To say that BJ Boston is in crisis is an understatement. The former top five fought again tonight, hitting 3-9 shots and 6 points in 27 minutes. This was the first game in which Boston did not score double digits in Kentucky and at one point in the first half, boos were heard in Rupp after he missed a shot. John Calipari ended his post-game presser by asking fans to support Boston and direct your frustrations to him.
“We need our fans to support BJ absolutely. I don’t know why anyone would be unpleasant to anyone. If you want to be nasty, be nasty to me. It’s my fault. Don’t be unpleasant to him. I was the one who put you in the game. So, if you’re angry, be angry with me. Be positive. Everyone left Devin alone. When Devin fought early, no one really caught Devin. Our fans left him alone and let him do his thing and look where Devin is now. And now I’m saying the same thing.
“Our fans haven’t been bad at BJ. They have been very good because they are good people. They are not unpleasant. They are not trolls. They are not like that. So now, you’ll see it start to come – and you know what? You will feel like you have played a part in this. “
To be clear, Calipari was not happy with Boston’s performance tonight either, telling reporters that he eliminated Boston in the final seven minutes of the game not because of his attack, but because of his defense.
“We can lie to the children or we can keep it real. If someone is playing better than you and harder than you, they will be there, especially in the last 5-8 minutes of the game. That’s how it is. And he knows it. And I said to him, when I took it out, I said, ‘Man, be proud of your defense. They are coming straight for you. And he will. He is an excellent player. “
“I don’t give up on any player and I believe in BJ,” added Calipari. “We have been working for BJ to play in a certain way, but he will return to what he knows best, the flips. Don’t get dirty. I said to him, ‘All the things we’ve been working on, you haven’t done anything today.’ And I expected him to have a great game today because he has been very good in training, very good individually. All things, stopping on the track and just one or two stops, a little float and he had two or three chances and he’s trying to throw the balls. But he will do it and I believe him. “
Last night, at his call-in show, Calipari said he had a player staying at his home and, in tonight’s broadcast, Tom Hart confirmed it was Boston. After the game, Calipari again mentioned how difficult this season has been for players, who have lost the best of being a Kentucky Wildcat due to the pandemic.
“Do you know how difficult this has been? How about they don’t have a chance to play for 24,000. Do you know how much this team would need this? You understand that all of these things, we didn’t have team building and the things that happen, and then emotionally – and our fans have been great. They are not burying the children. They have been very positive with them, but you can say that these things add up and now, I don’t want him to put too much pressure. Devin did this early. I had to say, ‘Come on, man, take a step back. I believe in you, but you cannot be in the mentality you are in, each basket is life or death. You cannot play ball. ‘”
Olivier Sarr and Davion Mintz said they know Boston’s time is coming, praising the freshman’s relentless work ethic.
“We’re just telling him to stay on course,” said Sarr. “It’s coming. He’s working harder than anyone else. He’s at the gym. I think it’s just a matter of time for him and I know it’s coming for him. We have confidence in him because we see every day what he can do in practice. It’s just a matter of time, honestly. ”
“Keep doing the same things,” said Mintz of the advice he is giving to his younger partner. “BJ is always in the gym. This is the part that people don’t see. We understand that he may not be doing the best, but he is still a freshman. It is still growing. But BJ is in the gym all the time and eventually makes up for it. It’s always worth it. He just keeps doing the same thing. Continue with the coaches. This will fall in your way soon. At the moment, all he can do now is be patient with his game. ”
Hold on, BJ.