I'm back after a 3-week lay off due to a continuing education class, my class is finished now and I can concentrate as much on basketball as medicine. My son, who attends UK, went to the open practice yesterday and said it was an "awesome" experience. Coach Calipari certainly understands what it takes to lead the Big Blue Nation.
Ten years ago Saul Smith was preparing to be the point-guard of the Wildcats, which were ranked No. 26 by the Basketball News. Current coach and ex-player Scott Padgett was playing for the Utah Jazz and working out with the mailman, Karl Malone. Tayshaun Prince has also been spending time in the weight room as his weight has increased from 180 pounds as a high-school senior to 206 pounds for his sophmore season at UK. Finally, Antoine Walker is coming of age as a Boston Celtic, despite the fact that he is perceived as a shameless showboat.
The following are the headlines and article summaries for the week of October 17, 1999 - October 24, 1999
October 20, 1999 - POINT MAN FOR CRITICISM
The boos, if they come, may burn his ears. The criticism, if it comes, may cut his self-described thick skin. The suspicion that he owns his position to nepotism, if it's whispered a little too loudly, may nick his heart. But one thing a mountain range of negativity won't do - can't do - to Saul Smith this Kentucky basketball season is surprise. "It's a lot easier knowing it's going to come," Smith said...
October 20, 1999 - YOUNG CATS CHECK EGOS AT THE DOOR
Quicker. More athletic. Bright. Enthusiastic. Never mind that most pre-season polls do not include Kentucky in their top 10 (Basketball News put the Cats at, gulp, No. 26), Tubby Smith sounded optimistic during yesterday's annual Media Day news conference. Smith cited this fall's suprisingly good UK football team and the guiding light for UCLA's basketball dynasty, John Wooden, to support his contention that the naysayers are wrong. That Kentucky, as...
October 23, 1999 - TUNING UP FOR JAZZ WILL BE TEST FOR PADGETT
A rookie naturally wonders how he measures up against the veterans. Former Kentucky star Scott Padgett figured he had that chance this summer when he found himself about to lift weights with a new teammate, future NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone. "I benched, like, 250," Padgett said. "Then he put 285 (pounds) on the bar. And I'm thinking, 'All right, I'm not that far behind him.'" As Molone lifted the ...
October 24, 1999 - NO "FAT CATS" HERE, JUST MUSCULAR ONES
A happy ending appears likely in the tale of the tape for Kentucky this season. Three key sophmores say they've improved their muscle power, which in turn should strengthen the Cats' chances for a standout season. Swingman Tayshaun Prince weighed 180 pounds as a high school senior. He increased his weight to 206 by last season. "I felt slower," he said. "I didn't make the right movements at times. I just felt...
October 24, 1999 - WALKER COMING OF AGE UNDER FIRE IN BOSTON
Despite his eye-catching talent, basketball has never been easy for Antoine Walker. As a high school star, he was perceived as a shameless showboat. Kentucky fans may recall he was benched the game before leading the Cats to a championship run in the 1996 NCAA Tournament. So, yes, he swished an impressive variety of shots (perimeter set shot, reverse layup, driving left-handed floater in traffic, etc.) in last night's Boston Celtics-Utah Jazz exhibition game in Rupp Arena. ...
