I have gotta agree with that comment. I am patient enough to give him longer than others on here who are commenting, but one thing I cannot deny is that presently LSU basketball has no excitement whatsoever.
Recruiting seems to have been his weakness...and it's being borne out. I think he's a good coach otherwise and I agree with him having time to develop the type of system we are implementing...namely getting a good solid core of players who will be here for 4 years and developing them as a team, as well as individually. It's just that with that model, experience is necessary to produce wins and LSU is very young. I'm for giving him more time, but if a better coach is out there who's willing to come into a rebuilding situation that has very little fan support.....well....
Coach Johnson fires back... LSU coach Trent Johnson opened his post-practice press conference Thursday afternoon talking about his team's performance in its loss at Vanderbilt one day earlier. He expressed hope that the Tigers would learn from that defeat as it prepared for back-to-back home games against Alabama on Saturday and Mississippi State on Tuesday. While Johnson and his team were in Nashville, Ricardo Gathers announced his commitment to Baylor. Gathers, the No. 1 prospect in Louisiana, had been the top priority of LSU's recruiting for the last three seasons. To add insult to injury, Gathers explained that one reason for his decision to go to Baylor was the fact that Johnson didn't show enough interest in him. Gathers gave the impression that Bears coach Scott Drew outworked Johnson. That suggestion drew some fire from Johnson. "It's comical," said Johnson, in response to Gathers' statements. "It takes people about five to ten minutes after they meet me to know how I am wired. For anybody to think that our basketball staff under my leadership doesn't work is comical. "I'm glad that people didn't talk to my wife. She sees when I am not around. If I'm not in our gym, I'm not holding Jackie's (wife) hand. I am not out in a bar drinking. By the rules, I am in somebody's gym. My life is pretty sterile. To question my work ethic is not right." Johnson rarely reveals any information about recruiting. He did say Thursday that he "feels good about signing two more players." River Ride (La.) Curtis wing Malik Morgan signed with the Tigers last November. Morgan is ranked No. 2 in the state behind Gathers. "The reason I don't feel good about sharing whom I recruiting is that there is a whole process that's involved," Johnson said. "I want enough time to educate the player and his family about the environment at LSU. I want them to know what LSU is about and what their role is going to be. "The player and his family need to know and understand all of this before they are asked a bunch of questions. For me, it's all about the kid and it will always be about the kid. It's not the coach. It's not the story. It's the kid. I am always concerned about the welfare of the young man." Johnson admitted that he doesn't care if a player announces a commitment. "A person becomes a recruitable athlete in the ninth grade," Johnson said. "A lot can go on from that time until college. I am not an advocate of verbal commitments." Johnson acknowledged that recruiting is the lifeline of any successful program. "You have got to be pretty stupid if you don't recruit," Johnson said. "I like to have a bunch of talent out there. I am always going to take the best possible player I can get. I don't get caught up in rankings. We just have to stay the course and get kids who fit the puzzle." http://lsu.rivals.co...asp?CID=1329775
As usual, MrGreen, you are a voice of reason. As I posted on the main board, I'm bummed Gathers didn't choose to come to LSU, but we often forget, these kids have a choice, and in the end, they make their bed when they jump into it. I guess here's the thing that I'd add about Baylor. Can Drew recruit? Yes, no one's ever said the guy wasn't a slick salesman from the beginning. BUT, I for one will be watching how Baylor develops Mr. Gathers. For the guy that asked, how has Baylor come around so quickly... I think before you post this kind of stuff at least do some research... Drew has been the coach for Baylor for NINE seasons. His win % in conference games in that time is .37 (52-86). He has been to post season play 3 times in that span (2 NCAAs and 1 NIT). He also missed it last year, and his string of post-season play has been in years 5 (lost in first round of NCAA), 6 (NIT) and 7 (Elite Eight). I'll give you that Drew is a good recruiter and he has done a good job bringing the program back since a dark time. BUT, let's not annoint him a Calipari like coach. I'll give you that how the guy convinces kids to go play in Waco, at Baylor, is astonishing (makes you wonder). BUT, I'll also say show me a player that Scott Drew has developed and made a better player. In fact, I'd argue that he's done less with more recently. When you consider that recent classes have been littered with McDAAs and the best talent in Texas and beyond, and Drew's missed the tournament last year, or not really developed kids for the NBA, and I really wonder the wisdom in Gathers' choice. Only time will tell. He stated that he followed in Reserve's Tweety Carter's footsteps to Baylor... I hope he doesn't follow him in also not making the NBA cut. As you noted, MrGreen, you look at a kid like Justin Hamilton, who LSU will put in the NBA after next year. You look at perhaps an all-JUCO big who may consider LSU, and I trust Trent and Brent Scott to make them better. You see the development of a kid like Stringer (and let's be fair, this kid is getting better) or Hickey, and you have to trust that your coach can develop kids too. I'm not personally so bummed about Gathers' decision to realize that the April signing period can also bring a Tyrus Thomas, or an Anthony Hickey like signing. What Trent and staff can do with that time will also be very telling to help ease the Gathers' situation.
Obviously, I think it's important for optics and perception, almost more so than reality. BUT, I say it's important because this is a kid from Baton Rouge, who will likely be in that top 50 or so range. AND, again, for optics and perception, Trent needs to land a kid who is a hometown kid who is perceived in that "next level" (i.e., top 50 as opposed to top 100). But, I'll say this, recruiting is always about how your team looks with that talent. Sure, a freshman can help your team, like Hickey did this year, but we often overestimate a freshman's worth. With the few rare exception like Kentucky, most programs are built on players with a few years of experience. Where there are holes, then that freshman can help a lot. Like Hickey. Martin is from most accounts, an athletic SF, who is a raw talent that is developing. His highlights tend to be nice fancy dunks. He's a 6-8 ish SF who can develop into something special. But, at the end of the day, is his shot better than Ralston Turner? Can he handle and play d better than John Isaac? Probably not (at this time). What he is an athletic swing forward who could be molded into a very good player with time. But, if we signed say a Shavon Coleman from the JUCO ranks, or if Jalen Courtney put in more time at the 3, would Martin be a "must have"? I wouldn't say so, but I would say he's very important in terms of filling that 3 spot pipeline. With hard work and development, Martin could even start ahead of Courtney or force a move of Turner back to 2. I think long term he'll fit better into Trent's system than say even Gathers would have. Trent's system puts the three in a spot to really learn how to move without the ball, shoot jumpers and slash, which I believe Martin could do at his height and athleticism. Gathers would be playing primarily 4, but sharing time at the spot with JOB, while Hamilton was there. And, then, if JOB plays center, then, Gathers at 4 would at times be a liability. But, Martin probably projects as true 3, and well, if he came in, he'd be the heir apparent to the Ludwig/Courtney/Turner combination. IMO, the only "must have" in the 2013 class is frontcourt depth, a true big man (preferably a 6'10" or taller 5) and another really impactful guard (a PG preferably, but a combo would be good). Martin obviously would fit very well here, given LSU's needs, but we have no seniors, other than Ludwig, who would be leaving his spot.
The idea that we are better off without him is just not true. Alot of big time recruits are divas, it's just the way it is.
I can't speak for everyone else but for me it's not that I think we are better off without him, only time will tell that. I do, however, believe that to build the kind of program that Trent is building, where kids stick around for all four years, or at least three, we need kids who WANT to be at LSU and be a part of the rebuilding effort. You are correct that a lot of big time recruits are divas and it will always be that way. That said, sometimes the attitudes are manageable and sometimes they are not. I don't want to pass judgement on a 17 year old kid because the Lord knows I was clueless when I was 17, but Gathers does seem to be a kid who wants and needs to get away from home.
Can't take credit for this find but i'm passing the info on...Trent is actively recruiting Shane Hammick (Yes Geerts son)! Just being Geerts kid is enuf for me but the kids got game! 6'6 180 lb combo guard. "He currently holds offers from LSU, Miami, Northeastern, and Iowa. Coaches from LSU, Miami, and Northeastern have all been on hand this week to watch Hammink". 2012 NATIONAL PREP SCHOOL INVITATIONAL — DAY THREE | NBE Basketball Report [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylyyEICsPMM]Shane Hammink Highlight(finished) 3 dec 2011.avi - YouTube[/ame] Fills a need great PR! I'll say it again there is life after Gathers, Lets go Trent!
