Europe Trip Details

[Pleasedontbanmeagain]

"Hardy's team", as Seniors, may be comparable to this team. As Juniors, this team is much better. These guys,in my opinion, will be better than that team by the end of the year. I loved that team but the talent level right now is much better.

And also, Hardy's team was not full of top 100 talent. How many top 100 players are on this team...6 or 7? Results are one thing and the Hardy team was good until Kennedy went down, but in terms of talent and ceiling potential, there's no question the team this year is the most stacked we've had in a while.

Hardy was a 3 star guard not even in the top 100...Sheed is a 5 star guard #3 best PG in the country and like 17th overall best player.

 

[Marillac]

Hardy's team was limited in talent. This team has no limitations in that category.

 

[simplyred]

I remember this board when that team lost to Fordham. How quickly we forget. Now we are putting them ahead of this year's roster after 5 exhibition games against pro teams.

 

[otis]

Former Knick GM Eddie Donovan use to regularly say that the best team is not always the team with the best talent, but rather the team that plays best together.

Before you guys canonize this team lets see how the players play together during the first half of the season.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

I have gone back to my city. First of all, I should have written before the first game in Spain that I was not going to be available by internet in Barcelona because I didn´t travel with a computer. Sorry.

Thanks for your kind words to me.

It was fantastic to see St. John´s play in my country. I will write two topics in this thread, the first ome about the games and the second one about the behaviour of the players and the staff.

Although we win the first game, in the second one the team played better, much better.

First game:
A few considerations before my comments: Sampson (minor injury) and Achiuwa (stomach virus) didn´t play, so there were only 11 available players (two of them walk-ons) and Bourgault only played 3 minutes.
The team had many fouls. As you have written Sanchez and Pointer had 5 fouls and Branch had 4 fouls in the first half. That made that in some moments Hooper played the 4 position.

The good things:

- Thanks to Sanchez and Hooper this is a better rebounding team. There is no always box out but the team is improving (they have more experience). And the team goes hard for the offensive rebound.
- The team (and the offensive system) know that Hooper is a good shooter and they look for him.
- The individual defense. Some players (Pointer, Harrison, Branch and Jordan) have very quick hands and other players (Obepka, Sanchez) know in many times anticipate the play.
- A running team. The team play fast.
- The team knew that Harrison and Branch (remember, Sampson didn´t play) will shoot in the clutch. The team knows the options.

The things that need improvements:

- The free throw shooting.16/27 is not good.
- Unlike Lavin´s teams, many turnovers (24). It is true that some of them won´t happen in United States (travelling is different in Europe) but there were some bad passes.
- The 2-3 defense. Not because the 3 point shooting of the opponent (8/30), but there were some plays that the CB Prat frontcourt players were free near the basket and they made easy baskets. For example, Jones was benched twice for these kind of plays.
- I think that the team could use (and make some plays) for Obepka. 25 minutes, 1 shot in the last minute (a dunk that he missed).

But in the second game the team played better. The attack was more efficient (Sampson played and this helps) and there were many situations that the players made the correct pass to the teammate that was free and there were more easy baskets.

The 2-3 defense improved (at least in the interior plays). It was a visible fact that before the game all the coaches gave advices and talks to the players, telling them how they had to defend. Unfortunately Manresa team (a better team than CB Prat) shot 11/21 in 3 pointers. But, at least they covered better the interior plays.

The free throw shooting was bad again. For example, Richard steinfeld has written it about Hooper. Hooper didn´t shot many free throws, but in the five games in Europe I think that he was 3/8. Strange.

It is good that there were improvements, although it is obvious that all (players, coaches and fans) are ambitious and want more.

Phil Greene was shooting before the games. I don´t know when he could play.

I have to go out and I will write about the fantastic behaviour of the team to the kids tomorrow. Sorry.

And sorry for my english.

Gracias amigo!
You also confirm Paul's observation about our poor free throw shooting form and that if it does not improve from last year it will cost us games. You also have confirmed my observation from last year in that not a single play is ever run for Chris Obekpa, even against low caliber teams in Europe. That will not help his NBA stock and may discourage future bigs.
Looking forward to more from your visit with the team and we understand you much better than our Ebonics obsessed fan on Johnny Jungle! LOL!

Chris Obekpa needs some offensive ability before they run plays for him. He does not possess a short jumper, post moves, cannot put the ball on the floor, cannot drive to the hoop, or doesn't possess a short jump hook. He can throw it down, and he has excellent court vision and decent feel for the open man with the ball in his hands. Until he develops part of his offensive game, throwing him the ball with the idea that he will suddenly be able to put the ball in the hole is in my opinion, premature.

In other words.......useless....except for blocking a few shots. Certainly not a future NBA prospect. You wonder why big centers are not making visits?

At this point, no offensive game. My future son-in-law likens him to Okefor at this stage of development. I do think that shot blockers are such a premium that you cannot teach, that if he works hard could be a credible offensive player. I like all of our front line players, but am reasonable in expectations. He have such depth this year that if a couple of guys bust through it could be a really fun season. There already are signs that we may be surprised with a few guys, based on performances in Europe. It is Lavin's best team talent wise for certain.

Al McGuire used to say that guards are a dime a dozen, but aircraft carriers are few and far between. I think Lavin will land one soon enough, but until then the overall talent coming our way will continue to be on the upswing.

You really think this is his best team?
I think Hardy's team was quite a bit better.

Tom, did you honestly think that before they had the season they had?

 

[Pleasedontbanmeagain]

Agree with Otis...the most talented team does not always win...the team with the best chemistry and consistency does. Individually we are absolutely stacked, but that means nothing if we can't get a groove going in games utilizing all players effectively according to their skill set.

I really, really hope this is the year SJU at the very least makes the tourney if not cracks the top 25 at some point.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

I just saw the highlights of the last two contests. Man they got me pumped!

A few things that got me excited and could be huge for our success:

Addition of Rysheed, Sanchez, hooper, and healthy Jamal will increase our passing and shot opportunities tenfold. In particular I cannot wait to see Rysheed pass the ball.

Also branch looks much stronger and d Lo looks quicker than last year. Less minutes will be great for Harrison's legs.

PS anyone else realize how much Jamal favors his left hand? Both in finishing and driving, it's cool to see because as a righty I was the same way.

 

[NYCRedmen]

Agree with Otis...the most talented team does not always win...the team with the best chemistry and consistency does. Individually we are absolutely stacked, but that means nothing if we can't get a groove going in games utilizing all players effectively according to their skill set.

I really, really hope this is the year SJU at the very least makes the tourney if not cracks the top 25 at some point.

Joe, you do realize that we have the 7th most NCAA appearances and in 2011 we made the tourney and were a Top 25 team by season's end. You sound as if we are like Northwestern LOL.

 

[Pleasedontbanmeagain]

Agree with Otis...the most talented team does not always win...the team with the best chemistry and consistency does. Individually we are absolutely stacked, but that means nothing if we can't get a groove going in games utilizing all players effectively according to their skill set.

I really, really hope this is the year SJU at the very least makes the tourney if not cracks the top 25 at some point.

Joe, you do realize that we have the 7th most NCAA appearances and in 2011 we made the tourney and were a Top 25 team by season's end. You sound as if we are like Northwestern LOL.

It all depends what era you grow up in. My uncle still laughs when I say how good the Yanks are because they sucked when he was my age. Lots of older guys I know still talk about the glory days of the Jets and Mets. I never experienced those times...only the embarrassing eras of both teams. The one good season I've really witnessed was 2011 when we were ranked, but even then Kennedy went down and we did nothing in the tourney. When that's the best you've ever seen SJU do mixed in with some awful years, your expectations are lowered.

 

[NYCRedmen]

Expectations are one thing, but you can't act is if our past never happened just b/c you don't remember it. I was not old enough to appreciate the 1985 Final Four team but that doesn't it didn't happen.

 

[L J S A]

Hardy was a 3 star guard not even in the top 100

I think that was definitely an example of recruiting experts not seeing every player. The dude averaged 39 a game in the PSAL. Probably should have been in the conversation for top 150, but I'm sure he was ranked 375 or something stupid like that.

 

[Pleasedontbanmeagain]

Expectations are one thing, but you can't act is if our past never happened just b/c you don't remember it. I was not old enough to appreciate the 1985 Final Four team but that doesn't it didn't happen.

I definitely acknowledge it, but think about how far removed I am from the last time we could have been considered a real national powerhouse primed for deep runs...2000 ish? I was 10 then. When the last time your team has been a power was when you were 10 and you are now 24 it doesn't instill much confidence.

 

[gonzalo]

Yesterday I forgot a comment: When Branch and Jordan played together, Branch was the point guard.

 

[gonzalo]

I think that I must write about the fantastic behaviour of all St. John´s members (players, coaches, managers) to the kids.

They signed autographs, take pictures, give St. John´s basketball t-shirts.

Although the players were tired they only showed smiles to the kids, no bad behaviour.

It was wonderful.

I could meet Coach Lavin, a great guy. He gave me his tracksuit before the second game.

I could speak to Chris Monasch and Ron Linfonte.

And I could meet again to Mark Fratto. He gave me several basketball publications. All of them are great guys, too.

It was a pleasure trip.

 

[Joe]

Great to hear the team and staff were so warm and approachable off the court. Thank you gonzalo. Great reporting from across the pond.

 

[beast of the east]

I have gone back to my city. First of all, I should have written before the first game in Spain that I was not going to be available by internet in Barcelona because I didn´t travel with a computer. Sorry.

Thanks for your kind words to me.

It was fantastic to see St. John´s play in my country. I will write two topics in this thread, the first ome about the games and the second one about the behaviour of the players and the staff.

Although we win the first game, in the second one the team played better, much better.

First game:
A few considerations before my comments: Sampson (minor injury) and Achiuwa (stomach virus) didn´t play, so there were only 11 available players (two of them walk-ons) and Bourgault only played 3 minutes.
The team had many fouls. As you have written Sanchez and Pointer had 5 fouls and Branch had 4 fouls in the first half. That made that in some moments Hooper played the 4 position.

The good things:

- Thanks to Sanchez and Hooper this is a better rebounding team. There is no always box out but the team is improving (they have more experience). And the team goes hard for the offensive rebound.
- The team (and the offensive system) know that Hooper is a good shooter and they look for him.
- The individual defense. Some players (Pointer, Harrison, Branch and Jordan) have very quick hands and other players (Obepka, Sanchez) know in many times anticipate the play.
- A running team. The team play fast.
- The team knew that Harrison and Branch (remember, Sampson didn´t play) will shoot in the clutch. The team knows the options.

The things that need improvements:

- The free throw shooting.16/27 is not good.
- Unlike Lavin´s teams, many turnovers (24). It is true that some of them won´t happen in United States (travelling is different in Europe) but there were some bad passes.
- The 2-3 defense. Not because the 3 point shooting of the opponent (8/30), but there were some plays that the CB Prat frontcourt players were free near the basket and they made easy baskets. For example, Jones was benched twice for these kind of plays.
- I think that the team could use (and make some plays) for Obepka. 25 minutes, 1 shot in the last minute (a dunk that he missed).

But in the second game the team played better. The attack was more efficient (Sampson played and this helps) and there were many situations that the players made the correct pass to the teammate that was free and there were more easy baskets.

The 2-3 defense improved (at least in the interior plays). It was a visible fact that before the game all the coaches gave advices and talks to the players, telling them how they had to defend. Unfortunately Manresa team (a better team than CB Prat) shot 11/21 in 3 pointers. But, at least they covered better the interior plays.

The free throw shooting was bad again. For example, Richard steinfeld has written it about Hooper. Hooper didn´t shot many free throws, but in the five games in Europe I think that he was 3/8. Strange.

It is good that there were improvements, although it is obvious that all (players, coaches and fans) are ambitious and want more.

Phil Greene was shooting before the games. I don´t know when he could play.

I have to go out and I will write about the fantastic behaviour of the team to the kids tomorrow. Sorry.

And sorry for my english.

Gracias amigo!
You also confirm Paul's observation about our poor free throw shooting form and that if it does not improve from last year it will cost us games. You also have confirmed my observation from last year in that not a single play is ever run for Chris Obekpa, even against low caliber teams in Europe. That will not help his NBA stock and may discourage future bigs.
Looking forward to more from your visit with the team and we understand you much better than our Ebonics obsessed fan on Johnny Jungle! LOL!

Chris Obekpa needs some offensive ability before they run plays for him. He does not possess a short jumper, post moves, cannot put the ball on the floor, cannot drive to the hoop, or doesn't possess a short jump hook. He can throw it down, and he has excellent court vision and decent feel for the open man with the ball in his hands. Until he develops part of his offensive game, throwing him the ball with the idea that he will suddenly be able to put the ball in the hole is in my opinion, premature.

In other words.......useless....except for blocking a few shots. Certainly not a future NBA prospect. You wonder why big centers are not making visits?

At this point, no offensive game. My future son-in-law likens him to Okefor at this stage of development. I do think that shot blockers are such a premium that you cannot teach, that if he works hard could be a credible offensive player. I like all of our front line players, but am reasonable in expectations. He have such depth this year that if a couple of guys bust through it could be a really fun season. There already are signs that we may be surprised with a few guys, based on performances in Europe. It is Lavin's best team talent wise for certain.

Al McGuire used to say that guards are a dime a dozen, but aircraft carriers are few and far between. I think Lavin will land one soon enough, but until then the overall talent coming our way will continue to be on the upswing.

You really think this is his best team?
I think Hardy's team was quite a bit better.

The Hardy-Brownlee-Kennedy et al team is one of my favorite all time SJU teams, for a lot of reasons. Most of us feel the same way. Top to bottom though, I think there is undoubtedly more talent on this year's squad.

 

[beast of the east]

Former Knick GM Eddie Donovan use to regularly say that the best team is not always the team with the best talent, but rather the team that plays best together.

Before you guys canonize this team lets see how the players play together during the first half of the season.

Scroll back. I said "talent wise this is Lavin's best team"

 

[beast of the east]

I just saw the highlights of the last two contests. Man they got me pumped!

A few things that got me excited and could be huge for our success:

Addition of Rysheed, Sanchez, hooper, and healthy Jamal will increase our passing and shot opportunities tenfold. In particular I cannot wait to see Rysheed pass the ball.

Also branch looks much stronger and d Lo looks quicker than last year. Less minutes will be great for Harrison's legs.

PS anyone else realize how much Jamal favors his left hand? Both in finishing and driving, it's cool to see because as a righty I was the same way.

This is a great topic. I'm lefty, and played ball with essentially the same group of guys for 25 years. Even now when I chat with them about those days, they will say that even if they knew I was going left, and knew every move, they couldn't stop it. A lefty has such a huge advantage in basketball, that even though having a right hand helps immensely, it's almost like a change-up in baseball. You only have to show it every once in a while to keep your opponent honest.

 

[tom in salem]

"Hardy's team", as Seniors, may be comparable to this team. As Juniors, this team is much better. These guys,in my opinion, will be better than that team by the end of the year. I loved that team but the talent level right now is much better.

And also, Hardy's team was not full of top 100 talent. How many top 100 players are on this team...6 or 7? Results are one thing and the Hardy team was good until Kennedy went down, but in terms of talent and ceiling potential, there's no question the team this year is the most stacked we've had in a while.

Hardy was a 3 star guard not even in the top 100...Sheed is a 5 star guard #3 best PG in the country and like 17th overall best player.

Don't care what their HS rankings were, that team destroyed dook & a yukon team that won it all.

 

[tom in salem]

I have gone back to my city. First of all, I should have written before the first game in Spain that I was not going to be available by internet in Barcelona because I didn´t travel with a computer. Sorry.

Thanks for your kind words to me.

It was fantastic to see St. John´s play in my country. I will write two topics in this thread, the first ome about the games and the second one about the behaviour of the players and the staff.

Although we win the first game, in the second one the team played better, much better.

First game:
A few considerations before my comments: Sampson (minor injury) and Achiuwa (stomach virus) didn´t play, so there were only 11 available players (two of them walk-ons) and Bourgault only played 3 minutes.
The team had many fouls. As you have written Sanchez and Pointer had 5 fouls and Branch had 4 fouls in the first half. That made that in some moments Hooper played the 4 position.

The good things:

- Thanks to Sanchez and Hooper this is a better rebounding team. There is no always box out but the team is improving (they have more experience). And the team goes hard for the offensive rebound.
- The team (and the offensive system) know that Hooper is a good shooter and they look for him.
- The individual defense. Some players (Pointer, Harrison, Branch and Jordan) have very quick hands and other players (Obepka, Sanchez) know in many times anticipate the play.
- A running team. The team play fast.
- The team knew that Harrison and Branch (remember, Sampson didn´t play) will shoot in the clutch. The team knows the options.

The things that need improvements:

- The free throw shooting.16/27 is not good.
- Unlike Lavin´s teams, many turnovers (24). It is true that some of them won´t happen in United States (travelling is different in Europe) but there were some bad passes.
- The 2-3 defense. Not because the 3 point shooting of the opponent (8/30), but there were some plays that the CB Prat frontcourt players were free near the basket and they made easy baskets. For example, Jones was benched twice for these kind of plays.
- I think that the team could use (and make some plays) for Obepka. 25 minutes, 1 shot in the last minute (a dunk that he missed).

But in the second game the team played better. The attack was more efficient (Sampson played and this helps) and there were many situations that the players made the correct pass to the teammate that was free and there were more easy baskets.

The 2-3 defense improved (at least in the interior plays). It was a visible fact that before the game all the coaches gave advices and talks to the players, telling them how they had to defend. Unfortunately Manresa team (a better team than CB Prat) shot 11/21 in 3 pointers. But, at least they covered better the interior plays.

The free throw shooting was bad again. For example, Richard steinfeld has written it about Hooper. Hooper didn´t shot many free throws, but in the five games in Europe I think that he was 3/8. Strange.

It is good that there were improvements, although it is obvious that all (players, coaches and fans) are ambitious and want more.

Phil Greene was shooting before the games. I don´t know when he could play.

I have to go out and I will write about the fantastic behaviour of the team to the kids tomorrow. Sorry.

And sorry for my english.

Gracias amigo!
You also confirm Paul's observation about our poor free throw shooting form and that if it does not improve from last year it will cost us games. You also have confirmed my observation from last year in that not a single play is ever run for Chris Obekpa, even against low caliber teams in Europe. That will not help his NBA stock and may discourage future bigs.
Looking forward to more from your visit with the team and we understand you much better than our Ebonics obsessed fan on Johnny Jungle! LOL!

Chris Obekpa needs some offensive ability before they run plays for him. He does not possess a short jumper, post moves, cannot put the ball on the floor, cannot drive to the hoop, or doesn't possess a short jump hook. He can throw it down, and he has excellent court vision and decent feel for the open man with the ball in his hands. Until he develops part of his offensive game, throwing him the ball with the idea that he will suddenly be able to put the ball in the hole is in my opinion, premature.

In other words.......useless....except for blocking a few shots. Certainly not a future NBA prospect. You wonder why big centers are not making visits?

At this point, no offensive game. My future son-in-law likens him to Okefor at this stage of development. I do think that shot blockers are such a premium that you cannot teach, that if he works hard could be a credible offensive player. I like all of our front line players, but am reasonable in expectations. He have such depth this year that if a couple of guys bust through it could be a really fun season. There already are signs that we may be surprised with a few guys, based on performances in Europe. It is Lavin's best team talent wise for certain.

Al McGuire used to say that guards are a dime a dozen, but aircraft carriers are few and far between. I think Lavin will land one soon enough, but until then the overall talent coming our way will continue to be on the upswing.

You really think this is his best team?
I think Hardy's team was quite a bit better.

Tom, did you honestly think that before they had the season they had?

No.