Cats on the Court

     Here are my early impressions of this year's UK basketball squad.

1.  Terrence Jones can become one of the best forwards ever to play at UK, but
      this team is not at its best when Jones is the tallest player in the line-up.  He
      needs to have either Harrellson, Vargas or ideally Kanter out there with
      him if this team is going to be great.  That frees Jones up to get away from
      the basket some and just roam the court.
2.   Josh Harrellson is not the kind of player who can rise up in the paint, catch
       a lob pass and dunk it all in one fluid motion, but Mike Phillips wasn't
       either, and Phillips  helped Kentucky win a national championship.
       Harrellson needs to be allowed to contribute by using the skills he does  
       possess.  Let's all just appreciate what he can do and stop harping on what
       he can't do.
3.   Brandon Knight is a much, much better shooter than John Wall was and
       runs an offense every bit as well.  He's not as fast as Wall, but nobody is,
       and being just a tad slower may help Knight prevent some of the high      
       turnover totals that Wall had.
4.    I'd like to see Doron Lamb become the best sixth man in the SEC, the kind
       of microwave player who comes off the bench and instantly heats things
       up every time.  Deandre Liggins and Darius Miller will be more than
       adequate starting on the wings, and on those occasions when Knight gets
       in foul trouble and Liggins has to move to the point, I can see Jon Hood
       becoming a factor as another wing player as well.
5.    My final impression comes in the form of a question.  How did Daniel
       Orton manage to get drafted in the first round?  Who would you rather
       have on your team, Orton or Terrence Jones?  I'd take Jones every time.  I
       have no doubt that he'll play big time minutes in the NBA someday.  I'm
       not so sure than Orton ever will.