A story worth repeating

Beast you are the best and our 2018/Chris Mullin "predicament" was layed out nicely!

And, no, I respectfully disagree.
This is neither over the top nor blind optimism. It is a real story told by a real SJU coach in the know.
This is neither over the top nor blind optimism, it is optimism - (see among many treatises "Learned Optimism" by Martin Seligman)...having a good attitude, patience and the willingness to persevere leads to progress and success.
It's not pie in the sky. And...
It beats the alternative, the negative approach.
A good dose of healthy, balanced optimism. Reality that having our program turn around for the better can and is happening through all of these growing pains.

The losing stinks. I get it. Our common thread on this site - how much every one of us longs to succeed.
I think about the Yankees circa the late 1960s and late 1980s.
The Dark ages.

I had a momentary dream about when we are next in the top twenty, in the tournament, with a chance of 'making some damage'...
How sweet that will be.
I bet it happens.
I understand others will bet the other way.
I respect their opinions.

But dammit if small Catholic schools sans football can make it (Gonzaga, Xavier, Villanova, Dayton, Creighton, St. Marys, and others)
We surely can.
Optimism, hanging in there, facing the current reality, moving along...does not need to be anything blind about it.

Optimism - the kind laced with reality and hope.
Our glass is neither half-filled nor half empty. It is our glass and mixed and now we shall see what we do with it.

Maybe there's hope - not much hope according to some of our fellow posters.
A scintilla :D

I'm willing to give ourselves a break...even with no more Ws this year.
Willing to float along until this time next year.
And see how things may have brightened.
For the team we root for.

As a disappointed fan, but a fan nonetheless, I see no other acceptable options.

Thanks Beast.
 
As a St. John's fan, I sometimes feel like the kid with the "KICK ME" sign on my back. Wondering why people are snickering, then getting a kick in the rump by the big guys. I feel we'll lose the next 2 games, then turn it around by winning a few of the remaining games.

 
I'm not at practice, so I can't do anything other than guess on who does what there. I see no reason to do that.

I have attended every home game since Mullin was hired and was at the tournament in Florida. In Florida the place was so empty you could hear basically everything going on. The idea that GSJ coaches the team during the game has become urban legend. It had some validity, sadly, during the first year. That is no longer what I see, and I can tell from the television coverage of away games that you can't tell much of anything unless you are in the arena. Is GSJ clearly the lead in-game assistant? Yes, that is clear, and he is given a large role. I suspect if he was a senior citizen nobody would have a problem with the setup.

As for Mitch, he has been getting killed here for years. He sits next to Mullin during games with an empty seat next to him. Obviously he talks to Mullin, and whenever anyone comes out of the game they head straight to the seat next to Mitch, and if you bother to look you can see him going over stuff (also known as coaching) with them for a few minutes before they can move on. It's weird with Mitch, I don't think I have ever spent so much time watching a second assistant but every other day on this board someone says he does nothing. So I keep checking, and see the guy coaching. I guess I'm hallucinating.

The guy that I never see doing a thing is Matt. I've mentioned this before, and it seems like a sore topic here. But he does recruit, which we all know because every time he does anything Braziller quickly tweets it. If only Richmond had a lackey to tweet every time he talks to a player, maybe he wouldn't get so much grief.

Make no mistake I am not happy with the results, and I believe in accountability. If the staff gets shaken up so be it, it would be understandable. If things don't improve you can add Mullin to the list - but that is not and should not happen in year three.

In the meantime I will enjoy what I can from the team and root for them all to succeed.

 
This isn’t directed at anyone in particular but, does provide some food for thought . I watched Providence get blown out last night by Seton Hall ! The Hall had a 19-0 run . Ed Cooley , who gets a lot of bouquets thrown his way by posters here , had no answer to stem the Hall rout . And , CBSSports , did get their mike in his huddle several times and it didn’t appear he had any Coaching miracles up his sleeve since the Friars were getting their butts kicked . My point is , that whatever a Coach does in the locker room or in the huddle , often times doesn’t do diddly squat in terms of changing the course of a game . Yet, Mullin has been berated for his lack of Coaching Adjustments mid game and otherwise . We almost beat Seton Hall , Villanova and Creighton and the 2 G town toss ups . Many of our BE brethren are getting blown out by each other regularly . Yet, the only games we weren’t competitive in were Prov, DePaul and Butler . You think anyone at Providence is deprecating Cooley’s Coaching today because the Friars were blown out ? I think not !
 
I'm not at practice, so I can't do anything other than guess on who does what there. I see no reason to do that.

I have attended every home game since Mullin was hired and was at the tournament in Florida. In Florida the place was so empty you could hear basically everything going on. The idea that GSJ coaches the team during the game has become urban legend. It had some validity, sadly, during the first year. That is no longer what I see, and I can tell from the television coverage of away games that you can't tell much of anything unless you are in the arena. Is GSJ clearly the lead in-game assistant? Yes, that is clear, and he is given a large role. I suspect if he was a senior citizen nobody would have a problem with the setup.

As for Mitch, he has been getting killed here for years. He sits next to Mullin during games with an empty seat next to him. Obviously he talks to Mullin, and whenever anyone comes out of the game they head straight to the seat next to Mitch, and if you bother to look you can see him going over stuff (also known as coaching) with them for a few minutes before they can move on. It's weird with Mitch, I don't think I have ever spent so much time watching a second assistant but every other day on this board someone says he does nothing. So I keep checking, and see the guy coaching. I guess I'm hallucinating.

The guy that I never see doing a thing is Matt. I've mentioned this before, and it seems like a sore topic here. But he does recruit, which we all know because every time he does anything Braziller quickly tweets it. If only Richmond had a lackey to tweet every time he talks to a player, maybe he wouldn't get so much grief.

Make no mistake I am not happy with the results, and I believe in accountability. If the staff gets shaken up so be it, it would be understandable. If things don't improve you can add Mullin to the list - but that is not and should not happen in year three.

In the meantime I will enjoy what I can from the team and root for them all to succeed.
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I've spoken to Matt a few times, and one thing is clear is that he has relationships with each of the guys on this team, and I do believe that being legitimately concerned for each one of them come across in shining colors when he recruits and beyond. Unlike some recruiters that once recruited treat players like yesterday's news, Matt appears legitimately concerned with their well being, and that type of integrity is hard to find. Of course his strength isn't going to be in game coaching, but he has a strong and valuable role on this team.
 
This isn’t directed at anyone in particular but, does provide some food for thought . I watched Providence get blown out last night by Seton Hall ! The Hall had a 19-0 run . Ed Cooley , who gets a lot of bouquets thrown his way by posters here , had no answer to stem the Hall rout . And , CBSSports , did get their mike in his huddle several times and it didn’t appear he had any Coaching miracles up his sleeve since the Friars were getting their butts kicked . My point is , that whatever a Coach does in the locker room or in the huddle , often times doesn’t do diddly squat in terms of changing the course of a game . Yet, Mullin has been berated for his lack of Coaching Adjustments mid game and otherwise . We almost beat Seton Hall , Villanova and Creighton and the 2 G town toss ups . Many of our BE brethren are getting blown out by each other regularly . Yet, the only games we weren’t competitive in were Prov, DePaul and Butler . You think anyone at Providence is deprecating Cooley’s Coaching today because the Friars were blown out ? I think not !
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Maybe because they are not 0-11 in conference and I bet there are criticisms of him by Friars fans.
 
Here are my thoughts for what they are worth. There is no doubt that the biggest contributor to our 0-11 record in the BE is (I) the loss of Lovett and (ii) the lack of depth, especially the lack of a grad transfer serviceable big man who can rebound and core. The first of these no one could have foreseen, the second, the staff has to take some responsibility for.
As far as coaching, our staff is learning on the job and as such will, and does, make mistakes. At times, especially at the end of close games, we have looked a bit lost. It is a learning process and I believe Chris is making progress and will get there, perhaps with some staff changes.

What makes no sense to me is the view that either (I) everything this year is based on personnel/injuries and coaching has no part in the losses or (ii) coaching is the culprit and we cannot succeed without bringing in a new staff. To me, neither is true. We are all posting here because we are for the most part basketball junkies and St. John's fanatics and as such are going to have opinions on players and coaching and that is fine. I am still optimistic as to the future of the program because I want to believe that Chris can bring us back. However, I do believe that constructive criticism is both appropriate and merited even most of us have neither coached or played at the college level.
 
Here are my thoughts for what they are worth. There is no doubt that the biggest contributor to our 0-11 record in the BE is (I) the loss of Lovett and (ii) the lack of depth, especially the lack of a grad transfer serviceable big man who can rebound and core. The first of these no one could have foreseen, the second, the staff has to take some responsibility for.
As far as coaching, our staff is learning on the job and as such will, and does, make mistakes. At times, especially at the end of close games, we have looked a bit lost. It is a learning process and I believe Chris is making progress and will get there, perhaps with some staff changes.

What makes no sense to me is the view that either (I) everything this year is based on personnel/injuries and coaching has no part in the losses or (ii) coaching is the culprit and we cannot succeed without bringing in a new staff. To me, neither is true. We are all posting here because we are for the most part basketball junkies and St. John's fanatics and as such are going to have opinions on players and coaching and that is fine. I am still optimistic as to the future of the program because I want to believe that Chris can bring us back. However, I do believe that constructive criticism is both appropriate and merited even most of us have neither coached or played at the college level.
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I feel that overall there has been an improvement in the coaching this season. Loss of Lovett, other injuries, lack of a rebounding big, and especially no bench to speak of has killed us. Defense has been better, but inconsistent. 3-point defense still lacking.
Countdown until payback season next year.
 
As bad as things seem, I thought of a story that Coach Carnesecca told on the occasion of his 90th birthday, at a celebratory dinner at Antun's in Queens Village.

The mood in the room at the state of affairs of men's basketball was somber. It was Steve Lavin's last season, and the team had gotten off to another miserable start.

When they rolled out a cake after dinner, Bill Schaeffer knew that Coach wasn't feeling well of late, and instead of calling him up to the front of the room, brought the microphone over to Carnesecca's table so Lou could offer a few words while seated.

Carnesecca would have none of that, and stood rather weakly, grasping the back of a chair rail for support. He started off slowly in a voice that seemed weaker from the years and infirmity. He cracked a few jokes, and soon took control of the room, where the laughter and smiles energized him.

He spoke about our great tradition at St. John's, and began by giving an oral history of Buck Freeman's teams, notably the Wonder Five. He said how excited he was a young assistant to finally meet those alumni. "I was expecting monsters! They were all about 5 foot 2." Brought the house down. He went on to speak of Lapchick's great teams, and then his own great teams, and scanning the room stopped at one person and barked loudly "And Gordie Thomas! If you hadn't missed that last shot, we'd have made another Final Four!" Again the house came down as Lou became Looie, and everyone in the room filled with pride that Looie is OUR treasure.

Then Lou went on to speak of the rough road we've had over recent years. He said "I know so many of us are disappointed and worried about the future of St. John's basketball. Let me tell you a story. Many years ago, one of our teams got off to a miserable start. Really horrible. We just couldn't get anything right, and the losses mounted. I started to worry. So did my staff. I got a call from Jack Kaiser, our athletic director. In a serious tone he told me that he wanted to meet with me and my entire staff. I was certain that this was it. We were getting fired. We all knew it and prepared for the worst."

They went into Kaiser's office, and were told to sit down. A firing squad at least let's you stand. Kaiser began to go over the rough start, and how the losses were mounting. Here it was - the preposition to the inevitable action.

Kaiser continued, "I want you guys to know something. This is a rough start, really bad. But I know one thing you don't right now. We are going to turn this thing around very soon, and you have my 100% support. I want you guys to stop worrying and go out and play ball. The wins will come."

Looie and his staff left relieved but unsure. Just as Jack said, the wins started to come, and started to mount. The team turned it around, and made the post season.

Carnesecca then brought it back to the present. "So I know you guys are worried. I know that you think we aren't going to turn it around. But as sure as Jack Kaiser knew that our team was going to turn it around, I'm sure that this team will as well. Because we are St. John's and St. John's wins."

Looie was right. Steve's team turned it around, and made the dance.

So last week I attended a small gathering where Coach Mullin, Greg St. Jean, Anton, and much of the athletic department was present. Bobby G. was there also, and spoke. Much like Looie a few years ago, and Kaiser a generation ago, both Dr. Gempsehaw and AD Goff expressed their 100% opinion that Chris and his staff will turn it around, and that good times are coming soon. Why? Because we are St. John's.
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So I posted this story because I wanted to help drag us all out the dumps of the inevitable negativity that comes when losing happens in bunches. Maybe to help myself too.

Funny thing. I've had opportunities to meet Looie over the years and interact. I clearly remember the day in early September 1981 as a recent grad and sju employee when i encountered Chris who was just on campus a few days as a freshman, on the sidewalk outside alumni hall. I introduced myself, told him how excited my friends were that he was here to play ball at st. John's. I wished him the best, and he was about as polite as a kid could be.

Roll that forward a few years, and for certain he gave us the best, far better than we could have hoped. I remember chatting with him one summers day in 84, when i ran into him at a pet store on union too, when he was out with his pal Larry Falabella. I asked him if Berry was coming for sure, and he said he sure hoped so. He did, and the next season was golden. Like most seasons though, it ended in pain in Lexington, a brilliant career with no storybook finish.

I've been perhaps the biggest cheerleader for Chris to come home to coach here. I knew the downside, the Clyde drexler comparisons, how taking on this challenge could tarnish him. But if he took the job, I was 1000% for it.

We've been building something here, slowly, maybe the right way. Good balance of recruits and transfers. This roster, but solid pieces. This year looked like we'd finally see daylight, and started out that way. Then January came as cold as it could be, and 0-11 followed. Misery? The worst year ever? Maybe, but I haven't been feeling it.

I met Chris recently, and Greg too, not as a star struck fan, but to offer support, and my confidence in them. I feel like the two are friends, one old, one new. I KNOW both belong here, for a long long time. I count Lou's daughter Enes as one of my new friends, a friendship that has zero to do with bball. I never fail to tell her how special her dad is. It's important.

You see, when we say, "We are... St. John's " this means far more than we even realize. By and large we are a bunch of alums and fans drawn together by not just basketball, but st. Johns itself. Something special to be a part of.

I heard this post was shared with Liz, who liked it so much she shared it with Chris this week. I shared it with Enes who shared it with her Dad this morning. I hoped it would pick them up. Its been rough on everyone, roughest on Chris.

One win doesn't make a season, but one win can help turn a season around. John Wooden would say sports doesn't build character, it reveals it. Through this horrible streak, Chris, Greg, Matt, Mitch, and Anton have kept their chins up and revealed their character. And as Al Pacino exhorted in Scent of a woman in defense of a student about to be expelled, their character is goooood, and deserves to be here.

Yea, it's an emotional day, but I love these guys, and I love these kids, who have fought and scrapped and never given up once this year. And i love this school

Because we are.
 
Timeless post, Beast. Says it all about St. John’s, it’s people, and the team—players and coaches. Thank you.
 
Like the sweater that propelled st johns all the way to the top of the polls and a showdown vs. #2 Georgetown some 33 years ago, I'm going to resurrect this thread after highlights and lowlights. Uts worth repeating.

It summoned up the faith of a 93 year old leprechaun who now walks with a cane, yet was on his feet vocal and animated as our guys brought new York toughness to MSG vs Duke, and refused to back down from college basketball's elite, who are almost the sporting worlds version of trust fund babies.

Those elites have never known losing and many likely never will. Their roster is always plentiful and their recruits prime usda choice. Our are often best of the rest.

But Looie didnt give up on Steve, and Looie will never give up on Chris. Too much love for Chris and too much love for st. John's.

Do you believe in magic, or at least karma? I do, and if I dont completely, I believe in never giving up, even when it appears its time to do so.

I also believe in loyalty, not blind loyalty, mind you, but being loyal to the right causes and the right people who are worthy of that trust. Causes like st. John's, who helped provide me with a foundation for career success, and to guys like Chris who don't wax poetically with silver tongued eloquence, but who live by rock solid ethics and whose life is eloquent example. How he treats his players, how he treats total strangers.

Even in a classic moment of elation last night speaking to a tv audience about the win over nova, ponds saddled up, next to be interviewed, and affectionately draped an arm over Chris' shoulder. Not lost on me was that as Chris'post game interview ended and ponds about to begin, Mullin paused and said to Shamorie, "come here" and gave him a warm hug as the cameras waited.

Sometimes a coach can show more in losing than in winning, and I believe that Chris and Greg and Matt and Mitch did that for 11 games. Chris never stopped encouraging the kids and assistants, never stopped teaching,never gave up. Terrence told me that the losing was eating him alive, yet Chris never showed that to anyone but those in his inner circle. That kind of character pays dividends, way beyond basketball.

Chris doesn't want to win for Chris. Crap, even his retired number 20 meant less to him than his players who wanted to wear it. Chris wants to win because SJU basketball is special to him, just as it is special to us. Because he is one of us.

He is the right man here, to me at least until the moment comes where he hands the baton to the next Looie or Chris. God we know thise types are hard to find, even when Chris was just a call away to come home. Greg likely won't wait, but in a perfect world maybe he could be the guy like Jay Wright who gets summoned back to where he was an assistant.

But that's thinking way ahead. For now, enjoy 2 historic, unreasonably unlikely events, our faith restored in a program we all love.

 
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