@Marquette, Sat. Jan. 9, 2pm, YES(FSN) & 570 AM

[ras]

Don't forget Yakwe left HS early and is young. He will also develop physically, strength and possibly height.

 

[paultzman]

I too am looking forward to next year but I am not giving up on some upsets this year. This team has growing talent, they seem to be settling into a system and they are competitive most of the time.

That being said I am looking forward to About mid-December of next year when the next new batch are finally settling into the system and the doomsdayers begin to quiet down, as they spend longer frames of time contemplating metaphorical ways to continue to futilely compare what's going on right now to the Jarvis/Roberts/Lavin era.

Talk about doing it with mirrors.......................
We really have 1, maybe 2 BE caliber players on the current roster.
We'll have 4 more come October.
Very excited for the future.

I think there are more than 1 or 2. Mussini, Sima, Johnson, Yawke, even Amar with the right system is a BE player

What system is that for Amar? Nice kid, who hustles, but won't see much time next season.

Agree. Hasn't been hitting the three lately.

Jack, does Yakwe remind you of David Russell a bit? David was a more skilled lefty early in development & less of a power guy, but for whatever reason, I think of DR when I see Yakwe.

Not really, he reminds me more of Walter Berry in low with a soft touch.

Yeah, that works & in time a smoother, less unorthodox stroke.

 

[beast of the east]

I too am looking forward to next year but I am not giving up on some upsets this year. This team has growing talent, they seem to be settling into a system and they are competitive most of the time.

That being said I am looking forward to About mid-December of next year when the next new batch are finally settling into the system and the doomsdayers begin to quiet down, as they spend longer frames of time contemplating metaphorical ways to continue to futilely compare what's going on right now to the Jarvis/Roberts/Lavin era.

Talk about doing it with mirrors.......................
We really have 1, maybe 2 BE caliber players on the current roster.
We'll have 4 more come October.
Very excited for the future.

I think there are more than 1 or 2. Mussini, Sima, Johnson, Yawke, even Amar with the right system is a BE player

What system is that for Amar? Nice kid, who hustles, but won't see much time next season.

Agree. Hasn't been hitting the three lately.

Jack, does Yakwe remind you of David Russell a bit? David was a more skilled lefty early in development & less of a power guy, but for whatever reason, I think of DR when I see Yakwe.

Yakwe does remind me of David Russell
Russell never developed a consistent mid-range jump shot
If Yakwe does, look out!!!

Maybe time has clouded my memory, but I don't see the connection at all ... especially on the defensive end.

I agree Redken, Russell was a way more competent player as a freshman. A real game changing talent out of Bellport High.

I liked Russell, but he was basically a one-dimensional player whose game never developed. As a freshmen, he had 23 blocks, but in his senior year (and granted, some other bigs were on the team by then), he had totaled six blocks all season. Yakwe had six blocks today.

Russell came here a much more skilled player and finished product. Yakwe much more raw but more athletic and with a ton of upside. Russell's lack of improvement over his four years reminds me a lot of Zendon's four years. Both seemed to have peaked as freshmen.

Monte you know I love you but I wish to clarify a few things. Russell was a MCAA and a 6 7 great athlete. Yakwe is the identical size and also a great athlete but not a top 20 high school player. Both Russell and Zendon peaked their sophomore/ junior seasons. Russell was first team BE in 1982 when the league was great and filled with star talent. He was second team BE when he graduated in 1983. He did improve but did not become the complete player he could have or that we fans hoped he would become. Yakwe if he is well coached and works like a Trojan could become a great player down the road. At present he seems better as a freshman than Russell was as a senior defensively but his offence is far behind. As we all know defense is based on effort. If yakwe will put the same effort into his offence as he does with his defence he will be a hell of a baller. Another reason why I believe Yakwe will improve is that as of next season we will be two deep at every position with serious talent. Practices will be spirited and challenging. Every player will improve if they remain with the program. Unfortunately for Russell and Zendon they had no one to properly challenge them at their position at SJU. That fact hindered their development IMHO.

Didn't Russell win the Lapchick tourney MVP as a frosh? Probably our best forward ever getting out on the break. It seems like every time he got out on the left wide on the break he finished with a thunderous jam. I thought his outside shot from 15 and in was pretty good, and I'm thinking he shot 70+ % from the FT line. But could be wrong.

 

[monte]

I too am looking forward to next year but I am not giving up on some upsets this year. This team has growing talent, they seem to be settling into a system and they are competitive most of the time.

That being said I am looking forward to About mid-December of next year when the next new batch are finally settling into the system and the doomsdayers begin to quiet down, as they spend longer frames of time contemplating metaphorical ways to continue to futilely compare what's going on right now to the Jarvis/Roberts/Lavin era.

Talk about doing it with mirrors.......................
We really have 1, maybe 2 BE caliber players on the current roster.
We'll have 4 more come October.
Very excited for the future.

I think there are more than 1 or 2. Mussini, Sima, Johnson, Yawke, even Amar with the right system is a BE player

What system is that for Amar? Nice kid, who hustles, but won't see much time next season.

Agree. Hasn't been hitting the three lately.

Jack, does Yakwe remind you of David Russell a bit? David was a more skilled lefty early in development & less of a power guy, but for whatever reason, I think of DR when I see Yakwe.

Yakwe does remind me of David Russell
Russell never developed a consistent mid-range jump shot
If Yakwe does, look out!!!

Maybe time has clouded my memory, but I don't see the connection at all ... especially on the defensive end.

I agree Redken, Russell was a way more competent player as a freshman. A real game changing talent out of Bellport High.

I liked Russell, but he was basically a one-dimensional player whose game never developed. As a freshmen, he had 23 blocks, but in his senior year (and granted, some other bigs were on the team by then), he had totaled six blocks all season. Yakwe had six blocks today.

Russell came here a much more skilled player and finished product. Yakwe much more raw but more athletic and with a ton of upside. Russell's lack of improvement over his four years reminds me a lot of Zendon's four years. Both seemed to have peaked as freshmen.

Monte you know I love you but I wish to clarify a few things. Russell was a MCAA and a 6 7 great athlete. Yakwe is the identical size and also a great athlete but not a top 20 high school player. Both Russell and Zendon peaked their sophomore/ junior seasons. Russell was first team BE in 1982 when the league was great and filled with star talent. He was second team BE when he graduated in 1983. He did improve but did not become the complete player he could have or that we fans hoped he would become. Yakwe if he is well coached and works like a Trojan could become a great player down the road. At present he seems better as a freshman than Russell was as a senior defensively but his offence is far behind. As we all know defense is based on effort. If yakwe will put the same effort into his offence as he does with his defence he will be a hell of a baller. Another reason why I believe Yakwe will improve is that as of next season we will be two deep at every position with serious talent. Practices will be spirited and challenging. Every player will improve if they remain with the program. Unfortunately for Russell and Zendon they had no one to properly challenge them at their position at SJU. That fact hindered their development IMHO.

RN Russell was a very good(not great) leaper and athlete. Yakwe is a freak. He can jump through the roof, run like a gazelle and is as quick as a cat. As for DR and ZH, I said they "seemed" to have peaked as freshmen. Maybe it was their soph or junior years. Regardless they both showed little improvement between their freshman and senior years. Also no way was DR 6'7". Listed at 6'6" and closer to 6'5". Not trying to compare DR and Yakwe. Yakwe may never be the finished product that DR was, but DR was not as good a natural athlete as Yawke is.

 

[Sherman Sheridan & Grant]

I too am looking forward to next year but I am not giving up on some upsets this year. This team has growing talent, they seem to be settling into a system and they are competitive most of the time.

That being said I am looking forward to About mid-December of next year when the next new batch are finally settling into the system and the doomsdayers begin to quiet down, as they spend longer frames of time contemplating metaphorical ways to continue to futilely compare what's going on right now to the Jarvis/Roberts/Lavin era.

Talk about doing it with mirrors.......................
We really have 1, maybe 2 BE caliber players on the current roster.
We'll have 4 more come October.
Very excited for the future.

I think there are more than 1 or 2. Mussini, Sima, Johnson, Yawke, even Amar with the right system is a BE player

What system is that for Amar? Nice kid, who hustles, but won't see much time next season.

Agree. Hasn't been hitting the three lately.

Jack, does Yakwe remind you of David Russell a bit? David was a more skilled lefty early in development & less of a power guy, but for whatever reason, I think of DR when I see Yakwe.

Not really, he reminds me more of Walter Berry in low with a soft touch.

Yeah, that works & in time a smoother, less unorthodox stroke.

SS&G:
I so much enjoy the team's heart and these posts - so I'm coming out of my self- imposed exile - imposed after I was taken to task on a post I initiated about how good & promising Mr. Yakwe was and could be!

Coach Mullin since Y's first game has had nothing but praise for the Big Y and many here have confirmed the excitement that this freshman is on board:

Redmen: Y had 6 rebounds this game David Russell had 6 his entire senior season;

88 grad: Y going to be a force;

Monte: Y can jump through the roof; Y is s freak (w/ his BB gifts I suppose)

Firestone: Y great at both ends;

Paultzman: Y will be a fan favorite and a very good BE player;

SJU11: Y is going to be a stud;

Jack of V: congrats to young stud;

Jack Williams: gotta love Y;

Paultzman: we are set w/ Sima & Y;

Mean Gene: Y will be a beast if he puts the work in;

Mark R: Y reminds me of David Russell;
Another alluded to W the Truth B - sorry if I missed some posts about Y...

Maybe the positive post I initiated - after Yakwe's first game - was a bit much with my exuberance ...then again...

Fun year even with all the " Ls" ahead and at hand.

all the best

 

[ras]

Nice to have you back SSG.

 

[Ray Morgan]

I too am looking forward to next year but I am not giving up on some upsets this year. This team has growing talent, they seem to be settling into a system and they are competitive most of the time.

That being said I am looking forward to About mid-December of next year when the next new batch are finally settling into the system and the doomsdayers begin to quiet down, as they spend longer frames of time contemplating metaphorical ways to continue to futilely compare what's going on right now to the Jarvis/Roberts/Lavin era.

Talk about doing it with mirrors.......................
We really have 1, maybe 2 BE caliber players on the current roster.
We'll have 4 more come October.
Very excited for the future.

I think there are more than 1 or 2. Mussini, Sima, Johnson, Yawke, even Amar with the right system is a BE player

What system is that for Amar? Nice kid, who hustles, but won't see much time next season.

Agree. Hasn't been hitting the three lately.

Jack, does Yakwe remind you of David Russell a bit? David was a more skilled lefty early in development & less of a power guy, but for whatever reason, I think of DR when I see Yakwe.

Yakwe does remind me of David Russell
Russell never developed a consistent mid-range jump shot
If Yakwe does, look out!!!

Maybe time has clouded my memory, but I don't see the connection at all ... especially on the defensive end.

I agree Redken, Russell was a way more competent player as a freshman. A real game changing talent out of Bellport High.

I liked Russell, but he was basically a one-dimensional player whose game never developed. As a freshmen, he had 23 blocks, but in his senior year (and granted, some other bigs were on the team by then), he had totaled six blocks all season. Yakwe had six blocks today.

Russell came here a much more skilled player and finished product. Yakwe much more raw but more athletic and with a ton of upside. Russell's lack of improvement over his four years reminds me a lot of Zendon's four years. Both seemed to have peaked as freshmen.

Monte you know I love you but I wish to clarify a few things. Russell was a MCAA and a 6 7 great athlete. Yakwe is the identical size and also a great athlete but not a top 20 high school player. Both Russell and Zendon peaked their sophomore/ junior seasons. Russell was first team BE in 1982 when the league was great and filled with star talent. He was second team BE when he graduated in 1983. He did improve but did not become the complete player he could have or that we fans hoped he would become. Yakwe if he is well coached and works like a Trojan could become a great player down the road. At present he seems better as a freshman than Russell was as a senior defensively but his offence is far behind. As we all know defense is based on effort. If yakwe will put the same effort into his offence as he does with his defence he will be a hell of a baller. Another reason why I believe Yakwe will improve is that as of next season we will be two deep at every position with serious talent. Practices will be spirited and challenging. Every player will improve if they remain with the program. Unfortunately for Russell and Zendon they had no one to properly challenge them at their position at SJU. That fact hindered their development IMHO.

Didn't Russell win the Lapchick tourney MVP as a frosh? Probably our best forward ever getting out on the break. It seems like every time he got out on the left wide on the break he finished with a thunderous jam. I thought his outside shot from 15 and in was pretty good, and I'm thinking he shot 70+ % from the FT line. But could be wrong.

My recollections are pretty much the same, and also not sure about the Lapchick tourney MVP. Both DR and Yakwe can jump and are athletic, but I don't see them as similar at this point. Russell was a more polished offensive player at this point. Yakwe still learning the game and still finding his way.

 

[monte]

I too am looking forward to next year but I am not giving up on some upsets this year. This team has growing talent, they seem to be settling into a system and they are competitive most of the time.

That being said I am looking forward to About mid-December of next year when the next new batch are finally settling into the system and the doomsdayers begin to quiet down, as they spend longer frames of time contemplating metaphorical ways to continue to futilely compare what's going on right now to the Jarvis/Roberts/Lavin era.

Talk about doing it with mirrors.......................
We really have 1, maybe 2 BE caliber players on the current roster.
We'll have 4 more come October.
Very excited for the future.

I think there are more than 1 or 2. Mussini, Sima, Johnson, Yawke, even Amar with the right system is a BE player

What system is that for Amar? Nice kid, who hustles, but won't see much time next season.

Agree. Hasn't been hitting the three lately.

Jack, does Yakwe remind you of David Russell a bit? David was a more skilled lefty early in development & less of a power guy, but for whatever reason, I think of DR when I see Yakwe.

Not really, he reminds me more of Walter Berry in low with a soft touch.

Yeah, that works & in time a smoother, less unorthodox stroke.

SS&G:
I so much enjoy the team's heart and these posts - so I'm coming out of my self- imposed exile - imposed after I was taken to task on a post I initiated about how good & promising Mr. Yakwe was and could be!

Coach Mullin since Y's first game has had nothing but praise for the Big Y and many here have confirmed the excitement that this freshman is on board:

Redmen: Y had 6 rebounds this game David Russell had 6 his entire senior season;

88 grad: Y going to be a force;

Monte: Y can jump through the roof; Y is s freak (w/ his BB gifts I suppose)

Firestone: Y great at both ends;

Paultzman: Y will be a fan favorite and a very good BE player;

SJU11: Y is going to be a stud;

Jack of V: congrats to young stud;

Jack Williams: gotta love Y;

Paultzman: we are set w/ Sima & Y;

Mean Gene: Y will be a beast if he puts the work in;

Mark R: Y reminds me of David Russell;
Another alluded to W the Truth B - sorry if I missed some posts about Y...

Maybe the positive post I initiated - after Yakwe's first game - was a bit much with my exuberance ...then again...

Fun year even with all the " Ls" ahead and at hand.

all the best

Happy New Year SSG. Pretty sure Russell had more than 6 rebounds his senior year

 

[redmanwest]

Reminds me of Willie Glass

 

[redken]

I too am looking forward to next year but I am not giving up on some upsets this year. This team has growing talent, they seem to be settling into a system and they are competitive most of the time.

That being said I am looking forward to About mid-December of next year when the next new batch are finally settling into the system and the doomsdayers begin to quiet down, as they spend longer frames of time contemplating metaphorical ways to continue to futilely compare what's going on right now to the Jarvis/Roberts/Lavin era.

Talk about doing it with mirrors.......................
We really have 1, maybe 2 BE caliber players on the current roster.
We'll have 4 more come October.
Very excited for the future.

I think there are more than 1 or 2. Mussini, Sima, Johnson, Yawke, even Amar with the right system is a BE player

What system is that for Amar? Nice kid, who hustles, but won't see much time next season.

Agree. Hasn't been hitting the three lately.

Jack, does Yakwe remind you of David Russell a bit? David was a more skilled lefty early in development & less of a power guy, but for whatever reason, I think of DR when I see Yakwe.

Not really, he reminds me more of Walter Berry in low with a soft touch.

Yeah, that works & in time a smoother, less unorthodox stroke.

SS&G:
I so much enjoy the team's heart and these posts - so I'm coming out of my self- imposed exile - imposed after I was taken to task on a post I initiated about how good & promising Mr. Yakwe was and could be!

Coach Mullin since Y's first game has had nothing but praise for the Big Y and many here have confirmed the excitement that this freshman is on board:

Redmen: Y had 6 rebounds this game David Russell had 6 his entire senior season;

88 grad: Y going to be a force;

Monte: Y can jump through the roof; Y is s freak (w/ his BB gifts I suppose)

Firestone: Y great at both ends;

Paultzman: Y will be a fan favorite and a very good BE player;

SJU11: Y is going to be a stud;

Jack of V: congrats to young stud;

Jack Williams: gotta love Y;

Paultzman: we are set w/ Sima & Y;

Mean Gene: Y will be a beast if he puts the work in;

Mark R: Y reminds me of David Russell;
Another alluded to W the Truth B - sorry if I missed some posts about Y...

Maybe the positive post I initiated - after Yakwe's first game - was a bit much with my exuberance ...then again...

Fun year even with all the " Ls" ahead and at hand.

all the best

Happy New Year SSG. Pretty sure Russell had more than 6 rebounds his senior year

The good General SSG was mistaking 6 blocks (a statistic I had referenced) for 6 rebounds. Also, for the record, I didn't mean to suggest Russell isn't/wasn't as good as Yakwe as a freshman, but that I didn't see the comparison. As someone noted, Russell was an exciting, and productive, offensive player as a frosh, more so that Yakwe. It's their different styles (to date as well as Yakwe's potential, particularly defensively) that I was comparing.

 

[redken]

Reminds me of Willie Glass

Yeah, that gold bling necklace that Yakwe wears -- the one with the 5-inch-high "Hollywood" lettering -- seals the deal.

 

[Anthony Mattia]

I too am looking forward to next year but I am not giving up on some upsets this year. This team has growing talent, they seem to be settling into a system and they are competitive most of the time.

That being said I am looking forward to About mid-December of next year when the next new batch are finally settling into the system and the doomsdayers begin to quiet down, as they spend longer frames of time contemplating metaphorical ways to continue to futilely compare what's going on right now to the Jarvis/Roberts/Lavin era.

Talk about doing it with mirrors.......................
We really have 1, maybe 2 BE caliber players on the current roster.
We'll have 4 more come October.
Very excited for the future.

I think there are more than 1 or 2. Mussini, Sima, Johnson, Yawke, even Amar with the right system is a BE player

What system is that for Amar? Nice kid, who hustles, but won't see much time next season.

Agree. Hasn't been hitting the three lately.

Jack, does Yakwe remind you of David Russell a bit? David was a more skilled lefty early in development & less of a power guy, but for whatever reason, I think of DR when I see Yakwe.

Not really, he reminds me more of Walter Berry in low with a soft touch.

I'm sorry, but Yakwe is not even close to Walter Berry. Berry was an unstoppable scoring force in the post and was smooth while doing it. The only solid comparison between Berry and Yakwe is that they are both left handed, in my opinion.

 

[MJDinkins]

Yakwe reminds me of.... Yakwe.

 

[salty dog]

why are posters comparing players on a team that has lost 7 straight games to some of the best players in St. John's history? I don't get it. Am I missing something?

 

[austour]

Because Yakwe is the kind of athlete we haven't seen since Dom.

 

[Knight]

I too am looking forward to next year but I am not giving up on some upsets this year. This team has growing talent, they seem to be settling into a system and they are competitive most of the time.

That being said I am looking forward to About mid-December of next year when the next new batch are finally settling into the system and the doomsdayers begin to quiet down, as they spend longer frames of time contemplating metaphorical ways to continue to futilely compare what's going on right now to the Jarvis/Roberts/Lavin era.

Talk about doing it with mirrors.......................
We really have 1, maybe 2 BE caliber players on the current roster.
We'll have 4 more come October.
Very excited for the future.

I think there are more than 1 or 2. Mussini, Sima, Johnson, Yawke, even Amar with the right system is a BE player

What system is that for Amar? Nice kid, who hustles, but won't see much time next season.

Agree. Hasn't been hitting the three lately.

Jack, does Yakwe remind you of David Russell a bit? David was a more skilled lefty early in development & less of a power guy, but for whatever reason, I think of DR when I see Yakwe.

Not really, he reminds me more of Walter Berry in low with a soft touch.

I'm sorry, but Yakwe is not even close to Walter Berry. Berry was an unstoppable scoring force in the post and was smooth while doing it. The only solid comparison between Berry and Yakwe is that they are both left handed, in my opinion.

Are we speaking of WB as a freshman? Wasn't he a transfer?

 

[Andrew]

I too am looking forward to next year but I am not giving up on some upsets this year. This team has growing talent, they seem to be settling into a system and they are competitive most of the time.

That being said I am looking forward to About mid-December of next year when the next new batch are finally settling into the system and the doomsdayers begin to quiet down, as they spend longer frames of time contemplating metaphorical ways to continue to futilely compare what's going on right now to the Jarvis/Roberts/Lavin era.

Talk about doing it with mirrors.......................
We really have 1, maybe 2 BE caliber players on the current roster.
We'll have 4 more come October.
Very excited for the future.

I think there are more than 1 or 2. Mussini, Sima, Johnson, Yawke, even Amar with the right system is a BE player

What system is that for Amar? Nice kid, who hustles, but won't see much time next season.

Agree. Hasn't been hitting the three lately.

Jack, does Yakwe remind you of David Russell a bit? David was a more skilled lefty early in development & less of a power guy, but for whatever reason, I think of DR when I see Yakwe.

Not really, he reminds me more of Walter Berry in low with a soft touch.

I'm sorry, but Yakwe is not even close to Walter Berry. Berry was an unstoppable scoring force in the post and was smooth while doing it. The only solid comparison between Berry and Yakwe is that they are both left handed, in my opinion.

Are we speaking of WB as a freshman? Wasn't he a transfer?

Yes. He came as a Sophomore.

 

[redken]

Because Yakwe is the kind of athlete we haven't seen since Dom.

Which was less than a year ago.

 

[Jack Williams]

Because Yakwe is the kind of athlete we haven't seen since Dom.

Which was less than a year ago.

That is the joke

 

[fun]

why are posters comparing players on a team that has lost 7 straight games to some of the best players in St. John's history? I don't get it. Am I missing something?

Yes, you're missing several things. First, no one is comparing Yawke to Berry as players. They are talking about a physical resemblance, style, mannerisms and so on. I certainly see similarities between Yawke and both Berry and Russell, and not just because they're black and left handed - he doesn't eg remind me of Bob Lanier or Bill Russell or even Jack Marin. Second, you missed Yawke - who should still be in high school - punking two macdonald's all americans over the weekend, to whom he was giving away about 9 inches and 100 pounds. Finally you missed this morning your chance to be first in line to buy Running Rebel footies, to show your support for your new favorite team and its new head coach Steve Lavin. I know that might be a tad premature but considering Lavin's close personal relationship with his best man and mentor Jerry Tarkanian he's a shoe in and that merch isn't going to last forever.