Rick’s Targets

L J S A said:
What if you go into visit knowing 100 percent you aren't going to go to St. John's? What if an advisor who could use Pitino's help in the future strongly urged you to take the visit? What if he wanted a free ride to visit mom and dad?
Click to expand...
If a players reason for visiting were either of the last two, you wouldn’t “barely” get a visit, the player would be eager for one. There is a huge difference between “barely” getting a visit and getting one for ulterior reasons.
 
Wolfie said:
Agree 100% NCJ that he's not a miracle worker.
He knows he needs players, thinks he can get a couple this cycle, and also believes a few of his MAAC recruits will contribute, maybe 1 - 2 even thrive, in the BEC.
I'd love for Rick to reel in Silas D, plus a quality Big.
We shall see
Click to expand...
Yes no guarantees and of course we shall see. However it’s great to have the GOAT running our show.
No matter the Ws or Ls; no matter tourney or not - it’s been fun for me ( and many of us) - exciting this year and seems 2024 bides well.
What a different feeling now than past dull, “resigned to mediocrity” years under CMA, Chris etc.
It’s simply more enjoyable being a Redmen fan! Can’t wait until the games. Can’t wait to see how Coach has each player operating at a max.
 
paultzman said:
I wonder how he would feel w so many experienced guards re impact on his minutes off bat. They seem to have a shot with SD, but that could be a factor since all these good kids want big minutes right away Imo.
Click to expand...
BodyHarmer said:
What does "barely got Ledlum to take official here" mean? You either visit or you don't.
Click to expand...
It means he was never really a likely option and probably took the official here bc Rick is a hall of fame coach and more out of respect then an actual landing spot.
 
Sherman Sheridan & Grant said:
Yes no guarantees and of course we shall see. However it’s great to have the GOAT running our show.
No matter the Ws or Ls; no matter tourney or not - it’s been fun for me ( and many of us) - exciting this year and seems 2024 bides well.
What a different feeling now than past dull, “resigned to mediocrity” years under CMA, Chris etc.
It’s simply more enjoyable being a Redmen fan! Can’t wait until the games. Can’t wait to see how Coach has each player operating at a max.
Click to expand...
 
Besides Mackenzie, are we in on any frontcourt players who may have the ability to start at the BE level?
 
logen said:
So many of you believe Pitino could have made the tournament with last years team. Just curious, who were the “impact” players from last year that are gone now? Not players who people liked or felt ”busted their ass” but players who truly consistently, positively, impacted games. In my eyes there was one, Soriano, who is still here.
I have no idea how good the players Pitino has recruited so far are because I don’t remember ever seeing any of them play but I certainly trust his time proven judgement and am not afraid to go out on a limb and say the product on the court next year will be light years ahead of the last couple of years, indeed, the last couple of decades, except for the occasional rare anomaly teams.
First off, the team will play real defense, not poke and hope for steals with fake hustle, with the backup plan being praying teams are off from wide open, most times from 3. Players will exhibit real hustle, not act like fighting for a rebound or loose ball will somehow land them in jail.
They will run an offense and share the ball, passing until they get an open shot, not heave ridiculous chucks that would have me screaming at whoever was on my team throwing that crap up in a playground game. Soriano will learn to kick out from the post to shooters moving to open spots, not holding the ball as double teams come and teammates stand around watching, wondering what they should be doing. Players will play the last 5 minutes of close games the “right way”, not play like if they don’t make the “big play” the game isn’t worth winning.
In short, we will see a basketball team, playing intelligent, committed basketball which is why I think we will be far more competitive in the conference next year, regardless of how many impact players people feel we are missing. SJU has an impact coach, who has made a career out of molding impact teams.
He has brought in experienced mature players and as I posted before, I expect to see a team where the total is far greater than the sum of the parts; we shall see.
Click to expand...
Such a fine analysis and Pitino, our recruits, the possibilities gut 2023-4!
I thank you Logen.
 
MainMan said:
Besides Mackenzie, are we in on any frontcourt players who may have the ability to start at the BE level?
Click to expand...
I think someone (Paultz?) may have mentioned Kante Papa but maybe just as a very good Big prospect, not as a good possibility.
Not sure.
Just guessing.
 
mattc said:
Trust Pitino fully, but on paper we’ve landed three Iona players and a VMI player to go along with the UCONN kid. Not the most inspiring.
Click to expand...
Really? Was cuerbelo an exciting get? Was Stanley? Not knocking the former team but these guys have size and Rick knows talent. So a UConn kid who just won the ncaa a vmi player who looks interesting an Iona player who originally was intended for Louisville but only went to Iona cause of Rick. And it's just three that knows his system. Can't make everyone happy .
 
paultzman said:
Easy to rationalize additions, but most of us expected a few high quality kids. Still time, but they definitely need that imo. Glad Rick is here, but just being candid. Then again, still time.
Click to expand...
Who says these kids were got aren't high quality? After researching g them oooks like potential
 
logen said:
So many of you believe Pitino could have made the tournament with last years team. Just curious, who were the “impact” players from last year that are gone now? Not players who people liked or felt ”busted their ass” but players who truly consistently, positively, impacted games. In my eyes there was one, Soriano, who is still here.
I have no idea how good the players Pitino has recruited so far are because I don’t remember ever seeing any of them play but I certainly trust his time proven judgement and am not afraid to go out on a limb and say the product on the court next year will be light years ahead of the last couple of years, indeed, the last couple of decades, except for the occasional rare anomaly teams.
First off, the team will play real defense, not poke and hope for steals with fake hustle, with the backup plan being praying teams are off from wide open, most times from 3. Players will exhibit real hustle, not act like fighting for a rebound or loose ball will somehow land them in jail.
They will run an offense and share the ball, passing until they get an open shot, not heave ridiculous chucks that would have me screaming at whoever was on my team throwing that crap up in a playground game. Soriano will learn to kick out from the post to shooters moving to open spots, not holding the ball as double teams come and teammates stand around watching, wondering what they should be doing. Players will play the last 5 minutes of close games the “right way”, not play like if they don’t make the “big play” the game isn’t worth winning.
In short, we will see a basketball team, playing intelligent, committed basketball which is why I think we will be far more competitive in the conference next year, regardless of how many impact players people feel we are missing. SJU has an impact coach, who has made a career out of molding impact teams.
He has brought in experienced mature players and as I posted before, I expect to see a team where the total is far greater than the sum of the parts; we shall see.
Click to expand...

Great post!
 
fan5577 said:
Interesting words from the New recruit. MAY be an answer to why SOME of our former players MAY have opted to leave?


Quinn Slazinski on his role at St. John's: "There's no such thing as a role under Pitino. He doesn't give promises. That's why some [former players] were asking for their release [to transfer]. He gives people no promises. He's just a truthful, honest person. He knows the type of player I am."
Click to expand...
I don’t know how many more Players from the Portal are coming in for visits . There’s a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth going on that no Impact Recruits have been signed yet . It’s valid as far as it goes . But , the Ledlums , etc that have come in have been equally recruited by some of the top Schools in the Country . Many of the big State Schools with Tax Payer money and big NIL suitcases. Pitino cant be expected to get every top player in the portal .
And, there are still some blue chips still out there . Have Faith . Pitino will win some of these battles . He’s also not ignoring the class of 24 players .

I liked logen’s post as I think he hit a lot of good points on this subject
 
Everyone crying about Iona players coming no high ranked recruit. If we were sju fans it would be Stanley who? Cuerbelo the dude who had issues at his other school, it's not knocking out former players and not my intent. Simply saying let Rick do his job getting His plates to play in his season and centerpiece is Soriano gang . Honestly so far I think it's promising . But hey just me trusting a hall of fame coach
 
njfan said:
Everyone crying about Iona players coming no high ranked recruit. If we were sju fans it would be Stanley who? Cuerbelo the dude who had issues at his other school, it's not knocking out former players and not my intent. Simply saying let Rick do his job getting His plates to play in his season and centerpiece is Soriano gang . Honestly so far I think it's promising . But hey just me trusting a hall of fame coach
Click to expand...
“Everyone crying”, come on
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top