Congrats Jodie and I wish the best. For those that think it is selfish or greedy–put yourself in his shoes and then make that call. It is selfish of you to want him to come back to better our team instead of supporting him in his decision.
Thanks for the memories Jodie and BBN supports you for life.
Nobody wins here. I think this is the wrong decision for Jodie, as I don’t think he goes in the first round, and therefore has to fight for a roster spot. It definitely weakens our team next year as well. That said, he’s a kid, and we should all stand behind him, regardless.
If he got his 1st round guarantee then I can’t say I fault him.
This obviously doesn’t matter to him, and that’s fine, but this is why Patrick is going to be remembered so much more fondly over time than Jodie will be. How did we end up getting the guy back we were all but guaranteed to lose, and the one who seemed like a no brainer bids us farewell? Sucks, seriously.
Bad call. Late 2nd round pick. Kids just don’t care about College ball anymore and National Titles. This is why the NBA sucks. Not to mention how less exciting it is.
On a related note…we found out yesterday the stallions haven’t finished their tryouts yet. Yes I am bitter. It’ll be interesting to see if he got that guarantee or if he wanted to go regardless
Jodie - two things — good luck in your quest, I do hope however that you don’t end up playing ball in Turkey or who knows where. And, secondly - come back and get your degree. Thanks for the memories.
BTW, I can see how this thread is going to go. I’m just going to ask people to remember something.
I guarantee you 99% of the people in this thread and on this board are really happy for Jodie, including myself. But they’re going to be frustrated and disappointed. No need for anyone to put themselves up on some pedestal and talk down to anyone about how they SHOULD be feeling or what they SHOULD be saying. Let people vent here and we can come back later to congratulate Jodie.
A few late draft drop-outs and Jodie couldn’t resist staying in. He would be better off coming back to college, but he obviously wanted to go no matter what. Oh well, UK will still be a contender. We tend to forget about Jon Hood. He could fill it up for us and he is a Kentucky kid with a heart of Blue.
He would have played over 30 minutes/game for sure, so I think you can pretty much spread his minutes over about 4 different players, who will all get more playing time now: Hood, Dodson, Bledsoe, Miller. As to who “starts” in his place…. he who earns it, gets it.
I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I am, but he’s a UK man, so there’s no way I won’t be supporting him in his decision (although I think he made a mistake). I really hope he gets picked in the first round, that’ll make me a lot happier about what happened today.
I was not very confident at the start of the day. It just felt like Jodie was looking for a reason to stay in the draft as opposed to looking for a reason to come back.
It’s hilarious how we haven’t even had 1 not even 1 practice let a lone a game and people are already saying elite 8 FF sweet sixteen at best. Yes Jodie would have been a HUGE help in getting there but we have no clue what are new guys can do. Hood can shoot, Dodson is supposed to be able to light it up. So lets chill with all this END of SEASON predictions and support Jodie on his decision and get behind our 09-10 Wildcats!!!!
Sorry to see Jodie go, and he is a quality person, and a good player, but I think some are overestimating what his worth would have been to next year’s team. Yes, we will miss his scoring, and other abilities, BUT we have plenty of talent to fill his spot. I feel very confident that Cal has moved on, and has great expectations for the players on the roster. So should we - even while wishing Jodie the best.
#24 - kenan14 - Who turns down a Senior year on a deep NCAA stacked team as the marquee player?
Your either first round or your not. He’s never been projected there by anyone.
That’s stupid.
Look at Kelenna. It took him how many years to get a roster spot?
I’m not disappointed that he’s leaving. I’m disappointed that he’s unable to seperate his emotions from the issue and make a decision with his brain.
As far as UK Basketball goes, I think there is potential for us to be better without him this season. He would have been a senior yes but he didn’t really show leadership. He didn’t play the team game.
Hope things work out well for Jodie, I loved watching him play, and he has my best wishes. I also think the Cats are still a Top 20 team without him, thought their chances a Final Four run are obviously diminished without Jodie’s scoring threat to open up things for Patrick and the other front court players.
Although I really, REALLY hate to see him go; I wish him the best. He seems like a great level headed kid who deserves nothing but the best. He will always be one of my faves and an unforgettable player.
“OH MAN, OUR SEASON IS RUINED!!!” Pleeeeeeeeeease! You people are acting like the season is over! Of course, we all wanted Jodie to stay, but can we really blame him for leaving?? He has the opportunity to play basketball for millions of dollars, and he had to know that his draft stock was not going to be higher than it is at this point. We all need to support Jodie and his decision, because it’s going to be a BLAST to watch him light it up in the NBA
P.S. - We have 2 unreal point guards AND Patrick Patterson…. we will be fine!
#43, every point you made is idiotic…. thus, making you an idiot!
43 - I see where you’re coming from, but I disagree with you. We have no idea about who may have given him a guarantee. I would think that he wouldn’t cancel a tryout (the Portland one) without some type of knowledge that he was secure in a spot. The projections have all been opinion anyway. I just think that there are some attractive landing spots after the 20th spot in the draft. I understand that come the 25th, if his name isn’t called first round, then it goes into the file with Kelenna and Joe Crawford and you hope that he finds a spot/chance. All it takes is one team, and it’s a fantastic decision. Just my thoughts.
I honestly think he is better than half the players in mock drafts in the first round/lottery, but he isn’t getting that feedback. They’re not telling him that they will take him.
Why the world is he so Hell-bent on going this year?!?!
He really could have improved his stock for never year, I thought.
It feels like a girlfriend that you had a really good run with, just met some guy, and is going to go ahead and leave with him tonight, and for the rest of your lives. It makes no sense to me and I honestly as a hardcore UK fan feel a little slapped in the face by this. Did he hate playing for UK THAT much? What can the NBA really offer him right away that he could not wait for?
I know it’s “his dream” apparently, but Jesus, a dream can’t wait a year? Most of us never even get a chance to even have a shot at our dreams and he just bolts like BCG is still here.
I don’t know. I just think it might have ruined our chances to win a National title. That isn’t my main pain right now. I just wanted to see him one more season at UK. Now…I can’t.
I am very disappointed in this decision, but I wish him the best…blah, blah, blah….
I hate to hear Meeks is leaving and think it’s a huge mistake on his part. However, I support his decision and wish him the best of luck. No worries folks, everything will be alright.
Best of luck to you Jodie. I will never be mad at someone who dropped 54 on UT like it was his job! Ray Aleen is getting old, maybe he can hook up with Rondo!
61 - Nice lineup and probably spot-on. Although, I’ve heard Orton is better than people think and will challenge Cousins for a spot in the lineup. Sorry, Meeks, but you can’t dampen my enthusiasm for BB season!
I’m just glad we won’t have to watch whatever it was that he did at the end of his drives, i believe the rest of the world calls them layups. If jodie meeks would just look at the rim when he goes to the rack he would have much more success. good luck my nondribbling friend, i am kinda glad he is gone.
So much for the “1ST round guarantee to stay in the draft.” He wanted to leave all along and it showed, as he kept amending his statements. Praise him all you want, but the guy had one good year (when UK was terrible), then jumped for the NBA money while leaving a team where he could finally have some winning success in college.
This is not surprize- it has been obivious for some time that Jodie was intent on staying in
the draft. His value will never be higher than now with probably three players, from our team
being drafted ahead of him next year.
I know people are going to say that his high scoring and shooting this year were only due to the fact that no one else could play and he didn’t have anyone to make up the scoring if he didn’t do it (and you’d be right).
But I think hes had a hidden agenda all year to do whatever to make the jump after the year. For every 30+ scoring game he had making a high % shot he had a 20 pt game with a terrible % (to go along with good free throws). Not to mention the constant driving in to double and triple teams just to try and score. He wanted attention, and he got it (remember the Meeks for MVP talk).
With that said, I can’t blame him for doing it, because without the attention of those high scoring games, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. He wouldn’t be where he is coming off an injury ridden season just averaging 20 pts a game with no spectacular scoring games. So I’ve seen this coming all season. Maybe Im alone…..
BUT… with that said, good luck Jodie. While Im seriously rooting for you, I think we all need to hope for a couple surprise withdrawls today in order for him to get in the first round. If not, good luck in the D-League…..
But we’ve still got too much to look forward to next year to be too bummed about it. We may not be a pre-season top 5 or whatever, but who cares about pre-season rankings. Cal will get us there by March without Meeks. Like we all said about the recruits we won’t get, no one player will define a season for UK anymore….. and thats certainly the same for Jodie Meeks.
So we are still going to have a good year. Lots of talented, fast guards who will be able to get to the basket, and one of the best front courts in the nation. How much do you think not having a solid lights out 3 point shooter will hurt us?
I’m disappinted that he won’t be back, as are most UK fans. But I’m not going to bash him or his family. H eis doing what he thinks is best for him - as it should be. I wish Jodie all the best in his future - he deserves it. Some of you on here need to get a life - you are sickening. I’m not surprised - there are about 10% of UK fans that are complete idiots and they are showing their asses on here today.
second and lesser: i find it a bit odd that in this wild, wild offseason and since getting Cal, that the 2 things i thought were slam dunks , having JMeeks back for his senior year and getting the X.Henry (since he had already signed on to play for Cal at Memphis)…well NEITHER is happening…but, all in all, i think we’ll be alright … GL again Mr. Meeks, i wish you the best, come back and see us sometime
also, i’d add that Meeks knows what it is to miss the majority of a season to injury … probably weighed heavily in his decision as far as a risk factor for coming back
Now we’re hearing that sources are saying he has nothing resembling a first round guarantee and he left anyway.
I guess some people were right after all. He really never did have any intentions of returning here. That disappoints me a lot, especially in light of Patrick’s decision to turn down almost guaranteed later lottery money to be here. Once more, this is why Patterson will be remembered as a legend, and Jodie will be good nice shooter who put up the school record that one time in Tennessee.
#84–You are correct. Been trying to say that but this server does not like me.
Congrats Jodie and as much as it pains us to see you go, you made the right choice under the circumstances.
With Cal and Tubby in his camp, his likely destinations are Chicago, Minnesota or Memphis. One of those teams told him they would draft him. If not and he is rolling the dice, it is still a better choice than trying to get drafted next year.
we have plenty of talent to fill the void. Plus, something that scared me about jodie comming back is him taking the game into his hands and being a ball hog trying to lock up that first round pick next year, which would have killed us in the long…(thats how i turn a negitive into a positive.)
And the fact of the matter is that Jodie was looking for reasons to stay in the draft, if he had 10 people giving him advice and 7 of them said go back to UK, and 3 said go to the NBA he would have listened to the 3 but thats his decison and i hope the best for him.
and finally…today in the NBA, teams are more likely to take a risk on a european player then a college player which will kill a player like Jodie, and could push him back deep into the 2nd round
we have plenty of talent to fill the void. Plus, something that scared me about jodie comming back is him taking the game into his hands, and being a ball hog trying to lock up that first round pick next year, which would have killed us in the long…(thats how i turn a negitive into a positive.)
And the fact of the matter is that Jodie was looking for reasons to stay in the draft, if he had 10 people giving him advice and 7 of them said go back to UK, and 3 said go to the NBA he would have listened to the 3 but thats his decison and i hope the best for him.
and finally…today in the NBA, teams are more likely to take a risk on a european player then a college player which will kill a player like Jodie, and could push him back deep into the 2nd round which would make this look like the wrong decision
Its comments like #6 that gives the rest of the UK fanbase a bad name. Jodie made an unbelievably hard decision for HIMSELF and the BIG BLUE NATION needs to support that. Grow some class #6 or find another team to support. Good luck Jodie, u will be sorely missed
Well I would damn sure have lost this bet. I wish him all the success in the world, but I have to admit I don’t understand the move, unless he got the deal that he was looking for.
i think with a Cal statement i seen, the lineup might be
PG: Wall Back up: Bledsoe
SG: Miller Back up: Hood
SF: Dodson Back up: Liggins/Harris?
PF: PPat Back up: Stevenson
C: Cousins/Orton
Good luck JM..hope you made the right call, but let’s face it, how many people are going to buy the nba ticket to watch him play very limited time. If he is on a team that is on espn or tnt, then you may watch…unless you know he is not going to get any run.
Anyway, hope everything works out for JM…..he’s got his shot to play a game for money and a lot of it.
No way, next season, that Jodie gets half of the national media coverage, as he did last season. People are only predicting him to go pick 20-30 next season. So why sit in for another coach, and only improve 5-7 spots? Good luck Jodie, we all love you, no matter how stupid some of us sound.
“He shouldn’t have gone pro”…says all the slow, unathletic fans who couldn’t get drafted by a professional croquet league. As Doc Holliday said, “it appears your hypocrisy knows no bounds”…
Obviously it’s Jodie’s decision to make, no one can make it for him. Having said that, and now being aware that Jodie was not guaranteed a spot in the first round, this seems like a monumentally bad decision.
As fans, all we can do is support our players. That includes the decisions they make, good and bad. I will certainly be rooting for Jodie on draft night, but I’m very concerned that he’s in for a major disappointment. I think he’s really rolling the dice on his future. Still, I wish Jodie nothing but the best! I truly hope the gamble works out for him.
While I wish Meeks nothing but the best and hope he has a long NBA career, his decision is quite risky. Several (if not many) NBA teams are bleeding cash right now and I have read rumors that a few of them are close to going under unless the league steps in with a bailout. If those rumors are true, I think it is entirely possible that several teams (including those with mid-first round selections) will draft a European player for one of two reasons: one, by drafting a Euro-player the team doesn’t have to worry about signing the guy in the near future, if ever; two, by drafting a Euro-player, the team can avoid paying the high salary a college kid would demand. I think you could see a couple of teams in the 14-19 area draft one of these guys, which would mean that some talented players would drop into the laps of the 20-30 picks. Unfortunately for Jodie, this ripple effect would push him into the second round, where the money ain’t all that great. Remember what Coach Cal said at his presser after Patterson returned: it isn’t about your first contract, it’s about your second but what you make in your first highly influences your second.
Well, here is my thoughts on the situation. Obviously I am disapointed, pissed, and a little worried about how this situation hurts our chances to cut down the nets next year. After putting some serious thought in to this, there are 5 things we must understand. (I’m not trying to be an ass like half of these fans on here, just being realistic.)
1. Meeks had better go first round in the draft or much respect will be lost for him! We have know way of knowing whether he is guaranteed or not but we will find out soon enough. If he doesn’t, he lied to us in the whole process so I don’t want to hear, well what would you do if you were in his shoes. Maybe I would go too but I would not say I would come back if not guaranteed and then not do it. He told us he would come back if he wasn’t guaranteed. Point Blank! No other argument for him can be made.
2. Meeks has never been the type of player to love the Kentucky blue like some others (example: Patterson, Chuck Hayes, Tony Delk, etc.) If there was one thing, I thought hurt meeks his whole career, it was the fact that he forced many shots(I understand last year, he probably had to). To me he was a little selfish on the court. For example, who’s dad got pissed at the former coach because he didn’t make a big deal about his 54 point game. I’m pretty sure it was Mr. Meeks. I have to agree with Billy here, this is Kentucky Basketball, Not Jodie Meeks Basketball. Yes what a great feat, but just play, you are going to get recognition anyway, you shouldn’t have to have your coach single you out. He was a little selfish!
3. We lost a great chance of getting a top 5 recruit in Xavier Henry because Meeks was a probable to come back. This would have def sealed the idea of us having best recruiting class ever if we don’t already anyways. But once again hopefully he is a guarantee and he didn’t know at the time of the recruitment process what his status was. If he isn’t, even more of a reason to lose respect for him.
4. It is definitely true that our Former Coach had some PR problems and done some stupid things during his tenure here but I think we may need to give him a break on the Meeks issue. There was a lot of talk about the coach and player and how Billy called Jodie selfish and not a team player. It seemed Jodie was an I player instead of a team player. Look at his latest comments to the lexington Herald. “I had one of the best seasons in Kentucky History”. Yes Jodie, you probably did but once again you are talking about yourself. We already know this! Jodie Meeks was not the example of a great team player!
5. We need to realize how special a Patrick Patterson is. Here is guy who was a lock to be top 20 and is coming back because he loves, Kentucky, his teammates, and this great state that eats and breathes basketball. You take a guy like Meeks that isn’t even a lock to be drafted, passing up on getting his degree, passing up on a chance to play for a national title with the hopes (not guarantee) of making money. Guys like Patrick Patterson are who we should truly appreciate it no matter what the outcome is with Meeks. Yes many of us fans probably would go pro if we were Meeks but it takes a special person to do what Patrick Patterson is doing. I love that guy!
Finally I just want to say once again, I am not bashing Jodie Meeks or hating on him. He has been a very good player at Kentucky and may have a pro career but I think it is important to understand this situation and the type of person Jodie Meeks really is compared to the likes of a Patrick Patterson!
Good luck jodie and thank you for 3 great years. Thank you for loving Kentucky basketball enough to stay when the coach who recruited you turned his back on you. Thank you for staying even though an asshole coach questioned your manhood during a tough junior season and then still coming back and playing another year for that lunatic. Through your 3 year stay here you personified team play and unselfishness. Lastly thanks to his parents for raising such a fine young man we can all be proud to call a wildcat.
Sad to see him go but it was the right move for him. He will definitely go first round, possibly in the top 20. Next year’s draft will be much stronger. Best of luck Jodie! You will be missed.
Kelenna Azubuike all over again. Except Kelenna had a legitimate reason to make money immediately. Jodie was overanxious. I think his family was surprised by his sudden NBA interest, and wanted to capitalize on that opportunity before it closed. I think he could have improved his GAME and his draft stock under Cal, but after all those coaching changes and injuries, Jodie didn’t want to take that chance. It will be good/bad for him, but like Azubuike, he leaves UK when he is most beloved and most looked forward to, thus making his departure so sour.
The class next year is much better and there was talk they may push Jodie out of the 1st round no matter what type of year he had. He’s going for the cash and you can’t blame him.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:15 am
bad call
June 15th, 2009 at 11:15 am
God damn it.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:15 am
crap
June 15th, 2009 at 11:15 am
well…crap hockey
June 15th, 2009 at 11:16 am
at least we still have Razor
June 15th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I guess we not only ran him off but we made him stupid too.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Damn, disappointing as a UK fan. Happy for Jodie though. I hope he tears it up in the pros. He’s a great kid.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am
can we somehow convince Mike Porter to come back!!?????
June 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am
I wish I could say I’m happy for him, but I’m just not right now.
Maybe I will be later.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Saw this coming like a freight train.
Congrats Jodie and I wish the best. For those that think it is selfish or greedy–put yourself in his shoes and then make that call. It is selfish of you to want him to come back to better our team instead of supporting him in his decision.
Thanks for the memories Jodie and BBN supports you for life.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Nobody wins here. I think this is the wrong decision for Jodie, as I don’t think he goes in the first round, and therefore has to fight for a roster spot. It definitely weakens our team next year as well. That said, he’s a kid, and we should all stand behind him, regardless.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Good for him. Hopefully he’ll get that first-round pick and follow his dreams.
We should be completely happy for him! He’s a Wildcat that gave us a Herculean effort the last two years. He’s earned the right to follow his dreams.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Best of luck to you Jodie, hope you get drafted by a team I can root for.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:20 am
this sucks….
June 15th, 2009 at 11:20 am
If he got his 1st round guarantee then I can’t say I fault him.
This obviously doesn’t matter to him, and that’s fine, but this is why Patrick is going to be remembered so much more fondly over time than Jodie will be. How did we end up getting the guy back we were all but guaranteed to lose, and the one who seemed like a no brainer bids us farewell? Sucks, seriously.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:20 am
June 15th, 2009 at 11:21 am
time to change my screen name to “rose2meeks”
June 15th, 2009 at 11:22 am
All I’m gonna say is keep your eye on Xavier Henry.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Bad call. Late 2nd round pick. Kids just don’t care about College ball anymore and National Titles. This is why the NBA sucks. Not to mention how less exciting it is.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:22 am
best of luck jodie!
dont feel bad, though, while you’re posted in the dleague while the cats hang #8 in april…just a hunch
June 15th, 2009 at 11:23 am
report about bledsoe playing well in pickup yesterday has a little more weight to it now…
June 15th, 2009 at 11:23 am
On a related note…we found out yesterday the stallions haven’t finished their tryouts yet. Yes I am bitter. It’ll be interesting to see if he got that guarantee or if he wanted to go regardless
June 15th, 2009 at 11:23 am
So starting five now: Pat, Cousins, Bledsoe, Wall, Miller?
June 15th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Bad bad move. Welcome to D league jodie. Yes I am ticked, I’ll be nice later
June 15th, 2009 at 11:23 am
6 - ‘made him stupid’? Really? I can understand the sentiment of being upset that he’s not coming back, but calling him stupid? I don’t get it.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:24 am
its official, coach cal tweeted it.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Jodie - two things — good luck in your quest, I do hope however that you don’t end up playing ball in Turkey or who knows where. And, secondly - come back and get your degree. Thanks for the memories.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:25 am
what is our starting lineup going to look like now????
Cousins
Patterson
Miller
Wall
??????Dodson???Bledsoe???Harris???Liggins?
June 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am
BTW, I can see how this thread is going to go. I’m just going to ask people to remember something.
I guarantee you 99% of the people in this thread and on this board are really happy for Jodie, including myself. But they’re going to be frustrated and disappointed. No need for anyone to put themselves up on some pedestal and talk down to anyone about how they SHOULD be feeling or what they SHOULD be saying. Let people vent here and we can come back later to congratulate Jodie.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am
wall
bledsoe/miller/hood
miller/hood/dodson
pat/orton/stevenson
cousins/orton
June 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am
This will be a very talented team, but NO ONE can shoot past 10 feet.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Maybe he got a guarantee from a team they would pick him up?
June 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Following the Meeks story via Twitter updates… Jared Carter informs the masses he’s eating at Boston Market
June 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am
so what happens with the open scholarship? any ideas?
June 15th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Good luck to him. I look forward to following his career in the NBA.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:28 am
A few late draft drop-outs and Jodie couldn’t resist staying in. He would be better off coming back to college, but he obviously wanted to go no matter what. Oh well, UK will still be a contender. We tend to forget about Jon Hood. He could fill it up for us and he is a Kentucky kid with a heart of Blue.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:29 am
He would have played over 30 minutes/game for sure, so I think you can pretty much spread his minutes over about 4 different players, who will all get more playing time now: Hood, Dodson, Bledsoe, Miller. As to who “starts” in his place…. he who earns it, gets it.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I am, but he’s a UK man, so there’s no way I won’t be supporting him in his decision (although I think he made a mistake). I really hope he gets picked in the first round, that’ll make me a lot happier about what happened today.
I was not very confident at the start of the day. It just felt like Jodie was looking for a reason to stay in the draft as opposed to looking for a reason to come back.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Good Luck Jodie. We will miss you, but we will watch you in the NBA. Thanks for all you did for the Big Blue!
June 15th, 2009 at 11:37 am
It’s hilarious how we haven’t even had 1 not even 1 practice let a lone a game and people are already saying elite 8 FF sweet sixteen at best. Yes Jodie would have been a HUGE help in getting there but we have no clue what are new guys can do. Hood can shoot, Dodson is supposed to be able to light it up. So lets chill with all this END of SEASON predictions and support Jodie on his decision and get behind our 09-10 Wildcats!!!!
June 15th, 2009 at 11:39 am
server is crashin
June 15th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Sorry to see Jodie go, and he is a quality person, and a good player, but I think some are overestimating what his worth would have been to next year’s team. Yes, we will miss his scoring, and other abilities, BUT we have plenty of talent to fill his spot. I feel very confident that Cal has moved on, and has great expectations for the players on the roster. So should we - even while wishing Jodie the best.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:42 am
shew, i was really gonna get a meeks jersey. but now ill just settle for a wall jersey
June 15th, 2009 at 11:43 am
#24 - kenan14 - Who turns down a Senior year on a deep NCAA stacked team as the marquee player?
Your either first round or your not. He’s never been projected there by anyone.
That’s stupid.
Look at Kelenna. It took him how many years to get a roster spot?
I’m not disappointed that he’s leaving. I’m disappointed that he’s unable to seperate his emotions from the issue and make a decision with his brain.
As far as UK Basketball goes, I think there is potential for us to be better without him this season. He would have been a senior yes but he didn’t really show leadership. He didn’t play the team game.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:49 am
No title shot now….but we can be one of the upper also rans.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Hope things work out well for Jodie, I loved watching him play, and he has my best wishes. I also think the Cats are still a Top 20 team without him, thought their chances a Final Four run are obviously diminished without Jodie’s scoring threat to open up things for Patrick and the other front court players.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Although I really, REALLY hate to see him go; I wish him the best. He seems like a great level headed kid who deserves nothing but the best. He will always be one of my faves and an unforgettable player.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:55 am
“OH MAN, OUR SEASON IS RUINED!!!” Pleeeeeeeeeease! You people are acting like the season is over! Of course, we all wanted Jodie to stay, but can we really blame him for leaving?? He has the opportunity to play basketball for millions of dollars, and he had to know that his draft stock was not going to be higher than it is at this point. We all need to support Jodie and his decision, because it’s going to be a BLAST to watch him light it up in the NBA
P.S. - We have 2 unreal point guards AND Patrick Patterson…. we will be fine!
#43, every point you made is idiotic…. thus, making you an idiot!
June 15th, 2009 at 11:55 am
#5 he should have been one of the players shown the door!!!!!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
43 - I see where you’re coming from, but I disagree with you. We have no idea about who may have given him a guarantee. I would think that he wouldn’t cancel a tryout (the Portland one) without some type of knowledge that he was secure in a spot. The projections have all been opinion anyway. I just think that there are some attractive landing spots after the 20th spot in the draft. I understand that come the 25th, if his name isn’t called first round, then it goes into the file with Kelenna and Joe Crawford and you hope that he finds a spot/chance. All it takes is one team, and it’s a fantastic decision. Just my thoughts.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
It may not be over….
If he doesn’t sign an agent & goes undrafted, he could return for his Senior Season & would be a free agent next year (example : Randolph Morris)
June 15th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
#47 - UK98Champs - That means a lot to me.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Well, good luck Jodie. Thanks. All I’m gonna say.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
hope he tears it up in the D-League next year so he will get his chance
June 15th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
#50 - Blueyouaway - And that would be smart?
He doesn’t want to go to school. He wants money.
What do we do with his scholarship? Give it to Pilgrim?
June 15th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Sorry to see you go, Jodie. Best of luck.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
What is Noel Johnson waiting for….hummm!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Glad to see the only people wearing Kentucky jerseys next year will be kids who want to be here.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
This was a huge mistake.
I honestly think he is better than half the players in mock drafts in the first round/lottery, but he isn’t getting that feedback. They’re not telling him that they will take him.
Why the world is he so Hell-bent on going this year?!?!
He really could have improved his stock for never year, I thought.
It feels like a girlfriend that you had a really good run with, just met some guy, and is going to go ahead and leave with him tonight, and for the rest of your lives. It makes no sense to me and I honestly as a hardcore UK fan feel a little slapped in the face by this. Did he hate playing for UK THAT much? What can the NBA really offer him right away that he could not wait for?
I know it’s “his dream” apparently, but Jesus, a dream can’t wait a year? Most of us never even get a chance to even have a shot at our dreams and he just bolts like BCG is still here.
I don’t know. I just think it might have ruined our chances to win a National title. That isn’t my main pain right now. I just wanted to see him one more season at UK. Now…I can’t.
I am very disappointed in this decision, but I wish him the best…blah, blah, blah….
June 15th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Glad to see the only people wearing Kentucky jerseys next year will be kids who want to be here.
Had Jodie returned and we won the NCAA’s his jersey would have been retired. Especially with the school record for points in a game.
That means nothing to him. Yes, I can say that with certainty.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I hate to hear Meeks is leaving and think it’s a huge mistake on his part. However, I support his decision and wish him the best of luck. No worries folks, everything will be alright.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
So we start our first game like this right?
PG: Wall
SG: Bledsoe
SF: Miller
PF: Cousins
C: Patterson
June 15th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
MEEKS: thanks for the most amazing performance in a game I have ever seen live I loved every moment and I wish him
the best of luck in the NBA.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Best of luck to you Jodie. I will never be mad at someone who dropped 54 on UT like it was his job! Ray Aleen is getting old, maybe he can hook up with Rondo!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
OMG… why did I just knockout my mailman?
Why won’t he get up?
Marc Maggard was right for once??? WTF is going on here!!!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
*Allen. Man, I am dumb.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Always wondered why Noel Johnson is taking so long….
June 15th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
We have an open scholarship!!!
Hey Calipari! You know what to do! Yeeehawww!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
61 - Nice lineup and probably spot-on. Although, I’ve heard Orton is better than people think and will challenge Cousins for a spot in the lineup. Sorry, Meeks, but you can’t dampen my enthusiasm for BB season!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I’m just glad we won’t have to watch whatever it was that he did at the end of his drives, i believe the rest of the world calls them layups. If jodie meeks would just look at the rim when he goes to the rack he would have much more success. good luck my nondribbling friend, i am kinda glad he is gone.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Spurned by Xavier Henry, spurned by Jodie Meeks. When will it all end? Boo hoo. Good luck Meeks, you’re a classy kid.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
[...] KentuckySportsRadio.Com [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Who shoots the 3’s? We need a stroker ace. Who’s it gonna be folks?
June 15th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
So much for the “1ST round guarantee to stay in the draft.” He wanted to leave all along and it showed, as he kept amending his statements. Praise him all you want, but the guy had one good year (when UK was terrible), then jumped for the NBA money while leaving a team where he could finally have some winning success in college.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
This is a mistake by Jodie and family.
Didn’t he say that he would come back if he was going in the 2nd round?
What happened to that promise?
If they got a guarantee…great!!!
But I bet he didn’t…
Jodie’s just deluded by his personal aspirations of making it in the NBA…and this totally overrides his loyalty to his former teammates.
ALL HAIL PATRICK PATTERSON!!!!!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Well, NOW what will we have to talk about…….
June 15th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
This is not surprize- it has been obivious for some time that Jodie was intent on staying in
the draft. His value will never be higher than now with probably three players, from our team
being drafted ahead of him next year.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Testing, testing. Is this thing on?
June 15th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I hope Patrick goes off for 55 next year at UT.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Good Luck to jodie. I cant say Im too shocked.
I know people are going to say that his high scoring and shooting this year were only due to the fact that no one else could play and he didn’t have anyone to make up the scoring if he didn’t do it (and you’d be right).
But I think hes had a hidden agenda all year to do whatever to make the jump after the year. For every 30+ scoring game he had making a high % shot he had a 20 pt game with a terrible % (to go along with good free throws). Not to mention the constant driving in to double and triple teams just to try and score. He wanted attention, and he got it (remember the Meeks for MVP talk).
With that said, I can’t blame him for doing it, because without the attention of those high scoring games, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. He wouldn’t be where he is coming off an injury ridden season just averaging 20 pts a game with no spectacular scoring games. So I’ve seen this coming all season. Maybe Im alone…..
BUT… with that said, good luck Jodie. While Im seriously rooting for you, I think we all need to hope for a couple surprise withdrawls today in order for him to get in the first round. If not, good luck in the D-League…..
But we’ve still got too much to look forward to next year to be too bummed about it. We may not be a pre-season top 5 or whatever, but who cares about pre-season rankings. Cal will get us there by March without Meeks. Like we all said about the recruits we won’t get, no one player will define a season for UK anymore….. and thats certainly the same for Jodie Meeks.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
If I am Cal one more Xavier henry is unhappy rumor and I am on the first plane out of there!!!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Headline:
Joey Meeks - Another piece of the Tubby legacy disappoints Kentucky.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
he wont do that. him going undrafted is 100% NOT going to happen. he is too good
June 15th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Some of you people are total jokes.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
He would have improved his game at UK but not his draft position. Next years draft is too strong.
Thank you Meeks! I cannot imagine how bad we would have been this past year without you!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
81, they make Zoloft for folks like yourself…might seek help.
in other news…
HOW DID WE NOT MAKE THE TOURNEY LAST YEAR WITH MEEKS AND PATTERSON!?!?!
Damn, BG was terrible!
GO CATS!!!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
So we are still going to have a good year. Lots of talented, fast guards who will be able to get to the basket, and one of the best front courts in the nation. How much do you think not having a solid lights out 3 point shooter will hurt us?
June 15th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
GET READY FOR A PACKED IN ZONE…EVERY SINGLE GAME.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I’m disappinted that he won’t be back, as are most UK fans. But I’m not going to bash him or his family. H eis doing what he thinks is best for him - as it should be. I wish Jodie all the best in his future - he deserves it. Some of you on here need to get a life - you are sickening. I’m not surprised - there are about 10% of UK fans that are complete idiots and they are showing their asses on here today.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
first and foremost: GOOD LUCK TO JODIE!
second and lesser: i find it a bit odd that in this wild, wild offseason and since getting Cal, that the 2 things i thought were slam dunks , having JMeeks back for his senior year and getting the X.Henry (since he had already signed on to play for Cal at Memphis)…well NEITHER is happening…but, all in all, i think we’ll be alright … GL again Mr. Meeks, i wish you the best, come back and see us sometime
June 15th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
also, i’d add that Meeks knows what it is to miss the majority of a season to injury … probably weighed heavily in his decision as far as a risk factor for coming back
June 15th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Now we’re hearing that sources are saying he has nothing resembling a first round guarantee and he left anyway.
I guess some people were right after all. He really never did have any intentions of returning here. That disappoints me a lot, especially in light of Patrick’s decision to turn down almost guaranteed later lottery money to be here. Once more, this is why Patterson will be remembered as a legend, and Jodie will be good nice shooter who put up the school record that one time in Tennessee.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
#84–You are correct. Been trying to say that but this server does not like me.
Congrats Jodie and as much as it pains us to see you go, you made the right choice under the circumstances.
With Cal and Tubby in his camp, his likely destinations are Chicago, Minnesota or Memphis. One of those teams told him they would draft him. If not and he is rolling the dice, it is still a better choice than trying to get drafted next year.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I blame BTI. His live blog was bad karma.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
we have plenty of talent to fill the void. Plus, something that scared me about jodie comming back is him taking the game into his hands and being a ball hog trying to lock up that first round pick next year, which would have killed us in the long…(thats how i turn a negitive into a positive.)
And the fact of the matter is that Jodie was looking for reasons to stay in the draft, if he had 10 people giving him advice and 7 of them said go back to UK, and 3 said go to the NBA he would have listened to the 3 but thats his decison and i hope the best for him.
and finally…today in the NBA, teams are more likely to take a risk on a european player then a college player which will kill a player like Jodie, and could push him back deep into the 2nd round
June 15th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
This is still a final 4 team even without Jodie. Hopefully Dodson can shoot as well as everyone says.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
we have plenty of talent to fill the void. Plus, something that scared me about jodie comming back is him taking the game into his hands, and being a ball hog trying to lock up that first round pick next year, which would have killed us in the long…(thats how i turn a negitive into a positive.)
And the fact of the matter is that Jodie was looking for reasons to stay in the draft, if he had 10 people giving him advice and 7 of them said go back to UK, and 3 said go to the NBA he would have listened to the 3 but thats his decison and i hope the best for him.
and finally…today in the NBA, teams are more likely to take a risk on a european player then a college player which will kill a player like Jodie, and could push him back deep into the 2nd round which would make this look like the wrong decision
but good luck jodie…and GO CATS!!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Its comments like #6 that gives the rest of the UK fanbase a bad name. Jodie made an unbelievably hard decision for HIMSELF and the BIG BLUE NATION needs to support that. Grow some class #6 or find another team to support. Good luck Jodie, u will be sorely missed
June 15th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Scotty Thurman thinks Jodie made a bad decision…
June 15th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Well I would damn sure have lost this bet. I wish him all the success in the world, but I have to admit I don’t understand the move, unless he got the deal that he was looking for.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
i think with a Cal statement i seen, the lineup might be
PG: Wall Back up: Bledsoe
SG: Miller Back up: Hood
SF: Dodson Back up: Liggins/Harris?
PF: PPat Back up: Stevenson
C: Cousins/Orton
Bench: Harrelson
June 15th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Say it aint so Jodie. =(
June 15th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Good luck JM..hope you made the right call, but let’s face it, how many people are going to buy the nba ticket to watch him play very limited time. If he is on a team that is on espn or tnt, then you may watch…unless you know he is not going to get any run.
Anyway, hope everything works out for JM…..he’s got his shot to play a game for money and a lot of it.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
99) Ouch…..
June 15th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
No way, next season, that Jodie gets half of the national media coverage, as he did last season. People are only predicting him to go pick 20-30 next season. So why sit in for another coach, and only improve 5-7 spots? Good luck Jodie, we all love you, no matter how stupid some of us sound.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
“He shouldn’t have gone pro”…says all the slow, unathletic fans who couldn’t get drafted by a professional croquet league. As Doc Holliday said, “it appears your hypocrisy knows no bounds”…
June 15th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Obviously it’s Jodie’s decision to make, no one can make it for him. Having said that, and now being aware that Jodie was not guaranteed a spot in the first round, this seems like a monumentally bad decision.
As fans, all we can do is support our players. That includes the decisions they make, good and bad. I will certainly be rooting for Jodie on draft night, but I’m very concerned that he’s in for a major disappointment. I think he’s really rolling the dice on his future. Still, I wish Jodie nothing but the best! I truly hope the gamble works out for him.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
While I wish Meeks nothing but the best and hope he has a long NBA career, his decision is quite risky. Several (if not many) NBA teams are bleeding cash right now and I have read rumors that a few of them are close to going under unless the league steps in with a bailout. If those rumors are true, I think it is entirely possible that several teams (including those with mid-first round selections) will draft a European player for one of two reasons: one, by drafting a Euro-player the team doesn’t have to worry about signing the guy in the near future, if ever; two, by drafting a Euro-player, the team can avoid paying the high salary a college kid would demand. I think you could see a couple of teams in the 14-19 area draft one of these guys, which would mean that some talented players would drop into the laps of the 20-30 picks. Unfortunately for Jodie, this ripple effect would push him into the second round, where the money ain’t all that great. Remember what Coach Cal said at his presser after Patterson returned: it isn’t about your first contract, it’s about your second but what you make in your first highly influences your second.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Well, here is my thoughts on the situation. Obviously I am disapointed, pissed, and a little worried about how this situation hurts our chances to cut down the nets next year. After putting some serious thought in to this, there are 5 things we must understand. (I’m not trying to be an ass like half of these fans on here, just being realistic.)
1. Meeks had better go first round in the draft or much respect will be lost for him! We have know way of knowing whether he is guaranteed or not but we will find out soon enough. If he doesn’t, he lied to us in the whole process so I don’t want to hear, well what would you do if you were in his shoes. Maybe I would go too but I would not say I would come back if not guaranteed and then not do it. He told us he would come back if he wasn’t guaranteed. Point Blank! No other argument for him can be made.
2. Meeks has never been the type of player to love the Kentucky blue like some others (example: Patterson, Chuck Hayes, Tony Delk, etc.) If there was one thing, I thought hurt meeks his whole career, it was the fact that he forced many shots(I understand last year, he probably had to). To me he was a little selfish on the court. For example, who’s dad got pissed at the former coach because he didn’t make a big deal about his 54 point game. I’m pretty sure it was Mr. Meeks. I have to agree with Billy here, this is Kentucky Basketball, Not Jodie Meeks Basketball. Yes what a great feat, but just play, you are going to get recognition anyway, you shouldn’t have to have your coach single you out. He was a little selfish!
3. We lost a great chance of getting a top 5 recruit in Xavier Henry because Meeks was a probable to come back. This would have def sealed the idea of us having best recruiting class ever if we don’t already anyways. But once again hopefully he is a guarantee and he didn’t know at the time of the recruitment process what his status was. If he isn’t, even more of a reason to lose respect for him.
4. It is definitely true that our Former Coach had some PR problems and done some stupid things during his tenure here but I think we may need to give him a break on the Meeks issue. There was a lot of talk about the coach and player and how Billy called Jodie selfish and not a team player. It seemed Jodie was an I player instead of a team player. Look at his latest comments to the lexington Herald. “I had one of the best seasons in Kentucky History”. Yes Jodie, you probably did but once again you are talking about yourself. We already know this! Jodie Meeks was not the example of a great team player!
5. We need to realize how special a Patrick Patterson is. Here is guy who was a lock to be top 20 and is coming back because he loves, Kentucky, his teammates, and this great state that eats and breathes basketball. You take a guy like Meeks that isn’t even a lock to be drafted, passing up on getting his degree, passing up on a chance to play for a national title with the hopes (not guarantee) of making money. Guys like Patrick Patterson are who we should truly appreciate it no matter what the outcome is with Meeks. Yes many of us fans probably would go pro if we were Meeks but it takes a special person to do what Patrick Patterson is doing. I love that guy!
Finally I just want to say once again, I am not bashing Jodie Meeks or hating on him. He has been a very good player at Kentucky and may have a pro career but I think it is important to understand this situation and the type of person Jodie Meeks really is compared to the likes of a Patrick Patterson!
3.
June 15th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Good luck jodie and thank you for 3 great years. Thank you for loving Kentucky basketball enough to stay when the coach who recruited you turned his back on you. Thank you for staying even though an asshole coach questioned your manhood during a tough junior season and then still coming back and playing another year for that lunatic. Through your 3 year stay here you personified team play and unselfishness. Lastly thanks to his parents for raising such a fine young man we can all be proud to call a wildcat.
June 15th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Sad to see him go but it was the right move for him. He will definitely go first round, possibly in the top 20. Next year’s draft will be much stronger. Best of luck Jodie! You will be missed.
June 15th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
hey heres an idea…josh harrelson can shoot the 3 right???
June 15th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
If Xavier Henry were on our roster next year most people would be saying,
“well he made the best decision for himself,”
and go on to explain why he made the best decision.
GL Jodie.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Shit Im as bummed as anyone but a lot of yall are disgusting.
Its no wonder we get such a bad rep.
Good luck to you Jodie! The REAL Big Blue Fans will be behind you in your journey!
June 15th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Kelenna Azubuike all over again. Except Kelenna had a legitimate reason to make money immediately. Jodie was overanxious. I think his family was surprised by his sudden NBA interest, and wanted to capitalize on that opportunity before it closed. I think he could have improved his GAME and his draft stock under Cal, but after all those coaching changes and injuries, Jodie didn’t want to take that chance. It will be good/bad for him, but like Azubuike, he leaves UK when he is most beloved and most looked forward to, thus making his departure so sour.
June 15th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
The class next year is much better and there was talk they may push Jodie out of the 1st round no matter what type of year he had. He’s going for the cash and you can’t blame him.