[jetpilot]

So surprise here. He would be crazy to not take the money right now.

[Spud6]

Agreed. He had to go

[jetpilot]

Kyle Tucker
@KyleTucker_ATH
·
19m
Reed Sheppard + Rob Dillingham = six combined starts, zero SEC or NCAA tournament wins.

It’s hard to fathom having those two — and Antonio Reeves! — in a backcourt and failing to maximize them better than that.

We’ll look back on 2023-24 Kentucky and wonder, HOW THE HELL?!

[jetpilot]

blue World order ??
@_BlueWorldOrder
·
1h
I will never forgive that italian bastard for pissing away Reed Sheppard's first and only year at Kentucky.

[jetpilot]

Red Cup Kentucky
@KentuckyRedCup
·
2h
Calipari should be in federal prison for us only seeing Reed and Rob in one tournament game.

[Old School Hound]

Red Cup Kentucky
@KentuckyRedCup
·
2h
Calipari should be in federal prison for us only seeing Reed and Rob in one tournament game.

Why not blame Reed and Rob for sh!tting their respective pants?  If they had done anything at all... I mean ANY damn thing, Kentucky would have won easily and maybe gone on to the Final Four.   When do we start referring to Reed as one of Cal's mercenaries , and bashing him for disloyalty?  Oh, I get it, that kind of verbiage is reserved for the black kids who decide to move on after a year. White home boy gets a pass. Both Reed and Rob had a chance to play more games at UK but each decided to move on.  And, for the record, I don't blame a kid, white or black, for grabbing the money.  Loyalty to a university is no longer a thing. The only thing a man is loyal to these days are those greenbacks!!!

---

blue World order ??
@_BlueWorldOrder
·
1h
I will never forgive that italian bastard for pissing away Reed Sheppard's first and only year at Kentucky.

Reed pissed away his potential final run with his pitiful, scared performance against Oakland. Only Old School is willing to put the blame where it belongs--- on the terrified shoulders of Eastern Kentucky's great white hope. 

That Italian bastard will have Arkansas porking over Big Blue next season.

[jetpilot]

LOL! Cal was pitiful the last several years and everyone knows it. Those guys crushed Tennessee and Auburn on their home courts but were scared of Oakland on a neutral court? You can't peddle that story anywhere...

[Old School Hound]

Regular season games at Knoxville or on the Plains is one thing. But a" win or your career is done" is another thing altogether. It was very obvious that Reed was scared shitless. He was afraid to even shoot the ball. As much fun as it was to watch him play this season, he melted down when it mattered most.

[jetpilot]

LOL!

[Old School Hound]

Kyle Tucker
@KyleTucker_ATH
·
19m
Reed Sheppard + Rob Dillingham = six combined starts, zero SEC or NCAA tournament wins.

It’s hard to fathom having those two — and Antonio Reeves! — in a backcourt and failing to maximize them better than that.

We’ll look back on 2023-24 Kentucky and wonder, HOW THE HELL?!

Playing scared against the Oaklands of the world will get you those results. Reed was NRFPT and neither were most of the others. Maybe if they'd gotten their feet wet with a win in that first game, they could have dealt with the pressure at that point. That loss was on our players. Cal did everything he could to have them loose. Even took them bowling and treated them to Ellen's pie.

[jetpilot]

Kyle Tucker
@KyleTucker_ATH
·
19m
Reed Sheppard + Rob Dillingham = six combined starts, zero SEC or NCAA tournament wins.

It’s hard to fathom having those two — and Antonio Reeves! — in a backcourt and failing to maximize them better than that.

We’ll look back on 2023-24 Kentucky and wonder, HOW THE HELL?!

Playing scared against the Oaklands of the world will get you those results. Reed was NRFPT and neither were most of the others. Maybe if they'd gotten their feet wet with a win in that first game, they could have dealt with the pressure at that point. That loss was on our players. Cal did everything he could to have them lose. Even took them bowling and treated them to Ellen's pie.

[Old School Hound]

Kyle Tucker
@KyleTucker_ATH
·
19m
Reed Sheppard + Rob Dillingham = six combined starts, zero SEC or NCAA tournament wins.

It’s hard to fathom having those two — and Antonio Reeves! — in a backcourt and failing to maximize them better than that.

We’ll look back on 2023-24 Kentucky and wonder, HOW THE HELL?!

Playing scared against the Oaklands of the world will get you those results. Reed was NRFPT and neither were most of the others. Maybe if they'd gotten their feet wet with a win in that first game, they could have dealt with the pressure at that point. That loss was on our players. Cal did everything he could to have them lose. Even took them bowling and treated them to Ellen's pie.

loose   

[Cactus Jack]

CBS Sports' latest Mock Draft has Sheppard going #8 to Utah; they also have Memphis taking Dillingham at #7.

Draft lottery is just over two weeks away. It will air on May 12th.

[Old School Hound]

CBS Sports' latest Mock Draft has Sheppard going #8 to Utah; they also have Memphis taking Dillingham at #7.

Draft lottery is just over two weeks away. It will air on May 12th.

Salt Lake City is a long way from Laurel County and the the Boston Celtics are much different from the Oakland Golden Grizzlies. Good luck, young man.

[Wildcat_blue]

I predict Shepard takes the money of course and runs (great in itself). Doesn’t pan out at the next level, falls out of public eye, people will forget about him over time with occasional pictures when you see him, and 15 years from now leaving Kentucky is his biggest regret in life. At the end of the day, his father reigns supreme in the eyes of the bluegrass as the legend more than his son. If he would have came back one maybe two years, we have no discussion at all. Kuddos to the family for doing what they feel is best and that’s the all mighty dollar. At the end of the day it’s just a piece of paper worthless in value

[Old School Hound]

I predict Shepard takes the money of course and runs (great in itself).  Doesn’t pan out at the next level, falls out of public eye, people will forget about him over time with occasional pictures when you see him, and 15 years from now leaving Kentucky is his biggest regret in life.  At the end of the day, his father reigns supreme in the eyes of the bluegrass as the legend more than his son.  If he would have came back one maybe two years, we have no discussion at all.  Kuddos to the family for doing what they feel is best and that’s the all mighty dollar.  At the end of the day it’s just a piece of paper worthless in value

Blue, would you have advised your son to forget about that worthless piece of paper and come back to entertain us Big Blue fans , instead?  If so, you would have committed paternal malfeasance. There's no guarantee Reed would ever find himself in this position again.


Yes, college sports is a sad mess nowadays with transfer portals and NIL , but , at the end of the day, can you blame a kid for wanting to cash a big check?  Reed Sheppard owes you and I absolutely nothing! In today's college basketball landscape, the name on the jersey takes a huge backseat to the Benjamins.

[Wildcat_blue]

I predict Shepard takes the money of course and runs (great in itself).  Doesn’t pan out at the next level, falls out of public eye, people will forget about him over time with occasional pictures when you see him, and 15 years from now leaving Kentucky is his biggest regret in life.  At the end of the day, his father reigns supreme in the eyes of the bluegrass as the legend more than his son.  If he would have came back one maybe two years, we have no discussion at all.  Kuddos to the family for doing what they feel is best and that’s the all mighty dollar.  At the end of the day it’s just a piece of paper worthless in value

Blue, would you have advised your son to forget about that worthless piece of paper and come back to entertain us Big Blue fans , instead?  If so, you would have committed paternal malfeasance. There's no guarantee Reed would ever find himself in this position again.


Yes, college sports is a sad mess nowadays with transfer portals and NIL , but , at the end of the day, can you blame a kid for wanting to cash a big check?  Reed Sheppard owes you and I absolutely nothing! In today's college basketball landscape, the name on the jersey takes a huge backseat to the Benjamins.

Personally Reed grows older and finds that money isn’t the main thing to happiness.  Of course, at this age it’s appealing and a must.  In time, personally he regrets not playing for BBN because it was the greatest time in his life.  Owes me and you nothing, moral of the story, money doesn’t buy you happiness!  In the long run he will see that and look back with regret!  Go make it while you can, but there is more too life.  It’s only a worthless piece of paper at the end of the day vs a lifetime of self fulfillment!  He may be contempt with that and good with his decision but more than likely the odds are against him.  Reed isn’t going to be a good NBA player and will be in a corner one day with his emotions of greed vs the game he loves to his soul.  All I’m saying.

[Cactus Jack]

Personally Reed grows older and finds that money isn’t the main thing to happiness.  Of course, at this age it’s appealing and a must.  In time, personally he regrets not playing for BBN because it was the greatest time in his life.  Owes me and you nothing, moral of the story, money doesn’t buy you happiness!  In the long run he will see that and look back with regret!  Go make it while you can, but there is more too life.  It’s only a worthless piece of paper at the end of the day vs a lifetime of self fulfillment!  He may be contempt with that and good with his decision but more than likely the odds are against him. Reed isn’t going to be a good NBA player and will be in a corner one day with his emotions of greed vs the game he loves to his soul.  All I’m saying.

If he isn't going to be a good NBA player, which is your own admission, then he's crazy not to go now if his dream is to play in the NBA.

[Wildcat_blue]

Personally Reed grows older and finds that money isn’t the main thing to happiness.  Of course, at this age it’s appealing and a must.  In time, personally he regrets not playing for BBN because it was the greatest time in his life.  Owes me and you nothing, moral of the story, money doesn’t buy you happiness!  In the long run he will see that and look back with regret!  Go make it while you can, but there is more too life.  It’s only a worthless piece of paper at the end of the day vs a lifetime of self fulfillment!  He may be contempt with that and good with his decision but more than likely the odds are against him. Reed isn’t going to be a good NBA player and will be in a corner one day with his emotions of greed vs the game he loves to his soul.  All I’m saying.

If he isn't going to be a good NBA player, which is your own admission, then he's crazy not to go now if his dream is to play in the NBA.

Or he just goes after his sophomore, junior, or even senior year and make NIL money……………………………..

[Spud6]

Personally Reed grows older and finds that money isn’t the main thing to happiness.  Of course, at this age it’s appealing and a must.  In time, personally he regrets not playing for BBN because it was the greatest time in his life.  Owes me and you nothing, moral of the story, money doesn’t buy you happiness!  In the long run he will see that and look back with regret!  Go make it while you can, but there is more too life.  It’s only a worthless piece of paper at the end of the day vs a lifetime of self fulfillment!  He may be contempt with that and good with his decision but more than likely the odds are against him. Reed isn’t going to be a good NBA player and will be in a corner one day with his emotions of greed vs the game he loves to his soul.  All I’m saying.

If he isn't going to be a good NBA player, which is your own admission, then he's crazy not to go now if his dream is to play in the NBA.

Or he just goes after his sophomore, junior, or even senior year and make NIL money……………………………..

But then you risk the chance of injury and never even getting to be able to go to the NBA if it's bad enough

[Cactus Jack]

Personally Reed grows older and finds that money isn’t the main thing to happiness.  Of course, at this age it’s appealing and a must.  In time, personally he regrets not playing for BBN because it was the greatest time in his life.  Owes me and you nothing, moral of the story, money doesn’t buy you happiness!  In the long run he will see that and look back with regret!  Go make it while you can, but there is more too life.  It’s only a worthless piece of paper at the end of the day vs a lifetime of self fulfillment!  He may be contempt with that and good with his decision but more than likely the odds are against him. Reed isn’t going to be a good NBA player and will be in a corner one day with his emotions of greed vs the game he loves to his soul.  All I’m saying.

If he isn't going to be a good NBA player, which is your own admission, then he's crazy not to go now if his dream is to play in the NBA.

Or he just goes after his sophomore, junior, or even senior year and make NIL money……………………………..

You are conflating money and playing in the NBA.

Playing in the NBA means that you were one of the top 500-600 players in the world at a given time and can say you played at the highest level. It's the pinnacle of achievement.

There are probably plenty of players who'd take less or even pay to be able to say they played in the NBA.

Teams invest more in lottery picks and give them more chances. If Sheppard's dream is to play in the NBA, then now's the time, hands down.

[Cactus Jack]

Less than one week until the Draft Lottery.

Best Odds:
1 - Detroit
2 - Washington
3 - Charlotte
4 - Portland
5 - San Antonio
6 - Toronto* (could go to San Antonio)
7 - Memphis
8 - Utah* (could go to OKC)
9 - Brooklyn (pick goes to Houston)
10 - Atlanta
11 - Chicago
12 - Houston* (could go to OKC)
13 - Sacramento
14 - Golden State* (could go to Portland)

Detroit will pick no lower than five, Washington no lower than six, and so on.

If Toronto gets #7-10, pick goes to the Spurs.
If Utah gets #11-12, pick goes to OKC.
If Houston gets #12-14, pick goes to OKC.
If Golden State gets #14, pick goes to Portland.

Non-Lottery:
15 - Miami
16 - Philadelphia
17 - Los Angeles Lakers (could go to Pelicans)
18 - Orlando
19 - Indiana (to Toronto)
20 - Cleveland
21 - Milwaukee (to New Orleans)
22 - Phoenix
23 - New Orleans (to Milwaukee)
24 - Dallas (to New York)
25 - New York
26 - LA Clippers (to Washington)
27 - Minnesota
28 - Denver
29 - Oklahoma City (to Utah)
30 - Boston

[Cactus Jack]

Draft order is in:

1 - Atlanta
2 - Washington
3 - Houston
4 - San Antonio
5 - Detroit
6 - Charlotte
7 - Portland
8 - San Antonio
9 - Memphis
10 - Utah
11 - Chicago
12 - Oklahoma City
13 - Sacramento
14 - Portland


Going to San Antonio at #4 or #8 could be a real possibility given that they are one of the few teams in the lottery that already has a star.

[Van Hagar]

ESPN’s latest mock draft, updated after the draft lottery, has Sheppard going with the third pick to Houston, Dillingham fourth overall to San Antonio, and Justin Edwards going 26th to Washington.

[Cactus Jack]

ESPN’s latest mock draft, updated after the draft lottery, has Sheppard going with the third pick to Houston, Dillingham fourth overall to San Antonio, and Justin Edwards going 26th to Washington.

Think that the Spurs would love to see Dillingham fall to them at #4, but not sure he does.

[Spud6]

A young roster with Wemby and Dillingham would be fun to watch. Dillingham would thrive with a player like Wemby to counter off of

[Cactus Jack]

A young roster with Wemby and Dillingham would be fun to watch. Dillingham would thrive with a player like Wemby to counter off of

... and to help clean up his mistakes at the rim defensively.

[Cactus Jack]

The Athletic released the following tiers:

Best Bets in a Bad Class:
1. Ron Holland
2. Stephon Castle
3. Donovan Clingan
4. Reed Sheppard

Promising Teenagers:
5. Alex Sarr
6. Nikola Topic
7. Matas Buzelis
8. Rob Dillingham


I've always felt that Ron Holland was a bit underrated given the overall weakness of this class, so I like this list in that regard. Not trying to say that Holland is going to end up being the best of the bunch, but will say that I think he is one of the safest picks. You could put him in any system or on any team and he's a guy whose floor is a rotation piece that will be in the league seven to eight years.

Was very intrigued by Buzelis as a high school recruit and think he could be a real steal IF he develops. Very skinny and will have to stay healthy, but looks skilled and like the type of player who'd thrive in the systems that the game has been moving toward over the past few years.

[Spud6]

The highest vert in the Combine and no one even talking about it hardly.

[-STAT-]

The highest vert in the Combine and no one even talking about it hardly.

All they're talking about is Bronny having the 5th highest in the group. Remember working night shift a few years back, going into Reed & Bronny's senior year, seen a late night replay of one of their AAU games, hype was all around Bronny, but Reed absolutely dominated him the whole game. 

I had a feeling that Reed would leave, and with how weak that they're projecting this draft class, I guess you have to strike while the iron is hot. It will be awesome to see a mountain kid make it to the league, let alone be a top 10 pick, would love to see him teamed up with Wemby in San Antonio. Playing for "coach" Cal to coach Pop will definitely be a world of difference. Hopefully he continues to excel in the draft combine, and pre draft workouts.