The Derby City Classic is an annual event in Louisville where high school basketball players around the country are able to compete and showcase their skills. Traditionally players committed to play for Kentucky, Louisville and Indiana tend to play in this game. This year the four top recruits for Kentucky, Kyle Wiltjer, Michael Gilchrist, Marquis Teague and Anthony Davis will not be making an appearance.
Before I go any further let me add this disclaimer: I am not a fan of Rick Bozich or anything he writes. He is a blowhard that likes to stir up trouble despite claiming to be a bipartisan journalist.
Rick Bozich wrote an article totally trashing the decision that these young men have made. Feel free to read the article here and witness the vial venom spewing from the words. He interviews a Louisville lawyer and a "UK fan" named Dan Owens who recruits for this game. Owens is quoted as saying, "They're disregarding fans and disregarding the tradition of our game." Really, Owens? He also said, "It's insulting to Kentucky fans in the state." I'm a Kentucky fan and I'm not the least bit insulted. And whose game are they disregarding? The game of basketball? No, the all-star game that Dan Owens sponsors and profits by.
What Bozo and this other guy failed to mention that high school players are only allowed to participate in two of these all-star games. The players have already committed to play in the McDonald's All-American game, the grandaddy of them all, and the Jordan Brand Classic, a newer up and coming game that gets all kinds of attention and hype. Both will be televised on ESPN. The Derby City Classic won't be on TV unless you have Wazoo Sports (WAZOOO!!!) or you pony up the money to see it live.
Here's the truth: These four players will be playing for the University of Kentucky next year and fans will be able to see them in person for 16 or 18 home games if they choose. Those kids will ACTUALLY be wearing UK blue at that point in time and will be playing in games that will matter in the NCAA. This stupid Derby City Classic game is meaningless. Choosing the McDonald's and the Jordan games over the Derby City Classic is like choosing the Rose Bowl over the Papajohns.com Bowl.
This Owens guy is mad because he won't be able to sell as many tickets to his game as he usually does due to the lack of UK players. He knows that the UK fan base is the most passionate and supportive of all fan bases and that they would spend their money to see the game but this year they will not be doing so.
Does Bozich think that since DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall didn't play in the game that they robbed UK fans of anything? Come to think of it, when those guys were winning games the thought never crossed my mind that they didn't play in that game. Guess what other Wildcat did not play in that game? Patrick Patterson. Patterson bleeds blue and became one of the best loved players in the history of the program. Do UK fans begrudge Patterson for not playing in the Derby City Classic? Not by a long shot.
It is an honor and a privilege to be invited to any all-star game and these young men decided to go with the best of the best. Good for them. Their families even went out of their way to make a joint statement to the UK fans on their decision, something they should not have had to do:
"We are honored that our sons have been considered for so many prestigious all-star games but the NCAA only allows them to play in two such events. Anthony, Michael, Marquis and Kyle will fulfill their lifelong dreams of playing in the McDonald's All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic."
I was going to look up more on the Derby City Classic but the event doesn't have a website. There isn't even a Wikipedia page up about it. As you can see, it's a real prestigious event.
I will close with saying that I am looking forward to watching these four dominate in actual games that matter for Kentucky and I am encouraged that they are already playing together, making decisions together and making statements together. They are already bonding as teammates. That shows me they understand the team concept and they care about winning.
Unless the fans who purchase tickets to this thing every year want to start complaining about the lack of UK recruits, I think this is a non-issue. Tough to listen to the guy who profits from the Derby classic complain about the Derby classic.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the whole thing is blown way out of proportion. Bozitch is acting like these kids spit on the state flag.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing this Dan Owens dude cares about is making money off of these high school kids. Like he gives a rats a$$ about the state of Kentucky.
I'm a fan of Louisville and UK guys playing in the Derby Classic. I enjoyed watching Buckles and Bledsoe team up to win the 2 on 2 competition. I like getting an early look at the players but who in their right mind would turn down invitations to those two games. We all know the prestige of the Burger game, and the Jordan Brand has too many ties to Nike for potential draftees to pass up on. I don't dislike Bozich, but this is a non-story.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100% Travis. Would I rather see these guys in the DBCC? Sure I would. But it doesn't matter. Bozitch was looking to stir up some trouble. Not unlike what I do on a regualr basis. Except I don't get paid to be accurate and nonbias.
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