When Keita Returns

Don't know how anyone can tell yet how good Keita is or that he won't give us anything major. Word was that he was very good in practice all last year, and had a high upside. I just think it is premature to write off or discount the only big man we have. I don't care if he starts or comes off the bench. My hunch is he's a lot better than some have concluded based on the very few minutes played thus far. He brings an important aspect to this team we don't have now. I am hoping he gives us 20-25 solid minutes a game without too many fouls. To go far, we need minutes and production from him, and he extends the rotation in an important way.
 
Last edited:
redmanwest wrote: Don't know how anyone can tell yet how good Keita is or that he won't give us anything major. Word was that he was very good in practice all last year, and had a high upside. I just think it is premature to write off or discount the only big man we have. I don't care if he starts or comes off the bench. My hunch is he's a lot better than some have concluded based on the very few minutes played thus far. He brings an important aspect to this team we don't have now. I am hoping he gives us 20-25 solid minutes a game without too many fouls. To go far, we need minutes and production from him, and he extends the rotation in an important way.

Yes, Mullin was extremely high on Keita in the interview he did right before season started and the one game I saw him play he looked like he was both strong and athletic. Maybe he won't be as effective as advertised or hoped for, but it is way too early to know that. I do worry that he may be out longer than the 4-6 weeks first projected just because you never know with knee injuries. But I think to really compete at the top of the BE, we need him playing 15-20 mpg in 2019.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=305225]Being a Mets fan and after experiencing the LoVett fiasco, IMO we shouldn't expect him back at all. If he does come back this season, it's a bonus. This is his knee...these things linger frequently. I'll be happy if he comes back at all but thrilled if it's in time for conference play. Never take injury reports seriously and always assume the opposite when they seem to be minimized. May seem radical to some, but that's how I've been conditioned.[/quote]

Boy are you a ray of sunshine :)
 
[quote="redmanwest" post=305232]Don't know how anyone can tell yet how good Keita is or that he won't give us anything major. Word was that he was very good in practice all last year, and had a high upside. I just think it is premature to write off or discount the only big man we have. I don't care if he starts or comes off the bench. My hunch is he's a lot better than some have concluded based on the very few minutes played thus far. He brings an important aspect to this team we don't have now. I am hoping he gives us 20-25 solid minutes a game without too many fouls. To go far, we need minutes and production from him, and he extends the rotation in an important way.[/quote]

Good points. I'd add, having torn a meniscus, and having worked out on it sore for a week or two before it became insufferable, is that he could likely have been plagued by a sore knee that hampered his play but didn't keep him off the court till diagnosed as torn.
 
[quote="Section9" post=305197]Last time LJ was on the bench when Keita started. I don't think that's going to happen again. I think Chris sticks with the current lineup and brings Keita off the bench. Along with Dixon and Trimble he'll have an 8 man rotation.[/quote]

Trimble is a joke
 
[quote="stjohnnie75" post=305239][quote="Mike Zaun" post=305225]Being a Mets fan and after experiencing the LoVett fiasco, IMO we shouldn't expect him back at all. If he does come back this season, it's a bonus. This is his knee...these things linger frequently. I'll be happy if he comes back at all but thrilled if it's in time for conference play. Never take injury reports seriously and always assume the opposite when they seem to be minimized. May seem radical to some, but that's how I've been conditioned.[/quote]

Boy are you a ray of sunshine :)[/quote]

I'm a product of my environment! Seen this movie too many times...any time a joint like the knee is involved especially with a big man putting lots of pressure on it, you have to worry. I laughed when I saw the initial reports of "day to day" then when it was 4-6 weeks. Feel awful for the kid obviously, but I still have nightmares of Ray Ramirez telling us over and over with 5-6 different players every year that they were day to day. Then they would be gone for the season right after hearing that. Expect Keita not to be back this season and let's hope for the best. Better than expecting a quick recovery which usually does not happen with these things and being disappointed.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=305337][quote="stjohnnie75" post=305239][quote="Mike Zaun" post=305225]Being a Mets fan and after experiencing the LoVett fiasco, IMO we shouldn't expect him back at all. If he does come back this season, it's a bonus. This is his knee...these things linger frequently. I'll be happy if he comes back at all but thrilled if it's in time for conference play. Never take injury reports seriously and always assume the opposite when they seem to be minimized. May seem radical to some, but that's how I've been conditioned.[/quote]

Boy are you a ray of sunshine :)[/quote]

I'm a product of my environment! Seen this movie too many times...any time a joint like the knee is involved especially with a big man putting lots of pressure on it, you have to worry. I laughed when I saw the initial reports of "day to day" then when it was 4-6 weeks. Feel awful for the kid obviously, but I still have nightmares of Ray Ramirez telling us over and over with 5-6 different players every year that they were day to day. Then they would be gone for the season right after hearing that. Expect Keita not to be back this season and let's hope for the best. Better than expecting a quick recovery which usually does not happen with these things and being disappointed.[/quote]

Does anyone have any info on how Keita’s recovery is progressing? It’s been three weeks already, hasn’t it?
 
Let's stay positive. The end of the 6 week period is right before conference play. Although, I would be conservative and look for 1st couple of weeks in January. Only Keita and the doctors know. I'd rather see him take the time and not come back too early. Re-injured equals done for season.
 
[quote="sjc88" post=305341]Let's stay positive. The end of the 6 week period is right before conference play. Although, I would be conservative and look for 1st couple of weeks in January. Only Keita and the doctors know. I'd rather see him take the time and not come back too early. Re-injured equals done for season.[/quote]

We need him to be healthy. IMO, he will not be 100% anytime this season and will be used sparingly as a back up when he returns. Josh Roberts should be a main focus of development for the staff but I don't have a clue who works with bigs on this staff. We could have used Zendon this season.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=305343][quote="sjc88" post=305341]Let's stay positive. The end of the 6 week period is right before conference play. Although, I would be conservative and look for 1st couple of weeks in January. Only Keita and the doctors know. I'd rather see him take the time and not come back too early. Re-injured equals done for season.[/quote]

We need him to be healthy. IMO, he will not be 100% anytime this season and will be used sparingly as a back up when he returns. Josh Roberts should be a main focus of development for the staff but I don't have a clue who works with bigs on this staff. We could have used Zendon this season.[/quote]

If Kareem, Olajuwon, Ewing and the ghost of Wilt Chamberlain work with him every day he still would not be able to contribute right away. Earlington, Roberts and Williams were recruited as projects to hopefully be able to contribute down the line. Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good. But people expecting thee freshman who were recruited to be at end of bench to step right in are not being realistic.
 
Last edited:
[quote="we are sju" post=305345][quote="Class of 72" post=305343][quote="sjc88" post=305341]Let's stay positive. The end of the 6 week period is right before conference play. Although, I would be conservative and look for 1st couple of weeks in January. Only Keita and the doctors know. I'd rather see him take the time and not come back too early. Re-injured equals done for season.[/quote]

We need him to be healthy. IMO, he will not be 100% anytime this season and will be used sparingly as a back up when he returns. Josh Roberts should be a main focus of development for the staff but I don't have a clue who works with bigs on this staff. We could have used Zendon this season.[/quote]

If Kareem, Olajuwon, Ewing and the ghost of Wilt Chamberlain work with him every day he still would not be able to contribute right away. Earlington, Roberts and Williams were recruited as projects to hopefully be able to contribute down the line. Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good. But people expecting thee freshman who were recruited to be at end of bench to step right in are not being realistic.[/quote]

"Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good." ???

We have one of the best backcourts in D1 and our forwards can play with anyone. What we don't have is anyone over 6'7 who is "good". Even with Keita the roster makeup of the 4 and 5 positions was below top 25 program competitive levels.
It is this season's Achilles heal. Every year there is a missing part in this program. Last night I watched 6'10, 265 lb Grant Golden of Richmond against Jesse Govan. The kid was a beast. Mullin, on the other hand, is recruiting 6'9, 200 lb projects if we are to believe the Josh Roberts critics.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=305348][quote="we are sju" post=305345][quote="Class of 72" post=305343][quote="sjc88" post=305341]Let's stay positive. The end of the 6 week period is right before conference play. Although, I would be conservative and look for 1st couple of weeks in January. Only Keita and the doctors know. I'd rather see him take the time and not come back too early. Re-injured equals done for season.[/quote]

We need him to be healthy. IMO, he will not be 100% anytime this season and will be used sparingly as a back up when he returns. Josh Roberts should be a main focus of development for the staff but I don't have a clue who works with bigs on this staff. We could have used Zendon this season.[/quote]

If Kareem, Olajuwon, Ewing and the ghost of Wilt Chamberlain work with him every day he still would not be able to contribute right away. Earlington, Roberts and Williams were recruited as projects to hopefully be able to contribute down the line. Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good. But people expecting thee freshman who were recruited to be at end of bench to step right in are not being realistic.[/quote]

"Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good." ???

We have one of the best backcourts in D1 and our forwards can play with anyone. What we don't have is anyone over 6'7 who is "good". Even with Keita the roster makeup of the 4 and 5 positions was below top 25 program competitive levels.
It is this season's Achilles heal. Every year there is a missing part in this program. Last night I watched 6'10, 265 lb Grant Golden of Richmond against Jesse Govan. The kid was a beast. Mullin, on the other hand, is recruiting 6'9, 200 lb projects if we are to believe the Josh Roberts critics.[/quote]

Um yes, I agreed with you.
Again though I do not think this is just a Mullin problem. I think this goes back to Norm. ST John's is always scrambling for players. I do not think any coach since maybe Fran has had a recruiting plan. And in fairness ST John's back then was at least a somewhat desirable location. We try to get the best talent we can and then are forced to fill out the roster after we see what we get and mostly don't get. Doing the whole transfer U thing makes it even more difficult to "balance " the roster. Though I am not complaining about it anymore as it seems to be the only way we will get top talent.
Just remember who started for us at Center in NCAA tourney Lavin's last season.
 
Last edited:
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=305337][quote="stjohnnie75" post=305239][quote="Mike Zaun" post=305225]Being a Mets fan and after experiencing the LoVett fiasco, IMO we shouldn't expect him back at all. If he does come back this season, it's a bonus. This is his knee...these things linger frequently. I'll be happy if he comes back at all but thrilled if it's in time for conference play. Never take injury reports seriously and always assume the opposite when they seem to be minimized. May seem radical to some, but that's how I've been conditioned.[/quote]

Boy are you a ray of sunshine :)[/quote]

I'm a product of my environment! Seen this movie too many times...any time a joint like the knee is involved especially with a big man putting lots of pressure on it, you have to worry. I laughed when I saw the initial reports of "day to day" then when it was 4-6 weeks. Feel awful for the kid obviously, but I still have nightmares of Ray Ramirez telling us over and over with 5-6 different players every year that they were day to day. Then they would be gone for the season right after hearing that. Expect Keita not to be back this season and let's hope for the best. Better than expecting a quick recovery which usually does not happen with these things and being disappointed.[/quote]

I'm a lot older than Keita, but worked my ass off in PT and alternated with the gym. Within 6-8 weeks I was at 100% strength and mobility (able to leg press well more than my weight), had 100% range of motion, and was completely recovered. The surgeon told me I had lots of little tears that occurred over the years that he trimmed to provide less discomfort going forward. At some point, nearly everyone has a little arthritis in the knee joing but mine was very minor. Every knee is different, and Keita will have to be confident in himself to go full blast, but this is an injury, other than predisposition for future tears, that he should make a full and complete recovery in the time prescribed and come back at 100% once he is in game shape.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=305348][quote="we are sju" post=305345][quote="Class of 72" post=305343][quote="sjc88" post=305341]Let's stay positive. The end of the 6 week period is right before conference play. Although, I would be conservative and look for 1st couple of weeks in January. Only Keita and the doctors know. I'd rather see him take the time and not come back too early. Re-injured equals done for season.[/quote]

We need him to be healthy. IMO, he will not be 100% anytime this season and will be used sparingly as a back up when he returns. Josh Roberts should be a main focus of development for the staff but I don't have a clue who works with bigs on this staff. We could have used Zendon this season.[/quote]

If Kareem, Olajuwon, Ewing and the ghost of Wilt Chamberlain work with him every day he still would not be able to contribute right away. Earlington, Roberts and Williams were recruited as projects to hopefully be able to contribute down the line. Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good. But people expecting thee freshman who were recruited to be at end of bench to step right in are not being realistic.[/quote]

"Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good." ???

We have one of the best backcourts in D1 and our forwards can play with anyone. What we don't have is anyone over 6'7 who is "good". Even with Keita the roster makeup of the 4 and 5 positions was below top 25 program competitive levels.
It is this season's Achilles heal. Every year there is a missing part in this program. Last night I watched 6'10, 265 lb Grant Golden of Richmond against Jesse Govan. The kid was a beast. Mullin, on the other hand, is recruiting 6'9, 200 lb projects if we are to believe the Josh Roberts critics.[/quote]

How about some 6'10"-7'+ projects for a change?
 
[quote="Knight" post=305375][quote="Class of 72" post=305348][quote="we are sju" post=305345][quote="Class of 72" post=305343][quote="sjc88" post=305341]Let's stay positive. The end of the 6 week period is right before conference play. Although, I would be conservative and look for 1st couple of weeks in January. Only Keita and the doctors know. I'd rather see him take the time and not come back too early. Re-injured equals done for season.[/quote]

We need him to be healthy. IMO, he will not be 100% anytime this season and will be used sparingly as a back up when he returns. Josh Roberts should be a main focus of development for the staff but I don't have a clue who works with bigs on this staff. We could have used Zendon this season.[/quote]

If Kareem, Olajuwon, Ewing and the ghost of Wilt Chamberlain work with him every day he still would not be able to contribute right away. Earlington, Roberts and Williams were recruited as projects to hopefully be able to contribute down the line. Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good. But people expecting thee freshman who were recruited to be at end of bench to step right in are not being realistic.[/quote]

"Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good." ???

We have one of the best backcourts in D1 and our forwards can play with anyone. What we don't have is anyone over 6'7 who is "good". Even with Keita the roster makeup of the 4 and 5 positions was below top 25 program competitive levels.
It is this season's Achilles heal. Every year there is a missing part in this program. Last night I watched 6'10, 265 lb Grant Golden of Richmond against Jesse Govan. The kid was a beast. Mullin, on the other hand, is recruiting 6'9, 200 lb projects if we are to believe the Josh Roberts critics.[/quote]

How about some 6'10"-7'+ projects for a change?[/quote] How come Richmond can get a player like Grant and we have problems getting a big,
 
When Keita does return I hope CM lets him play through foul trouble. If he fouls in 15 minutes so be it. That’s 15 minutes more than we are getting now.
 
I miss us having a legitimate shot-blocker.
 
[quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=305380]
How come Richmond can get a player like Grant and we have problems getting a big,[/quote] He's from Virginia.

He's also a redshirt soph. We can get him to transfer after next season.
 
Last edited:
[quote="Knight" post=305375][quote="Class of 72" post=305348][quote="we are sju" post=305345][quote="Class of 72" post=305343][quote="sjc88" post=305341]Let's stay positive. The end of the 6 week period is right before conference play. Although, I would be conservative and look for 1st couple of weeks in January. Only Keita and the doctors know. I'd rather see him take the time and not come back too early. Re-injured equals done for season.[/quote]

We need him to be healthy. IMO, he will not be 100% anytime this season and will be used sparingly as a back up when he returns. Josh Roberts should be a main focus of development for the staff but I don't have a clue who works with bigs on this staff. We could have used Zendon this season.[/quote]

If Kareem, Olajuwon, Ewing and the ghost of Wilt Chamberlain work with him every day he still would not be able to contribute right away. Earlington, Roberts and Williams were recruited as projects to hopefully be able to contribute down the line. Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good. But people expecting thee freshman who were recruited to be at end of bench to step right in are not being realistic.[/quote]

"Roster makeup as far as guard to forward is not good." ???

We have one of the best backcourts in D1 and our forwards can play with anyone. What we don't have is anyone over 6'7 who is "good". Even with Keita the roster makeup of the 4 and 5 positions was below top 25 program competitive levels.
It is this season's Achilles heal. Every year there is a missing part in this program. Last night I watched 6'10, 265 lb Grant Golden of Richmond against Jesse Govan. The kid was a beast. Mullin, on the other hand, is recruiting 6'9, 200 lb projects if we are to believe the Josh Roberts critics.[/quote]

How about some 6'10"-7'+ projects for a change?[/quote]

Like Bol-Bol? Rowan, Barrett, Bol. Everywhere where St. John's should have been on their list because of Mullin we bombed. Every local player except Ponds, we bombed. Let's see if year four of recruiting changes that history.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top