It’s hard to understand the Critics of nearly everthing St John’s . Trashing Shamorie Ponds on the day our Team is playing in the NCA A Tournament is totally without Class . For one thing , Ponds play in 3 Sessons and his Stats speak for themselves They are Stats of a Elite level player . He has been tasked with performing to a level that many NBA players could not attain . Yet , Ponds has done it and done it well . He has tried to be all things our Team needs on the Court . Be the PG , be the SG , the ball stealer , the rebounder and score . He gets A ‘s in every category . Way too much of posters has been that Ponds has played poorly and won’t be a NBA pick . What Crap ! First of all, nobody on this Board is a NBA scout and while some think they are , they aren’t close . Wr’ll see what happens after the season. I agree with Marillac that Ponds BB IQ is in the stratosphere . Ever consider he is shooting at any time with the green light from his Coach? And , how many times in his 3 seasons has his long 3 ignited the team to a Victory ? Or , sparked a surge ! And , has anyone given thought that Ponds has sacrificed his potential by taking on these multitude of roles to better this Team ? Not likely . Anyone taking shots at Ponds now is cheap shoting .
(NCAA-Game 1, Dayton) - Arizona St., Wed. Mar. 20, 9:10 pm, TruTV / 970 AM
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
There'll be plenty of time for reflection and or criticism when season is over. For now, let's just root like crazy for our players and staff. Whatever the ups and downs of the season to date, they deserve a win tonight. Would be huge in so many ways, play-in game or not.
JohnnyFever
Active member
It will be way easier swallowing a loss if we take smart shots, drive enough, and play with lots of intensity. Seems like most pundits are expecting us to no-show as if we are some MAAC team. Hope they are listening to that.
[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=332295]It’s hard to understand the Critics of nearly everthing St John’s . Trashing Shamorie Ponds on the day our Team is playing in the NCA A Tournament is totally without Class . For one thing , Ponds play in 3 Sessons and his Stats speak for themselves They are Stats of a Elite level player . He has been tasked with performing to a level that many NBA players could not attain . Yet , Ponds has done it and done it well . He has tried to be all things our Team needs on the Court . Be the PG , be the SG , the ball stealer , the rebounder and score . He gets A ‘s in every category . Way too much of posters has been that Ponds has played poorly and won’t be a NBA pick . What Crap ! First of all, nobody on this Board is a NBA scout and while some think they are , they aren’t close . Wr’ll see what happens after the season. I agree with Marillac that Ponds BB IQ is in the stratosphere . Ever consider he is shooting at any time with the green light from his Coach? And , how many times in his 3 seasons has his long 3 ignited the team to a Victory ? Or , sparked a surge ! And , has anyone given thought that Ponds has sacrificed his potential by taking on these multitude of roles to better this Team ? Not likely . Anyone taking shots at Ponds now is cheap shoting .[/quote]
It's fair to criticize any player, especially when they're doing idiotic things like showing up refs, getting techs and throwing up Curry prayers. Don't see the cheap shots in criticizing elements of the game you can firmly control.
It's fair to criticize any player, especially when they're doing idiotic things like showing up refs, getting techs and throwing up Curry prayers. Don't see the cheap shots in criticizing elements of the game you can firmly control.
All I am asking for tonight is that the team shows up and plays hard. It is a fact that this team has enough talent to win a few games in this Tournament. Of course, this team has also been so inconsistent that they could lose to anyone else as well.
Would be great if they could change the narrative for what has clearly been a disappointing season. I'll be hoping they can get it done.
Would be great if they could change the narrative for what has clearly been a disappointing season. I'll be hoping they can get it done.
Of course, hoping we win like pretty much every person on this forum. But I fear this will be like most games we've played against bigger teams who can rebound the basketball. I hope to be proven wrong later this evening.
For the people who only seems elated that we're in the tournament.... This was routine back in the days when I started rooting for St. John's. Am I glad we're in the NCAA's? Yes, I am. But just simply being excited we're in the dance is part of the lowering of expectations that I've spoken about around here.
I want to be an NCAA Tournament participant on a consistent basis, and not be thrilled just to be there. We're not Wofford or SW Louisiana A&M (yeah, I made up that one).
For the people who only seems elated that we're in the tournament.... This was routine back in the days when I started rooting for St. John's. Am I glad we're in the NCAA's? Yes, I am. But just simply being excited we're in the dance is part of the lowering of expectations that I've spoken about around here.
I want to be an NCAA Tournament participant on a consistent basis, and not be thrilled just to be there. We're not Wofford or SW Louisiana A&M (yeah, I made up that one).
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JohnnyFever
Active member
Agree Dink...the year before I enrolled at Marist they made the NIT which was huge for the program. Just making it was like a huge accomplishment. Here, if we made the NIT it would be a failure almost any year unless of course we were rebuilding. Different programs have different expectations. Mine was to make the NCAA as a minimum which was checked off, but I wasn't expecting us to be the literal last team in...not even close. Will be interesting to see how the team responds. As tough as it is and though it's a near impossibility we make it, beating ASU, Buffalo, and Texas Tech to make the Sweet 16 is probably one of the easiest roads to the Sweet 16 ever. Of course ASU is tough, Buffalo when clicking is a beast, and Texas Tech is a monster at full strength...but somehow other programs much worse than ours find ways to end up deep in the tourney. Would be so amazing for this program to make the Sweet 16 in my lifetime.
Have to crawl before you can walk
[quote="Jack Williams" post=332306]Have to crawl before you can walk[/quote]
How long is that gonna be used? This could be a drawn out debate that I wish not to partake in. I'll end it with this.... I've seen my fair share of posts on here where it's rather vivid in my eyes that some have lower expectations than myself and a few others.
I've seen many basketball programs (too many to name) where things started moving along rather swiftly or you sense something good is soon gonna come out of this.
How long is that gonna be used? This could be a drawn out debate that I wish not to partake in. I'll end it with this.... I've seen my fair share of posts on here where it's rather vivid in my eyes that some have lower expectations than myself and a few others.
I've seen many basketball programs (too many to name) where things started moving along rather swiftly or you sense something good is soon gonna come out of this.
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[quote="MJDinkins" post=332304]Of course, hoping we win like pretty much every person on this forum. But I fear this will be like most games we've played against bigger teams who can rebound the basketball. I hope to be proven wrong later this evening.
For the people who only seems elated that we're in the tournament.... This was routine back in the days when I started rooting for St. John's. Am I glad we're in the NCAA's? Yes, I am. But just simply being excited we're in the dance is part of the lowering of expectations that I've spoken about around here.
I want to be an NCAA Tournament participant on a consistent basis, and not be thrilled just to be there. We're not Wofford or SW Louisiana A&M (yeah, I made up that one).[/quote]
I will just challenge you on this one aspect. While we were a perennial lock for the tournament each year in the 80s and 90s, so many programs around the country have done alot to advance their programs over the past 3 decades. I'm talking investments across the board. In that time I see St John's as basically having sat back stagnant. Which to me has left the program now at a disadvantage, and that's why I've adjusted my expectations.
For the people who only seems elated that we're in the tournament.... This was routine back in the days when I started rooting for St. John's. Am I glad we're in the NCAA's? Yes, I am. But just simply being excited we're in the dance is part of the lowering of expectations that I've spoken about around here.
I want to be an NCAA Tournament participant on a consistent basis, and not be thrilled just to be there. We're not Wofford or SW Louisiana A&M (yeah, I made up that one).[/quote]
I will just challenge you on this one aspect. While we were a perennial lock for the tournament each year in the 80s and 90s, so many programs around the country have done alot to advance their programs over the past 3 decades. I'm talking investments across the board. In that time I see St John's as basically having sat back stagnant. Which to me has left the program now at a disadvantage, and that's why I've adjusted my expectations.
[quote="Room112" post=332311][quote="MJDinkins" post=332304]Of course, hoping we win like pretty much every person on this forum. But I fear this will be like most games we've played against bigger teams who can rebound the basketball. I hope to be proven wrong later this evening.
For the people who only seems elated that we're in the tournament.... This was routine back in the days when I started rooting for St. John's. Am I glad we're in the NCAA's? Yes, I am. But just simply being excited we're in the dance is part of the lowering of expectations that I've spoken about around here.
I want to be an NCAA Tournament participant on a consistent basis, and not be thrilled just to be there. We're not Wofford or SW Louisiana A&M (yeah, I made up that one).[/quote]
I will just challenge you on this one aspect. While we were a perennial lock for the tournament each year in the 80s and 90s, so many programs around the country have done alot to advance their programs over the past 3 decades. I'm talking investments across the board. In that time I see St John's as basically having sat back stagnant. Which to me has left the program now at a disadvantage, and that's why I've adjusted my expectations.[/quote]
I still believe a lot of it had to do with our hirings. In the event where it looked like we made a good hire, something occurred along the way that killed any kinda momentum.
If I truly start to believe we can only dance once every four or five years--and be fine with it--will be the day I become a casual fan (if a fan at all) of the Johnnies, and just watch college hoops as strictly a spectator with no interest at heart.
For the people who only seems elated that we're in the tournament.... This was routine back in the days when I started rooting for St. John's. Am I glad we're in the NCAA's? Yes, I am. But just simply being excited we're in the dance is part of the lowering of expectations that I've spoken about around here.
I want to be an NCAA Tournament participant on a consistent basis, and not be thrilled just to be there. We're not Wofford or SW Louisiana A&M (yeah, I made up that one).[/quote]
I will just challenge you on this one aspect. While we were a perennial lock for the tournament each year in the 80s and 90s, so many programs around the country have done alot to advance their programs over the past 3 decades. I'm talking investments across the board. In that time I see St John's as basically having sat back stagnant. Which to me has left the program now at a disadvantage, and that's why I've adjusted my expectations.[/quote]
I still believe a lot of it had to do with our hirings. In the event where it looked like we made a good hire, something occurred along the way that killed any kinda momentum.
If I truly start to believe we can only dance once every four or five years--and be fine with it--will be the day I become a casual fan (if a fan at all) of the Johnnies, and just watch college hoops as strictly a spectator with no interest at heart.
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[quote="MJDinkins" post=332312][quote="Room112" post=332311][quote="MJDinkins" post=332304]Of course, hoping we win like pretty much every person on this forum. But I fear this will be like most games we've played against bigger teams who can rebound the basketball. I hope to be proven wrong later this evening.
For the people who only seems elated that we're in the tournament.... This was routine back in the days when I started rooting for St. John's. Am I glad we're in the NCAA's? Yes, I am. But just simply being excited we're in the dance is part of the lowering of expectations that I've spoken about around here.
I want to be an NCAA Tournament participant on a consistent basis, and not be thrilled just to be there. We're not Wofford or SW Louisiana A&M (yeah, I made up that one).[/quote]
I will just challenge you on this one aspect. While we were a perennial lock for the tournament each year in the 80s and 90s, so many programs around the country have done alot to advance their programs over the past 3 decades. I'm talking investments across the board. In that time I see St John's as basically having sat back stagnant. Which to me has left the program now at a disadvantage, and that's why I've adjusted my expectations.[/quote]
I still believe a lot of it had to do with our hirings. In the event where it looked like we made a good hire, something occurred along the way that killed any kinda momentum.[/quote]
That's totally fair as well.
For the people who only seems elated that we're in the tournament.... This was routine back in the days when I started rooting for St. John's. Am I glad we're in the NCAA's? Yes, I am. But just simply being excited we're in the dance is part of the lowering of expectations that I've spoken about around here.
I want to be an NCAA Tournament participant on a consistent basis, and not be thrilled just to be there. We're not Wofford or SW Louisiana A&M (yeah, I made up that one).[/quote]
I will just challenge you on this one aspect. While we were a perennial lock for the tournament each year in the 80s and 90s, so many programs around the country have done alot to advance their programs over the past 3 decades. I'm talking investments across the board. In that time I see St John's as basically having sat back stagnant. Which to me has left the program now at a disadvantage, and that's why I've adjusted my expectations.[/quote]
I still believe a lot of it had to do with our hirings. In the event where it looked like we made a good hire, something occurred along the way that killed any kinda momentum.[/quote]
That's totally fair as well.
[quote="Marillac" post=332283][quote="Mike Zaun" post=332274]
Regarding Ponds, he's a great all-time player but he never really had it between the ears.[/quote]
Ponds has one of the highest basketball IQs I’ve ever witnessed. His vision and awareness are off the charts.[/quote]
You really need to witness more, Captain Hyperbole.
Regarding Ponds, he's a great all-time player but he never really had it between the ears.[/quote]
Ponds has one of the highest basketball IQs I’ve ever witnessed. His vision and awareness are off the charts.[/quote]
You really need to witness more, Captain Hyperbole.
I'm hoping for the day when missing the tournament is the exception, rather than the rule. We should be a force to be dealt with regularly. Next year looks like we will have a more balanced roster, with some bigs coming on board, to help the returning vets, Heron, Simon, and Figgy. Looking forward to this year's tourney and to next year , too.
[quote="Room112" post=332224][quote="L J S A" post=332189][quote="Beast of the East" post=332184][quote="Paultzman" post=332134]Going through motions recently referenced, ugh.
[URL]https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/st-johns/st-john-s-chris-mullin-tournament-1.28664429[/URL][/quote]
Unfortunately this is why some coaches historically haven't let underclassmen speak to the press.
It's a dumb and dumber thing to say.
Dumb to say if it isn't true, and even dumber if it is true.
I think Ponds is looking for a way to defend their horrible play.
I don't think someone fighting for an NBA 1st round pick would be mailing it in.[/quote]
I unfortunately think he checked out a while ago. I hate to say it, but it wouldn't shock me at all if he stopped showing up to class right after our last game. Just one man's opinion, but I think his attitude this season damages his legacy. He's supremely talented, but I'll never look at him the way I look at a Mullin or Sealy, or even D-Lo.[/quote]
I hate to say it but I agree. In fact I recently made the observation he was carrying himself like he had already signed a pro contract. Not like a kid fighting to get drafted.
It pains me to speak this way about one of our all time leading scorers. And by all accounts he's a good kid But man this season has been weird. It all began when he acted "too cool for school" during the exhibition game.[/quote]
And of course none of what you perceive as attitude has anything to do with STJ losing its back-up point guard three years in a row, twice at mid-season, and other coaches overplaying Ponds. When we hit from outside Ponds has enough left to regather and lead us in stretch drives. When we miss our threes and Ponds is overplayed and the rest of our offense stops moving, we are kaput. Mikey Dixon where are you?
[URL]https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/st-johns/st-john-s-chris-mullin-tournament-1.28664429[/URL][/quote]
Unfortunately this is why some coaches historically haven't let underclassmen speak to the press.
It's a dumb and dumber thing to say.
Dumb to say if it isn't true, and even dumber if it is true.
I think Ponds is looking for a way to defend their horrible play.
I don't think someone fighting for an NBA 1st round pick would be mailing it in.[/quote]
I unfortunately think he checked out a while ago. I hate to say it, but it wouldn't shock me at all if he stopped showing up to class right after our last game. Just one man's opinion, but I think his attitude this season damages his legacy. He's supremely talented, but I'll never look at him the way I look at a Mullin or Sealy, or even D-Lo.[/quote]
I hate to say it but I agree. In fact I recently made the observation he was carrying himself like he had already signed a pro contract. Not like a kid fighting to get drafted.
It pains me to speak this way about one of our all time leading scorers. And by all accounts he's a good kid But man this season has been weird. It all began when he acted "too cool for school" during the exhibition game.[/quote]
And of course none of what you perceive as attitude has anything to do with STJ losing its back-up point guard three years in a row, twice at mid-season, and other coaches overplaying Ponds. When we hit from outside Ponds has enough left to regather and lead us in stretch drives. When we miss our threes and Ponds is overplayed and the rest of our offense stops moving, we are kaput. Mikey Dixon where are you?
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=332247]As mind numbing at times as this season has been. I think we will be playing on sunday
5 players double figures.
SJU 70.
Zona St 64[/quote]
I hope you realize the potential irony of playing on Sunday. We'll very likely be matched up against our old pal Tariq and Texas Tech.
5 players double figures.
SJU 70.
Zona St 64[/quote]
I hope you realize the potential irony of playing on Sunday. We'll very likely be matched up against our old pal Tariq and Texas Tech.
[quote="Knight" post=332316]I'm hoping for the day when missing the tournament is the exception, rather than the rule. We should be a force to be dealt with regularly. Next year looks like we will have a more balanced roster, with some bigs coming on board, to help the returning vets, Heron, Simon, and Figgy. Looking forward to this year's tourney and to next year , too.[/quote]
Thank you and I agree!
I repeat myself - as my adult daughter and son will say - but here's my "pet peeve" -
If other non football Catholic schools can do it (succeed) so can we - especially with our history and prior high water mark = regular NCAAs and some years "making a little noise"
Glad we play tonight
How sweet a W will be - if and when
All the best
Thank you and I agree!
I repeat myself - as my adult daughter and son will say - but here's my "pet peeve" -
If other non football Catholic schools can do it (succeed) so can we - especially with our history and prior high water mark = regular NCAAs and some years "making a little noise"
Glad we play tonight
How sweet a W will be - if and when
All the best
[quote="Section9" post=332323][quote="mjmaherjr" post=332247]As mind numbing at times as this season has been. I think we will be playing on sunday
5 players double figures.
SJU 70.
Zona St 64[/quote]
I hope you realize the potential irony of playing on Sunday. We'll very likely be matched up against our old pal Tariq and Texas Tech.[/quote]
I doubt anyone missed that. NCAA works closely with CBS to produce story lines as part of the bracket development.
5 players double figures.
SJU 70.
Zona St 64[/quote]
I hope you realize the potential irony of playing on Sunday. We'll very likely be matched up against our old pal Tariq and Texas Tech.[/quote]
I doubt anyone missed that. NCAA works closely with CBS to produce story lines as part of the bracket development.
JohnnyFever
Active member
How much would we all pay to watch us trounce Texas Tech and have the camera pan to Renard's face in the crowd?