Four guard look

[beast of the east]

Don't remember Ty Grant being healthy enough to play against Ohio St.

All I remember was that Artest went into the tank the entire first half where he looked scared, lost, drugged, or all three.

In terms of a 4 guard offense, it's just another look. If we can play it to our advantage in certain situations without getting crushed off the boards or down low, we will. Even against a bigger team, if you can stun them for short bursts and run them off the court before they adjust, you do it. I'm not against the concept, but it will be used, if at all, sparingly in the right situation.

 

[REB]

The thing is that, without Keith Thomas, we don't figure to be a very good rebounding team regardless of who we have in the game. I trust Harrison and Jordan going after the ball playing the three and four for us more than I trust Alibegovic (right now) or Jones. We might as well create mismatches on the other end of the floor with four guards.

Watching Jordan and Harrison operating down low reminded me of the 1998-2000 teams for the first time since. Those guys are warriors. I know it was just a mid-level D-2 team, but Jordan looked really good in there kicking to the guards. Put a big on him...say good night on a drive from the perimeter. Put a smaller guard on him and he'll post them up all day.

Was also thinking of the 1998-9 team that lost in the elite eight. Artest, Barkley, Bootsie, Postell and Ty Grant. Other bigs were Senior JC transfer Albert Richardson, 6'9" with limited skill and 6'8" Freshman Donald Emmanuel hanging on the perimeter. Sixth man was usually 6'7" Reggie Jessie but he mad more bone head plays than Dom. So when Ty Grant (6'8") was out for a long stretch at the end of the season the 5th spot was filled most of the time by Jessie, or 6'3" Chudney Gray or 5'11" Colin Charles and Ron Artest defended the post. There was so much interchangeability on the floor that it created constant mismatches. We won a ton of games and lost a heartbreaker to Ohio State in the Elite Eight. Scoonie Penn had a great game for them but so did our guys. The thing that ultimately killed us was 7 blocks by Ohio State's 6'11" Ken Johnson We had no answer. So yeah we need a big guy but you can go a long way with a small lineup. Not saying the talent is the same but if our guys step up they could make some noise with this group playing small.

I see how you can make a comparison from a size standpoint, but not only is this team far less talented top to bottom, they have a far lower collective basketball IQ. Not to mention the fact that the 98-99 team played like a finely tuned machine and this group has yet to show that they are capable of doing anything close.

Agree on the talent and IQ points although I think DLo's BB IQ is actually pretty good. And the physical talent is pretty much there its just undermined by the IQ issues. Disagree about the finely tuned machine. The 98-99 team was almost completely uncoached on offense by Jarvis. Whatever they ran they figured out themselves so it was pretty helter skelter at times but they got by cause Barkley, Grant and Artest had great BB IQ's and they were all good passers.

 

[REB]

Don't remember Ty Grant being healthy enough to play against Ohio St.

All I remember was that Artest went into the tank the entire first half where he looked scared, lost, drugged, or all three.

In terms of a 4 guard offense, it's just another look. If we can play it to our advantage in certain situations without getting crushed off the boards or down low, we will. Even against a bigger team, if you can stun them for short bursts and run them off the court before they adjust, you do it. I'm not against the concept, but it will be used, if at all, sparingly in the right situation.

You're right Ronny only had 9 points but he did chip in 9 rebounds 2 assists and 2 steals. Lavor went off for 28. Played more than half the game with no one taller than 6'7" on the floor while their 6'11" guy played 37 minutes. We couldn't handle him. But the good news is we do have Obekpa so barring injury we should be able to use the smaller lineups for bursts and still have Chris to mind the fort at other times.

 

[REB]

Played 19 minutes. Rebounded but just wasn't effective offensively. If I remember he had hurt his wrist and his shot was off.

 

[bball purist]

The four guard look worked very well for Villanova a few years ago
A big concern would be rebounding but our guards are pretty good at that
I've always been a believer in putting your five best players on the court
If your best players are guards, roll the dice and play them

One problem would be they will be picking up more fouls due to their
rebounding responsibilities.Big gamble against tall talented centers and forwards

Yes - for certain bigger teams, a different lineup with a bigger 4 could be used, even if Jones. Either way, tight man to man, quick outlets on rebs, occasional pressing after baksets, and up tempo is the way this roster needs to go.

 

[austour]

Played 19 minutes. Rebounded but just wasn't effective offensively. If I remember he had hurt his wrist and his shot was off.

As I recall he may have had a cast on.

 

[L J S A]

Played 19 minutes. Rebounded but just wasn't effective offensively. If I remember he had hurt his wrist and his shot was off.

As I recall he may have had a cast on.

He needed to pull a Cowboy Bob Orton and blast Ken Johnson in the head with it.

 

[doodyny33]

Sure, you'll win some games with a 4 guard lineup. Ball movement will be good and the extra speed will help. But the minute you play a team with multiple big men and attacking guards (who will get Obekpa in foul trouble), you are going to get dominated. As I've said in previous posts, this team is going to have an awfully hard time winning basketball games with Dom playing PF. I hope Jones grows up quick.

 

[beast of the east]

Sure, you'll win some games with a 4 guard lineup. Ball movement will be good and the extra speed will help. But the minute you play a team with multiple big men and attacking guards (who will get Obekpa in foul trouble), you are going to get dominated. As I've said in previous posts, this team is going to have an awfully hard time winning basketball games with Dom playing PF. I hope Jones grows up quick.

Basketball is an unforgiving game when it comes to height or lack thereof.

However, winning basketball is about execution and matchups. You put guys on the floor in a given situation that results in a situation you can take advantage of. Sometimes for short bursts, a smaller, quick team can run circles over a taller slow team. Great coaches make lineup changes to react to what the other team is doing that is working, and to create favorable situations on the court for their team.

 

[doodyny33]

St. John's is going into the season with a front court of:

Khadim Ndiaye 6-6
Sir'Dominic Pointer 6-6
Christian Jones 6-7
Amar Alibegovic 6-9
Chris Obekpa 6-10
Joey De La Rosa 6-11

Does anybody seriously think that group is going to be able to compete against Syracuse, Villanova, Duke, Georgetown, etc.? C'mon

 

[monte]

Don't remember Ty Grant being healthy enough to play against Ohio St.

All I remember was that Artest went into the tank the entire first half where he looked scared, lost, drugged, or all three.

In terms of a 4 guard offense, it's just another look. If we can play it to our advantage in certain situations without getting crushed off the boards or down low, we will. Even against a bigger team, if you can stun them for short bursts and run them off the court before they adjust, you do it. I'm not against the concept, but it will be used, if at all, sparingly in the right situation.

Agreed something wasn't right with Ron that day. It was beyond just an off day.

 

[1and1sju]

Great coaches make lineup changes......

I'm actually not trying to "stir the pot" at all. But surely you knew you could stop there, right?

 

[bk8664]

Well, for those of who chirp to see a lot more of Jamal Branch - you just got your wish....

Harrison, Jordan, Greene, Pointer, Obekpa
Branch first off the bench?
Then Jones/Alibegovic ?

 

[Marillac]

St. John's is going into the season with a front court of:

Khadim Ndiaye 6-6
Sir'Dominic Pointer 6-6
Christian Jones 6-7
Amar Alibegovic 6-9
Chris Obekpa 6-10
Joey De La Rosa 6-11

Does anybody seriously think that group is going to be able to compete against Syracuse, Villanova, Duke, Georgetown, etc.? C'mon

The saving grace there is having a 6'10 junior future draft pick to plug in at center. The season hinges on Dom. He needs to eat, sleep, and breathe being a PF.

 

[paultzman]

St. John's is going into the season with a front court of:

Khadim Ndiaye 6-6
Sir'Dominic Pointer 6-6
Christian Jones 6-7
Amar Alibegovic 6-9
Chris Obekpa 6-10
Joey De La Rosa 6-11

Does anybody seriously think that group is going to be able to compete against Syracuse, Villanova, Duke, Georgetown, etc.? C'mon

The saving grace there is having a 6'10 junior future draft pick to plug in at center. The season hinges on Dom. He needs to eat, sleep, and breathe being a PF.

It pains me to think of Joey playing at all. He was a dud at Florida Internstional & will offer nothing in my opinion.

 

[Marillac]

St. John's is going into the season with a front court of:

Khadim Ndiaye 6-6
Sir'Dominic Pointer 6-6
Christian Jones 6-7
Amar Alibegovic 6-9
Chris Obekpa 6-10
Joey De La Rosa 6-11

Does anybody seriously think that group is going to be able to compete against Syracuse, Villanova, Duke, Georgetown, etc.? C'mon

The saving grace there is having a 6'10 junior future draft pick to plug in at center. The season hinges on Dom. He needs to eat, sleep, and breathe being a PF.

Joey was a dud at Florida Internstional & will offer nothing Marillac. Please don't recite all his scholarship offers while at St. Rays. I spoke to several coaches I respect & consensus was he offers very little. In my opinion, he was only offered a spot to attract Adonis.

I was referring to Obekpa.
As for JDR, I am not expecting anything more than 5-7 minutes and a handful of fouls, but I am not ready to write his basketball obituary either. He's played like 30 college games at a position that takes notoriously long for guys to develop.

 

[1and1sju]

St. John's is going into the season with a front court of:

Khadim Ndiaye 6-6
Sir'Dominic Pointer 6-6
Christian Jones 6-7
Amar Alibegovic 6-9
Chris Obekpa 6-10
Joey De La Rosa 6-11

Does anybody seriously think that group is going to be able to compete against Syracuse, Villanova, Duke, Georgetown, etc.? C'mon

The saving grace there is having a 6'10 junior future draft pick to plug in at center. The season hinges on Dom. He needs to eat, sleep, and breathe being a PF.

So now based on the first exhibition game Obekpa is a future draft pick?
I hope you're right.

 

[ccnobz]

Well, for those of who chirp to see a lot more of Jamal Branch - you just got your wish....

Harrison, Jordan, Greene, Pointer, Obekpa
Branch first off the bench?
Then Jones/Alibegovic ?

Either Jones or Amir need to step up and grab some boards or this will be a long year. Can't this program get a break

 

[MarkRedman]

Well, for those of who chirp to see a lot more of Jamal Branch - you just got your wish....

Harrison, Jordan, Greene, Pointer, Obekpa
Branch first off the bench?
Then Jones/Alibegovic ?

Either Jones or Amir need to step up and grab some boards or this will be a long year. Can't this program get a break

Having seen the 2 exhibition games, if you're counting on those two, it WILL be a long season

 

[MarkRedman]

St. John's is going into the season with a front court of:

Khadim Ndiaye 6-6
Sir'Dominic Pointer 6-6
Christian Jones 6-7
Amar Alibegovic 6-9
Chris Obekpa 6-10
Joey De La Rosa 6-11

Does anybody seriously think that group is going to be able to compete against Syracuse, Villanova, Duke, Georgetown, etc.? C'mon

The saving grace there is having a 6'10 junior future draft pick to plug in at center. The season hinges on Dom. He needs to eat, sleep, and breathe being a PF.

It pains me to think of Joey playing at all. He was a dud at Florida Internstional & will offer nothing in my opinion.

And I thought I read that Joey would not be eligible the first semester this year
If memory serves me correctly, he can play 2nd semester this year or redshirt this year and play a full season next year