The Draft Cats: Their Legacy and Their Future

To any Kentucky basketball fan the 2009-2010 season was truly special.  The ending was not as magical as one would have hoped with an Elite 8 loss to West Virginia.  But the season cannot be measured on that loss alone.  At Kentucky, the winningest program in college basketball history, anything less than a Final Four is usually considered failure.  And with a team featuring possibly 5 out of the first 20 players taken in the draft this Thursday,  last year was no exception.   However coming off a turbulent season that saw former Coach Billy Gillespie failing to make the NCAA tournament, the Cats needed a shot of excitement.  It came in a new Coach, and some new faces.  Much has been written about Coach John Calipari's ressurection of the Kentucky program.  Lets take a look at our departing players, how they are remembered, and what possibly the future holds.

Eric Bledsoe:  a rough and tough kid from Alabama that showed at times very smooth game offensively.  Bledsoe however,  at times,  dribbles into traffic and at 6'1" may have trouble finishing in the NBA.  He is a decent passer and is very quick.  I think what I will remember about Eric was the toughness he showed in many games.  That and the fact that he came to Kentucky knowing he would play out of position at off guard and still competed to the best of his abilities. 

Daniel Orton:   Orton is a skilled big man who showed most of his NBA potential on the defensive end.  Playing behind Demarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson could not have been easy for a guy who probably figured on being the focal point of the offense when he signed with UK before Calipari and his recruits came to town.  Orton is strong and physical.  Questions about his knees and weight have arisen during his NBA workouts.  I see him as a project offensively but does have the size and strength to make in the League.   I will remember him as a kid who probably could have started and been "the man" at alot of schools but played his role at Kentucky and hopefully that pays off for him.

Patrick Patterson:  Much as been written about Patrick in his 3 years at Kentucky.  He's arguably one of the 10 greatest UK players in history.  He never quit.  Not once.  He played second fiddle to Jodie Meeks, became "the man", and then played in the shadows of the freshmen.  Patterson will be a fine professional player.  His work ethic alone will get him minutes.  I have no doubt.  His jumper is greatly improved and he's athletic enough to get time.  Patterson will be remembered as one of the greats of UK legend. Period.

Demarcus Cousins:  The most talented big man ever at Kentucky.  Say what you want about his attitude, his facial expressions, or his demenor.  Ever heard the line "the ball doesn't lie"...well it doesn't.   And Cousins is a beast.  Arguably the most gifted big man the SEC has seen since Shaq.  He's a game changer.  Depending on who you talk to he has attitude red flags.  As far as the NBA goes...the only one who can stop him from being a force is himself.  I hope that is not the case.  I will remember him for the tenacity and for his putback in the SEC title game...oh, and for the horn rimmed glasses and furry caps. 

John Wall:  If Cousins is the most talented big man Kentucky has ever seen..Wall may be the most talented player ever at Kentucky.   He will not have his jersey retired or have his name mentioned with the likes of Issel, Farmer, or Delk, but make no mistake...John Wall is beloved by those of us fortunate enough to see his greatness for a year.  Wall has that "it" factor. Call it charisma, personallity, or whatever you want, but he has it.   Wall is a future NBA All-Star and a highlight reel on Sportscenter waiting to happen.  I will remember the dance...and the fact that he's the first player since Rex Chapman to actually make me do the slow rise out of my seat as he raced past mid-court.

New players are coming in this season and I'm sure they will put us back in the Top 10 and hopefully take us to the next level.  I look foward to watching the NBA draft this week and seeing where our guys go.  Hopefully fans of the cities in which they end up enjoy them as much as fans of Big Blue Nation did for their stay here.