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Posted by jerseycat (Member # 9) on 01-23-2019, 10:49 AM:
I have been following UK hoops since my college days in Lexington, 1965-1968. I am happy we have Reid Travis on this year's team.....shooting over 50% from the field, over 70% from the line, double digit scoring, pretty good defense, second only to P.J. in rebounds, etc. I understand he gets fouled quite a bit under the basket but it just amazes me how many times when he gets the ball down low he either misses a easy layup, gets stripped or gets his shot blocked. I can't remember another UK forward starter having so much difficulty under the basket.
[ 01-23-2019, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: jerseycat ]
Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 01-23-2019, 11:49 AM:
There are plays where it seems like he can't even dunk the ball. His vertical leap (or lack of) leaves you wondering.
Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 01-23-2019, 11:50 AM:
quote:
I understand he gets fouled quite a bit under the basket but it just amazes me how many times when he gets the ball down low he either misses a easy layup, gets stripped or gets his shot blocked. I can't remember another UK forward starter having so much difficulty under the basket.
My sentiments exactly. I too am glad he is on the team but I just don't think he is athletic enough for a typical UK team. I've said this before, I bet his percentage of made dunks is not much higher than his 3 point percentage.
Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 01-23-2019, 12:39 PM:
As long as pj, hero and Johnson play well all he is needed for is rebounding and clean up around the basket!!
Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 01-23-2019, 12:55 PM:
All the above. His weak points are close shots and jumping ability. The closest one to him would have been Harrelson or Rob Locke since Iv'e been watching games.
Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 01-23-2019, 02:51 PM:
I am no Reid Travis fan myself. I think we would be a better team without him. He has no shot and cannot play more than 10 feet away from the basket. I think he clutters up the middle and bottle necks the offense quite often. He will never play in the NBA, does not have the talent for the next level. I honestly think we could possibly be farther along as a team without his services. His vertical leap must be at least 1 foot, he has no shot other than a lay up which he misses about 50 percent of. I have followed Ky basketball since the early fifties and have seen some great one pass through UK during that time, in my opinion, he is not one of them.
Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-23-2019, 03:07 PM:
He is not NBA material by any means, but he can be a solid piece for a final four team. He does post well, and has gotten a little better at finishing since the beginning of the season. I just feel that Richards would be further along if he was getting some more of Travis' minutes. Same with EJ. But he can provide some low post scoring at times, just doesn't need to be on the floor for more than 20 minutes in my opinion.
Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 01-23-2019, 04:45 PM:
My feelings exactly UKMan.
Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 01-23-2019, 05:01 PM:
Agree. Now that I think about it he is probably a little better than Rob Locke was. but that's not saying much ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 01-23-2019, 07:29 PM:
I have mixed feelings about Travis. One the one hand, he rebounds well, and he is a physically intimidating presence. But those missed shots are a BIG problem. I think he needs a sports psychologist to help him focus -- that is the only reason for missing so many close-in shots. He needs to focus on the rim and guide the damn thing home.
But he certainly isn't the kind of athletic center we have enjoyed under Cal. Players like Boogie, WCS, Davis and KAT are rare indeed, and we have been blessed to have so many play here. So, he isn't cut from that cloth. But he is the kind of workhorse that can play a key role. And Richards and Montgomery just aren't ready for 30 minutes a game (but they are progressing nicely), so I am damn glad we have Travis in there for now. Even if both Richards and Montgomery fully blossom, Travis can still be a key part of this team.
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 01-23-2019, 07:32 PM:
BRW, Travis isn't too terrible. Remember the two 7-footers Tubby had at the same time -- Shagari Alleyne and Lucasz Orzbut? Talk about a couple of plowhorses. Travis looks pretty good compared to some UK centers of the past!
Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-24-2019, 06:02 AM:
Tip, you have a point there!
Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 01-24-2019, 10:40 AM:
Tiptree, the two players you names that Tubby brought in were just big bodies, not even 3 star players. Travis was a 5 star mickey d player coming out of high school who has improved very little in my opinion. We miss on some players, Travis was a good pickup for us but his stats at Stanford were very misleading in reference to what he brings to the floor at UK.
Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 01-24-2019, 02:18 PM:
quote:
Originally posted by Bama Cat:
All the above. His weak points are close shots and jumping ability. The closest one to him would have been Harrelson or Rob Locke since Iv'e been watching games.
I would take Harrelson over Travis 8 days a week.
Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 01-24-2019, 03:05 PM:
Me too Paulcat.
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 01-24-2019, 04:22 PM:
I would take the senior version of Harrelson for sure. Before that, no way.
All I am saying is that Travis is a decent, but not great center. Most of our complaints are about his missed shots, which should be fixable. His lack of athleticism cannot be fixed, but he still is a formidable wide-body who can rebound and set picks. And, despite no noticeable improvement since his HS days (something that I have no way of verifying, but I will accept as true), he is still better than some centers we have had. Cal seems to understand what he can do and what he can't do, and has built his team around him accordingly. And he does seem to be a vocal leader on the floor (and also a leader by example), which is exactly what this young team needed. Green wasn't that way, Richards is FAR from being that way, and PJ needed some 'help' from Travis in the leadership role.
Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 01-24-2019, 06:23 PM:
I don't consider Travis a leader of this team. The leaders are Kelden Johnson, Ashton Hagans, Tyler Herro and PJ Washington. I just do not feel Travis has the talent to be a starter on a good Kentucky team.
Posted by boomdaddy (Member # 2644) on 01-25-2019, 09:40 PM:
The fans love Travis. The fans do not love Travis.
Which is it?
Well, glad you asked.
It all depends on which Travis is on the floor.
When the strong rebounding and put the ball in the basket Travis is on the floor, the fans are gushing with love.
When the flat footed, plow horse Travis that watches the opposition dribble by for an easy layup or the can't hit a three or a four foot shot Travis is on the floor, there is no fan love to be found.
Posted by boomdaddy (Member # 2644) on 01-25-2019, 09:45 PM:
quote:
Originally posted by SCWC:
I don't consider Travis a leader of this team. The leaders are Kelden Johnson, Ashton Hagans, Tyler Herro and PJ Washington. I just do not feel Travis has the talent to be a starter on a good Kentucky team.
I wonder if Calipari will have him come off the bench at the end of the season.
My worry is that he is slow and not much of a jumper. This team loses more tips at the start of a game. I would prefer to have a quicker squad out on the floor at the start of a game, and then sub him in and let him bang around down low.
That being said, I have never coached a single college, high school, or middle school game. I am just a fan who thinks he knows which player should start. Haha.
Posted by WHO?UK (Member # 2286) on 01-26-2019, 07:19 AM:
quote:
Originally posted by boomdaddy:
The fans love Travis. The fans do not love Travis.
Which is it?
Well, glad you asked.
It all depends on which Travis is on the floor.
When the strong rebounding and put the ball in the basket Travis is on the floor, the fans are gushing with love.
When the flat footed, plow horse Travis that watches the opposition dribble by for an easy layup or the can't hit a three or a four foot shot Travis is on the floor, there is no fan love to be found.
Nailed it!
Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 01-26-2019, 02:29 PM:
Count me on boom nailed it.
Posted by WHO?UK (Member # 2286) on 01-26-2019, 06:56 PM:
At the half of the KU game. I would say Big Blue Nation is gushing with love for Reid Travis.
Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 01-26-2019, 08:15 PM:
He showed his value to the team tonight and I think that value is he knows how to compete with toughness. I think Kansas kind of bullied UK the first 6 or 7 minutes and Travis finally put an end to it with his play and then the rest of the team kind of followed.
He does miss a lot of bunnies though.
Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 01-26-2019, 08:17 PM:
I agree totally Trey. This was the kind of team Travis excels against. If the officials will let them play like they did tonight, Travis is much more effective when on the floor.
Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 01-26-2019, 08:21 PM:
I'll never be all in with Travis but IMO he has a definite place on this team, athletic ability or not.
Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 01-26-2019, 08:43 PM:
Good point Handy. BTW, Glad you kept Cal on the hotline tonight, you and he did a great job in beating a very good Kansas team.
Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 01-26-2019, 09:09 PM:
Thanks SCWC. You're one of the few that gives me the credit I feel I deserve.
Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 01-27-2019, 06:08 AM:
Handy the next time u talk with Cal suggest that he maybe start Richards like he did last year to at least get the tip which may lead to a basket and perhaps avoid the regular slow starts. Don't say it is from me however, you take the credit!
Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 01-27-2019, 10:00 AM:
I'm not a big Travis fan, but I will speculate that without him, we would not have celebrated a win last night.
Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 01-27-2019, 10:04 AM:
I agree Norm.
Ed, I think that suggestion has merit and I will mention it to him. I will let him think it is my idea as I'm the only one he trusts.
Posted by ProBlue (Member # 2944) on 01-27-2019, 10:24 AM:
Now were on the the band wagon for him and if we look at most of the post above we were putting him down! No he's not a lottery pick but without him we would not have the number of wins we have.
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 01-27-2019, 01:42 PM:
I agree... not a lottery pick. But I suspect he will play pro ball somewhere. He can be a journeyman forward and make good money at it.
He is strong, he rebounds with both hands, he can get and maintain good low-post position, and he is tenacious on the glass. Those are his positives, and they are the kinds of things you can build a team around.
His glaring weakness is his low shooting percentage. As I said before, this can be fixed with focus. He made some really good shots last night because he was locked-in to this game. He may have missed a bunch of those in other games. His other weakness is he is neither quick nor athletic (compared to most NBA big men). Defensively, he can body up against other 'wide-body' types, but he will never be a shot-blocker.
All in all, I like his game. Maybe because he reminds me of my own game (and my own limitations). But when he plays with the kind of ferocity and tenacity he showed last night, we are a much better team.
Posted by boomdaddy (Member # 2644) on 01-29-2019, 06:23 PM:
Mr. Travis started by missing some bunny shots, but overall he was a beast in the Kansas games.
I want Mr Richards to get more floor time. He got like 5 blocks in 8 minutes of play. But, how do you sit Travis, when he is in beast mode? Then again, 5 blocks in 8 minutes...........
Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-29-2019, 08:27 PM:
Travis carried us for a stretch in that game!
Posted by boomdaddy (Member # 2644) on 02-06-2019, 10:50 AM:
In the South Carolina game, last night, Travis continued his tradition of missing shots from point blank range. He could be a 25 point a game scorer, if he could hit shots from 2 to 4 foot from the basket.
Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 02-07-2019, 06:09 AM:
I think sometimes we forget when these boys are missing these close in shots how many times they are getting banged on by a big guy from the opposing team. I've found just a little contact from your opponent can alter your shot just enough.
Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 02-07-2019, 07:26 AM:
Reid Travis sure is an enigma! Take that Tip!
Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 02-07-2019, 09:30 AM:
quote:
Reid Travis sure is an enigma! Take that Tip!
That is a tough'n, hc, but I'm thinking Tiptree ain't stumped too bad 'cause it just looks like one of them unnatural words he would know about.
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 02-07-2019, 10:35 AM:
Handy,
Yes. He is a genuine conundrum.
Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 02-07-2019, 11:01 AM:
A different cube.
Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 02-07-2019, 11:02 AM:
See what I mean, hc...just ain't natural...I think they is code words...better watch out...sum'n is up.
Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 02-07-2019, 11:08 AM:
Quote by Tip quote:
Yes. He is a genuine conundrum.
For Goodness Sakes Tip! Get your mind out of the gutter. No one is talking about sexual protection here.
[ 02-07-2019, 11:37 AM: Message edited by: handycat ]
Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 02-07-2019, 11:15 AM:
I haven't had to worry about "sexual protection" in years.
Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 02-07-2019, 11:34 AM:
Me neither Norm...my main focus is on erection not protection.
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 02-07-2019, 11:36 AM:
True story. My wife was in college and as she and her friend (a lovely, but completely absent-minded Chinese lady) were walking to class, they passed a drug store. Her friend exclaimed suddenly "Wait! I have to go buy some prophylactics!"
My wife was very uncomfortable, and had no idea that he friend was sexually active. But, as a dutiful friend, she walked in with her, and was mortified when she loudly asked the pharmacist where the prophylactics were. The pharmacist smiled and pointed to the aisle. My wife's friend, miffed, came back and again loudly said "No! I mean the kind of prophylactics that help you poop!"
My wife was very relieved when she bought her "Ex Lax" and left the store.
Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 02-07-2019, 01:56 PM:
quote:
My wife was very relieved when she bought her "Ex Lax" and left the store.
I always wait 'til I get home before I take that stuff...
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