Best Player You've Ever Seen Live [Archive] - Wildcat Nation Forums

Will Lavender

06-28-2008, 04:18 PM

Who's the best player you've ever seen play in person?

(For fun, let's just throw out NBA players. Only college and high school players eligible in this game.)

Best I've seen:

Michael Beasley

JWORLD

06-28-2008, 04:25 PM

Rex Chapman sticks out in my mind. Maybe he just had a great game but the bottomline is he was dominating.

Terry L. Wildcat

06-28-2008, 04:27 PM

Pete Maravich (three times).

Rockober

06-28-2008, 05:01 PM

Len Bias playing against Carolina. Wow. David Robinson was also pretty awesome.

matt colvin

06-28-2008, 05:17 PM

Pete Maravich (three times).

I was waiting on you or someone else to say that. 3 times, that is awesome!

DTBrand

06-28-2008, 05:20 PM

Patrick Patterson. Havn't seen many basketball games. I'm still young.

Ky KiD

06-28-2008, 06:01 PM

Patrick Patterson. Havn't seen many basketball games. I'm still young.
I have been watchin ky basketball for 35 yrs and i have to say that for his position ppat is the best i have ever watched in person but the high light reels of pistol pete are the greatest ive ever seen from any player :icon_lol:

dougwhit

06-28-2008, 06:38 PM

scott skiles. Indiana state championship when he played for plymouth. he shot the lights out, if they had the 3pt line back then he would have at least 40 pts.

BigBlueAngus

06-28-2008, 07:42 PM

I saw Kenny Walker get 36 pts and 18 rebounds against KU in Freedom hall.

matt colvin

06-28-2008, 07:51 PM

I've been thinking about this one, and really no one stands out. I guess where I'm pretty young, I haven't seen that many great players live. OJ Mayo his last year at Rose Hill (Paintsville won btw).

Patterson just might be mine. His tenacity and heart factor into that greatly though. Prince was studly in some games I went to.

I'm trying to remember if we went to any games (ok if my parents took me too :icon_mrgreen:) during the '96 or '97 seasons. If so, Mercer might be it. But I'm pretty sure I would remember that!

billoliver40

06-28-2008, 07:52 PM

Jack Givens
Kyle Macy

Saw Dwight Anderson as a Frosh....the kid could really have been special.

Wildcat5369

06-28-2008, 08:16 PM

Tay vs UNC. What a great show he put on in the first couple of minutes!

CaliUKFan

06-28-2008, 08:18 PM

best UK player would be Ron Mercer at the 1997 regional final in my hometown (San Jose) versus Utah (that curl off the screen/mid range game was excellent)

ukhouseman

06-28-2008, 08:30 PM

I live in Lexington now but I'm originally from Philly.

The best person I saw live? Dawn Staley when she was in High School. That girl abused the guys in the Philadelphia Public League in pick up games. She was sick!!!!

lighthouse

06-28-2008, 09:15 PM

The best in a game I officiated, Jamal Mashburn. The most dominating player I saw in person, Wilt Chamberlan. The best all around athlete I saw in person, Dr. J.

84Cat

06-28-2008, 11:04 PM

I saw Kenny Walker get 36 pts and 18 rebounds against KU in Freedom hall.

Me too. Every single time he managed to get the ball in the paint, he scored. Awesome body control after the contact.

cumberlandredskin

06-28-2008, 11:27 PM

Dominique Wilkins was the most talented. I saw him play against UK a couple of times in Rupp. Joe Barry Carroll of Purdue was another good one. I saw him score, what seemed like a million, against UK in the 1979 UKIT.

SevenTimeChamps

06-28-2008, 11:34 PM

I was lucky to be in Rupp Arena to see Tayshaun Prince and his 3-point frenzy against UNC. But Patterson might be the best I've seen.

Terry L. Wildcat

06-28-2008, 11:38 PM

I was waiting on you or someone else to say that. 3 times, that is awesome!

Being old does have advantages ;)...Austin Carr of Notre Dame and Rod Thorn of West Virginia would also come to mind but after Pete I have no real order.

BigblueDrew

06-29-2008, 02:27 AM

College: Pete Maravitch, my first live college game agianst the Cats in Memorial
High School: Tony Delk, a scoring MACHINE the night I saw him.

wildcat537

06-29-2008, 02:32 AM

lebron james in hs...sr year

BigblueDrew

06-29-2008, 02:36 AM

As far as pros I saw the Virginia Squires play the Louisville Colonels at Freedom Hall. Dr. J, George Gervin, Dan Issel, and Artis Gilmore all on the same court I will never forget it.

jimcat

06-29-2008, 07:48 AM

Pete Maravitch without a doubt. He could make shots from anywhere and pass the ball in a way that would make you dizzy. Just think about it, he wanted to play for UK but his dad forced him to play for him at LSU. With Pete and Dan Issel both playing for the CATS we would have won at least three more championships.

wildcat4ever

06-29-2008, 08:45 AM

Will Lavender

06-29-2008, 09:36 AM

Tie between Jamal Mashburn and a kid here at UTC a few years back named Toot Young. Toot was excellent off the dribble, could shoot with range, and played very good D. I watch him single-handedly win 5 games his Sr year.

Remember a guy named David Phillips at UTC? This would've been late '90s.

He played for Rodney Woods at Wayne County in southeastern Kentucky. He was a year younger than me, but I played against him all the way up from middle school. Absolute BEAST. He was big for a guard and could shoot the lights out. We just never could do anything with him. I know he played in an NCAA Tournament game when UTC made it one year ('98?), but I didn't follow his career after that.

Mark Blueblood

06-29-2008, 09:37 AM

Pete Maravich (three times).

Ditto. I was there!

IronMike

06-29-2008, 10:06 AM

I would have to say Rex Chapman was the best college player I've seen play in person (could just be the sentimental favorite).

Best High School player I've actually watched play was Todd May. That pick may surprise some people, but man the kid was outstanding.

BGandBLUE

06-29-2008, 01:02 PM

The most dominating performance I saw was Karl Malone when he played against Western in the old Wendys tournament here in BG.

Terry L. Wildcat

06-29-2008, 01:05 PM

Add Cotton Nash and Kenny Walker to my list...I was just thinking of players other than Wildcats.

JDHoss

06-29-2008, 01:20 PM

Live?

High school: Moses Malone
College: Mashburn

NOWIS

06-29-2008, 01:40 PM

Mine comes down to Mash and Kenny Walker and I'm going to give the edge to Walker. He was a warrior and he brought it every night.

Blue4ever

06-29-2008, 02:20 PM

Dr. J (Julius Erving) with the New York Nets (ABA) against the Issel - Gilmore - Damper Kentucky Colonels at Memorial. The Colonels would play a game or two every year at Memorial. Can't remember if this was an exhibition or regular season game? With seconds to go and down by a point Dr. J got a pass at the top of the key. With his back to the basket did a turn around 180 hanging jumper (he seemed to hang for about 5 seconds) and sank the shot before the horn. :shock:You could feel the steam go out of Memorial real quick. :icon_lol:

Wildcat Larry

06-29-2008, 02:51 PM

Pete Maravich (three times).
I'm with you, Terry. None better, and I also saw him three times.

Wildcat Larry

06-29-2008, 02:58 PM

High school? Probably Jeff Sheppard.

matt colvin

06-29-2008, 03:09 PM

High school? Probably Jeff Sheppard.

I'd like to have seen him.

wildcat4ever

06-29-2008, 05:41 PM

Remember a guy named David Phillips at UTC? This would've been late '90s.

He played for Rodney Woods at Wayne County in southeastern Kentucky. He was a year younger than me, but I played against him all the way up from middle school. Absolute BEAST. He was big for a guard and could shoot the lights out. We just never could do anything with him. I know he played in an NCAA Tournament game when UTC made it one year ('98?), but I didn't follow his career after that.

Yeah I remeber him. He was good here I just don't think they used him really well. He was on the team in '97 that went to the Sweet 16. He was behind Johnny Taylor (drafted by the Rockets and played a couple of years in the NBA). That team was beaten by an Austin Croshere buzzer beater in OT.

Sticeman

06-29-2008, 06:58 PM

Allan Houston, played against him in high school. Well I actually didnt play against him I got to watch him from the bench... He lit us up for 40. Also Micheal Lewis the former point gaurd for Indiana. I witnessed him drop 45 against New Albany his senior year. That guy I can honestly say was ruined by Bob Knight he was a pure scorer turned into a guy who was scared to even take a shot in college.

Blue Bleeder1

06-29-2008, 09:32 PM

The Monster Mash hands down the best player I've see live. And though he was before my time, Pistol Pete is probably the best player I've seen on TV/Film.

teamchemistry09

06-29-2008, 11:56 PM

Ive seen Josh Smith, Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley, and Brandan Wright live. (Just a few that stand out in my mind) But I can honestly say the two most impressive people Ive seen in a high school game (not an all star game, a season game) were Rondo at Oak Hill and Eric Devendorf (Syracuse's starting PG) at Oak Hill.

Realist

06-30-2008, 01:22 PM

Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Reggie Miller. (I got to see the Celtics play the Pacers in Indy back in the Celtics heyday). Issel and Dampier when they played for the Colonels.

High School-Rex Chapman

cumberlandredskin

06-30-2008, 01:32 PM

If you include Pros I saw most of the greats of the early 90's play. I had a mini season ticket package in 1990 for the Washington Bullets. I saw Michael Jordan,Larry Bird,Kevin McHale,Magic Johnson,David Robinson and I'm sure others I have forgotten. Back in those days the Bullets, now Wizards, were horrible and they would promote the other teams stars. This ticket package included all the really good teams of that time.
The best HS player I ever saw was Jimmy Jackson. His team came down for a day event called the Thouroughbred Classic that was held in conjunction with the UKIT for a few years. He was a man among boys and you could tell he was going to be a good one. Also saw Danny Ferry and someone from Romulus Michigan who was real good but his name escapes me. Richie Farmer was one of the best HS players you would ever want to see too. He was a very smart player with a deadeye jumpshot.

SBCatMan

06-30-2008, 01:35 PM

Live ...

College: Austin Carr
High School: Rick Mount

2bad4u

06-30-2008, 05:17 PM

High School: Richie Farmer and Patrick Sparks both could shoot and seem to be able to score at will.

College: Mashburn, Sky Walker, and Mevlin Turpin

HoptownFaithful82

06-30-2008, 10:44 PM

My husband says Jamal Mashburn, I say....Prince

Too bad I never saw Sheppard live or I would say him.

Terry L. Wildcat

07-01-2008, 12:05 AM

Live ...

College: Austin Carr
High School: Rick Mount

Austin Carr would also be on my list :thumbup:

Blue_N_White

07-01-2008, 01:55 AM

I'd say that the best I've seen play live, in person, would have to be:

High School - Rex Chapman (Apollo H.S., - Owensboro, KY)

College - Charles Barkley (Auburn)

Pro - Larry Bird (Boston)

Terry L. Wildcat

07-01-2008, 03:45 AM

The best high school player I saw live was a Tomcat named Larry Conley...my Newport Wildcats played Ashland in the first round of the state tournament circa 1962 and we were winning until Mr. Conley took over the game...I knew he was going to UK so I took comfort in a Wildcat beating a Wildcat..."Gimme Shelter". :beer:

SamKat

07-01-2008, 06:49 AM

Jerry West in a UKIT.

cnice11

07-01-2008, 07:48 AM

I have seen a few high school players live that I have a hard time deciding between- Jody Thompson, Todd Conley, Darius Miller. College, I would have to say Mashburn.

htb0089

07-05-2008, 08:25 PM

Ummmmm.....Lets see Tayshaun Prince and Stephan Curry was pretty good.

Rondo was also very good saw him in high school

SevenTimeChamps

07-05-2008, 09:02 PM

High school: O.J. Mayo/Patrick Patterson; I can't believe Scott County won that game. I also saw Chris Lofton score 87 points in a doubleheader, and Darius Miller do a 360 in a game as a junior. Those two are my honorable mentions.

College: Tayshaun

Pro: Patrick Ewing

jfthom2

07-06-2008, 05:51 PM

As far as pure athlete playing ball: Rajon Rondo

Tom Blevins

07-06-2008, 06:03 PM

I've only seen the Cats play twice in person. Kyle Macy had the best game of any player I've seen in person. Sam Bowie also played for the Cats in that game, but didn't have a good game that night. I've also seen Givens and Robey play in person.

bigjeep

07-06-2008, 06:50 PM

but deal with it...

high school-Richard Hendrick...Bristow High School, 1965...42 ppg
college-Clem Haskins...WKU
pros-Darel Carrier...Ky Colonels(also from Bristow High School and WKU)

T75

07-06-2008, 08:45 PM

For his day, Ralph Beard was about the best--anywhere. I never saw Pistol Pete live but he obviously was a great showman and player. But for plain ole smooth athleticism, Cotton Nash was something else entirely. His motion was so smooth and fluid that it looked like he wasn't even trying real hard. Yet he was getting the job done.

ryanebelhar

07-06-2008, 08:47 PM

Probably Mashburn. Calbert Chaney was pretty dang good in college and I saw the two go head to head.

Sir Richard F. Burton

07-06-2008, 10:06 PM

Michael Jordan (Wizards :() Bird, Magic. Despite the way most put Michael above Larry and Magic I don't know how you can separate the 3 best to ever play (that I've seen)

ProfJT

07-07-2008, 09:58 AM

Got to be the Pistol... followed closely by Jerry West. It was awesome to be able to see these guys play!

bigblueben

07-07-2008, 10:15 AM

High School- Kevin Garnett

College- Weber, Rose, Howard, etc.; Shawn Respert; Tay

Pro- Jordan and Pippen in '92

gerntz

07-07-2008, 01:23 PM

gerntz

07-07-2008, 01:29 PM

Best I saw while they were in college: Cant' decide between Big O, Pete, and Magic. Tried to get into a Bird Man regional final game in 79 but could even scalp a ticket.

Best I saw while they were HS: Darell Griffth. Saw Dave Cowens in HS every game but he didn't get good till in college & even better as a pro.

Best I ran into in a restaurant: Magic

Best I ran into in an airport: Ralph Sampson. Hard to miss.

wildcat74

07-07-2008, 02:11 PM

Best I've seen live and in person, Jay Burson ca.'88. A UL fan gave my dad tix (I wore blue) and Burson came into freedom hall and torched UL.

A close second would be mashburn, his soph year.

Blue Heaven

07-07-2008, 05:24 PM

Some mentioned on here I have seen so I'll throw this player out there: Kelly Tripuka. Pretty good player at ND. I saw his team take on the Cats in Cheatum Hall when I was probably 7 or 8 years old.

TrueblueCATfan

07-07-2008, 06:43 PM

Some mentioned on here I have seen so I'll throw this player out there: Kelly Tripuka. Pretty good player at ND. I saw his team take on the Cats in Cheatum Hall when I was probably 7 or 8 years old.

I remember that game.....no shot clock and Digger went into a four corner stall:icon_rolleyes:

Terry L. Wildcat

07-08-2008, 02:38 AM

Some mentioned on here I have seen so I'll throw this player out there: Kelly Tripuka. Pretty good player at ND. I saw his team take on the Cats in Cheatum Hall when I was probably 7 or 8 years old.

Blue Heaven, No offense meant but IMHO there wasn't enough mustard in the world to cover that hot dog who couldn't cover a stationary object on defense ;)

Blue Heaven

07-08-2008, 05:35 AM

Blue Heaven, No offense meant but IMHO there wasn't enough mustard in the world to cover that hot dog who couldn't cover a stationary object on defense ;)
None taken Terry. I know he wasn't a very likable player.

Forrest4Three

07-08-2008, 10:46 PM

HS*****

1a Carmello Anthony
1b Monte Ellis

Ukosumu

07-09-2008, 07:24 AM

HS - LeBron James
College - Ron Harper

wildcat6

07-13-2008, 08:35 PM

Hello everyone. Long time reader and first time poster. One name that sticks out to me and I have yet seen anyone mention him is Kelly Coleman. In my opinion one of the best players that I have ever seen was KING KELLY COLEMAN out of Floyd county. Of course I did not get to see him live, as that was before my time but I have seen some film on him before and he was an unbelievable talent. Even Coach Rupp thought that the King was probably the greatest talent he had ever seen. If he wasn't an alcholoic and let it destroy his career, he could have really been one of the great one's.

matt colvin

07-13-2008, 08:42 PM

wildcat6, Welcome to WCN!! Good to have ya :thumbup:

I'm from Johnson County, right next to Floyd, and obviously King Kelly Coleman is an absolute legend. It's so sad that his alcoholism ruined his potential, but it also serves as a lesson for other youth today.

Waylon is a big place :icon_mrgreen::icon_mrgreen::icon_mrgreen: Do you happen to know if he succeeded in purchasing the gym or if anything else happened with that?

At the same time of King Kelly, Johnson county had Donnis Butcher of Meade Memorial (Meade had some great teams at the time). I think they played Waylon twice while Coleman was there, and Donnis apparently played right with him. He went on to star at Pikeville, and played 3-4 years in the league prior to coaching the Pistons for a 3 year stint. One of Johnson county's claims to fame, I guess.

TylerM35

07-13-2008, 08:58 PM

Patrick Patterson against Georiga at home this season. I was in the stands and i can recall with in the last min. a UG player attempted to throw up a three pointer and Patterson sent the ball into the stands. Besides that Patterson dominated the entire game and i loved how much energy he gave Rupp Arena when he threw down them 2 handed power dunks.

The one guy I wish I could have seen live was Tayshaun Prince during his amazing game against the tar heels in his junior or senior year when he hit 5 straight three pointers and the last one from like 28 ft which was right in front of the UK logo at half court i was just like WOW

wildcat6

07-13-2008, 09:13 PM

Hi Matt and thanks for welcoming me into WCN. I am not from Floyd but rather, I am from Magoffin. However, the legends of the King run rampant through these parts of Eastern KY, as I am sure you are well aware of. Speaking of Johnson Co., I bet you all are very proud of the Slone kid. I have seen him play a few times and I believe most people probably underestimate him. I think by the time it is all said and done, he will see some pretty good floor time and in his later years we will see more of him. I actually knew a little about him and the Cats, long before the story broke out him. One of the supervisors where I work, is a former Rupp's runt and he kind of let the cat out of the bag early to me. As far as the gym in Waylon, I am afraid I don't know anything about that. Sorry......

matt colvin

07-13-2008, 09:39 PM

wildcat6

07-13-2008, 09:42 PM

No, your close though. There is a gym named after him in McDowell and he is a commentator at various high school teams around here if that helps. I am not sure if I should actually give his name out here without his permission.

matt colvin

07-13-2008, 09:45 PM

Oh ok. I know who you're talking about. When someone says Rupp's Runts I just think of the starters, and I think Larry has something to do with Citizen's National Bank in Paintsville, and I don't know where all of their branches are. So that's why I assumed him.

Still cool :thumbup: