Champ

[beast of the east]

Unfortunately my son is experiencing that difficult truth!

Really sorry to hear that.  I know someone out east who was in great shape, worked his own 10 acre farm, career military guy.  Caught Covid.  One of the lucky ones that got off a ventilator.  6 months later still couldn't lift his arms over his head.   For Champ I'd rather it be just a slump than a reasonable excuse of illness.

How is your son now?  

 

[Ray Morgan]

I can't recall a single player in st. John's history that can be so good for a number of games, and shoot so poorly in others. Does anyone have some real insight into this? Or even a theory into the shooting slumps?   I have nothing but a series of guesses. Once thing I have noticed is that Champ does not possess a shot fake, or blow by speed.  Mullin couldn't blow by you, but he had a great shot fake that got defenders off their feet consistently, and Chris was also very crafty with and without the ball. Billy Schaeffer was slow, but he had a number of ways to score, including jumpers and runners near the basket. Plus he was as good a shooter from 18 feet and in as you will ever find, just like Mullin was.

So is Champ just a streak shooter?  Does he get into his own head too much?  Does he have too predictable an offensive repertoire? Is he suffering residual wrist issues? All or some of the above? Does anyone remember a player that ran as hot and cold as Champ? It's not just contested shots of late. He missed a bunch of wide open looks that shooters like Mullin and Schaeffer would almost never miss. It is also telling of the program's inability to bring in shooters that I have had to go back to the 70s and 80s to find lights out shooters that played for St. John's.

 

[Knight]

I think Champy is playing hurt.  Sometimes your body won’t allow you to do what you normally have the ability to do.

 

[JohnnyFan]

Regardless of how this season turned out, Champ has been a great Johnny.

In my opinion, once a player is thrust into being an NBA prospect, the mental part of the game becomes more complicated.  We have seen this with a number of St. John's players over the years and I always feel like the NBA whispers are a distraction or curse. 

I often think of how Nova somehow avoids this dynamic...presumably with a balanced offensive attack.  Right now, they are the 8th ranked team in the nation without one player landing on any NBA mock draft (Not Gillespie, not Moore, not Robinson).  They are a model program and it's just interesting to take note.

 

[nysj144]

Regardless of how this season turned out, Champ has been a great Johnny.

In my opinion, once a player is thrust into being an NBA prospect, the mental part of the game becomes more complicated.  We have seen this with a number of St. John's players over the years and I always feel like the NBA whispers are a distraction or curse. 

I often think of how Nova somehow avoids this dynamic...presumably with a balanced offensive attack.  Right now, they are the 8th ranked team in the nation without one player landing on any NBA mock draft (Not Gillespie, not Moore, not Robinson).  They are a model program and it's just interesting to take note.


Great point.........go back a few years,  remember Shamorie Ponds junior year.    Very up and down

 

[SLYFOXX1968]

Regardless of how this season turned out, Champ has been a great Johnny.

In my opinion, once a player is thrust into being an NBA prospect, the mental part of the game becomes more complicated.  We have seen this with a number of St. John's players over the years and I always feel like the NBA whispers are a distraction or curse. 

I often think of how Nova somehow avoids this dynamic...presumably with a balanced offensive attack.  Right now, they are the 8th ranked team in the nation without one player landing on any NBA mock draft (Not Gillespie, not Moore, not Robinson).  They are a model program and it's just interesting to take note.


Great point.........go back a few years,  remember Shamorie Ponds junior year.    Very up and down.       The early part of Ponds 3 rd year started with him trying to be the PG that the NBA camp has told him to be .   He passed off the ball way too much .  After that notion disappeared , he went back to being the scorer he always was .   We could use a player likePonds  this year . I was a big Shamorie fan .  Enjoyed his 3 years . 

 

[Mullins Revenge]

Champy is being asked to do things on this team he is not capable of.  If his shot isnt falling, hes done.  He isnt quick or athletic enough to blow by anyone.  Once he starts missing shots, he has no other moves so he gets in his own head and never recovers that game.

Hes not a #1 scoring option on a team.  Hed be better as the secondary scorer on a team.
 

 

[paultzman]

Julian seems to be a wonderful kid, solid college player who will do great in life.

Of course I thought he would be more of take charge leader and consistently productive this season in big games, but fact is he he came here under recruited and almost went to prep school to join his brother the following year at Pitt. Upon his arrival he immediately helped the program greatly and deserves to be remembered but not revered like the Sealys, Mullins, Artests of Johnny fame. Give me another Julian anytime though.

 

[Knight]

If Champy is our guy, how about setting some good screens and get him free for a good shot.

 

[GardenCity62]

Champ is having an off year because of the lack of offensive support surrounding him. Wheeler has had a few games recently but Posh, Montez and the two shooters brought in to provide support, Smith and Coburn have not picked up the slack scoring wise when Champ has an off night. The record shows when Champ has an off night SJU loses and he knows it and has to play with that added pressure.
None of his teammates have that offensive talent to get a basket when it is needed so it all falls on Champ. Had either Smith or Coburn been able to provide that type of offense SJUs season and Champs season would have been entirely different.

 

[JohnnyFan]

If Champy is our guy, how about setting some good screens and get him free for a good shot.

Fair point, but I do think he has seen enough good looks.  Just not knocking them down.  

 

[usguard]

Yes beast we all agree slumps we can deal with

 

[Mullins Revenge]

Julian seems to be a wonderful kid, solid college player who will do great in life.

Of course I thought he would be more of take charge leader and consistently productive this season in big games, but fact is he he came here under recruited and almost went to prep school to join his brother the following year at Pitt. Upon his arrival here he immediately helped the program greatly and deserves to be remembered if not revered like the Sealys, Mullins, Artests of Johnny fame. Give me another Julian anytime though.

I do not consider him even close to being in the status of Mullin, Sealy etc.  In the 2 Big East tournament games he has played in, he has shot 2-7 and 7-21.

We would have to win a few post season games this year and he would have to be huge in those games if hes ever going to be mentioned with Mullin/Sealy etc.

 

[paultzman]

Julian seems to be a wonderful kid, solid college player who will do great in life.

Of course I thought he would be more of take charge leader and consistently productive this season in big games, but fact is he he came here under recruited and almost went to prep school to join his brother the following year at Pitt. Upon his arrival here he immediately helped the program greatly and deserves to be remembered if not revered like the Sealys, Mullins, Artests of Johnny fame. Give me another Julian anytime though.

I do not consider him even close to being in the status of Mullin, Sealy etc.  In the 2 Big East tournament games he has played in, he has shot 2-7 and 7-21.

We would have to win a few post season games this year and he would have to be huge in those games if hes ever going to be mentioned with Mullin/Sealy etc.

My point was JC is not in that class w those guys obviously but has been a positive overall, albeit coming up short in big games. I should have been clearer

 

[Mullins Revenge]

Julian seems to be a wonderful kid, solid college player who will do great in life.

Of course I thought he would be more of take charge leader and consistently productive this season in big games, but fact is he he came here under recruited and almost went to prep school to join his brother the following year at Pitt. Upon his arrival here he immediately helped the program greatly and deserves to be remembered if not revered like the Sealys, Mullins, Artests of Johnny fame. Give me another Julian anytime though.

I do not consider him even close to being in the status of Mullin, Sealy etc.  In the 2 Big East tournament games he has played in, he has shot 2-7 and 7-21.

We would have to win a few post season games this year and he would have to be huge in those games if hes ever going to be mentioned with Mullin/Sealy etc.

My point was JC is not in that class w those guys obviously but has been a positive overall, albeit coming up short in big games. I should have been clearer

I agree, he has been great for the program.  And he still has a chance to go down as a legend as if he can take this team on his back and win a Big East title in 2 weeks. 

 

[fuchsia]

Tried to watch in detail to compare when he is on vs. when he is off.  Seemed to me that his outside accuracy is greatest when he gathers to shoot fading back and a little left.  Once that succeeds he seems to get quicker and to move without the ball much better as defenders have to play him tight to stop the 3's.

 

[Ray Morgan]

I'm usually bearish on St. John's players making it to the NBA. However, despite being an inconsistent shooter, I think Champ gets drafted mid to late round 2 and makes a NBA roster. NBA teams know they are getting a quality person that will not cause drama. He will play banged up, and play within himself. He may play with more confidence without having to have to the fortunes of a team relying on whether he hits a 3. Champ rebounds well, has good hands, has excellent timing on shot blocks, does not commit silly fouls, and plays the passing lanes well. Despite too many games where his shot wasn't falling, he did not mope and contributed in other ways. There have been a lot of athletes that benefited from a sports psychologist. Does anyone know if St. John's uses one?

 

[RedStormNC]

There have been a lot of athletes that benefited from a sports psychologist. Does anyone know if St. John's uses one?

https://redstormsports.com/staff-directory/mark-armiento/215

 

[JohnnyFan]

I don't expect it, but there is a case to be made that coming back for his senior year could work in Champs' favor.  Coming off this season, I don't think it could hurt him. 

That said, there a few options and each could work in his benefit.  No doubt he can excel in the G-League, overseas or back in college.  Regarding the NBA, he did not play his way into the first half of the first round, so now it's a crap shoot.  He has his brother's experience as context, but Julian has a much different game than his brother  Justin's strengths don't slump, where as Julian's strength (shooting) can.  

 

[MarkRedman]

Having Champ in our program has been a wonderful breath of fresh air. He seems to be a good "kid" off the court and he has been a very good college player and asset to St John's basketball for three years.

Having said that, while I sincerely hope that he gets drafted, it wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't. Sure, he has skills but so do lots of others who never wear an NBA jersey. Watch a G league game on TV and you'll see several former college stars who are very good players who just aren't good enough for the big time. I'm concerned that he is not a great defender nor is he adept at creating his own shot. Having seen him play for three years, while I'd love to see him come back next year, I don't think that another year in college will change things for him. But he certainly is talented enough to play overseas and make a good living there as many of our former players have done.

I've enjoyed watching Champ play and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.