why would the team stink. we didnt stink this year. I remember when we stunk
St. John's was beaten on the boards in virtually every game this season. Chances are losing Sampson, Sanchez, and God's Gift will not help in that area.
If the guys who were responsible for us getting killed on the boards leave, maybe it will.
And are replaced by who? 6'4 felix Balamou?
Sampson, Sanchez, Gift, Obekpa may not have been perfect but they are light years better than any of the front court alternatives we might have.
I was sort of working under the assumption that they'd be replaced by someone taller than 6'4.
I know, and I don't mean to be a jerk. As Fun pointed out, and I agree, Christian Jones is a viable power forward. And I think an argument could be made that because he is less selfish, and a better foul shooter, he could end up as a more valuable piece than Sampson.
The problem for me is who plays alongside Jones or backs him up. I think the rumors about Obekpa have a lot of legs. And if that's the case then we're looking at losing all our front court players from this season.
Jones is one piece, but he's not a center - and he also can't be counted on to play 40mins. So that leaves us with the most likely alternative - Delarosa, and essentially no backups at PF or C. I'm sure there will be bodies on the roster, but there just isn't much talent left to be confident that we will be able to add 2 more quality fowards to the rotation.
That's the problem as I see it. Sampson leaving isn't the end of the world - jones can fill his shoes. But if another shoe drops...