Obekpa blocks

[tom in salem]

http://instagram.com/p/V_1tuEjwHq/

 

[beast of the east]

Did anyone catch the Obekpa block on the right baseline in the 1st half? He was without a doubt at least halfway up the back board and about 2 feet above the rim. Amazing - our crowd should have gone bananas.

Also not sure if it was the competition, but he appears to be getting stronger. Weight room? he's been mixing it up well, and once he gets his hands on the ball, its his rebound.

He's going hard after every rebound now. It was noticeable on one offensive play where he bullied his way through two USF players to haul in a loose ball. He's really matured since I want to say the Cincy game and has made rebounding a point of emphasis, which he should since he brings little to the table offensively.

Patrick Ewing brought little to the table offensively until the sweater game, which stunned us with lefty and right hooks, jumpers from 15, etc. Not saying Obekpa is the second coming - he isn't in that league at this point, BUT, guys can make a very nice NBA living blocking shots and rebounding.

For the record, I always felt that if Ewing brought to the NBA his monster defense, shot blocking, and rebounding, INSTEAD of 20 points per game, many from the outside, he would have been an absolute beast in the pros, and maybe would have had a few rings that now occupy Michael Jordan's fingers. Just saying.

You must not remember much about Ewing, if you didn't think he bring much on the offensive end until the final regular season game of his senior season. I was privy to watching many, G'town games being my oldest brother was a huge, G'town fan at the time. I can recall Ewing being a fairly, decent offensive player during his freshmen season. He was able to hit short jumpers during his freshmen campaign. It wasn't in his main arsenal, but he was certainly capable of hitting it.

Ewing average 12.7 points as a freshman, making just under 5 FG per game, and only 61% from the foul line. Of those 5 FG, I'd bet anything 4 were putbacks, dunks or layups. His scoring improved, but he didn't show the 18 foot range he slaughtered us with in the sweater game. Despite being a monster down low, his college average was ONLY 15.7 ppg. The most common comparison, which if you remember reading anythign about Ewing, was Bill Russell, not Jabbar, not Champerlain. He may have shown a soft touch around the hoop, but not an offensive arsenal. The night of the sweater game he threw the kitchen sink at us, and even that went in.

Of course, as a pro, he fell in love with the 18-20 foot jumper, which made him an all star, but the monster was gone forever. The damned finger roll he missed vs the PAcers woudl have been a monster slam in college and he would have walked off the court with the rim in his hands.

 

[ras]

Hes definately improving in the rebound dept, which of course we desperately need. Both he and SJU lead the nation in blocks. Pretty good for a FR. He is way ahead of the BE blocking FR. record all time. That includes Ewing,Mourning and others.

 

[MJDinkins]

You must not remember much about Ewing, if you didn't think he bring much on the offensive end until the final regular season game of his senior season. I was privy to watching many, G'town games being my oldest brother was a huge, G'town fan at the time. I can recall Ewing being a fairly, decent offensive player during his freshmen season. He was able to hit short jumpers during his freshmen campaign. It wasn't in his main arsenal, but he was certainly capable of hitting it.

Ewing average 12.7 points as a freshman, making just under 5 FG per game, and only 61% from the foul line. Of those 5 FG, I'd bet anything 4 were putbacks, dunks or layups. His scoring improved, but he didn't show the 18 foot range he slaughtered us with in the sweater game. Despite being a monster down low, his college average was ONLY 15.7 ppg. The most common comparison, which if you remember reading anythign about Ewing, was Bill Russell, not Jabbar, not Champerlain. He may have shown a soft touch around the hoop, but not an offensive arsenal. The night of the sweater game he threw the kitchen sink at us, and even that went in.

Of course, as a pro, he fell in love with the 18-20 foot jumper, which made him an all star, but the monster was gone forever. The damned finger roll he missed vs the PAcers woudl have been a monster slam in college and he would have walked off the court with the rim in his hands.

Of course, he didn't display the same overall, offensive arsenal as a freshmen than he did, as a senior. But I watched a ton of G'town games during that period, and Ewing could certainly hit the short jumper during his early years (yes, even his freshmen season) on the Hilltop.

G'town's offense didn't go thru Ewing his freshmen season, hence he didn't have to shoot often. His offensive game, including his jumper, got better and better like most players who stick around in college. If you sincerely believes he didn't show off that particular facet 'til his final regular season game of his senior season or his senior season period, then I don't know what to tell 'ya.

I'll agree that he fell in love with the jumper after a few years in the NBA. It was rather frustrating.

 

[redmannorth]

Did anyone catch the Obekpa block on the right baseline in the 1st half? He was without a doubt at least halfway up the back board and about 2 feet above the rim. Amazing - our crowd should have gone bananas.

Also not sure if it was the competition, but he appears to be getting stronger. Weight room? he's been mixing it up well, and once he gets his hands on the ball, its his rebound.

He's going hard after every rebound now. It was noticeable on one offensive play where he bullied his way through two USF players to haul in a loose ball. He's really matured since I want to say the Cincy game and has made rebounding a point of emphasis, which he should since he brings little to the table offensively.

Patrick Ewing brought little to the table offensively until the sweater game, which stunned us with lefty and right hooks, jumpers from 15, etc. Not saying Obekpa is the second coming - he isn't in that league at this point, BUT, guys can make a very nice NBA living blocking shots and rebounding.

For the record, I always felt that if Ewing brought to the NBA his monster defense, shot blocking, and rebounding, INSTEAD of 20 points per game, many from the outside, he would have been an absolute beast in the pros, and maybe would have had a few rings that now occupy Michael Jordan's fingers. Just saying.

You must not remember much about Ewing, if you didn't think he bring much on the offensive end until the final regular season game of his senior season. I was privy to watching many, G'town games being my oldest brother was a huge, G'town fan at the time. I can recall Ewing being a fairly, decent offensive player during his freshmen season. He was able to hit short jumpers during his freshmen campaign. It wasn't in his main arsenal, but he was certainly capable of hitting it.

Ewing average 12.7 points as a freshman, making just under 5 FG per game, and only 61% from the foul line. Of those 5 FG, I'd bet anything 4 were putbacks, dunks or layups. His scoring improved, but he didn't show the 18 foot range he slaughtered us with in the sweater game. Despite being a monster down low, his college average was ONLY 15.7 ppg. The most common comparison, which if you remember reading anythign about Ewing, was Bill Russell, not Jabbar, not Champerlain. He may have shown a soft touch around the hoop, but not an offensive arsenal. The night of the sweater game he threw the kitchen sink at us, and even that went in.

Of course, as a pro, he fell in love with the 18-20 foot jumper, which made him an all star, but the monster was gone forever. The damned finger roll he missed vs the PAcers woudl have been a monster slam in college and he would have walked off the court with the rim in his hands.

I am truly surprised by what you are saying.
In 1981 Ewing was the number 1 high school player in the country, ahead of Michael Jordan, Ed Pinckney, Chris Mullin, Charles Barkley and a bunch of other players who went on to become NBA All Stars. It was not purely the result of his defensive prowess. The kid could do it all. When he went to Georgetown he wasn't asked to score, they had the 2 Smiths, they had All American Eric Floyd and Fred Brown. Ewing was the last scoring option. On any other team not called UNC he would have averaged 15 or more as a freshman.

 

[bobo]

Patrick Ewing brought little to the table offensively until the sweater game, which stunned us with lefty and right hooks, jumpers from 15, etc. Not saying Obekpa is the second coming - he isn't in that league at this point, BUT, guys can make a very nice NBA living blocking shots and rebounding.

For the record, I always felt that if Ewing brought to the NBA his monster defense, shot blocking, and rebounding, INSTEAD of 20 points per game, many from the outside, he would have been an absolute beast in the pros, and maybe would have had a few rings that now occupy Michael Jordan's fingers.
Just saying.

If john starks doesn't go 2 for 18 in game 7 of the NBA finals in 1994, Ewing would have his ring. And they went through the Bulls with Jordon to get to the finals that year.

 

[beast of the east]

Did anyone catch the Obekpa block on the right baseline in the 1st half? He was without a doubt at least halfway up the back board and about 2 feet above the rim. Amazing - our crowd should have gone bananas.

Also not sure if it was the competition, but he appears to be getting stronger. Weight room? he's been mixing it up well, and once he gets his hands on the ball, its his rebound.

He's going hard after every rebound now. It was noticeable on one offensive play where he bullied his way through two USF players to haul in a loose ball. He's really matured since I want to say the Cincy game and has made rebounding a point of emphasis, which he should since he brings little to the table offensively.

Patrick Ewing brought little to the table offensively until the sweater game, which stunned us with lefty and right hooks, jumpers from 15, etc. Not saying Obekpa is the second coming - he isn't in that league at this point, BUT, guys can make a very nice NBA living blocking shots and rebounding.

For the record, I always felt that if Ewing brought to the NBA his monster defense, shot blocking, and rebounding, INSTEAD of 20 points per game, many from the outside, he would have been an absolute beast in the pros, and maybe would have had a few rings that now occupy Michael Jordan's fingers. Just saying.

You must not remember much about Ewing, if you didn't think he bring much on the offensive end until the final regular season game of his senior season. I was privy to watching many, G'town games being my oldest brother was a huge, G'town fan at the time. I can recall Ewing being a fairly, decent offensive player during his freshmen season. He was able to hit short jumpers during his freshmen campaign. It wasn't in his main arsenal, but he was certainly capable of hitting it.

Ewing average 12.7 points as a freshman, making just under 5 FG per game, and only 61% from the foul line. Of those 5 FG, I'd bet anything 4 were putbacks, dunks or layups. His scoring improved, but he didn't show the 18 foot range he slaughtered us with in the sweater game. Despite being a monster down low, his college average was ONLY 15.7 ppg. The most common comparison, which if you remember reading anythign about Ewing, was Bill Russell, not Jabbar, not Champerlain. He may have shown a soft touch around the hoop, but not an offensive arsenal. The night of the sweater game he threw the kitchen sink at us, and even that went in.

Of course, as a pro, he fell in love with the 18-20 foot jumper, which made him an all star, but the monster was gone forever. The damned finger roll he missed vs the PAcers woudl have been a monster slam in college and he would have walked off the court with the rim in his hands.

I am truly surprised by what you are saying.
In 1981 Ewing was the number 1 high school player in the country, ahead of Michael Jordan, Ed Pinckney, Chris Mullin, Charles Barkley and a bunch of other players who went on to become NBA All Stars. It was not purely the result of his defensive prowess. The kid could do it all. When he went to Georgetown he wasn't asked to score, they had the 2 Smiths, they had All American Eric Floyd and Fred Brown. Ewing was the last scoring option. On any other team not called UNC he would have averaged 15 or more as a freshman.

Look, there is no question we aren't talking about a rebounder/shot blocker wihtout other skills. But clearly and by all means, Ewing was not considered an offensive juggernaut, and even as a pro in that regard, would never be compared to even Moses Malone or Olajuwon. His legacy was partially a victim of its own hype - the next Bill Russell, 11 championships in 13 years, was just too much. Securing just one NCAA championship, not winning an NBA title, even being eclipsed by far by the best player of all time, Jordan. This just wasn't projected for Ewing. He was considered such a prize that rumors still persist that the NBA draft was rigged to put Ewing in NY, where his presence would vitalize not just the Knicks but the entire league.

That being said, I hated him as a Hoya, and he never became one of my favorite people. So I'll admit a fair degree of inherent bias in my assessment.

 

[L J S A]

If john starks doesn't go 2 for 18 in game 7 of the NBA finals in 1994, Ewing would have his ring. And they went through the Bulls with Jordon to get to the finals that year.

They went through the Bulls with Pippen to get there that year, but most certainly not Jordan.

 

[bamafan]

If john starks doesn't go 2 for 18 in game 7 of the NBA finals in 1994, Ewing would have his ring. And they went through the Bulls with Jordon to get to the finals that year.

They went through the Bulls with Pippen to get there that year, but most certainly not Jordan.

Correctamundo!

 

[salty dog]

plus they got the phantom call against the Bulls with Kukoc otherwise they don't get to the finals.
Bulls would have found a way to beat the Rockets.