. Don’t see a lot of emotion on their faces or in their actions when the games start slipping away.
I always used to believe this.
I played competitive ball not nearly at this level and I went hard every day.
Then I was blessed with an opportunity to play basketball in Europe at a higher level.
I thought I knew what being in shape was about. Then I was at puke level in my first practice on this team.
No way I could go 3 games in consecutive days playing 30+ minutes… and though the speed was so fast, I seriously doubt it was the speed of a Big 12 game.
Granted… Texas was in the same boat but played with much higher energy. They also played more bench minutes. But anyways… Juan isn’t physically built up like many other players. Was it Self that said he looks like the kid hanging out at the mall?
I give Juan a huge amount of credit here for being tired first because he’s built frail… second… he hustles more than anyone else and spends energy.
The guys I give less credit is Gradey and KJ. These guys will have to lift their defense considerably in March our we are going home early! JWil needs help, too, but he also carries more of the scoring responsibility and that drains more energy, too.
Gradey takes half the game off… standing on the side awaiting passes that don’t come. KJ needs to lift his basketball IQ. His hedging is often out of position and he just makes a lot of mistakes typical of a freshman. Basically… he is a freshman! And Gradey is showing some signs of hustling more. He’s starting to rebound more and get loose balls.
I’m complaining a bit… but we need to be honest here.
I’m hopeful that the last Texas ass-kicking will be like the UK ass-kicking last year… do your thing, Bill! Teach these kids now before it’s too late!
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I’ve noticed Gradey’s reaction time on defense is slow. He’s probably overthinking his game because that will create a lag like he is showing.
As Self said… he’s not weak but he isn’t strong.
It seems ridiculous to throw him in the league already. He has star potential but other guys have had that, too, and didn’t jump. Everything is conjecture off that sweet stroke he possesses. That’s a lot of risk. That will never carry him into a leading role in the NBA without other aspects of his game coming along.
A year of body strengthening and coaching and that guy would surely bump up on the draft charts, I don’t care how much better the draft is next year. The difference would be night/day.
He impacts games now when he’s hot. Otherwise… he’s mostly invisible. Just what the pros want!
I know… I know… he will get guaranteed money!
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@drgnslayr If I were a GM I’d draft Gradey in the lottery and stash him for development. All he needs to do is train and grow and he can do both while making millions of guaranteed dollars and not waste time on school nonsense- basketball is his profession and he has graduated with honors. Hire a full time trainer and get after it.
Selfishly I hope he tweaks his knee going in for the game winning layup as time expires in the national championship game and has no choice but to go back to KU while he heals up and ends up with 2 rings.
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I would feel the same… except it isn’t realistic. There is so much pressure in the league. Recruits are supposed to be either earning minutes or playing developmental ball and showing promise. Even though it sounds so right to sit on him and develop him, outside of risking injury, it would carry it’s own risk.
Players have notoriety and fans… it’s a big part of what draws fans to games. Gradey leaves this year he will have instant NBA fans. I’m afraid they will be disappointed next year. I also fear a higher chance of injury. It happens often. Newbie players get hurt. So lets give a realistic projection that Gradey is two years away before becoming a lethal NBA player. He’ll have to restart the optimism. It can be done… but what did he gain over just staying in college another year where he remains a star? Then going to the league a much better player and getting real minutes in year 1?
I don’t see risk the same as others… I think he will sign for a higher amount next year and it will be worth it to wait a year. Then… if he gets hurt in his first year he will be sitting on a higher pile of cash. I think his risk of injury is higher in the NBA, hence sign the bigger contract in year 1.
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This Gradey meritrust ad is new since the big 12 tourney, right? He is making some bucks.
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I believe McCullar needs to be almost 100%. Gradey needs to play hard and hit his shots, as he hasn’t been doing much of either. It’s almost as if he’s just marking time until the draft.
I also believe Yesufu is a problem on the floor. He shoots (and misses) 3’s early in the shot clock and his defense is “not good”. I’d rather see almost any other guard.
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I share your concerns about Joe taking early shots and missing most.
Surely, he is being instructed to do that or he would get pulled. I’m just not sure WHY he is being told to do that?
Under the right circumstances, he should take the shot.
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@Gorilla72 said in McCullar:
I believe McCullar needs to be almost 100%. Gradey needs to play hard and hit his shots, as he hasn’t been doing much of either. It’s almost as if he’s just marking time until the draft.
I also believe Yesufu is a problem on the floor. He shoots (and misses) 3’s early in the shot clock and his defense is “not good”. I’d rather see almost any other guard.
What other options are there in regards to Yesufu? Play Harris 40 minutes and wear him down? Play Pettiford who doesn’t shoot and turns the ball over almost 40% of the time? Kyle Cuffe who’s redshirting and likely moving down after this season,
I’ve never been a big Yesufu fan, largely for the reasons mentioned, but the reality is Kansas doesn’t have a better option for that of a guard off the bench than Yesufu. Self knows this is a problem which is why KU’s 2023 recruiting looks like it does with nothing but guards right now.
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@drgnslayr KJ was TERRIBLE on hedges vs Texas and the last few games. Might be yet another reason we were just switching everything for so long.
As for joe I think some of the thought process on the early shots is a marginal to bad shot is still better than a turnover. And if Juan Is out, this team doesn’t always get good shots. Also, if you don’t shoot when you are wide open as a small guard there’s not really much else you can do and it makes life harder on the rest of the team. He believes he is a 35% shooter from three. Let’s hope he gets there with a hot tournament. He’s had one before.
The margin for error for this team is small but it was last year too. Dave had to play great after struggling for a good portion of the year. Remy had to come out of nowhere and make massive contributions. We will see if anyone steps up this year.
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@drgnslayr said in McCullar:
I would feel the same… except it isn’t realistic. There is so much pressure in the league. Recruits are supposed to be either earning minutes or playing developmental ball and showing promise. Even though it sounds so right to sit on him and develop him, outside of risking injury, it would carry it’s own risk.
Players have notoriety and fans… it’s a big part of what draws fans to games. Gradey leaves this year he will have instant NBA fans. I’m afraid they will be disappointed next year. I also fear a higher chance of injury. It happens often. Newbie players get hurt. So lets give a realistic projection that Gradey is two years away before becoming a lethal NBA player. He’ll have to restart the optimism. It can be done… but what did he gain over just staying in college another year where he remains a star? Then going to the league a much better player and getting real minutes in year 1?
I don’t see risk the same as others… I think he will sign for a higher amount next year and it will be worth it to wait a year. Then… if he gets hurt in his first year he will be sitting on a higher pile of cash. I think his risk of injury is higher in the NBA, hence sign the bigger contract in year 1.
Ehh even if he flames out 1st round contracts are fully guaranteed. He’s 99.9% gone. He could get hurt playing for KU next season as well - only up to a $5 million insurance policy the last I knew (and that’s only for special players). I’d say don’t get your hopes up no matter how much it offends our sensibilities. I’m still cheesed that Pierce left early because I didn’t expect it. This is 100% expected and the norm right or wrong.
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@Texas-Hawk-10 said in McCullar:
@Gorilla72 said in McCullar:
I believe McCullar needs to be almost 100%. Gradey needs to play hard and hit his shots, as he hasn’t been doing much of either. It’s almost as if he’s just marking time until the draft.
I also believe Yesufu is a problem on the floor. He shoots (and misses) 3’s early in the shot clock and his defense is “not good”. I’d rather see almost any other guard.
What other options are there in regards to Yesufu? Play Harris 40 minutes and wear him down? Play Pettiford who doesn’t shoot and turns the ball over almost 40% of the time? Kyle Cuffe who’s redshirting and likely moving down after this season,
I’ve never been a big Yesufu fan, largely for the reasons mentioned, but the reality is Kansas doesn’t have a better option for that of a guard off the bench than Yesufu. Self knows this is a problem which is why KU’s 2023 recruiting looks like it does with nothing but guards right now.
MJ maybe. Udeh in a weird lineup. Yesufu in more limited minutes. Bobby…well…he did win us that one game in the islands.
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I have zero hope of Gradey returning. I’m not attempting to change his mind… he doesn’t read these boards. I’m challenging the idea that all players need to leave if they are considered a lottery pick. In most circumstances, I would agree. Gradey has so much potential he can make up any loss from going a year early. Few players are hurt these days where their career is over.
More than anything… I think his fanbase grows if he stays here another year. Fan popularity matters. It draws crowds at games and sells more everything. He would leave here next year hyped up big time. That only happens this year if he has a big tournament and we repeat. If that were to happen… hell yes he should go now!
This kid isn’t coming from a poor family in a tough neighborhood. He’s a lifelong Jayhawk. Unless we make the FF again this year his one year of ball will be forgotten in a year or so. So much for being a legacy player.
I know it’s all about money and nothing else matters… like the pure joy of going to KU and playing as a Jayhawk. Getting another year closer to graduating college. F it! Cash in as soon as you can draw a check and move on!
Makes me want to turn off college basketball.
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@drgnslayr I’d contend it would take 3 years in Lawrence to leave a KU legacy. It’s hard for me to come up with Darrell Arthur and he was a huge reason we won in ‘08. I also don’t think it really matters to most people as much as it does to us FANaticS.
Could you imagine if Gradey came back and had a career ending injury just chasing a college legacy? That would be so pathetic and sad. If that happened kids would probably thank that’s where the phrase that’s Dicked up came from. Lol
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I think he earns legacy status when he more or less carries a team for a year. JWil is now a legacy player. I think Gradey gets there on his second year. I’d probably push him into the NBA next year because he can reach that status of out-growing college ball. He hasn’t even grown into college ball yet. But he’s pro material now? I bet most people who comment on him do not watch much pro ball to know the difference in steps from college to pro. It is every bit the jump of high school to college.
Wiggins was close to legacy status in one year, but not quite. Another year and he would have been a legacy. He would have a pronounced game beyond 99% of college players and leave a memorable trail.
I consider “legacy” to be someone leaving a memorable trail. I think Gradey would do that in his second year.
Of course… it helps when the player helps propel us into a Final Four. As I said earlier… Gradey becomes a legacy this year if he becomes a huge part of taking us into a Final Four this year. He’d have to start contributing more than he is now because his shot is standing out but his total contribution isn’t.
These are just my views. But I do believe my perspective is how a player ages through history.
My typical examples of legacies… Frank Mason, Mario Chalmers, Marcus Garrett, Sherron Collins, Och, CB, of course, guys like Manning…
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Doke and Dave need to be in that convo
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Graham too
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Definitely not down on Gradey but not sure what legacy you’re looking at. Because he is a freshman, his immaturity at this level has certainly shown this year through his inconsistency. Those that have been mentioned stuck with it through 2,3,4 or 5 years and continually improved. Several went on to successful. pro careers after risking injury while playing. I see the risk of playing another year as advantageous to his future because it will allow him the opportunity to become a stronger player in a variety of ways. Right. now he is a streaky shooter, kind of how Remy was last year.
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When we have lost in the tourney and we’re getting whipped without being able to overcome the deficit there are two or three ways I have observed player reactions during the games. One - those who hesitate or back away, Two - those who just go through the motions and Three - those who show no fear and attack. Some of the recent players in the number three group I noticed were Josh Jackson, Frank Mason and Svi who showed no fear. Looking at this year’s team who would you include from the season so far? I’m saying JWill, Kevin and Gradey with KJ and Juan showing frustration and appearing negative. My watching habits would put me in the frustration and negative category Lol.
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When thinking of the entire season my list of fearless players is JWil, Kevin, and Juan. Juan sputtered in the Texas games because he was exhausted and had nothing left to give.
This will all be tested soon. No more 3 quick games and it is single-elimination, so no one can claim the game wasn’t important.
I have no idea where my confidence level is on our status for a good tournament. I was feeling confident until we were hammered twice by Texas.
Our margin for error is outrageously tight. Foul trouble, injuries, bad nights… anything could sink us.
The key to winning consistently is playing tough defense. We don’t have to be having a hot shooting night to win games. And this team is very capable of playing great team defense. It will be about keeping JWil, Gradey, and KJ focused on defense. These are the guys that will let us down (most likely) if we lose.
I’m not going to blame anyone if they are having cold shooting. But blame will come if we don’t hustle for possessions (rebound, 50/50 balls, pressure TOs)… then it all comes down to defense and I will point fingers.
Self now has to make his case to his team and I can 100% guarantee he is talking about defense 99% of the time. He’s mostly having to convince JWil, Gradey, and KJ to step up. He’s also putting that same force on Bobby, Joe, Ernest, and the rest of the bench. Who knows how deep we will have to go on our bench! (scary)
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It is all that.
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Dajuan could replace Frank as my favorite Jayhawk ever. No pressure.
My top 5 right now is probably:
Frank Dave Dajuan Devonte Mario
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@approxinfinity said in McCullar:
Dajuan could replace Frank as my favorite Jayhawk ever. No pressure.
My top 5 right now is probably:
Frank Dave Dajuan Devonte Mario
My top five:
Danny Manning
Richard Scott
Sherron Collins
Paul Pierce
Kirk Hinrich
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I don’t know where to start when picking favs. I hate to leave off anyone I care about on my favs list.
I know a guy I have to mention that no one else will… Elijah Johnson. He made career sacrifices to win games at KU when he was forced into PG duties.
EJ went beyond the game of basketball. He stood up for all people of color when attacked at ISU. He put his life on the line! No Jayhawk ever gave more than EJ! I love this guy!
https://kckingdom.com/2013/03/01/iowa-state-student-government-apologizes-to-elijah-johnson/
Few know how bad that game was. EJ was attacked with racial slurs and threats at the game! Our stupid league should have sanctioned ISU for that and made an example.
F ISU! I never was so happy as when EJ stuffed it at the end of OT in that game!
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ooh, not sure about that EJ choice. Any KU player who punches somebody in the nuts during a game is instantly downgraded!
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Loved the slam at the end.
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@rockchalkjayhawk said in McCullar:
ooh, not sure about that EJ choice. Any KU player who punches somebody in the nuts during a game is instantly downgraded!
Exactly. I hate singling out any player but the Michigan game really soured my opinion of EJ, in spite of the overall good career he had at KU. The nut punch, missed free throws and turnovers the last minute of game cost us another shot at a championship - that team was really rolling at the end of the year.
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Favorite players (not best)
Mario
DeVonte
Langford
Vaughn
Dok
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If EJ nut punched anyone they deserved it. I don’t promote that type of thing in games… but I bet I don’t promote what happened to make him do that. EJ was not typically a dirty player. He was provoked.
EJ took the racial attack from ISU and kept calm. He made his statement on the court then later was very soft with ISU. He’s a bigger man than me.
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@drgnslayr I disagree entirely. You get back at them by beating them on the score board, not by trying to do some sneaky shit back at McGary for whatever it is supposedly provoked it. It was just poor decision after poor decision for him in that game and is a large part of how many remember him unfortunately.
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I’m not saying it was the right thing to do. But don’t portray EJ like he was a redneck. His emotions got the best of him. He’s human. He had no track record of being violent. If he did, I’d probably take your position.
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I’m not portraying him as anything other than a good guy by all accounts who made bad decisions in a game. I know he had no history of it, which makes that whole game so baffling to me and many others. Regardless of whatever was said, as a senior leader on the team in the biggest game of thr season, you’ve got to hold it together and let whatever was done go.
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Mitch Mcgary def had some punchable nuts
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I agree. And it is baffling. It’s something that would make a great question for EJ now. Maybe he was nailed with a cheap shot first. Or maybe something nasty was said. We know how EJ reacts when hit with racial comments (see above).
Big 10 basketball tends to be rough. Might be behind it. The punch caught everyone off guard.
EJ was completely out of sorts in that game. Not just the punch.
I’m not going to downgrade my opinion about EJ because of that one mistake.
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@HawkChamp said in McCullar:
@rockchalkjayhawk said in McCullar:
ooh, not sure about that EJ choice. Any KU player who punches somebody in the nuts during a game is instantly downgraded!
Exactly. I hate singling out any player but the Michigan game really soured my opinion of EJ, in spite of the overall good career he had at KU. The nut punch, missed free throws and turnovers the last minute of game cost us another shot at a championship - that team was really rolling at the end of the year.
Ya, very unfortunate. I liked Elijah otherwise, until he was asked to be the PG, which he wasn’t.
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EJ made career sacrifices by jumping to PG. We discussed that thoroughly in here. His game was a shooting guard.
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More thoughts on EJ:
I’m not discounting his “better human than me” nature. The nut punch was my only sour thought on EJ, but for that he simply doesn’t make my list of all time favorites, that’s all. not shitting on him otherwise.
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@drgnslayr agree
about the sacrifice moving over to PG. the proof is in the run we made in 2011-2012 to the finals. We didnt lose that game so much as run out of time.
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Sounds like Kev is 100%
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@FarmerJayhawk said in McCullar:
Sounds like Kev is 100%
Sounded like it and good things and so is Grady - that’s good cause were gonna need all hands on deck if we play Arkansas
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@FarmerJayhawk said in McCullar:
Sounds like Kev is 100%
Reports from the field sound very promising. Better than I would have imagined given how he looked Saturday.
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@BShark back injuries are weird like that. Just a couple days after I blew out a lumbar disc I felt mostly fine, but was super easy to tweak it. He obviously doesn’t have that or he’d be done for the season but hopefully it’s legit ready to go.
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I believe this is different from disc movement. I’ve had those, too.
As I mentioned earlier… my first bout with back issues was back spasms. I found it to be strictly a muscular/nerve issue. Mine continued for about 2 months while I was playing my most competitive ball. I had a few situations where I felt I could go, then had to withdraw after some minutes on the floor. I recognized Kevin’s pain/frustration. The hard bouncing seemed to kick it back into spasm mode sometimes.
During that two months, I would sometimes go a week without any problems. Then it would kick up again and I attributed the kick up to my bouncing body during play and my belief that my muscles weren’t warm enough.
This may or may not be relevant to what Kevin is going through but I thought I would share it so people get the idea that he may go well for a while and then relapse enough to keep him out of games. I could see him making it through a weekend than having a flare-up during the next week’s practice and being hit and miss for the following weekend.
My situation happened in the early 90s and my treatment included massages, hot soaks, and muscle relaxers. I believe this treatment mostly made me feel better psychologically but did nothing to stop the frequency. Surely they have other treatments available today.
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Thank god he was back. Looked GREAT today. Such a difference maker!
