Jakar Sampson / ESPN Mention

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/70539/freshmen-rankings-who-made-the-cut

To not have Obekpa as even honorable mention is ridiculous.

And while Shabazz Muhammad has been exceptional, UCLA's BEST frosh has been Jordan Adams, who's been their leading scorer in 6 of the 11 games so far - avraging 17.6 pts, 49% FGs, 90% FTs. Tho the seasons less than 1/3 old, Adams is the first Bruin Frosh to have six 20 pt games in a season since Don MacLean 24 year ago.

Quote from: Johnny4Life on December 20, 2012, 07:57:28 PM

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/70539/freshmen-rankings-who-made-the-cut

To not have Obekpa as even honorable mention is ridiculous.

And while Shabazz Muhammad has been exceptional, UCLA's BEST frosh has been Jordan Adams, who's been their leading scorer in 6 of the 11 games so far - avraging 17.6 pts, 49% FGs, 90% FTs. Tho the seasons less than 1/3 old, Adams is the first Bruin Frosh to have six 20 pt games in a season since Don MacLean 24 year ago.

Politics, the amount of un-earned recognition that these kids get is outrageous. Obekpa is obvious, Jordan Adams as well.

I love having Chris & he is an very integral part of our team, but..
Until his offense, rebounding & on his man defense improve- he doesn't yet belong on that list.

JaKarr is a much more complete player at this point.
Thats my view & I know I'm going to get heat for it.

5 blocks a game doesn't make Obekpa one of the best freshmen in the country.   I agree. 
Love that we have him, but the guards on that list avg more rebounds than Chris.

I love having Chris & he is an very integral part of our team, but..
Until his offense, rebounding & on his man defense improve- he doesn't yet belong on that list.

JaKarr is a much more complete player at this point.
Thats my view & I know I'm going to get heat for it.

I agree Jakarr is more complete, but how can a guy averaging 5 blocks a game not be on a list of top freshman? He broke the single game St. John's block record twice this season.

5 blocks a game doesn't make Obekpa one of the best freshmen in the country.   I agree. 
Love that we have him, but the guards on that list avg more rebounds than Chris.

Oh good were off the Christian Jones can't rebound and onto Chris now

5 blocks a game doesn't make Obekpa one of the best freshmen in the country.   I agree. 
Love that we have him, but the guards on that list avg more rebounds than Chris.

If it wasn't for all the blocks he would be in position for a lot more rebounds

Quote from: desco80 on December 21, 2012, 11:11:33 AM

5 blocks a game doesn't make Obekpa one of the best freshmen in the country.   I agree. 
Love that we have him, but the guards on that list avg more rebounds than Chris.

If it wasn't for all the blocks he would be in position for a lot more rebounds

Not to go all Crgreen on you (so I won't use all caps), but the other top five shot blockers average 8.1, 7.5, 6.8 and 9.0 rebounds per game.

Quote from: desco80 on December 21, 2012, 11:11:33 AM

5 blocks a game doesn't make Obekpa one of the best freshmen in the country.   I agree. 
Love that we have him, but the guards on that list avg more rebounds than Chris.

Oh good were off the Christian Jones can't rebound and onto Chris now

No, I just think Chris is an average rebounder, and if you look at that plus his 4pts per game,  that doesn't make him one of the elite freshmen that's all. 

Quote from: Moose on December 21, 2012, 11:13:19 AM

Quote from: desco80 on December 21, 2012, 11:11:33 AM

5 blocks a game doesn't make Obekpa one of the best freshmen in the country.   I agree. 
Love that we have him, but the guards on that list avg more rebounds than Chris.

Oh good were off the Christian Jones can't rebound and onto Chris now

No, I just think Chris is an average rebounder, and if you look at that plus his 4pts per game,  that doesn't make him one of the elite freshmen that's all. 

I was joking hence the smiley face.
I expected 4-5 ppg from Chris and you can go back forever to see my list that expectation.  Pretty sure I said 5 boards and 2 blocks.  (excuse my pat on the back Marillac moment).

I also mentioned when everyone was railing against Christian that Obekpa's boards should be higher based on what we've seen so far but like pointed out he's often out of position either outside the key up top on perimeter defending or going for the block.

I love having Chris & he is an very integral part of our team, but..
Until his offense, rebounding & on his man defense improve- he doesn't yet belong on that list.

I don't want those aspects of his game to improve.  Not yet, anyway.  We're gonna need him next year, and if he ever becomes halfway decent (not even good, just halfway decent) in 2 of the 3 areas you mentiond, then you know the scouts are going to come calling.

In fact, let him suck for 3 years in those areas, then he can bust out as a senior in 2015-2016. 

Future conversation overheard at Alumni Hall:

Security guard - "Did you hear that the UN has just forged a deal that will ensure ever lasting peace in the middle east?"

JJ Poster - "That's Ok.  But they really should be concentrating on solving the world's hunger problem."

Future conversation overheard at the Sly Fox:

Bartender: - "Did you see Branch dish out those 11 assists against Georgetown?"

JJ Poster - "Big deal, he has no outside shot".

Future conversation overheard at the Fame Diner:

Waitress: - "Did you hear that the french guard hit 7 threes against Villanova?"

JJ Poster - "So what?  He needs to learn how to drive strong to the hoop."

Future conversation overheard at Alumni Hall:

Security guard - "Did you hear that the UN has just forged a deal that will ensure ever lasting peace in the middle east?"

JJ Poster - "That's Ok.  But they really should be concentrating on solving the world's hunger problem."

Future conversation overheard at the Sly Fox:

Bartender: - "Did you see Branch dish out those 11 assists against Georgetown?"

JJ Poster - "Big deal, he has no outside shot".

Future conversation overheard at the Fame Diner:

Waitress: - "Did you hear that the french guard hit 7 threes against Villanova?"

JJ Poster - "So what?  He needs to learn how to drive strong to the hoop."

Isn't Fame closed

Quote from: carmineabbatiello on December 21, 2012, 12:39:28 PM

Future conversation overheard at Alumni Hall:

Security guard - "Did you hear that the UN has just forged a deal that will ensure ever lasting peace in the middle east?"

JJ Poster - "That's Ok.  But they really should be concentrating on solving the world's hunger problem."

Future conversation overheard at the Sly Fox:

Bartender: - "Did you see Branch dish out those 11 assists against Georgetown?"

JJ Poster - "Big deal, he has no outside shot".

Future conversation overheard at the Fame Diner:

Waitress: - "Did you hear that the french guard hit 7 threes against Villanova?"

JJ Poster - "So what?  He needs to learn how to drive strong to the hoop."

Isn't Fame closed

Is it?  I guess I need new dinner plans for tonight.

Good to see JaKarr down the list a bit for SFs

“@GoodmanCBS: Small Forward rankings for the NBA Draft -- led by a Kentucky freshman: http://t.co/i04df5y7”

The owners of Fame diner moved down Union, theyr'e now called the Corner Stone Diner.

Good to see JaKarr down the list a bit for SFs

“@GoodmanCBS: Small Forward rankings for the NBA Draft -- led by a Kentucky freshman: http://t.co/i04df5y7”

Chris gets a similar mention at PF, DLo invisible at both PG and SG.

I think Jakarr goes ahead of every Sr. on that list.  NBA seems to put a premium on underclassmen.  He also goes ahead of several of the Jrs and Sophs listed ahead of him.  Also, as a SF, I think he has more value than Kyle Anderson.  If KA is going to make an impact, I think it is as a big guard---where his size makes him unique.  His lack of foot speed and athleticism, compared to SF's his size, becomes a real liability in the NBA.

5 blocks a game doesn't make Obekpa one of the best freshmen in the country.   I agree. 
Love that we have him, but the guards on that list avg more rebounds than Chris.

Sorry, disagree.   If he was getting 28 pts a game, he'd be on the list, even if he was zero in other categories.  If he was pulling down 16 board a game, he'd be on the list.  If he was getting 9 assissts a game, he'd be on the list.    And those numbers are LESS than the equivalent of what he's putting up in blocks compared to all time D-1 production.... Will he improve?  Maintain status quo?  Fall back to earth in the coming 20-30 games?  I don't know.  But the article is NOW, based on what HAS been accomplished to this point.   And he belongs on the list.  Easily.   Try this for an exercise in research.  Find the number of players in D-1 HISTORY who have 20 blocks in a two-game span.   Or the number  with 8 or more blocks in a game 3 times in one season (here's a hint - Anthony Davis got 8 in a game TWICE - and that was his season high).  Good luck.