America's Coach: Coach Cal Went On K's Show, Looked Him In The Eye And Promptly Called Him Out For Lying About Copying Cal's Greatness
Sorry, had to take a break from covering Michigan's national title to talk about my team and my coach here for a second. You know, what we typically do here. Speaking of what we typically do, one would argue that K - formerly known as Coach K - is the biggest liar in sports history. There's a laundry list of lies told, once we all had in our own pockets.
I could listen to Coach Cal make fun of K all day. The impression, the fact that Cal made sure to throw in the fact that K was simply copying him. Love it. This lets me know that Coach Cal is back. Sure, I could look at Kentucky's record. Sure, I could look at the recent win at Florida or the fact that Cal has adapted again and embraced this new era. But I know Coach Cal as well as anyone. When he starts story time (bay bay), I know we're in for a special season. I don't even care if this is 'joking' Calipari.
That man will fight you to the death about being the first to embrace playing freshmen and being a pioneer. K doesn't just get to waltz in here and say he didn't do it, he was simply recruiting these guys and they happened to leave early. Oh yeah, I'm sure Zion was planning to be a 4-year player. Jahlil Okafor? That man screamed multi-years. RJ Barrett was notoriously there only for the academics. The list goes on and on.
Whether you love him or hate him, Cal changed college basketball. He dominated one-and-done (an NBA rule for those who like to scream about it) and been successful as hell with it. Now it's time to finish the redemption. Win it again with Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw and Justin Edwards. Win it with a transfer from Illinois State and a guy who played at UMass, Texas and WVU. Win it and mock everyone who doubted you. It's clearly the year of redemption in college sports and I can't think of anyone better to win it again in college hoops.
America's coach.