Ramel Bradley

[Will Lavender]

Let's talk some basketball.

In the next couple of weeks, I want to go through each player and talk about what they need to improve on if the Cats are going to have a better season next year.

In my opinion, Ramel needs to:

* Polish the three point jumper, much like Taurean Green did between his freshman and sophomore years.

* Learn to be a leader on the team. Needs to be a guy that other players listen to and also respect. I got the feeling last year that when Rajon talked to the team, guys weren't listening. Ramel needs to be one of those rare two-pronged leaders: a guy who leads by authority on and off the court.

* Ramel needs to get stronger. He's an atrociously weak finisher around the basket, and all quick point guards need some strength amonst the trees. I've seen him for two years get by his man, but then falter when he takes it up for the lay-in. Ramel is "smooth," but only when it comes to getting past defenders. from three feet and in, he's anything but smooth.

* Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Ramel needs to learn how to be a point guard. I hope that Bradley, once he realizes he's going to get a lion's share of the minutes at the point, becomes more of a distributor of the basketball. But he needs to figure out how to get others involved but not sacrifice his great mid-range game.

Note: Some have suggested Bradley may be a better 2 so that Tubby can make way for Derrek Jasper at the 1. I don't know about this. One of our greatest deficiencies last year was size, and moving Ramel to the SG creates another disadvantage at that spot in terms of length and strength. Smooth is built like a point guard, and I for one would like to see him improve his game so that he can play that spot consistently.

[ukbob]

1. Improve his ballhandling/dribbling:

Quick as a hiccup, but reckless with the dribble at times.

2. Improve his shot selection:

Ramel has a terrific mid-range game, which is a lost art. His 15 footer is usually money. However, he falls in love with that dreaded 3 point line too much, IMO.

3. Learn to pass/distribute like a PG:

This may be the most difficult of all for him. His game. at times. resembles street ball. While he can be deadly doing it when on, as the PG(which I assume he will be), he needsto get others involved in the game as much as himself.

4. Decisions, decisions, decisions:

See #2 and 3

5. Defense:

He is quick enough to be a lock down defender, but likes the offense too much. We need defenders in this team...quick and smart. He could be the guy if he puts his mind to it, even if it means sacrificing a little offense at times. Is he willing? Who knows.

Ramel has the tools to be a great guard, IMO. He needs the basketball IQ to develop that talent though. I have a feeling that Tubby will give this team to him early on. However, Ramel better understand that if he doesn't cut it, then there are alternatives next year in Jasper and Porter. Hopefully , those guys will push him to the limit to improve his game.

[Will Lavender]

I forgot defense, Bob.

As Tubby said last week, Ramel is a very, very poor defender. (Right now.)

This is probably due to the fact that, as you say, he's got his mind on how he's going to score 100% of the time.

[Littlemeyer]

All great points so far, and there's not really much more to add. I too want to see him improve his shot selection, but I don't want it to come at the expense of his 'confidence' (some may say cockiness). I like a bit of the swagger at times....though I stress 'at times'.

Will touched on leadership and learning how to be a point guard. Like the quarterback on the football team, these two traits almost go hand in hand. A good leader is going to make those around him better, no matter the business/game. I'd like to see Ramel focus his efforts on getting the ball to teammates in a position to succeed. Know the strengths of his teammates, and make the most of them. Hopefully, with the knowledge that he most likely WILL be the PG next year, he is already working on this.

[Will Lavender]

Note:

I also think his defensive problems have to do with his lack of strength. Let's hope Coach Holsopple can help him in this regard. He seems to really get picked on by bigger guys, and well-set screens give him major fits.

[matt57]

The only thing I would like to see from Ramel, who is my favorite returning player, is leadership. I believe the other things will come with playing time. I hope he get's the oppurtunity to start and get comfortable. I love Ramel's game, he does make some bad decisions. However, I think this young man will blossom next year into a great scoring PG. I'm all for playing Jasper as many minutes as possible. But, I think Ramel can bring a swagger and an attitude to this team that we haven't had since Gerald Fitch and Cliff Hawkins graduated. Ramel is not scared of anyone. We need that next year!

Also, I agree 1000000% about not wanting to play ramel @ the 2 with Jasper @ the point. I think that lineup will work in spurts. But, if we're starting that lineup we're right back in the same boat as last year.

I hope next years lineup looks like this to start the year.

PG- Ramel Bradley
SG- Joe Crawford
SF- Bobby Perry
PF- Perry Stevenson (hoping he can block shots and rebound)
C- Randolph Morris

that being said, i doubt stevenson starts. but, i'm sure as heck hoping he will. i honestly don't think sheray thomas is our answer at the 4 and i laugh every timei see someone say "play morris @ the four".

[scathendo]

on the offensive side of the ball, ramel's percentages are not bad at all. he needs to work on his turnover to assist ratio. my opinion is that ramel pushes the tempo 100% of the time instead of picking the best times to push the tempo. if he can catch the rythm of the college game, i think he can excel as a d1 point guard. i also think some of the turnover problem comes from not having the personel on the floor around him with the ability to run and catch. that being said, it's still the pg's responsibility to know your personel.

defensively....he's definitely quick enough and tough enough... i think he just needs to make it a priority and not get discouraged and let up on the defensive side of the ball if the offense misfires.

btw... love the lineup above. i'd love to see us starting a lineup with everyone playing there natural postion.......ahhhhh b-ball blisssssssss.

[Terry L. Wildcat]

:cool:Will and Bob, I just sit back and enjoy your opinions and thanks...my gut feeling is Ramal has the balls to be a leader...basketballs, that is.

[SunBaller]

#1. Decision Making

#2. Decision Making

#3. Decision Making

#4. When Decision Making has improved: Get rid of theball. Pass - don't dribble. Look for the open man. Don't look for the shot. Only then will the good shots, fast break/transition points,and open lanesactually come.

#5. Defense

[Kentucky Jim]

I think you all have covered everything pretty well.

I would like to see him get stronger, which should help him with his DEF and finishing around the rim. Along with that, decision making would be right up there. I feel like these are all things that he can work and improve on when next season begins.

Side note: I had a dream last night that we started 3 freshman in the first game along with Morris and Crawford. I'm not sure who the 3 freshman was though.:shrug:

[I. Melvin]

Ramel needs to chant, "Inside-Out, Inside-Out" a thousand times a day between now and Opening Night.

He's got the skills to be great, but I fear that point guards are born and not made. Hope I'm wrong.

[Chunks06]

matt57 wrote: The only thing I would like to see from Ramel, who is my favorite returning player, is leadership. I believe the other things will come with playing time. I hope he get's the oppurtunity to start and get comfortable. I love Ramel's game, he does make some bad decisions. However, I think this young man will blossom next year into a great scoring PG. I'm all for playing Jasper as many minutes as possible. But, I think Ramel can bring a swagger and an attitude to this team that we haven't had since Gerald Fitch and Cliff Hawkins graduated. Ramel is not scared of anyone. We need that next year!

Also, I agree 1000000% about not wanting to play ramel @ the 2 with Jasper @ the point. I think that lineup will work in spurts. But, if we're starting that lineup we're right back in the same boat as last year.

I hope next years lineup looks like this to start the year.

PG- Ramel Bradley
SG- Joe Crawford
SF- Bobby Perry
PF- Perry Stevenson (hoping he can block shots and rebound)
C- Randolph Morris

that being said, i doubt stevenson starts. but, i'm sure as heck hoping he will. i honestly don't think sheray thomas is our answer at the 4 and i laugh every timei see someone say "play morris @ the four".


I agreee here. Bradley is my favorite as well. He has the swagger and "basketballs" as someone else said to take this team places if he can mature enough and get the Basketball IQ thing down.

I havent really liked the idea of Morris at the 4 either but Tubby has made such comments about this himself so the lineup could easily be:

PG- Ramel Bradley
SG- Joe Crawford
SF- Bobby Perry
PF-Randolph Morris
C- Jared Carter

A big lineup but not the quickets or strongest one.

[bluegrassking]

Getting teammates involved, patience, ballhandling, and the intangible leadership.

[CaliUKFan]

Like many basketball and entertainment fans, I also enjoy watching the And 1 programming on ESPN. However, as a diehard UK fan, this style does not effectively work in our system. Unfortunately, Bradley seemingly is confused at times in regards to dribbling, shooting, and passing. His hesitation occasionally got us into trouble last season so if he can learn how to manage the game and balance his own skill set with team needs then he should be much improved.

With that being said, I agree with what my fellow UK fans mentioned

[SunBaller]

I really don't know what Bradley will be doing this summer, but if he's playing basketball on the playgrounds of Brooklyn, NY his worth as a point guard for UK will notincrease IMO. Bradley must learn to look to pass first. That will not happen on the playgrounds of Brooklyn. When he starts getting respect from opposing teams for his decision making, his ability to score will increase immensely. He has the athleticism to be a very good point guard, but has not shown anything else to be a good point guard. If you go to Jon Scott's site and examine the efficiency ratings of UK players since 1979, Bradley scores very low when comparing efficiency per minute played (Comparing efficiency per minute played rather than per game played is more equitable since Bradley has only been a sub for 2 years).

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/statistics.html#PlayerRatings