🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@Crimsonorblue22 I saw it was on. I just wasn't interested. Hopefully, you got a good feel of how they look? Were you impressed?

I didn't watch it. I am a Jayhawks fan!

@jaybate-1.0 The places you let your mind go to....wow! Good post! Thanks.

@JayHawkFanToo I can appreciate your point. Thanks. I can acknowledge that there are plenty of academies and kids from wealthy backgrounds playing the sports you mentioned. The reason we are not dominating tennis and golf is that there just isn't enough interest. The best athletes, regardless of income, are not interested in those particular sports. The comments I hear from most kids concerning the sports you mentioned are "boring" and "not interesting". Unfortunately, the same can be said for baseball. Could you imagine a kid with the size and speed of LeBron James on a Tennis Court or Golf Course? That would be illegal. Again, I am of the opinion it's not so much about income as it is interest. I have seen many tennis courts, in many different neighborhoods, but I have yet to see, kids lined up saying, "I got next". As far as expenses go, if you can play, someone will find a way to pay. That's just the way it works. How many great athletes end up at private schools strictly for their athletic prowess? Too many to count. Thanks for hearing me out. I don't think we are too far apart on this issue. I think we are in agreement that we need better athletes, and then maybe we will dominate again?

@JayHawkFanToo Kids in the 70s are no different than kids today. The song remains the same. It comes down to what's popular. The chances of Golf and Tennis being more popular than Basketball and Football are very slim. A lot of kids just find tennis and golf boring. They are just not interested. It has very little to do with tax brackets, as most kids are exposed to different sports in school. Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino were great influences on youth from all walks of life back in the 70s. More kids are playing soccer than ever before. Baseball is not as popular as it once was with our youth. Again, it comes down to what's popular.

Unfortunately a lot of kids are told they are better than what they actually are. This happens at a young age. A D-1 Scholarship to a Major University does not equate to a 10-15 year NBA Career. It is understandable, when parents, coaches, friends, and family see a young athlete dominating kids at an early age. Sometimes what should be encouragement does not necessarily come out that way. "You are really good", becomes "You are going to be a 1st Round Pick in the NBA", and the kid has not even made it to High School yet. Expectations placed on children is just too much pressure.

I thought I would offer my opinion on the subject. I really enjoyed reading your post and learned from it, thanks.

Daryl Dawkins, what impressed me the most was that he was a big man that had a really nice jump shot. He was a joy to watch. The 1976-1977 Philadelphia 76ers, even though they didn't win it all, may have been one of the most talented teams ever assembled.

Looking forward to another year of Kansas Basketball. Coach Self finally has another veteran squad, with a few young guns sprinkled in. Impact Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen. Someone will probably red-shirt. I am hoping Diallo gets cleared and I don't believe it will be at anybody's expense. Anyone that can win the MVP of both the McDonald's Game and the Jordan Classic is good enough for me. Self continues to be an excellent recruiter and coach. As far as last year, had Cliff been eligible and Perry not injured, who knows? Oh well, time to move on to another season.

@wrwlumpy Way to fill the lane!!! Talk about crashing the boards.

I just hated to see the young man go down for the actions of others. We could have used him in the tournament. I think he would have stayed one more year, if he could have. He will earn a living playing ball somewhere. It could be in the NBA. It could be overseas. Either way, he is going to get paid. As far as Alexander and Oubre's stock falling after only one season at KU? If you are not a top 5 rated freshman, chances are, you will find some time on the pine. Bill Self loves two things and that is Experience and Talent, probably in that order.

The ability to step up and be (please excuse me everyone, but I need to get my point across) Mr. Big Nuts and make clutch shots and not turn the ball over in times of crisis are some of the ways guards lead their teams on deep tournament runs. Solid defense, and rebounding are important as well. I think both players are capable. I think Graham is a better defender and rebounder with a very good offensive skill set.. I think Frankamp when he is on, can be real dangerous on the offensive end. I still wish we had both.

I did not see it. I believe both teams will be solid this upcoming season.

Great Win!!! Gold Medal victory! Enjoying every minute of the ride!!

@JayHawkFanToo Phenomenal reply. Wow!

Even though Andrew Wiggins played only one season at Kansas, he will continue to impact recruiting for years to come. Grateful he chose us!

That's more like it.

Not a good start.

This is good for us.

@Crimsonorblue22 I always take a vacation this time of year.

Can't say who is going to do what, because I just don't know. What I do know is this is a Bill Self team loaded with experienced Seniors, Juniors, and Sophomores. It's just the way he likes it. Should be a fun year.

@jaybate-1.0 Tom Petty? Hopefully none of our potential signees will have a "Change of Heart"

Recruiting is far from over. It's all in Coach Self's hands.

@JayHawkFanToo You are right and I wore mine with pride everyday as a youngster.

@globaljaybird Wow!

@HighEliteMajor I'm all for bringing back converse. Weapons (Dr.J, Magic, and Bird), not the Chuck Taylor"s.

Outstanding! That in itself will pay recruiting dividends for years to come.

Bill Self does it again. Great addition. Should be a fun team to watch this year. We are talented and experienced. W😁W!!

@JayHawkFanToo excellent post.

@HighEliteMajor Bill Self is not a god, but he is something you are not nor will ever be and that is the Head Coach of the Kansas Jayhawks.

In order to be the Coach of the Kansas Jayhawks you must be appealing to the student athletes that you recruit. You must get kids to buy in to your Program. You must play to your players strengths while not exposing too many of your teams weakeness. You must be gracious in victory and defeat.

I can appreciate wanting the team to improve. I think we all want that. Self wanted Okafor and Jones last year. He did not get them. He lost to WSU last year, and I am sure no one is more upset about that than he is. Now he is back on the recruiting trail working his butt off trying to improve our Jayhawks. More 3 point shots would not have won us a Championship. It was never a simple as that.

@jayhawk-007 Thanks for the wonderful reminder!!

@HighEliteMajor I can make it even more simple for you. We lost Alexander towards the end of the year, Perry Ellis got banged up and Brannen Greene wasn't the same for whatever reason. In spite of this Coach Self did not throw in the towel he continued to put his best foot forward with what he had. I am sure the plan at the end of last year was not to have Lucas and Mickelson as our big men. Imagine if he had landed Okafor and Jones? A five star big and a five star clutch shooting point? Coach Self tried his hardest and almost pulled it off. He did not get Okafor and Jones, but somehow he made us competitive again this year and should be praised.

@HighEliteMajor How does Alexander fit into your Final Four talent analysis? Just curious, because he wasn't playing at the end of the season. He may have been a difference maker, but we will never know.

@jayhawk-007 An excellent post. Bill Self is the Coach of the Kansas Jayhawks and he is doing the best he can. He misses on recruits just like every other coach. His team has injuries just like any other team. No one went undefeated this year. We have been a competitive team in years that we probably shouldn't have. No NITs for this team.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in his prime was the best ever. The Sky Hook was nearly unblockable. They don't make them like that anymore!

Congratulations Jesse!

@truehawk93 Harrison was at a Press Conference. Totally unacceptable. Even if the thoughts were floating around in his head, he has to remain professional and keep those thoughts to himself. No Excuses!

5 Months ago, wow. Anyone can be beat! Wisconsin was the better team and deserved to win. "Don't believe the hype".

@drgnslayr Well said. EJ got his Degree from KU. I wished he would have gotten more opportunities to play early on in his career as well. He was one of my favorites.

@drgnslayr I would not trade EJ's 39 point game against Iowa State for anything. What an incredible performance by a player that showed what he was capable of. His clutch shooting carried us to the Title Game in 2012. It was legendary!!!

@DoubleDD The Morris Twins shot plenty of 3's. If he can knock them down,, then he will get to fire away. It's also good for recruiting, because these kids are talking to each other.

@HighEliteMajor You know darn well Coach Self is going to shoot for the moon in recruiting. Right? If players are not in the Self Top 7, they could be shown the door or the bench.

Pitino, Calipari, Izzo, and Coach K in the Elite 8. Coach Self needs to establish himself a regular to make a deep run in the tournament. This year the bracket didn't help. I would have rather drawn UCLA's position, they had an easier run to the Sweet 16 than we did. That being said what can be done to improve our team when the lights become the brightest? Is it recruiting? Is it the offense we run? Is it the intensity we play with or don't play with in the tournament? What does Coach Self need to do to get the Jayhawks consistently in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8?

@ralster "Pretty Eyes Selden" wow.

@drgnslayr My thoughts as well. Thanks.

I think we get 4 new players in next year. They may not all be Freshmen. Transfer in, transfer out.

@ralster "Older lady at my Health Club" would have made the same point.

@drgnslayr thanks. I believe our best teams are the ones loaded with highly rated junior and senior talent. I think we have a lot to look forward to next year.

Okay The Kansas Jayhawks lost a round of 32 game in the NCAA Tournament to Wichita State. Now we have posters angry and upset and looking for someone to blame. Wanting to blame the coach and the players. Some have resorted to name calling. Really? Does it make you feel better or change the outcome of the game?

The only ones to blame are yourselves. Why would I say something like that? Because it is true.

Every year fans get it in their head that their team will win it all. And for what? Only to be let down when it doesn't happen.
Losing sucks, we all know that. How about embracing each victory, instead of acting like its a birthright.

Talent can get you to the Dance. Heart and hustle can win it for you.

@jaybate-1.0 the hit on Perry may have been retaliation for the pick Greene set on Van Vleet.

@HighEliteMajor That's what is best at this time.

Thanks for another trip to the NCAA Tournament. Wished the party could have lasted longer.