The Perfect Storm Rages On

Steve Lavin finally gets to put his work on full display when St. John's opens season against St. Mary's on November 16. (Photo courtesy of New York Post)

St. John’s finally takes the court for the first time in the 2010-11 season thirteen days from now when they tip off against St. Mary’s to officially commence the Steve Lavin era. However, as only its New York City locale can do, the hoopla surrounding the Johnnies and the first seven months of the Lavin administration continues to reach crescendos that had been unknown by the program since its 1999 Elite Eight appearance. The most honorable aspect of this additional media attention, you might ask? Lavin and his young charges have refused to let the publicity go to their heads for the most part, and their 46-year-old head man credits the “pragmatic approach” employed by world-renowned UCLA coach John Wooden and newly minted special assistant Gene Keady as the primary reason why he and his team has remained so humble.

Lavin and his staff have approached their maiden voyage at the helm of the Johnnies as one where they are “taking the baton” from predecessor Norm Roberts and continuing along on their climb to the top of the Big East. “We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made,” gushed Lavin during our interview two weeks ago at Big East media day at Madison Square Garden, an event where Lavin was the center of attention for over two hours. Game number one, which comes against a St. Mary’s team that reached the Sweet 16 a year ago and returns four of their five starters from last season will go a long way in determining just how far the Johnnies have come this offseason. ”I thought it was vital that we play a tough road game before we step into the Big East,” Lavin remarked, adding that leading a relatively untested team into tough conference road matchups would be considered a “mistake in our preparation.” St. John’s also matches up with reigning national champion Duke at the Garden, and heads to Pauley Pavilion on February 5th for the much-anticipated Lavin homecoming at Westwood against UCLA, but Lavin and his players are still preparing for their exhibition game Saturday night against Westmont College, whose head coach is Lavin’s brother-in-law.

While Lavin is still undecided about who will ultimately be part of his starting five, he was quick to rattle off the names of players who have really impressed him thus far. Not surprisingly, team leader D.J. Kennedy was the first name dropped by the coach. Although the size and skill of “The Hitman” has elicited praise from Lavin, the coach and his staff would like to “amplify his contributions at the defensive end of the floor.” Lavin also compared sharpshooter Dwight (Sheriff) Hardy to Jason Kapono, the former 3-point shootout champion who Lavin coached at UCLA that had “Reggie Miller range” as described by Lavin.

To use one of Lavin’s favorite words, the coach remained pragmatic when addressing the fact that most, if not all of his team, needs to have a career year to make the Johnnies’ dream of climbing the ladder into a reality. While Lavin insisted more than one player needs to be at his personal best all season, he singled out Justin Brownlee as a player capable of having a breakout season. Lavin’s testimonial didn’t stop there, as he lauded the former junior college standout as being one of the more gifted players on the squad; adding that Brownlee and freshman Dwayne Polee as being able to play four positions on the hardwood.

At Big East media day last week, Marquette coach Buzz Williams appropriately described Lavin’s arrival in Queens as a “perfect storm.” Only two weeks following that quote, the storm is as intense as ever; and appears to be gathering steam with each passing day.