Jan.
12, 2010
MORE THAN JUST WALL
by
Kyle Macy
Just in case you
haven’t been paying
attention… Kentucky
freshman John Wall
is pretty good.
 Wall’s
arrival in Lexington
has helped to
elevate the Wildcats
to elite status in
college basketball.
A lot of players are
hyped, as incoming
freshmen, but few
live up to the
billing. Wall has
exceeded the
expectations of
most, but Kentucky’s
early success is due
in large part to a
supporting cast that
didn’t get nearly as
many preseason
headlines.
Before the questions
of ‘how good is John
Wall?’ were being
asked, most
onlookers wondered
if Jodie Meeks and
Patrick Patterson
would return. When
Meeks announced he
was taking his
perimeter shooting
prowess to the
professional ranks,
many believed UK
would struggle from
the outside. While
the Wildcats haven’t
been prolific, they
have certainly kept
opposing defenses
honest.
Freshman Eric
Bledsoe has really
shot it well from
3-point range. The
6-foot-1 Bledsoe was
a top 10 point
guard, coming out of
high school, so
there were questions
surrounding his role
with Wall as the
lead guard. Those
questions have been
answered, as Bledsoe
has made his impact.
He and Wall are good
friends so the
combination has
proved effective.
Darnell Dodson, who
transferred from
Miami-Dade, is an
exceptional shooter
when he is on. He is
that proverbial zone
buster off the
bench.
While the void left
by Meeks had to be
filled, Patterson
opted to return for
his junior season.
After being one of
the focal points of
the UK attack, the
6-foot-9 Patterson
has adapted well to
his new role. That
fact shouldn’t
surprise anyone
because he settled
into a similar role
in high school.
After being the star
on two state
championship teams,
Patterson took a
back seat as a
senior with the
arrival of O.J.
Mayo.
Stepping out of the
spotlight is not
always an easy
transition, but
Patterson has
handled it well. His
overall game
continues to
improve. He now
looks more
comfortable away
from the basket. His
shooting touch is
getting better and
will push him up the
NBA Draft board.
Up front with
Patterson is
freshman DeMarcus
Cousins. The
6-foot-11 Cousins
has matured quite a
bit through the
first two months of
the season. He plays
the game with a lot
of passion and early
on he was getting
into foul
difficulties. He has
done much better
controlling his
emotions of late. He
has great hands and
great touch around
the basket. He plays
the game with a lot
of passion.
Daniel Orton,
another freshman,
has done a nice job
in the middle
providing size and
shot blocking. He
was injured in his
senior year of high
school so his
progress has been
slowed a little.
Sophomore Darius
Miller has become
more assertive. He’s
an excellent
penetrator and can
finish with a really
pretty floater.
DeAndre Liggins has
stepped out of the
doghouse this
season, providing a
lot of energy on the
defensive end off
the bench.
Lone senior Ramon
Harris has also done
a really nice job of
rebounding and
defending off the
bench.
Adjusting to roles
has been a big key
to the Wildcats
success and that
hasn’t been limited
to the players on
the floor. John
Calipari, who is
known for his
dribble-drive
approach, has done a
great job of playing
to the strengths at
his disposal. Wall
has continued to
create havoc for
opposing defenses,
but he has also done
a nice job of
getting it to the
guys in the post.
Thus far the offense
has been about 40%
dribble-drive.
John Wall headlines
most lists for
player of the year
honors, but how far
Kentucky advances
into March will
depend upon much
more than just him. |