Who replaces Dunlap?

Quote from: desco80 on August 18, 2012, 08:40:35 PM

We'll play both defenses, no question.   But for the time being it certainly looks like we'll play a lot of zone, and full court pressure as well.
We have a team of good athletes but no true big man, and half court offense isn't our strength, so different zones are our best option most of the times this season.   

Down the road, I could see us playing more man when we have different personnel. 

Also, not really interested in Keady becoming an assistant, and baring some kind of surprising bad news I don't see it happening.   Dunlap didn't recruit a lot, but why handcuff yourself by hiring an assistant who will NEVER recruit?   Doesn't make sense to me. 
Plus, you can give lip service to the rules, but I think we get the full benefit of Keady's input now without having to list him as an assistant.   Not sure what more he would do as an assistant.

We do have a true big man now in Obekpa.  if you mean a true big man as in Rik Smits style, then you are correct.

MC, let me rephrase.  Now we have a true center, but Chris is a slightly undersized center that fits our team of athletes.
Last year we played against Fab Melo, Anthony Davis, Deng, Drummond, Henry Sims (x2), and Josh Smith ...  Chris has the size to play the center position no doubt, but I consider those guys true "bigs".   Taking nothing away from Obekpa.   My point was just that if we had an elite recruit like that the staff might be inclined to play more man to man.    As it is, we have a lot of great athletes who can run the floor - so it makes sense to stay in the zone longer than we might otherwise.   Our matchup zone is significantly different than Syracuse's zone... we ask our frontline to rotate all over the place, and that requires athleticism.   You rarely if ever saw Fab rotating to cover a shooter in the corner.     Long story short, the zone fits our personnel.  But I could see the staff molding the strategy depending on future recruits.

And CR, Zendon Hamilton was a very highly ranked center from the same class as Felipe Lopez.   Not sure what Zendon's final rankings were(I'm sure other posters probably know), but they were definitely up there. 

I dont think CO is done growing.

Not sure what Zendon's final rankings were(I'm sure other posters probably know), but they were definitely up there. 

Absolutely top 10, and I think 7.

Quote from: mjmaherjr on August 20, 2012, 06:32:02 PM

if you are going to stay for more than a few days you and kira and your brother-wife should come to napa with all of us

My stupid buddy just told me he is getting married that weekend. I'm out

any real friend will arrange his marriage factoring in friends st johns basketball travel schedules.

Blow the wedding off ( and use the wedding present money on the san fran trip ). lol

Quote from: MCNPA on August 20, 2012, 09:28:33 AM

Quote from: desco80 on August 18, 2012, 08:40:35 PM

We'll play both defenses, no question.   But for the time being it certainly looks like we'll play a lot of zone, and full court pressure as well.
We have a team of good athletes but no true big man, and half court offense isn't our strength, so different zones are our best option most of the times this season.   

Down the road, I could see us playing more man when we have different personnel. 

Also, not really interested in Keady becoming an assistant, and baring some kind of surprising bad news I don't see it happening.   Dunlap didn't recruit a lot, but why handcuff yourself by hiring an assistant who will NEVER recruit?   Doesn't make sense to me. 
Plus, you can give lip service to the rules, but I think we get the full benefit of Keady's input now without having to list him as an assistant.   Not sure what more he would do as an assistant.

We do have a true big man now in Obekpa.  if you mean a true big man as in Rik Smits style, then you are correct.

MC, let me rephrase.  Now we have a true center, but Chris is a slightly undersized center that fits our team of athletes.
Last year we played against Fab Melo, Anthony Davis, Deng, Drummond, Henry Sims (x2), and Josh Smith ...  Chris has the size to play the center position no doubt, but I consider those guys true "bigs".   Taking nothing away from Obekpa.   My point was just that if we had an elite recruit like that the staff might be inclined to play more man to man.    As it is, we have a lot of great athletes who can run the floor - so it makes sense to stay in the zone longer than we might otherwise.   Our matchup zone is significantly different than Syracuse's zone... we ask our frontline to rotate all over the place, and that requires athleticism.   You rarely if ever saw Fab rotating to cover a shooter in the corner.     Long story short, the zone fits our personnel.  But I could see the staff molding the strategy depending on future recruits.

And CR, Zendon Hamilton was a very highly ranked center from the same class as Felipe Lopez.   Not sure what Zendon's final rankings were(I'm sure other posters probably know), but they were definitely up there.

Obekpa is probably a legit 6'9".  I don't consider that to be real undersized in this day and age.  He wouldnt have been dwarfed by Davis, Dieng nor most of the leagues's centers.

This thread went from Dunlap's successor to a tour of San Fran to Obekpa's height

Lenn Robbins:
St. John's close to hiring former UCLA star Darrick Martin as assistant coach...He would replace Mike Dunlap #stjbb

Does anyone know what Martin is up to now?  Can't seem to find anything.

Lenn Robbins:
St. John's close to hiring former UCLA star Darrick Martin as assistant coach...He would replace Mike Dunlap #stjbb

Does anyone know what Martin is up to now?  Can't seem to find anything.

Was hired by Twolves in 2011 for Player Development.

I'm not sure he's ever 'coached' before.

Quote from: redmen4life on August 26, 2012, 01:48:07 PM

Lenn Robbins:
St. John's close to hiring former UCLA star Darrick Martin as assistant coach...He would replace Mike Dunlap #stjbb

Does anyone know what Martin is up to now?  Can't seem to find anything.

Was hired by Twolves in 2011 for Player Development.

I'm not sure he's ever 'coached' before.

Here you go - http://instagram.com/p/Nm6dboqzrt/

Quote from: Moose on August 26, 2012, 01:50:24 PM

Quote from: redmen4life on August 26, 2012, 01:48:07 PM

Lenn Robbins:
St. John's close to hiring former UCLA star Darrick Martin as assistant coach...He would replace Mike Dunlap #stjbb

Does anyone know what Martin is up to now?  Can't seem to find anything.

Was hired by Twolves in 2011 for Player Development.

I'm not sure he's ever 'coached' before.

Here you go - http://instagram.com/p/Nm6dboqzrt/

Don't usually "double-post" (JJ and Redmen), but this was the first I'd heard of the Martin possibility as Assistant:

Not many 5'11 PGS make it to the NBA, let alone stick around for 13 years. Those that do, usually get there by being lightening quick. Darrick wasn't. Even more unusual, it took Darrick 3 years in the hinterlands after graduation to GET to the NBA - he was a CBA MVP. Played in the old IBL. Like several former Bruins, he was even a Globetrotter. He got to the NBA and stayed there on smarts and toughness.

That isn't to say he wasn't quick. He was a McDonalds AA out of high school. Started from day 1 at UCLA - as a frosh, he played shooting guard, as that was Pooh Richardson's senior year. Then moved to PG as a soph. HE went undrafted out of college, as he'd lost his starting role late in his senior year. Folks thought he'd lost a step and was out of shape, and was beaten out by a frosh. That was only a perception. Folks just didn't "get" how fast and quick that unknown frosh that beat him out was - Tyus Edney. By comparison, Darrick LOOKED slow that year - but he really wasn't.

Darrick's NBA career lasted probably 5 years longer than it should have because of three things. He was an incredibly POSITIVE lockerroom presence, he was an exceptional MENTOR to younger PGS on varioius rosters, and was literally considered an "extra" assistant coach on the court, on the bench and in practice....

Early in his career he did have some ego issues, but he overcame that problem pretty quickly in the pros.

Don't know if there's really any interest there, but he'd be a heckuv an asset on any staff. He played for the TWolves, Clippers, Mavs, Kings, Raptors and Grizz - so he's got "cred" in almost all regions of the country for recruiting.

And yes, Steve and Darrick WERE at UCLA together. Darrick was a junior when Steve was hired off of Keady's staff by Jim Harrick for the '91 season.

With this hire I would want somebody that if, god forbid, Lavin couldn't coach, could easily slide into the head coach spot. Similar to what Dunlap did.  Based on the little that I know, I don't know that Martin fits that criteria. 

But as alway, In Lavin We Trust. 

With this hire I would want somebody that if, god forbid, Lavin couldn't coach, could easily slide into the head coach spot. Similar to what Dunlap did.  Based on the little that I know, I don't know that Martin fits that criteria. 

But as alway, In Lavin We Trust. 

I think it pretty much means we shouldnt worry about if Lavin can coach.  Because if there was doubt I would assume he would have picked a more experienced assistant.

Quote from: redmen4life on August 26, 2012, 03:36:23 PM

With this hire I would want somebody that if, god forbid, Lavin couldn't coach, could easily slide into the head coach spot. Similar to what Dunlap did.  Based on the little that I know, I don't know that Martin fits that criteria. 

But as alway, In Lavin We Trust. 

I think it pretty much means we shouldnt worry about if Lavin can coach.  Because if there was doubt I would assume he would have picked a more experienced assistant.

I don't think anyone ever "plans" on missing games. I don't think when Lavin hired Dunlap he planned on being out.  But anything can happen and I would think we'd want someone to lead the team if necessary.

Quote from: Moose on August 26, 2012, 04:09:06 PM

Quote from: redmen4life on August 26, 2012, 03:36:23 PM

With this hire I would want somebody that if, god forbid, Lavin couldn't coach, could easily slide into the head coach spot. Similar to what Dunlap did.  Based on the little that I know, I don't know that Martin fits that criteria. 

But as alway, In Lavin We Trust. 

I think it pretty much means we shouldnt worry about if Lavin can coach.  Because if there was doubt I would assume he would have picked a more experienced assistant.

I don't think anyone ever "plans" on missing games. I don't think when Lavin hired Dunlap he planned on being out.  But anything can happen and I would think we'd want someone to lead the team if necessary.

Yes anything can happen.  But I think if anyone knows they are healthy its a guy who just overcame cancer.  Like you said before in Lavin we Trust.  Head-scratching to me a bit as I would have preferred a guy like Boylen or someone who has actually been a coach.  But Lavin still hasnt done anything to doubt his decisions, 'yet'.

FWIW;

“@DanielJMartin_: Top candidates in mix for St. John's asst. coaching job, according to source: Darrick Martin, Jim Whitesell, Gene Keady, Frank Allocco”

Whitesell bio;

http://www.slubillikens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27200&ATCLID=205264830

FWIW;

“@DanielJMartin_: Top candidates in mix for St. John's asst. coaching job, according to source: Darrick Martin, Jim Whitesell, Gene Keady, Frank Allocco”

Don't see Whitesell going anywhere with Majerus now out for the year.  And Allocco is out.  And everyone knows my take on Keady.

“@DanielJMartin_: Were reports weeks back of Frank Allocco to St. John's being imminent & it didn't happen, so reports of done deal w/a candidate aren't new.”

Quote from: paultzman on August 26, 2012, 04:31:37 PM

FWIW;

“@DanielJMartin_: Top candidates in mix for St. John's asst. coaching job, according to source: Darrick Martin, Jim Whitesell, Gene Keady, Frank Allocco”

Don't see Whitesell going anywhere with Majerus now out for the year.  And Allocco is out.  And everyone knows my take on Keady.

I actually think Majerus' situation makes it more likely Whitesell will leave.  Think about it, he is not even sure Majerus will ever be the coach again at SLU and if he is not the next coach is going to want to hire his own staff which means he could be out of a job in a year anyway.  So this may be a prime opportunity to bolt for a good job with some stability at this point.

Quote from: Moose on August 26, 2012, 04:36:01 PM

Quote from: paultzman on August 26, 2012, 04:31:37 PM

FWIW;

“@DanielJMartin_: Top candidates in mix for St. John's asst. coaching job, according to source: Darrick Martin, Jim Whitesell, Gene Keady, Frank Allocco”

Don't see Whitesell going anywhere with Majerus now out for the year.  And Allocco is out.  And everyone knows my take on Keady.

I actually think Majerus' situation makes it more likely Whitesell will leave.  Think about it, he is not even sure Majerus will ever be the coach again at SLU and if he is not the next coach is going to want to hire his own staff which means he could be out of a job in a year anyway.  So this may be a prime opportunity to bolt for a good job with some stability at this point.

Interesting thought!