Marvin Clark Interview

paultzman

paultzman

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Marvin Clark II arrived in Queens in 2016 after transferring from Michigan St. where he played two seasons under coach Tom Izzo. At Michigan St., Clark II played in 69 games where he started only 8. After sitting out the 2016-2017 season as per NCAA rules, Clark II started all 33 games for the St. John’s Red Storm in 2017-2018. He shot over 50% from the field and 41% from behind the arch in his first full season at St. John’s. Now he is preparing for his final colligate season.

Here was my conversation with Marvin:

You played 2 years at Michigan St. before transferring to St. Johns. How was your time at MSU under Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo?

MC: My time at Michigan State University is a time that I’ll never forget. I made some of my most cherished friendships and memories there. I also learned a lot under Coach Izzo, life lessons that I’ll never forget. He definitely helped me become a better young man and player.

Coach Mullin and assistant coach Matt Abdelmassih have brought in recruits, but a lot of transfers. How does Coach Mullin get you all to buy in to his system?

MC: Coach Mullin doesn’t really have a system, we play off the strengths of our personnel. We play simple unselfish basketball, make the right and easy play/read and as a result of that we are a hard team to guard because everyone on the court is a threat.

Last year, your junior season you started and really got to showcase your game. Tell us how you think your year went?

MC: Last season was my best season individually from a production standpoint. I was able to legitimately grow and learn from mistakes I made on the floor. Along with seeing what I’m capable of and what I need to get better at and gaining confidence from that. Last year was a great year for me mentally.

Last year, you guys upset #4 Duke and #1 Villanova within a week of each other and that kind of sparked a turnaround in your season. Describe those wins.

MC: Those were definitely two great experiences in my life, two wins I will never forget! Even though last season wasn’t a winning season, our team showed a lot of perseverance and resilience. We never complained and we competed against every team we played. I’m not one for moral victories, but last season was a life lesson for everyone who followed and participated.

What can we expect from you and the team for your senior season?

MC: You can expect a team that lives by unselfishness and sacrifice for one another. We have a lot of talent and depth and a lot of guys that we can plug into multiple positions. It’ll be an ELECTRIC Year to say the least!! We Thank You REDSTORMNATION for your Die Hard support! STORMSZN is approaching and we can’t wait to see you there.

St. John’s under head coach Chris Mullin is preparing for a tournament run this season. They will look to turn it around after finishing 16-17 overall and 4-14 in the Big East last season.
https://twitter.com/thenextprospect/status/1035196855217545216?s=21
 
Loved Marvin's second answer: "Coach Mullin doesn't really have a system........"
Still don't think we need an assistant coach with x's and o's skills?
LMAO!!!!!
 
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[quote="MarkRedman" post=293800]Loved Marvin's second answer: "Coach Mullin doesn't really have a system........"
Still don't think we need an assistant coach with x's and o's skills?
LMAO!!!!![/quote]

Read the whole quote, Mark. It was meant as a compliment. He says that Mullin plays according to the personnel on the floor at the time. He's not married to one system, that he forces the players to adjust to.

Stop trying to stir up something that is not there.
 
[quote="MarkRedman" post=293800]Loved Marvin's second answer: "Coach Mullin doesn't really have a system........"
Still don't think we need an assistant coach with x's and o's skills?
LMAO!!!!![/quote]

But is no system technically a system?
 
Mullin’s system, appreciated by Clarke, was good enough to beat Coach K and Jay Wright last year . Yes, no one needs to refer to the losing streak as a counter point . We all embrace various reasons why it happened . Some with validity , some ridiculous . But, Consensus being the ill timed quit of Lovett a major factor .
 
[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=293847]Mullin’s system, appreciated by Clarke, was good enough to beat Coach K and Jay Wright last year . Yes, no one needs to refer to the losing streak as a counter point . We all embrace various reasons why it happened . Some with validity , some ridiculous . But, Consensus being the ill timed quit of Lovett a major factor .[/quote]

While Mullin deserves his fair share of blame for that 11 game losing streak (we might have pulled out 1 or 2 if Mullin had started the fouling game earlier, and who knows where a win or 2 early in that streak would have led), he also deserves credit for not losing the team during that period. Guys had a couple of duds, but played hard for the most part during that streak, and finally got rewarded for it in February/early March.
 
[quote="MarkRedman" post=293800]Loved Marvin's second answer: "Coach Mullin doesn't really have a system........"
Still don't think we need an assistant coach with x's and o's skills?
LMAO!!!!![/quote] I’m not a BB mavin. But I, like Mark , can’t say I was happy reading that line. IMO, it’s probably good to have a system.
 
He said he doesn't have a system not that he doesn't have a style or strategy which is effectively the same thing. This is basically the modern Don Nelson style. It is not a system per se but it is where basketball is at today and where it will be for the forseeable future. When Mullin first started he made an off hand comment about how 5 small guys would always beat 5 big guys. I groaned when I heard that because I was a Golden State Warriors fan when Nelson was coach and I hated watching the team be one big man away from being better than the Jordan Bulls. Watching Ponds relentlessly go at the huge Duke team and pulling out a victory when it never even crossed my mind as possible, got me hopeful that it could be done. It's sad that you guys consistently think Mullin is clueless.
 
Paul Massell wrote: He said he doesn't have a system not that he doesn't have a style or strategy which is effectively the same thing. This is basically the modern Don Nelson style. It is not a system per se but it is where basketball is at today and where it will be for the forseeable future. When Mullin first started he made an off hand comment about how 5 small guys would always beat 5 big guys. I groaned when I heard that because I was a Golden State Warriors fan when Nelson was coach and I hated watching the team be one big man away from being better than the Jordan Bulls. Watching Ponds relentlessly go at the huge Duke team and pulling out a victory when it never even crossed my mind as possible, got me hopeful that it could be done. It's sad that you guys consistently think Mullin is clueless.

Paul, I agree with everything you said and sure don't think CM is clueless, but must admit I prefer 4 small guys with one big guy to 5 small guys :)
 
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[quote="Paul Massell" post=293865]He said he doesn't have a system not that he doesn't have a style or strategy which is effectively the same thing. This is basically the modern Don Nelson style. It is not a system per se but it is where basketball is at today and where it will be for the forseeable future. When Mullin first started he made an off hand comment about how 5 small guys would always beat 5 big guys. I groaned when I heard that because I was a Golden State Warriors fan when Nelson was coach and I hated watching the team be one big man away from being better than the Jordan Bulls. Watching Ponds relentlessly go at the huge Duke team and pulling out a victory when it never even crossed my mind as possible, got me hopeful that it could be done. It's sad that you guys consistently think Mullin is clueless.[/quote] I never said Mullin was clueless. But you can’t use the Duke game as an example. Have to go by the entire body of work. This year will be telling w upgraded talent.
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=293866]

Paul, I agree with everything you said and sure don't think CM is clueless, but must admit I prefer 4 small guys with one big guy to 5 small guys :)[/quote]

I agree with YOU. I don't agree with Mullin on everything or think he is infallible but I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt rather than ripping him at any possible opening. Not because I am some fanboy (which in this one case I am) but because more knowlegible people than me think Mullin is capable of running an NBA team or a college team and I am confident that he is a relentless competitor and basketball runs in his veins as much as anyone else on the planet.
 
[quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=293867][quote="Paul Massell" post=293865]He said he doesn't have a system not that he doesn't have a style or strategy which is effectively the same thing. This is basically the modern Don Nelson style. It is not a system per se but it is where basketball is at today and where it will be for the forseeable future. When Mullin first started he made an off hand comment about how 5 small guys would always beat 5 big guys. I groaned when I heard that because I was a Golden State Warriors fan when Nelson was coach and I hated watching the team be one big man away from being better than the Jordan Bulls. Watching Ponds relentlessly go at the huge Duke team and pulling out a victory when it never even crossed my mind as possible, got me hopeful that it could be done. It's sad that you guys consistently think Mullin is clueless.[/quote] I never said Mullin was clueless. But you can’t use the Duke game as an example. Have to go by the entire body of work. This year will be telling w upgraded talent.[/quote]

Great post Paul; good insight Richard.
I think Mullin’s ‘style’ is to play 4-5 small(er) quick/athletic guys with shooting skills and ‘let’em’ go, wreaking havoc on both ends of the court.
This will be the first year, he’s got the talent and the ‘horses’ to have a good chance to consistently win with that ‘style’.
This year will reveal much about Mullin’s ‘style’ and how good a coach he is.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=293869]
Great post Paul; good insight Richard.
I think Mullin’s ‘style’ is to play 4-5 small(er) quick/athletic guys with shooting skills and ‘let’em’ go, wreaking havoc on both ends of the court.
This will be the first year, he’s got the talent and the ‘horses’ to have a good chance to consistently win with that ‘style’.
This year will reveal much about Mullin’s ‘style’ and how good a coach he is.[/quote]

I remember watching Fran's team run an offense and they looked robotic like CYO kids trying to implement what the coach diagrammed. Then Jarvis's teams running that weave to nowhere. They only time the offense ever looked good from either of these teams was with simple stuff or when Barkley was running stuff he'd done with his friends for years before he ever put on a St. John's uni. I'd like to see some more kickouts and weak side opportunities as well as someone who can catch the ball in the middle but I've seen glimpses of the offense looking a lot more effective than it ever did under previous coaches. Defense not so much but crying for a system is basically irrelevant. JTIII was a great coach at teaching a system at G'town. Didn't work out too well for him. The whole "positionless basketball" is where kids heads are at. That is why all these 7 footers are practicing their 3 pt shooting and trying to beat defenders off the dribble from the top of the key.
 
Clark really is a great leader, nice interview. It was a bit alarming to hear him say that Mullin doesn't have a "system". Think of the best programs/coaches...they usually have one. You can win playing freestyle, but your talent better be able to overwhelm the opponent. I dream about being top 25, tourney bound this year tearing through the Big East, but I just feel like the program is running on 2 cylinders in a 4 cylinder engine. I will root like hell for this team and for Mullin to break through and get an extension, but if things take a bad turn I don't want to hear "oh, well he was without Tariq and also he was left with nothing 3 years ago". If it's a bad season (missing the tourney) and there are no major injuries to key players especially if MH is cleared, you have to admit it's 100% on the staff. Give me that at least.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=293877]Clark really is a great leader, nice interview. It was a bit alarming to hear him say that Mullin doesn't have a "system". Think of the best programs/coaches...they usually have one. You can win playing freestyle, but your talent better be able to overwhelm the opponent. I dream about being top 25, tourney bound this year tearing through the Big East, but I just feel like the program is running on 2 cylinders in a 4 cylinder engine. I will root like hell for this team and for Mullin to break through and get an extension, but if things take a bad turn I don't want to hear "oh, well he was without Tariq and also he was left with nothing 3 years ago". If it's a bad season (missing the tourney) and there are no major injuries to key players especially if MH is cleared, you have to admit it's 100% on the staff. Give me that at least.[/quote]
I’ll give you anything if you stop repeating the same thing ad nauseam
 
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[quote="Paultzman" post=293880][quote="Mike Zaun" post=293877]Clark really is a great leader, nice interview. It was a bit alarming to hear him say that Mullin doesn't have a "system". Think of the best programs/coaches...they usually have one. You can win playing freestyle, but your talent better be able to overwhelm the opponent. I dream about being top 25, tourney bound this year tearing through the Big East, but I just feel like the program is running on 2 cylinders in a 4 cylinder engine. I will root like hell for this team and for Mullin to break through and get an extension, but if things take a bad turn I don't want to hear "oh, well he was without Tariq and also he was left with nothing 3 years ago". If it's a bad season (missing the tourney) and there are no major injuries to key players especially if MH is cleared, you have to admit it's 100% on the staff. Give me that at least.[/quote]
I’ll give you anything if you stop repeating the same thing ad nauseum.[/quote]

How bout a PM? And how much is my ticket officer? ;)
 
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=293807]Marvin is our MSG Section 114 favorite rooting player of the year[/quote]

Does he like lobster rolls, IPAs and pisco sours, because that would elevate him to a whole 'nother level.;)
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=293880][quote="Mike Zaun" post=293877]Clark really is a great leader, nice interview. It was a bit alarming to hear him say that Mullin doesn't have a "system". Think of the best programs/coaches...they usually have one. You can win playing freestyle, but your talent better be able to overwhelm the opponent. I dream about being top 25, tourney bound this year tearing through the Big East, but I just feel like the program is running on 2 cylinders in a 4 cylinder engine. I will root like hell for this team and for Mullin to break through and get an extension, but if things take a bad turn I don't want to hear "oh, well he was without Tariq and also he was left with nothing 3 years ago". If it's a bad season (missing the tourney) and there are no major injuries to key players especially if MH is cleared, you have to admit it's 100% on the staff. Give me that at least.[/quote]
I’ll give you anything if you stop repeating the same thing ad nauseam[/quote]

Anything??????????? Yikes, but I'm on board with the sentiment.
 
“Anything??????????? Yikes, but I'm on board with the sentiment.”

Yeah forgot “within reason” clause :)
 
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