RJ Luis

Bobby123 said:
Agreed.
Because Pitino did get Repole back and active with St. John’s.
Pitino was a god of basketball to me.
Now I credit his assistant coaches and Repole.
I never would have guessed he would be so embarrassing in post game presser
So disappointed —
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But not because of Pitino's ability to turn good players into great players and out coach the opponent? Got it.
 
Roamer said:
LOL we need Rick he doesn’t need us. We are lucky to have a coach of his caliber here. I’ll take CRP and his antics over anything all day. Have you been watching the program the last 25 years? We have stunk.
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Rick does need St. John’s because it restored his legacy.
He knew he could not compete with NIL at Iona and could not restore his reputation. The Pitino hire got us Repole back and that is good for any coach that comes thereafter.
I cannot even watch Vice since that debacle
 
With or without Luis, (I think he’s an exceptional player and huge part of what we accomplished this past season) we’ll be fine. For those of you crucifying Pitino on not playing him the last few minutes of the game, didn’t get the message. Clearly it wasn’t about his poor shooting, he could have been 0-30 and still would have played him. He plain and simple disciplined the kid, yea it sucks that it had to happen when it did. From RJ’ body language from literally standing under the basket and not getting back on defense multiple times, to not getting after loose balls so blatantly ( watch the tape). Pitino most definitely had words with him, weather it was on the bench or halftime, Luis just couldn’t accept it, I wouldn’t be surprised if he barked back at him, im sure it will all come out eventually…As Rick said before, “play for the name on the front, not the back”. And that Pitino Ego that some people are back pedaling on is the sole reason this program is relevant again, oh yea and Repole.
 
the holy trinity said:
With or without Luis, (I think he’s an exceptional player and huge part of what we accomplished this past season) we’ll be fine. For those of you crucifying Pitino on not playing him the last few minutes of the game, didn’t get the message. Clearly it wasn’t about his poor shooting, he could have been 0-30 and still would have played him. He plain and simple disciplined the kid, yea it sucks that it had to happen when it did. From RJ’ body language from literally standing under the basket and not getting back on defense multiple times, to not getting after loose balls so blatantly ( watch the tape). Pitino most definitely had words with him, weather it was on the bench or halftime, Luis just couldn’t accept it, I wouldn’t be surprised if he barked back at him, im sure it will all come out eventually…As Rick said before, “play for the name on the front, not the back”. And that Pitino Ego that some people are back pedaling on is the sole reason this program is relevant again, oh yea and Repole.
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Game. Set. Match.
 
Great points.
My perspective
Just did not think it was the right time for teaching the kid a lesson.
Luis was on track for a double double and could have turned the game in a minute especially with Kadary gone —
Most of our comebacks started with KR and RJ.
No disrespect to lefty - but did you want to see lefty vs RJ in the final 5 ?
The week before Rick was praising his MVP.
 
Bobby123 said:
Great points.
My perspective
Just did not think it was the right time for teaching the kid a lesson.
Luis was on track for a double double and could have turned the game in a minute especially with Kadary gone —
Most of our comebacks started with KR and RJ.
No disrespect to lefty - but did you want to see lefty vs RJ in the final 5 ?
The week before Rick was praising his MVP
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Of course I wouldn’t want Lefty in over RJ, but clearly there was more to it. Coach sets the standard, tone and discipline on team. Nothing more nothing less, or at least that’s what I think. And not having Kadary killed us.
 
I think we all saw the writing on the wall (If we want to admit it or not). Fact is we live in a portal era where nothing is certain. We made 1 big splash in Sanon who should be able to make up for the points lost. Need another 2-3 impact players to come our way and they will…Time for Matt A to go to work and let Pitino teach we’re in a good spot still even with the potential loss.
GOALS
-Replace Aaron Scott
-Replace Dev Smith
-Keep Glover
-Add 3-4 more impact/system guys
 
There is a lot of speculation about what this means, and a lot with good reason.

To me, the reality of free agency in pro sports is that before a player is eligible for free agency and is still bound to his team, his earnings are limited. Once subject to competitive market conditions, earnings can rise dramatically and often do. Declaring for the portal makes Luis a free agent, and raises his earnings potential. Good for him.

The harsh reality is that unless RJ makes the NBA, which is not a given, his 2025-26 NIL earnings likely will be the highest compensation he will earn. Going into the portal assures that he will maximize his earnings.

Throw in the drama of his bad game vs Arkansas compounded by the embarrassment of his benching, and speculation as to where this goes and why is all reasonable.

Bottom line: Repole has chirped that there are no limits to what he will do to produce the best team possible. If some school and NIL collective or donor backs up the brink truck, Rick has a backer who can match it if Rick thinks RJ is worth it.

The X factor is how much RJ wants to come back. The Y variable is how much Rick wants RJ back and at what price.

At the very top of the basketball pyramid are players who can take over games seemingly regardless of conditions. Jordan, Bird, Magic, Lebron, even Curry and others occupy that space. Rarely did those guys try to do more than they were capable of. RJ did just that in his biggest moment, try to do more than he was capable of, and ended up with a black eye.

However you read it, his benching, right or wrong, and his off game vs Arkansas is a subtext here. If RJ scored 25 in the loss and played well, it's a different story. But he didn't and the stark reality is he disabled his social media account after being showered with hate.

Ralph Branca threw a pitch to Bobby Thompson before I was born, but was still booed loudly at Old timers games 20 years later.

Oh, the realities of 2025 high level athletics.

Here are more skills Rick needs in his HOF wheelhouse - deciding what price Luis is worth, if he wants him back, and if so, making Luis feel wanted.

This is so delicate I can't even ask the questions I want to ask from the people I know who have a better handle on it.

I want RJ back. It's a loyalty thing, and a need for redemption thing. I want him to come back, prove just how good he is, and leave here on top, whatever that means.

God, I hate this stuff. What happened to rah rah cis boom bah?
 
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Just curious has anyone seen anything about him entering anywhere else?? Surprised no national media is reporting this yet nor have i seen anywhere where he personally has said I'm entering.....
 
RipDumaine 132 said:
Just curious has anyone seen anything about him entering anywhere else?? Surprised no national media is reporting this yet nor have i seen anywhere where he personally has said I'm entering.....
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That’s what Trilly does for his subscribers, gives them tips on what’s gonna happen before it goes public. He posted he will be entering.
 
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