Mustapha Heron
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beast of the east
Active member
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=354745]Beast, I agree with a decent amount of your post and yes there are exceptions but more times than not you'd have to think poor chemistry negatively affects a team overall. The Ponds/Heron drama was not me watching the games on TV and making an assumption. It comes from rumblings within the program itself just to be clear. I do agree Ponds looked like he was playing for the NBA and didn't seem totally invested at times. He gave us flashes here and there. I don't think I've ever seen a SJ team with good chemistry. They always seem to be disjointed and there are some nice individual performances but never seen a SJ team that was better together than they were individually. In fact, I'd argue our players recently have been better individually than they were as a team.
Back to Heron, I remember watching him in CA his first few games. He looked so cool, collected, and confident. Every time he had the ball I was very confident and that's saying something lol. He had textbook form and was scoring at will. Had a wet jumper and knew how to finish down low. But then somewhere along the way he lost it. I think Ponds had a decent amount to do with it but of course that's just me guessing. He never seemed to know his role on the team. Ponds was the guy here already. Now the team is his and LJ will be his Robin. LJ will run through a brick wall to succeed here. I still don't think we do well at all next year unfortunately, but if Sear & Steere are solid and McGriff is slightly above average we may surprise.[/quote]
I agree 100% with your response. No rebuttal from me. Good job.
Back to Heron, I remember watching him in CA his first few games. He looked so cool, collected, and confident. Every time he had the ball I was very confident and that's saying something lol. He had textbook form and was scoring at will. Had a wet jumper and knew how to finish down low. But then somewhere along the way he lost it. I think Ponds had a decent amount to do with it but of course that's just me guessing. He never seemed to know his role on the team. Ponds was the guy here already. Now the team is his and LJ will be his Robin. LJ will run through a brick wall to succeed here. I still don't think we do well at all next year unfortunately, but if Sear & Steere are solid and McGriff is slightly above average we may surprise.[/quote]
I agree 100% with your response. No rebuttal from me. Good job.
beast of the east
Active member
[quote="Moose" post=354743][quote="Beast of the East" post=354741][quote="Moose" post=354732][quote="Mike Zaun" post=354731]Ponds and Heron did not get along well. Ponds not being here may unleash Heron at his best. Let's hope.[/quote]
Now here comes those who will refute what you said. (Though you are right)
Stevie Wonder could have seen there was something awry with the team chemistry.[/quote]
Not disputing the assertion that they didn't like each other, but guys don't have to like each other to play well together. Gehrig really did not like Ruth, and they were the greatest 3-4 combo in history. More recently on Villanova, Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher hated each other, but it didn't affect their on court play (they both were benched by Wright at the start of an NCAA game, quickly ending any thoughts to the contrary).
No question, though, the chemistry was bad on the team. Probably had a lot more to do with Ponds playing for the NBA and not for his team.[/quote]
You are correct.
When the players don't get along (especially in the amateur sense) who is responsible for mending those fences.[/quote]
Slice?
Now here comes those who will refute what you said. (Though you are right)
Stevie Wonder could have seen there was something awry with the team chemistry.[/quote]
Not disputing the assertion that they didn't like each other, but guys don't have to like each other to play well together. Gehrig really did not like Ruth, and they were the greatest 3-4 combo in history. More recently on Villanova, Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher hated each other, but it didn't affect their on court play (they both were benched by Wright at the start of an NCAA game, quickly ending any thoughts to the contrary).
No question, though, the chemistry was bad on the team. Probably had a lot more to do with Ponds playing for the NBA and not for his team.[/quote]
You are correct.
When the players don't get along (especially in the amateur sense) who is responsible for mending those fences.[/quote]
Slice?
Heron was right at his career averages last season, so I don't think Ponds hindered his game. Also, I think injuries were a bigger factor than anything going on with Shamorie. That being said, the staff never figured out the best way to integrate them. On a related note, Shamorie bashing on this site is a bit tiresome. He was the best player on campus since Artest/Barkley. He didn't take that leap forward last year, but he singlehandedly carried the team on his back for a bout a dozen wins or more over the course of the last 2 seasons. In many ways he was a victim of the outsized expecations of the fanbase/posters. Hardy is remembered fondly bc expectations were fairly low. Same with Hatten. D'Lo is remembered fondly bc of his journey. Ponds was a far superior Johnnie to all three of those guys based on every possible metric. None of the aforementioned players won a NCAA game and D'Lo's team as a jr was more frustrating than last year's squad. I get Ponds was frustrating to watch at times, but he was one of the best to suit up over the last 30 years.
JohnnyFever
Active member
Honestly I think Harrison is a closer comparison to Ponds. Ponds drove better, but Harrison was a better shooter. Ponds had his moments with killer instinct evident, but Harrison brought it every game. I remember the Long Beach St. game where we crushed them while we were ranked and after a big play he turns to the camera and roars. Maybe I'm just biased towards players who wear emotion on their sleeves since it leaves no question where their mind is e.g. trying to bring SJ back vs. simply auditioning for NBA. I'll admit that. Harrison had his temper, but he changed for the better and was a great comeback story attitude wise. The guy eats, breaths, and sleeps SJ hoops. Ponds just comes off as more individualistic, what's in it for me only type. Never saw Harrison flashing Rolexes, Jags, 100k Beemers, or acting like he already made it. I think that's a big difference...Harrison is more humble and was ride or die for us...he still is.
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=354828]Honestly I think Harrison is a closer comparison to Ponds. Ponds drove better, but Harrison was a better shooter. Ponds had his moments with killer instinct evident, but Harrison brought it every game. I remember the Long Beach St. game where we crushed them while we were ranked and after a big play he turns to the camera and roars. Maybe I'm just biased towards players who wear emotion on their sleeves since it leaves no question where their mind is e.g. trying to bring SJ back vs. simply auditioning for NBA. I'll admit that. Harrison had his temper, but he changed for the better and was a great comeback story attitude wise. The guy eats, breaths, and sleeps SJ hoops. Ponds just comes off as more individualistic, what's in it for me only type. Never saw Harrison flashing Rolexes, Jags, 100k Beemers, or acting like he already made it. I think that's a big difference...Harrison is more humble and was ride or die for us...he still is.[/quote]
That's all well and good, but Ponds is the far superior player. Harrison competed his butt off but Ponds did too. Ponds singlehandedly won us many games.
That's all well and good, but Ponds is the far superior player. Harrison competed his butt off but Ponds did too. Ponds singlehandedly won us many games.
[quote="Matty Hoops" post=354829][quote="Mike Zaun" post=354828]Honestly I think Harrison is a closer comparison to Ponds. Ponds drove better, but Harrison was a better shooter. Ponds had his moments with killer instinct evident, but Harrison brought it every game. I remember the Long Beach St. game where we crushed them while we were ranked and after a big play he turns to the camera and roars. Maybe I'm just biased towards players who wear emotion on their sleeves since it leaves no question where their mind is e.g. trying to bring SJ back vs. simply auditioning for NBA. I'll admit that. Harrison had his temper, but he changed for the better and was a great comeback story attitude wise. The guy eats, breaths, and sleeps SJ hoops. Ponds just comes off as more individualistic, what's in it for me only type. Never saw Harrison flashing Rolexes, Jags, 100k Beemers, or acting like he already made it. I think that's a big difference...Harrison is more humble and was ride or die for us...he still is.[/quote]
That's all well and good, but Ponds is the far superior player. Harrison competed his butt off but Ponds did too. Ponds singlehandedly won us many games.[/quote]
First, Ponds didn't win an NCAA tourney game either, he won a play in game.
Second, if that was Ponds competing his butt off you could have fooled me. He didn't exhibit the intensity or focus of the other guys mentioned in this thread except when he was driving to the basket hell bent on getting up a shot. Those other three were warriors.
Also, if you think Ponds won STJ games all on his own, which he did, and this is unique, which it isn't, then you didn't see Marcus win the NIT on his own amongst other conquests. Dlo also carried his teams on multiple occasions despite playing with the last couple guys to make the NBA on the roster 3 of his 4 seasons,
Ponds wins a lot of statistical analyses and has a unique set of gifts, and it's hard to say how good he might have been with a coaching staff, but based on their times at St Johns I would take Dlo or Marcus to build a team around before Shamori, Shamori probably would have benefited from playing with either of them as well, though he didn't seem to click with his any of his top teammates over his time here so who knows. I think Shamorie was a great Redman but I don't get the group that puts him up in the top ten of even Modern (post 1980) players during my fanhood. Maybe it's because every one of his years was a disappointment and those disappointments are so fresh, I don't know. But it's just an old man's opinion anyway.,
And before someone asks who those 10 ranked higher than Shamorie would be, IMVHO, I offer: Mullin, Berry, MJax, Sealy, Felipe, Artest, Barkely, DJ, Hatten, and Dlo.
That's all well and good, but Ponds is the far superior player. Harrison competed his butt off but Ponds did too. Ponds singlehandedly won us many games.[/quote]
First, Ponds didn't win an NCAA tourney game either, he won a play in game.
Second, if that was Ponds competing his butt off you could have fooled me. He didn't exhibit the intensity or focus of the other guys mentioned in this thread except when he was driving to the basket hell bent on getting up a shot. Those other three were warriors.
Also, if you think Ponds won STJ games all on his own, which he did, and this is unique, which it isn't, then you didn't see Marcus win the NIT on his own amongst other conquests. Dlo also carried his teams on multiple occasions despite playing with the last couple guys to make the NBA on the roster 3 of his 4 seasons,
Ponds wins a lot of statistical analyses and has a unique set of gifts, and it's hard to say how good he might have been with a coaching staff, but based on their times at St Johns I would take Dlo or Marcus to build a team around before Shamori, Shamori probably would have benefited from playing with either of them as well, though he didn't seem to click with his any of his top teammates over his time here so who knows. I think Shamorie was a great Redman but I don't get the group that puts him up in the top ten of even Modern (post 1980) players during my fanhood. Maybe it's because every one of his years was a disappointment and those disappointments are so fresh, I don't know. But it's just an old man's opinion anyway.,
And before someone asks who those 10 ranked higher than Shamorie would be, IMVHO, I offer: Mullin, Berry, MJax, Sealy, Felipe, Artest, Barkely, DJ, Hatten, and Dlo.
beast of the east
Active member
[quote="Jeff Smith" post=354845]Russell was an underachiever. Couldn't shoot a lick.[/quote]
Nice baseline jumper from 12-15 feet.
Nice baseline jumper from 12-15 feet.
beast of the east
Active member
[quote="austour" post=354840][quote="Matty Hoops" post=354829][quote="Mike Zaun" post=354828]Honestly I think Harrison is a closer comparison to Ponds. Ponds drove better, but Harrison was a better shooter. Ponds had his moments with killer instinct evident, but Harrison brought it every game. I remember the Long Beach St. game where we crushed them while we were ranked and after a big play he turns to the camera and roars. Maybe I'm just biased towards players who wear emotion on their sleeves since it leaves no question where their mind is e.g. trying to bring SJ back vs. simply auditioning for NBA. I'll admit that. Harrison had his temper, but he changed for the better and was a great comeback story attitude wise. The guy eats, breaths, and sleeps SJ hoops. Ponds just comes off as more individualistic, what's in it for me only type. Never saw Harrison flashing Rolexes, Jags, 100k Beemers, or acting like he already made it. I think that's a big difference...Harrison is more humble and was ride or die for us...he still is.[/quote]
That's all well and good, but Ponds is the far superior player. Harrison competed his butt off but Ponds did too. Ponds singlehandedly won us many games.[/quote]
First, Ponds didn't win an NCAA tourney game either, he won a play in game.
[/quote]
Play in for the BET, not Dayton and the NCAA's.
Junior year, Ponds came up short in crunch time during the entire 11 game losing streak. HAd he lit it up in the last 5 minutes of any of those game, we could have won them.
That's all well and good, but Ponds is the far superior player. Harrison competed his butt off but Ponds did too. Ponds singlehandedly won us many games.[/quote]
First, Ponds didn't win an NCAA tourney game either, he won a play in game.
[/quote]
Play in for the BET, not Dayton and the NCAA's.
Junior year, Ponds came up short in crunch time during the entire 11 game losing streak. HAd he lit it up in the last 5 minutes of any of those game, we could have won them.
[quote="austour" post=354840][quote="Matty Hoops" post=354829][quote="Mike Zaun" post=354828]Honestly I think Harrison is a closer comparison to Ponds. Ponds drove better, but Harrison was a better shooter. Ponds had his moments with killer instinct evident, but Harrison brought it every game. I remember the Long Beach St. game where we crushed them while we were ranked and after a big play he turns to the camera and roars. Maybe I'm just biased towards players who wear emotion on their sleeves since it leaves no question where their mind is e.g. trying to bring SJ back vs. simply auditioning for NBA. I'll admit that. Harrison had his temper, but he changed for the better and was a great comeback story attitude wise. The guy eats, breaths, and sleeps SJ hoops. Ponds just comes off as more individualistic, what's in it for me only type. Never saw Harrison flashing Rolexes, Jags, 100k Beemers, or acting like he already made it. I think that's a big difference...Harrison is more humble and was ride or die for us...he still is.[/quote]
That's all well and good, but Ponds is the far superior player. Harrison competed his butt off but Ponds did too. Ponds singlehandedly won us many games.[/quote]
First, Ponds didn't win an NCAA tourney game either, he won a play in game.
Second, if that was Ponds competing his butt off you could have fooled me. He didn't exhibit the intensity or focus of the other guys mentioned in this thread except when he was driving to the basket hell bent on getting up a shot. Those other three were warriors.
Also, if you think Ponds won STJ games all on his own, which he did, and this is unique, which it isn't, then you didn't see Marcus win the NIT on his own amongst other conquests. Dlo also carried his teams on multiple occasions despite playing with the last couple guys to make the NBA on the roster 3 of his 4 seasons,
Ponds wins a lot of statistical analyses and has a unique set of gifts, and it's hard to say how good he might have been with a coaching staff, but based on their times at St Johns I would take Dlo or Marcus to build a team around before Shamori, Shamori probably would have benefited from playing with either of them as well, though he didn't seem to click with his any of his top teammates over his time here so who knows. I think Shamorie was a great Redman but I don't get the group that puts him up in the top ten of even Modern (post 1980) players during my fanhood. Maybe it's because every one of his years was a disappointment and those disappointments are so fresh, I don't know. But it's just an old man's opinion anyway.,
And before someone asks who those 10 ranked higher than Shamorie would be, IMVHO, I offer: Mullin, Berry, MJax, Sealy, Felipe, Artest, Barkely, DJ, Hatten, and Dlo.[/quote]
Nitpicking on play-in v. 2nd round, but whatever. Hatten singlehandedly won us games. He also shot 40% from the floor over 2 years with an almost 1:1 assist to TO rating. One of my all-time favoritie Johnnies. Harrison was roughly the same player he was the minute he step foot on campus without showing any real improvement. Avg 17 pts every season is outstanding, but it's not like he ever took his game to the next level. D'Lo was great at manuevering his body and drawing fouls, but so too was Ponds and Ponds was the superior foul shooter. A lot of the ill will towards Ponds is dime store psychology and him not meeting the expectations we placed on him. There's just no objective way he's the inferior player to D'Lo or Hatten. Neither Hatten or Harrison won anything either. Hatten's second season had some real highs (beating Duke), but the team didn't make the tourney. Harrison's team jr season was more underachieving and disappointing than this year's campaign. Fwiw, Harrison shot 36% in a must win v. Providence in the BET that season and laid eggs v. Xavier and Butler down the stretch. The SR yr team fell short of expectations due to injuries (DJ) and suspensions (Obepka). Harrison was terrible in the BET. He rebounded and played fine v. SDSU, much like how Ponds was terrible v. Marquette, but played fine v. Arizona St. It's strictly revisionist thinking to say D'Lo was better than Ponds.
That's all well and good, but Ponds is the far superior player. Harrison competed his butt off but Ponds did too. Ponds singlehandedly won us many games.[/quote]
First, Ponds didn't win an NCAA tourney game either, he won a play in game.
Second, if that was Ponds competing his butt off you could have fooled me. He didn't exhibit the intensity or focus of the other guys mentioned in this thread except when he was driving to the basket hell bent on getting up a shot. Those other three were warriors.
Also, if you think Ponds won STJ games all on his own, which he did, and this is unique, which it isn't, then you didn't see Marcus win the NIT on his own amongst other conquests. Dlo also carried his teams on multiple occasions despite playing with the last couple guys to make the NBA on the roster 3 of his 4 seasons,
Ponds wins a lot of statistical analyses and has a unique set of gifts, and it's hard to say how good he might have been with a coaching staff, but based on their times at St Johns I would take Dlo or Marcus to build a team around before Shamori, Shamori probably would have benefited from playing with either of them as well, though he didn't seem to click with his any of his top teammates over his time here so who knows. I think Shamorie was a great Redman but I don't get the group that puts him up in the top ten of even Modern (post 1980) players during my fanhood. Maybe it's because every one of his years was a disappointment and those disappointments are so fresh, I don't know. But it's just an old man's opinion anyway.,
And before someone asks who those 10 ranked higher than Shamorie would be, IMVHO, I offer: Mullin, Berry, MJax, Sealy, Felipe, Artest, Barkely, DJ, Hatten, and Dlo.[/quote]
Nitpicking on play-in v. 2nd round, but whatever. Hatten singlehandedly won us games. He also shot 40% from the floor over 2 years with an almost 1:1 assist to TO rating. One of my all-time favoritie Johnnies. Harrison was roughly the same player he was the minute he step foot on campus without showing any real improvement. Avg 17 pts every season is outstanding, but it's not like he ever took his game to the next level. D'Lo was great at manuevering his body and drawing fouls, but so too was Ponds and Ponds was the superior foul shooter. A lot of the ill will towards Ponds is dime store psychology and him not meeting the expectations we placed on him. There's just no objective way he's the inferior player to D'Lo or Hatten. Neither Hatten or Harrison won anything either. Hatten's second season had some real highs (beating Duke), but the team didn't make the tourney. Harrison's team jr season was more underachieving and disappointing than this year's campaign. Fwiw, Harrison shot 36% in a must win v. Providence in the BET that season and laid eggs v. Xavier and Butler down the stretch. The SR yr team fell short of expectations due to injuries (DJ) and suspensions (Obepka). Harrison was terrible in the BET. He rebounded and played fine v. SDSU, much like how Ponds was terrible v. Marquette, but played fine v. Arizona St. It's strictly revisionist thinking to say D'Lo was better than Ponds.
[quote="Matty Hoops" post=354850]
Nitpicking on play-in v. 2nd round, but whatever. Hatten singlehandedly won us games. He also shot 40% from the floor over 2 years with an almost 1:1 assist to TO rating. One of my all-time favoritie Johnnies. Harrison was roughly the same player he was the minute he step foot on campus without showing any real improvement. Avg 17 pts every season is outstanding, but it's not like he ever took his game to the next level. D'Lo was great at manuevering his body and drawing fouls, but so too was Ponds and Ponds was the superior foul shooter. A lot of the ill will towards Ponds is dime store psychology and him not meeting the expectations we placed on him. There's just no objective way he's the inferior player to D'Lo or Hatten. Neither Hatten or Harrison won anything either. Hatten's second season had some real highs (beating Duke), but the team didn't make the tourney. Harrison's team jr season was more underachieving and disappointing than this year's campaign. Fwiw, Harrison shot 36% in a must win v. Providence in the BET that season and laid eggs v. Xavier and Butler down the stretch. The SR yr team fell short of expectations due to injuries (DJ) and suspensions (Obepka). Harrison was terrible in the BET. He rebounded and played fine v. SDSU, much like how Ponds was terrible v. Marquette, but played fine v. Arizona St. It's strictly revisionist thinking to say D'Lo was better than Ponds.[/quote]
Without diminishing Hatten or Harrison I would agree with a lot of what you say. Ponds did what the staff asked and like Heron was forced to do stuff he should not have been responsible for.
Several players who I admire on that team including Harrison but NIT fiasco vs Robert Morris was the most disgusting display I have ever seen from a St. John's team. Not because of the loss but because of the punk-out prima dona attitude the whole team had. If I recall the only guy on that team that showed up was Branch. Sampson had already check out for the entire season doing his NBA audition. Jordan (?!?)
Nitpicking on play-in v. 2nd round, but whatever. Hatten singlehandedly won us games. He also shot 40% from the floor over 2 years with an almost 1:1 assist to TO rating. One of my all-time favoritie Johnnies. Harrison was roughly the same player he was the minute he step foot on campus without showing any real improvement. Avg 17 pts every season is outstanding, but it's not like he ever took his game to the next level. D'Lo was great at manuevering his body and drawing fouls, but so too was Ponds and Ponds was the superior foul shooter. A lot of the ill will towards Ponds is dime store psychology and him not meeting the expectations we placed on him. There's just no objective way he's the inferior player to D'Lo or Hatten. Neither Hatten or Harrison won anything either. Hatten's second season had some real highs (beating Duke), but the team didn't make the tourney. Harrison's team jr season was more underachieving and disappointing than this year's campaign. Fwiw, Harrison shot 36% in a must win v. Providence in the BET that season and laid eggs v. Xavier and Butler down the stretch. The SR yr team fell short of expectations due to injuries (DJ) and suspensions (Obepka). Harrison was terrible in the BET. He rebounded and played fine v. SDSU, much like how Ponds was terrible v. Marquette, but played fine v. Arizona St. It's strictly revisionist thinking to say D'Lo was better than Ponds.[/quote]
Without diminishing Hatten or Harrison I would agree with a lot of what you say. Ponds did what the staff asked and like Heron was forced to do stuff he should not have been responsible for.
Several players who I admire on that team including Harrison but NIT fiasco vs Robert Morris was the most disgusting display I have ever seen from a St. John's team. Not because of the loss but because of the punk-out prima dona attitude the whole team had. If I recall the only guy on that team that showed up was Branch. Sampson had already check out for the entire season doing his NBA audition. Jordan (?!?)
beast of the east
Active member
[quote="Paul Massell" post=354851][quote="Matty Hoops" post=354850]
Nitpicking on play-in v. 2nd round, but whatever. Hatten singlehandedly won us games. He also shot 40% from the floor over 2 years with an almost 1:1 assist to TO rating. One of my all-time favoritie Johnnies. Harrison was roughly the same player he was the minute he step foot on campus without showing any real improvement. Avg 17 pts every season is outstanding, but it's not like he ever took his game to the next level. D'Lo was great at manuevering his body and drawing fouls, but so too was Ponds and Ponds was the superior foul shooter. A lot of the ill will towards Ponds is dime store psychology and him not meeting the expectations we placed on him. There's just no objective way he's the inferior player to D'Lo or Hatten. Neither Hatten or Harrison won anything either. Hatten's second season had some real highs (beating Duke), but the team didn't make the tourney. Harrison's team jr season was more underachieving and disappointing than this year's campaign. Fwiw, Harrison shot 36% in a must win v. Providence in the BET that season and laid eggs v. Xavier and Butler down the stretch. The SR yr team fell short of expectations due to injuries (DJ) and suspensions (Obepka). Harrison was terrible in the BET. He rebounded and played fine v. SDSU, much like how Ponds was terrible v. Marquette, but played fine v. Arizona St. It's strictly revisionist thinking to say D'Lo was better than Ponds.[/quote]
Without diminishing Hatten or Harrison I would agree with a lot of what you say. Ponds did what the staff asked and like Heron was forced to do stuff he should not have been responsible for.
Several players who I admire on that team including Harrison but NIT fiasco vs Robert Morris was the most disgusting display I have ever seen from a St. John's team. Not because of the loss but because of the punk-out prima dona attitude the whole team had. If I recall the only guy on that team that showed up was Branch. Sampson had already check out for the entire season doing his NBA audition. Jordan (?!?)[/quote]
Ah, arguing over who was the most disappointing team, display, game, players - the life of being a St. John's fan.
Nitpicking on play-in v. 2nd round, but whatever. Hatten singlehandedly won us games. He also shot 40% from the floor over 2 years with an almost 1:1 assist to TO rating. One of my all-time favoritie Johnnies. Harrison was roughly the same player he was the minute he step foot on campus without showing any real improvement. Avg 17 pts every season is outstanding, but it's not like he ever took his game to the next level. D'Lo was great at manuevering his body and drawing fouls, but so too was Ponds and Ponds was the superior foul shooter. A lot of the ill will towards Ponds is dime store psychology and him not meeting the expectations we placed on him. There's just no objective way he's the inferior player to D'Lo or Hatten. Neither Hatten or Harrison won anything either. Hatten's second season had some real highs (beating Duke), but the team didn't make the tourney. Harrison's team jr season was more underachieving and disappointing than this year's campaign. Fwiw, Harrison shot 36% in a must win v. Providence in the BET that season and laid eggs v. Xavier and Butler down the stretch. The SR yr team fell short of expectations due to injuries (DJ) and suspensions (Obepka). Harrison was terrible in the BET. He rebounded and played fine v. SDSU, much like how Ponds was terrible v. Marquette, but played fine v. Arizona St. It's strictly revisionist thinking to say D'Lo was better than Ponds.[/quote]
Without diminishing Hatten or Harrison I would agree with a lot of what you say. Ponds did what the staff asked and like Heron was forced to do stuff he should not have been responsible for.
Several players who I admire on that team including Harrison but NIT fiasco vs Robert Morris was the most disgusting display I have ever seen from a St. John's team. Not because of the loss but because of the punk-out prima dona attitude the whole team had. If I recall the only guy on that team that showed up was Branch. Sampson had already check out for the entire season doing his NBA audition. Jordan (?!?)[/quote]
Ah, arguing over who was the most disappointing team, display, game, players - the life of being a St. John's fan.
MarkRedman
Well-known member
Getting back on topic, I have a sneaking suspicion that Mustapha is going to have a breakout year and is going to play next season as well as many of us expected him to play last season.