RJ Luis

[SJUWillRockNYC]

Why wouldn’t that be just as likely to happen in the D-league?

If he went into the draft, atleast he'd have a 2-3yrs contract, though less money. Probably not a 1st round pick.
College is just 1 year though more money.

Did that UL kids that had that devastating leg injury ever make it to the nba?
Then again was he even good enough in the first place? Was just an example.

 

[Rocket]

Some good points but don’t think NBA scouts and teams are as hung up on stats as us fans they see what a player can do in his overall game.

RJ will have to play the two or three in the NBA. The points he got in college may not be available as easily in the pros where there is incredible size.

 

[SJUWillRockNYC]

My concern is if RJ doesn't make the NBA and just goes to the highest bidder that he has an AJ experience and his star is tarnished due to a lesser role.
At St. John's he was the primary scorer so his numbers may be slightly inflated since SJ was a mediocre shooting team that excelled because of team defense.
So, RJ can make a killing for ONE season at XYZ University but ends up with stats similar to AJ on a more balanced team. Does that maintain the overall level of interest from NBA teams? What if his minutes are diminished or doesn't start?
What if his ball dominating style doesn't jive with his future team or coaches?
That's why NIL $$ can have an undue influence on decision making because NIL agents want to reap their cut as their first priority and not care about NBA level negotiations based on actual potential and performance.

Why be concerned?
He's a big boy and has a choice to make. I'm sure he'll be very happy with that money and living the good life.

We'll never see that kind of money.

I'll be happy for him with whatever path in life he chooses.

When his playing days are over I really hope that he has no regrets about the path he takes.

GL RJ.

 

[KG44]

If he went into the draft, atleast he'd have a 2-3yrs contract, though less money. Probably not a 1st round pick.
College is just 1 year though more money.

Did that UL kids that had that devastating leg injury ever make it to the nba?
Then again was he even good enough in the first place? Was just an example.

1st round contracts are guaranteed. 2nd round contracts are not. Though some times players are able to negotiate guaranteed contracts (Bronny). 2nd Rounders generally worth 500K, not guaranteed.

 

[SleepyG]

I’m thankful for RJ’s significant contribution to the success of this year’s team. And I do wish he would return if the money was right. But out of the 3 stars on the team, I think he is the most replaceable. And you can argue maybe we already have done that with Sanon.

I know he was POY and All-American, but those accolades could’ve gone to Zuby and Kadary as easily, in my opinion. Someone on St. John’s was going to reap the awards and it consolidated around Luis.

I’m feeling indifferent about the news. Maybe it’s the recency of the last game, in which I feel he let his teammates down with his effort. Or it’s the new norm of all these players changing teams every year so it’s hard to really connect over the long term.

 

[NCJohnnie]

Not sure as to why you feel it is OK to judge a young man that you don't even know. I choose to wish RJ nothing but the best as his journey continues. Big East Regular Season Championship, Big East Tournament Champions, Big East Player of the Year, Big East Tournament Most Valuable Player. Nothing but respect for the season he had. We don't do this without him.

 

[Rocket]

Why be concerned?
He's a big boy and has a choice to make. I'm sure he'll be very happy with that money and living the good life.

We'll never see that kind of money.

I'll be happy for him with whatever path in life he chooses.

When his playing days are over I really hope that he has no regrets about the path he takes.

GL RJ.

It's called an analogy. I really don't give a crap once a player leaves St. John's in the age of NIL My position has always been that if a player has family obligations that he takes the best long term financial path. Kadary Richmond was in that position. I'm not sure RJ is in the same position. Pitino thinks he has a chance of making an NBA team.
However, his intention to also enter the portal has diminished my loyalty to him as a St. John's player.
That was my position when Posh left, when AJ left and Wusu left.
Nothing personal......just Alma Mater loyalty.

 

[NCJohnnie]

Exactly. All you guys who are posting negative stuff about RJ, do you get that he was our first BE POY since Walter Berry?
Just dopey stuff. He had one bad game after several wonderful games or wouldn’t be Big East Champs.
God bless and good luck RJ and fam.

 

[SJUWillRockNYC]

It's called an analogy. I really don't give a crap once a player leaves St. John's in the age of NIL My position has always been that if a player has family obligations that he takes the best long term financial path. Kadary Richmond was in that position. I'm not sure RJ is in the same position. Pitino thinks he has a chance of making an NBA team.
However, his intention to also enter the portal has diminished my loyalty to him as a St. John's player.
That was my position when Posh left, when AJ left and Wusu left.
Nothing personal......just Alma Mater loyalty.

I got no bitterness towards RJ, college sports is now just a business.

Let him choose whatever he wants to do, let him live and be happy.

Gua-ran-blanking-tee we'll be a Top10 team again.
No one leaving is going to hold SJU back next year, we'll be just fine.

 

[johnsliva]

I really understand your point of view and am not critical of it. For me though, each kid is one of us, and becomes part of the fabric of the program, the university, and us.

If I kiss them goodbye and wish them well but just look forward to next year's team, i wouldn't feel quite as invested as I am.

I want RJs decisions to work well for him and us. It just feels like a shitty way to exit the season after all the bright spots.

If we were a professional sports team I'd be inclined to feel a little different.

As Big East player of the year, BET tourney MVP, and 2nd team All American, RJ has done more to resurrect this program than any single kid (yes, kid) in 25 years at least.

If he does leave, and those of you who thinks he is already gone (with ample reason to believe that), I just feel really shitty to not be eyernally grateful for what this kid accomplished here.

He may or may not be NBA material but that's irrelevant to me. He played his ass off, and if he was awful last game, it wasn't like he hit the doors like Curtis Redden who when benched openly rooted for the opponent. In fact there are others who did far worse (D'Angelo Harrison for one) who got their shot of redemption.

"I need a shot of redemption.
don't want to end up like a cartoon in cartoon graveyard"

Thanks RJ. Your team gave us the best season in 25 years at least. Thanks, kid.

While I like RJ when did this become his team? If anything this was ricks team and several played a key part. We would not have gotten as far as we did without Kadry or Zuby or Aron Scott either. Smith and sim played thier parts too. IMHO we needed them all and I think that is what had Rick upset, dont abandon the res of the team when they need you and play hero ball 1 on 3 or 4.
Rj needs to what he needs to for him. I don't blame him for trying to make the cash. Know that decisions have repercussions and if he gets left out in the cold it was his decision (or his advisors)

 

[Rocket]

I got no bitterness towards RJ, college sports is now just a business.

Let him choose whatever he wants to do, let him live and be happy.

Gua-ran-blanking-tee we'll be a Top10 team again.
No one leaving is going to hold SJU back next year, we'll be just fine.

Once college players could hire agents to negotiate unlimited salaries the NCAA and it's oversight ENDED!
It's all a facade now to reap television $$ for the NCAA to survive.
It's getting to the time when professional business practices get applied to college sports. NBA teams have contractual rights to mitigate player movement in the short term. Many college football schools have very deep pockets to dominate the market like the SEC and Big XX. Eighty percent of D1 schools simply can't compete in that monopolized environment.
NIL contracts should include hefty transfer fees imposed on the schools that can bid NBA level salaries. Test it in the courts so that two conferences don't dominate the market.

 

[JohnnyFan]

 

[RedStormNC]

Finally got to watch the 6th episode of Vice as I was traveling for work.

Watching the part of RJ helping to take over the 2nd half v. MQ to capture the BET championship is enough for me to not have ill will for disappointing showing in ncaa game or potential decisions to not return, if there even is a valid reason for it..which I don't think there is.

 

[1and1sju]

I see more disappointment w him leaving than “faulting” him. The idea of RJ, Sanon and Zuby as a nucleus in the coming season was appealing to me, issues or not.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I thought RJ and Hopkins could co-exist before the Sanon signing. Even after he signed, I held out hope.

In reality, it probably requires too much resources to book the two of them.

 

[Beasts of the East]

Exactly! R.J. has nobody to blame but himself for this outcome. Would any coach, let, alone a HOF coach, want a player who thinks he is smarter than his coach and can blithely disregard his coach's instructions and just do what he wants. That is what he did on at least two occasions this year. Also as it has been reported Zuby, his roomie and best friend on the team, told him he was playing selfishly. Yes, he is a talented player but their a lot of talented platers out there that want to be coached up. Our talented staff will find them. While I enjoyed watchinghis play, I am not concerned that our coach and his talented staff will put together an excellent coachable team.

TWICE THIS YEAR?

That's just absurd. Every single college player has the authority to bust a play based on what he sees hapoening on the court, as in a direct path to the basket in a way the play wasn't designed. If RJ made that short jumper vs Creighton no one would have said boo. In basketball everything is contingent on the ball going in.

RJ obviously had a horrible game and forced many shots. He obviously was lost offensively and out of synch. To presuppose you know what was in his head and why is just crap and grossly unfair to a kid that by all accounts of people who know him is an amazing kid.

If he was the worst player on our team I'd want him back because he is that nice a kid.

He is likely gone and I wish him well.
The best of RJ was spectacular. Everyone knows his decision making needs refinement. Still and all he was the top player in the league.

Hope he puts it all together and has a spectacular senior year and is a first round pick. As they say, it couldn't happen to a nicer kid.

 

[Boo Harvey]

If he went into the draft, atleast he'd have a 2-3yrs contract, though less money. Probably not a 1st round pick.
College is just 1 year though more money.

Did that UL kids that had that devastating leg injury ever make it to the nba?
Then again was he even good enough in the first place? Was just an example.

Wouldn’t that contrast be less than he stands to make in NIL assuming he’s not a first round pick?

 

[jcoggs]

Why is this thread so long for. He is gone.

 

[Joedib]

It's called an analogy. I really don't give a crap once a player leaves St. John's in the age of NIL My position has always been that if a player has family obligations that he takes the best long term financial path. Kadary Richmond was in that position. I'm not sure RJ is in the same position. Pitino thinks he has a chance of making an NBA team.
However, his intention to also enter the portal has diminished my loyalty to him as a St. John's player.
That was my position when Posh left, when AJ left and Wusu left.
Nothing personal......just Alma Mater loyalty.

Bingo

 

[Joedib]

Why is this thread so long for. He is gone.

Let’s take a Joe Stalin approach! Eradicate any mention of Luis. Poof. Gone.

 

[NCJohnnie]

Finally got to watch the 6th episode of Vice as I was traveling for work.

Watching the part of RJ helping to take over the 2nd half v. MQ to capture the BET championship is enough for me to not have ill will for disappointing showing in ncaa game or potential decisions to not return, if there even is a valid reason for it..which I don't think there is.

I will root hard for RJ unless he is playing against us.

Good for Duke as I duck to avoid the missiles lol.