Thursday basketball practice highlights

[NighthawkVol]

You take scoring by dunking for granted. Lots of high level bigs get their the majority of their points from dunking in spots other bigs aren’t capable of.

Deandre Jordan, Clint capela, Jarrett Allen etc.

I’m less concerned that “he only scores by dunking” than I am that those dunks only seem to come on lobs. In other words, if he were dunking because he got the ball in the post and made a move on a defender to create his own shot and dunked it, that’s great. But he’s dependent on others to create that dunk for him.

He needs to figure out a way to score on his own when he gets the ball deep in the post, whether that’s a dunk, a jump hook, touch off the backboard, whatever. Even on put backs following offensive rebounds, he could be more accurate.

 

[cncchris33]

That’s very true. I’m just not a huge fan of his and think if healthy JP should start over him.

I don't necessarily disagree if the goal is to get more offense out of the position. JPE is clearly a more effective offensive player.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

I don't necessarily disagree if the goal is to get more offense out of the position. JPE is clearly a more effective offensive player.

Yeah, but his chances will only be a little less limited as an offensive option. Can he run the floor like Cade did last year?

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I’m less concerned that “he only scores by dunking” than I am that those dunks only seem to come on lobs. In other words, if he were dunking because he got the ball in the post and made a move on a defender to create his own shot and dunked it, that’s great. But he’s dependent on others to create that dunk for him.

He needs to figure out a way to score on his own when he gets the ball deep in the post, whether that’s a dunk, a jump hook, touch off the backboard, whatever. Even on put backs following offensive rebounds, he could be more accurate.

Yes to this. If we could get him to keep the ball high after a rebound, his put backs would go through the roof. He seems to feel safe protecting the ball at chest level, and goes there automatically. That’s fine on the other end of the floor, but he had so many easy twos lost to bringing it down.

 

[Skooter]

Yeah, but his chances will only be a little less limited as an offensive option. Can he run the floor like Cade did last year?

Cade is a little better athlete re running and catching if it’s not a lob where they both do well. Good HS football player who just got too tall for it. Okpara likely didn’t use his hands much with a ball until he was a teenager. Thats a lot of reps most players didn’t miss as they developed their hand skills. Think about all the pick up, league, practice reps, travel reps D1 players have by the time they are 14 and I don’t believe Okpara was playing at age 14.