It's very easy to see why Mullin is beloved by all. He clearly has energized this program and it's pretty awesome! He comes across as a passionate, genuine, well respected hoops legend, as he is. Very excited to see this unfold the way it has and what it will bring to the future of the program.
Mullin Press Conference
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
I was able to catch the last 10 minutes or so of the press conference. On thing that stuck out to me was that Chris conveyed that he is here to turn this team into a consistently successful program and to not have it go through any more droughts, but at the same time he did state that it will take time and not happen over night. I respect his vision and wish him great success!!
@NYPost_Brazille: Chris Mullin promises big things at emotional introduction:http://t.co/BGqPeYfQGo #sjubb
I was at the press conference. Mullin's loyalty to the school, city and Lou came through loud and clear. I have little doubt that it will come through loud and clear to recruits as well. I expect that his strong, honest passion for St. John's will sway some recruits in a way that no other coach could. There is a fundamental difference between selling St. John's as a hired coach and selling St. John's when it is YOUR school, which is the way Mullin clearly feels.
Another thing that came through is his New York directness and honesty. Once again I think this will be a plus in dealing with some recruits. It will also be a plus in dealing with some players. However I think anybody who plays for him is going to have to be prepared to hear what he really thinks about the flaws in their game, together with top notch instruction on how to get better.
The third thing that was evident was his sense of history. He understands that the college game today is different, but he also understands where it came from and how it got to where it is now. To me that shows a depth of thought and understanding that will be very helpful to him, even if the kids he is working with don't get it.
One of the interesting things that came out of the press conference was when he was asked whether he's prepared to work with college kids after having been in the pros. He essentially said that it's the same thing, because they aren't getting finished products in the NBA. They're getting kids who have no skills and no understanding of basketball and they have to teach them just the same as if they were teaching in college (because most of them were only there for a year or so anyway). I thought he made an excellent point about that.
It seems clear that he intends to run on offense with NBA-style sets, and play man-to-man defense. I'd expect to see some press and trap.
The players were there including Obekpa; I did not see Jordan but may have missed him.
Lots of former players in the house, and lots of enthusiasm and feel-good vibe.
In some ways it is like spring training when hope springs eternal and everybody is in first place, but it's impossible not to have a good feeling about this. It certainly seems as though he is going to be a very good recruiter and that he has definite idea of what he wants to do from a coaching standpoint.
Great day for St. John's.
Another thing that came through is his New York directness and honesty. Once again I think this will be a plus in dealing with some recruits. It will also be a plus in dealing with some players. However I think anybody who plays for him is going to have to be prepared to hear what he really thinks about the flaws in their game, together with top notch instruction on how to get better.
The third thing that was evident was his sense of history. He understands that the college game today is different, but he also understands where it came from and how it got to where it is now. To me that shows a depth of thought and understanding that will be very helpful to him, even if the kids he is working with don't get it.
One of the interesting things that came out of the press conference was when he was asked whether he's prepared to work with college kids after having been in the pros. He essentially said that it's the same thing, because they aren't getting finished products in the NBA. They're getting kids who have no skills and no understanding of basketball and they have to teach them just the same as if they were teaching in college (because most of them were only there for a year or so anyway). I thought he made an excellent point about that.
It seems clear that he intends to run on offense with NBA-style sets, and play man-to-man defense. I'd expect to see some press and trap.
The players were there including Obekpa; I did not see Jordan but may have missed him.
Lots of former players in the house, and lots of enthusiasm and feel-good vibe.
In some ways it is like spring training when hope springs eternal and everybody is in first place, but it's impossible not to have a good feeling about this. It certainly seems as though he is going to be a very good recruiter and that he has definite idea of what he wants to do from a coaching standpoint.
Great day for St. John's.
Big shout out to Walter Berry and a bunch of other guys from the 85 team in attendance.
The Mets broadcast team just talked about the 85 Mets final four team and how Mullin and the guys would come by the clubhouse a lot. Gary Cohen said it was because Jay Horowitz was a huge SJU fan and was good friends with Al Labalbo.
Man, SJU in 85 and Mets and 1986, and I don't become old enough to be a fan until the early 90's.
THat would have held me over for decades.
sorry for double post *
Im not sure what you mean by the GP reference in #2. Are you talking about lou not recruiting him?
redfan002500k
Member
Sounds like ADR is going to need an inhaler.
we are sju
Active member
I think AA is much more involved than ADR will be next year. More Mullin type of player
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
I loved his comments about working the players hard, but making practice fun. His love of the game always shines through, and will make SJU a destination for a lot of top recruits. I am not surprised he brought this up, as I was thinking how much fun he would be to play for. You will work harder if you enjoy your task, and no one loves the game more than Chris Mullin. I thought the press conference was amazing. He said everything with passion and with a love for the school, the basketball program, the game, of of course for Looie. He made one proud whether you are a fan, alum, or student. What a moment for SJU.
redfan002500k
Member
I agree I think AA will be more involved than ADR.
ADR's potential progression would show that he can take on a raw prospect and refine him.
ADR isn't raw, he's just not in the best shape. That should change under Mullin. I think both players will be solid contributors, and I'm excited to have both. Imagine Sampson coming off a double-screen from ADR and AA...you could drive a truck through the lane it would create.
beast of the east
Active member
I was there today. Agree with all the positive vibe comments. It's very clear that Mullin came here to do a job, was driven by his love of SJU in all ways, knows his SJU history, and is well liked enough by former players that you could have filled 2 or 3 pretty good rosters with them.
I saw Walter Berry as I headed in and said, "He should make you an assistant. Without you, there is no 1985." We both laughed.
The only reason a player should for practice next season is that they aren't done practicing from the day before.
Mullin is intent on building a NYC team, and is promising to be out there in force scouring every gym. He seemed actually eager to hit up all these old places, as if each one is a home to him. Heck, any place with a hoop in NYC, whether the driveway in Brooklyn, parish or HS gyms, is a place Mullin not only is comfortable in, but seems to relish.
I saw Walter Berry as I headed in and said, "He should make you an assistant. Without you, there is no 1985." We both laughed.
The only reason a player should for practice next season is that they aren't done practicing from the day before.
Mullin is intent on building a NYC team, and is promising to be out there in force scouring every gym. He seemed actually eager to hit up all these old places, as if each one is a home to him. Heck, any place with a hoop in NYC, whether the driveway in Brooklyn, parish or HS gyms, is a place Mullin not only is comfortable in, but seems to relish.
I'm just so happy to know that we'll finally have a hardworking staff in place with something to prove.
Matt A. wants to show that he's one of the best in the biz and you know he'll be groomed for bigger things down the road.
Mullin wants to prove that he can do this and he takes pride in NYC basketball. NY players don't get their just due anymore and I know he'll drill that home while recruiting.
The landscape has changed but the mentality of a NY player shouldn't.
Love him or hate him but ADR said when he committed that NY players always come back. I'd bet you Isaiah Whitehead spends more time in NY than in NJ.
Time to restore a sense of pride back into NYC basketball.
I hope this Mullin hire lights a fire under some of these lazy NY high schools coaches to get their acts together and demand more from their players.
You don't want to lose your kid to an out of state prep school? Well push him harder. Restore some of that coach/father relationships to the ones who really need it before handlers can get in the way.
Take it back.
Matt A. wants to show that he's one of the best in the biz and you know he'll be groomed for bigger things down the road.
Mullin wants to prove that he can do this and he takes pride in NYC basketball. NY players don't get their just due anymore and I know he'll drill that home while recruiting.
The landscape has changed but the mentality of a NY player shouldn't.
Love him or hate him but ADR said when he committed that NY players always come back. I'd bet you Isaiah Whitehead spends more time in NY than in NJ.
Time to restore a sense of pride back into NYC basketball.
I hope this Mullin hire lights a fire under some of these lazy NY high schools coaches to get their acts together and demand more from their players.
You don't want to lose your kid to an out of state prep school? Well push him harder. Restore some of that coach/father relationships to the ones who really need it before handlers can get in the way.
Take it back.
