Well if nothing else this was entertaining. We went from alleged addition by subtraction in Sampson because he was showcasing his perimeter game for the next level...to allegedly getting better with Lawrence, who despite any potential appears to be the worst attributes of Sampson exacerbated a few degrees (2 and 2 as a frosh in the AAC v. 15 and 7 and ROY as a frosh in what was the best conference in the country; what seems like plenty of baggage v. a kid who never did anything but stick it out with this program with a smile on his face)...to of course now being better off without Lawrence as well.
IMO this all worked out just fine. I think we will miss Sampson more than we realize in a classic "grass is always greener" scenario, but do buy into certain ways that he didn't optimize his output and how that negatively impacted us at times this year. I also see the intrigue in any prospect with the potential of Lawrence, but when you add everything up the last 18 months for him and the instability of the last 36 months for SJU this may be for the best. I was certainly in the "let's take a chance on adding him camp", but can't say I'm not somewhat relieved it's not coming to fruition.
If there's one thing this team has going for it there's no confusion who the team belongs to. We lacked identity on offense for too much of last year with too many guys who wanted to take their swipes at being the guy. We won't have scoring depth, and if we can't have that I'd rather have 2 guys who can really score with complete clarity that those are our guys...vs. a number of guys who are legends in their own minds in terms of scoring ability but can't really deliver which creates confusion. We have trimmed some of that from last year and Lawrence certainly seems like a candidate to add right back to it.
Think Christian Jones is going to surprise as a 3rd or 4th scoring option. Has the ability but will know his role behind Jordan and Harrison. Also thinks he takes the necessary step forward on the backboards after this past year of development.
Great post.
With Sampson it's not what we are losing as much as it is what he could have been next year. Lawrence was Sampson 2.0...but with drama and baggage. I'm glad Coach stuck to his guns on this one. I've been pretty against JL, but the potential is intriguing. It's not easy to pass on a talent like that.
Agreed. I think this will work out just fine. We are going to have less "paper talent" and "potential upside" next year, but we may be a more cohesive group. Frankly it's a trade I'm willing to make.
As Lawrence was likely the last big variable in terms of next years' roster, the two keys to the season are starting to crystallize I think: (1) the role-specific contributions from the forwards (Thomas, Jones, and Dom), and (2) the staff putting Jordan and Harrison in a system where they can play-make without having to go 1 on 5 as much as they did this year. They are going to get their points no matter what, but both have demonstrated plus interior passing ability, and in the right sets will create layup/dunks and open 3s for others with ease. To me that element is even more important than the 30+ they are going to average for us, because they'll get that just by the ball being rolled out there. How much the staff sets them up to facilitate easy baskets for others will determine how good the offense will be.
