Two weeks from now all of this will be put aside. The season will start and the Steve Lavin era will officially begin on the hardwood, where the buzz comes from wins and losses. Let’s hop right into the news and notes from St. John’s media day and other preseason tidbits.
“Be quick but don’t hurry”
When I asked Coach Lavin about something he’s really had to hammer to the team, I got the first John Wooden reference of the day. At Big East media day Coach Lavin admitted that he needed to adjust and tailor his coaching style for this team – meaning that he was looking to adjust what they have done rather than change the whole landscape.
“We’re trying to create the habits,” Lavin said. “Where, for instance, on every catch our players are facing, getting squared to the hoop. What I like to call taking a deep breath, that one 1,000 – to see the court, eyes on the rim, and as things unfold you’ll take the appropriate decision. Easier said then done.”
Before I could even follow up and ask Coach how this calmness he is preaching affects tempo, he answered. “Being more prudent, more vigilant, but still being aggressive because we want to play fast. Getting back to the adage of coach Wooden used to say so religiously, be quick but don’t hurry. We want to take advantage of our speed and get out in transition and get baskets, but if not we also want to be intelligent enough and play a high percentage brand of basketball where we make the extra pass, show patience, we get ball reversals, post touch before a shot comes from outside. The biggest challenge of this group is to slow down, take a deep breath, the equivalent of looking both ways before crossing the street but on the basketball court.”
Most commonly named players from Steve Lavin? Dwight Hardy, Dwayne Polee, and Justin Brownlee.
Dele Coker is Prepared
“I work on my jumpshots, hook shots, just being able to be versatile. [The coaching staff] doesn’t just want to limit me to setting screens, blocking shots, rebounding. I work a little bit on my offensive game, its not a priority for me. I know my role is to set screens, block shots, and rebound. But when the opportunity shows itself, I’m ready.”
Dwight Hardy “MTP” Most Talked About Player
It really didn’t matter the question that was being asked the answer was Dwight Hardy, Dwight Hardy, Dwight Hardy.
“Dwight Hardy has come in with a mindset and a work ethic that communicates to me that he is ready to have the best season of his career,” Coach Lavin said with confidence.
Dwight will play a lot of minutes at the point guard position this season. Malik Boothe will enter the season as the starter, but Dwight is expected to play major minutes at the position, which would allow he, Paris Horne, and DJ Kennedy on the court at the same time. Don’t be surprised to see all four of these players on the court at the same at points this season running “small ball” as some of the players described it.
Justin Brownlee Expanded Role?
“[Coach Lavin] wants me to be aggressive on both ends of the floor, make plays, rebound, and be one of the top go to guys,” Brownlee told me.
Where does he see himself playing?
“Coach told me I could potentially play four different positions this season. I think I can do that with the offseason workouts that I’ve gone through. I worked really hard and I’m stronger. I think my natural position is playing the three but I don’t mind playing inside.”
The NCAA isn’t only team goal, Brownlee says. “Our biggest goal is NCAA tournament but another goal is winning the Big East. We really want to win the Big East, its our conference and we want to bring it back to St. John’s. I can’t tell you how long it’s been but we want it back.”
Kevin Clark on the New Coaches
“Their knowledge of the game,” Clark says when asked what is different from previous years. “They do things repetitively and it makes you understand the game that much more. They just know so much. It really opens your eyes up and makes the game that much easier.”
When I asked about which coach has stood out more so than other coaches with their practice style, all the walk-ons were giggling when Kevin Clark said without hesitation, “definitely Coach Dunlap. He’s so intense, so passionate about the game. His analogies and one liners will have you laughing for days.” I asked for an example and no one would budge. I sensed some fear that if word got out maybe next practice wouldn’t be so good for the walk-ons.
Going Out Winners
Every senior has nearly the same answer when asked how they wanted their legacy at St. John’s to be remembered.
1. Hard Working
2. A team that went out winners
It doesn’t get much simpler than that.
Lavin’s Board
The popular offseason story has been Coach Dunlap’s bat but who knew about Lavin’s board? Coach Lavin has weekly areas of focus in the team’s locker room. The first message was “Listen” – to listen to what the coaches were telling them. To listen in the beginning of practice, to listen when they’re tired, to listen to learn. The most recent message was “Always set good screens” which can be the difference between scoring two/three points or coming up with an empty possession. The players are always checking the board, and since the first message, they’re always listening.
Please check back daily for more stories from media day which will be posted over the course of the week.
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