Rick’s Targets

[Boo Harvey]

Complaining about pitino recruiting or anything 1 month is embarrassing. This Board is really losing it.

The building of the roster is not finished. The product on the floor will play fundamental basketball. That will be a huge improvement from last years team. Win or lose it will be leaps and bounds improvement on last years teams strategies. Watching the terrible defense and offense was frustrating and basically stupid!

Another way to look at Clayton & Ledlum is that it is their loss to choose to play for coaches who are not as good as Rich Pitino.

Except that this is not a Clayton Ledlum fan site, it’s a SJU fan site.

 

[MCNPA]

I don’t think anyone is blaming Pitino for the quality of the players coming in. This is a ST John’s problem not a Pitino problem. And the defense of “trust the HOF coach” is also silly. No one is questioning him. I think most who will admit it are surprised at the level of the players coming in. Is it possible that as great as Pitino is he underestimated how hard it will be to get players here? Why is that so hard to fathom?”

I think most assumed Clayton and Ledlum both of whom are good, solid players but not superstar’s by any means would be here when Pitino was hired. I am sure this will eventually work out, but probably not next year.

I can only speak for myself, I am surprised at the initial recruiting. Again not a Pitino thing but a ST John’s thing. I also predict that the first posters to turn on Pitino if we go 17-15 are those “defending” him if anyone questions anything.

You’re assuming guys like Ledlum and Clayton are far better ONLY because they’re guys went other places. . I don’t think that’s likely the case. Losing Dual for sure I can say was a loss but we are here 11th hour and he just stayed committed to same school he initially joined.

We definitely could use a few big names but as I said, 92/100 of the top kids are committed already from hs ranks. Solely competing for transfers unlikely to whet the appetite of most here until we have a shot at 24’ kids. Still 5 ships to go though.

 

[MattyHoops]

We will be better this upcoming season than last season.

 

[Larry Wright]

You’re assuming guys like Ledlum and Clayton are far better ONLY because they’re guys went other places. . I don’t think that’s likely the case. Losing Dual for sure I can say was a loss but we are here 11th hour and he just stayed committed to same school he initially joined.

We definitely could use a few big names but as I said, 92/100 of the top kids are committed already from hs ranks. Solely competing for transfers unlikely to whet the appetite of most here until we have a shot at 24’ kids. Still 5 ships to go though.

I watched those guys play and they are better than we got. In fact Clayton was best player on the team where we took everyone but him and honestly their 2nd best player IMO.

And again if you can’t judge by rankings and having seen them play, how exactly are we judging players? Their eye color, hair style? How do you rate players?

 

[Sherman Sheridan & Grant]

I don’t think anyone is blaming Pitino for the quality of the players coming in. This is a ST John’s problem not a Pitino problem. And the defense of “trust the HOF coach” is also silly. No one is questioning him. I think most who will admit it are surprised at the level of the players coming in. Is it possible that as great as Pitino is he underestimated how hard it will be to get players here? Why is that so hard to fathom?”

I think most assumed Clayton and Ledlum both of whom are good, solid players but not superstar’s by any means would be here when Pitino was hired. I am sure this will eventually work out, but probably not next year.

I can only speak for myself, I am surprised at the initial recruiting. Again not a Pitino thing but a ST John’s thing. I also predict that the first posters to turn on Pitino if we go 17-15 are those “defending” him if anyone questions anything.

Dear LW
Thanks for your more tempered post. Last notion that we optimistic posters will turn on HCRP not true - for me and likely others. As I posted I could care less about 2023-24 Ws & Ls - I am Patient and I’m thinking long-term, and I see good already at hand and certainly ahead. And I know this team will be disciplined, hungry like it’s coach, fun to watch.
All the best
SS&G

 

[Larry Wright]

See I clearly stated I don’t think on several issues. Then said I can only speak for myself on my final analysis.
If I had the time or the desire I am sure I could cut and paste a Masejr post to say I like farm animals or something but that would be disingenuous. Unless he really does, but I have no knowledge of that… that I am willing to share anyway.

 

[billyfa]

Just to be fair we all agree the following things happened correct?

1. Pitino is hired
2. Pitino says I see 6 - 8 new players on this team.
3. Pitino says we will see a turnaround in "months not years"
4. 8 players enter the transfer portal. Some told there wasn't a place for them, some suggested there may be greener pastures elsewhere, some were given the opportunity to return and chose not to.
5. 2 recruits were told to reopen their recruitment, 1 was offered a spot to stay and chose not to.
6. Pitino brings in the 2nd, 4th, and 6th best player from his Iona (argue those placements if you want what we do know is it's 1 started, one borderline starter, and one bench contributor).
7. Pitino brings in the 2nd Leading Scorer on the Keydets. (if anyone says they have seen a VMI game I would question their honesty). I assume they have a big time rivalry with Washington and Lee.
8. Pitino brings in the a bench contributor from the national championship.

If we were to take Pitino at his word, that we should expect a turnaround in months not years (unless he's going to hit us up with 'I meant 48 months') it is fair and I'd argue wise to ask how he plans on accomplishing that with this level of recruiting in the best basketball conference in the nation.

The answer Rick Pitino is infallible seems soft. If he has Hunter Dickinson, Max Abrams, and Mac Mgbako in his back pocket that's one thing, but as of April 19th 2023, he is being out recruited by the vast majority of big east teams. I'm not sure that's the formula to making waves in conference.

You are missing the point. It's one month, not months. Also, it's an incomplete project. We have 20 years of irrelevance, and we got arguably the best college coach of our lifetime. I think the critics can relax for a couple of months.

 

[AlBovino]

That is pure speculation on your part.

I guess he is the only one who speculates on this site!

 

[billyfa]

I watched those guys play and they are better than we got. In fact Clayton was best player on the team where we took everyone but him and honestly their 2nd best player IMO.

And again if you can’t judge by rankings and having seen them play, how exactly are we judging players? Their eye color, hair style? How do you rate playe

Breakdown for me last year's roster and what we have so far and who is better than who. I would love to see this.

 

[kranmars]

agree but why not fund 1yr NIL guys too if they dont overlap on money ? Hypothetically NIL wise we are the Oakland A's so far. Not criticizing anyone just an observation

You mean SJU is tanking on purpose so Fr. Shanley can move the campus to Las Vegas?

 

[Knight]

I think many SJU fans forget or don’t know how Coach Pitino will impact the program. He is a great in-game coach, but may be a better coach at developing the talent on his team. He is driven to win, and we have him as our coach. If he gets players to come to SJU it is because he sees something in them that is needed to complete his roster. This Hot Stove season is interesting and exciting. Go Johnnies! Go Rick!

 

[MCNPA]

Breakdown for me last year's roster and what we have so far and who is better than who. I would love to see this.

He has seen them and he knows…

 

[dk423]

Guys are still entering the portal.

 

[Larry Wright]

Breakdown for me last year's roster and what we have so far and who is better than who. I would love to see this.

Here is the thing you would have to assume last year’s players would be better with Rick.

Center-Next year Soriano because he will be like 25 and have a coach.

PF- Would have like to see Jones and Stanley coached by Pitino. Haven’t really seen anything of Slazinski.
Edge last year.

SF- not a Wusu guy, but curious what would have happened with Pitino. Edge Alleyne.
Edge this year.

SG-I actually Davis but Storr under Pitino….
Never saw Conway except of the clip
Huge edge last year

PG- Posh never going to be a good shooter and not an athletic freak so….Not even a true PG. But Posh getting 12/6/4 and harassing the other teams Point like he did his first 2 years is way better than Jenkins and think we will see that if Posh goes to SH.
Edge last year.

Bench- not final obviously, but at this point
Huge edge last year.

 

[Rhythm]

Here is the thing you would have to assume last year’s players would be better with Rick.

Center-Next year Soriano because he will be like 25 and have a coach.

PF- Would have like to see Jones and Stanley coached by Pitino. Haven’t really seen anything of Slazinski.
Edge last year.

SF- not a Wusu guy, but curious what would have happened with Pitino. Edge Alleyne.
Edge this year.

SG-I actually Davis but Storr under Pitino….
Never saw Conway except of the clip
Huge edge last year

PG- Posh never going to be a good shooter and not an athletic freak so….Not even a true PG. But Posh getting 12/6/4 and harassing the other teams Point like he did his first 2 years is way better than Jenkins and think we will see that if Posh goes to SH.
Edge last year.

Bench- not final obviously, but at this point
Huge edge last year.

How about shooting, spacing and listening to the coach. I will take the new guys. It’s all not cut in dry. And we should revisit this argument at the end of next season. Time will tell. And the overall record will be a big indicator.

 

[billyfa]

Here is the thing you would have to assume last year’s players would be better with Rick.

Center-Next year Soriano because he will be like 25 and have a coach.

PF- Would have like to see Jones and Stanley coached by Pitino. Haven’t really seen anything of Slazinski.
Edge last year.

SF- not a Wusu guy, but curious what would have happened with Pitino. Edge Alleyne.
Edge this year.

SG-I actually Davis but Storr under Pitino….
Never saw Conway except of the clip
Huge edge last year

PG- Posh never going to be a good shooter and not an athletic freak so….Not even a true PG. But Posh getting 12/6/4 and harassing the other teams Point like he did his first 2 years is way better than Jenkins and think we will see that if Posh goes to SH.
Edge last year.

Bench- not final obviously, but at this point
Huge edge last year.

ok. i would differ slightly and i think the sum of parts could be better (i expect two bigger signings) which can drastically change your outlook). I actually liked last year's roster with pitino coaching it (although they would have needed a couple of shooters). But he has a different outlook obviously.

 

[billyfa]

How about shooting, spacing and listening to the coach. I will take the new guys. It’s all not cut in dry. And we should revisit this argument at the end of next season. Time will tell. And the overall record will be a big indicator.

Agree.

We have been focused on rankings for so long. "We have better athletes", "how is this team beating us", etc. I think too much focus is what we are arguing about right now., and not building a team. and program

 

[Amaseinyourface]

See I clearly stated I don’t think on several issues. Then said I can only speak for myself on my final analysis.
If I had the time or the desire I am sure I could cut and paste a Masejr post to say I like farm animals or something but that would be disingenuous. Unless he really does, but I have no knowledge of that… that I am willing to share anyway.

Lol I think you’ve got the time.

For a funny a guy I thought you’d see the humor in speaking for everyone else before finishing by saying your can only speak for yourself.

 

[Marillac2]

Sounds like nothing at all has occurred during the past months reign - or has it been years already of Rick Pitino have brought zero in the progress category. His style is old already. Tiresome.

Oh well I long for the good old days of Robert’s, Jarvis, Anderson - not a law firm but mediocre coaches bringing us mediocre results.

Rick Pitino is the GOAT and he only knows how to build programs, maximize a kid’s talent and, what is that word? Oh yes I remember, WIN.

Fun times are finally back. I’m already enjoying them. Life - when you get to my age - filled with death and illnesses to friends and family - is truly too short to overlook the fun stuff.
Oh well…
Blessings -
SS&G

Why do we have to choose positions on one end of the spectrum or the other? I’ve said repeatedly that the worst Pitino expectation is better than the best from Lavin, Anderson, Mullin and, obviously Norm Roberts.

He’s going to get the most out of whoever he lands and they are going to fit together better than almost all the groups we had since Jarvis. But isn’t it fair to be slightly disappointed in the quality of recruits we’ve brought in vs. the misses thus far? Pitino always had 5+ top 80 guys at Louisville. We don’t have a single top 100 kid on the roster and that has only happened once this century by my count.

 

[logen]

I watched those guys play and they are better than we got. In fact Clayton was best player on the team where we took everyone but him and honestly their 2nd best player IMO.

And again if you can’t judge by rankings and having seen them play, how exactly are we judging players? Their eye color, hair style? How do you rate players?

How do you rate players? Simply, not until you see them play, why would I base an opinion on people I don’t know a darn thing about, never mind not having a clue as to the criteria used for rating?