To say that BJ Boston is in a slump is an understatement. The former top five recruit had another tough time tonight, hitting 3-9 shots for 6 points in 27 minutes. This was the first game in which Boston failed to score in double digits in Kentucky, and at one point in the first half, Rupp’s booing sounded after he missed a shot. John Calipari ended his press after the game by asking fans to support Boston and instead direct their frustrations on him.
“We need our fans to absolutely support BJ. I don’t know why anyone would be mean to anyone. If you want to be mean, be mean to me. It is my mistake. Don’t be mean to him. I’m the one who put him in the game. So if you’re mad just be mad at me. Be positive. Everyone left Devin alone. When Devin struggled early, no one really landed on Devin. Our fans left him alone and let him do his thing and see where Devin is now. And now I say the same.
“Our fans haven’t been bad at BJ. They have been pretty good because they are good people. They are not mean. They are not trolls. They are not. So now you’re going to see him start coming – and you know what? You will feel like you played a part in it. “
To be clear, Calipari was also unhappy with Boston’s performance tonight, telling reporters that he had eliminated Boston for the last seven minutes of the game, not because of his offense, but because of his defense.
“We can lie to kids or we can keep it real. If someone is playing better than you and tougher than you, they will be there, especially the last 5-8 minutes of the game. It’s just how it is. And he knows it. And I told him, when I took him out, I said, ‘Man, be proud of your defense. They just come to you. And he will. He is a great player. “
“I don’t give up on any player and I believe in BJ,” added Calipari. “We worked on BJ to play a certain way, but he will return to what he knows best, those flips. Don’t let yourself be polluted. I said to him, “All the things we’ve been working on, you haven’t done any of it today.” And I expected him to play a big game today because he was so good at practice, so good at individuals. All the stuff came to a stop in the lane and just a one-two, a little floater and he had two or three chances and he’s trying to flip balls. But he will get it and I believe in him. “
Last night, Calipari said on his call-in show that a player was staying at his place, and on tonight’s broadcast, Tom Hart confirmed it was Boston. After the game, Calipari reiterated how difficult this season was for the players who have been robbed of the best qualities of a Kentucky Wildcat due to the pandemic.
‘Do you know how difficult this has been? They don’t get the chance to play for 24,000. Do you know how much this team needs that? Do you understand that all these things, we didn’t have team building and the things that happen, and then emotional – and our fans were great. They did not bury the children. They were pretty positive about them, but you can tell this stuff is true and so now I don’t want him to put too much pressure. Devin did that 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, every basket is life and death. You can’t play ball. ”
Both Olivier Sarr and Davion Mintz said they know Boston’s day is coming and praised the freshman’s relentless work ethic.
“We’re just telling him to stay on track,” Sarr said. “It’s coming. He works hard, harder than anyone else. He’s in the gym. I think it’s just a matter of time for him and I know it’s coming for him. We trust him because we do every day. see what he can do in practice. It’s just a matter of time, frankly. “
“Just keep doing the same things,” Mintz said of the advice he gave his younger teammate. ‘BJ is always in the gym. That’s the part that people don’t see. We understand he may not be doing the best, but he’s still a freshman. He is still growing. But BJ is in the gym all the time and it pays off in the end. It always pays off. He just keeps doing the same. Stick with the coaches. It will soon fall his way. At this point, he can only be patient with his game. “
Hold on, BJ.