JaKarr Sampson

 I feel alot of Posters had trouble believing cause the Norm ROberts era is still fresh in everyones minds people need to realize we have a real coach and coaching staff now that knows what they are doing. It was nerve racking for awhile it seemed like we had more recruits decommiting then committing but the fact that every time Lavin spoke he seemed confident that he would get a good class still it made me feel more at ease and now you see the pieces starting to fall in place.
 
 Cant blame Norm for posters concern. Concern was due to academic casualties, transfers,decommits and being so late in season w only 1 player signed. Jakaars commitment is making everybody feel better, but we still have a few more pieces to fill. The shooter will probably be taken care of w Morris. Who will be the much needed quality big? I do feel we could do extremely well if Moe doesnt leave and we dont get a quality big w a lineup of Branch, D Lo,Amir/Dom.Moe and Jakaar. However, cant count on Moe staying.
 
 Cant blame Norm for posters concern. Concern was due to academic casualties, transfers,decommits and being so late in season w only 1 player signed. Jakaars commitment is making everybody feel better, but we still have a few more pieces to fill. The shooter will probably be taken care of w Morris. Who will be the much needed quality big? I do feel we could do extremely well if Moe doesnt leave and we dont get a quality big w a lineup of Branch, D Lo,Amir/Dom.Moe and Jakaar. However, cant count on Moe staying.
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Norm made the bed that Lavin had to sleep in.
 
How many years have to go by without blaming Norm for everything. It is true Norm was so worried about his job that last years team was loaded w seniors, But maybe Lavin should have not asked players to transfer. Lavin wanted to start w a fresh slate and has his 3 year plan.
 
How many years have to go by without blaming Norm for everything. It is true Norm was so worried about his job that last years team was loaded w seniors, But maybe Lavin should have not asked players to transfer. Lavin wanted to start w a fresh slate and has his 3 year plan.
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To be fair look how long people ( including myself ) blamed Jarvis. The Norm era is still painfully evident. In 2 years I'll be done blaming him.

Heck on second thought I'll probably be done blaming him in a couple of weeks when our roster is complete
 
 Jarvis is a different story. Norm was a bad coach. Jarvis was pompous and alienated NY H.S. and AAU coaches. He took a prominant program and nearly destroyed it. There is not a doubt in my mind that Lavin will restore SJBB to prominance.
 
How many years have to go by without blaming Norm for everything. It is true Norm was so worried about his job that last years team was loaded w seniors, But maybe Lavin should have not asked players to transfer. Lavin wanted to start w a fresh slate and has his 3 year plan.
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Connect the dots.
Norm loads up on one class to save his job. Leaves 9 scholarships to replace. I cringe to think of who he would have brought in. Lavin throws out 9 schollies chalk full of risks. Some don't make it, some dont fit and leave. After this class things will be stabilized and you will have 2-3 man classes. You probably won't hear Norm's name past mid season next year once all the pieces are clicking. 
 
 Look at the bright side. In the long run were a lot better off w Lavins recruits then Norms.
 
 Look at the bright side. In the long run were a lot better off w Lavins recruits then Norms.
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Yep!
And he had to take risks. He might take some more too.
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I look at it this way. We got shafted last year with 3 guys but Amir made it on campus and if we didn't take the chance on Jakarr last year we wouldn't have gotten him this year so it was well worth the risk.

If you have 1 or 2 schollies and take a bad risk it might not be so smart but these kids were definitely worth the risk since we had so many schollies.

A ton of schollie this year also so if you take a flier on someone who is very talented go for it. Sometimes the potential reward outweighs the risk
 
 Look at the bright side. In the long run were a lot better off w Lavins recruits then Norms.
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Yep!
And he had to take risks. He might take some more too.
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Lavin will continue to take risks. It's just his style. He won't offer marginal kids on the court. Sometimes he'll offer good players that have some other issues. Some fans of the program will like this approach and some won't. Fwiw, Lavin from the day he was hired cautioned against big expectations for this year and always looked towards year 3-4 as when things were to start looking real good.

I think things are certainly looking "as planned" even with a few big setbacks like Lavin's cancer, ineligibility etc. Not many coaches can absorb that and in a year where the coach is recuperating, land a banner recruiting class. What needs to be appreciated is the difficulty of the recovery that seems to be taking place. A few more recruits and we look fantastic once again. Not many guys out there that can recover a program from big setbacks just about every year. Hopefully the setbacks start to subside and we'll see continued success.

Bottom line is that I'm fine with Lavin taking risks. He's a unique coach that is really well-prepared to take one person's risk and turn them into something special. Looking forward to more surprises from a coach that continues to pleasantly surprise this fan base.
 
 Welcome back Karr!
My negative Karma worked!
Apologies to all my fellow redmen who I annoyed but it was a psych thing for me! I am very happy for Lav, more than anyone can imagine!!
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My Dear '72:

I find it difficult to apologize and so give you credit for your grace! I do have a habit of complimenting others (maybe that balances my reluctance to apologize???) and good for you!

I am also - as posted a few times - so much opposed/frustrated by the naysayers, negative outlook, suspicious and/or distorting types etc.
Who sang (Nat King Cole?).......tears must fall, but it's all in the game...we will lose some games and some recruits, jabe disapopintments like we already have had - BUT every program and family in life experiences these AND Coach Lavin (we are blessed with him, his staff, the donor $$$, the recruits, we fans) has given us ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to questino his judgment and pronouncements.

Old news but:
look at the staff he assembled;
look at the urgent resolution he brought to a lousy inherited situation w/bad pub, too many seniors, poor recruiting ties etc.
look at all the goodwill his magnetism brings;
look at his positive feelings for SJU and the impression he gives that he feels fortunate to be here and likely will be for a while;
look how top recruits are considering us when under Roberts no one would and under Jarvis some poor character people were recruited etc.

these are times at hand and ahead to enjoy - like life (unfortunately) this is a mixed bag - but with so much to calm down and appreciate. :cheer: :) ;)

all the best from a lowly senior board member
(how are the categories chosen? whatever I know "a lot" but will always be a novice compared to others on this board - thanks) 
 
 

all the best from a lowly senior board member
(how are the categories chosen? whatever I know "a lot" but will always be a novice compared to others on this board - thanks) 
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I'd like a category called water boarder for posters who can torture others with their posts. LOL

Actually I think they were banned but I like the category anyway
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How many years have to go by without blaming Norm for everything. It is true Norm was so worried about his job that last years team was loaded w seniors, But maybe Lavin should have not asked players to transfer. Lavin wanted to start w a fresh slate and has his 3 year plan.
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To be fair look how long people ( including myself ) blamed Jarvis. The Norm era is still painfully evident. In 2 years I'll be done blaming him.

Heck on second thought I'll probably be done blaming him in a couple of weeks when our roster is complete
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mjmaherjr/richard steinfeld et al.
not so easy to let go (whether with Roberts/Jarvis or our own/family's failings) but what a wonderful trait to develop. I enjoyed your comments.

also - I think it was Wm James who said "we learn to swim in the winter and skate in the summer" - from this board ostensibly on college Bball I find myelf benfitting in other ways - like my own habits, strengths, areas to work on...one never knows where a helping-healing hand/opportunity can come from

all the best
 
 

all the best from a lowly senior board member
(how are the categories chosen? whatever I know "a lot" but will always be a novice compared to others on this board - thanks) 
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I'd like a category called water boarder for posters who can torture others with their posts. LOL


dear mjmaherjr:

Actually I think they were banned but I like the category anyway
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 Yes mjmaherjr you can talk your'e an "expert" I'm "only" a senior ;) can you add a few more initials to your calling card??? ;) trying to add aa little levity - too much seriousness in my soul which I do not like - another reason I puch for pleasure/appreciation on this board of our (once again) wonderful program

all the best
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How many years have to go by without blaming Norm for everything. It is true Norm was so worried about his job that last years team was loaded w seniors, But maybe Lavin should have not asked players to transfer. Lavin wanted to start w a fresh slate and has his 3 year plan.
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I agree. I got the feeling early on that Steve didn't have a great grasp on the players he inherited. Starting the two Maliks early on was one red flag and sitting a gamer like Evans was another. Then, kissing off the Roberts kids just added to my concern. I was also following the PG situation closely and scratching my head about what I knew about Lindsey. That was before Phil Greene saved the day. Of course all these concerns among others seem to be fading and Jakarr has reintroduced hope to the program. That's really all I ask. A fighting chance for SJU to regain some of it's past esteem. Can't wait to hear the next name to join the fold.
 
 Tommy Edwards "Many a tear has to fall, but it's all in the game"
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Big hit in 1958 (although originally released in 1951). Classic recording. But to be fair to SS&G, Nat Cole had included it on his 1957 "Love Is the Thing" album and it's included on several of his compilation CDs. 

Still on Cloud 9 over Jakarr's recommitment.
 
 Tommy Edwards "Many a tear has to fall, but it's all in the game"
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One of my favorite songs of all time.

Jakarr is going to fun to watch. I read somewhere , he was an outstanding shot blocker.
 
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