[Written by @gbdawkins - @ParadigmShift35]

People hate Cal. Louisville people really hate Cal. Me? I like Cal. C’mon, keep reading. First of all he’s personable and funny. That’s good enough for you, right? No? Okay…

there’s more.  I’m a fan because he takes high school all-stars and convinces them to be role players. Yes, Anthony Davis is a star, but the team isn’t carried on his back. Some of these kids could go to say, oh I dunno, The University of Alabama, and have a team built around them.  In Cal’s world, no player is bigger than the team no matter how bright his star shines.  I like that.

Yes, he’s had two Final 4 appearances vacated at U. Mass and Memphis. In 1996, the NCAA deterimined that Marcus Camby has agent associations and accepted cash while with Umass. Then, in 1998, there was some sort of brouhaha about an SAT score and Derrick Rose at Memphis. Ok, fine. But, the NCAA determined Calipari had no knowledge or role in either. When you stop laughing, please remember that there does have to be evidence to throw the man out of the sport. If there isn’t any, life goes on without repercussions. Is it improbable…maybe. But this isn’t the first time that those of us on the outside thought something was obvious, but when the matter was investigated, no actual proof could be found. Cam Newton, anyone?

Calipari is also criticized for utilizing the “one and done” rule to build championship teams. He didn’t create the rule. If you’re so pissy about it, blame the NBA. Could be that I’m jaded because I’ve dealt with the false outrage over Bama’s “oversigning” for some time now. Yes, Bama did that and your team could have too. So quitcher bitching. It was not against over the rules. Perhaps I’m blinded by the glare off the crystal trophies, but I have no problem with a coach who works within the rules, especially when these kids regularly deal with AAU coaches. Nothing Calipari could do would rival the lack of scruples of these scoundrels. Nobody’s been duped here; if you think these kids aren’t aware of their own value, I have this bridge..

So with that in mind, I’m fine with Cal. And like I said, he’s funny. You’re probably just jealous because you’re not.

UPDATE: I wrote this last night. Today, courtesy of @mengus22 of Big East Coast Bias, I read something by Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press using most of the same facts, but reaching the opposite conclusion. He believes Cal should be burned at the stake. Or something. He’s wrong, of course.

Follow me on twitter at @gbdawkins