Could we have both--or is that greedy as well as unworkable, given limited PT?
Asked, half joking, since it seems likely 'unworkable', in that it might irk a few guys.
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Asked, half joking, since it seems likely 'unworkable', in that it might irk a few guys.
Wrong county. Queens. We will know in a few days.
Larry Wright
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Ledlum played better once realized he couldn’t really get his shot off at this level at the weight he was playing at and after the whole “this team is unathletic “thing. He did play better after that though.
The potential problem if he comes back to another basically new team with his definite last year of eligibility is he may test his role again. Especially with the seemingly lack of comp at his position. This team cannot afford growing pains again and hope a late season surge gets them into tournament.
Ledlum return would worry me a bit.
Moose
Well-known member
Ledlum returning wouldnt worry me. Its the safer bet of the two.
Watkins or anyone else is an unknown. While Watkins > Ledlum and would make us a much more dynamic team. The potential negative is he has NBA aspirations so it might be a situation where its February 4th and still adjusting to his 'role'.
No matter what we need another option at the PF/4 spot to solidify us as a Top 3 BE/Top 25 team IMO.
One more for the “hope I am wrong” column but I will be very surprised if this team does not have “growing pains”. What is this if essentially not another “first year” for Pitino?
Certainly not entirely but SJU did not sign the portal players they did to sit on the bench or play secondary roles. I just don’t see Pitino’s strength being putting “new” teams together.
I am a huge chemistry guy so we shall see.
Certainly not entirely but SJU did not sign the portal players they did to sit on the bench or play secondary roles. I just don’t see Pitino’s strength being putting “new” teams together.
I am a huge chemistry guy so we shall see.
Do you think there’s a better chance of growing pains with a returning player than with a new player?
IMO, one of the reasons Ledlum is as good an option is he is, is because he’s not a new piece.
I personally feel Ledlum returning could be the most important off-season development but that certainly stems from my views of the most influential salients needed for a successful team.
Larry Wright
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Would take chance on more athletic skilled player.
Larry Wright
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People on here wax poetic about the ST John’s undersized power forward. Well count me as someone who grew frustrated by all the shots thrown back at us.
For all the talk of Singleton learning how to play grounded, to me Ty Grant was really the guy who used his footwork the best and was able to more than hold his own. Middleton his one year starting was different in that though undersized, he was a good athlete as was Brownlee.
Minlend, Glover, Singleton and Ledlum just had a really hard time getting off shots. To me very disheartening watching layups get smashed away. In Singleton’s case the blocks were often violent.
This is a valid concern, although Pitino did say in one of the Red Storm Report segments that this year made him realize that he has to adjust his approach. Given the number of new guys, he said he would emphasize team chemistry, cohesiveness on the court and his system over the summer, with some emphasis (but less so early on) on player development. And then amp up the player development a little later in the offseason.
Apparently he was all about player development last summer, and team chemistry and his system in the late summer or fall, and didn’t realize the number of new players would take so long to gel. So, let’s see if he truly has learned something and if these adjustments help the team come together more quickly.
I hope so but Pitino learned that last year after proclaiming that his teams always struggled in his first year on a new job? Certainly being a bit cynical here but he didn’t stop and think about why that was before last year?
The big issue to me is where is the locker room leadership when there is little continuity of experience from last year? That’s why I think Ludlum returning would be a huge factor.
im with you on this one... I don't think anyone left on the board... or the names we've heard is a true Game Changer this season (think we got those guys already -> Smith/ Kadary).
I don't feel Watkins talent offers more than Ledlum's talent+experience
Boo Harvey
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if Ledlum comes back I think there’s a good chance Dingle will come back as well. We would have so much depth it would be crazy.
Larry Wright
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Impossible to play 12 guys
Especially since Watkins is really a three which we have plenty of. While undersized, Ledlum is a power forward, a leader and a guy who will leave it all on the floor and not worry too much about playing time. I'd love to see him get another year of eligibility. Hopefully we'll know in a week or two.
If Ledlum returns, you can add him to Luis, Zuby, Wilcher, Dunlap as guys who already know the system. There still is something positive about continuity.
No to mention, Ledlum is a selfless leader and should he return, will be coming in already understanding his role.
Sure, things are not exactly the same, but long ago in the dinosaur era, college teams were built this way.
Earlier you said you were worried about ledlum coming back and doing too much because of the lack of options. But previously you said there was no room for ledlum and another forward. Those thoughts seem to work against each other but maybe I’m confused.
But you’re right you can’t play 12. We should be so lucky to have that issue!
Larry Wright
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Having 12 guys who should conceivably get time is never a good issue. It is a disaster waiting to happen. Would just rather have Watkins.
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