11618 quotes

"I go back to my team I had at Massachusetts when I

played five and six guys. One of the great mentors I've

had in this game, his name was Jack Leaman, coached

Julius (Erving) at UMass. He told me I play too many guys.

So, in 2010 when Coach (John) Wooden was still alive I 

called him and I said, 'Have you watched my team? 

We're not an execution team. Do you have any ideas?'

Coach Wooden: 'You play too many people.' And he said,

'I know why you do, because kids will transfer. 

We played five guys and you earned your space. 

I played a sixth guy if I needed to. You earn it in practice.'

"So, these guys should be happy. They got tired. 

PJ (Washington) didn't play well. I mean, he got tired. 

Hami (Diallo) and Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), 

when they get tired, their decision-making is not the same.

But I played two guards 39 minutes a game when I was

there at UMass that year. It was the best team I coached – 

I didn't say the most talented, even though Marcus Camby

may be one of the most talented guys I've ever coached. 

The rest of the guys were really good ... I hate to tell you,

they were juniors and seniors. They were veterans. 

But, I played five.

"If you asked these guys, would you rather play half-a-game, 

or just play every minute, what do you think they're going to say?’

I'll be good. I'll play every minute.'

- Coach Calipari

Comments following the 74-67 victory at Vanderbilt 1/13/18