[SubZeroParticipant]

I’m a UK fan, and this season has been the most frustrating to watch since the Archie/Nerlens year. 5% of it is rebounding, 5% is Isaiah Briscoe’s jump shot, and the other 90% is Skal. He’s extremely soft, doesn’t have great rebounding instincts, and plays with almost no passion. I can see the talent there, and he’s good enough to score 20, but he never does. As of right now, I might take him in the top 10 if I’m solely looking at his potential, but he’s a huge “if” right now. I would definitely take Simmons, Ingram, Brown, Murray, and Bender before him, and most likely Dunn and Poeltl too. Do yall think he’ll turn it around and get back in the top 3 discussion? I hope so, because UK is not a contender unless he starts playing better

[JordanC20Participant]

 Just as Kyle Wiltjer didn’t fit the system as a stretch 4 man Skal doesn’t fit the system as a stretch 4 man.

[JordanC20Participant]

 Just as Kyle Wiltjer didn’t fit the system as a stretch 4 man Skal doesn’t fit the system as a stretch 4 man.

[losnopesosParticipant]

 No.  He’s not.  I think Skal is way more frustrating that Archie because Archie was at least an athelete 100% of the time.  There’s a lot of times where Skal doesn’t look like an athlete at all. 

Skal’s got a huge mental block right now.

[losnopesosParticipant]

 No.  He’s not.  I think Skal is way more frustrating that Archie because Archie was at least an athelete 100% of the time.  There’s a lot of times where Skal doesn’t look like an athlete at all. 

Skal’s got a huge mental block right now.

[holefillers1Participant]

 He just started playing basketball. As a result his court IQ is pretty low. I saw him out of position a lot today and when he got the ball his moves were rushed. He needs a go to move- drop step, jump hook. Something that can get him going. Lots of potential but super raw. Give me another year Skal, I promise it won’t hurt.  

[holefillers1Participant]

 He just started playing basketball. As a result his court IQ is pretty low. I saw him out of position a lot today and when he got the ball his moves were rushed. He needs a go to move- drop step, jump hook. Something that can get him going. Lots of potential but super raw. Give me another year Skal, I promise it won’t hurt.  

[DunksNJordans23Participant]

 I would bench Skal for a game or two before confrence play starts. I’m going to steal this from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, "One of the best ways of motivation is failure" or in this case humility. There isn’t much you can lose by sitting Skal for a game. Maybe sitting at home against Louisville and coming back to play against Ole Miss will at least move him in the right direction mentally.

There are a few suggestions that I’ve seen out there in terms of Skal.

1. Play him as the second big next to (another inexperienced player) Humphries

2. Only feed him the ball when he’s posted up with at least one foot in the paint (like they did with Karl Towns)

3. Let him work through it and when he finally gets it, he’ll be fine (this is from UK players and staff)

 

I wouldn’t mind seeing them experiement in anyway possible with him but saying that he will eventually get it is wishful thinking. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DunksNJordans23Participant]

 I would bench Skal for a game or two before confrence play starts. I’m going to steal this from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, "One of the best ways of motivation is failure" or in this case humility. There isn’t much you can lose by sitting Skal for a game. Maybe sitting at home against Louisville and coming back to play against Ole Miss will at least move him in the right direction mentally.

There are a few suggestions that I’ve seen out there in terms of Skal.

1. Play him as the second big next to (another inexperienced player) Humphries

2. Only feed him the ball when he’s posted up with at least one foot in the paint (like they did with Karl Towns)

3. Let him work through it and when he finally gets it, he’ll be fine (this is from UK players and staff)

 

I wouldn’t mind seeing them experiement in anyway possible with him but saying that he will eventually get it is wishful thinking. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ropeParticipant]

 Has is occured to anyone that he just might not be that good?  He was coddled, moved around, protected, etc.  He never had to stick to anything.  Like a lot of big men, they really don’t have to do much get people excited.  He is more legend that player at this point.

I would also say he is the exact opposite of Thon Maker, who started out a s huge question mark, but has busted it to become relevant and to step up his competitive profile.

 

 

[Hype Machine]

 You nailed it dude.

He didnt play HS ball…had a good practice session and scouts fell in love with him.

Hes just not that good. His ‘potential’ is what you are seeing. Its not hidden away anywhere.

Check out that exhibition game where he scored a bunch of points. He didnt create any for himself, and just got buckets handed to him in a platter.

Ive been saying this for at least 12 mths.

 

 

 

 

 

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 My thoughts exactly. Everyone overreacted to a weak framed, 7 foot highschooler with a jumpshot and average NBA athleticism. He will (best case scenario) just be OKAY (role player)in the L, not a star.

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 My thoughts exactly. Everyone overreacted to a weak framed, 7 foot highschooler with a jumpshot and average NBA athleticism. He will (best case scenario) just be OKAY (role player)in the L, not a star.

[Hype Machine]

 You nailed it dude.

He didnt play HS ball…had a good practice session and scouts fell in love with him.

Hes just not that good. His ‘potential’ is what you are seeing. Its not hidden away anywhere.

Check out that exhibition game where he scored a bunch of points. He didnt create any for himself, and just got buckets handed to him in a platter.

Ive been saying this for at least 12 mths.

 

 

 

 

 

[ropeParticipant]

 Has is occured to anyone that he just might not be that good?  He was coddled, moved around, protected, etc.  He never had to stick to anything.  Like a lot of big men, they really don’t have to do much get people excited.  He is more legend that player at this point.

I would also say he is the exact opposite of Thon Maker, who started out a s huge question mark, but has busted it to become relevant and to step up his competitive profile.

 

 

[IlladelphParticipant]

 I watched the kentucky game today.  He is not super strong but his main issue was positioning.  He really was out of position on 70-80% of the sets.  I think that once he really figures out the game, he will show what he is capable of.  Everyone writing him off needs to remember that he did not play much organized ball before going to UK.  Kentucky fans are really the worst when it comes to being patient and enjoying games.  They constantly get the #1 or #2 recruiting classes every year and if they don’t win every game by 20 pts then the players are garbage.  Ridiculous.  Skal’s not AD we all can agree, but he is a tremendous young man and basketball player and Calipari will get him tuned up in time for March madness.  Y’all need to chill the ckuf out.

[SubZeroParticipant]

Not all UK fans. I’m ok with the fact that not every year can be like last year and I’m not even that upset that we lost to OSU yesterday, I’m just pointing out that Skal’s been a disappointment at this stage and was wondering if people still thought he will be what we thought he would. This season has still been fun solely because of Jamal Murray, so no I’m not complaining at all

[SubZeroParticipant]

Not all UK fans. I’m ok with the fact that not every year can be like last year and I’m not even that upset that we lost to OSU yesterday, I’m just pointing out that Skal’s been a disappointment at this stage and was wondering if people still thought he will be what we thought he would. This season has still been fun solely because of Jamal Murray, so no I’m not complaining at all

[IlladelphParticipant]

 I watched the kentucky game today.  He is not super strong but his main issue was positioning.  He really was out of position on 70-80% of the sets.  I think that once he really figures out the game, he will show what he is capable of.  Everyone writing him off needs to remember that he did not play much organized ball before going to UK.  Kentucky fans are really the worst when it comes to being patient and enjoying games.  They constantly get the #1 or #2 recruiting classes every year and if they don’t win every game by 20 pts then the players are garbage.  Ridiculous.  Skal’s not AD we all can agree, but he is a tremendous young man and basketball player and Calipari will get him tuned up in time for March madness.  Y’all need to chill the ckuf out.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 That was very well said by Illadelph.  Kentucky fans are the most spoiled fans in the country.  Of course Calipari has set the bar very high bringing in the top players in the country every year.  If they don’t dominate right off the bat, Kentucky fans will bitch and moan.  This team is not garbage, but they are not in the same galaxy as last years team or the AD-MKG team.  I think it is also very possible that Skal just isnt very good.  His high school situation was very shady.  He was jumping around to different high schools so often you have to wonder what this did for his development.  He was being coddled and possibly used by his guardian so that could have effected him negatively as well.  He will not be a force come March in my opinion.  I don’t know what he does after this year because I assume he was thinking he was a surefire one and done ready to become a millionaire after one season at Cal’s NBA factory.  He has a LONG ways to go. 

[SubZeroParticipant]

You say I complain and am spoiled cause of what I said, but went on to say the same thing I said. I’m not complaining and I realize not every year can be like last year, I’m just pointing out that Skal’s been a disappointment so far

[SubZeroParticipant]

You say I complain and am spoiled cause of what I said, but went on to say the same thing I said. I’m not complaining and I realize not every year can be like last year, I’m just pointing out that Skal’s been a disappointment so far

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 That was very well said by Illadelph.  Kentucky fans are the most spoiled fans in the country.  Of course Calipari has set the bar very high bringing in the top players in the country every year.  If they don’t dominate right off the bat, Kentucky fans will bitch and moan.  This team is not garbage, but they are not in the same galaxy as last years team or the AD-MKG team.  I think it is also very possible that Skal just isnt very good.  His high school situation was very shady.  He was jumping around to different high schools so often you have to wonder what this did for his development.  He was being coddled and possibly used by his guardian so that could have effected him negatively as well.  He will not be a force come March in my opinion.  I don’t know what he does after this year because I assume he was thinking he was a surefire one and done ready to become a millionaire after one season at Cal’s NBA factory.  He has a LONG ways to go. 

[Hype Machine]

 Give some of Skals minutes to Humphries and Wynyard.

He honestly isnt better than either of those 2 guys…both of whom are younger and work harder.

 

 

[Hype Machine]

 Give some of Skals minutes to Humphries and Wynyard.

He honestly isnt better than either of those 2 guys…both of whom are younger and work harder.

 

 

[TeslaBallerParticipant]

No he’s not ready to be an impact player on the college level, maybe next year but not likely. Is he ready to be another one and done Kentucky lottery pick, obviously. People love the big man, he’s an above average athlete for his size and he has a nice shooting stroke. While his basketball IQ is pretty much non existent and he not strong at all, those are things you can teach and you expect him to learn. 

So is he ready to ready to contribute in a NBA game, no. Is he ready to contribute in a college game, not right now but he has got to get better come March. At least not look so lost on the court, it’s embarrassing right now. Is he ready to become a millionaire on draft night, Yes. There’s no way he falls out of the lottery.

Cal would be setting a bad precedent by limiting his minutes. As long as Cal wants to keep getting the top recruits he has to play Skal, foul trouble permitting. Sad maybe but true. 

 

 

[TeslaBallerParticipant]

No he’s not ready to be an impact player on the college level, maybe next year but not likely. Is he ready to be another one and done Kentucky lottery pick, obviously. People love the big man, he’s an above average athlete for his size and he has a nice shooting stroke. While his basketball IQ is pretty much non existent and he not strong at all, those are things you can teach and you expect him to learn. 

So is he ready to ready to contribute in a NBA game, no. Is he ready to contribute in a college game, not right now but he has got to get better come March. At least not look so lost on the court, it’s embarrassing right now. Is he ready to become a millionaire on draft night, Yes. There’s no way he falls out of the lottery.

Cal would be setting a bad precedent by limiting his minutes. As long as Cal wants to keep getting the top recruits he has to play Skal, foul trouble permitting. Sad maybe but true. 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Skal was being hyped as the best big in next year’s draft for over a year but since he has started to play for UK he began to fall down mock boards although he has solidified on Aran’s most recent mock.

I’d never seen his basketball IQ questioned on any profiles before so that is an interesting point raised above. And also as someone who was supposed to have a good shooting range to hear that he isn’t suited to playing as a stretch 4 is interesting.

It may well be that he would benefit from another year in the NCCA and he’d still only be 21 if he waited to declare in 2017. A lot will depend on how his draft stock holds up come March/April when he has to decide what to do.

If he was still a solid top 8 pick then I think he declares as someone is bound to want a talented big and he should be one of the first bigs taken. If he was slipping down towards 10 or below on mock boards then I think he stays and he works on his game and declares in 2017. If other guys do go ahead of him in 2017 and he ended up going in later top 10 then that wouldn’t be an issue to me if he had proven he was more NBA ready by then.

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Skal was being hyped as the best big in next year’s draft for over a year but since he has started to play for UK he began to fall down mock boards although he has solidified on Aran’s most recent mock.

I’d never seen his basketball IQ questioned on any profiles before so that is an interesting point raised above. And also as someone who was supposed to have a good shooting range to hear that he isn’t suited to playing as a stretch 4 is interesting.

It may well be that he would benefit from another year in the NCCA and he’d still only be 21 if he waited to declare in 2017. A lot will depend on how his draft stock holds up come March/April when he has to decide what to do.

If he was still a solid top 8 pick then I think he declares as someone is bound to want a talented big and he should be one of the first bigs taken. If he was slipping down towards 10 or below on mock boards then I think he stays and he works on his game and declares in 2017. If other guys do go ahead of him in 2017 and he ended up going in later top 10 then that wouldn’t be an issue to me if he had proven he was more NBA ready by then.

 

 

 

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