For what's it worth...

[Ghost]

Thanks and totally agree. A bad decision from the rip and maybe I should have seen the light and insisted the BJ reshirt as froshmen but that didn't happen.(bad parent) it will all work out for both situations. The key is being able to develop players creating chemistry and experience throughout.

How do you think BJ adjusted to learning the zone in his two years? I always wonder about that stuff - how much time was dedicated in practice to playing zone vs. playing man for someone like him (i.e. a reserve)? Did he feel like the learning curve was far steeper than he expected coming in?

If you don't want to answer that's fair! Just always curious, with how much trouble some of the roster has had with adapting to it of late.

Anyway, as always, the insight is appreciated. Good luck to BJ, hope he has a great 2016!

 

[Consigliere]

The scholarship addition to 11 was given long after the transfers had occurred and in BJ's case the year sitting out as it is frustrating is the best thing for him moving forward. He just turned 20 on December 20th so that is a good thing for him. He will not be too old (nba draft status) when he is a 5th yr guy.

That's my point, OG. Decisions were made based on the reduction from 13 to 10, then after the fact the NCAA decided that the 10 should have been 11. If the initial restriction was to 11 might things have worked out differently? One less transfer? One additional freshman? Or just award the schollie to a walk-on?

 

[81South]

Mr. Johnson...I and many other parents of athletes sympathize with your situation. My daughter is a freshman in high school and has played AAU hoops and trained year round (for basketball) since the 4th grade. Our kids have dreams and we as parents help them along the way to try and achieve their dreams. We hate so much to see our kids hit bumps in the road because of how much they sacrifice and how hard they work day in and day out. For a large part this is why I look the at the team and the players differently than I did (pre-parent). I used to scream at the TV and the players when they didn't perform and I would be PO'd for days after a loss. When I watch now I see kids who have paid the price to get to this level and want to be successful more than anyone. As a parent I watch and celebrate their effort and dwell much much less on their defeats. I know the boys will get back in the gym and work their asses off to obtain victory and they owe me NOTHING. At the end of the year the boys can hold their heads high whether they win the league or finish 9th because they paid the price and I will be proud of that.

Mr. Johnson, and you know this already, BJ is going to be a better man because of this 'bump in the road'. He is going to be better prepared to handle things post LaSalle. Don't beat yourself up over the red-shirt...everything happens for a reason. At the end of the day your family is on an amazing journey together...enjoy the ride...tell BJ you love him everyday and just continue to encourage him with everything you have!!

Wishing you and your family much joy, peace and happiness in 2016.

 

[OGBJ20]

How do you think BJ adjusted to learning the zone in his two years? I always wonder about that stuff - how much time was dedicated in practice to playing zone vs. playing man for someone like him (i.e. a reserve)? Did he feel like the learning curve was far steeper than he expected coming in?

If you don't want to answer that's fair! Just always curious, with how much trouble some of the roster has had with adapting to it of late.

Anyway, as always, the insight is appreciated. Good luck to BJ, hope he has a great 2016!

He was able to learn the zone pretty well as he was practicing up top and on the baseline. I think that learning and succeeding also depending on how much meaning time you got and not feeling like you're playing looking over your shoulders. That only comes when your able to play through a mistake or two while progressing throughout. This holds true for most players.

 

[jgeorge322]

He was able to learn the zone pretty well as he was practicing up top and on the baseline. I think that learning and succeeding also depending on how much meaning time you got and not feeling like you're playing looking over your shoulders. That only comes when your able to play through a mistake or two while progressing throughout. This holds true for most players.

You clearly took issue w the quick hook. Jb is notorious for that. I wonder what he would say to detractors who would argue its discouraging.

 

[OGBJ20]

Mr. Johnson...I and many other parents of athletes sympathize with your situation. My daughter is a freshman in high school and has played AAU hoops and trained year round (for basketball) since the 4th grade. Our kids have dreams and we as parents help them along the way to try and achieve their dreams. We hate so much to see our kids hit bumps in the road because of how much they sacrifice and how hard they work day in and day out. For a large part this is why I look the at the team and the players differently than I did (pre-parent). I used to scream at the TV and the players when they didn't perform and I would be PO'd for days after a loss. When I watch now I see kids who have paid the price to get to this level and want to be successful more than anyone. As a parent I watch and celebrate their effort and dwell much much less on their defeats. I know the boys will get back in the gym and work their asses off to obtain victory and they owe me NOTHING. At the end of the year the boys can hold their heads high whether they win the league or finish 9th because they paid the price and I will be proud of that.

Mr. Johnson, and you know this already, BJ is going to be a better man because of this 'bump in the road'. He is going to be better prepared to handle things post LaSalle. Don't beat yourself up over the red-shirt...everything happens for a reason. At the end of the day your family is on an amazing journey together...enjoy the ride...tell BJ you love him everyday and just continue to encourage him with everything you have!!

Wishing you and your family much joy, peace and happiness in 2016.

Thanks and the same to you and your family. Agree totally, when your sitting as a parent going through this journey, you have to have tough skin and hold your tongue, fists etc. :bat:You feel what they feel, good or bad if your a concerned parent. I've grown over the years as well as parent with BJ and his career. As tough, as I'm on him at times I've also learned to be compassionate and understanding of his feelings in the matter. But I've always been a straight shoota with him as well as with anyone else. Sometimes right or wrong. BJ will be fine moving forward. Something for all to think about when rooting for your team etc. If you think that as parent or a fan you feel bad or angry when things don't work out for you team/player. Just for one second, imagine how the player feels and what they are going through when stuff happens. I'm living proof of stuff happening so I am confident that BJ and others in this situation will be fine.

 

[OrangeFoo]

He was able to learn the zone pretty well as he was practicing up top and on the baseline. I think that learning and succeeding also depending on how much meaning time you got and not feeling like you're playing looking over your shoulders. That only comes when your able to play through a mistake or two while progressing throughout. This holds true for most players.

And that just doesn't happen at Syracuse unless you are a sacred cow like Cooney has been and many others before them. Our hof coach has always coach for the now and not the tomorrow... Now that he can put a number on the tomorrows this aspect of our program has gotten as bad as I've seen it in 25plus years of following this program. Everyone is excited about next year but good luck with an unproven point guard. We have the opportunity to develop Howard now but we really are not using it. I hope when it becomes clear that we aren't making the tourney this year, Howard will slide into the starting line up. I think developing him this year could be the most critical thing that can be done from a program perspective .

 

[dasher]

I see that you still don't get it which is fine with me. Teams have their good and bad seasons for whatever reasons and this is one of those times. As I have stated before I will never comment on any player good or bad other than my son but just like SU, the Explorers have lost players over the last yr or so who were not replaced and has caused a tough year. Teams just have to weather the storm. Patience is the key for rebuilding and progression which usually occurs in 1-3yrs for success. Given that their is no outside occurrences that effect the process. Actually you need to focus on the past to remind you of what to do and what not to do to determine a brighter future. Don't ever dismiss the past, you just move forward eliminating the chances of bad times happening again. As in the case of SU and the Explorers.

One thing, our season isn't over . The second thing is that none of the guys that left would have helped us in our one serious weakness. Inside. We will be fine and we will be really good next year. Our 7-2 kid can at least reject shots.

 

[dasher]

And that just doesn't happen at Syracuse unless you are a sacred cow like Cooney has been and many others before them. Our hof coach has always coach for the now and not the tomorrow... Now that he can put a number on the tomorrows this aspect of our program has gotten as bad as I've seen it in 25plus years of following this program. Everyone is excited about next year but good luck with an unproven point guard. We have the opportunity to develop Howard now but we really are not using it. I hope when it becomes clear that we aren't making the tourney this year, Howard will slide into the starting line up. I think developing him this year could be the most critical thing that can be done from a program perspective .

yeah. Jb has never figured it out. That is why he has lost all of these games.

 

[AZOrange]

I've been allowed to comment on this board for three yrs now spewing my thoughts and such. The reality of it all is that Syracuse made mistakes in the past that caused the current issue. SU like all national powerhouses are going and will continue to do what's right for the program for all intense purposes. But along with that comes decisions and results that are favorable for some and not for others. In this case, Rak should have not been denied a chance to cement his career by playing in the post season ACC and possibly NCAA/NIT because of the chances that the new guys may not attend SU moving forward. My three sons should have not been disbanded for obvious reasons...These young men did nothing to deserve what happened but go out and give effort from day one to be a contributor on a team that they held in high regard since grade school days. With that being said, just like the guys on last years team who were effected by this great debacle, the new guys as well as fans will have to go through this difficult time of enduring some bad play, losses as this has to be played out. But don't forget for one moment that the decisions made over the course of the last yr or so has not effected ME and others greatly. Sure the fans will get to look forward to the next Melo and getting back to national prominence but remember that this team lost something which was the fire inside of them to prove to the world, NCAA that they where going to be better than the hypocrisy that they are a part of and unfortunately stuff happens. In time SU hoops will be fine as will the departed soldiers but it will take a little longer than some might expect. There is some great talent on this team and eventually it will come together. Happy New Year to all- waiting patiently until this guy hits the court again in approximately 4months.
View attachment 54583

OG I've always enjoyed your perspective round these parts but I have to be honest...I don't get the point of all these recent posts...this one and the last one in particular

 

[wiCuse]

Enough with the passive aggressive comments about SU basketball. It's pretty obvious why Ron & BJ are gone. Both had opportunities to play last year and neither took full advantage. On top of that, Ron would've been buried on the bench and BJ would've backed up MR this year. MR is already a better player than BJ in my opinion. BJ's depth would've been nice if we knew about the additional scholly or diagne's situation earlier.

On a side note, I wonder how the parents of current forward's on LaSalle's roster feel about the coaches bringing in a transfer who will undoubtedly take playing time away from their kids??? Ron & BJ seem like great people who were victims of the NCAA.

 

[orange44]

Enough with the passive aggressive comments about SU basketball. It's pretty obvious why Ron & BJ are gone. Both had opportunities to play last year and neither took full advantage. On top of that, Ron would've been buried on the bench and BJ would've backed up MR this year. MR is already a better player than BJ in my opinion. BJ's depth would've been nice if we knew about the additional scholly or diagne's situation earlier.

On a side note, I wonder how the parents of current forward's on LaSalle's roster feel about the coaches bringing in a transfer who will undoubtedly take playing time away from their kids??? Ron & BJ seem like great people who were victims of the NCAA.

Totally agree!!

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Enough with the passive aggressive comments about SU basketball. It's pretty obvious why Ron & BJ are gone. Both had opportunities to play last year and neither took full advantage. On top of that, Ron would've been buried on the bench and BJ would've backed up MR this year. MR is already a better player than BJ in my opinion. BJ's depth would've been nice if we knew about the additional scholly or diagne's situation earlier.

On a side note, I wonder how the parents of current forward's on LaSalle's roster feel about the coaches bringing in a transfer who will undoubtedly take playing time away from their kids??? Ron & BJ seem like great people who were victims of the NCAA.

Ron Patterson was not an ACC caliber player. BJ would have been a nice complimentary ACC player, IMO.
I am not sure if our player evaluation has suffered or if we are taking some guys because we could not get others, but Joseph, Patterson and Oboko are no where near ACC caliber players.

 

[Scooch]

Is this thread real?

 

[Ghost]

Ron Patterson was not an ACC caliber player. BJ would have been a nice complimentary ACC player, IMO.
I am not sure if our player evaluation has suffered or if we are taking some guys because we could not get others, but Joseph, Patterson and Oboko are no where near ACC caliber players.

Harsh! His per 40 minute numbers in ACC play were pretty much the same as TC.

People need to stop ragging on my man, Patterson! He wasn't the worst thing ever - just couldn't shoot for crap.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Harsh! His per 40 minute numbers in ACC play were pretty much the same as TC.

People need to stop ragging on my man, Patterson! He wasn't the worst thing ever - just couldn't shoot for crap.

If no one guards you, your numbers should be good. All hustle, no talent.

 

[MadNY3]

I agree except for having what it took to play at SU. Maybe I was too neive and optimistic going into last season but in reality the table was set early for this situation as I recall. It is a harsh reality in this business that does not really care about who it effects.

So...why to you come and post here? Your son - who I hope has a wonderful career when it resumes - is no longer here.

Do you love the attention? Love merchandising who your son is?

It makes no sense to me.

 

[orangehomer]

I'm confused, was BJ shown the door? as far as I have ever read, the scholarship was there for him if he wanted to stay, but it was a family decision to move on. even if he had stayed, he would have been behind gbinije, Richardson, Roberson, and lydon at the forward spots this year. playing time would have been bleak. and only getting worse next year with moyer on the way.

 

[wiCuse]

Ron Patterson was not an ACC caliber player. BJ would have been a nice complimentary ACC player, IMO.
I am not sure if our player evaluation has suffered or if we are taking some guys because we could not get others, but Joseph, Patterson and Oboko are no where near ACC caliber players.

I do agree on the evaluation, but it seems to be isolated to our 2013 class. Ennis was obviously great, but this class might be considered a bust unless Roberson plays more consistent and can develop a shot from 12 feet. Otherwise, our recruiting has been great. The biggest problem we've had is players leaving earlier than expected, which was a good problem to have until the NCAA sanctions.

 

[Ghost]

If no one guards you, your numbers should be good. All hustle, no talent.

If nobody is guarding him, and we're getting double the assists and less turnovers, we should exploit that stuff more on a team with no PG!

I'm not being entirely serious - just think it's funny how much he gets ragged on. Kid couldn't shoot, but did some things better than anyone else we had in the back court.

 

[Briancuse]

You don't get it. I have been a fan of SU long before BJ decided to attend there. I was a fan when I played against them and rooted for them in the chip against Indiana, I was a pearl fan as well, I was a Raphael Addison fan also so I do know a little bit about SU as a hoops fan. So with all that has happened to BJ over the last two yrs, I'm still a fan and a friend as well as former adversary of SU. Upset that it didn't work out for BJ is an understatement but for me to bitter and angry at SU, its staff or to wish ill will on any of the players there is very incensitve and downright hateful especially for anyone who is apart of a huge fraternity throughout would not help us move forward into the future. Sometimes things don't work out as planned and it has nothing to do with what you do in the situation. This is one of those times.

I have no idea what happened, I was always hoping that things had worked out with BJ, was really excited when I saw some highlights of him when he committed here, and always thought he was going to be a really good player here. I grew up a huge SU fan, wanted to be the next big time broadcaster, and was rejected by the school. I was angry at SU for a few months, but eventually got over it, and realized that nothing was going to change the fact that I was an SU fan for life. I hope that things work out for BJ and us, and will be pulling for him at Lasalle.

 

[cuseattle]

Whatever has happened or will happen in the future, I will always and forever be a BJ Johnson fan. Might try to get a LaSalle hat before their sweet sixteen run next year!

 

[jdubs30]

Enough with the passive aggressive comments about SU basketball. It's pretty obvious why Ron & BJ are gone. Both had opportunities to play last year and neither took full advantage. On top of that, Ron would've been buried on the bench and BJ would've backed up MR this year. MR is already a better player than BJ in my opinion. BJ's depth would've been nice if we knew about the additional scholly or diagne's situation earlier.

On a side note, I wonder how the parents of current forward's on LaSalle's roster feel about the coaches bringing in a transfer who will undoubtedly take playing time away from their kids??? Ron & BJ seem like great people who were victims of the NCAA.

This. I've always appreciated OGBJ insight. But at this point, it's confusing. BJ was great vs. ND (and one of the BC games, if I remember correctly), but he had more than enough opportunity on a team that was very weak on the perimeter last year and just couldn't stick it. With Mali/Lydon this year then Moyer next year, BJ saw the writing on the wall. BJ had his chance last year to prove himself and it just didn't happen, I wish it did.

When OGBJ stops by it seems like everyone professes remorse for BJ leaving and that he would have been a great player and that he still will be a great player at LaSalle. He might be -- but I have a feeling if OGBJ didn't post here, BJ would never be brought up as a "tough loss". I can't recall one post all season regarding how better this team would be with BJ. Who knows, maybe with this past summer he would have made that leap, but the past is the past so it doesn't help to look at it now

I appreciate OG's insight into what BJ is doing now and how he is progressing, but he seems to be attacking the SU program with this post. JB wants every single kid who walks through that door to succeed and have 4 great years at SU, that didn't happen with BJ -- but to blame Syracuse when so many great players before him have done is a little ridiculous.

 

[newmexicuse]

I have posted innumerable times criticizing the staff's use of or rather non-use of the full roster. This year the "victom" IMHO is Obokoh. When BJ was here I wanted to see him get more minutes, and I said so often.

However, in the staff's defense, it was apparent to all but OG and BJ himself that he should have taken a shirt in his freshman season. The failure to take a shirt made it look like BJ was "behind" schedule in terms of being a contributor. Had he taken a shirt then I believe he would have been "on" schedule in terms of how he was playing and that might have made a huge difference. I am not on the inside looking out, rather I am on the outside looking in, but from that perspective I think part of the attraction of coming to the Cuse is knowing that if a player thinks he is good enough to be part of the top six then he will get big minutes on the court. Conversely, players who want to play high D1 ball, but who might lack some amount of talent or confidence & only see themselves as end of rotation players should not view us as an attractive landing place.

Of course, nobody expected the NCAA hammer to come down as hard as it did. The scholie reduction forced the staff into a mode of trying to populate the roster with more players who they perceived were ready "today." The staff will be struggling with this for three more years. Guys who can't cut it early will be forced to fall by the wayside as seems to be the case with Kaleb this season.

 

[realorange]

So...why to you come and post here? Your son - who I hope has a wonderful career when it resumes - is no longer here.

Do you love the attention? Love merchandising who your son is?

It makes no sense to me.

I believe it's because OGB has made friends on this board who appreciate his basketball knowledge and his son.

I'll leave it at that but why do you need more reason than that.

He certainly is a better poster than the average here.