In terms of blocks rather convincingly. Obviously Noel has a much better offensive game, but we don't ask for offense from Obekpa. Noel had 5 total blocks in 2 exhibitions while Obekpa had 14...that's almost 10 more. I know lots of you will say I'm reaching for straws, but Obekpa really has the chance to be the better shot blocker than Noel. He just has that knack for timing. This kid is going to raise hell. I know it's just exhibitions, but I thought the comparison was interesting considering most people probably assume he is the better shot blocker than Obekpa.
For what it's worth, Obekpa has outplayed Noel
- Thread starter LINY89
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The Big "O" has arrived...
What made a player like Obekpa so attractive to scouts around the nation was his unmatched timing when blocking shots. He had the ability to keep up with the up-and-down, lateral movements of his opponent in the paint, while being quick, yet patient, enough to elevate in time to reject a shot to the basket.
"It's a God-given talent, and I'm using it well," Obekpa told RedStormReport.com in the spring, days before committing to the Johnnies.
The St. John's backcourt is anxious to play a game with a player like Obekpa in the frontcourt, mentioning that it makes their job a lot easier.
"We have a shot-blocker in the back, now," said sophomore guard D'Angelo Harrison of Obekpa. "JaKarr Sampson, Orlando Sanchez, Chris Obekpa - having them helps because we were more lean in the frontcourt [last season]."
"Chris Obekpa - the young kid blocks everything!" said sophomore swingman Sir'Dominic Pointer, the team's de facto energy guy. "He's a really smart kid for his age. His timing is impeccable. Just knowing you have him behind you, if you get beat a little bit when sticking with your man, you know he's going to get it."
What made a player like Obekpa so attractive to scouts around the nation was his unmatched timing when blocking shots. He had the ability to keep up with the up-and-down, lateral movements of his opponent in the paint, while being quick, yet patient, enough to elevate in time to reject a shot to the basket.
"It's a God-given talent, and I'm using it well," Obekpa told RedStormReport.com in the spring, days before committing to the Johnnies.
The St. John's backcourt is anxious to play a game with a player like Obekpa in the frontcourt, mentioning that it makes their job a lot easier.
"We have a shot-blocker in the back, now," said sophomore guard D'Angelo Harrison of Obekpa. "JaKarr Sampson, Orlando Sanchez, Chris Obekpa - having them helps because we were more lean in the frontcourt [last season]."
"Chris Obekpa - the young kid blocks everything!" said sophomore swingman Sir'Dominic Pointer, the team's de facto energy guy. "He's a really smart kid for his age. His timing is impeccable. Just knowing you have him behind you, if you get beat a little bit when sticking with your man, you know he's going to get it."
Actually, Noel's offensive game is atrocious. Obekpa has much better hands and at the same point is probably more effective on the offensive end than Noel. Obekpa has always been as good or better shot locker than Noel. Obekpa averaged a ton more blocks in HS than Noel did. Neither is an offensive superstar, but Noel is far from a dynamo on offense and his footwork is much worse than Obekpa's. Obekpa is going to be a monster for us down the line.
Does anyone know where the "Nerlens Noel is the best shot blocker in High School basketball" talk came from? I know I heard it ad nauseum after he reclassified and leading up to his announcement for Kentucky from all the media talking heads, but I've NEVER seen it. The two "Big" All Star games he played in he had 3 and 2 blocks respectively. His final year of high school, he averaged 3.9 blocks a game. And the blocks I'VE seen him make aren't the controlled taps to teammates, but the big showy smash it to the 3rd row kind - the ones that give possession BACK to your opponent.
I think he's a fine prospect, with huge upside. But I just don't get this hype, which has focused on what to me appears to be a pretty average for a 6'10 highschooler skill....3.9 blocks? Guys, Sir Dom at 6'5 averaged MORE than that in high school....
I think he's a fine prospect, with huge upside. But I just don't get this hype, which has focused on what to me appears to be a pretty average for a 6'10 highschooler skill....3.9 blocks? Guys, Sir Dom at 6'5 averaged MORE than that in high school....
I'd temper those offensive comparisons MCN. Dont think its fair to see Obekpa has much better hands.
He had quite a few (I forget the number) in UK's exhibition games.
And the blocks I saw him make at Tilton weren't the big, flashy ones. I didn't watch a lot of him there but enough to see that he is an elite shot blocker.
I said this from the beginning that I felt Obekpa is the closest thing to Anthony Davis because he has innate shot blocking instincts. Obekpa knows how to controls his own body keeping it out of the way of contact of the shooter and he gets up off the ground quicker and higher than Noel.
And I'd venture to say that he's blocked more outside shots than Noel (just guessing here).
But Noel is legit.
For comparison purposes, I'd say Noel is more Alonzo Mourning. Obekpa is more Mutumbo.
BTW, there aren't many shot blocks in All-Star games as most players are dunking the ball and most defenders are out there coasting it.
Obekpa is quietly a good passer with decent hands. Passes quite well out if the post. Nerlens has no idea what to do with his back to the basket. Nerlens is springy and an excellent shot locker who has good upside if he can improve his offensive game. I think he's more raw on offense than Obekpa is and is not accustomed to post offense much at all. I think Obekpa is a kid that really slid under the radar, but has much more of a cerebral game. I've heard he's a tremendously hard worker on the court and has high bball IQ. I think we're only seeing a small glimpse of the stuff Obekpa is going to be able to do. Big fan of this kid. He's going to save us in quite a few games wi his shot blocking alone. Detroit game might be one of those.
Obekpa has been scary good. Even fast break layups are not gimmes anymore for opponents! I have seen multiple occasions where he flies down the court and bashes the ball into the backboard from behind with the guy shocked. It's so fun to watch...the kid loves to play D. I do think Obekpa's offensive game is still solid at least, but I do think Noel will average more PPG and better FG% when all is said and done. However I expect Obekpa to be among the nation's top 10 shot blockers if not THE best if he keeps blocking at the rate he has been lately.
Obekpa obviously has tremendous shot blocking skills, but let's be real, we've been playing midgets in these two exhibitions.
He may very well be better than Noel, but I gotta see them both play a few games against real competition before we can even have this talk.
Lets see what Noel does against Maryland tonight, and Obekpa does Tuesday. Then we can start the discussion.
He may very well be better than Noel, but I gotta see them both play a few games against real competition before we can even have this talk.
Lets see what Noel does against Maryland tonight, and Obekpa does Tuesday. Then we can start the discussion.
They did. And maybe Noel will be a flop and Obekpa a steal for us. I don't know.
I'm just saying nobody should be judging them based on what they do against Tranyslvania and Concordia.
I do agree with you though that Obekpa's hands are better than I thought they would be, as is his passing.
So offensively I don't think he's as raw as some people made him out to be. Might not have the post moves yet, but Im impressed with his hands and court vision.
He needs to box out better and set harder picks though. He kind've goes through the motions when blocking out or setting picks, that's an area where attention to detail makes a big difference.
Get good position and put in the effort big man!
I saw him play last night at the Barclays vs. Maryland. In fairness, Kentucky has so much talent that I don't see where he will ever be the focal point for offense.
However, based on the limited opportunities, I too don't get the impression that he is an offensive juggernaut. He attempted a couple of left handed jump hooks (which I like in a big man) but did so kind of awkwardly and never got is body to a proper angle.Very skinny...not sure that he is a "one and done" -- but stranger things have happened.
Kentucky has a number of good bigs...Maryland did well to get back in the game without any semblance of outside shooting