PJ Washington and Quade Green must lead the Kentucky basketball team
By Drew Koch
The Kentucky basketball team looked leaderless in Saturday’s loss to the Florida Gators. The Wildcats have been searching for someone to lead this team all season, and I believe it has to be PJ Washington or Quade Green.
The Kentucky basketball team was throttled by Florida on Saturday. The Gators defeated the Cats 80-67. Kentucky looked lost defensively, couldn’t box out or rebound the basketball effectively, and no one was able to rally the troops when the team began to struggle late in the first half. Someone, on the court, has to step up and be the leader for this team. In my opinion, that guy has to be either Quade Green or PJ Washington.
Before I get too far into this, let me explain. I’m not looking for a go-to scorer, that title belongs to Kevin Knox. I’m talking about someone, other than John Calipari, to lead this team. Someone to help gather the team’s focus when the ball doesn’t bounce their way. I’m looking for the player who is going to play “team first” basketball.
We’ve already seen this season that this Kentucky basketball team is full of egos. Now, I think it’s fair to say that some players on this team are playing selfishly, and I think it’s fair to criticize lack of effort and hustle. Several players on this year’s team have sacrificed the team’s success for their own, and it’s high time one of their teammates holds them accountable. I believe PJ and Quade can be those guys.
Both Washington and Green are natural leaders, but the mantle of team leader appears to have fallen to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While I think SGA is a very talented player, I don’t think he’s the leader UK needs. Shai has a very laid back personality, as does Kevin Knox. When times get tough, I don’t think either one of them is capable of leading Kentucky with just their play alone.
PJ and Quade both have a more brash personality. They are a little more flashy. Washington uses his physique to try and intimidate defenders. His yell when he powers home a dunk is his way of saying, “I own this paint!” I honestly feel that the Cats need to feed Washington the ball more often on the low block. Not many teams can contain PJ one-on-one, and when they send a double-team, Washington can pass out to the open shooter.
Speaking of open shooters, Quade Green has been on a tear lately. Green has scored in double figures the past 5 games, and his three-point percentage is a ridiculous 65% during that stretch. He’s seeing the basket well, and knocking down open shots.
All of Big Blue Nation has seen what Cal’s best lineup is. Green, Washington, Knox, Gilgeous-Alexander and a mixture of Wenyen Gabriel or Jarred Vanderbilt. When PJ and Quade are on the floor, they bring a swagger to this Kentucky basketball team.
The Wildcats are going to need to get confident quickly. It’s March now. There’s no more time to play around. The Cats have a chance to make some noise this March, but it has to start with finding players who play for the team and not themselves. Quade Green and PJ Washington are those guys for this year’s squad.