Should they stay or should they go?

A repost of my Jan. 28 SlapShots column

University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari rarely engages in “coach-speak.” I appreciate that about him.

Every sports fan has heard “coach-speak” before – those virtually meaningless clichés rolled out when the coach doesn’t want to say what he actually thinks. For instance, when asked about a player leaving school early for the pros, 99 out of 100 coaches will rattle off some mundane statement about the athlete doing whatever he thinks best for himself and his family. And after a lot of verbiage, fans and media remain with only the vaguest notion what the coach really thinks.

But oh no, not Cal. No sir. We know exactly what he thinks. The Wildcat skipper embraces the exodus.

When asked if John Wall might possibly return next season, Cal all but showed his superstar point guard the door.

“He had better not be,” Calipari said during an appearance on the Dan Patrick radio show. “I am saying that if he came to me and he was the No. 1 pick in the draft and he said that he wanted to come back, we would probably be wrestling around on the floor. Because there is no reason other than me trying to win more games that he should come back.”

Ahh – honesty.

Agree or disagree, Calipari has an agenda, and part of that agenda involves sending players on to the NBA. And he would gladly see others depart the Bluegrass State along with Wall.

“If we do something unique and special, we’ll lose a bunch of guys. Will you be happy? I’ll be happy.”

Granted, Cal’s optimism stems from the fact that he has no plans to face next season with an empty chamber.

“If something unique and special happens, its reload. Let’s go. Who’s next? And I’d be happy.”

Yes, Calipari makes no bones about turning UK into a farm system for the NBA. He’s not a dumb man. The players may not stay around for more than one or two seasons, but he knows that if he develops a reputation for sending his boys on to the main stage, he will always have a long line of kids waiting to step in for their shot. And Cal also knows that a steady stream of NBA prospects means winning teams and championships.

That’s what he wants. That’s what the university wants. And that’s what the fans want.

This attitude doubtlessly disturbs the purists among us – the idealists who cling tenaciously to the pristine concept of the student-athlete.

And I will admit, there is a part of me that would like to see every player on every team earn their degrees. A little yearning deep inside to see college sports more about the college than the sport. But as I’ve reflected on Calipari’s words over the last few days, I’ve come to realize that I’m nothing but a hypocrite.

I spent four-and-a-half years earning my first college degree, followed up by two more years roaming the hallowed halls of academia pursuing a second degree. Why? So I could move into the work world and earn a good living. So I would possess the tools I need to succeed in my chosen field. And if I could have accomplished all of that in one year, would I given up those other five years of schooling?

You bet your hockey stick I would.

So why is the standard any different for John Wall? If one year playing at UK proves enough to earn him the No. 1 NBA draft pick – the pinnacle of his chosen field – why should he hang around Kentucky? We go to college to prepare for our career. If he’s ready to go – God bless him.

There will be plenty of role players working their way through the Wildcat program. They will contribute to the team and earn four-year degrees. Every now and again, we’ll see a Patrick Patterson. He will likely leave the Cats after his junior year – with his degree. And we will rightly praise their hard work and hold up their academic achievements.

But these players rank no better or no worse than the Walls of the world. Each player – each individual – must chart her or his own path through life.

As for Calipari, he’s about winning games. And he seems to think that recruiting the best with the promise of helping them achieve their dream of going pro is the best way to get that done. Believe me, if Coach Cal brings a winning tradition back to UK, the fans won’t complain. And neither will the administration. The ex-UK players making millions in the NBA surely won’t complain. Seems to me everybody wins.

And for those who really want to embrace academic rigors as a student-athlete, there’s always Vandy.

Quick Shots
It looks like NASCAR plans to go old school. There’s a saying in stock car racing. “If you ain’t rubbin’ you ain’t racin’.” Looks like there’s gonna be some racin’! NASCAR announced last week that it will lift its ban on bump drafting at the Daytona 500. They will also up the horsepower in the season’s opening race with the largest restrictor plate since 1989. NASCAR said it plans to encourage drivers to show more aggression and emotion in the upcoming season. As a Kyle Busch fan, lets just say I can’t wait to see how this works out.

One fairytale had to trump the other. In two equally compelling storylines, the Saints kicked a field goal in overtime to beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 and punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. In one storybook, you had the 40-year-old Bret Favre showing guts and determination, repeatedly picking himself up off the turf as the New Orleans Saints defense pummeled him play after play. Not even an ankle injury could knock him out of the game. You can’t help respect the toughness and tenacity of the old bird. In the other storybook, you have the Saints, hailing from the Big Easy, still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The Saints had never made it to the Super Bowl and their triumph symbolizes the resurgence of the city itself. You can’t help but share a little joy with the people of New Orleans. It’s just a shame both fairytales couldn’t have happily ever after endings.

I can admit when I’m wrong. I never expected Kentucky’s freshman laden squad to be this good. And after watching the Wildcats dismantle Arkansas, it appears they really are this good. The pollsters agree, making UK the unanimous No. 1. No doubt, there remain plenty of opportunities to slip, but this team has the potential to win it all.

And then UK traveled down to South Carolina. No. 1 - Wow, that didn’t last long.

Quote of the Week
“I keep hearing about this time out. People I’m closest to are going to demand I take some time off, but I tried that already. I tried a day and a half, and it didn’t work.” – Florida Gator football coach Urban Meyer.

Puck to the Head
This week’s puck flies at the head of former major league baseball player Jose Offerman for attempting to punch an umpire in the head during a Dominican Winter Baseball League playoff game. Offerman, serving as interim manager for the Licey Tigers, took a swing at the first base umpire while arguing a call. Offerman played 15 years in the majors. In 2007, he was arrested for assaulting an opposing pitcher and catcher with a bat while playing in the minors. On second thought, a puck to the head might not faze this guy.