April 7, 2010
Dear UK Wildcat NBA Draft Entrants:
John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson, Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton,
Although no one in the Nation of Blue really wants to read the articles, follow the tweets or believe what they are hearing from their friends on Facebook, we know it’s true. We’ve pinched and smacked ourselves in the face and know that we are not dreaming. The day that every one of us knew was coming has arrived and the 5 of you have formally announced your intentions to enter the NBA Draft. First and foremost, let us wish you all the best of luck and put our full support behind your decisions.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK][B]To John Wall[/B]: You are probably going to be the #1 pick. You were so exciting to watch this year as you flew down the court as if you were asking for the defenders to try to stop you. Your talent, understanding of the entertainment value of the sport and pure athleticism makes you almost a lock for a very successful NBA career. Congratulations and good luck!
[B]To DeMarcus Cousins[/B]: The best big man in college in 2010. You matured so much throughout the year both as a player and as a person. I can’t remember ever watching a freshman center move around the basket like you can and have the soft touch or the powerful moves that you do. NBA programs drool over your size and talent combination. Congratulations and good luck!
[B]To Patrick Patterson[/B]: You are without a doubt the favorite Wildcat that is leaving. The three years you have spent at UK have been a roller coaster on the court. The only better situation you could have left under would have been UK winning the championship. This year was the second best situation. A fantastic run to the Elite Eight, you demonstrating your leadership and versatility on the court. Likewise, a fantastic run in the classroom having earned your degree in three years. We’re all very proud of you and look forward to watching you play in the pros. Congratulations and good luck!
[B]To Eric Bledsoe[/B]: You help to show many young men that it’s perfectly fine to play for a program with competing talent. It immediately showed the Nation of Blue that you welcomed a challenge and at the same time understood the value of team efforts by removing individualism from the sport. And you made it a success. You could have went to many other schools and been the [I]only[/I] star of the program. Instead, you selected UK and for all of the reasons above, you’re a star in many ways. Congratulations and good luck!
[B]To Daniel Orton[/B]: A lot of the same could be said about you playing for Kentucky, probably more so than what was just mentioned to Eric. You were competing against two other star players and that put you in a situation to play from the bench. The same goes for you, NBA owners will marvel over your size and touch around the basket. Congratulations and good luck!
There will undoubtedly be many people who think that some or all of you are not ready for one reason or the other. All UK fans wish you would all come back for another year and will plead their cases for your return. In the end, we all understand and respect your decisions to try your hand at the NBA and have the opportunity to earn millions of dollars. There isn’t many people who would bypass that type of fortune, even if it were for one year, if the opportunity faced them. You bet they would continue to chase their dreams and their chance at fame and fortune too. If the next few weeks don’t work out, you can always return to us on May 7th! 😀
We’re behind each of you, respect your decisions and for one final time offer our sincere congratulations and wish of good luck!
With the utmost respect,
Scott Z. and…
[B]Leave a comment below to sign this letter to the five Kentucky Wildcats that have decided to enter the NBA draft.[/B]
