My nephew is a big fan of the jolly ol fat man who lives up North – and I don’t mean Rick Majerus, but Santa Claus. The kid, like most normal, American, consumerism raised humans, loves presents. The person that presents the presents is typically the object of said affection, along with his Xbox 360. Santa Claus has left many presents under the tree for each of his 5 previous years of life, thus has earned much of his love and adoration.
I admire Santa for a similar yet very different reason. While he brings joy one day a year, he brings fear for 364 other days. My nephew, like so many others, believes that his behavior throughout the year is the main determinant of the quantity and quality of the gifts he will receive on Christmas Morning. So the fear that someone will speak ill of him to Ol Saint Nick in order to reduce or eliminate the quantity and quality of presents strikes a fear deeper than imaginable.
Throughout the year though, if a particular act has upset one with access to Kris Kringle’s ear, my family spreads the rumor that the deep laugh, silver fox will leave you coal under the tree on Christmas morn. and other than my republican parents, the family is not a friend of coal – getting coal is not a good thing.
So here’s a look at whether or not some of the local and well known basketball players and associated names shall be delivered substance to warm their chimneys or their hearts.
John Calipari – He has another young team beginning to gel. He battles the media and the fan base daily but handles it all in stride, an accomplishment not to be attained easily since the strides in horse country are HUGE. He should be getting something that doesn’t burn easily under his tree…
Terrence Jones – I’m not joining the ‘beat up TJ’ bandwagon. I’m simply saying that Terrence hasn’t performed up to the high bar he set last season to date. Now that he’s injured, it’ll be a tough road to not rely on the injury as an excuse but push through it. If he can manage to do so, and what better venue than the UofL game 12/31, he will certainly be a lock on the Nice list.
Kyle Wiltjer – Dick Vitale has always said that the best way to motivate a player is to have his play proportional to his playing time. Well, Wiltjer is getting the benefit of the doubt at this point with Jones sidelined. Wiltjer has stepped up to the plate on offense averaging 12.7 points a game over the last three (5.9 on the season). If Kyle can find some D in his stocking over Christmas break, he’ll be a lock for the Nice list in 2012 as well as 2011.
Chane Behanan – Chane is averaging 9.5 points per game, but after speaking out of turn guaranteeing his team going undefeated – well technically he just said the Cardinals would ‘go undefeated. Point blank. Period. ‘ but still… Chane… you’ll be practicing on Christmas day (a Pitino tradition) but when you get to your Pine, you might just find coal.
Indiana Fans – It was well documented that IU fans were not the most welcoming of their opposition during Kentucky’s trip to Bloomington. To prevent his basketball fan base from getting a public opinion similar to Oakland Raiders or Dodger fans, they’ve issued apologies. I still think IU fans get coal this year (or perhaps a HORRIBLE NCAA draw), but Santa seems to accept “I’m sorrys”.
Cuonzo Martin – The basketball season is off to a Rocky start in Rocky Top. Tennessee head coach Cuonzo Martin has led his team to losses against Oakland, Austin Peay, College of Charleston, and a 4-6 record. If Martin doesn’t get coal this year, he may just find himself with a pink slip.
Joker Phillips – Look, I know it was a tough season. I know there was a lot of bad press coming to Joker and I was likely one of them. However, looking back on the season and seeing the W to end it all, I’m asking Mr Claus to leave the coal at the North Pole as this Kentucky team took their lumps already. Phillips broke the losing streak! Let Phillips stay on next year, at least to give him a shot at breaking the streak to Florida.