Tough to realize that this will be David's last home game. Just a great, great talent. I remember when I heard we were involved with him and that he had "visited". KW was our coach, and I ran into Kyle Smyth and asked him about DL. His reply was that he's good and seems like a nice guy. Well we didn't get him on the first try, but did get him on the rebound. And, imo, he's been our best big man since Jeff. The time flies by.
Tough to realize that this will be David's last home game. Just a great, great talent. I remember when I heard we were involved with him and that he had "visited". KW was our coach, and I ran into Kyle Smyth and asked him about DL. His reply was that he's good and seems like a nice guy. Well we didn't get him on the first try, but did get him on the rebound. And, imo, he's been our best big man since Jeff. The time flies by.
59, agree completely. DL is unbelievably talented.
Post by ghostofwillard on Feb 24, 2015 8:28:59 GMT -5
When Mike Glover graduated 3 years ago I thought it would be a long time before Iona would get a impact big man again, could I ever have been so wrong! Laury certainly left his mark here at Iona, one of the Gaels best big men ever!
Things worked out great for DL which is fantastic since he is a great guy. He came in, listened to the staff and worked his ass off to develop into the player that he has become. David always had the physical skills but his increased belief in himself and his development of mental toughness has really impressed me.
When we were recruiting DL it was reported that we were also recruiting ESPN Top 100 player Sidiki Johnson. Johnson listened to the wrong people after leaving Arizona mid freshman year, ended up at Providence which did not work out and then enrolled in Wabash CC before declaring for the draft. He did not get drafted, ended up with a Belgium pro team and then a Canadian pro team. He is now out of basketball. I imagine that Sidiki Johnson's story could have turned out very differently if he had chosen a similar path as DL and put in the hard work that DL has.
DL is one of my all time favorite Iona players and one of the best guys we have ever had in the program.
Things worked out great for DL which is fantastic since he is a great guy. He came in, listened to the staff and worked his ass off to develop into the player that he has become. David always had the physical skills but his increased belief in himself and his development of mental toughness has really impressed me.
When we were recruiting DL it was reported that we were also recruiting ESPN Top 100 player Sidiki Johnson. Johnson listened to the wrong people after leaving Arizona mid freshman year, ended up at Providence which did not work out and then enrolled in Wabash CC before declaring for the draft. He did not get drafted, ended up with a Belgium pro team and then a Canadian pro team. He is now out of basketball. I imagine that Sidiki Johnson's story could have turned out very differently if he had chosen a similar path as DL and put in the hard work that DL has.
DL is one of my all time favorite Iona players and one of the best guys we have eve had in the program.
86, the jackass crew on the MAAC board should hear that story.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
Things worked out great for DL which is fantastic since he is a great guy. He came in, listened to the staff and worked his ass off to develop into the player that he has become. David always had the physical skills but his increased belief in himself and his development of mental toughness has really impressed me.
When we were recruiting DL it was reported that we were also recruiting ESPN Top 100 player Sidiki Johnson. Johnson listened to the wrong people after leaving Arizona mid freshman year, ended up at Providence which did not work out and then enrolled in Wabash CC before declaring for the draft. He did not get drafted, ended up with a Belgium pro team and then a Canadian pro team. He is now out of basketball. I imagine that Sidiki Johnson's story could have turned out very differently if he had chosen a similar path as DL and put in the hard work that DL has.
DL is one of my all time favorite Iona players and one of the best guys we have eve had in the program.
86, the jackass crew on the MAAC board should hear that story.
That would require reading skills and an attention span that last longer than 20 seconds. Maybe I could make a pop out picture book so it would be easier for them to understand?
86, the jackass crew on the MAAC board should hear that story.
That would require reading skills and an attention span that last longer than 20 seconds. Maybe I could make a pop out picture book so it would be easier for them to understand?
You would have to get it down to the comprehension level of people like MTS, Soup and Saintly, so we're talking pictograms at that point. Let those clowns wallow in the shit they cover themselves with.
I'm really looking forward to the game on Friday, and the opportunity to give DL the proper thank you from Iona fans.
Things worked out great for DL which is fantastic since he is a great guy. He came in, listened to the staff and worked his ass off to develop into the player that he has become. David always had the physical skills but his increased belief in himself and his development of mental toughness has really impressed me.
When we were recruiting DL it was reported that we were also recruiting ESPN Top 100 player Sidiki Johnson. Johnson listened to the wrong people after leaving Arizona mid freshman year, ended up at Providence which did not work out and then enrolled in Wabash CC before declaring for the draft. He did not get drafted, ended up with a Belgium pro team and then a Canadian pro team. He is now out of basketball. I imagine that Sidiki Johnson's story could have turned out very differently if he had chosen a similar path as DL and put in the hard work that DL has.
DL is one of my all time favorite Iona players and one of the best guys we have eve had in the program.
Agree with all sentiments '86. DL took that Manhattan loss last year personally and has gotten himself into shape to insure it doesn't happen again.
I'm actually partial to Mike Glover, although both players have been absolutely superb. I admit I have not seen a lot of Iona games this year, but I give DL zero points for bringing the ball up. The upside to him doing this, I realize, is that it will help Grasso/Cluess to recruit more athletic bigs. The downside, of course, is that he expends more energy and focus that could be used under the basket. Tell me if you think I am wrong as I have not seen to many games this year.
I'm actually partial to Mike Glover, although both players have been absolutely superb. I admit I have not seen a lot of Iona games this year, but I give DL zero points for bringing the ball up. The upside to him doing this, I realize, is that it will help Grasso/Cluess to recruit more athletic bigs. The downside, of course, is that he expends more energy and focus that could be used under the basket. Tell me if you think I am wrong as I have not seen to many games this year.
This is a little harsh. I think you are assuming that DL prefers to bring the ball up a lot, and I'm not sure that's the case.
Last year we absolutely had to rely on DL's ability to bring the ball up under heavy pressure. This year, with Amayo and Casimir available to handle that chore, we don't have to rely so much on Laury for this. You are right to point out that over reliance on this pretty extraordinary skill for a big like DL can tire him out. However, to have a big that can bring the ball up against heavy pressure (and hit foul shots) is a huge advantage for Iona at the end of a close game.
Last year DL had a very good year. This season he is off the charts better. In my view he is the conf POY.
Ic1983, I second your David Laury as POY as of now. Qualifier is if AJ wins another game then co-POY. His development as a shooter is remarkable, but that is what Coach Cluess and staff do with these players willing to put in the work. Looking forward to outstanding performances in front of the home crowd Friday.
I'm actually partial to Mike Glover, although both players have been absolutely superb. I admit I have not seen a lot of Iona games this year, but I give DL zero points for bringing the ball up. The upside to him doing this, I realize, is that it will help Grasso/Cluess to recruit more athletic bigs. The downside, of course, is that he expends more energy and focus that could be used under the basket. Tell me if you think I am wrong as I have not seen to many games this year.
Did not go to St. Johns, so I'm not sure of the value of the following comments/questions. How do you press if Laury is bringing the ball up? If DL is bringing the ball up, how do you set up your D? Does your big stay back; does he come out on DL? Given Iona's many snipers, how do you most effectively spread the floor? If DL takes the ball to the paint, what the blank do you do on D - collapse on him?
Why do the ESPN analysts keep saying that DL is a match-up nightmare? Yeah, we can and do over-do it.
I'm actually partial to Mike Glover, although both players have been absolutely superb. I admit I have not seen a lot of Iona games this year, but I give DL zero points for bringing the ball up. The upside to him doing this, I realize, is that it will help Grasso/Cluess to recruit more athletic bigs. The downside, of course, is that he expends more energy and focus that could be used under the basket. Tell me if you think I am wrong as I have not seen to many games this year.
This is a little harsh. I think you are assuming that DL prefers to bring the ball up a lot, and I'm not sure that's the case.
Last year we absolutely had to rely on DL's ability to bring the ball up under heavy pressure. This year, with Amayo and Casimir available to handle that chore, we don't have to rely so much on Laury for this. You are right to point out that over reliance on this pretty extraordinary skill for a big like DL can tire him out. However, to have a big that can bring the ball up against heavy pressure (and hit foul shots) is a huge advantage for Iona at the end of a close game.
Last year DL had a very good year. This season he is off the charts better. In my view he is the conf POY.
DL is the POV, we have other players that can play guard and shoot the 3, maybe not in the clutch like AJ, but if DL missed time our season would have been very different. St. Louis why shouldn't they say that he is a match up nightmare? There is no one in the MAAC that can guard him one on one, the last few games he has been triple teamed at times