As he turns his head to left side to answer a reporter’s question, the text becomes just visible above his buttoned shirt collar. In darkly-colored, flowing script about an inch and a half above his collarbone are two words: “Big Play”. To anyone who could not live up to the nickname, it would have been a mistake to tattoo such a moniker on one’s skin. But, for DJ Kennedy, it more so serves as a warning, a way of letting the defense know what he is capable of any time he touches the basketball.
“Big Play” DJ Kennedy is sitting alongside his fellow senior teammates Malik Boothe and Paris Horne, answering questions at Big East Media Day at Madison Square Garden. It is interesting to note how cool, calm, and collected Kennedy appears, leaning slightly forward with his fingers laced on his lap. He carries himself with the composure of a seasoned businessman, explaining his answers with a subtle but sure confidence, his speech peppered with evidence of the accent of his hometown, Pittsburgh.
Most of today’s questions revolve around new head coach Steve Lavin and the rumored “rebirth” of St. John’s Basketball. Kennedy’s answers are explanatory and well thought-out, responding to each in a few sentences, the product of three solid years of media exposure. But, with one question, it seems his guard is let down, as if he is speaking from the heart of a true ballplayer who wants to make sure the point is driven home. When asked about the new culture developing amongst the fans after the big turnout at Red Storm Tip-off, Kennedy makes a shift. No more long explanations, he is short and to the point. He answers in just one sentence, four words.
“The buzz is here.”
As a member of the Class of 2007 that has been the strong foundation of this St. John’s program the past three seasons, Kennedy fully came into his own last season as a junior, leading the team in scoring, minutes, rebounds, assists, and 3-point percentage. Using his bulky, muscular 6’6” frame, he has become a versatile swingman and realized the true potential that he carried with him since coming to St. John’s.
After averaging 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game last season as a junior, he comes into this season with the prestigious honor of 2nd team All-Big East and the star of a team projected to finish 6th in the conference, its highest preseason ranking since 1999.
Not only are there high expectations for this squad of nine seniors, but, with new head coach Steve Lavin, they will be forced to make a transition to a new system and coaching staff day-by-day as the season progresses.
For this to be a seamless transfer of power, one player must step up and be the leader, and Kennedy seems to be the man to do it. As the focal point of the team last season, and possessing all the qualities and evident maturity he needs coming into this season, this is his time.
One of the biggest questions that faced this team in the wake of Norm Roberts firing was how these nine seniors, recruited by and coached by Roberts for three seasons, would respond to a new staff with new personalities and new coaching styles.
“[The transition] has been pretty easy,” Kennedy said of the past six months. “They’re giving us more responsibility and teaching us how to be men and win.”
It seems now more than ever that this team, and Kennedy in particular, understands what it takes to be successful. By shoring up the top of the program, there has been a trickle-down effect to guys like DJ Kennedy who are now more cognizant of their roles as leaders and how they can change games with this new found leadership.
“Listening to coaches alone is making people better. They talk about the little things like guarding screens and hitting open shots.” Kennedy explained at media day. ” We feel like those close games that we lost last year, we can put away now.”
It is this deeper understanding of the game and increased basketball IQ that will change him from simply a very talented player, to the star and emotional leader who leads his team by example. “This summer was all hard work. No vacations, no days off.”
Some draft outlets project DJ Kennedy to be selected late in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft, but, with increased production (perhaps over 20 points per game, 7 rebounds)and leading St. John’s to their first NCAA since 2002, he could conceivably sneak close into the late first round.
With Coach Lavin having recruited and developed such NBA talent as Jason Kapono, Earl Watson, and Baron Davis at UCLA, Kennedy realizes how much Lavin could help improve his game. “He brings a lot of experience in working with NBA guys and we’ll all continue to work and see what we can do.”
But, much work lies ahead before any talk of an NBA future for Kennedy. The 2010-2011 season for St. John’s has all the makings of one of the most successful in a number of years.
Taking one final question, Kennedy, in full confidence, sums up the sense of urgency that exists within this team.
“No one in the conference wants it more than we do.”
You really painted a great portrait of DJ, Dan. It’s amazing how these guys have grown since they were freshman. I remember when their voices cracked in interviews and now they have more swag than a Lil Wayne concert.
I can’t wait for the season to begin!
dj sucks this year