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Home , Alonzo Gee, Austin Rivers, Darius Miller, Ed Davis (basketball), Eloy Vargas, Kendall Marshall

LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER | KENTUCKY.COM A SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2012 C3 UK NOTEBOOK BILAS EXPOUNDS ON BELIEF CAL HAS NO PRO FORMULA

Zeller noted how UK beat make roster decisions, work- JERRY UNC 73-72 in Rupp Arena in outs last month for the U.S. BILL KOSTROUN | ASSOCIATED PRESS TIPTON December. Under 17 team showed the Baylor’s III, HERALD-LEADER “We feel we made a few progress James Blackmon Jr. STAFF WRITER once considered a top-10 dumb plays at the end,” he has made in the rehabilitation draft pick, slipped to No. 28 said. “I think we matched up of a torn anterior cruciate because of a knee issue. Whatever you think of well against them.” ligament. him, ESPN analyst Jay Bilas The son of a former UK Who me? NBA does not wait for an oppor- player tore the ACL in his tune time to make a provoca- Self-deprecating humor left knee in February while tive statement. isn’t a regular staple for John playing in an event created On a Tuesday teleconfer- Calipari. But he used it to to showcase players who had Jones says ence, Bilas scoffed at the good effect at the NBA Draft. committed to Indiana. He un- notion that college coaches “I started thinking the derwent surgery on March 6. can develop NBA players. reason we won (the 2012 “I never thought it would he’s glad Two days later, NBA teams national championship) was happen to me,” he said. drafted six Kentucky players, because of me,” he said after “When it first happened, which brought the total of and Michael it seems like the end of the he fell to UK players drafted in John Kidd-Gilchrist were the first world,” said his father, James Calipari’s three seasons as two players chosen. “I guess Blackmon, who played for Joe Thunder coach to a whopping 15. if you have the first and sec- B. Hall, then Eddie Sutton at That means every starter in ond picks, you should win.” UK in the 1980s. “You have Herald-Leader Wire Services Calipari’s three UK seasons something you love taken OKLAHOMA CITY — has been drafted. Rookie mentality away.” First-round draft pick Perry Surely, Calipari is using The players taken early in The younger Blackmon Jones III doesn’t feel any his familiarity with NBA ways the NBA Draft offered vary- was far enough along in the pressure to prove he’s one of to transform his players into ing thoughts on how boldly rehab to participate in some the missing pieces to turn pros. No, Bilas said, neither they might enter the league. drills with the U.S. Under 17 the Calipari nor any other coach When asked if he might team, which began play in into NBA champions. is doing any such thing. convince veteran Lithuania on Friday. His first goal is just to “The key phrase is ‘devel- JEFF SINER | MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE to stay with the Hornets, When asked why he keep up with the standards oping pros,’” Bilas said the Michael Kidd-Gilchrist posed for a photo with his mother, Cyn- Anthony Davis said, “I’m not participated in the tryouts set by the cornerstones of morning of the NBA Draft thia Richardson, at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C., sure a rookie can do that. I in Colorado Springs while the franchise that he con- on Thursday. “Nobody is a day after the former UK star was drafted by the Bobcats. don’t think I have that much knowing he could not make sidered the most fun to developing pros. power.” the team, Blackmon said, watch in the league. “It implies that coaches But former UK team- “Because it’s a big honor for “The hardest part is choose. ‘I’m going to develop mate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist me. Even though I was hurt, playing to the level of in- a pro.’” sounded ready to take charge I was still selected.” He con- tensity that Bilas offered two pointed at Charlotte. tinued the rehab with USA and questions: “I’m ready to lead the trainers. set. They set the standard ■ “Did John decide not team,” he said. Blackmon, a 6-2 shooting for working hard here and to make a pro?” Former Kansas star guard in the class of 2014, definitely living up to that Then to extend the logic, Thomas Robinson also is a top-30 national prospect standard; you’ve got to be Bilas envisioned Calipari sounded anything but shy. He according to ESPN’s recruit- able to bring it every day,” thinking, “I’ll wait. I’ll make said he’d bring a winning at- ing service. Rivals has him in Jones said Saturday at his him a pro later.” titude to Sacramento, which the top 50 and Scout in the introductory news confer- ■ Why didn’t Calipari had a lottery pick for a sixth top 70. ence. develop more than five first- straight year. His father, who also is his It took a surprising slide round picks during his nine “No matter how old I am, coach at Bishop Luers High for the 6-foot-11 Jones to seasons as Memphis coach? a rookie or not, I’m not let- School in Fort Wayne, said fall all the way to the Thun- He matched that total in ting nobody relax,” he said. he worked with his oldest der at the No. 28 pick. He his first season at UK. After “It’s not cool to lose.” son. Two other sons — BiJay, was considered a top-10 three seasons, there have 14, and Jalen, 10 — also play talent and possibly even a been 11 UK players taken in Draft leftovers basketball. candidate to be the No. 1 the first round. ■ New Orleans taking “As a parent, you defi- pick before he decided to Bilas contends that these marked the nitely don’t want to force it return for his sophomore players would be drafted no KERRY MALONEY | ASSOCIATED PRESS 11th straight NBA Draft in on a kid,” the elder Blackmon year at Baylor. matter what uniform they Anthony Davis, the No. 1 overall pick, is one of 15 - which at least one son of a said. Then, news that he had wore (think: , Indi- coached players at UK to be drafted in the last three years. former NBA player was se- The younger Blackmon trouble with the meniscus ana State). lected. The others were Mike credited his father for making in one of his knees appar- “Anthony Davis was a pro the ESPN analyst said. “We , and Dunleavy (2002), him a good player. “He basi- ently scared more teams no matter where he went to all laugh about it. Funny how . (2003), Jackson Vroman cally taught me everything I away. coaches at bigger schools on school,” Bilas said. “That’s UK-UNC (2004), Sean May (2005), know about basketball,” he “Everybody knows that I true of most of them.” TV have more pros.” Ronnie Brewer (2006), Al said. wasn’t supposed to slide as One of the many subplots , Bilas likened any school ‘A blessing’ Horford (2007), Patrick Ewing In comparing their games, far as I did but, to be hon- or coach claiming credit for at the NBA Draft involved Jr., (2008), , father and son agreed that est, I’m happy I did. This developing pro players to a Fairly or not, to be a the evergreen UK-UNC Gerald Henderson and Austin the younger Blackmon is the is a great organization. I modeling agency saying it second-round NBA Draft pick rivalry. Daye (2009), (2010) better pure shooter. mean, it’s the perfect spot,” created, say, Kate Moss or carries a stigma. No hand- When a reporter noted and Klay Thompson and Nolan James Blackmon Jr. com- Jones said. Christy Turlington. shake with . More how some fans openly rooted Smith (2011). mitted to Indiana in Sep- General Manager Sam “Either you’re the real importantly, no guaranteed for UK to have four or more ■ Cleveland guard tember, 2010, when he was Presti said the knee issue thing or you’re not,” the contract. players drafted before UNC, hugged Dion Wait- starting his freshman year of existed even before Jones ESPN analyst said. But the key is this: If laughed. ers as he left the stage after high school. He’s expected to played the last two seasons In rejecting the idea that taken in the second round, “It’ll definitely be interest- being taken by the Cavaliers be fully recovered by the time at Baylor and it shouldn’t any coach can develop pro you can consider yourself ing to see how that plays with the fourth pick of the next season begins. keep him out next season, players, Bilas cited his alma one of that year’s 60 best pro out,” he said, diplomatically, first round. or even during summer mater, Duke. prospects in the world. the day before the draft. ■ Anthony Davis became Happy birthday league. Presti even called “Does anybody believe “I’m not disappointed,” “They have five or six (play- the third SEC player taken To former UK star Tom Jones’ straight-line speed Kyrie Irving played 11 games Brian Miller said when asked ers in the draft). They defi- with the first overall pick. Parker. He turns 62 today. one of the best parts of his and he was developed by about his son, UK 1,000-point nitely have more of them.” The others were UK’s John … To CBS analyst Clark game. Duke to be a pro?” he asked. scorer , being UNC was the first team Wall in 2010 and LSU’s Sha- Kellogg. He turns 51 on Jones added: “My knee Bilas said he did not mean taken in the second round to have four players drafted quille O’Neal in 1992. Monday. … To longtime UK is doing great.” to criticize Calipari or any of Thursday’s NBA Draft. Thursday. ■ After being taken by radio presence Ralph Hacker. “I’m excited and happy his North Carolina players the Bucks with the 14th pick Cavs make offer to Gee other coach. He turns 68 on Monday. … “John Calipari is not a name was called. That’s a acknowledged the nagging of the first round, John Hen- To former UK coach Tubby CLEVELAND — The good coach,” he said, “he’s a blessing in itself. The main thought of what might have son called Milwaukee “a nice, Smith. He turned 61 on Sat-

Cavaliers extended a $2.7 great coach.” thing is he’s going somewhere been had their point guard, small city. Not necessarily a urday. … To former Ole Miss million qualifying offer to The record speaks for — guess what? — where , not been small city, but a good-sized coach Ed Murphy. He turns Alonzo Gee, itself: Elite Eight, Final Four, somebody wants him.” seriously injured early in the city and there’s not much 71 today. making him a restricted national championship. Those The New Orleans Hornets NCAA Tournament. traffic, which is a beautiful free agent. The club can 11 first-round picks. And, took the younger Miller with “Not saying we’d have thing.” Jerry Tipton: (859) 231-3227. match any offer made dur- as Calipari likes to mention, the 16th pick of the second beaten Kentucky,” John Email: [email protected]. ing the free-agency signing solid academic numbers, too, round. He’ll rejoin former UK Henson said, “but we’d have Father/son period to Gee, who aver- teammate Anthony Davis, the given them a hell of a game.” Twitter: @JerryTipton. including degrees for seniors Besides helping coaches Blog: ukbasketball.bloginky.com aged 10.6 points and 5.1 re- Darius Miller and overall first pick of the draft. bounds in 63 games — 31 this spring. “That’s great,” the elder starts — last season. Bilas just doesn’t buy Miller said. “Those two have Gee was one of the Cavs’ — despite the mounting a good relationship. They call        most improved players and numbers — that Calipari has each other brother.”        General Manager Chris a formula for producing pro Miller and Davis will give  Grant said keeping the for- players. each other a familiar face mer D-League player “is a Instead, might the 15 UK and, no doubt, an ally.           priority for us.” Gee began players drafted reflect great “They can piggyback off the season as a reserve but recruiting? each other,” Brian Miller       worked his way into the “That’s exactly what it said.         starting lineup. means,” Bilas said. “It’s a The elder Miller noted        great sales pitch. If your goal how being a second-round               Free agency starts today is the NBA, you see a path pick represents an opportu- "  !"    " "   ! One year ago today, the has been blazed.” nity, Yes, nothing is guaran-    1 >AA6 , &61>A ." *"7 ' .** NBA locked out its play- As Bilas sees it, Calipari teed. But Miller and another   6;6 , &61>A .*7. '  * ers and plunged itself into deserves credit for arguably UK player taken in the sec-                                  darkness. The July 1 free- making Kentucky basketball ond round, , have      agent rush, a cherished rite greater than ever. a chance to show what they of summer, was wiped out. “The idea is not ‘I will de- can do.        The mad dash to hand velop you into a pro,’” Bilas “Nothing’s easy,” Brian         out eight-figure deals was to said. “I think John is very Miller said. “Nothing’s given       return to the NBA at 12:01 accepting of the idea of when in life. You have to go out               Sunday morning. Deron you’re ready (for the NBA), and work for it. … "  !"    " "   ! Williams, and go! In fact, ‘We’re going to “Regardless, you’ve got to    6>; , 6A  6 .*"* are the headlin- help you facilitate that goal.’ apply yourself. First (round),     &>5;6 , 6A  6 <* ers in an otherwise unspec- “There’s a trust.” second, last, you’ve still                                  tacular free-agent class, and Players think Calipari will got to get it out there and "" " "  !"  " "    " !" !" " they should dominate the put their interests and well- perform.”  "  !"    !  "    discussion for the first week being ahead of what might be It’s easy to forget that the   "  "! " of free agency. Although best for UK or its coach. No took Manu " ""  "  " teams and players can nego- small thing. Ginobili in the second round tiate contracts, no deals can But Calipari has no special (57th pick) in 1999. ' 2?63 3>(6B155>>! 3>!3B**. 1 3=A* >6* 7 .0<77 .77!,&@# 4 3>66 >3=16A!1&%#.* 1@ A6> @&%#<!A>36>;>9B1> >> ! )($ ! 3B/A>36>;! (=6 >9B1> 26>;  >565 > 363> >= =6 1 3> > 9 >9B1>1A  6 A!  6661>  11>6 16 26>; B156 1  =6 133 13  3BA666 9 1 >9B1>  >565! be consummated until July knack for developing pro Other familiar names 3 B6 15 >3 6 B1  666 =6 3 6 35>> 9 =6 61=6>B691A6! AA6>6*615/A1A1626>;A5- ''*+&'*+(  )('  ( ($ '8151AA1A616 - !8 %63> 6 2>556 16 63 1;65  35 3 =6>  5 6 5>A>;63615> 6>;161AAB166A1>;=66>6=616>6665 >  3=1>;!  63> 6 2>556 B1 61  1 6* 5> 2 11. In all, more than 170 players, Bilas said. taken in recent second =633 1*313=62 6*>91!>63BB6565=163> 6 2>556 66@ >56656 15 >36* >3A 5>; A6;1A 15 >36*  69B 5 6 5>A>;636 15  9 AA 5615 =6 1 3> 36 > ;661A! ' 2?63 players are on the market. “I talk to my colleagues,” rounds include Luis Scola, =6 3>(6B155>>9=66 6! )".."<..