Malik Stith Withdraws From Basketball Team, Will Remain As Student Assistant

Quote from: Marco Baldi on February 09, 2012, 08:12:04 AM

2 guys on a 7 man team quit midseason. All of a sudden, as a 2nd semester junior, Stith is having academic problems?

This is really sickening. You could say that you like his work ethic, but there obviously wasn't anything to like about his game. There is a lot to be said for finishing what you start. This team wasn't going to break any doors down this year, but of they played hard you could at least get behind them for the season considering what coach is going through.

Dunlap has done an awful job in coach's absence. He will never coach D1 ball anywhere. These defections are on him.

Dunlap has done a good job of improving our guys and developing their games.  I certainly think the team misses Lavin's presence a lot and he could offset some of Dunlap's personality.  Lavin and Dunlap were the good cop/bad cop which worked real well.  Now I think the team just had the bad cop thing.  Team certainly needs Lavin back, but I don't think our issues are Dunlap's fault. 

Quote from: Marco Baldi on February 09, 2012, 08:18:40 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on February 09, 2012, 08:08:49 AM

Quote from: Marco Baldi on February 09, 2012, 07:51:34 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on February 09, 2012, 07:44:08 AM

Quote from: Dave on February 09, 2012, 12:03:52 AM

Hurts losing less than 2 ppg for 15mpg this season, helps long term. He should have left with Omari but chose to ride it out. Unfortunate that things happen but in the end lets not make this out to be a bigger deal than it is.

Wish him the best and move on.

Well said Dave.  We aren't winning any NC's this year.  From what I saw yesterday, White can easily absorb Stith's minutes.  Stith has been a good citizen and kid for this team for a few years now.  We should stop worrying about the short term problems that this might cause ie. a month of play.  Overall, we have one more ship moving forward and a lot of recruiting for Lavin to do.  Regardless, our returning six are a fantastic core, but a lot of work to be done. 

These 2 posts might be worse than some of the stuff I post.

Baldi, people are making too much of a big deal out of this as being something greater than it is.  Yes we lost a kid who gave us a few minutes.  He averaged 2 ppg and was just a body to sub in to spell some of the guys.  It's not an indictment of the coach or some other type of sordid situation.  The drama about some bigger problem is absurd. 

What all this drama comes down to is that Lavin lost an entire team in one season and got cancer that same season.  Nothing more.  On every team there are issues with players.  Ours are compounded by trying to build an entire 13-man team in one season, something extremely difficult to do. 

I don't know why Stith isn't here any more, but it makes it more difficult for us for about a month and not longer.  We're still in rebuild-mode.  People don't like to accept it, but it's true.  Lavin could easily go out tomorrow and sign 6 warm bodies out of the PSAL and CHSAA.  I don't really think that is what he's trying to do here.

I dont want to beat the dead horse, cause its been addresed(sp) a billion times.  But having to replace the whole roster is this current staffs fault

How is having 12 open ships in one class their fault again Baldi?

Omari,Ron Roberts,Quincy and Polee could have helped no?

MCNPA -    what do you mean from what you saw yesterday.? He played two minutes and enter a 25 point blowout in GARBAGE time. He has played 6 minutes the entire season.  This kid is 6'4 - 200lbs, and ripped....  if he could have contributed anything this year he would have seen some time, even if it was 1 minute here and there to spell guys for a breather.

What is the difference between this season and the 04-05 team that won 9 games? If there is a difference, it's subtle.

Some of it is their fault. Ron Roberts and Quincy Roberts would help this group tremendously.

Ron Roberts and Quincy committed to Norm.  When a new coach and staff comes in, there are always changes.  We've certainly had some bad breaks, but regardless, it is a very difficult situation rebuilding an entire team and meshing potentially 12 freshmen.  It cause some problems for the kids like Quincy and Polee that the staff was recruiting soooo many guys.  It gave the appearance that thy were being recruited over, but really Lavs was just trying to replace two lines of players.  It sometimes causes problems.  Most teams don't have to deal with this in one season.

There is a remedy which entails Lavin grabbing a few players and getting back on the bench next season.  I believe that both are in the plans.

MCNPA -    what do you mean from what you saw yesterday.? He played two minutes and enter a 25 point blowout in GARBAGE time. He has played 6 minutes the entire season.  This kid is 6'4 - 200lbs, and ripped....  if he could have contributed anything this year he would have seen some time, even if it was 1 minute here and there to spell guys for a breather.

Meaning that he could provide almost what Stith has which is very little. 

Quote from: Poison on February 09, 2012, 08:23:36 AM

Some of it is their fault. Ron Roberts and Quincy Roberts would help this group tremendously.

Ron Roberts and Quincy committed to Norm.  When a new coach and staff comes in, there are always changes.  We've certainly had some bad breaks, but regardless, it is a very difficult situation rebuilding an entire team and meshing potentially 12 freshmen.  It cause some problems for the kids like Quincy and Polee that the staff was recruiting soooo many guys.  It gave the appearance that thy were being recruited over, but really Lavs was just trying to replace two lines of players.  It sometimes causes problems.  Most teams don't have to deal with this in one season.

There is a remedy which entails Lavin grabbing a few players and getting back on the bench next season.  I believe that both are in the plans.

Lavin asked everyone to transfer or told them to commit elsewhere no?

I don't understand how any SJ fan could simply laugh this off. This is the anchor of the team. Their captain, and he walks off the team in mid February? Lavin had better get here fast.

Ron Roberts wanted to come to SJU after Lavin was hired and they let the kid go, please don't say he wantee to play for only Norm.

Kids come and kids go, it happens but Ron Roberts was a clear whiff by the staff. He would be major contributor on this team.

Ron Roberts wanted to come to SJU after Lavin was hired and they let the kid go, please don't say he wantee to play for only Norm.

Kids come and kids go, it happens but Ron Roberts was a clear whiff by the staff. He would be major contributor on this team.

PMG youre wrong. I think he liked the St Joes campus better

Quote from: MCNPA on February 09, 2012, 08:29:53 AM

Quote from: Poison on February 09, 2012, 08:23:36 AM

Some of it is their fault. Ron Roberts and Quincy Roberts would help this group tremendously.

Ron Roberts and Quincy committed to Norm.  When a new coach and staff comes in, there are always changes.  We've certainly had some bad breaks, but regardless, it is a very difficult situation rebuilding an entire team and meshing potentially 12 freshmen.  It cause some problems for the kids like Quincy and Polee that the staff was recruiting soooo many guys.  It gave the appearance that thy were being recruited over, but really Lavs was just trying to replace two lines of players.  It sometimes causes problems.  Most teams don't have to deal with this in one season.

There is a remedy which entails Lavin grabbing a few players and getting back on the bench next season.  I believe that both are in the plans.

Lavin asked everyone to transfer or told them to commit elsewhere no?

Like who?  He told Stith when he came on that he might be better off at a different program.  He as probably right about that.  Ron Roberts wasn't his recruit and I believe thought it would be better for the kid to consider other options.  Other than that, I don't see how replacing 12 players in one season is this staff's fault.  Like I said, certainly we've had some bad luck with Polee and Nuri leaving and Jakarr and Pelle not qualifying.  Had those two, qualified, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

Ron Roberts wanted to come to SJU after Lavin was hired and they let the kid go, please don't say he wantee to play for only Norm.

Kids come and kids go, it happens but Ron Roberts was a clear whiff by the staff. He would be major contributor on this team.

Agree we could have used Roberts, but at the time I think the staff thought Polee was a better option, and he was until pops pulled the plug.  Hindsight is always 20/20.

Quote from: Marco Baldi on February 09, 2012, 08:37:38 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on February 09, 2012, 08:29:53 AM

Quote from: Poison on February 09, 2012, 08:23:36 AM

Some of it is their fault. Ron Roberts and Quincy Roberts would help this group tremendously.

Ron Roberts and Quincy committed to Norm.  When a new coach and staff comes in, there are always changes.  We've certainly had some bad breaks, but regardless, it is a very difficult situation rebuilding an entire team and meshing potentially 12 freshmen.  It cause some problems for the kids like Quincy and Polee that the staff was recruiting soooo many guys.  It gave the appearance that thy were being recruited over, but really Lavs was just trying to replace two lines of players.  It sometimes causes problems.  Most teams don't have to deal with this in one season.

There is a remedy which entails Lavin grabbing a few players and getting back on the bench next season.  I believe that both are in the plans.

Lavin asked everyone to transfer or told them to commit elsewhere no?

Like who?  He told Stith when he came on that he might be better off at a different program.  He as probably right about that.  Ron Roberts wasn't his recruit and I believe thought it would be better for the kid to consider other options.  Other than that, I don't see how replacing 12 players in one season is this staff's fault.  Like I said, certainly we've had some bad luck with Polee and Nuri leaving and Jakarr and Pelle not qualifying.  Had those two, qualified, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

So thats 5 bad decisions in 1 post

Polee is NOT a better player then Ron Roberts. Polee was more athletic and that was it, Roberts did everything else better on the court and is an fantastic rebounder for a kid his size.

2 guys on a 7 man team quit midseason. All of a sudden, as a 2nd semester junior, Stith is having academic problems?

Nuri quit when he was replaced by Phil Greene.  What makes me laugh is that you guys are trying to find the nevative with everything!  Stith couldn't be turned off by Branch being clearly better than him in practice?  Couldn't be turned off by Lavin adding another recruit this week?

Polee is NOT a better player then Ron Roberts. Polee was more athletic and that was it, Roberts did everything else better on the court and is an fantastic rebounder for a kid his size.

Yes but Polee wasnt from California with a nutjob father

Quote from: MCNPA on February 09, 2012, 08:44:19 AM

Quote from: Marco Baldi on February 09, 2012, 08:37:38 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on February 09, 2012, 08:29:53 AM

Quote from: Poison on February 09, 2012, 08:23:36 AM

Some of it is their fault. Ron Roberts and Quincy Roberts would help this group tremendously.

Ron Roberts and Quincy committed to Norm.  When a new coach and staff comes in, there are always changes.  We've certainly had some bad breaks, but regardless, it is a very difficult situation rebuilding an entire team and meshing potentially 12 freshmen.  It cause some problems for the kids like Quincy and Polee that the staff was recruiting soooo many guys.  It gave the appearance that thy were being recruited over, but really Lavs was just trying to replace two lines of players.  It sometimes causes problems.  Most teams don't have to deal with this in one season.

There is a remedy which entails Lavin grabbing a few players and getting back on the bench next season.  I believe that both are in the plans.

Lavin asked everyone to transfer or told them to commit elsewhere no?

Like who?  He told Stith when he came on that he might be better off at a different program.  He as probably right about that.  Ron Roberts wasn't his recruit and I believe thought it would be better for the kid to consider other options.  Other than that, I don't see how replacing 12 players in one season is this staff's fault.  Like I said, certainly we've had some bad luck with Polee and Nuri leaving and Jakarr and Pelle not qualifying.  Had those two, qualified, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

So thats 5 bad decisions in 1 post

Again, hindsight is always 20/20.   Telling Stith he was better off playing at a different level was a good decision.  At the time, it didn't look like we were going to need Roberts and we were landing Polee which was also a good decision.  We had Pelle and Jakarr committed with seemingly passing grades.  The NCAA wanted to make an example of them and Rise because we are not a BCS school.  Again, seemingly they would be qualified and the NCAA just screwed us because they wanted to.  To this day, NCAA never has done anything to disqualify Rise academy.  They just didn't want to clear our guys. 

It's always easy to look back at things that could have been done better.  We didn't know Nuri was going to be a head case, as all our other kids are great kids.  All-in-all, we have some really talented kids on this roster and we all knew that regardless this year would be a tough one.  We're still only a few decent recruits away from being a quality team should everybody return next year.  Lavin needs to grab some kids though, and I certainly am getting antsy about that too.

While my natural instinct is to agree w baldi and poison and yell from the rafters that Lavin has to come back ASAP so as not to lose any of our remaining six scholarship players, I have to imagine Lavin and the staff are COMPLETELY on the same page with these six, and if lavins absence was risking any further departures, he would come back. 

The mind boggling thing to me, which poison pointed out, is 2 guys have quit midseason.  Its just bizarre.  Something is not right.  If it was just Nuri, we could explain it away, but Nuri and Stith starts to form a pattern.  Something needs to be changed with the environment that Dunlap is setting, but I have faith the staff will address it.  And let's not put this all on dunlap, there are other assistants around too.

Marillac - I am sorry but your facts there are a bit off. Lindsey went to Lavin and complained about how he was being used, he was not being replaced by Phil Green. Lavin very politely told him that if he was that unhappy, he should leave.

Quote from: Marco Baldi on February 09, 2012, 08:52:11 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on February 09, 2012, 08:44:19 AM

Quote from: Marco Baldi on February 09, 2012, 08:37:38 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on February 09, 2012, 08:29:53 AM

Quote from: Poison on February 09, 2012, 08:23:36 AM

Some of it is their fault. Ron Roberts and Quincy Roberts would help this group tremendously.

Ron Roberts and Quincy committed to Norm.  When a new coach and staff comes in, there are always changes.  We've certainly had some bad breaks, but regardless, it is a very difficult situation rebuilding an entire team and meshing potentially 12 freshmen.  It cause some problems for the kids like Quincy and Polee that the staff was recruiting soooo many guys.  It gave the appearance that thy were being recruited over, but really Lavs was just trying to replace two lines of players.  It sometimes causes problems.  Most teams don't have to deal with this in one season.

There is a remedy which entails Lavin grabbing a few players and getting back on the bench next season.  I believe that both are in the plans.

Lavin asked everyone to transfer or told them to commit elsewhere no?

Like who?  He told Stith when he came on that he might be better off at a different program.  He as probably right about that.  Ron Roberts wasn't his recruit and I believe thought it would be better for the kid to consider other options.  Other than that, I don't see how replacing 12 players in one season is this staff's fault.  Like I said, certainly we've had some bad luck with Polee and Nuri leaving and Jakarr and Pelle not qualifying.  Had those two, qualified, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

So thats 5 bad decisions in 1 post

Again, hindsight is always 20/20.   Telling Stith he was better off playing at a different level was a good decision.  At the time, it didn't look like we were going to need Roberts and we were landing Polee which was also a good decision.  We had Pelle and Jakarr committed with seemingly passing grades.  The NCAA wanted to make an example of them and Rise because we are not a BCS school.  Again, seemingly they would be qualified and the NCAA just screwed us because they wanted to.  To this day, NCAA never has done anything to disqualify Rise academy.  They just didn't want to clear our guys. 

It's always easy to look back at things that could have been done better.  We didn't know Nuri was going to be a head case, as all our other kids are great kids.  All-in-all, we have some really talented kids on this roster and we all knew that regardless this year would be a tough one.  We're still only a few decent recruits away from being a quality team should everybody return next year.  Lavin needs to grab some kids though, and I certainly am getting antsy about that too.

Exactly, who sent them to Rise and why is this person still on the staff? And a returning lettermen, who told Lavin to go F himself, and is going to work his balls off to stay on the team quits midseason?