As I watched Kentucky's awesome comeback in Mississippi State's hostile gym last night (1/2 choke by MSU, 1/2 smothering defense and clutch offense by UK), I kept thinking to myself, "I can't recall a bigger waste of basketball talent in my lifetime than Mississippi State's Renardo Sidney." The picture above -- featuring a guy who can't even get up and down the court more than 4-5 times without needing a break -- is not the same person I saw dominate in the Jordan Brand All-Star Classic four years ago at Madison Square Garden, winning MVP honors against the likes of Derrick Favors, DeMarcus Cousins, Avery Bradley, John Wall, John Henson, and other future collegiate stars and current NBA prospects. Then again, Sidney looked like this when I witnessed that forgotten performance:
Raved about as a potential #1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft -- if you want proof, click here -- Sidney doesn't even look like the same person. I'm thinking Mississippi State either doesn't have a training staff, or coach Rick Stansbury doesn't require his players to hit the gym. In any event, Sidney's case is actually a great recruiting tool to use against Rick Stansbury out on the AAU circuit.
3 comments:
Wow, just read the article and forgot what a prospect he was coming out of school. Guess the authour's prophecy of his lack of effort at times should be editted to say "at all times". Quite pathetic when you think about it, where the hell were the coaches, trainers, and parents of this kid? If I was a parent with this type of talented kid, I'd be protecting the investment aspect of it. They share a large portion of the blame here. Also, it's not as if he hasn't had his problems there, he is virtually uncoachable, constantly in and out of trouble, so no one should be surprised by this development.
And has far as UK's stifling defense, helps when Davis hacks the life out of someone on a dunk doesn't get called and then moultrie goes MMA on Jones for a flagrant and one to follow. I am an anti-UK homer but they get a lot of calls, in the second half of games. All and all though they are awesome on defense and I can only hope the committee is wise enough to put them on the opposite side of the bracket as the heels, could set up a classic final.
For every bad call one way, I'll show you one the other. That's basketball these days, and officials are worse than ever. The first two plays of the second half, the ball went into the post to Terrence Jones, and Moutlrie (built like a brick wall) bumped him enough to cause (a) a travel on one possession, and (b) Jones to almost fall on another. Establishing position is one thing, but those are fouls.
The technical foul called on Davis's dunk was a joke, and could have cost them the game given the timing. I like how ESPN announcers during Sportscenter called it "immature" and shows Davis "has a lot of growing up to do." He was sprinting to the rim, with two guys behind him, and his momentum carried him. He let go of the rim before he event hit the peak. Players are allowed to protect themselves - umm, Evan Turner, broken back, anyone? And if there's one kid on the team who is not immature, it's Anthony Davis. Guy swats sh*t into the 10th row every game, but has not once stared anyone down, talked trash, etc. He's taken beatings this season -- see flagrant foul in LSU game -- and just gets up and plays.
There are a lot of hacks in "professional" journalism these days.
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