SAD NEWS: Kentucky wildcats announced that John calipari is Leaving immediately after Facing…..
The Internet Is Crying About John Calipari Dominating The Mental Warfare Game Heading Into The Start Of The College Basketball Season
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11/03/2023 5:10 PM
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So this was making the rounds last night as Kentucky played its exhibition game. A little ho-hum 46-point win.
I know, I know. It was an exhibition game, but hey, pretty sure some major programs have lost these games. This isn’t about the game though. This isn’t about Tre Mitchell being a huge find in the portal late. This isn’t about Justin Edwards being a star or DJ Wagner continuing to get overlooked. No, this is about John Calipari’s mental warfare. I’ve learned plenty about Coach Cal in the decade-plus he’s been in charge of my team. When he starts pulling quotes like this out, he feels good. That means the team is good. I don’t need my friend Mark Titus to tell me that, Coach Cal does it.
People all over the Internet calling Calipari soft for telling Kentucky State not to play zone? Dummies, he’s just not putting stuff on tape. He’s already played against zone. He doesn’t want the world to know this team can actually shoot the ball. It’s called the element of surprise for when a team tries to run zone against him next week. You don’t play zone against John Calipari, he tells you when to play zone.
It’s no secret this is the most important year in Cal’s run at Kentucky. You can’t go miss tournament, lose to a 15 seed, lose in the second round and have a 4th failure in March. That’s not how it works at Kentucky. People get fired for that. He has a team that works, especially once one of the 3 bigs gets back healthy/eligible. But the mental warfare has started. Early points for Cal, now it’s time to win on the court. Beat New Mexico State.
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Awful Announcing
ESPN shares hilarious John Calipari-Norby Williamson anecdote during game
“Such a good story.”
John Calipari Photo Credit: ESPN
COLLEGE BASKETBALLESPNBy Arthur Weinstein on 11/15/2023
The ESPN crew calling Tuesday night’s Kentucky-Kansas basketball game had some fun at the expense of network executive Norby Williamson.
Late in the first half, Kentucky coach John Calipari became exasperated when one of his players picked up a foul. The cameras showed him burying his face in his hands.
Analyst Jay Bilas quickly stepped in to describe Calipari’s appearance.
“That was the look that [John Calipari] had when he came to ESPN and gave a presentation, and his gift was a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card from our boss Norby Williamson. And when he went to use it, there was nothing on it.” Bilas said.
Bilas and partner Dan Shulman shared a laugh.
The story is evidently the stuff of legend at ESPN, because seconds later, the producer cut to a shot of Williamson sitting court side.
“Such a good story,” Shulman said. “There’s Norby, who’s still hearing about it today, and said, quote, ‘Tell him to get over it!’”
“‘C’mon, tell him to get over it, he’s still telling that story,’” Bilas said Williamson told him.
“Cal does love his Dunkin’ Donuts, he had a big ol’ cup of it at practice today,” Shulman concluded.
“That was the look that [John Calipari] had when he came to ESPN and gave a presentation, and his gift was a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card from our boss Norby Williamson. And when he went to use it, there was nothing on it! “- Jay Bilas
Williamson, who began his career at ESPN in the mailroom in the 1980s, officially carries the title of Executive Editor & Head of Event and Studio Production. In essence, he directly oversees ESPN’s hottest properties, including the NFL, MLB and college football coverage.
Along the way in his career there have been a few stumbles, including controversial decisions to cancel certain shows. Williamson was critical of the late ESPN anchor Stuart Scott’s iconic “Boo-Yah!” catchphrase.
And according to Calipari, he’s been known to hand out a worthless gift card or two.
[Photo Credit: ESPN]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.
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