Thread: Jeff Goodman: Kentucky's Starting 5 Could Compete With NBA Teams

Things must be slow over at CBS Sports today, as Jeff Goodman took some time to hypothesize on UK's starting 5 and what they would do if they went up against lower tier NBA teams like the Toronto Raptors.

Here is what Jeff had to say:Maybe I'm nuts to think a college group could hang with an NBA team, but I'm not so sure.
Check out the Toronto Raptors starting unit last night against the Boston Celtics -- and tell me you wouldn't take John Calipari's first five over the Raptors.

Not just for the future, but maybe even right now.

The Raptors backcourt was Spanish point guard Jose Calderon and athletic freak DeMar DeRozan. The frontcourt: James Johnson, Ed Davis and

Aaron Gray.

Pitiful.

I understand Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are just freshmen, but it's not like Davis and DeRozan are grown men, either. Both are just 22 years old. Johnson is 24 and Gray is 26.

I'd take Davis over Gray in a heartbeat. Yes, today. I'd also go with Gilchrist over Davis -- today, tomorrow and every day thereafter.

Calderon blows away Marquis Teague at this juncture and we'll give a slight nod to Johnson over Terrence "Mr. Enigma" Jones, but not if Jones' head is actually into the game.

Then there's the matter of DeRozan vs. Doron Lamb. DeRozan is a terrific athlete and virtually a non-shooter. Lamb is a big-time shooter. Completely different players, but I'll go with DeRozan.

So maybe Calipari's current edition down in Lexington wouldn't come out on top against the Raptors, but they'd certainly give them a run for their money.


At first I thought, wait, is he showing UK some love? But this really reads more like he's saying the Raptors suck than UK is great.

But, to weigh in on the question he poses, I think the UK team that showed up in Rupp against Tennessee the other night could absolutely compete against alot of NBA teams, especially with this shortened NBA season.

I think if this team continues to improve there is no question they could be successful in the NBA right now. The majority of the rotation will be there soon enough anyways.

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