The Mookie factor

[Albeck43]

While we are waiting for word on the future of Feb Melo's status, I've been wondering about the impact of Mookie leaving the team so abruptly. There was a very tangible disorientation visible on the faces of the players when they were warming up for the Notre Dame game. Needless to say the combined performance in that ND game was horrid (everyone was off and not composed by any stretch). Going into this game without Fab was very problematic, but Mookie was also a part of the 'family' (a supportive friend, a comic relief artist--and even though a step slow and not much of a factor on the court as 11th man, he was still very skilled and probably an important part of the practice regimen).

My question is, how long will it take the team to recover from the loss of Mookie in the day to day mix (and the group psychology of the team)? The team effort in Cincinnati was beautiful (minus Waiters), but now that the team is back home in Syracuse, will the absence of Mookie continue to weaken this team's collective strength? I for one will miss his presence in the elaborate dance called the team introduction before the West Virginia game.

 

[44PRIDE]

There was a very tangible disorientation visible on the faces of the players when they were warming up for the Notre Dame game.

I saw that too. But eventually, they found someone else to shag rebounds during warmups...

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

We shall see

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk

 

[moqui]

I have to repeat a question that I have not yet seen answered: Mookie was a junior athletically, but an academic senior . . . did he complete enough credits to graduate in December? and, if so, does transferring to a school using the grad school exemption mean he retains 1 1/2 years of eligibility? If so, it makes perfect sense for him to go now, and I would think his "family" would be supportive of such a move.

 

[TheRoyalIveyFund]

While we are waiting for word on the future of Feb Melo's status, I've been wondering about the impact of Mookie leaving the team so abruptly. There was a very tangible disorientation visible on the faces of the players when they were warming up for the Notre Dame game. Needless to say the combined performance in that ND game was horrid (everyone was off and not composed by any stretch). Going into this game without Fab was very problematic, but Mookie was also a part of the 'family' (a supportive friend, a comic relief artist--and even though a step slow and not much of a factor on the court as 11th man, he was still very skilled and probably an important part of the practice regimen).

My question is, how long will it take the team to recover from the loss of Mookie in the day to day mix (and the group psychology of the team)? The team effort in Cincinnati was beautiful (minus Waiters), but now that the team is back home in Syracuse, will the absence of Mookie continue to weaken this team's collective strength? I for one will miss his presence in the elaborate dance called the team introduction before the West Virginia game.

Mookie, thanks for posting. However, your old teammates did not miss you during the ND game and were no part of the lethargic play. If you are rigid in your belief that is why they tanked at ND, then rest assured that, as evidenced by the fantastic road win at Cincy, w/o Fab, they quickly forgot all about you.

Maybe they burned a mookie in effigy on Sunday to get over it? Whatever it was, it worked based on Monday's play!

They have another dozen mookies on the team named Brandon, Matt LC, Matt T, etc. They'll do just fine without you, Mookie.

 

[Albeck43]

Mookie, thanks for posting. However, your old teammates did not miss you during the ND game and were no part of the lethargic play. If you are rigid in your belief that is why they tanked at ND, then rest assured that, as evidenced by the fantastic road win at Cincy, w/o Fab, they quickly forgot all about you.

Maybe they burned a mookie in effigy on Sunday to get over it? Whatever it was, it worked based on Monday's play!

They have another dozen mookies on the team named Brandon, Matt LC, Matt T, etc. They'll do just fine without you, Mookie.

I can assure you that I am not Mookie. And it is a bit troubling that beside your dark humor you would find my prose and mindset similar to or indistinguishable from Mookie's.

 

[SUintheVille]

Not sure if this was discussed much, but anyone really know why Mookie left, as if we need more rumors.

 

[PoppyHart]

Not sure if this was discussed much, but anyone really know why Mookie left, as if we need more rumors.

I surmised/observed during the DePaul game that he had "quit", whether on himself or on the team. That hypothesis was met with contempt and scorn.

Perhaps it's time to revisit.

 

[sufandu]

I'm not sure I would consider it that abrupt. It was between academic semesters so maybe the coaches and teammates knew about it, or that it was a possibility, a while before it happened. We don't know what conversations are taking place behind closed doors.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Wasn't Mookie the player all the starters did their pregame mojo with during introductions? Doing chest bumps, hand jive etc. Bet the team has missed Mookie.

 

[alibrat66]

Mookie was emotionally a big part of the team, serving an important role as big brother, court jester, cheerleader, and an example of team over individual. The Cuse is/was a group of brothers with strong chemistry. Two leave abruptly, each for maybe different reasons and possibly for different durations, it can't help but upset the finely-turned balance. Purely speculation, but it is possible that Dion, given his mood swings over the past year, is affected by the change, given the way his level of play suddenly dropped off immediately after Mookie and Fab went away. I think we'll be okay in the long run, but it is going to take time and adjustment. One reporter's opinion.

 

[shermstheman]

Mookie was emotionally a big part of the team, serving an important role as big brother, court jester, cheerleader, and an example of team over individual. The Cuse is/was a group of brothers with strong chemistry. Two leave abruptly, each for maybe different reasons and possibly for different durations, it can't help but upset the finely-turned balance. Purely speculation, but it is possible that Dion, given his mood swings over the past year, is affected by the change, given the way his level of play suddenly dropped off immediately after Mookie and Fab went away. I think we'll be okay in the long run, but it is going to take time and adjustment. One reporter's opinion.

Dion may or may not be close to Mookie but there is no way his play is affected. (the more natural reaction would be to step it up). The thing that might be affecting his play is the NBA and not having his head in the game (or myriad other issues on the minds of young men). He'll recover quickly- he's too talented not to. I do wonder what the loss of a friend/teammate and the suspension of Fab did have on the team- they were flat out dead and awful vs. ND. Kids, being kids, they recovered at Cincy.

 

[SUintheVille]

At least Mookie had that one good game and 8 min PT before he left.

 

[AlaskaSU]

I would have liked to have been able to put him in during the ND game.

 

[SBU72]

I'm not sure I would consider it that abrupt. It was between academic semesters so maybe the coaches and teammates knew about it, or that it was a possibility, a while before it happened. We don't know what conversations are taking place behind closed doors.

Per Post Standard " Mookie Jones addressed his situation this way on his Facebook page: I appreciate what Syracuse basketball has done for me. I'm sorry to all of my fans but family is the most important thing right now much love to everyone."

 

[orangedave]

Mookie, thanks for posting. However, your old teammates did not miss you during the ND game and were no part of the lethargic play. If you are rigid in your belief that is why they tanked at ND, then rest assured that, as evidenced by the fantastic road win at Cincy, w/o Fab, they quickly forgot all about you.

Maybe they burned a mookie in effigy on Sunday to get over it? Whatever it was, it worked based on Monday's play!

They have another dozen mookies on the team named Brandon, Matt LC, Matt T, etc. They'll do just fine without you, Mookie.

Maybe the most mean spirited post ever on this board - especially when so many posters this season have commented on Mookie's supportive attitude displayed pregame and during games.

 

[kirbivore]

Maybe the most mean spirited post ever on this board - especially when so many posters this season have commented on Mookie's supportive attitude displayed pregame and during games.

You must have missed the stuff RE: Donte Green on draft night 2008.

 

[TheRoyalIveyFund]

Maybe the most mean spirited post ever on this board - especially when so many posters this season have commented on Mookie's supportive attitude displayed pregame and during games.

After re-reading, I must apologize to the OP. He probably meant well. After reading Mookie posts for three straight months, I had enough and intended to post something to make them go away but didn't intend to be so condescending.

However, most mean-spirited is a bit hyperbole, don't you think?? I was a bit jerky yes but Mookie has also pixxed many people off, including coaches and teammates, with less than stellar behavior. There's a reason he was booted and a few players have commented as such.

That said, again, sorry to the OP!!

 

[alibrat66]

Dion may or may not be close to Mookie but there is no way his play is affected. (the more natural reaction would be to step it up). The thing that might be affecting his play is the NBA and not having his head in the game (or myriad other issues on the minds of young men). He'll recover quickly- he's too talented not to. I do wonder what the loss of a friend/teammate and the suspension of Fab did have on the team- they were flat out dead and awful vs. ND. Kids, being kids, they recovered at Cincy.

I may be wrong, but it seems I read an interview with Dion about how over the years he has lost close relatives and friends to the mean streets of Philadelphia. Sometimes, the pain of past loss is triggered by people leaving one's life today; it can be a subtle but unnerving reaction. From what I can see, over the last two games and since Mookie and Fab left the team, Dion doesn't seem to be himself; he's lost his swagger and some of his concentration.

Again, just an opinion. Maybe I'm reading too much into the situation.

 

[br801]

I may be wrong, but it seems I read an interview with Dion about how over the years he has lost close relatives and friends to the mean streets of Philadelphia. Sometimes, the pain of past loss is triggered by people leaving one's life today; it can be a subtle but unnerving reaction. From what I can see, over the last two games and since Mookie and Fab left the team, Dion doesn't seem to be himself; he's lost his swagger and some of his concentration.

Again, just an opinion. Maybe I'm reading too much into the situation.

I also think Waiters is playing at far less than 100% physically right now (ankle, left hand), just as Triche has played through an injury to his shooting hand this season.

JB always downplays the injury stuff when asked, but it's there and might explain some of the inconsistent performances we've seen from these guys. Just makes me like these kids even more.