Post Game Thoughts
- Thread starter tom in salem
- Start date
MJ, great speaking with you and Moose and guys at the Fox after the game. Really makes College basketball fun. With Moose going to Charleston for the game and you going to San Francisco for the Don game, you guys will now be referred to as the traveling men. See you back at the Fox for South Carolina. As far a the game.... terrific. I was really impressed with the intensity and everybody is buying in. Obekpa brings to St. John's what has not been there before. The impact of Obekpa will be felt for years to come. Bring it on!!
JackofVirginia
Active member
I said we needed at least 55 pts from the trio of Garrett-Harrison-Greene to win. We got 57We'll go as far as they take us.
My thoughts on the new guys...
Christian Jones - I was impressed with his pace and vision. He plays solid defense both in man and in the matchup. His lack of rebounding is astonishing, though. 1 board in 29 minutes? Obekpa and Garrett both had 11 and Sampson had six in only 18 minutes. I HATE to see that especially with his lackluster high school and prep rebounding #'s.
Obekpa - Wow. I am not sure we can keep him from the NBA for too long. His timing is incredible and he keeps everything in play like usual. He looks to have trouble when guys take it straight at him physically, but he is incredible in help D. His offensive game needs plenty of work, but he has all the potential in the world. This might be another year where an ineliglbe player allows a rookie to accumulate stats that wow the scouts.
Sampson - Played way too fast and out of control. I'm hoping it was the nerves and he's not another Dom on the offensive end. When he is in the game with Obekpa, nobody will want to do anything inside. Unless something drastic happens, no way this kid is considered by the NBA this year.
Old guys - Phil and Garrett are very solid. Harrison played a great second half, but he showed why he is, at best, two years away from the NBA. McCollum got by him at will. He is so slow.
Pointer - Disappointing
If I was an NBA scout I come away ranking the prospects in this order: Obekpa, McCollum, Garrett, and then Harrison.
Garrett will not see the NBA; too small for the forward position and has no consistent shot. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy his all around game; heady performer.
Sampson and Pointer were the bad points, individually, but I'm pretty confident Jakarr will bust out of it. Looked like he was nervous, and when Lavin tried to put him in position to succeed, it snowballed instead. Notice, after he scored his only 2 points, Lavin took him out for the rest of the day. Almost like letting him leave on something positive.
I thought Pointer had a shot to work as sort of a point forward. Took about 30 seconds for me to change my mind. When he has the ball in his hands, the defense backs off, and waits for him to screw up. He is hard-nosed however, and in limited minutes, I think he can contribute.
Obekpa- what can you say? I will add that most of his blocks either went to teammates, or put Detriot in a tougher spot to score then they were driving inside. That's a HUGE positive. I almost hope he doesn't develop an offensive game. Players like him are rare, and I want him around for awhile.
Harrison can not come off the bench. He started the second half, and that's when it seemed like he got started. I do think the message was received, though.
Garrett did a great job on McCallum in the second half. Of course, he still got his points, put Amir kept him from being a totally dominant player.
Greene was great. I thought he got better as last season went along, but he made a big jump yesterday. I don't think he will be a consistant 20-point scorer for us, but I don't think he will have to be on most nights.
Jones is a terrific all-around player. 3 assists yesterday. For a guy with his build, he passes the ball very well. Can jump out of the gym too. That actually hurt a few times yesterday. Seemed to mistime his jump on a few rebounding opportunites (jumped too early, IMO). He definatly has skills, though.
The last inbounds pass not withstanding, I liked the fact that this team made plays down the stretch, especially on the defensive side of the ball. That can only help down the road.
I said before the game that I would be happy with a 1-point win (Detroit may very well win the Horizon League, and that is traditionally one of the better mid-major conferences - McCallum will be an NBA draft pick in 2014), so of course I'm 3 times as happy today. Think about this: We played 7 guys, all either Freshmen or Sophs. Detriots started all Juniors and Seniors. That's a factor in game 1 of the year, so I think this was a great win. Lots to work on, but lots to be happy about, as well.
I thought Pointer had a shot to work as sort of a point forward. Took about 30 seconds for me to change my mind. When he has the ball in his hands, the defense backs off, and waits for him to screw up. He is hard-nosed however, and in limited minutes, I think he can contribute.
Obekpa- what can you say? I will add that most of his blocks either went to teammates, or put Detriot in a tougher spot to score then they were driving inside. That's a HUGE positive. I almost hope he doesn't develop an offensive game. Players like him are rare, and I want him around for awhile.
Harrison can not come off the bench. He started the second half, and that's when it seemed like he got started. I do think the message was received, though.
Garrett did a great job on McCallum in the second half. Of course, he still got his points, put Amir kept him from being a totally dominant player.
Greene was great. I thought he got better as last season went along, but he made a big jump yesterday. I don't think he will be a consistant 20-point scorer for us, but I don't think he will have to be on most nights.
Jones is a terrific all-around player. 3 assists yesterday. For a guy with his build, he passes the ball very well. Can jump out of the gym too. That actually hurt a few times yesterday. Seemed to mistime his jump on a few rebounding opportunites (jumped too early, IMO). He definatly has skills, though.
The last inbounds pass not withstanding, I liked the fact that this team made plays down the stretch, especially on the defensive side of the ball. That can only help down the road.
I said before the game that I would be happy with a 1-point win (Detroit may very well win the Horizon League, and that is traditionally one of the better mid-major conferences - McCallum will be an NBA draft pick in 2014), so of course I'm 3 times as happy today. Think about this: We played 7 guys, all either Freshmen or Sophs. Detriots started all Juniors and Seniors. That's a factor in game 1 of the year, so I think this was a great win. Lots to work on, but lots to be happy about, as well.
I said we needed at least 55 pts from the trio of Garrett-Harrison-Greene to win. We got 57
My thoughts on the new guys...
Christian Jones - I was impressed with his pace and vision. He plays solid defense both in man and in the matchup. His lack of rebounding is astonishing, though. 1 board in 29 minutes? Obekpa and Garrett both had 11 and Sampson had six in only 18 minutes. I HATE to see that especially with his lackluster high school and prep rebounding #'s.
Obekpa - Wow. I am not sure we can keep him from the NBA for too long. His timing is incredible and he keeps everything in play like usual. He looks to have trouble when guys take it straight at him physically, but he is incredible in help D. His offensive game needs plenty of work, but he has all the potential in the world. This might be another year where an ineliglbe player allows a rookie to accumulate stats that wow the scouts.
Sampson - Played way too fast and out of control. I'm hoping it was the nerves and he's not another Dom on the offensive end. When he is in the game with Obekpa, nobody will want to do anything inside. Unless something drastic happens, no way this kid is considered by the NBA this year.
Old guys - Phil and Garrett are very solid. Harrison played a great second half, but he showed why he is, at best, two years away from the NBA. McCollum got by him at will. He is so slow.
Pointer - Disappointing
If I was an NBA scout I come away ranking the prospects in this order: Obekpa, McCollum, Garrett, and then Harrison.
Garrett will not see the NBA; too small for the forward position and has no consistent shot. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy his all around game; heady performer.
I disagree. He looks like a possible second round pick to me. While his size is not ideal for the three, at 6'6 he can play both SG and SF. I expect his shot to fall around 33% from deep this year, and he will have two years after this year to better that after this season. He's our best offensive rebounder, a good passer, he can slash well, and he can be a very good defender. His handle is a little suspect at this point, but I think he compares favorably to DJ Kennedy.
I said we needed at least 55 pts from the trio of Garrett-Harrison-Greene to win. We got 57
My thoughts on the new guys...
Christian Jones - I was impressed with his pace and vision. He plays solid defense both in man and in the matchup. His lack of rebounding is astonishing, though. 1 board in 29 minutes? Obekpa and Garrett both had 11 and Sampson had six in only 18 minutes. I HATE to see that especially with his lackluster high school and prep rebounding #'s.
Obekpa - Wow. I am not sure we can keep him from the NBA for too long. His timing is incredible and he keeps everything in play like usual. He looks to have trouble when guys take it straight at him physically, but he is incredible in help D. His offensive game needs plenty of work, but he has all the potential in the world. This might be another year where an ineliglbe player allows a rookie to accumulate stats that wow the scouts.
Sampson - Played way too fast and out of control. I'm hoping it was the nerves and he's not another Dom on the offensive end. When he is in the game with Obekpa, nobody will want to do anything inside. Unless something drastic happens, no way this kid is considered by the NBA this year.
Old guys - Phil and Garrett are very solid. Harrison played a great second half, but he showed why he is, at best, two years away from the NBA. McCollum got by him at will. He is so slow.
Pointer - Disappointing
If I was an NBA scout I come away ranking the prospects in this order: Obekpa, McCollum, Garrett, and then Harrison.
Garrett will not see the NBA; too small for the forward position and has no consistent shot. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy his all around game; heady performer.
I disagree. He looks like a possible second round pick to me. While his size is not ideal for the three, at 6'6 he can play both SG and SF. I expect his shot to fall around 33% from deep this year, and he will have two years after this year to better that after this season. He's our best offensive rebounder, a good passer, he can slash well, and he can be a very good defender. His handle is a little suspect at this point, but I think he compares favorably to DJ Kennedy.
Lot of similarities to DJ. Longer and more athletic though. Love them lefty's!
I said we needed at least 55 pts from the trio of Garrett-Harrison-Greene to win. We got 57
My thoughts on the new guys...
Christian Jones - I was impressed with his pace and vision. He plays solid defense both in man and in the matchup. His lack of rebounding is astonishing, though. 1 board in 29 minutes? Obekpa and Garrett both had 11 and Sampson had six in only 18 minutes. I HATE to see that especially with his lackluster high school and prep rebounding #'s.
Obekpa - Wow. I am not sure we can keep him from the NBA for too long. His timing is incredible and he keeps everything in play like usual. He looks to have trouble when guys take it straight at him physically, but he is incredible in help D. His offensive game needs plenty of work, but he has all the potential in the world. This might be another year where an ineliglbe player allows a rookie to accumulate stats that wow the scouts.
Sampson - Played way too fast and out of control. I'm hoping it was the nerves and he's not another Dom on the offensive end. When he is in the game with Obekpa, nobody will want to do anything inside. Unless something drastic happens, no way this kid is considered by the NBA this year.
Old guys - Phil and Garrett are very solid. Harrison played a great second half, but he showed why he is, at best, two years away from the NBA. McCollum got by him at will. He is so slow.
Pointer - Disappointing
If I was an NBA scout I come away ranking the prospects in this order: Obekpa, McCollum, Garrett, and then Harrison.
Garrett will not see the NBA; too small for the forward position and has no consistent shot. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy his all around game; heady performer.
I disagree. He looks like a possible second round pick to me. While his size is not ideal for the three, at 6'6 he can play both SG and SF. I expect his shot to fall around 33% from deep this year, and he will have two years after this year to better that after this season. He's our best offensive rebounder, a good passer, he can slash well, and he can be a very good defender. His handle is a little suspect at this point, but I think he compares favorably to DJ Kennedy.
Lot of similarities to DJ. Longer and more athletic though. Love them lefty's!
He also reminds me of Danny Green..although Danny became a helluva shooter by the end of his UNC career.