Is KB a help or hinderance?

[maleko83]

Andy Glockner discusses.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20121218/kenny-boynton-florida/?sct=hp_wr_a4&eref=sihp

[gatordd]

is this a joke? 4 year starter, on pace to become all time leading scorer in UF history. Kid is Dy-no-mite. He's playing a position that does nothing to compliment his skill set and only exposes his weaknesses.

That's on coach D not Kenny

[alietigator]

I can't believe I just read that article. No mention of his defense, or how he is always guarding the opposing teams best guard, or his overall free throw shooting. They make it sound like we would be back to back national champs without boynton. This a joke. This is how a 4 year player that has done everything the coach asks of him gets treated. I feel bad for Kenny sometimes. Great gator

[G8RNTN]

Retarded!!

[Jonas]

is this a joke? 4 year starter, on pace to become all time leading scorer in UF history. Kid is Dy-no-mite. He's playing a position that does nothing to compliment his skill set and only exposes his weaknesses.

That's on coach D not Kenny

Eh, since they are a ton of reports that Kenny came back to work on his PG skills, I think that's just as much on Kenny. He is still developing and will get better as the season goes on.

Also, terrible article.

[phideltdj]

Ugh...you lose a game by one point on the road to a top 10 team and all of a sudden KB is garbage. Of course no mention of how great the team was playing in the previous games blowing everyone they played out. Everyone on that team made mistakes in that game that cost us.... WY with a Tech, Murphy with the turnovers, Rosario with the terrible in bounds pass, KB poor shooting and missing the 1 and 1, the matador defense by PY and EM as Zona drove to the basket for two easy layups before the final shot....the whole team contributed to that meltdown.

[GatorsGators]

Awful article.

The article mentions John Jenkins as a guy who was clearly an asset to Vanderbilt's team and makes it clear he doesn't like Boynton, but Jenkins was a borderline defensive liability while Boynton is one of the better perimeter defenders in the country.

Boynton isn't a point guard. He doesn't handle the ball naturally and he looks for his shot before he looks to get the ball to others. He's a shooting guard and a damn good one. He's had a few rough games lately, but no one consistently shoots the ball well every game. Everyone's a hindrance on offense when they're not making shots, but Boynton makes his shots more often than not.

[REM08]

Fran Fraschilla seems to agree with the article -

Fran Fraschilla ‏@franfraschilla

The question we all wrestle with when it comes to UF's Kenny Boynton. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20121218/kenny-boynton-florida/index.html …

Fran Fraschilla ‏@franfraschilla

You are right on about Kenny B. He expected to be gone after year or 2. He'll be prolific 4-year starter and emblematic of current UF te ...

[hgators]

Would we rather him to have bolted?

Are you freaking kidding me?! He is a player, just cold right now, and not playing his true position. I am very proud that he is a Gator!

[corpgator]

I think some of you are misinterpreting the article. It's not saying he's a bad player or that we can't win with him, but when he's cold and using a high % of our possessions, that's a problem. We lose when that happens and since we rely on him so much, that can be hard to overcome.

[GatorPlanet]

Boynton is shutting people down. But I don't expect a chubby journalist to understand defense.

[GatorSieg]

I didn't take the article the way a lot of you did; he points out the problems with Kenny's game and that's fair especially since we're getting pub as a potential title contender.

Flip side I agree the time and effort Kenny spends on defense isn't mentioned - but the last couple years Kenny's been put on the other team's best player knowing that he won't also be bringing the ball up court. This year he's had to give that defending role to Wilbekin so he can focus on developing his PG skills.

It's a work in progress. Here's the thing though, we have to stay with Yeguete at the 3 in the starting role so Scottie can sub at the 1. By the end of the game Scottie will have starter minutes, but if Rosario's having an off night and coach has to run Boynton and Wilbekin at the same time - where does the sub PG time come from?

Frazier is the logical 2 but I don't think Donovan wants to rush him into major minutes unless he's hot so he doesn't hit the wall halfway through the SEC slate.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

I really can't believe this is even a discussion. It was just last season that some of us were nervous he might bolt. I'll take KB on my team anytime, anywhere. There is way too much pile on for a few bad shooting games this year while playing out of his normal position, which, oh by the way, was because of something off the court that SW did to get suspended.

If we beat Arizona, this crap doesn't even come up for discussion.

I don't normally get pissed off, but I can't stand how fickle some people can be.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

And yes, I realize that KB was going to play some PG this year regardless but I am sure Billy never intended him to be the starting PG....that's Scottie's role.

[themistocles]

I too have complained historically about how frequently Boynton shoots the ball, and, until last year, when he started hitting a good percentage of his shots, felt that, despite his defensive prowess, he didn't necessarily contribute that much to the team's overall success. Last year, he hit a high percentage of his 3s, which excuses excessive shooting.

This year, so far, he is hitting only 31% of his 3-point shots, and 47% overall.

This is not good given that so far, he has taken 29% of all 3-point shots yet only 16% of all FG attempts.

Donovan notes how he is playing PG a lot, and guarding top offensive players, which is a legitimate excuse.

I do think he pointed out Boynton's weak points. I don't think he gave him credit for his outstanding defense.

As a result, it was a negatively biased article.

[lean_gator]

KB is the heart and soul of this team, imo.

[dailydoublecat]

I wish people would leave Boynton the hell alone. He is being so much more of a team player this year and not thinking "shoot first " all the time. He is trying to play a little point guard to help his TEAM. If you have a problem with Boynton then you probably aren't a BIG UF basketball fan IMHO.
Jeff

[rivergator]

I'm certainly glad Boynton is on the team. He's made us better for four years now.

[JohnC1908]

I'm certainly glad Boynton is on the team. He's made us better for four years now.

This. Anyone actually think UF is better w/o Kenny?

[alietigator]

It's no coincidence that we made it back to the tourney the year KB stepped on campus

[akaGatorhoops]

Erv is gone. . . someone needs to fill the scapegoat spot.
I give you . . . Kenny Boynton.

[Ahab]

It's fine to point out some flaws in Boynton's game but to jump to the conclusion that Boynton is hurting our team is stupid beyond belief.

[regurgigator]

Andy Glockner discusses.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20121218/kenny-boynton-florida/?sct=hp_wr_a4&eref=sihp


I think Andy is confused. I'll help clarify for him:

Boynton is a definite HELP - not a hindrance.

[gatordd]

Eh, since they are a ton of reports that Kenny came back to work on his PG skills, I think that's just as much on Kenny. He is still developing and will get better as the season goes on.

Also, terrible article.

Those reports are just as bad. Kenny came back cuz he had nowhere else to go unless he is set with playing overseas. Kenny wants to play in the NBA. Yes I understand that the point guard position may be his only chance. That said, he isn't and never will be a pure point

The article paints him as this selfish player that he is not

[BEH]

I think that Kenny Boynton takes Florida out of games often. He hit a needed three Saturday night, after he had missed a boatload, and then Kenny decided he could win the game single handedly and jacked up three misses in a little over two minutes. Same thing last year in the elite eight.

Attack now Gators. However, I believe KB cost Florida the Arizona and Louisville games. If he is a good point guard how did Florida have three straight turn overs late? Saturday night I was yelling at the TV for Billy to get him out. It does not matter if you are the leading scorer all time if you cost the team games: it is not worth it.

[gatordd]

I think that Kenny Boynton takes Florida out of games often. He hit a needed three Saturday night, after he had missed a boatload, and then Kenny decided he could win the game single handedly and jacked up three misses in a little over two minutes. Same thing last year in the elite eight.

Attack now Gators. However, I believe KB cost Florida the Arizona and Louisville games. If he is a good point guard how did Florida have three straight turn overs late? Saturday night I was yelling at the TV for Billy to get him out. It does not matter if you are the leading scorer all time if you cost the team games: it is not worth it.

This is just asinine. The games he wins for us make it worth any off night he may have. The kid is our number one scoring option and one of the best perimeter defenders we've had. It's not a shock that his production is down after switching to a role he has never played. Kenny did not lose us the game in the elite eight. He isn't a good PG but nobody thinks he is. He's playing the position out of necessity.

[GT Gator]

Erv is gone. . . someone needs to fill the scapegoat spot.
I give you . . . Kenny Boynton.

It's the return of the Escape Goat...

http://www.amazingacresgoatdairy.com/photos/goat100810_1.jpg

It's ridiculous that any scapegoat is being discussed. We're a top 10 team that lost by a point on the road to another top 10 team in freakin' December.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

I think that Kenny Boynton takes Florida out of games often. He hit a needed three Saturday night, after he had missed a boatload, and then Kenny decided he could win the game single handedly and jacked up three misses in a little over two minutes. Same thing last year in the elite eight.

Attack now Gators. However, I believe KB cost Florida the Arizona and Louisville games. If he is a good point guard how did Florida have three straight turn overs late? Saturday night I was yelling at the TV for Billy to get him out. It does not matter if you are the leading scorer all time if you cost the team games: it is not worth it.

You expect to be attacked, which means you know your thoughts are inflammatory toward the base. I realize you get your kicks out of riling up our fan base. Good for you.

It is very obvious, however, that you know nothing about Florida basketball, nor have you read these boards from any other perspective than to bash Florida, because it kills you that most people on this board loathe UK basketball. I have yet to see anyone say that Kenny is a good POINT GUARD. He is a good PLAYER whose natural position is shooting guard.

Who exactly would you have suggested Billy put in toward the end of the game? Braxton O, a true freshman who has been described as a combo guard and obviously isn't ready to play or he would have played against lesser competition this year? Rosario, who is also not a true PG and was already in the game? Wilbekin has a broken finger. So, who exactly would you suggest that Billy have put in during that situation?

This is the whole point most people in the thread who understand this team have been making. He is not a PG. He is a senior SG who is being forced to play out of position due to depth issues. He is being a TEAM player and is playing out of position because he was asked to do so and it's what's best for this team, for better or worse in the grand scheme of things.

You can say that Billy should have recruited another PG prior to this year. That's one thing. But then you question the decision to have a senior in the game who, for all intents and purposes, is our back up PG and is normally a great FT shooter?

Tell us Bert, what would your genius coach Calipari have done in that situation.

Congratulations. You've managed to get a Gator fan worked up over your well thought out post.

[BengermanV]

I love Boynton and that hasn't changed because of some poor early season play. Anyone who knows UF basketball knows he is a our best defender (shut down Jimmer a couple of years ago) and always takes a little while to get hot. He'll be fine, and so will his team.

[GatorsGators]

I think that Kenny Boynton takes Florida out of games often. He hit a needed three Saturday night, after he had missed a boatload, and then Kenny decided he could win the game single handedly and jacked up three misses in a little over two minutes. Same thing last year in the elite eight.

Attack now Gators. However, I believe KB cost Florida the Arizona and Louisville games. If he is a good point guard how did Florida have three straight turn overs late? Saturday night I was yelling at the TV for Billy to get him out. It does not matter if you are the leading scorer all time if you cost the team games: it is not worth it.He wins more games for us than he loses.

He's also not a true point guard and the transition has been terribly forced. Wilbekin is a point guard, and when his finger is healthy enough to handle the ball, he will be playing the majority of minutes at the point.

[tommyuf21]

He wins more games for us than he loses.

He's also not a true point guard and the transition has been terribly forced. Wilbekin is a point guard, and when his finger is healthy enough to handle the ball, he will be playing the majority of minutes at the point.

And he didn't lose those games either, it was Walker's fault....

Just ask a couple people here, they'll tell you.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Kenny is shooting on his way down again, he needs to watch some tape and start releasing a shot at the top of his jump again

[bullish]

Kenny is a great defender and a streaky shooter. He is trying his hand at PG, I know this is hard for him and hopefully by Kentucky time, he will have his shot back consistently and take us to the final four. Make the journalist eat crow!

Go Kenny, a four year starter for the Gators. Great in my book!

[gulfgator]

Good grief, what a ridiculous article. everyone knows Kenny is struggling with his game and his adjustment to point right now, but he is a flat out Baller and sure as rain he will get it going again.

Doubt KfB at your own peril

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Erv is gone. . . someone needs to fill the scapegoat spot.
I give you . . . Kenny Boynton.

Exactly my thoughts.

[REM08]

Erv is gone. . . someone needs to fill the scapegoat spot.
I give you . . . Kenny Boynton.

Well said and I agree.

On a side note, Jeff Goodman made a comment that Kenny's shooting will turn around when he Kenny recants on his statement about Goodman being a joke for not putting him in the 50 best shooters.

[tegator80]

Erv is gone. . . someone needs to fill the scapegoat spot.
I give you . . . Kenny Boynton.

If anything, Kenny's play shows people what I suspected the past two years: we really didn't have any better alternative at PG. Now for Kenny and this year, unless Scottie develops some more, we need to embrace what this team is and not what it isn't. Like the football team.

To me the big issue, and I think it showed up a little bit in Arizona, is what happens when a good defense puts pressure on the ball? Do we go into bad habits, especially in our own defensive pressure? If we don't, and we make free throws down the stretch, we should be expected to win.

[Go2gtr]

Criticizing KB is the role of the national media, not NBN.

[madgator]

Erv is gone. . . someone needs to fill the scapegoat spot.
I give you . . . Kenny Boynton.



The reality is that KB is not that far off from his career numbers percentage wise. If you take away the first two months of last season where he was absolutely scorching the nets. His shooting percentages were never really all that great.

Now, don't get me wrong. I agree he is off his game a bit but not to the extent to which the over-reaction is being displayed around here.

As for KB not getting the criticism from me that a certain past player has. There is a reason for that. KB overall plays a much more controlled game and is a much better overall decision maker than that player was. I also believe that his crispness of execution is better. Which is a subtle but important point.

I have a massive problem with passes being received at the ankles, at the knees, to a spot that takes the shooter either slightly off balance/rhythm or is in a spot that allows a defender the .01 amount of time to close a gap. This was a consistent problem in the past resulting from the often reckless, over-forced play. This is not a problem with our offense right now. Our offense is smooth and extremely controlled.

One thing that really impressed me against Arizona is how deliberate and smart we were in our halfcourt sets. We were taking the possession down to within 10-15 seconds almost every possession and we never seemed to force a bad shot even when we were tight on the shot clock. Our ball movement was crisp and precise.

Honestly, outside the last 3 minutes I thought we played the perfect basketball game in almost every respect.

Yes, I have always acknowledged that KB is prone to some of the dumb things his former backcourt mate used to do and has been guilty of contributing to our end of game collapses in the past. He even did it again against Zona.

However, overall I can deal with it. KB can score in the lane. He is IMHO a better passer, manages a game better, and is top notch defensively. His only drawback is the end of game brain-lapses he seems to fall into.

but as earlier stated.....better now than in March/April.

[outbackjack]

Heart and soul of the team. Leader. Unselfish.

Missed 1, yes 1, practice in 4 years.

Never in trouble.

Closing in on scoring records, all while being an unselfish player.

Hope every player we recruit from now til eternity has a career similar to Kenny.

By the way, did you know coach refers to him as "Junior".

[madgator]

Kenny is shooting on his way down again, he needs to watch some tape and start releasing a shot at the top of his jump again


good point......although I never understood how this is physically done. Try it sometime. Not easy

[NorthCaptivaGator]

good point......although I never understood how this is physically done. Try it sometime. Not easy

Becomes all arms because the energy from your legs is spent which is why it looks like he is chucking it from almost behind his head sometimes and barely hitting the front of the rim

[bike1014]

I see nothing wrong with the article. I love KB and have a ton of respect for him. I didn't have his maturity at his age. But the article is accurate. Sometimes Kenny is THE reason we win. And with his style of play, he's sometimes a big reason we lose. It is what it is.

[Ahab]

If Boynton is also one of the main reasons we win, then how can you call him a hindrance? Last I checked we win many more games than we lose.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

I see nothing wrong with the article. I love KB and have a ton of respect for him. I didn't have his maturity at his age. But the article is accurate. Sometimes Kenny is THE reason we win. And with his style of play, he's sometimes a big reason we lose. It is what it is.

We can agree to disagree, but, as with all team sports, there are usually 12-15 times during a game where things can shift, whether it be a momentum killing TO, poor shot selection or a bad coaching decision.

I think it is highly unfair to say that any one player loses a game for his team in a TEAM sport. I've always felt that way and probably always will.