That isn't exactly true. Calhoun is hired by the University of connecticut and its actually his job to do what is best for his employer.asically to win basketball games within the rules. This isn't Miracle on 34th Street where the Macys Santa Kris Kringle tells the mother that she can get the toy truck cheaper at Gimbles. But one could argue that by properly advising his players it makes it easier to recruit other good players and hence he is doing what is best for the University in the long run, while in the short run it may not be in his employer's best interest. It isn't in the best interest of the Hartford for its head of sales to tell a client he can get better coverage from Travellers. Though it might be worth it to build a relationship for future deals.
I guess it depends on how you define bad. I've conceded from the beginning that the players are better, but simply having better players doesn't translate into a better game, or maybe a more entertaining game is a better way of putting it. I find the NBA passionless for the most part except late in the playoffs, and not particularly entertaining. And more or less predictable. In a word, boring. Others disagree, which is fine but overall it is a matter of personal preference. Doesn't mean one side is right and one wrong. Only that we have different ways of looking at it.
To an extent that's true, but his first and foremost responsibility is to win basketball games without violating the myirad of NCAA rules that apply ot the program. If he does that, and Calhoun certainly has, then it matters not a bit whether he is Mother Teresa or a Mother F*&$ker to his players, quite honestly. Really his sole responsiblity to them is to coach them at basketball to the best of his ability and to mkae sure they take the steps to remain eligible to play basketball. Now in the real world, things aren't that easily seperated and it is more of question of degrees than a bright line between serving his players and serving the University...but I still think that his first responsibility is to the University.
I can see my point went right over your head so let me put it more simply. If a program continues to send marginal talent to the NBA it runs the risk of creating a culture where academics has no importance. Thus the reason I mention APR. If every Joe thinks he's going pro beginning their freshman year and people don't try to dissuade them, you don't think it erodes kids' focus on working towards graduation and thereby hurts APR?? As for bringing Kentucky into the discussion, is that the type of program you want UCONN to be? First, we'd need to bring in a class of ultra-talented studs every year like they do, and second, as other posters gave written, implement a cupcake course schedule to keep them in good academic standing for their first year to protect our APR. As for your comment about Anthony Davis, there's a big difference between a guy being the consensus top pick and a guy going mid to late first round. I have no problem with the elite players going pro. I do have a problem with the Marcus Williams, Josh Boone's and others of the world doing it. That is my point.
Lamb made some big time shots late in games during that 11 game run last year, but how much of that was helped by teams focusing on stopping Kemba? You do make a good point, which I also alluded to in that he's not good right now at breaking his man off the dribble, but that's what you need to do in the NBA unless you're a complimentary player. That's why I think JL won't get drafted as high as some fans think and would be best suited to be picked by a team that either runs a lot of stuff to free up jump-shooters and/or has a very good PG that is good at breaking down his man. Maybe his value is higher than I'm giving him credit for if a team in the lower half of the lottery has that type of player who can get the ball to JL with a little space and some forward momentum. He always seems at his best when receives that ball while he already has some forward momentum, cutting into the lane from an angle.