Because of Ibeh's tools, I really want to like him. I was hoping that since he didn't get regular playing time until 2nd half of this year that maybe in his last few games he was really getting it. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. Looking at last six games: 1. against KSU, 9 minutes because of 5 PF, no blocks, no rebounds 1-1 shooting. 2. against #3 Sooners 30 minutes , 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, but 4 TO's. 3PF 3. against KU. 27 minutes, 12 rebounds, 1 block, 3 TO's, 2PF 4. against Oklahoma State, 19 minutes, 1-3, 3 Rebounds, 4 blocks 3 PF 5. against Baylor 21 minutes, 3-6, 3 rebounds, 1 block 1 TO, 4 PF 6. tournament against N. Iowa: 0-2, 20 minutes, 2 rebounds, 4TO, 4PF I guess a person could glean a little hope from the fact he had his two best games against top 5 teams? Those were also the two games he seemed to stay out of foul trouble. But 2 rebounds in 20 minutes in a tournament game?!! In fact a total of 8 rebounds in 60 minutes in his last three games.
Re: Ibeh. Watching the video of him playing D against Kansas I am very encouraged. I think the way you play defense says a huge amount about your effort, because it's not glamorous in the slightest. And he's doing the things that Joel Freeland had to learn to avoid being a total bust: verticality, et. al. Plus he has great footspeed. Physically he's a lot like Willy Cauley-Stein, who is the prototype of the big man you need nowadays who can guard perimeter guys if need be. We don't really have anyone like that: neither of our big guys is great defensively. He wouldn't play double-figure minutes for at least his first season in the NBA, but he might end up sticking, like Larry Sanders (before he quit) or Festus Ezeli.
The player that he reminds me of - no feel but had great size and was a quick leaper - is Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje.
-- The Celtics currently own eight picks, but will not have eight rookies next season. "I think that was specifically written in(to Stevens' recently-signed contract extension)," Austin Ainge cracked. A laugh gave away Ainge's joke, but (luckily for Stevens) the Celtics don't have enough roster space to keep nearly that many rookies. They will look into draft-night trades,.... http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2016/06/2016_nba_draft_boston_celtics.html Of course they are looking to trade but this cements what Ainge thinks about the Celtics using all of those picks for their own current roster.
I'm pretty sure Paul Allen will pony up 3 mil and buy a second round pick...when it comes to the under the radar guys, Neil's a genius at spotting that talent.
