[quote="MJDinkins" post=273792][quote="redmannorth" post=273787][quote="Class of 72" post=273781][quote="shamsman2" post=273771][quote="Class of 72" post=273753![
This means that someone's character becomes apparent when we consider the type of persons that he associates with. You, and apparently North, have no clue that Mullin is surrounded by a few of the most despicable "supporters" associated with the program. I'm not talking eccentric. I'm talking dirt bags.
Perhaps you and a couple of other blind mice here can highlight Mullin's credentials that don't include having played the game of basketball?
You may have to start with his career in the Golden State front office. "While he was beloved as a player, Mullin's foray into Golden State's front office didn't have the same results. He was fired as the team's executive vice president of basketball operations following the 2008-09 season, nearly a year after the former star player seemingly lost his authority in a power struggle within the tumultuous Warriors.", according ESPN archives. He was perceived as lacking vision and flexibility. What followed after the GS shakeup was the rise of one the top 5 NBA franchises in the past 8 years.
You and a few others here are supporting a "hope" that he becomes a competent college coach and we're seemingly fine with paying him the salary of a Jim Boeheim in that gamble. You, me, North and everyone else can't do anything but voice our opinions as the drama unfolds. I am sure a couple of fans here will be quick to post "who said what about Mullin" with the next rare win as if to validate the mediocrity that purmeates this program. But, dear Sham, it is one thing to defend an "image" and another to have the balls to deal with reality without calling someone a CU*T.[/quote]
Dear 72 you are correct I have no clue as to who Coach Mullin associates with and truth be told I don’t really care, it is not my business. For the record I have spoken to him twice in my life while I was a student with him at SJU in 1981 -1993.
I support him, as a blind mouse , because he is the coach and because I believe , I said I believe, that he is working hard. Again for the record I did not support his hiring because I believe you hire good talent with a supportive track record. Coach Mullin had no track record as a coach at any level, let alone at the highest salary the school ever paid. The day I believe he stops working is the day I will not be suppprtive. The same way I turned on Jarvis and the Buffoon.
I did not support the Mahoney hire , and we had a prior relationship, because of his track record. I supported the Fran hire because of his track record. I supported the Jarvas hire because of his track record. I did not support the Roberts , Lavin and Mullin hires because of his heir prior records and in Coach Mullins case his nonexistent record. I trust I am clear.
I don’t fault Coach Mullin the same way I didn’t fault Coach Roberts as they never should have been hired. Having said that once they were hired I supported Coach Roberts and support Coach Mullin because there is little else I can do. I refuse to come on this board daily and bitch like a little girl as there is nothing I can do. If you have anger or resentment direct it towards the people who hired Coach Mullin. There are things I like that I see and there are many things I don’t like but I acknowledge that Coach Mullin inherited a complete shit hole, which you and a few others who I will allow to remain nameless don’t, and even though like you time is not on my side, I will continue to be patient. We are halfway through this experiment , hopefully the next three years will be better.
I trust I have been clear.[/quote]
"Coach" isn't working hard or as hard, as you may surmise. I'll leave it there for now.
I agree, in reference to you not being able to do much when it comes to who we have on the sidelines. But, you can stop attempting to denigrate anything with the other staff and its players in order do build up this current staff. If that's all you can do when it comes to giving the current staff "kudos," then that tells me all I need to know what the current staff has accomplished and likely what you subconsciously think of the current staff and its accomplishments. Prop up the staff on their own merits. Unfortunately, there isn't much of anything where you can actually give 'em any props.
I was big on the Mullin hire and the staff he brought in with him. I'll always support the coach of "my" teams. But, I also won't ignore what I see or potential red flags. I hope Mullin turns and right the ship. I'm having my doubts on this one.
Mullin and staff did come in with scraps. But, if you can't watch games and tell yourself something isn't quite right, then I don't know what to say. I saw something wasn't particularly right during his first season with the style of ball being played. It wasn't so much our losing, as losing was expected during his first season. But, I saw a brand of ball that had me wondering whether it was conducive to long-term or sustained success because he may not be able to consistently get those sort of players to continue such brand of ball.
I gave him a pass because of the hand he was dealt. I felt that was only fair. Last season, with improved play, there was still a brand of "playground'ish" ball and we were getting mauled on the road. Many games was already over by halftime or early in the second half.
This season, we've played better and have kept games close for the most part. But, we can't finish due to poor execution, possible fatigue, or both.
I also see a stubborn staff who either won't go zone or can't sufficiently teach it. I'm leaning towards the latter based on the handful of times I've seen us in zone defenses. I said it on JJ and I'll say it here.... So far, our team next season will probably be similar to this year's team. We'll likely be overly-reliant on Ponds, and as he goes so will the rest of the team. Although, I'm willing to see who the staff is able to corral in the next couple of months.
Lastly, if Ponds decides to enter the draft.... I don't think it'll be pretty.[/quote]
I was reading an article written by a Marquette fan. They were happy as hell to play us in a night where Ponds didn't play like the "Love child of Jesus and Godzilla " , and punctuated it with "for at least one night anyway." He went on to say st. John's is the only team in the big east that plays tough defense. Also true.
Tell me, other than Ponds carrying the team diwn the stretch, who are you really comfortable with shooting? Yea, Ahmed may or may not make shots, but he's not even remotely a second option. I love what Simon brings on the court but big time and of game offense isnt one of them. Owens? Come on. Clark is probably the closest thing but then again.
Best you can hope for is a dogfight. Tough d. Nose to nose refuse to yield, keep it close and hope ponds plays at a higher level than anyone on the floor. When he is merely human, we will lose more than we win of these close encounters.
If you think Mullin should have guys like Ahmed and Owens playing like all big east players, to move with precision without the ball, to follow shots and be flawless players like those at gonzaga or God forbid Butler, then you are mistaken.
What we see is what we have. Big East talent capable of playing with anyone in the nation, but short in stature, depth, and talent. You want to say we should have more talent, fine. 100k per player will get you there quickly. Aside from that, all our fans see are W and L. Not that winning isn't everything, but I dont know if any coach alive could make this roster an upper big east finisher.
