Obekpa Improvements

[Marillac]

I really like what I see from Oralando on the boards. I don't know the numbers but I think he will prove to be the better rebounder. That said, Karr can really get up. Btw, (and I know I keep singing his praises, but) Dlo has really rebounded well from the guard spot.

I love the kid, but I'm not too impressed with him rebounding and going after 50/50 balls . He rebounds his area fairly well, but Sampson is a beast going outside of his area. Obekpa also lost a few he shoudn't have, but turned it around to close the game. If the balls goes up, I want Sampson in the area over anyone.

 

[SJU1512]

Extremely early.

I think pairing him with Sanchez works well because he can sort of freelance on defense because there is another big out there on the floor.

And I've noticed that he's been getting very good low post position. Hard to tell what he can do down there but if he develops a little baby hook shot, that'll be gravy.

I agree. But I don't care about the hook shots. Every time he, Sanchez or Sampson have gone strong to the basket it has paid off nicely. Gift has also had a few nice moments here. When CO or Sampson or even Gift have tried to fineness it inside it gets ugly. Problem is that CO has gotten almost no looks other than some putbacks. Sanchez got a couple against Wisc, we made a run, then they stopped passing to him and Sampson created a few opportunities for himself the past three games. We need some good interior passing and some more drive and dish like Harrison to Gift which was a thing of beauty and we'd have some nice offense instead of Green and Sampson shooting just inside the three point line and everyone else shooting from 15-18'.

Sanchez is underutilized at this point

Right now we have to give Karr the most time because he's the more explosive player. I think CO and Orlando should get about equal time depending on game circumstances. Gift should see between 3 to 8 min. a game unless the other bigs get in foul trouble.

Jakarr may be the most explosive but I think he's the worst rebounder and defender out of those three.

He's the best rebounder by a mile.

Agree. Not a great technical defender yet, but a plus rebounder and a presence in the shot blocking game. His length and jumping ability allow him to get a lot of out of area rebounds too, he ripped one in the first half Tuesday night that it looked like he had no shot at getting.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Extremely early.

I think pairing him with Sanchez works well because he can sort of freelance on defense because there is another big out there on the floor.

And I've noticed that he's been getting very good low post position. Hard to tell what he can do down there but if he develops a little baby hook shot, that'll be gravy.

I agree. But I don't care about the hook shots. Every time he, Sanchez or Sampson have gone strong to the basket it has paid off nicely. Gift has also had a few nice moments here. When CO or Sampson or even Gift have tried to fineness it inside it gets ugly. Problem is that CO has gotten almost no looks other than some putbacks. Sanchez got a couple against Wisc, we made a run, then they stopped passing to him and Sampson created a few opportunities for himself the past three games. We need some good interior passing and some more drive and dish like Harrison to Gift which was a thing of beauty and we'd have some nice offense instead of Green and Sampson shooting just inside the three point line and everyone else shooting from 15-18'.

Sanchez is underutilized at this point

Right now we have to give Karr the most time because he's the more explosive player. I think CO and Orlando should get about equal time depending on game circumstances. Gift should see between 3 to 8 min. a game unless the other bigs get in foul trouble.

Jakarr may be the most explosive but I think he's the worst rebounder and defender out of those three.

He's the best rebounder by a mile.

In 12 minutes more a game Jakarr gets .4 more rebounds than Obekpa.

In 11 minutes more a game Jakarr gets 1.4 more rebounds than Sanchez.

Over the course of 5,280 feet both Obekpa and Sanchez will gather more rebounds than Jakarr

 

[austour]

next year is probably the year we really make some noise.

I'm going to pretend that you didn't say that.

I'm going to assume TIS meant HE"LL really make some noise.

I think Paul meant that we will make some noise this year. Right now it appears as if the staff is trying to solidify everyone's roles. CO has been playing well with less minutes. Phil has played well without the responsibility of being the primary ball handler. D'Lo has been playing with confidence in his teammates, witness the assist to Phil for a "3".
Jakarr, Gift, Orlando are all playing relatively well and will continue to develop cohesiveness as the season continues. Rysheed will only get better with experience. The next few games should be an opportunity to work Max into the lineup and see what he can offer.
I think we make the NCAA this year and win two games, this would be considered making NOISE.
If everyone who can returns next year, we should be a top 10 team capable of reaching the Final 4.

I know what Paul was saying but I was hoping that TIS wasn't writing off making some noise this season.

 

[tom in salem]

next year is probably the year we really make some noise.

I'm going to pretend that you didn't say that.

I'm going to assume TIS meant HE"LL really make some noise.

I think Paul meant that we will make some noise this year. Right now it appears as if the staff is trying to solidify everyone's roles. CO has been playing well with less minutes. Phil has played well without the responsibility of being the primary ball handler. D'Lo has been playing with confidence in his teammates, witness the assist to Phil for a "3".
Jakarr, Gift, Orlando are all playing relatively well and will continue to develop cohesiveness as the season continues. Rysheed will only get better with experience. The next few games should be an opportunity to work Max into the lineup and see what he can offer.
I think we make the NCAA this year and win two games, this would be considered making NOISE.
If everyone who can returns next year, we should be a top 10 team capable of reaching the Final 4.

I know what Paul was saying but I was hoping that TIS wasn't writing off making some noise this season.

Just think we're a year away.

 

[austour]

Next year w/o Sanchez but with more experience, should be better I guess but thin in the middle. (which is what I wish I was)

 

[Andrew]

Let's not start writing off this year. It's only three games in.

 

[qcredman]

Incredible career stats for Obekpa:
games with 5+ points = 16
games with 5+ blocks = 16

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Incredible career stats for Obekpa:
games with 5+ points = 16
games with 5+ blocks = 16

He's improving every game. Love to see it.

He's had 5 straight games with 6+ blocks

 

[Marillac]

Incredible career stats for Obekpa:
games with 5+ points = 16
games with 5+ blocks = 16

He's improving every game. Love to see it.

He's had 5 straight games with 6+ blocks

He's a tough fit in the NBA right now. At 6'7.5, he will only be able to play PF and he'd be forced to cover stretch fours...guys like Melo are playing PF in the NBA now. He won't be able to just park himself in the lane either. He's sub 50% from the FT line and has no offense to speak of. It's not like he's a dominating rebounder or overall defender either.

With all of that written, I still think he is the best NBA prospect on our roster at this point.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Incredible career stats for Obekpa:
games with 5+ points = 16
games with 5+ blocks = 16

He's improving every game. Love to see it.

He's had 5 straight games with 6+ blocks

He's a tough fit in the NBA right now. At 6'7.5, he will only be able to play PF and he'd be forced to cover stretch fours...guys like Melo are playing PF in the NBA now. He won't be able to just park himself in the lane either. He's sub 50% from the FT line and has no offense to speak of. It's not like he's a dominating rebounder or overall defender either.

With all of that written, I still think he is the best NBA prospect on our roster at this point.

Hell have to be a shorter 5. Long, and athletic enough to do so IMO. It will be all about getting stronger and comfortable defending the post.

 

[SJUalum98]

Incredible career stats for Obekpa:
games with 5+ points = 16
games with 5+ blocks = 16

He's improving every game. Love to see it.

He's had 5 straight games with 6+ blocks

He's a tough fit in the NBA right now. At 6'7.5, he will only be able to play PF and he'd be forced to cover stretch fours...guys like Melo are playing PF in the NBA now. He won't be able to just park himself in the lane either. He's sub 50% from the FT line and has no offense to speak of. It's not like he's a dominating rebounder or overall defender either.

With all of that written, I still think he is the best NBA prospect on our roster at this point.

Chris Obekpa is not 6'7" 1/2.

 

[Marillac]

Incredible career stats for Obekpa:
games with 5+ points = 16
games with 5+ blocks = 16

He's improving every game. Love to see it.

He's had 5 straight games with 6+ blocks

He's a tough fit in the NBA right now. At 6'7.5, he will only be able to play PF and he'd be forced to cover stretch fours...guys like Melo are playing PF in the NBA now. He won't be able to just park himself in the lane either. He's sub 50% from the FT line and has no offense to speak of. It's not like he's a dominating rebounder or overall defender either.

With all of that written, I still think he is the best NBA prospect on our roster at this point.

Chris Obekpa is not 6'7" 1/2.

Coach Lavin publicly said he was, but I guess you measured him yourself?

 

[SJUalum98]

Incredible career stats for Obekpa:
games with 5+ points = 16
games with 5+ blocks = 16

He's improving every game. Love to see it.

He's had 5 straight games with 6+ blocks

He's a tough fit in the NBA right now. At 6'7.5, he will only be able to play PF and he'd be forced to cover stretch fours...guys like Melo are playing PF in the NBA now. He won't be able to just park himself in the lane either. He's sub 50% from the FT line and has no offense to speak of. It's not like he's a dominating rebounder or overall defender either.

With all of that written, I still think he is the best NBA prospect on our roster at this point.

Chris Obekpa is not 6'7" 1/2.

Coach Lavin publicly said he was, but I guess you measured him yourself?

Coach Lavin also said Bucknell was a Sweet 16 team.

The kid is clearly not 6'7 1/2.

 

[Marillac]

Incredible career stats for Obekpa:
games with 5+ points = 16
games with 5+ blocks = 16

He's improving every game. Love to see it.

He's had 5 straight games with 6+ blocks

He's a tough fit in the NBA right now. At 6'7.5, he will only be able to play PF and he'd be forced to cover stretch fours...guys like Melo are playing PF in the NBA now. He won't be able to just park himself in the lane either. He's sub 50% from the FT line and has no offense to speak of. It's not like he's a dominating rebounder or overall defender either.

With all of that written, I still think he is the best NBA prospect on our roster at this point.

Chris Obekpa is not 6'7" 1/2.

Coach Lavin publicly said he was, but I guess you measured him yourself?

Coach Lavin also said Bucknell was a Sweet 16 team.

The kid is clearly not 6'7 1/2.

One is an opinion and one is a fact.
I have no idea his true height--Lavin is in a better position than any of us to know--but I can say that Dieng, who is listed at 6'11, from Louisville made him look like a child when they stood next to each other. It was pretty crazy how much bigger Deng was. I posted about it at the time.

 

[guinness77]

His height does not matter, he's a threat to go pro.

You can keep a defensive player parked in the paint in the NBA. Teams are not going to care about his offensive game, guys like Obekpa are rare in the NBA. It's a lane driven league, and he's exactly the type of defender that can keep players honest driving to the hoop.

 

[Jnaw17]

Incredible career stats for Obekpa:
games with 5+ points = 16
games with 5+ blocks = 16

He's improving every game. Love to see it.

He's had 5 straight games with 6+ blocks

He's a tough fit in the NBA right now. At 6'7.5, he will only be able to play PF and he'd be forced to cover stretch fours...guys like Melo are playing PF in the NBA now. He won't be able to just park himself in the lane either. He's sub 50% from the FT line and has no offense to speak of. It's not like he's a dominating rebounder or overall defender either.

With all of that written, I still think he is the best NBA prospect on our roster at this point.

Chris Obekpa is not 6'7" 1/2.

Coach Lavin publicly said he was, but I guess you measured him yourself?

Coach Lavin also said Bucknell was a Sweet 16 team.

The kid is clearly not 6'7 1/2.

One is an opinion and one is a fact.
I have no idea his true height--Lavin is in a better position than any of us to know--but I can say that Dieng, who is listed at 6'11, from Louisville made him look like a child when they stood next to each other. It was pretty crazy how much bigger Deng was. I posted about it at the time.

I agree that Coach said it (not sure why he said it) but I also agree with 98 that he's taller than that. I think he's 6'9" as listed and looks it IMO when he's standing next to others. I also saw him next to Dieng and he's shorter, but I didn't see the big disparity you did. Maybe you're right, but I didn't think it was a huge difference.

 

[lawmanfan]

Obekpa may very well be an NBA player ... after a four year college career. There's no question that he's a phenomenal shot blocker at the college level. However he is at best a rudimentary man defender. His blocks come mostly against penetrating guards. A capable big man with an offensive post game will eat him up, and that's what he would see in the pros. He isn't going to be blocking the shots of 6'10" guys with post moves. Not to mention that he has zero offensive game at this point and doesn't pull down nearly as many rebounds as he should (either because he is out of position looking for blocks or doesn't box out or both).

He should be using college to develop his game all around. If he does, then he will be looking at a career in the pros. But he isn't there right now. He has to add a lot of pieces beyond swatting shots.

 

[MCNPA]

Incredible career stats for Obekpa:
games with 5+ points = 16
games with 5+ blocks = 16

He's improving every game. Love to see it.

He's had 5 straight games with 6+ blocks

He's a tough fit in the NBA right now. At 6'7.5, he will only be able to play PF and he'd be forced to cover stretch fours...guys like Melo are playing PF in the NBA now. He won't be able to just park himself in the lane either. He's sub 50% from the FT line and has no offense to speak of. It's not like he's a dominating rebounder or overall defender either.

With all of that written, I still think he is the best NBA prospect on our roster at this point.

Chris Obekpa is not 6'7" 1/2.

Coach Lavin publicly said he was, but I guess you measured him yourself?

Coach Lavin also said Bucknell was a Sweet 16 team.

The kid is clearly not 6'7 1/2.

One is an opinion and one is a fact.
I have no idea his true height--Lavin is in a better position than any of us to know--but I can say that Dieng, who is listed at 6'11, from Louisville made him look like a child when they stood next to each other. It was pretty crazy how much bigger Deng was. I posted about it at the time.

Like a child next to Obekpa, eh?

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/BSWf-s8LLKO/St+John+s+v+Louisville/21xIKeMdq3M/Gorgui+Dieng

 

[SJU85]

Obekpa is not 6'9" just like Harrison is not 6'4" as they are both listed on the official team roster.