Is Obekpa Next? No! He's staying!

I know it's unlikely, but at this point I wouldn't be surprised if Lavin is starting to look for a way out. Take another job, return to broadcasting, there's a number of ways he could play it.

Unlikely because of the money, but I could still see it happening.
 
PGIV is going to play point guard and center. Lavin speak will characterize this as a genius move and take credit for coining the phrase "point center." (C)
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Dom's going to lobby hard to at least be his backup unless Lavin decides to let him be our three point gunner.
 
Maybe we'll bounce back in a year or two, but this stinks. Hard to have much enthusiasm about next season now.
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Is it too late to cancel the game @ the dome?
No reason to play any games at the Garden next season.
 
the tough part of this, is that we have lost any momentum of what little we had. Sampson and Obekpa showed potential and improved somewhat, but not to the level where they had a major impact.

Steve's back is against the wall now, what's going to happen?
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I don't think either of them would have had a major impact next season. They both need a different coaching/training environment, and another year at SJU would likely have the same stagnant results. JUCO transfers might fit SL's lack of coaching better (I expected Sanchez to be that kind of player). We need players who have BB IQ and can find their own role on this team. Jordan did that midway through the season. The rest are lost sheep, and Lavin can't help them. As it's been said before, we run an NBA style offense with a handful of potentials, and underachievers. The silver lining would be that most agree that recruiting is Lavin's strength, so the next few weeks are pivotal to have any shot at a successful season next year.
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coming from the perspective that both of these players wanted leave last year, it makes me wonder how coach-able they were. At some point they have to make the light bulb go on, a coach cannot do that for them, just create the environment for it potentially happen. I wish them the best, but see them as talented, yet immature players. And will miss them big time, this is rough.
 
Maybe we'll bounce back in a year or two, but this stinks. Hard to have much enthusiasm about next season now.
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Is it too late to cancel the game @ the dome?
No reason to play any games at the Garden next season.
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That's what's most depressing Tom. Even this season, with all it's ups and downs, was still fun. There was hope.
And when the season ended it was frustrating as all hell, but you knew we had a good core returning, and maybe if x happened or coach did y, then we could do something special next year.

Now, that's out the window. It'll still be basketball, but not the resurgence we've all be waiting for.
 
I know it's unlikely, but at this point I wouldn't be surprised if Lavin is starting to look for a way out. Take another job, return to broadcasting, there's a number of ways he could play it.

Unlikely because of the money, but I could still see it happening.
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Perhaps they won't extend his contract now & he will have to decide if he wants to break his tail getting program back on track for remaining time or bow out. Just my opinion.
 
the tough part of this, is that we have lost any momentum of what little we had. Sampson and Obekpa showed potential and improved somewhat, but not to the level where they had a major impact.

Steve's back is against the wall now, what's going to happen?
Click to expand...

I don't think either of them would have had a major impact next season. They both need a different coaching/training environment, and another year at SJU would likely have the same stagnant results. JUCO transfers might fit SL's lack of coaching better (I expected Sanchez to be that kind of player). We need players who have BB IQ and can find their own role on this team. Jordan did that midway through the season. The rest are lost sheep, and Lavin can't help them. As it's been said before, we run an NBA style offense with a handful of potentials, and underachievers. The silver lining would be that most agree that recruiting is Lavin's strength, so the next few weeks are pivotal to have any shot at a successful season next year.
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coming from the perspective that both of these players wanted leave last year, it makes me wonder how coach-able they were. At some point they have to make the light bulb go on, a coach cannot do that for them, just create the environment for it potentially happen. I wish them the best, but see them as talented, yet immature players. And will miss them big time, this is rough.
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Who he recruited.
 
I know it's unlikely, but at this point I wouldn't be surprised if Lavin is starting to look for a way out. Take another job, return to broadcasting, there's a number of ways he could play it.

Unlikely because of the money, but I could still see it happening.
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I don't see him hanging around for the money, but for his own pride. this is worse than UCLA by far, he has to wondering what the hell happened. I went through a similar situation professionally, lost almost half my office, but got lucky when some top notch recruits came through the door. I went from being a jerk, to a star in six months, same person. Luck is nice!!!!!!!!
 
the tough part of this, is that we have lost any momentum of what little we had. Sampson and Obekpa showed potential and improved somewhat, but not to the level where they had a major impact.

Steve's back is against the wall now, what's going to happen?
Click to expand...

I don't think either of them would have had a major impact next season. They both need a different coaching/training environment, and another year at SJU would likely have the same stagnant results. JUCO transfers might fit SL's lack of coaching better (I expected Sanchez to be that kind of player). We need players who have BB IQ and can find their own role on this team. Jordan did that midway through the season. The rest are lost sheep, and Lavin can't help them. As it's been said before, we run an NBA style offense with a handful of potentials, and underachievers. The silver lining would be that most agree that recruiting is Lavin's strength, so the next few weeks are pivotal to have any shot at a successful season next year.
Click to expand...

coming from the perspective that both of these players wanted leave last year, it makes me wonder how coach-able they were. At some point they have to make the light bulb go on, a coach cannot do that for them, just create the environment for it potentially happen. I wish them the best, but see them as talented, yet immature players. And will miss them big time, this is rough.
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Who he recruited.
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I hear you, but would you have recruited them? I bet most coaches would have. Not trying to rationalize this, because it is what it is, but this brutal. After watching them both play, I didn't think either on would try to go pro next year, assuming that's Obekpa's next move.
 
that's part of being a good coach. recruiting the people not just the ranking #. It is easy to see a player like Malik Sealy being great. Great skills and a 4.0 student. But how do you distinguish a guy to take them into your core and know they will work within your team - like Walter Berry or Jayson Williams or even Ron Artest who had great skills mixed with some troubled pasts/explosive personalities versus the guys won't ever work within your team concept? Not saying I know the answer and I've certainly made mistakes in hiring people, but certainly some great coaches do.
 
that's part of being a good coach. recruiting the people not just the ranking #. It is easy to see a player like Malik Sealy being great. Great skills and a 4.0 student. But how do you distinguish a guy to take them into your core and know they will work within your team - like Walter Berry or Jayson Williams or even Ron Artest who had great skills mixed with some troubled pasts/explosive personalities versus the guys won't ever work within your team concept? Not saying I know the answer and I've certainly made mistakes in hiring people, but certainly some great coaches do.
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+1
 
my last post on this subject, when you have to recruit an entire team in one year, that was going to be a challenge for anyone. It has been said here before you have to take chances and Lavin is paying for it. Then again not having anyone of merit for 2014, is where Lavin really fell down.
 
If true, the biggest issue is what it says about how far we are away from what we need most - sustainability.

We aren't building, per se, but are rather constantly having to plug leaks that are spraying water. We've been able to handle those leaks for the most part for the last 24 months (and to be sure, Lavin has not always had it easy, personally or with the task at hand, which should be noted). But that didn't change the fact that those leaks were popping up (transfers, ineligibles, disciplinary action) at a higher clip than preferable, and the staff was doing their best dance in order to keep covering them, which is not sustainable.

Now it appears the leaks are too much to handle and the flood gates are almost open (if they aren't already).
 
This is one of the strangest coaching tenures I can remember. With recruits committing and then de-committing, not qualifying, transferring, Lavin getting sick, Dunlap quitting, Harrison getting suspended when we're at 16 wins last year with 5 games to go - ruining the season. Harrison coming back and redeeming himself, terrible start to conference play this year, winning 10 of 11 and then playing like they did at the beginning of the year and ultimately underachieving. It appears Lav overrated and oversold the quality of his "top 5" recruiting class 3years ago. It's clear that 2 starters are leaving to try to go pro, but also to get away from this program. I hope it's somehow not true that Obekpa's leaving. Really terrible timing for both players.

If the administration extends Lavin, none of it should be guaranteed - if that's even possible.
 
If true, the biggest issue is what it says about how far we are away from what we need most - sustainability.

We aren't building, per se, but are rather constantly having to plug leaks that are spraying water. We've been able to handle those leaks for the most part for the last 24 months (and to be sure, Lavin has not always had it easy, personally or with the task at hand, which should be noted). But that didn't change the fact that those leaks were popping up (transfers, ineligibles, disciplinary action) at a higher clip than preferable, and the staff was doing their best dance in order to keep covering them.

Now it appears the leaks are too much to handle and the flood gates are almost open (if they aren't already).
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Fair points. At some point the AD,or someone in Administration, needs to look at these issues. I am not endorsing pushing Lavin out the door, but rather conducting a thorough assessment of the current state of the program. In my opinion, we have had more drama & turnover than the norm and need to learn from it & get on a more stable plane.
 
I was chatting with a player last night who is coming back next year and he wouldn't go on the record as saying CO is def leaving but he left me with the impression that he will be. Knowing this, I pray that we have some sort of back up plan. ADL and CJ aren't gunna cut it. I still feel ADL will come cuz he will get as much playing time as his lungs n legs can handle
 
If true, the biggest issue is what it says about how far we are away from what we need most - sustainability.

We aren't building, per se, but are rather constantly having to plug leaks that are spraying water. We've been able to handle those leaks for the most part for the last 24 months (and to be sure, Lavin has not always had it easy, personally or with the task at hand, which should be noted). But that didn't change the fact that those leaks were popping up (transfers, ineligibles, disciplinary action) at a higher clip than preferable, and the staff was doing their best dance in order to keep covering them.

Now it appears the leaks are too much to handle and the flood gates are almost open (if they aren't already).
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Fair points. At some point the AD,or someone in Administration, needs to look at these issues. I am not endorsing pushing Lavin out the door, but rather conducting a thorough assessment of the current state of the program. In my opinion, we have had more drama & turnover than the norm and need to learn from it & get on a more stable plane.
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Completely agreed. If the conclusion is Lavin can ultimately get that done, terrific. But if the conclusion is that he can't, then it's time to at least start thinking about whether we can get someone here who can get better results with less volatility. Because to be fair, Lavin has had us trending upwards in terms of results the last three years. It's just that (1) it's been so incredibly volatile, and (2) now you have to be reasonably concerned about whether that upward trend is going to continue, and most importantly ultimately arrive at a consistently high level of results.

Because I agree, the drama and turnover is just happening at too great a rate to ignore now. It was completely understandable when the staff was taking chances to rebuild an entire roster. But we are now too far removed from that for it to be used as any sort of excuse.
 
Makes no sense for CO to leave. He thinks he is a pro so why sit out a year, play next season- have a monster year- and apply for draft after next season. Who is advising these kids?
 
Here's something nobody has mentioned yet, COMMUNICATION!!! Was Lavin not communicating with his players all season? How is it that he could be caught off guard for Sampson, Hooper, and Obepka leaving with no backup plan in site. In my opinion, this is a great indication of a rift between the coach and the players.
 
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