Karl Towns not worried about 2015 draft, wants to catch some UK football games

[cattails]

How can you not love this kid.

[Rock Hard Ten]

He is the kind of kid who may insist that Cal brings him off the bench for team chemistry reasons.

[JPScott]

He is the kind of kid who may insist that Cal brings him off the bench for team chemistry reasons.

I wouldn't mind seeing a platoon system with this team, with the upperclassmen starting and the freshman coming off the bench. I.e.

Starting Five

Andrew Harrison
Aaron Harrison
Alex Poythress
Willie Cauley-Stein
Dakari Johnson

2nd Unit
Tyler Ulis
Devon Booker
Derek Willis
Trey Lyles
Karl Towns

where Dominique Hawkins and Marcus Lee would substitute in for either squad in case of foul trouble along with spot duty.

I think that by primarily playing together as a unit it will help them down the road, especially if most of them end up staying for next season.

[Rock Hard Ten]

Jon, that is a terrific approach.

Back to Towns enjoying college and staying an extra year……in contrast to WCS, whose major reason for coming back was his injury causing a major draft slide, but, he has said all of the right things about enjoying college and wanting to win a banner……KAT has the makings of a Tyler Hansbrough in that he may just like UK/Lexington/college that despite Cal pushing him out the door, he decides to stay a 2nd year…..and mentor "The Diamond" and Thon Maker

[cattails]

I wouldn't mind seeing a platoon system with this team, with the upperclassmen starting and the freshman coming off the bench. I.e.

Starting Five

Andrew Harrison
Aaron Harrison
Alex Poythress
Willie Cauley-Stein
Dakari Johnson

2nd Unit
Tyler Ulis
Devon Booker
Derek Willis
Trey Lyles
Karl Towns

where Dominique Hawkins and Marcus Lee would substitute in for either squad in case of foul trouble along with spot duty.

I think that by primarily playing together as a unit it will help them down the road, especially if most of them end up staying for next season.

Jon, good idea or great idea, I don't ever see Cal doing that. I think he has the man power to do it, I just don't think he will. Cal is a core unit guy and I don't look for that to change.

[Philly Cat]

Totally agree on the two unit system. I think I posted something last month with the "hockey lines" idea b/c I think it would help each unit develop an identity (and reduce potential friction of guys not cracking the starting lineup or getting "enough" playing time).

http://www.kysportsreport.com/forums...993#post184993

The battle between Lee & Willis, though, would leave one of them as odd man out. That is bad, in general, and it weakens the group identity of the second unit. Maybe the solution is to alternate Lee and Johnson/WCS, depending on who gets into early foul trouble on the first unit, so that Unit #1 has "six starters." [We know Cal loves that whole Six Starters thing.]

I don't like that Hawkins is out of either lineup. He is a warrior, and I think we need his defense unless the Harrisons improve substantially on D.

[JPScott]

Jon, good idea or great idea, I don't ever see Cal doing that. I think he has the man power to do it, I just don't think he will. Cal is a core unit guy and I don't look for that to change.

You're right that this would be different than what Cal has historically done, but I believe he did hint recently that he may utilize an NBA-substitution approach this coming year (which is basically what I describe, where the team plays in distinct units at least for the first 3/4 of the game.)

Plus I think that a platoon system is sort of in keeping with Cal's philosophy, which you mention that he is a 'core unit' guy. The only difference is that instead of having one 'core unit', there are two 'core units'.

As I mentioned, getting these young guys experienced and comfortable to play as a unit would only help next year, when all these guys on the second unit (except maybe Towns) are expected to be back.

[JPScott]

The battle between Lee & Willis, though, would leave one of them as odd man out. That is bad, in general, and it weakens the group identity of the second unit. Maybe the solution is to alternate Lee and Johnson/WCS, depending on who gets into early foul trouble on the first unit, so that Unit #1 has "six starters." [We know Cal loves that whole Six Starters thing.]

I don't like that Hawkins is out of either lineup. He is a warrior, and I think we need his defense unless the Harrisons improve substantially on D.

When putting together the lineup I did hesitate a little when penciling in Willis as the forward position on the second unit rather than Lee. The reason I went with Willis is not because I necessarily think he's a better player or will be more productive, but mainly because I think that unit probably needs another outside shooter, something Willis can provide. I also think being part of a structured unit is more suited for Willis and would be most beneficial to him.

I think Marcus Lee coming off the bench (either due to the need for some energy or foul trouble in the front line) is more suited to him and something he can work with and still be productive. I think he can be the glue guy to come in (for either unit) and provide short bursts of energy etc., and I think he'll see as many minutes (or more) than Willis will see.

I propose a similar role for Hawkins. I see him coming in to replace any backcourt players who get in foul trouble, or if there's a need for a defensive specialist or to 'go small'.

[Padukacat]

It's gonna be a tough year for somebody if they are stuck on the bench and you know it will happen to either lee or Willis. I'd say booker would be limited if we weren't short on guards, plus you can always find time for a shooter.

[anderwt]

I think that the only two guys that see over 30 minutes a game, are the twins..Andrew could really boost his stock by getting to play the off guard a little when ullis plays..cal has a LOT of options..the great part is he will be able to experiment quite a bit in August

[Jimcats]

I don't know if there is such a thing as having too many very good players. If you normally play only 7 guys, does another 5 good ones make the team better or cause more morale problems than they are worth?

IMO the answer to that question depends almost entirely on the coach. Can he get all 12 or so to practice hard, push their team mates, etc. when they know they won't get to play a significant amount? This season with the abundance of big men will certainly test Cal's managing skills in that area.

[Padukacat]

I think that the only two guys that see over 30 minutes a game, are the twins..Andrew could really boost his stock by getting to play the off guard a little when ullis plays..cal has a LOT of options..the great part is he will be able to experiment quite a bit in August

You think so on Andrew? His stock now is a lot higher than Aarons because he can play the PG, when in fact Aaron looked like a much better player most of the year at SG. I would think if Andrew gets moved over from PG it would just prove Ulis is better at that spot and show Andrews weakness thus deflate his stock.

[blueboss]

The platoon method comes with cracks, when AaH, starts jacking up poor shots or takes a couple of possessions off on defense you can't pull squad A for squad B, or if WCS disappears it wouldn't be fair to make wholesale substitutions.

You might say that's when Hawkins or Willis would be inserted but what if in the real game situation there is a better option like Towns or Ulis.

Point being platoons could be effective from time to time in early exhibition games and such but as the competition stiffens there will be platoon breaking situations. Momentum is key ...



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BigBlue92]

The platoon method comes with cracks, when AaH, starts jacking up poor shots or takes a couple of possessions off on defense you can't pull squad A for squad B, or if WCS disappears it wouldn't be fair to make wholesale substitutions. You might say that's when Hawkins or Willis would be inserted but what if in the real game situation there is a better option like Towns or Ulis. Point being platoons could be effective from time to time in early exhibition games and such but as the competition stiffens there will be platoon breaking situations. Momentum is key ... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All great points. I just recall it being done some in early 1996. The morale effect on the opposing team, which had just exhausted itself going 10 minutes at max capacity to hang with an NBA team, now has to go against another fresh NBA team. Glorious.

That said, you are right for the most part.

[JPScott]

The platoon method comes with cracks, when AaH, starts jacking up poor shots or takes a couple of possessions off on defense you can't pull squad A for squad B, or if WCS disappears it wouldn't be fair to make wholesale substitutions.

You might say that's when Hawkins or Willis would be inserted but what if in the real game situation there is a better option like Towns or Ulis.

Point being platoons could be effective from time to time in early exhibition games and such but as the competition stiffens there will be platoon breaking situations. Momentum is key ...

Good points. Obviously its not going to be strictly adhered to all the time. I just like the concept of having two distinct squads which practice together and get to know each other and be comfortable playing with each other as a unit. Especially when one of those squads is expected to largely return next season.

To your point, in the case where someone like Aaron Harrison starts jacking up poor shots, then that does present a problem. Under my scenario you would have only Dominique Hawkins or Marcus Lee to come in as subs, which is not ideal. In such a case then maybe Calipari should bring in Devin Booker and then depending on when it happens in the game, either take him back out in favor of Aaron Harrison or let Booker continue and stay on with the second unit when they enter the game.

BTW, in other cases where a front-court player is pulled, I think there is more versatility as someone like Aaron Harrison could move out and play as a small forward/wing etc.

[kingcat]

There is not a freshman player who will play ahead of Lee. His ability to defend multiple positions secures his playing time next season.

He may even start for us at PF imo..

[Darrell KSR]

Fun to think about the lineups.

On Karl Towns, he has such a good head on his shoulder. Really does.

And on Lexington. Obviously, I don't live there, and have never lived there, unlike many, many of you. But the city size is excellent for a college environment. Any larger and you have more urban issues. Smaller is ok, and has a lot of charm to it, but having a city the size of Lexington helps provide opportunities for the kids that may not be available in other places. Having Keeneland right there? That's a world class experience. There's a solid airport, where you don't have to drive 100 miles to catch a flight home, or where your family can come straight there, with limited time off. Nightlife (even for the best of kids), is also important. Lots of value in Lexington as a city/community.

That's from an outsider view looking in. Have spent many days/nights there, I guess, but only a couple at a time at most, so I'm certainly not the best to speak of it. But I've lived in Miami and New Orleans, and know what some larger college cities might be like, and lived in smaller ones, like Monroe, La., too. I just think Lexington has the right formula.