The Louisville Courier Journal had a little write up about Coach Calipari and his practices at UK. The paper reports that according to the workout that was open to the media last week, it appears that Coach Cal is stressing speed and is giving his players time to adapt to his system. He told the guys, “It’s different.”
Can I insert a big, heart felt THANK GOD right now?
In the workout, the Wildcats focused mostly on full-court transition and layups. Don’t let word drift up to Tubby or he’ll pass out, but they didn’t spend any time on half-court offense or defense.
Coach Calipari wants a faster pace? Bring it on! He told his players, “Fifty layups a game.”
He also told his players that everything he’s doing in the early workouts is to teach them to go “full-bore.” He’d get onto players for taking short strides toward the basket and stopped the workout any time he thought a player had driven to the rim with the intent of passing. He reminded them, “We are shooting layups.”
He also stopped practice when he wanted to praise his players. Once when Darius Miller and Jodie Meeks had pleased their new coach, he blew his whistle and said, “That’s how we play!”
Is it too early to get excited for next season? Oh, forget I asked. It’s too late…. I’m already there.
P.S. The dancing figure insisted that I create a category for UK Basketball again (yes, yes, I deleted it halfway through Gillispie Gate) AND he suggested I create a category for Coach Cal. Check!
