I promise that this will be my last post in this vein.
I recognize that it's a good thing for a fan base to become excited and hopefully engaged. Even if it's two chowderheads like you guys. Far be it from me to rain on that parade.
I realize that you hated the last coach - but love the current coach that you had never heard of just a couple of months ago.
I loved the last coach, as all real St. John fans did, - and being a rational individual am ambivalent and indifferent about the current coach as I know little about him; have never seen him coach a game; and his record is 0 - 0. He has my full support, as all St. John coaches do, and I wish him success and a fruitful tenure here.
You throw words like culture and system around like that's meaningful. It's not. It's gobeleegook. This is basketball - not anthropology.
Terms like hard work and discipline too. This is basketball - not the marine corp. The truth is you've never seen a practice or him coach a game live and have no ideas what he's telling and showing his charges. I'd bet St. Jean never told the team to work soft and be undisciplined.
You probably know about the same that I do about the Razorback. Next to nothing. Yes, he's had some success elsewhere which is encouraging. He's a Nolan Richardson disciple which should make things interesting. All college bball fans have fond memories of "40 minutes of hell" and Westhead's Loyola Marymount.
I understand that you're enamored with Anderson simply because he's not Mullin. I don't want to temper anyone's enthusiasm for the upcoming season but take a more wait and see/show me attitude towards our plethora of new coaches.
In March of 1985 I was finishing up 1st grade. Still I became a St. John’s fan in the late 80’s. Probably because of Chris mullin. My dad took me to games because I begged him. He was not a fan.
Mullin played for golden st. Back then they were never on Tv. By the time I really saw mullin he was a role player. Still I was proud of him. Dream team was great.
I watched his press conference. I was excited like everyone. But he didn’t do anything he said he was going to do.
To many fans were like you. Give the guy a pass. Cup board isn’t full. Trust the process. Coach Mullin’s short comings were obvious. An intervention should have happend. Look back when I first suggested that St. Jean was really coaching, look at what was said to me. I also suggested that Mitch be fired. Go read what was written. He made mistakes. He could have easily fixed them. He could have worked harder. He could have actually been “Chris Mullin” and went to every gym like he said he would. NYC was ready to embrace him. He didn’t want it. (Check out what Ewing is doing in comparison)
After 4 years of watching this losing I can’t believe you don’t believe culture is important. Transfer U doesn’t work. We don’t need 5 star players. We don’t need our star player changing his game to try and make the NBA. The kid from seton hall isn’t like that. He probably won’t make the NBA but he is a great college player. He will not be going through the motions.
I was a Steve Lavin fan and will always be. I thank him for the 5 years he was here. At NO TIME did I or do I think he was great coach. I think Anderson can be better. Those are reasonable expectations. Win 20 games and have a chance to the tournament most years.
What if DJ didn’t get hurt? That year could have been more special. I wish Harrison and company had more success. But I really enjoyed their 4 years. Anderson can deliver 4 years like that. He has done it.
For the life of me I have no idea why you are so proud of last season. That team should have achieved so much more. So much talent wasted.