ESPN Inside Article about SJU from Media Day

Quote from: Marco Baldi on October 22, 2012, 07:33:39 AM

Who was that poster in the "prediction" thread that said Jones would be the top freshman?

Haha I believe it was the dean himself

Craig Smith was an unknown recruit who led BC to several NCAA tourney as well as ended one of our seasons in the Big East tourney as a Freshmen. Another big bodied undersized powerforward

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on October 22, 2012, 12:56:53 PM

Craig Smith was an unknown recruit who led BC to several NCAA tourney as well as ended one of our seasons in the Big East tourney as a Freshmen. Another big bodied undersized powerforward

Very good college player but how did he do in NBA-don't think he made it and for sure didn't have any impact. As for Jones he may get away with being a PF in college but he in no way is big enough for PF in the NBA.

Quote from: Celtics11 on October 22, 2012, 08:41:15 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on October 22, 2012, 12:56:53 PM

Craig Smith was an unknown recruit who led BC to several NCAA tourney as well as ended one of our seasons in the Big East tourney as a Freshmen. Another big bodied undersized powerforward

Very good college player but how did he do in NBA-don't think he made it and for sure didn't have any impact. As for Jones he may get away with being a PF in college but he in no way is big enough for PF in the NBA.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/craig_smith/#$/playerfile/craig_smith/index.html

Plenty of unknowns who played in the league. Scottie Pippin. Karl Malone. John Stockton. Steve Nash. Charles Oakley.                                                         
Thanks for the info. My point was not unknowns making the league but that his size works against him if he can only be a PF, I think C Smith was 6'8 and even bulkier than the 6'6 C Jones but hey I always root for our guys to make it to the NBA.

Quote from: Celtics11 on October 22, 2012, 08:41:15 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on October 22, 2012, 12:56:53 PM

Craig Smith was an unknown recruit who led BC to several NCAA tourney as well as ended one of our seasons in the Big East tourney as a Freshmen. Another big bodied undersized powerforward

Very good college player but how did he do in NBA-don't think he made it and for sure didn't have any impact. As for Jones he may get away with being a PF in college but he in no way is big enough for PF in the NBA.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/craig_smith/#$/playerfile/craig_smith/index.html

Plenty of unknowns who played in the league. Scottie Pippin. Karl Malone. John Stockton. Steve Nash. Charles Oakley.

Quote from: Poison on October 22, 2012, 12:00:39 PM

Quote from: ras on October 22, 2012, 11:53:50 AM

For a player that wasnt highly recruited, its amazing that people are talking about him like he has top 100 talent. Sounds like he ll be a pleasant surprise. Time will tell .

They're talking about him like he's a top 5 recruit.

I think Jones has officially overtaken Nuri as the most highly anticipated great unknown recruit of the Lavin era.  I have no idea what we have in him or how he will pan out but it's encouraging to hear such positive quotes from people like lavin and Nate Blue and others who have seen him and know talent.  All I know is that Lavin had a limited number of Scholly's left and wasn't planning on using another one for the 2012 class BUT...that all changed immediately when the staff scouted Jones. 

If Jones turns out to be a starter-level type talent on an NCAA Touney team in the next few years then he will give Lavin his first diamond-in-the-rough recruit at St Johns and re-establish Lavin as an extraordinary evaluator of talent in addition to great recruiter.  I'm going to be rooting for this kid!

Quote from: QueensToCali on October 22, 2012, 12:40:37 PM

Quote from: Poison on October 22, 2012, 12:00:39 PM

Quote from: ras on October 22, 2012, 11:53:50 AM

For a player that wasnt highly recruited, its amazing that people are talking about him like he has top 100 talent. Sounds like he ll be a pleasant surprise. Time will tell .

They're talking about him like he's a top 5 recruit.

I think Jones has officially overtaken Nuri as the most highly anticipated great unknown recruit of the Lavin era.  I have no idea what we have in him or how he will pan out but it's encouraging to hear such positive quotes from people like lavin and Nate Blue and others who have seen him and know talent.  All I know is that Lavin had a limited number of Scholly's left and wasn't planning on using another one for the 2012 class BUT...that all changed immediately when the staff scouted Jones. 

If Jones turns out to be a starter-level type talent on an NCAA Touney team in the next few years then he will give Lavin his first diamond-in-the-rough recruit at St Johns and re-establish Lavin as an extraordinary evaluator of talent in addition to great recruiter.  I'm going to be rooting for this kid!

I was the one putting out the Nuri fires last year. I'm trying to do the same here.  Guys are looking for a diamond in the rough, but there is no need with our awesome class.   Jones is going to get about 15 minutes of action if he is lucky.  Sampson is a legit top recruit.  Obekpa is another who has a ceiling that can't even been seen at this point.  Sanchez has the whole tool kit.  Garrett is going to be incredible this year and he will see minutes at the four as well as the three.  Where are Jones' minutes coming from?

The kid is pretty jacked and can jump...no doubt.  If he's that big and and that athletic, why did he only average six rebounds a game in high school and only FIVE rebounds at IMG? Craig Smith averaged over 20 points and 11 boards in both  high school and at Worcester Prep for his prep year.


Again, I'm very happy we signed this kid.  We must be the thinnest team in the country.  The only strong guy we have is GG and GG's strength doesn't really  translate to the the court.  Let's be realistic with this kid:  10-15 mpg, solid defense and banging down low.

marillac, try not to get too caught up in the numbers.  that could be influenced by the style a coach plays, the other players on the team, and the role the guy fills on that team.  jordan didn't put up huge numbers in college, even though it was obvious to those who saw him play how good he was.  the coach saw this kid play, and obviously believes he is better than his numbers indicate.  there's no telling how great this kid is until we see it for ourself.  for all we know, he may be all big east.  i don't know anything about him.  but coach likes him and thats good enough for me.

Quote from: stormwarning on October 23, 2012, 10:03:38 AM

marillac, try not to get too caught up in the numbers.  that could be influenced by the style a coach plays, the other players on the team, and the role the guy fills on that team.  jordan didn't put up huge numbers in college, even though it was obvious to those who saw him play how good he was.  the coach saw this kid play, and obviously believes he is better than his numbers indicate.  there's no telling how great this kid is until we see it for ourself.  for all we know, he may be all big east.  i don't know anything about him.  but coach likes him and thats good enough for me.

It's amazing how many people hold stats sacred. Justin Brownlee put up 10 ppg at Juco. That number told us nothing.

Quote from: QueensToCali on October 22, 2012, 12:40:37 PM

Quote from: Poison on October 22, 2012, 12:00:39 PM

Quote from: ras on October 22, 2012, 11:53:50 AM

For a player that wasnt highly recruited, its amazing that people are talking about him like he has top 100 talent. Sounds like he ll be a pleasant surprise. Time will tell .

They're talking about him like he's a top 5 recruit.

I think Jones has officially overtaken Nuri as the most highly anticipated great unknown recruit of the Lavin era.  I have no idea what we have in him or how he will pan out but it's encouraging to hear such positive quotes from people like lavin and Nate Blue and others who have seen him and know talent.  All I know is that Lavin had a limited number of Scholly's left and wasn't planning on using another one for the 2012 class BUT...that all changed immediately when the staff scouted Jones. 

If Jones turns out to be a starter-level type talent on an NCAA Touney team in the next few years then he will give Lavin his first diamond-in-the-rough recruit at St Johns and re-establish Lavin as an extraordinary evaluator of talent in addition to great recruiter.  I'm going to be rooting for this kid!

I was the one putting out the Nuri fires last year. I'm trying to do the same here.  Guys are looking for a diamond in the rough, but there is no need with our awesome class.   Jones is going to get about 15 minutes of action if he is lucky.  Sampson is a legit top recruit.  Obekpa is another who has a ceiling that can't even been seen at this point.  Sanchez has the whole tool kit.  Garrett is going to be incredible this year and he will see minutes at the four as well as the three.  Where are Jones' minutes coming from?

The kid is pretty jacked and can jump...no doubt.  If he's that big and and that athletic, why did he only average six rebounds a game in high school and only FIVE rebounds at IMG? Craig Smith averaged over 20 points and 11 boards in both  high school and at Worcester Prep for his prep year.


Again, I'm very happy we signed this kid.  We must be the thinnest team in the country.  The only strong guy we have is GG and GG's strength doesn't really  translate to the the court.  Let's be realistic with this kid:  10-15 mpg, solid defense and banging down low.

Marillac you say Garrett will be incredible this year-would just like to know how you arrive at this opinion. When he was asked what he worked on in the off season to improve his game he stated he didn't have much of a chance to other than practice his shooting. I like his overall game but don't think he does anything particularly well so just wondering what you see that lends you to describe him as incredible which is a word I would not use on many players save the LeBron James and Kevin Durrant type players.

Quote from: Celtics11 on October 23, 2012, 03:19:45 PM

Marillac you say Garrett will be incredible this year-would just like to know how you arrive at this opinion. When he was asked what he worked on in the off season to improve his game he stated he didn't have much of a chance to other than practice his shooting. I like his overall game but don't think he does anything particularly well so just wondering what you see that lends you to describe him as incredible which is a word I would not use on many players save the LeBron James and Kevin Durrant type players.

I disagree. I think he is an exceptional passer for his position. I also think we saw great improvement just from January to the end of the season from him last year. He went from being a non-factor during games to being a key contributor. I see nothing but improvement coming from him as he gets more games under his belt. I see him being very valuable in the run and gun type offense Lavin likes to run. I think he'll run the fastbreak very well. Towards the end of last season he also started to show his ability to drive to the basket, and if he can develop some sort of outside shot, the sky's the limit with him IMO.



I did say I like his overall game just don't think he is incredible or now that the sky is the limit-those are terms that describe an Anthony Davis last year or a derrick Rose of a few years ago. Are we watching the same player? 

Quote from: redstorm212 on October 23, 2012, 03:26:11 PM

Quote from: Celtics11 on October 23, 2012, 03:19:45 PM

Marillac you say Garrett will be incredible this year-would just like to know how you arrive at this opinion. When he was asked what he worked on in the off season to improve his game he stated he didn't have much of a chance to other than practice his shooting. I like his overall game but don't think he does anything particularly well so just wondering what you see that lends you to describe him as incredible which is a word I would not use on many players save the LeBron James and Kevin Durrant type players.

I disagree. I think he is an exceptional passer for his position. I also think we saw great improvement just from January to the end of the season from him last year. He went from being a non-factor during games to being a key contributor. I see nothing but improvement coming from him as he gets more games under his belt. I see him being very valuable in the run and gun type offense Lavin likes to run. I think he'll run the fastbreak very well. Towards the end of last season he also started to show his ability to drive to the basket, and if he can develop some sort of outside shot, the sky's the limit with him IMO.



I did say I like his overall game just don't think he is incredible or now that the sky is the limit-those are terms that describe an Anthony Davis last year or a derrick Rose of a few years ago. Are we watching the same player? 

I think Jones will average 2 ppg, and any publication that says he will be our best newcomer should immediately fire their editorial staff. That's my prediction.

Quote from: LJSA on October 23, 2012, 10:36:51 PM

I think Jones will average 2 ppg, and any publication that says he will be our best newcomer should immediately fire their editorial staff. That's my prediction.

Stranger things have happened. Have you seen him play? I have not.

Quote from: Poison on October 23, 2012, 10:44:36 PM

Quote from: LJSA on October 23, 2012, 10:36:51 PM

I think Jones will average 2 ppg, and any publication that says he will be our best newcomer should immediately fire their editorial staff. That's my prediction.

Stranger things have happened. Have you seen him play? I have not.

I haven't. I'm basing the prediction on the fact that he seemed like a last-minute plug-in recruit, and those guys usually turn out to be last-minute plug-ins as college freshmen too.

I would love nothing better than to be wrong, because if he comes out and gives us 8 and 6 as an unheralded freshman it removes a lot of pressure to come up with a top big man next season.

I just think of all the guys on the roster, posters' expectations should be zero for him, and allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised if he does anything.

Quote from: Poison on October 23, 2012, 10:44:36 PM

Quote from: LJSA on October 23, 2012, 10:36:51 PM

I think Jones will average 2 ppg, and any publication that says he will be our best newcomer should immediately fire their editorial staff. That's my prediction.

Stranger things have happened. Have you seen him play? I have not.

I haven't. I'm basing the prediction on the fact that he seemed like a last-minute plug-in recruit, and those guys usually turn out to be last-minute plug-ins as college freshmen too.

I would love nothing better than to be wrong, because if he comes out and gives us 8 and 6 as an unheralded freshman it removes a lot of pressure to come up with a top big man next season.

I just think of all the guys on the roster, posters' expectations should be zero for him, and allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised if he does anything.