Who is the Go-To Guy?

Almost like a disease, the 2009-2010 Red Storm always seemed to be struck with a sort of 2nd Half sickness, buckling at the knees late when the score tightened, and losing very win-able games.

In places where West Virginia had Da’Sean Butler and Villanova had Scottie Reynolds, the Johnnies lacked a true go-to player down the stretch.

This year, as it has in years past, falls on the shoulders of 6 foot 6 inch forward DJ Kennedy. Despite being the team’s leading scorer at 15.1, many of his points came at the back end of blowout games already decided far earlier. Where Kennedy lacked was ability to take the ball in the crucial point of an important conference game and make the game “his”.

He has still not shown that, when the offense is stalling and momentum is swinging in the wrong direction, he can become the focal point and seal a game for St. John’s. Where seasoned stars rise and up and lead their teams, Kennedy has struggled to break away from the pack and be a game-changer.

But, he has all the makings of a player of that caliber. With his length at 6’6″, he can get to the basket off the dribble and, if the defense is drawn in, he can step out and knock down the three ball. At this point, it is a matter of “putting it all together”, which could be helped along with an experienced and winning coach in new arrival Steve Lavin.

By working with Lavin, the multiple facets of Kennedy’s game should be shuffled around so they fit more sensibly into the offensive mindset that is established in the half court.

That part belongs to the coaching staff, but quite a bit becomes Kennedy’s responsibility. He must learn to play more under control, limiting turnovers and realizing when to give the ball up. Problems arose last year when he tried to do too much, driving into closed lanes, forcing passes, and taking off-balance and, simply put, bad shots.

For DJ Kennedy, 2010 will be as much about maturity as it will be about results on the court. If he plays like the senior leader that he now has the chance to be, the Johnnies prospects brighten considerably.

There is a lot riding on this season for him, not just with the real possibility of an NCAA berth, but also his future at the next level. Various draft outlets bring his name up as a possible late 2nd round pick this coming year’s draft. If he puts the Johnnies on his back and carries them to the top of the Big East standings, he might just get his NBA dreams realized.

Dan Martin
St. John’s 2013
@Dan_MartinWSJU

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What is a go to guy? Ask any St. Johns fans and they will say they don’t know since it’s been a long time since they’ve seen one. A go to guy is that guy that when the game starts will take the ball and start up the offense. He is the guy that will keep you in the game no matter how poor the rest of the team is performing and when it comes to crunch time at the end of the game, he is the one you want holding the ball whether it is to score or set up others.

For St. Johns it has been a problem locating that “go to guy”. Last year forward D.J. Kennedy would have been assumed to be the go to guy but he didn’t fit all the criteria that was needed. Sure he led the team in points but he couldn’t close out games and when the team got cold he seemed to get cold too.

In my opinion for this year to be a big year for the Johnnies, power forward Justin Burrell must be St. Johns go to guy.

In the Big East you got to play BIG. Guards can score all they want but if you don’t have a guy in the middle that can get you the easy paint points and grab rebounds you are left with missed opportunities and costly mistakes that could change the game in a negative manner.

Justin Burrell has a great build, 6-8 220lbs with raw athletic ability that if coached properly could be a great use for any team. After an impressive rookie campaign where he averaged 11ppg and 6rpg, Burrell has steadily fallen to 9ppg and 4rpg in ‘09 and 7ppg and 4rpg this past season. This year Burrell has to be a 16-17ppg and 10rpg kind of guy.

Two players Burrell needs to shape his game out to be like for this year is DeJuan Blair and Greg Monroe. Both Blair and Monroe are currently in the NBA and both players were the “go to guy” for their teams. Blair was a bulky guy down low that had amazing rebound skills and had the right skill set offensively to score. Monroe was a lengthy guy who had good post moves and even better passing skills.

Burrell has to learn to be half of what both these players were. On defense he must continuously crash the boards making sure he muscles anyone in the paint out and grabbing all rebounds. On offense he has to get down low and work his man down. If he can get an easy lay up or dunk take it. If not look for a cutting player like Paris Horne or Dwayne Polee or kick it out to the shooters Dwight Hardy and Kennedy. You win basketball inside out. Shooting goes cold, layups and dunks do not so for the Johnnies to make an impact this year in the Big East, Justin “JB” Burrell needs to size up and be the “go to guy”.

Timmy Dzeladini-Dimas
St. John’s 2013
@TimmyD_WSJU