O'Bryant Done

Well, I doubt any of us were there to watch the practices with O'Bryant. Nellie had plenty of time to make his judgement, and there's obviously something he saw that was a red flag as far as being NBA worthy. Who knows what it was. O'Bryant could have a little whiny attitude for all we know. Or he could be "slow" in the head. Or he might have no tolerance for pain or hates to work-out. Who knows.

Whatever the reason, Nelson sent him down at a time when we were thin with big players. It's not like there was a log-jam. So I'd have to assume that POB just isn't ready. Until we hear otherwise, I'd be looking for a trade for a big man. I doubt POB will be the "answer," lol, at least not this year.

 

<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, I doubt any of us were there to watch the practices with O'Bryant. Nellie had plenty of time to make his judgement, and there's obviously something he saw that was a red flag as far as being NBA worthy. Who knows what it was. O'Bryant could have a little whiny attitude for all we know. Or he could be "slow" in the head. Or he might have no tolerance for pain or hates to work-out. Who knows.

Whatever the reason, Nelson sent him down at a time when we were thin with big players. It's not like there was a log-jam. So I'd have to assume that POB just isn't ready. Until we hear otherwise, I'd be looking for a trade for a big man. I doubt POB will be the "answer," lol, at least not this year.</div>

There is no rush to have POB playing to his potential immediately. As long as he keeps improving he should be OK. The Warriors would benefit right now if Taft got his injuries cleared up and could play. POB was going to be like the 3rd or 4th center this year after Murphy, Biedrins, Taft, and Foyle (so maybe I should have said 6th center). Of course there couldn't have been great immediate expectations for POB. I was hoping that he could at least come in and rebound some and use his height and mobility to be a decent defender this year. Also whatever offensive production would had just been gravey. His rebounding at the beginning had been horrible. Lately in the D-League it looks to be coming around some, even though 9 boards in 51 minutes isn't that remarkable, but in previous games he has gotten his rebounding production up which is good and ideal. Right now progress is the key for POB.

To go back to a Jackson comment, I will not deny that Jackson could have shut down JRich. But unfortunately it doesn't take that great of a player to score 20 or 30 on JRich and the previous back-court defensive tandom in return be it JRich/Dunleavy or JRich/Jamison or even with a team like Indiana having Artest be it JRich/Pietrus. But yeah, I expect good D from Jackson.

 

Since we have bought out + waived Taft,if he does make a comeback-it could be with any team.

POB played mid-major ball,there were not typically NBA grade big men to deal with,and the refs at that level do not think they have a divine right to re-invent the game.

The % of 7 ft'ers,relative to men who are 6-3 or even 6-8 has always been small. If you happen to be 7 ft tall someone will suggest you play basketball. If you have SOME ability,being 7 ft will get you some game time in college,or in Euro-ball,and from that pool typically the 5-10 guys with the most upside land on NBA rosters. If you are a 6-5 player...you need some pretty substantial skill level to just get on a college team. The first String SG at Bo Diddly A & M was the star of his high school team. He would not have even been scouted for an ACC college. He'd need to put up BIG numbers for Bo Diddly A & M to attract any NBA attention. He however had to have pretty good handles,court awareness,agility,work habits,shooting touch,to just be a small school starter.
A 7 footer? He could be a guy from the foothills of Killamanjaro who's got less "skills" than most of us,and at some level,he's still worth it for a coach to try to develop. Olajuwon,as a sophomore was VERY unskilled. He had played plenty of soccer,little basketball,so at first,he could go up for a rebound or a shotblock,but he had few skills beyond that. Turns out he was a fast learner eager to develop all his tools. Not every 7 ft guy is a fast learner or has such good tools. Not all are as motivated. You grade on a curve. 6-6 guys need a relatively high level of skills-tools-motivation to just get on an NBA roster.
7 ft guys like Felton Spencer,Mark Eaton,Loren Woods,John Edwards,make the cut with a half empty toolbox,a less than ideal learning curve,etc.

POB got picked lotto because he does not have glaring flaws and limitations and showed an acceptable level of effort-desire. If he had roadtested skills and a full toolbox-he'd have gone higher. If he had a few red flags..he'd have lasted to rd 2.

We just have to wait,hope. Playing will help him,even if it's the Devo league. At some point he's got all he can gain there and to go further,he has to play NBA. Then it's up to our coach to accept some imperfection while he adapts to being on the floor at this level. Nellie's history is that he tends to demand his bigs play like seasoned vets-yet he's reluctant to let them become seasoned vets.

 

O'Bryant put up 22 points (10-15 FG) 11 boards and 1 block today. http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20070206/...Q/boxscore.html

 

<div class="quote_poster">Clif25 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">O'Bryant put up 22 points (10-15 FG) 11 boards and 1 block today. http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20070206/...Q/boxscore.html</div>

But isn't his team losing since he got there?

I dunno what it means. Maybe he should just stay there for more seasoning.

 

Damn, I can't tell much from the box scores. I gotta see video footage and what the rest of his teammates and the opponents are doing.

For all we know he could be playing like Mark Blount, Troy Murphy, or Jamaal Magloire back when he was an all-star East.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Run BJM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">POB with another huge game tonight: 20 pts, 12 reb, 5 blk, 1 PF, 1 TO, 10/16 FGs in 33 minutes.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20070209/...A/boxscore.html</div>

That's what he should be doing if he was the only 7 footer among those 10 players on the floor at one time.

The other team doesn't have any 7 foot + guys except for Ha Seung Jin, but I don't know if HSJ is that good to earn the playing time.

 

<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Damn, I can't tell much from the box scores. I gotta see video footage and what the rest of his teammates and the opponents are doing.

For all we know he could be playing like Mark Blount, Troy Murphy, or Jamaal Magloire back when he was an all-star East.</div>

Maybe...and since those guys each have started a few years in the NBA,that would be a good step down the road. If he becomes more than them...cool.
---after all, POB won't cost us $8-10 mill anytime soon...and he makes good cheesecake-which I think is a plus.

 

I kinda hope that he builds some confidence and comes back this season if the Warriors make a run. He's a big body that we can use in our small line-up.

 

Who would you drop from the roster to make space for POB?

 

<div class="quote_poster">REREM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe...and since those guys each have started a few years in the NBA,that would be a good step down the road. If he becomes more than them...cool.
---after all, POB won't cost us $8-10 mill anytime soon...and he makes good cheesecake-which I think is a plus.</div>

Yeah, I'll be glad if POB exhibits the rebounding skill or offensive game of any those guys, but with better defense, strength, and athleticism, of course.

 

POB's definitely getting better in the NBDL. That's like three or four good games in-a-row isn't it? And the Jam won today.

<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Who would you drop from the roster to make space for POB?</div>

First name starts with an A. Second name starts with an F and rhymes with Popeye's gf -- Olive Oyle.

 

<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Who would you drop from the roster to make space for POB?</div>

Azabuke, jk

 

Well, if GS can work buyout with Foyle that'd be AWESOME, but otherwise he's got too big of a contract. Looking at current roster, it's hard to find a spot for POB, despite how good he's been playing...

 

<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, if GS can work buyout with Foyle that'd be AWESOME, but otherwise he's got too big of a contract. Looking at current roster, it's hard to find a spot for POB, despite how good he's been playing...</div>

Well if Baron is out for a while, then that should relieve an active roster spot. But otherwise I think you may have a point.

 

POB is back in the D-League (I know this is probably irrelevant compared to the focus on finishing this season). But here is a box score from a recent game. http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20070311/...K/boxscore.html I didn't know POB was sent back. I guess he just wanted to play. Hopefully he can put on a little AB/Monta surprise for this team next season. He will be like what Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins were this season, at least mostly Monta Ellis in not getting much PT his rookie season, but hopefully returning as a second year player with increased PT and increased productivity. After a pretty dismal start by POB he's averaging now 11.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.94 blocks, and 1.5 assists (I don't think this is including his most recent games though). In February he averaged 14.6 points, 3.57 blocks, 11.9 boards, 1.6 assists, on 50.6% FG shooting. POB and AB in the front court sounds very strong defensively. It appears as if POB can really block shots, and has become better on the boards. And of course we know how good AB is defensively in the paint. That should be fun to watch, though just how often it will be used may not be very much if Nelson is the coach, but during certain matchups that could be an interesting front court.