Donnie Freeman transferring to St Johns

[CuseMan4]

The perfect fit for Donnie. He’s gonna have a biggggg season. Pope and UK strike out again. I love it lol

 

[RF2044]

Smart move for his pro prospects.

 

[shu 49]

To continue on your line of thought, GMAC could have convinced the top 5-10 players in the transfer portal and there would be several posters that would say he did not do a good job or Hodgsen did better or GMAC does not know what he is doing? There will be haters (actually more now than anytime before and there have been tons in JAB last years and throughout AA’s tenure). GMAC was fortunate that he was not JAB’s successor because I doubt he would have survived the stress back then.

Hopefully, the haters will give GMAC a chance (more than a year) to be successful in the ever changing transfer portal era. Even if he is successful early (this year) he will be criticized for roster retention if any player leaves for the money.

Look he will get crap until he proves himself of which I have 0 doubt he will. I trust him.

 

[sufan59]

Think Donnie confused being a great guy with being a great coach

Yeah I had a major chuckle. If he was a great coach, you’d be in the NBA and he’d still be coaching Syracuse.

 

[Irt4su]

Pitino can get the best out of Donnie. Or he won’t. But this was a good move by Donnie on many levels.

 

[Moontan]

He's still sticking to the Boeheim tree...

 

[Scooch]

Freeman has all the talent in the world. That was apparent during his time at SU. He received terrible coaching which reinforced his worst tendencies as a player.

If Pitino can’t get him to fulfill his potential then likely no one can.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I think Donnie made the right choice.
If he hopes to be a pro, Rick Pitino is the guy to toughen him up.
And, he'll be on national TV, playing in the Garden.
If he's going to be a pro, this is his chance.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Either gonna be perfect fit or a disaster, I don’t see an in between lol.

It's like going to boot camp. Either it toughens him up, and he turns into a man. Or he gets all emotional and quits rather than make the effort.

One thing I'll say is that Rick Pitino will immediately pull him from the game if he turns away from someone on defense.

 

[nocohalo]

I don't know why everyone assumes Pitino will just bring out something from him nobody has seen it. Autry didn't help, but the things Freeman struggled with have nothing to do with coaching.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I don't know why everyone assumes Pitino will just bring out something from him nobody has seen it.

I think everyone is saying "If its there", Rick is the guy who can bring it out.

 

[RF2044]

I don't know why everyone assumes Pitino will just bring out something from him nobody has seen it. Autry didn't help, but the things Freeman struggled with have nothing to do with coaching.

Other than injuries, everything else DOES have to do with coaching and him not being pushed in a way that would help him actualize his immense potential.

 

[sufan59]

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Geez, some of these takes on Donnie Freeman are just nuts.

This supposedly unmotivated player just, I don't know, casually and with great disinterest put up 16 and 7 as the focal point of every opponent's defensive attention, simultaneously disappointing and proving he can't be coached with any discipline.

Amazing.

His best college basketball is ahead of him, and we won't get to enjoy it happening in a Syracuse uniform.

 

[Sbucketball]

Donnie getting 3m to play for New York State’s college team. Good for him.

 

[tptcuse]

 

[hoopsupstate]

People complaining giving Donnie $3 million because it’s too much of our budget. Everyone wants top players in the portal, but that’s what it’s going to cost. We’re not going to get the players that fans want without spending that kind of money. You want a top player you have to pay for it. We don’t have a single player currently on our roster that’s an all ACC player. You aren’t winning big games in the conference without them. We went into the portal needing a top level point guard and center. We haven’t come close to getting either. We still might, but I’m not holding my breath.

 

[FloridaCuse]

Where Kentucky turns following Donnie Freeman's commitment to St. John's

Kentucky's options aren't great following Donnie Freeman's commitment to St. John's -- but there are some to monitor. KSR goes through them.

www.on3.com

 

[Newhouser]

I love Pitino but to date he hasn't had a player drafted by the NBA while at St Johns. Hopefully Donnie is his first.

 

[Cuse117]

Geez, some of these takes on Donnie Freeman are just nuts.

This supposedly unmotivated player just, I don't know, casually and with great disinterest put up 16 and 7 as the focal point of every opponent's defensive attention, simultaneously disappointing and proving he can't be coached with any discipline.

Amazing.

His best college basketball is ahead of him, and we won't get to enjoy it happening in a Syracuse uniform.

Not to mention it’s coming often from the “reds a terrible coach crowd.” Maybe he just wasn’t a superstar because he had an all time terrible head coach. We literally didn’t have an offense and the kid still put up good numbers.

Think St Johns was a great decision by him.

 

[JarHeadJim]

Kentucky fan have been going nuts over him for the last week. Now that he committed to St. Johns they are saying. He's not that good, he plays no defense, he will be in a walking boot by they time we play them. Glad he didn't pick us.

LOL they are the worst group of fans ever!

 

[Trueblue25]

Geez, some of these takes on Donnie Freeman are just nuts.

This supposedly unmotivated player just, I don't know, casually and with great disinterest put up 16 and 7 as the focal point of every opponent's defensive attention, simultaneously disappointing and proving he can't be coached with any discipline.

Amazing.

His best college basketball is ahead of him, and we won't get to enjoy it happening in a Syracuse uniform.

Im happy he found a good spot thats not UK but it didn’t take much detective work and digging to watch him on the court and see he’s a bit of a head case. That’s not to say he’s uncoachable or a bad teammate. It’s more seeing how he reacts to being double teamed, not getting the ball or when the teams down.

You can have plenty of talent but still miss something

Hope he succeeds, but not sure he’s the piece you build around in a rebuild. Its too big a price tag for the return.

 

[jsshap]

He’ll disappear when his feelings get hurt

Anyone over the age of 20 who makes statements like this should look at the loser in the mirror.

 

[jsshap]

Kentucky fan have been going nuts over him for the last week. Now that he committed to St. Johns they are saying. He's not that good, he plays no defense, he will be in a walking boot by they time we play them. Glad he didn't pick us.

LOL they are the worst group of fans ever!

I know of a similar fan base

 

[Cheriehoop]

Will be an interesting test case for how much coaching matters

And player attitude and effort. Some need outside motivation other players are driven. Each player is different. Pitino just like JB sometimes publicly criticized a player to motivate them and knew which ones need it. Donnie will have to overcome the fear of getting injured again. No one has doubted his talent, it’s the injuries and motivation that’s been questioned. The pressure will be upped considerably. For his sake, hope he stays injury free for the first time in 3 seasons, Whether it works out or not he will be millions of dollars richer.