John Calipari Backs up Nerlens Noel Heading into the NBA Draft
By Wayne
May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Nerlens Noel is interviewed during the NBA Draft combine at Harrison Street Athletics Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
With the NBA Draft right around the corner, the chatter about Nerlens Noel going #1 to the Cavs is only picking up. While playing at Kentucky, Nerlens was constantly under the spotlight but heading into the NBA, he is now in the Rookie spotlight. Here’s the video.
Coach Cal was chatting up the Glenn Moore of Cleveland.com regarding many of the questions surrounding Nerlens Noel’s draft stock and ability. Here is a small taste and the video is right after so enjoy.
"On today’s episode of Sports Insider, University of Kentucky’s basketball coach John Calipari joined cleveland.com’s Glenn Moore to talk about Nerlens Noel and the possibility of his player going No. 1 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Coach Calipari described Noel in one word: potential. He then goes on to talk about how deception is playing a big role about Noel’s injury and how you shouldn’t question the people surrounding the center. Will Noel’s weight be an issue? Coach says Noel will bulk up and be able to hold his own. Noel’s offensive game will take time to develop, but the defensive upside is worth the wait. Coach goes on to talk about if Noel can be a cornerstone of an NBA championship team, but yields that label to the Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving. The key is surrounding Irving with good players. Is Cleveland the best fit for Noel? Coach gives his opinion. He also discusses Chris Grant’s presence and says Cleveland hasn’t missed with draft picks."
http://video-embed.cleveland.com/services/player/bcpid1949055968001?bctid=2495055329001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAQBxUNqE~,xKBGzTdiYSSRqIKPsPdkNW3W_DNtPBTa
The far reaching impact of John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats has finally reached “Water Cooler” status on ESPN. With what Coach Cal has done during his years here in Lexington, they should, and occasionally do, have their own ESPN station. Eamonn Brennan and Myron Medcalf have apparently determined the “State of Kentucky.”
"Eamonn, how does Calipari do it, and can he keep Kentucky on a national perch with one-and-done prospects alone?Since he arrived at Kentucky, the value proposition has only been enhanced by the UK infrastructure — Rupp Arena and the player dorms and the support and all the rest of it — and Calipari has honed his message to young players and their families: If you come play for us, you don’t have to choose between a national title run and an NBA lottery slot. We know how to get you both."
While that is a gross oversimplification of Cal’s process, it speaks to his authenticity and ability to realize that kids who come from nothing will use him and his program to bring their family out of that.
Despite a Top 10 recruiting class, UK is still picked as the #13 most powerful school in the SEC. Much of this is due to the fact that Mark Stoops and Co. haven’t coached a single game or developed a single player, but by next season, the Wildcats will be more in the middle of the pack. Edward Aschoff of ESPN broke it down this way:
"13. Kentucky: Mark Stoops has one of the country’s best recruiting classes, which bodes well for the future of this program. But can this staff develop this talent once it arrives? That’s yet to be seen, as Stoops hasn’t even coached a game at his new school. The good news is that the Wildcats will be built on a more defensive foundation. We know how important that is, but Kentucky is behind most of its conference counterparts when it comes to immediate talent as a whole."
Ryan Lemond chats with the Kentucky Wildcats Tight Ends Coach, and Ohio recruiting savant, Vince Marrow and it’s very interesting. Lot of amazing things going on at that field.