Europe Trip Details

I actually saw Hooper and Obekpa in the D'Angelo Starbucks a while back...both had their practice gear on and headphones on though so I didn't want to bother them. Chris Obekpa looks like a tree.
 
"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.
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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.
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Don't care what their HS rankings were, that team destroyed dook & a yukon team that won it all.
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Lavin took all the parts, reaaranged them, making Hardy a point and the focal point of the offense along with Brownlee. The team caught fire at the wrong time, and it was actually when Brownlee broke his finger that the run ended, even though he played through it. He just wasn't the same. DJ Kennedy's injury sealed the season. If they had the depth of this team, they might have kept it going a while longer. I agree with one thing. Had this team stayed healthy, and played like they did mid season in the BET and NCAA tourney, we might have seen a different champ.
 
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.
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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!
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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.
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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?
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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.
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You really think this is his best team?
I think Hardy's team was quite a bit better.
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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.
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What was so amazing about that team is that they came out of nowhere. Nobody had high expectations for that team. Too bad they had the injuries at the end.
 
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.
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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.
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I hope the coaches have noticed that when Branch drives left from the top of the key towards the basket his dribble is too high.

The opposition noticed this towards the end of last season and were coming from behind to swipe it.
 
My heart skipped a beat after seeing the word tragedy :furious:

At 1:29, tragedy... Hooper at the line and goes only 1-of-2. He hadn't missed anything this half. He has 31 for #SJUBB, up 74-35.
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Same! I was totally expecting the next words to be "Rysheed tears his foot off his leg in a chainsawing accident during a timeout" or something. It's the Jets/Mets/Knicks/Isles expect the worst mindset %-)
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This year if you're a Yankee fan, you are also thinking someone got injured also.
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Oh please, cry me a river. For the first time in 20 years the Yanks aren't some domineering force...what a shame to be still competing for a wildcard berth. Lol...sorry can't feel bad for Yankees fans you guys have no clue what adversity is. Especially considering Harvey is done for all of next year now.
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Just catching up on the thread. No one asked for your sympathy or asked for you to cry a river nor am I crying one. Didn't ask you to feel bad for us either. Just made a comment about the tragedy line. As far as adversity goes, this franchise and adversity has gone hand in hand since George Steinbrenner brought the team.

As far Harvey, it is tough luck for the kid but considering how many star pitchers in the game who have either had or continue to have successfull careers after the surgery, you have to like his chances of recovery and returning fine. Shoulder surgery for a pitcher is more problematic.
 
To be above average you need to go both ways have speed strength and be able to jump shoot well and shoot fouls at 70% or better Unless you are a gifted defensive player
 
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.
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Thanks for the post and your observations my friend. No need to apologize for your english.
 
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.
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I remember seeing St Johns beat UCLA in MSG early in the season in the mid 80's. They won so easily. It made me a St John's fan for life. I can understand Joe's point, if he has no frame of reference.
 
Gonzalo , will you be crossing the pond this season ???/
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No. We have a 2 years daughter and we will have a son at the end of this month.

But it will be different when our kids will be 8 and 6.
 
Gonzalo , will you be crossing the pond this season ???/
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No. We have a 2 years daughter and we will have a son at the end of this month.

But it will be different when our kids will be 8 and 6.
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God bless and good luck with your children!
 
Congratulations on both children, Gonzalo. I don't recall you ever mentioning that you had the first child. That explains your disappearance for a while.
 
Gonzalo how old are you now ? Damn time flies because it seems like not so long ago you were a kid.

MattC all grown up, Room112 out of college I assume and now Gonzalo with kids, and Oldfan has become RealOldfan

Next thing you know the Resurrection of Joe will be having little desciples of his own
 
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.
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I remember seeing St Johns beat UCLA in MSG early in the season in the mid 80's. They won so easily. It made me a St John's fan for life. I can understand Joe's point, if he has no frame of reference.
Click to expand...

At work today I was talking to an older guy who was talking basketball with me. When I told him I went to SJU his eyes lit up and said his school (Niagara) beat us when we were ranked #4 a while ago. Did this really happen?! I was shocked.
 
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.
Click to expand...

I remember seeing St Johns beat UCLA in MSG early in the season in the mid 80's. They won so easily. It made me a St John's fan for life. I can understand Joe's point, if he has no frame of reference.
Click to expand...

At work today I was talking to an older guy who was talking basketball with me. When I told him I went to SJU his eyes lit up and said his school (Niagara) beat us when we were ranked #4 a while ago. Did this really happen?! I was shocked.
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Yes Joe, in fact it was the year that we went to the final four. I think it was like the second game of the season. It was on the road at Niagara.
 
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.
Click to expand...

I remember seeing St Johns beat UCLA in MSG early in the season in the mid 80's. They won so easily. It made me a St John's fan for life. I can understand Joe's point, if he has no frame of reference.
Click to expand...

At work today I was talking to an older guy who was talking basketball with me. When I told him I went to SJU his eyes lit up and said his school (Niagara) beat us when we were ranked #4 a while ago. Did this really happen?! I was shocked.
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Yep.... It was the season we (last) went to the Final Four ('84-'85 season).

That team went on to become the #1 ranked team in the nation a month or so after losing to Niagara.
 
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