Big Booooo: Sylvan Hills, AR, Guard Archie Goodwin Shuns Arkansas, Chooses Calipari, Kentucky
Posted by Adam Butler on September 21, 2011
The Rich Get Richer
per his Twitter account.
This is a big miss for Mike Anderson and the Arkansas program. Goodwin is the highest-ranked player to come out of Arkansas in several years and, like many Kentucky signees, has the potential to be a “one and done” player, assuming the NBA plays games in the next year or two.
After signing one of the best recruiting classes in the nation last year, Arkansas had hoped to make a splash nationally by adding another star to its roster in Goodwin, who, along with many members of his family, has allegedly been a longtime Razorback fan.
It’s a particularly disappointing decision considering a trio of highly-decorated native Arkansans–Ky Madden, Hunter Mickelson and Aaron Ross–joined Show Me State star B.J. Young last year in signing with the Razorbacks in a much bigger leap of faith than Goodwin would have had to have made this season to become a Hog.
The Arkansas program was in shambles a year ago, but with the addition of those 4 players and new head Coach Mike Anderson, the Razorbacks were in prime position to announce their return to national relevance with the addition of Goodwin.
Instead, Goodwin has apparently chosen UK and the lure of basketball mercenary John Calipari and thereby shunned his home state and its beloved basketball program.
If Calipari’s history is any indication, Goodwin will shine for the Big Blue, help it win a lot of games and hang a Final Four banner or 2 that will eventually be vacated, and, just as he would have if he had chosen Arkansas, will make a ridiculous amount of money in the NBA..
25 Responses to “Big Booooo: Sylvan Hills, AR, Guard Archie Goodwin Shuns Arkansas, Chooses Calipari, Kentucky”
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Kris will see banners raised that will actually stay up said
I am not surprised at all. Very disappointed, but not surprised. Archie and his family are unfortunatly swayed by the slick talk and gold watches of Calipari and loyalty means nothing. Archie, even though he has the state of Arkansas “tatted on my chest” as he boasts on his Twitter account will never be welcomed back into this state. It’s unfortunate, but true. Yes, Sylvan Hills’ graduates and his family will have an “Archie Griffin day” just as James Anderson had one, but… is it worth it?
You’re going to be one and done anyway, Archie. Why shun 4 million people for one year? Archie, had you stayed, people would have idolized you. Ask Corliss, Joe and Ronnie. Yes, all good sports programs love their players, but ask the casual Kentucky fan who Eric Bledsoe is and they will probably say, “Hmmm… didn’t he play with John Wall?” Instead, you could have been “THE MAN” here in Arkansas.
Oh well. Maybe it’s for the better. One has to think about someone who has a Bible quote on his Twitter account and cites himself as the source.
Kris will see banners raised that will actually stay up said
I obviously have football on my mind and not basketball.
Dave said
Pretty much a immature response to a kid’s choice. Because he did not choose Arkansas he is not loyal? Get over it! If Memphis had landed Goodwin, you would have been saying that Coach Pastner swayed him with slick talk and gold watches. Fans need to guard themselves about taking these decisions too personally. Goodwin is not saying Arkansas is a bad school, but that playing for Kentucky is a better choice for him. Being “THE MAN” in Arkansas would bring Goodwin constant double teams which would not let his talents fully shine. Goodwin didn’t choose Arkansas, therefore he is not loyal. False. Goodwin didn’t choose Arkansas, therefore Calipari tricked him. False. Goodwin didn’t choose Arkansas, therefore the whole State of Arkansas will not like him. False again. Don’t let your disappointment turn into petty attacks on a young man who has had more pressure and stress put on him than some of us will ever experience.
Kris will see banners raised that will actually stay up said
1. I don’t see any “petty attacks” on Archie in my post. I will call anyone out for taking quotes from Samuel and Isiah (and numerous Psalms) and stating they were yours.
2. “Because he did not choose Arkansas he is not loyal?” Actually… yes. You obviously haven’t followed Archie that much. Archie has beat his chest about being “an Arkansas boy”. He has Arkansas “tatted on his chest”. He has “mo luv for AR in mah finger than most of all yall”. Since Archie likes quoting the Bible (or not) so much maybe he needs to read Matthew 7:26-27. Archie needs to speak with Darren McFadden and Jermaine Taylor about state loyalty. And it is loyalty.
3. As far being “THE MAN”; I’m not just referring to games. I’m referring to the State. I also didn’t state Cal tricked him. I said Cal was “slick”. The only people in the world who don’t think Cal is “slick” are Kentucky fans.
Greg said
Let me assure you young man! Everyone in the state of Kentucky knows who Eric Bledsoe is, UK has millions of basketball fans! And they will adore Archie Goodwin like no other fanbase in the country. Mike Anderson was a great hire for Arkansas, I’ve always admired the Razorback program. And though it involved you’ll firing a UK legend it was the right move for your program! Goodwin will indeed be an NBA star, perhaps his choice was the right move for him personally. And at the end of the day it’s his life to live, not yours! I understand your disappointment but your mis-placed sense of “loyalty” and bringing the bible into your rationale is immature at best! Don’t forget also that Pelphrey was the guy who brought in this incoming class, and Calipari’s record of fast-tracking HS studs to the NBA is light years ahead of any other coach at any college in the country. It’s a shame you can’t be happy for this young man in making a decision that will shape his entire life from here on out!
Adam Butler said
Greg–
A good comment, as a whole, but WHY ON EARTH would be be happy for Goodwin choosing UK when our program has been down for a decade and getting him could have helped put us back on the map.
That would be like Lebron graduating H.S. during Pitino’s 2nd year at UK and then choosing Louisville and you guys just being happy that his life was going be shaped by Denny Crum and then have a great NBA career.
Kris will see banners raised that will actually stay up said
I don’t disagree with most of your post. However, I did not bring the Bible into play. Archie (somewhat) did. I just corrected him. I don’t have a misplaced sense of loyalty. Read the definition of loyalty-all of them.
Do you honestly think Kentucky fans will like Archie more than fans of his homestate had he chose to be a Hog? If so, you have more of a mythological view of the Kentucky fan base than Alabama fans do of their National Championships.
Greg said
Guys, honestly I feel for you! But the Hogs future is brighter than in many years, and good for you. A strong SEC is good for all of us, I’d love to see the UK/Ark rivalry back to what it was in the early 90′s. Goodwin was a great get for us, but as far as the kid’s best interest. You have to admit he’s probably better off in the long run at UK! I certainly understand that doesn’t ally the disappointment of his not staying home and playing for UA. Good luck to you guys in the upcoming season, the SEC West needs a powerhouse program to take over, you guys are set perfectly for that role with Anderson at the helm! And besides we suck at football, and you guys rock!
Greg said
~oops “allay”
Kris will see banners raised that will actually stay up said
That’s fine, Greg. I’m glad you feel that way. I don’t dislike Kentucky fans. I wish you the best of luck as well. However, it’s not true that Archie is better off in the long run at UK. Archie (asuming he plays well) will be a one-and-done no matter where he goes. Joe Johnson and Ronnie Brewer (among others, but I specifically state those guys as they were Arkansas bred and born) did not have a problem scoring 20 a game at Arkansas and becoming lottery picks.
Tim Couch stayed at home, was beloved by your fanbase, made UK football respectable and was a #1 overall pick. Would you say Tim would have better off in the long run by going to Alabama? Of course you wouldn’t.
Adam Butler said
Well, yes, actually, because he didn’t choose Arkansas, he isn’t loyal. That’s not petty, that’s a fact.,
One of the definitions of “Loyal” is unswerving in allegiance, as faithful to a cause, ideal custom or institution.
I know enough about the situation to feel very comfortable in saying Goodwin was swayed with slick talk. He, himself, publicly called it a “business decision”.
“Constant double teams” because he would be the man at Arkansas? Give me a break. Joe Johnson did ok for himself in the same system, and he had nowhere near the talent around him that Goodwin would have had in Madden, BJ Young, Mickelson and Devonta Abron–not even close.
I’m not saying Goodwin was tricked. I am saying he was a lifelong Razorback fan who beat his chest about the program and the state, and then all of a sudden, a few months ago, this became a “business decision” (again, his words).. That said, there are a lot of posts out there on the internets from people who claim to know Goodwin’s dad and say that as of around 8 pm last night, he was choosing the Hogs.
If you believe those, and based upon the history of some of the posters, it seems credible, thenyou have to think it “business” won out over loyalty.
Goodwin may not be scorned by Arkansans, but he certainly won’t be adored. That’s fine. It’s his prerogative. But, it’s also our prerogative to think that he puffed out his chest about the state and the program, but bailed at a time when he could have really helped bring us back to elite status, and still have a great NBA career.
It’s just a business decision by Arkansas fans. We don’t root for our competition.
Brett Kincaid said
I understand to some degree why the kid chose Kentucky, but it’s always a bitter pill to swallow when a local guy goes out of state. I think AB’s point about a one-and-done-so-what-does-it-matter makes a lot of sense. He’ll score and get on TV plenty at Arkansas.
I suppose he can always reconsider, but I think Kris is also on point. Hard to put a lot of faith in a guy who quotes the Bible then cites himself. That’s a very Tebow move.
seth said
arkansas people sound dumb!!!!
Adam Butler said
Yup. We’re all idiot rednecks and fine citizens of the State of Kentucky are all rocket scientists.
Brain said
Because Kentucky fans always sound sane and rational pertaining to their basketball program.
hhhaaaawwwwgggsss said
Kintuckee moron.
Kris will see banners raised that will actually stay up said
I’m just curious if these Kentucky fans would have been “happy for the kid” and “not disppointed” if Richie Farmer had stuck with LSU because UK had not offered as Coach Sutton already had his son, Sean? Yes, I just dropped a Richie Farmer reference and I’m sure that will be the only Archie/Richie comparison you will ever see.
Greg said
We’ve lost plenty of kids…Scotty Hopson and Chris Lofton in recent years. As far as Richie Farmer he isn’t among my faves ever. We would have been fine without him as far as I’m concerned…honestly!
Adam Butler said
You didn’t lose Chris Lofton. UK didn’t offer him. He would have done cartwheels to Lexington–not a good example.
Hopson was good, but not great at Tennessee. He was an odd ball during his interviews and went undrafted. I am sure he will make money in Europe, but it will be interesting to see how he is treated in the Commonwealth if he returns there to live. I am guessing he won’t be as well received as, say, Darius Miller.
Kris will see banners raised that will actually stay up said
Greg, this isn’t a 20/20 hindsight argument. This is right now or right then. I’m not going to take a “wait-and-see” line with Archie. I’m disappointed right now that he is not a Hog. You guys would have flipped out had Farmer gone to LSU.
hhhaaaawwwwgggsss said
Goodwins a bust,1 and done anyway.
Who cares 1 very small person wont win a season.
He needs to change that tat to ARCHIE instead of ARK..which by the way Goodwin ,is not how to abbreviate AR
Troy said
What a great grab for UK! I am a die hard UK fan but I also understand where you Razorback fans are coming from as well! I myself for one would have died had Farmer went elsewhere! Arkansas will be back with or without Goodwin! Mike Anderson was a great choice for you guys! Good luck guys, I wish your program the best! I dont see the final four banners coming down at UK though due to the fact Sandy Bell the compliance director at UK is tough! I still am ticked at the NCAA for not letting Kanter play this year. I agree he deserved to be punished but not indefinately! Again Good Luck this year I wish your program the nest! I was always a Nolan Richardson fan!!
Kris Will See Banners Raised That Will Actually Stay Up said
Great post, Troy! With no sarcasm at all, I truly do hope your compliance director is ALL over the basketball program.
I’m sure 99% of UK fans would have responded just as we have if Farmer had gone to LSU. It’s logical and second nature. I wish you guys the best… except when you play us of course!
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