Which recruit is most important to our success next year?

Obviously, we want all of our recruits to succeed next year but the reality is there will be struggles.  Out of all the incoming recruits, which one do you think is most important to our success.  I keep going back and forth between Lindsey and Pelle.  We're going to need Lindsey to play point, score the ball and I have a feeling he's going to take on a strong leadership role.  If Pelle can go out there and use that crazy athleticism to get rebounds and block shots then we can get out in transition and get easy baskets.  We don't have a tremendous amount of size coming in and Pelle is our biggest guy (right now at least) so he has an awesome opportunity to start at center.  Hopefully he seizes the opportunity and plays well from day 1. 

  I'll go with Lindsey and his ability to handle point guard duties.   I think Harrison and Pointer will be the closest to sure things we have in respect what can be expected and what they will bring.  Harrison will shoot and score. Pointer will do a little bit of everything and be our best perimeter defender.

Before I read your post I was thinking the exact same thing-Lindsey or Pelle. But if I had to pick one it would have to be Lindsey just because of pt g being the most impt position-like QB in football. He has to get the ball to everyone else in their best positions on the floor as well as play D and score some himself. Second most impt position is center-rebounding, defense, and shot-blocking. Any offense including put backs would be gravy and also help. I think we got 2 good ones.

I think you have to go with the first recruit signed, Maurice Harkless. He was the first one to be promised things and I'm not exactly sure of what that is but I'm certain it was to be the centerpiece. He's going to need shots and probably deserves them. Can he step up and be a leader? Can he be a go-to player? I think he's the biggest piece of the puzzle.

Lindsey and Harrison are scorers they'll find their buckets while Sampson, Pelle, Polee will find their hustle/transition points. I think Pointer and Garrett are contempt with being complimentary players in terms of scoring.

I think you have to go with the first recruit signed, Maurice Harkless. He was the first one to be promised things and I'm not exactly sure of what that is but I'm certain it was to be the centerpiece. He's going to need shots and probably deserves them. Can he step up and be a leader? Can he be a go-to player? I think he's the biggest piece of the puzzle.

Lindsey and Harrison are scorers they'll find their buckets while Sampson, Pelle, Polee will find their hustle/transition points. I think Pointer and Garrett are contempt with being complimentary players in terms of scoring.

Dave, you say you arent sure what Harkless was promised then you say you are certain he was promised to be the centerpiece...which one? lol

Quote from: Dave on April 23, 2011, 06:02:54 PM

I think you have to go with the first recruit signed, Maurice Harkless. He was the first one to be promised things and I'm not exactly sure of what that is but I'm certain it was to be the centerpiece. He's going to need shots and probably deserves them. Can he step up and be a leader? Can he be a go-to player? I think he's the biggest piece of the puzzle.

Lindsey and Harrison are scorers they'll find their buckets while Sampson, Pelle, Polee will find their hustle/transition points. I think Pointer and Garrett are contempt with being complimentary players in terms of scoring.

Dave, you say you arent sure what Harkless was promised then you say you are certain he was promised to be the centerpiece...which one? lol

Let me clarify...I don't know specifically if he was promised to play 25-30 min or 30-35 min.....10 shots or 20 shots but I do know he was promised to be the focal point of the offense. If he takes a back seat to some guys I could foresee that being a problem. Does that make more sense?

Pelle will be the difference between a good and great season if gives us more than the average skinny freshman big man.

I think you have to go with the first recruit signed, Maurice Harkless. He was the first one to be promised things and I'm not exactly sure of what that is but I'm certain it was to be the centerpiece. He's going to need shots and probably deserves them. Can he step up and be a leader? Can he be a go-to player? I think he's the biggest piece of the puzzle.

Lindsey and Harrison are scorers they'll find their buckets while Sampson, Pelle, Polee will find their hustle/transition points. I think Pointer and Garrett are contempt with being complimentary players in terms of scoring.

Ya Dave, I was thinking Harkless also. I think the kid from Queens will want to finish what Hardy,Burrell,Boothe started in their home city. Get St. Johns back on the college basketball map! I also think Polee and Stith are crucial, not only on the court but in the locker room-show these kids what needs to be done in Big East play.

O/T stupid question. Does a scholarship player have to live on campus?

  Understand your guys stance a little bit, but....   Harkless is one of 3 or 4 guys that can be interchangeable.  If we are talking about what is most important to our success NEXT year, i don't see how it can't be the guy playing the most important position on the court. Especially since it's not his natural position.  Just my two pennies.....

  Just because Harkless may have been promised minutes or being the focal point doesn't mean if things don't work out the staff won't make adjustments.  The staff proved that last year. The yo-yo-ing of Evans , Burrell being bounced around, and Hardy moving to point.  This staff isn't going to be handcuffed by an 18 year old freshman.  Am i off base with this logic? 

  Understand your guys stance a little bit, but....   Harkless is one of 3 or 4 guys that can be interchangeable.  If we are talking about what is most important to our success NEXT year, i don't see how it can't be the guy playing the most important position on the court. Especially since it's not his natural position.  Just my two pennies.....

  Just because Harkless may have been promised minutes or being the focal point doesn't mean if things don't work out the staff won't make adjustments.  The staff proved that last year. The yo-yo-ing of Evans , Burrell being bounced around, and Hardy moving to point.  This staff isn't going to be handcuffed by an 18 year old freshman.  Am i off base with this logic? 

Dealing with inherited seniors is a lot different than recruited freshman. I have no doubt that the staff will make proper adjustments but its my own personal belief that Harkless stepping up into a lead role is crucial for everything else to fall into place.

Someone like Garrett knew the other guys were already coming in and still signed on board. Harkless signed on knowing he was #1 and others would fall underneath him. More a mental thing but I think its pivotal.

Also anyone saying Pelle/Sampson is on the money too because St. John's needs one if not both to be big time contributors down low.

  Understand your guys stance a little bit, but....   Harkless is one of 3 or 4 guys that can be interchangeable.  If we are talking about what is most important to our success NEXT year, i don't see how it can't be the guy playing the most important position on the court. Especially since it's not his natural position.  Just my two pennies.....

  Just because Harkless may have been promised minutes or being the focal point doesn't mean if things don't work out the staff won't make adjustments.  The staff proved that last year. The yo-yo-ing of Evans , Burrell being bounced around, and Hardy moving to point.  This staff isn't going to be handcuffed by an 18 year old freshman.  Am i off base with this logic? 

A promise from a college coach is as good as a promise from a politician or pimp. With next years roster, I would think if youre not practicing hard enough or producing-you will take a seat next to Dunlap and the priest. Alot of interchangeable parts

I think Pelle will be the most important piece of the puzzle.  His shot blocking ability and athleticism will be so valuable in our zone defense. If he can score the basketball consitantely I think we can we can really suprise people next year.

  Not trying to diminish Harkless' importance next year, of course he's important.  Let me try and put it this way.  From a team perspective,  If Lindsey comes in next year and sucks are we worse, or better off, than if harkless comes in an he sucks?  If Harkless sucks and Lindsey is great, we are better off next year than if Lindsey stinks and Harkless is great because we don't have a point guard, or Stith is playing 30 a night.

 Of course, i think they will all be great, so its a moot point. 


 Good point about coaches promises Baldi.  I agree 100%