By Benjamin Lampkin
For the first time since his signing with the University ofKentucky in 1998 as an All-American from Alabama, Marvin Stone wasreceiving national media attention. His much-publicized dismissalfrom UK and his decision to sign with the University of Louisvillebasketball program had caused another rift between the instaterivals and made headlines around the country.
But after the hypocritical decision to prohibit Stone fromsigning with Louisville was overturned by UK (the administrationseemed to have no problem with former player Jason Parker signingwith interdivisional rival South Carolina), Stone was free tobecome a Cardinal, and his basketball edification was soon to havea new professor: one Rick Pitino.
From the moment he first got a look at his new team in 2001,Pitino lamented his lack of a legitimate post presence. And fromthe moment Stone arrived last January, he has done nothing butlavish praise on his new center.
“He has the best footwork of any player I’ve coached at thecollegiate level,” said Pitino. “Marvin’s biggest problem is thefact that he’s really not played a whole lot of minutes. But he’sgonna be a great player for us.” Along with not getting atremendous amount of minutes, many naysayers in the Kentuckybasketball family criticized Stone for what they perceived to be alack of enthusiasm and effort. Those criticisms may soon prove tobe unfounded. “I think I’ve gotten more comfortable here, and Ithink that has something to do with me working as hard as I have,”said Stone. “I just had to grow up and get through some toughtimes, and hopefully there’s some good times to come.”
The good times to come that Pitino has alluded to a number oftimes will be his aggressive, up-tempo basketball team havinglegitimate size in the post, and not having to play undersizedforwards (especially Ellis Myles and Luke Whitehead) out ofposition. Myles in particular was prone to picking up fouls againstopposing centers, and battling every big man thrown his way, gamein and game out, was taking its toll.
“Last year, I was always guarding somebody who was bigger thanme. That’s the reason why I picked up a lot of fouls,” said Myles.”Last year, you had to kind of conserve yourself a little, becausethere wasn’t a lot of depth at your position. This year, I guessyou can just go full out the whole time you’re in there.”
Defense and rebounding are critical aspects of the game thatPitino believes Stone must get better at in order to help out theCardinals this season. “What he’s got to do is put up reboundingand shot blocking numbers,” said Pitino. “He’s gotta prove he canrebound and shot block at the major level. He has the ability to bea good shot blocker. Usually well-conditioned athletes do thatwell.”
Offensively, Stone has impressed Pitino in workouts and inindividual instruction with his passing and footwork. His abilityto hit open three-point shooters is one of the keys to the Cardinaloffense that never fully materialized last season.
“No one would double us last year (in the post), so we wouldnever get easy three-point shots,” said Pitino. “Now, people aregonna come after him [Stone], and he knows when to pass and when totake his man.”
As an NBA prospect, Stone’s future was looking rather grim afterhis first two and a half years at UK. Under Pitino’s guidance,there remains a glimmer of hope for Stone to have a shot at playingprofessional basketball. “Time hurts me, but I’m ready,” saidStone. “Time does create a little pressure, but I’m ready forit.”
“There’s three things that are important,” said Pitino. “Winsfor the team, rebounding, and blocked shots. Those three things aregonna make him an NBA basketball player.”
While the NBA may be a dream too far off to imagine, his finalopportunity to prove himself is here. At U of L, Stone will now getthe support he needs to help himself and the Cardinals achievetheir goals.
“It’s been great; my team’s support, my coaches’ support, andthe fans’ support,” said Stone. “Hopefully, when the season comes,I’ll be able to return that.”
