KSR AM 6/21/2018 Shai G/A and the NBA Draft Tonight 5-7 PM

    

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Kentucky now has all the pieces to win a national title

By Mrs. Tyler Thompson on ©June 20th, 2018 @ 11:00pm

Reid Travis is officially a Kentucky Wildcat, meaning the 2018-19 roster is complete. Let’s break down that roster, and why the addition of Travis makes Kentucky a legitimate national title contender.

Guards

Quade Green

We saw how much it hurt Kentucky not to have a returning guard last season. This year, Calipari will have one in Quade Green, who averaged 9.3 points and 2.7 assists his freshman year. Quade missed some games due to eye and back injuries and lost his starting spot to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but will provide crucial leadership and experience in a young and loaded backcourt; in fact, we’re hearing he’s already doing that in summer workouts.

Immanuel Quickley

Quickley is sometimes an afterthought in next year’s backcourt, but shouldn’t be. Despite being hampered by injuries at the end of his senior year, Quickley is a reliable floor general with a relentless work ethic that can get to the basket, create for others and knock down an open shot.

Ashton Hagans

Hagans gives Kentucky what they lost in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, i.e., a guard who can get to the basket. He’s a dynamic playmaker who can burn defenders off the dribble and distribute; he led the Adidas Gauntlet in assists by a wide margin. He’s also a tenacious defender. Simply put, you want the ball in Hagans’ hands, which is why he will eventually be the starting point guard alongside Quade Green.

Jemarl Baker

Baker will return this fall after missing last year with a knee injury and, according to his teammates, is the best shooter on the squad. Everyone’s been raving about Baker so far this summer, so I can’t wait to see what he does on the floor.

Tyler Herro

Herro is much more than the three-point specialist he’s billed as. At 6’5″, 200 lbs., Herro can score from anywhere and is also comfortable bringing the ball up the floor if needed. Once a Wisconsin commit, Herro developed a thick skin and chip on his shoulder after being booed routinely by Badger fans his senior year. A tough competitor, he will only elevate his game going against elite talent in practice.

Brad Calipari

With a plethora of guards on the roster, Brad probably won’t be called into action as often as he was last year, but should exhibit more confidence to fire away when he gets an open shot — even with the crowd demanding it.

Jonny David

David will be tasked with keeping the sideline loose and ready for dunk and lob celebrations. If history is any indication, he will also steal the spotlight in postseason locker room interviews.

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Forwards

Keldon Johnson

Johnson can play small forward, shooting guard, or, if you listen to John Calipari, even point guard if needed. Described as a “dog” by his future teammates, Johnson is a fierce competitor that won’t back down from anyone. He will be a highlight maker on this squad and is a notorious trash talker. Between him, Hagans, Herro, and Quickley, Kentucky’s about to get a much-needed dose of nasty.

PJ Washington

PJ is this team’s anchor, and, based off his appearances since deciding to return to Kentucky, is ready to lead. PJ can bully his way to the basket and finish with the best of them, and with an offseason to work on his jumper, can take his game to another level. PJ’s best work will be on the inside, but with Reid Travis joining the roster, I expect him to heed the NBA’s advice and expand his game outside.

Reid Travis

With over three years of playing experience and a degree from Stanford, Travis will provide invaluable experience to a team that needs it. A double-double machine, Travis is a force in the paint, which will allow PJ Washington to flex his versatility. The frontcourt of PJ Washington and Reid Travis is physical and formidable, something UK’s lacked in recent years.

EJ Montgomery

A 6’10” lefty that can stretch the floor? Sounds like Calipari’s dream big. Montgomery’s got length, athleticism, ball-handling skills, and can score from almost anywhere. He needs to add strength, but will see plenty of time as a stretch four next year.

Zan Payne

Kenny Payne’s son is still recovering from a knee injury, but once healthy, can play either guard or forward. A standout player at Lexington Catholic, he averaged 19.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in his senior season.

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Center

Nick Richards

Richards struggled his freshman year, but we saw glimpses of his potential throughout the season. During interviews last week, he said he’s moved past the self-doubt that plagued him his freshman year and his confidence is at an all-time high. That’s great news for Kentucky, who will rotate him in and out when height and length are needed.

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Starting Five

The combinations are endless, but the lineup I like best right now is Ashton Hagans, Quade Green, Keldon Johnson, PJ Washington, and Reid Travis. That’s a solid, powerful group with three veterans and two playmakers, from which you can rotate in three-point shooting and size. Immanuel Quickley may eventually take Quade’s spot, but for now, I like Green’s experience in the backcourt. Besides, if Calipari decides to platoon again, it won’t really matter, will it?

For the past few years, Kentucky’s roster has been missing key ingredients in March. With the additions of Reid Travis and Ashton Hagans and a head start in the Bahamas, they finally have everything they need to make a run at Number Nine.

[comment 31] [Link]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander praises Kentucky, Coach Cal at NBA Draft Media Day

By Jack Pilgrim on ©June 20th, 2018 @ 10:15pm

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had an extremely quiet pre-draft process, with the former Kentucky guard not working out with many teams and keeping visits to an absolute minimum.

But his stock is spiking.

He started the process as a late-lottery/mid-first round selection. Now, however, it would be an absolute shock if he fell out of the top-11.

Charlotte has all but said they would take him at 11 if he dropped that far, but most believe he’ll go well before that.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Toronto Raptors are prepared to make a move into the top-10 to select the silky-smooth point guard.

Gilgeous-Alexander, a Hamilton, Canada native, told reporters at NBA Draft Media Day this afternoon that he would love to play in his hometown at the next level.

“I heard it,” the former UK player said. “A couple of guys mentioned it to me. That would be cool. Playing in Toronto would be fun. It’s my hometown.”

But the Raptors may not even get the opportunity, as another team is enamored with the former Wildcat.

According to several reports, the Cleveland Cavaliers are torn between Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma’s Trae Young at No. 8, but they may be leaning toward the Kentucky guard.

He credits the hype surrounding his draft stock and his overall NBA preparedness to his time at the University of Kentucky, and more specifically, John Calipari.

“It prepared me a lot,” Gilgeous-Alexander said Wednesday of how UK impacted his NBA aspirations. “From Day One, Coach (John) Calipari has prepared us to be pros. That’s one of his main things. That’s what he does better than any coach in the country.”

As for Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammate, Kevin Knox, his stock is rising, as well. In fact, there’s a chance the Wildcats are taken back-to-back near the end of the top-10.

The New York Knicks are reportedly interested in the Kentucky forward with the ninth pick, and the Philadelphia 76ers are extremely interested with the tenth pick. He has worked out for both teams, including several others in the top-10. He has also worked out with Orlando at No. 6, Chicago at No. 7, Charlotte at No. 11, and the Clippers at No. 12. There’s a very slim chance he falls past there.

Knox said he has learned a lot through the pre-draft process, including the fact that he “can do so much more than (he) showed at Kentucky.”

“In college you kind of have a role on your team,” he said. “My role was a little bit different. It was to play off the ball but I think this summer I showed a lot of teams, a lot of coaches I can play on the ball, I really can do so much more than I showed at Kentucky. That’s kind of the mindset coming into this summer this year. I’m gonna keep proving people wrong.”

But the bright lights at Kentucky have prepared him for even the biggest of stages in the NBA. Even when it comes to New York’s Madison Square Garden.

“Kentucky is basically the New York Knicks of college basketball,” he said.

As for John Calipari’s role in tomorrow night’s NBA Draft, Knox says the Kentucky coach will be bouncing back and forth between his table and SGA’s.

[comment 1] [Link]

Oddsmaker puts early line on Kentucky vs. Duke

By Mrs. Tyler Thompson on ©June 20th, 2018 @ 4:30pm

With Reid Travis now in the fold, Kentucky’s season opener vs. Duke just got even more enticing, so much so that the head oddsmaker at the Westgate Sportsbook in Las Vegas is already being asked for an early line. “For now,” the oddsmaker believes Duke is still the better team and would be favored by 2.5 points.

Agree? Disagree? Can they make that official so I can get in on the action, please?

[comment 33] [Link]

NBA team tries to trick Kevin Knox with weird question, fails

By Mrs. Tyler Thompson on ©June 20th, 2018 @ 3:30pm

The NBA Combine is essentially one big job interview, which is why the question one team asked Kevin Knox is so inappropriate. Knox told reporters at NBA Draft media day that at the combine, a team tried to trick him into admitting he had a kid, which he does not:

What the hell? I’m pretty sure employers are not allowed to ask questions like that during job interviews, right? Jeez. Props to Knox for keeping his cool.

[comment 8] [Link]

With Reid Travis There is No Doubt: Kentucky is the Favorite in College Basketball Next Season

By Aaron Torres on ©June 20th, 2018 @ 3:00pm

Back a few weeks ago I released my “Way Too Early Top 25” for the 2018-2019 college basketball season after the NBA Draft deadline. At the time I had Kentucky sitting at No. 2, thanks to UK’s phenomenal blend of talent, skill and experience heading into next year.  The only team I had ahead of the Wildcats was Gonzaga, a club which returns basically everyone, including two players I believe could have been first round picks had they entered this year’s draft (Killian Tillie and Rui Hachimura).

However when that Top 25 did come out a month or so ago, I did have one addendum on my section about the Wildcats: If Kentucky were able to add Stanford graduate transfer Reid Travis, a former McDonald’s All-American and two-time Pac-12 All-Conference First Team member to its club, I’d have no choice but to move Kentucky to No. 1 in my poll.

Well on Wednesday that addendum became official: Reid Travis has committed to Kentucky. And with that, there’s no other way to put it: The Wildcats are the unquestioned top team in the country heading into the 2018-2019 season.

That’s right, it’s time to move over Gonzaga. Step aside, Kansas. Adios to Duke and your big-time recruiting class. See ya Virginia and your boring offense which will produce an ACC regular season title and first weekend NCAA Tournament loss next year. The Kentucky Wildcats are the team to beat heading into 2018-2019.
(more…)

[comment 34] [Link]

Kentucky ESPN’s preseason No. 1 after addition of Reid Travis

By Mrs. Tyler Thompson on ©June 20th, 2018 @ 1:50pm

The addition of Reid Travis makes Kentucky the new preseason No. 1 team in the country in the eyes of ESPN’s Myron Medcalf. Medcalf boosted the Cats past Kansas and Duke in his rankings after today’s news, writing that Travis may be the “strongest player in college basketball” and Kentucky’s roster is the most intriguing it’s been since the 2014-15 season.

“With the fleet of high-level guards John Calipari will have on his roster, this lineup could resemble the North Carolina team that won the national title in 2017, by essentially grabbing every offensive rebound in sight and bullying opponents in the paint,” he writes.

Did we have to bring up the 2017 North Carolina team? Ugh. Anyways, here’s Medcalf’s new top 10:

1. Kentucky
2. Kansas
3. Duke
4. Gonzaga
5. Tennessee
6. Nevada
7. Virginia
8. North Carolina
9. Michigan State
10. Villanova

Is it August yet???

[ESPN]

[comment 11] [Link]

Real Leadership In Space ... Thx Newt G!

 

 

 

3 of 46,160

Real Leadership in Space Inbox x Newt Gingrich no-reply@gingrichproductions.com via mail162.wdc02.mcdlv.net  Jun 20, 2018, 7:23 PM to me Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Real Leadership in Space Originally published at Fox News This week has shown how serious and determined the Trump-Pence team is about launching America into a new era of leadership in space – and ensuring our dominance there for generations to come. Consider President Trump’s announcement at the National Space Policy Council meeting on Monday that the Department of Defense will create a U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of our military. Couple this with the announcement of Space Policy Directive-3, which will create the world’s first official system for extraterrestrial traffic management – and the continued effort by the Department of Commerce to streamline commercial access to space. Each of these actions represents a tremendous step forward in the development of our economy and civilization beyond the planet. Taken together, they are game-changing and truly historic. First, establishing the U.S. Space Force is the clearest possible way for President Trump to tell our international allies (and opponents) that America is serious about national security in space. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine noted at the National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group meeting on Tuesday that the principle purpose of the Navy is to protect our seaborne commerce. Similarly, Bridenstine asserted that the principle purpose of the Space Force will be to protect and defend our space economy. This announcement was a powerful signal to young Americans that they can expect to have careers in space during their lifetime. Just as young patriots have traveled the globe on land, air, and sea while serving our country, soon American Space Force members will be able to protect our nation in cislunar space, the Moon, or beyond. Finally, calling for the establishment of the Space Force was an excellent way to bypass the bureaucratic resistance President Trump would have faced had he tried to push our terrestrial service branches into focusing resources outside the atmosphere. Military operations in space will require new, specialized thinking, training, and equipping different from those of current military branches. A dedicated service will be able to accomplish significantly more for our space-based national defense. President Trump’s signing of Space Policy Directive-3 on Monday was also very significant. Not only does it set the pace of the Administration’s expectations (it is the third actionable space policy directive in three meetings of the National Space Council) but it could also help solidify America’s central role in space travel globally. The directive calls for the development of a U.S. space traffic management policy. This may sound like a bureaucratic step, but maritime law was largely written by the British because England had the most sea commerce and wrote the rules. Similarly, the Federal Aviation Administration wrote the standard rules in air travel because the U.S. had the largest commercial aviation sector. President Trump and Vice President Pence are determined to repeat this pattern of leadership in space. In addition to following President Trump’s administration-wide instruction to cut expensive regulations, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has been diligently working to consolidate and streamline space regulations into the Office of Space Commerce. The ultimate goal is to turn the office into a one-stop shop for all federal regulations required for activities outside the atmosphere. While this is still in process, I heard from several commercial space business leaders at the Users’ Advisory Group meeting on Tuesday who said Ross’s actions have already been a tremendous help. All of these initiatives add up to truly remarkable progress in bringing America back into the leadership position in the new space race. Aside from sheer power of vision and force of will, President Trump has been able to achieve this early success because he has built an exemplary team. Vice President Pence’s background and passion for space policy (combined with the power of his position) make him the perfect person to chair the renewed National Space Council. This is bolstered and optimized by the experience and professionalism of Scott Pace, the National Space Council’s executive secretary. Similarly, I could not think of a better person to lead NASA than Administrator Bridenstine. Like the Vice President, Bridenstine has been a thoughtful, aggressive advocate for American space leadership since serving in Congress. I’m confident that Administrator Bridenstine will be able to take his enthusiasm and his knowledge of the U.S. space program to implement changes at NASA necessary to make it a pioneering 21st century space agency. Finally, I was thoroughly impressed by Admiral James Ellis, chairman of the National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group (UAG) – a group that, as he pointed out, had never actually met until Tuesday (even during past incarnations of the National Space Council). Admiral Ellis’s ability to lead, coordinate, and mediate a group of more than two dozen top commercial and intellectual space leaders will be critical to making the UAG as effective and important as it can and should be. The Trump-Pence administration has already demonstrated an impressive willingness to break our country out of old habits and steer us toward a better future here on Earth. If they can keep up this momentum (and I think they will) we will soon be the nation that leads our world into a new pioneering age of commerce, science, and exploration beyond Earth. It has been a truly amazing two days – especially for those of us who believe in the importance of space for the future of all mankind. Your Friend, Newt P.S. My new book, Trump's America is a #1 Best Seller in Publisher's Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post! Order your copy here>> TRUMP'S AMERICA  No one understands the Make America Great Again effort with more insight and more experience than Newt Gingrich. He knows what it is like to fight the Washington swamp and challenge the establishment – he has done it his entire career. In his highly anticipated new book,  Trump's America, Gingrich illustrates how our nation’s 45th President is leading our country’s great comeback. From the fight of over the Southern Border Wall, to the Republican tax cuts, to the swamp’s unending efforts to undermine and oppose the President, Trump’s America lays out the truth about the Trump presidency – the truth the mainstream media won’t tell you. Order here>> Hail to the Chief  Ellis the Elephant is headed to the White House! In Hail to the Chief, the sixth in Callista Gingrich’s New York Times bestselling series, Ellis meets some of America’s greatest presidents and discovers how they have led our country throughout American history. Authored by Callista Gingrich and illustrated by Susan Arciero, Hail to the Chief will delight young and old alike with a glimpse of the leaders who helped make America an exceptional nation.  Order now>> Defending America  Defending America requires a lot more than just talk. It requires facts, research, and most of all action. In his new six-part course, Defending America, Speaker Gingrich covers the most critical issues facing our country, from culture and economics to religion and self-defense, arming you with the intellectual firepower needed to debunk the Left’s arguments as hollow and dangerous to the cause of freedom.  Join here>>  Forward to a Friend Follow Newt on Twitter | Follow Newt on Facebook | Forward to a friend Copyright © 2018 Gingrich Productions, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at GingrichProductions.com Gingrich Productions 4501 North Fairfax Drive Suite 900 Arlington, VA  22203 Add us to your address book