Everyone talks about a programs inability to win national championships with the poorly tagged “one and done” players. Alright let’s just be honest here, people say that John Calipari and Kentucky will not win a national championship with players who leave for the NBA after one year of college. For a change, let’s look at why Calipari will win the elusive National Championship by recruiting the absolutely best talent possible.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Before we dive into that, I want to give my opinion on players who leave for the league after one year. I am for it, I am behind the players and say go for it. The NBA has developed the one year to the NBA rule and players have to abide by those rules. If someone has said they have to play a year of college (or be a year removed from high school) before they can go earn the big bucks, then so be it.
Play at college for a year and then go earn the big bucks. If you have what it takes to go earn millions in the NBA, then by all means go!
With those short term players, how can Calipari win the NCAA Championship? It’s simple. He has the most talented players possible playing for a team they are proud to be a part of and following a vision they understand. If you have the best talent and that talent plays unselfishly and with focus, you have poised yourself to win a championship.
Just look at last year. Do you think that the three Wildcats who were lottery picks wanted to lose? Do you think they lost to WV because there were only 5 years of college experience between them? No, they lost because they had a bad game.
The best talent gives you the best chance to win. The fastest car has the best chance to win. The fastest car can’t always win either.
The problem that Calipari and his team has to overcome isn’t maturity, or a lack thereof. The challenge that Calipari has to overcome is not having one bad game when it matters. I take talent over maturity any day. And sooner than later, Calipari and that talent will have the luck needed to not have an off game when it matters most; the NCAA Tournament.
Recruit the talent, understand they might leave for the NBA after a year. Continue to guide them to the NBA if that is the best time for them to go. I’m behind the methodology, Coach Cal.
Let’s also not forget that in his first year Coach Cal and the Wildcats did win a SEC Regular Season Championship. Oh yeah, they also won the SEC Tournament Championship as well. Then they traveled to the Elite Eight before having a bad game. Sure, the season would have been more successful with banner eight, but all in all it was still a highly successful season.
