TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: Analyst makes the case for Nick Richards as most important player to keep

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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 05-26-2019, 02:17 PM:

Nick Richards and EJ Montgomery have until May 29 to decide whether they will keep their name in the 2019 NBA Draft or return for another season with the Kentucky Wildcats.

Richards appears to be a lock to come back, and at first glance, EJ should be as well. However, there has been an increasing uncertainty as to what Montgomery will ultimately do.

But if only one were to come back, which would you choose?

In my mind, this is an easy choice: EJ Montgomery. From a talent perspective, it’s not that close. From a potential perspective, it’s also not that close. I don’t think there’s much of an argument there.

However, Rivals’ Corey Evans made the case that Richards is actually more important for the Cats to have back than Montgomery.

Obviously, Evans starts by saying EJ is the more talented of the two, which I’m glad he did because I was just as confused as many of you probably were when I started reading this.

But he went on to say that Richards is more important for the team’s sake based on its roster construction.

“Keeping the Wildcats’ roster construction in mind, a glaring hole at center remains despite a bevy of versatile forwards that could fill Montgomery’s role.”

Link

[ 05-26-2019, 02:19 PM: Message edited by: catmandoo ]

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 05-26-2019, 10:35 PM:

No question in my mind that I would love to have them both back, but if I had to choose one, I would definitely take EJ. Today's game isn't built around the big man in the paint like it used to be. EJ's athleticism will complement Sestina's game. Nick and Sestina would be two sub-optimal post players (IMO).

Don't get me wrong. I am one of Richards' biggest fans. I think he will be very valuable to next year's team. But if I had to pick ONLY one of those two, give me EJ.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 05-26-2019, 10:45 PM:

Agree.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 05-27-2019, 07:42 AM:

That's three of us that agree E J is the most valuable of the two. Pretty sure that means Nick will go on to be the greatest player to ever put on a UK uniform.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 05-27-2019, 09:23 AM:

Heh. The TCD Stooges? Handy, you will have to be Curley. [Smile]

I hope we do work our magic and Richards comes back and plays to his potential. His hands improved last year (which I thought was his biggest weakness on offense), but his focus and basketball IQ seems low. We would be so much better on defense if he could play 20-25 minutes and be the rim protector we so badly need.

[ 05-27-2019, 09:24 AM: Message edited by: Tiptree ]

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 05-27-2019, 10:10 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Tiptree:
No question in my mind that I would love to have them both back, but if I had to choose one, I would definitely take EJ. Today's game isn't built around the big man in the paint like it used to be. EJ's athleticism will complement Sestina's game. Nick and Sestina would be two sub-optimal post players (IMO).

Don't get me wrong. I am one of Richards' biggest fans. I think he will be very valuable to next year's team. But if I had to pick ONLY one of those two, give me EJ.

Ditto