Rothstein on campus today

@JonRothstein: "St John's went Mike Brey in adding Justin Simon and Marvin Clark - "get old and stay old!!" Both should start in 17-18.
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Appreciate Rothstein being on campus and all the positive tweets but I don't see Clark starting over Yakwe or Ahmed nor do I see Simon staring over Lovett. However , I see them both being in our top 8 and 9 of the rotation. Next season will be the deepest team we have had in 35 years.
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That goes back a long ways, North ... even farther back than our '84-'85 team. And while I'm not doubting your conviction, I can't say I agree with you ... just too many "ifs" at this point. Then again, I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong.
 
@JonRothstein: "Tennessee transfer Tariq Owens just told me that he's 6'11" and just 195 pounds. Someone needs to take this kid to Campagnola"
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I'd be glad to, it's right around the corner from me.
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He would get as good a meal at Park Side in Corona just 15 minutes from the campus at one third the price. ;)
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I love Parkside !!!!!
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I expected 72 to love that place but you just got a +1 for surprising me :)
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Can't eat Soul Food every day, lol. Also enjoy Don Peppes on Lefferts Blvd.
 
@JonRothstein: "Tennessee transfer Tariq Owens just told me that he's 6'11" and just 195 pounds. Someone needs to take this kid to Campagnola"
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I guess they weighed him with his shoes on, cause the roster lists him at 200 lbs. Hoped he was going to come in with 30 which really is not that unrealistic if he was disciplined with aggressive eating and training over one year.

That said, looking forward to see how he does this year and hope he exceeds expectations.
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Hakim Warrick style player, w/o his level of ability, not a center. Running floor & blocking some shots seem his best attributes. Hopefully he is a good sub, but IMO is not the impact player some posters were expecting. Hope he proves me wrong.
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That's what it sounded like all along. Don't think anyone expected much, however it would be nice if he surprises us all.
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Not going to say anything neg about Mussini since I predict he will have a very good yr and would not be surprised if he starts early All our guards will see good mins
 
@JonRothstein: "Tennessee transfer Tariq Owens just told me that he's 6'11" and just 195 pounds. Someone needs to take this kid to Campagnola"
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I'd be glad to, it's right around the corner from me.
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He would get as good a meal at Park Side in Corona just 15 minutes from the campus at one third the price. ;)
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I freaking love that place. I could eat that bread basket just for dinner
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Joe's on Forest Ave in Ridgewood Queens, my old hood, is phenomenal. Décor hasn't been updated in God knows how long, but the food is consistently excellent and the service amazing. Went there with a group of my old Bushwick boys a few weeks back and we ate and drank like sailors and the bill came out to $75.00 per head, including tax and tip. Can't beat that. Only problem is parking, and there's no valet.
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first time I went to parkside many many years ago for business meeting my partner at work was parking his car and asked for valet stub. The guy said we don't give out stubs. No one will touch the car when he's there. lol
 
I didn't write what I did because I hope Mussini plays bad, I wrote it based only my evaluation of him as a player. My expectation for a Division 1 guard is that you can bring the ball up the court against schools like St. Thomas Aquinas and LIU Brooklyn. I don't care if you are a point guard or a shooting guard.
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I always expected Mussini to stay only two years and return to Italy. If he has a good year as a part of the rotation good for him, us and his perceived value to his Italian team. Bottom line is he needs to play well to leave early.
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Or really poorly.
 
I didn't write what I did because I hope Mussini plays bad, I wrote it based only my evaluation of him as a player. My expectation for a Division 1 guard is that you can bring the ball up the court against schools like St. Thomas Aquinas and LIU Brooklyn. I don't care if you are a point guard or a shooting guard.
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I always expected Mussini to stay only two years and return to Italy. If he has a good year as a part of the rotation good for him, us and his perceived value to his Italian team. Bottom line is he needs to play well to leave early.
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Or really poorly.
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He certainly is capable of doing that but it would not reflect favorably on the staff. In the FIBA world he is a 40% two point shooter and an unremarkable 30% from trey. He is a terrific free throw shooter useful in tight games with the lead.
When guarded tightly and by bigger guards his shooting percentage plummets both internationally and in college. He came here to improve his game so if the above numbers improve even slightly it is a good time spent in the States. He will be a backup guard in the Italian 2nd division unless he gains muscle. He could be a very different player by the time he is 24 or 25 in Europe. He is supposedly a great practice player who will help a young Shamorie get ready for college competition. Something Mussini himself was not afforded last year with a rag tag lineup. Speaking of practices, Marvin Clark will be giving Yakwe all he can handle since he is a very physical player and a challenge to guard defensively. Unless Yakwe develops Clark level offense, Marvin will be the go-to power forward in big games next year along with Bashir. I also expect Brown to challenge Sima for starters minutes. Next year the practices will be brutal.
 
I have this gut feeling that Yakwe is going to be a NBA draft pick when all is said and done. I know that's pretty optimistic but he really is something special athletically and his work ethic and energy is off the charts. Gotta continue working on his FT's and get that 10-15 foot jumper more consistent but I thought we were already starting to see a little improvement towards the end of last season. Unless we recruit over him by landing a really big fish I think he's gonna have his position locked down. Maybe I'm being too generous and jinxing it but I feel it in my gut.
 
I have this gut feeling that Yakwe is going to be a NBA draft pick when all is said and done. I know that's pretty optimistic but he really is something special athletically and his work ethic and energy is off the charts. Gotta continue working on his FT's and get that 10-15 foot jumper more consistent but I thought we were already starting to see a little improvement towards the end of last season. Unless we recruit over him by landing a really big fish I think he's gonna have his position locked down. Maybe I'm being too generous and jinxing it but I feel it in my gut.
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Yakwe is really only 6'6 without sneakers. He's an incredible athlete with long arms but unless he grows a couple of inches, learns how to handle the ball and most importantly, as you stated, develop a technically efficient jump shot, he will continue to be the next David Russell. If he grows and develops he too may be a 2nd round draft pick but he will more likely end up having a long career in Europe. NBA players his height are either guards or small scoring forwards with good shooting range. At present he is neither. Theoretically, mentors like Mullin and Richmond will help him correct his shooting defects but both he and Sima are behind the curve in that skill set. If this year he perfects the dribble drive to the basket with scoring finishes he will fulfill his role offensively because Bashir Ahmed will be looked upon to be the outside threat. I'll be happy for his jumper to develop by his junior year.
 
I have this gut feeling that Yakwe is going to be a NBA draft pick when all is said and done. I know that's pretty optimistic but he really is something special athletically and his work ethic and energy is off the charts. Gotta continue working on his FT's and get that 10-15 foot jumper more consistent but I thought we were already starting to see a little improvement towards the end of last season. Unless we recruit over him by landing a really big fish I think he's gonna have his position locked down. Maybe I'm being too generous and jinxing it but I feel it in my gut.
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Yakwe is really only 6'6 without sneakers. He's an incredible athlete with long arms but unless he grows a couple of inches, learns how to handle the ball and most importantly, as you stated, develop a technically efficient jump shot, he will continue to be the next David Russell. If he grows and develops he too may be a 2nd round draft pick but he wiill more likely end up having a long career in Europe. NBA players his height are either guards or small scoring forwards with good shooting range. At present he is neither. Theoretically, mentors like Mullin and Richmond will help him correct his shooting defects but both he and Sima are behind the curve in that skill set. Like the basketball blue bloods at Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona, etc., Mullin and staff know you always try to recruit better players than the ones you currently have to remain highly competitive. If you get a chance to sign a true 5* NBA prospect one of your better players will either sit or transfer. We should be so lucky to ever have that problem. ;)
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Yeah, all great points. I can't really argue with any of them. He's definitely in between positions in the NBA . His skill set is for an old school power forward and he's undersized for that. I agree the odds are probably against it, but I still think he's got a decent chance to sneak into the 2nd round one day. Mainly because I think his athletic ability is off the charts, he's got long arms and his work ethic seems exceptional so I'm betting on him developing. But to your point, I wouldn't bet my savings on it. Either way I think he's gonna be a very good collegiate player. And yeah if the staff can get someone like Naz Reid and Brown ends up being a stud right away then Yakwe will either be a very talented bench guy or some school is going to get a very good transfer.
 
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