Kentucky basketball: Captain John Calipari swoops in to teach

Kentucky basketball head coach John Calipari took a unique opportunity to do some coaching.

Was it a bird? Was it a plane? No that was Captain John Calipari jetting onto the court in a recent Kentucky basketball game to teach in a unique fashion.

While much of Tuesday night’s loss to Kansas left much to be remembered there was one notable moment that seemed to give fans a little chuckle and amusement. That’s when Kentucky basketball coach John  Calipari took advantage of a timeout only to run on the court and demonstrate the art of posting up.

With Kentucky’s leading dwindling down to 38-37 with 12:38 to play Calipari used a timeout to run onto the court arms flailing wilding in the air in his blue windbreaker jacket and swoop into the free-throw lane.

As players made their way toward the bench Isaiah Jackson was clearly the target of Coach Cal’s rage.

Fans all know their coach loves to in-game teach, but I don’t think I have ever seen a coach streak onto the floor before.

Calipari in true animated fashion with his arms outstretched as though he was going to hug a bear headed for the far side of the blue free throw lane only to stop and stare at Jackson. He proceeded to post up sliding his feet from side to side and show Jackson how to put extend his arms skyward.

A stunned Jackson stopped turned totally surprised with a what are you talking about body posture.

Davion Mintz was at the free-throw lane stopped, listened, and headed to the bench as well.

In all fairness, Jackson had an excellent defensive game with eight blocked shots and 12 rebounds with nine coming at the defensive end. The 6’10” forward has a 7′-5″ wingspan. However, he only scored seven points against the Jayhawks.

Jackson is no doubt the catalyst that will help this team progress throughout the season and if he heeds Calipari’s teaching no doubt can average a double-double and the occasional triple-double.

Olivier Sarr only gave a glance as he strolled past but was also stopped by coaches on the way to the bench.  The Wildcats need Sarr’s defensive presence down low as well and not him sitting on the bench with foul trouble. He only grabbed six rebounds in 14 minutes.

I like the fact that coaches have moved away from the suits during games and this allows them to be more relaxed and coach and teach as in this example.

Always the trendsetter maybe Calipari has unveiled a new way to get players’ attention during the games instead of demonstrating the next day in practice or watching film.

What will Captain Calipari do next?

Tune in Sunday at 5 pm when the Wildcats travel to Georgia Tech.