Jermaine Lawrence, PF (Cincinnati)
- Thread starter Moose
- Start date
Kansas also doesn't scare me, gman. Lawrence can also become an NBA lottery pick with the Johnnies. This crap about going to UK and becoming a lottery pick after one season (or two) has turned into a life of its own. UK isn't the only place where one can end up being a lottery pick after a short college stint.
Regardless, I'm sure the staff is still targeting Lawrence, but they'll more than sure have their eyes on other targets (ie, Martin and Young).
So am I MCNPA, players who will stay 3-4 seasons will do us just as well in the long run.
If they truly believe he will be a lottery pick after one season I can understand his handlers desire to put him in a program where his talents will be exposed at the highest level from day 1 and where he can be guaranteed a deep tournament run.
We are not there yet but Coach Lavin has more than put the pieces in place to be good for the immediate future.
While I'm sure that info on Lawrence may have some weight I'm going to take it with a grain of salt. UK is in a class of its own and if a kid has his mind set on going there then he must wait for Cal to open his door to him. If that isn't the case for Jermaine then I would give Lavin just as good a chance as any other coach in the country. He has already proven he can grab the cant miss prospects and like others have said if he can't there is always a contingency plan with other top 100 players who are not quite as heralded but want to be here.
Maybe that coach was big timing and name dropping on 2 of the top current and historical programs and doesn't really know what is in JL head and heart. Maybe the coach would like to be at one of those 2 programs and is living vicariously through JL. Doubt Lavs gives up until JL is signed sealed and delivered.
True, but at Kentucky it's guaranteed. And that's not a knock on us, because no other program except UK can say that right now. (After the draft Thurs every starter from the last 3 years at UK will be in the NBA).
I'm also not particularly worried. No one player will break what Lavin's building.
At some point though winning a recruiting battle for a truly elite kid, a mcdonalds type guy, could put us over the edge in terms of competing for a conference or national championship.
I'm in no rush. And idk if Jermaine is that kind've program changer... but it will happen sooner or later.
Are we really building a SJU to be proud of when we get a young man such as a Lawrence or McCullough for example, watch them excel at basketball, and hang around the school for a year, and then they leave? Are they really SJU alumni? or are they temporary boarders who come to establish NBA credentials and make us all a little happier because we have a few more wins under our belt to brag about..
i am aware of the reality of building a final four program but it just does not seem to be in the spirt of college athletics to have a teenager come to school to learn and mature, and then leave so soon. In the long run - apart from the huge amounts of dollars involved - it's going to hurt their maturing process and have them bypass years they will niever get back.
i am aware of the reality of building a final four program but it just does not seem to be in the spirt of college athletics to have a teenager come to school to learn and mature, and then leave so soon. In the long run - apart from the huge amounts of dollars involved - it's going to hurt their maturing process and have them bypass years they will niever get back.
Schools that produce the most one and dones consistently get the better players, and better players help the school's program. And really, most of these kids playing basketball are already committing all of their resources to being what exactly? Not accountants, or attorneys, or doctors, but (shockingly) professional basketball players! If Goldman Sachs offered me a 3 year, $1,000,000 a year job after having completed only one year at STJ's CBA (not sure what they call the business school anymore), damn straight I would have taken it. Why criticize these one and done kids who want to seize on their ultimate objective if they can do so as soon as possible?
Ask Syracuse fans if Carmelo Anthony is an alum or UK fans if Anthony Davis or MKG are alums.. Then ask UC fans if Lance Stephenson is. It all depends on the situation but at the end of the day who could fault a player like Moe Harkless or Anthony Davis for wanting financial security and playing against the likes of Lebron James and Kevin Durant. For me every time I see Moe put a spalding into the net I will say "that's my boy from St. John's" much to the chagrin of those watching with me who will be so annoyed by halftime.
Of course you are 100% right but very few really care, it is all about W's and L's and $. "One and Doners" are glorified and we turn a blind eye to all the lesser players chasing a pipe dream who have blown a chance for a college education before they even get there.
