Damn everybody already knew this but Christian jones is a freak! That could have won an nba contest.
Tip-Off Friday, October 25
- Thread starter panther2
- Start date
Damn everybody already knew this but Christian jones is a freak! That could have won an nba contest.
I'm a fan of his game. I think alongside a good rebounder he can have a good impact. He has good patience with the ball and is an above average passer and shooter. His rebounding and length are what hinders him the most.
I saw a link to Lavin's talk to the crowd:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/player-highlights-basketball/stjohns/STJ-Slam-Dunk-Competition-1120312
Edit: Sorry, I can't find the direct link...At the end of the slam dunk video there are several videos listed and one of them is Steve Lavin addressing the crowd and then another one of Lavin talking about Midnight Madness
http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/player-highlights-basketball/stjohns/STJ-Slam-Dunk-Competition-1120312
Edit: Sorry, I can't find the direct link...At the end of the slam dunk video there are several videos listed and one of them is Steve Lavin addressing the crowd and then another one of Lavin talking about Midnight Madness
.
FWIW, he had a fantastic dunk during the game at MSG last year against Marquette. Only time he really displayed his althetiscism in an actual game...
Lavin speaks on recruiting philosophy and family atmosphere at SJU.
Briscoe pretty much echoed this in his Zags article.
Even if I wasn't an alumni or even a fan of SJU, I'd have nothing but respect for the way he explained his intentions regarding recruiting. Very honest.
We'll miss out on a lot of recruits that love the social media attention and promises of being a star, a starter or a 1st round draft pick, but at least they know what they're stepping into if they choose to commit here.
http://screen.yahoo.com/popular/steve-lavin-midnight-madness-225541214-cbs.html
Briscoe pretty much echoed this in his Zags article.
Even if I wasn't an alumni or even a fan of SJU, I'd have nothing but respect for the way he explained his intentions regarding recruiting. Very honest.
We'll miss out on a lot of recruits that love the social media attention and promises of being a star, a starter or a 1st round draft pick, but at least they know what they're stepping into if they choose to commit here.
http://screen.yahoo.com/popular/steve-lavin-midnight-madness-225541214-cbs.html
tom in salem
Well-known member
Great point. I think that goes hand-in-hand with team chemistry and the character of the program. Recruits looking for attention and promises can often be the ones that cause the most headaches once they are here. While it may hurt to miss out on their talent, the kids you do get are more likely to buy into the team concept.
I look at how this Harrison situation played out as a prime example. Just seems so unusual in today's game that a rocky season like last between he and Lavin would end with the player returning (and both player and coach wanting that to be the case) as opposed to transferring. To me that speaks volumes about the culture Lavin has created within the program, and a lot of that has to do with the type of kids you bring in.
Seems to me we have really great kids, always look like they are enjoying being part of this team, giving credit to their teammates, shouting out other SJU programs on social media, and representing the school well. It's a pleasure to see and makes following the program that much more enjoyable.
ayy look at Dlo getting up!
I would have been nice if the school had a video of the scrimmage so us out of towners could view it.
I hear what you are saying, and I agree to some extent that coach is very above-board in letting kids know his intentions for them. Very upfront and honest, or so it seems. But I think you're being naive if you think he doesn't kiss their butts and tell them they'll be a star here right away, and how they could get to the NBA 1-2-3. It's not a knock on him personally, but that's a big part of the job description for being a major college basketball coach. Half his job is being a salesman. So I don't believe for a second that he doesn't guarantee kids playing time. Maybe not always, but for the right kids and in the right situations, I'm sure he guarantees everything, including the kitchen sink. And while I love our guys, they're just as much primadonnas as the avg D1 ballplayer.
Our program might be better than most, but the model for the whole industry is still based on blowing smoke up kids a$$es. Our coach isn't immune to it, and our players aren't an exception to the rule.
Oh I'm sure he points to consecutive conference rookies of the year and props their heads up on great exposure.
But I was more talking about telling a kid that he'd be the man, sort of above the team. I have no doubt he massages egos. But I don't think he guarantees playing time, being a starter or anything like that. Rysheed even said over the summer that he has no idea if he'd be a starter but that he'd have to earn it.
You think a Fran Dunphy or a Kevin Willard would dare say that?
And if you think Jakarr is a primadonna then I think that's crazy. He's the reigning ROY and is as humble as they get.
I'll piggyback you a bit, Alum.
I can recall many of the 2011 recruits mentioning Lavin being a straight-shooter of sorts, and telling them what they needed to hear, instead of wanting to hear.
I'm sure he plays the game like most of his peers, but he has a certain way of conducting and relating to these kids (and, probably their parents, as well) in which they feel they can truly trust him.