BJ Boston backed up a promising performance in Georgia with another good game tonight, scoring 18 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, a block, a bargain and zero turnovers in 34 minutes. The freshman was 7-17 off the floor (2-7 from three) and when LSU made its comeback in the second half to cut Kentucky’s lead to five, Boston scored eight straight to push the lead back to double Numbers.
“I’ve always imagined myself as the guy who can help the team, just do everything I can to help the team win, frankly,” Boston said afterwards. “Whether I score, bounce or assist, play defensively.”
Boston’s work ethic has long been noticed by his coaches and teammates. At the start of the season, he started the “ Breakfast Club, ” and after Kentucky’s recent struggles, the story that he was in the gym late Monday night made the rounds and was mentioned again on tonight’s broadcast. On Friday, Boston said that extra work in the gym is the “ only thing that helps me escape reality, ” and tonight we have further proof that it is paying off.
“I’d just say my work ethic,” Boston said of what “hit it off” this week. “I just worked hard, did it every day, just stay humble, keep my head bowed, stay sober. Just believe in what my team is doing, believe in what my coaches tell us to do. “
That said, Boston hasn’t broken all of its bad habits yet. Late in the first half, he tried one of his flip-shots by the edge, driving John Calipari absolutely crazy on the sidelines.
“Did you see the only flip he had in the first half?” Calipari said when asked about Boston’s performance. ‘I went crazy. ‘You’re not going back to that guy. That guy’s left the building. You will be the man we will continue to train you for. That’s who you are. And now downhill runner, make mistakes, get to the edge. Suddenly you look like one of the best players in the country. The flipsy doodles that get nothing but a lay-up on the other side? No. We don’t have it anymore. So when he turned it around, I went crazy. It was one in two, Dontaie was open and he did a flipsy. I went crazy. I did a backflip. Said, “We’re not going back to that.” So again I try to hold these guys accountable and thank goodness I can do it while we win. “
“When I did that, he lost it, but I just listened to him,” Boston said of the flip shot. “And when I come back, I got the and-one and it was just up there.”
Baby steps.