Can Thomas and Jones Obekpa replace Sampson and Sanchez?

This is a topic which has been bouncing around in other threads, and probably deserves it's own space.

The big difference between this year's team and the one from last season will be the front-court.   Can Thomas, Jones, and more of Obekpa replace what we got from Jakarr and Orlando?

This is a topic which has been bouncing around in other threads, and probably deserves it's own space.

The big difference between this year's team and the one from last season will be the front-court.   Can Thomas, Jones, and more of Obekpa replace what we got from Jakarr and Orlando?

That's it, really. Our guards are fine. It's our frontcourt that scares us.

Sampson will be harder to replace offensively than Sanchez. We need guys who can guard Pinkston. If Thomas is that kind of defender, we'll be fine. We'll be more than fine. Still, I don't think we're asking for a lot. Just lunch pail guys who play fundamental basketball. If Thomas is anything like Ty Grant, he'll be a great addition. If we get 7 and 7 that's great.

Jones I have no idea. Heard zilch.

Did hear that Amir Alibegovic has some game. Can't remember where I heard it though.

In terms of Obekpa, we'll see how focused he is. I've said it before and I'll say it again. He can be a pro. A good one. I hope he's ready, because this team is loaded. This is everyone's chance to show what they can do. But they all need to step it up at the end of the season. Two seasons in a row they faded badly. Gotta be ready from day 1 this year. No excuses on that front.

I think they will be ready, but yikes, I feel for them if they're not. Again.

Unfinished Business? I hope so. Let's see it. We've all heard it.

This is a topic which has been bouncing around in other threads, and probably deserves it's own space.

The big difference between this year's team and the one from last season will be the front-court.   Can Thomas, Jones, and more of Obekpa replace what we got from Jakarr and Orlando?

Yes.  We had one of the worst front courts in major college basketball.  Sampson was insanely athletic and Sanchez was skilled offensively, but they were awful defending the post, average at best on the boards, and did little to complement our guards. 

I don't care about crazy dunks or bigs shooting jumpers.  Defend, rebound, hustle, screen, pass, and hit open shots...that's all that matters. If you can do the other stuff AFTER you do those, more power to you.  They didn't last year. 

Obekpa has a chance to be special this year, and I have been critical of him for 2 1/2 years.

Quote from: desco80 on October 16, 2014, 10:02:10 AM

This is a topic which has been bouncing around in other threads, and probably deserves it's own space.

The big difference between this year's team and the one from last season will be the front-court.   Can Thomas, Jones, and more of Obekpa replace what we got from Jakarr and Orlando?

Yes.  We had one of the worst front courts in major college basketball.  Sampson was insanely athletic and Sanchez was skilled offensively, but they were awful defending the post, average at best on the boards, and did little to complement our guards. 

I don't care about crazy dunks or bigs shooting jumpers.  Defend, rebound, hustle, screen, pass, and hit open shots...that's all that matters. If you can do the other stuff AFTER you do those, more power to you.  They didn't last year. 

Obekpa has a chance to be special this year, and I have been critical of him for 2 1/2 years.

Marrillac, you of all people should appreciate though that Sampson and Sanchez created some floor spacing.
You rail against Dom all the time because defenders don't have to respect his shot and can play off him and provide help-defense.
Won't Thomas/Jones/Obekpa pose that same problem? 

 At least defenders had to step out to put a hand in the face of Sanchez and Jakarr.
Now we will see the lane clogged on most of our offensive possessions because unless Jones proves to be an effective midrange player - our front court poses no threat more than 5ft from the hoop.

Last years front court in terms of stats:
(Sanchez, Sampson, GG, Obekpa

26.5 pts,  18.1 rbs

I think we will hover around 20-24 pts for our front court this year, but will surpass that rebound number.

But to me its not the stats, Jakarr sampson was not a winning basketball player. Wasnt smart, wasnt selfless, didnt want to defend for the majority of the time. And for that reason, along with the maturation of Obekpa, the additions of Thomas, and the reintroduction of my man Christian Jones, I say yes, they sure as hell will replace those two.

Jakarr sampson was not a winning basketball player.

Except for that national championship he won in HS, obviously.

Wasnt smart, wasnt selfless

Unlike the rest of them.

 Sampson and Sanchez were not true PFs  and played like SFs. Thomas  is a real inside presence . CO should be improved and get more PT, hopefully he can keep his head on straight. I think Adonis will contribute,but needs to get in better shape. I too , have no idea what to expect w Jones.. Amar has a good shot and can help provide spacing , maybe he can play the 3. A front line of Amar,Thomas, and CO could be interesting.

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on October 16, 2014, 03:01:22 PM

Jakarr sampson was not a winning basketball player.

Except for that national championship he won in HS, obviously.

Quote

Wasnt smart, wasnt selfless

Unlike the rest of them.

Did you see his high schools roster?

Do you think Jakarr was a smart or selfless basketball player.

Jakaar had legit potential, but I don't think he played anywhere near that potential.  Sometimes it was hard to tell why, it could have been lack of effort at times, at other times it looked like coaching, it could have been both in varying amounts.  I don't think any forward on the current roster has the ceiling jakaar did at the college level, but I think it's likely that some combination of obekpa and one of these other guys will be better than the rotation we were throwing out there last year.

Jakarr was 7th in the conference in rebounding.    You make it sound like he never hit the boards.   
 Villanova, Georgetown, and Marquette didn't have a single player grab more rebounds than Sampson.

Jakarr was 7th in the conference in rebounding.    You make it sound like he never hit the boards.   
 Villanova, Georgetown, and Marquette didn't have a single player grab more rebounds than Sampson.

But out of the top 30 per game guys, 15 averaged more per 40 minutes and two others were tied with him at 8.4. 

Quote from: desco80 on October 16, 2014, 06:49:45 PM

Jakarr was 7th in the conference in rebounding.    You make it sound like he never hit the boards.   
 Villanova, Georgetown, and Marquette didn't have a single player grab more rebounds than Sampson.

But out of the top 30 per game guys, 15 averaged more per 40 minutes and two others were tied with him at 8.4. 

All true.
My point isn't that he's an elite rebounder, just that he's not as horrible as some of you might be remembering.

I appreciate his weaknesses Mase.  he didn't set hard screens or move well without the ball, and he wasn't always "up" to play defense.
That said, I think there's a legitimate question whether the newcomers are an upgrade.   They wont be as athletic on the break or block as many shots.   And I don't know that they can hit a 10ft jumper with any consistency, or be capable threats to pass from the high post against a zone.
Jakarr didn't excel at those things, but I think he was better than we can expect from Jones or Thomas.

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on October 16, 2014, 06:56:56 PM

Quote from: desco80 on October 16, 2014, 06:49:45 PM

Jakarr was 7th in the conference in rebounding.    You make it sound like he never hit the boards.   
 Villanova, Georgetown, and Marquette didn't have a single player grab more rebounds than Sampson.

But out of the top 30 per game guys, 15 averaged more per 40 minutes and two others were tied with him at 8.4. 

All true.
My point isn't that he's an elite rebounder, just that he's not as horrible as some of you might be remembering.

I appreciate his weaknesses Mase.  he didn't set hard screens or move well without the ball, and he wasn't always "up" to play defense.
That said, I think there's a legitimate question whether the newcomers are an upgrade.   They wont be as athletic on the break or block as many shots.   And I don't know that they can hit a 10ft jumper with any consistency, or be capable threats to pass from the high post against a zone.
Jakarr didn't excel at those things, but I think he was better than we can expect from Jones or Thomas.

All fair points and understandable. Just wasnt my type of player, but again ive loved Jones' game since hes been here. Think he is capable of hitting that 15 footer, just wont take as many.

Does anyone think that having a stabilize coaching staff since year one will play a big role in player development?

YES,

 S & S played so far away from the basket the ball had to  land in their hands for a rebound.

I'm looking forward to Thomas shore up the defense along with Obekpa.

Obekpa was improving during the season last year, and I think he can average double doubles, but Thomas may take away some of his Rebounds.

Did you see his high schools roster?

Did you see his college roster?

Do you think Jakarr was a smart or selfless basketball player.

Smart like Dom Pointer and Jamal Branch you mean? Selfless like Phil Greene and Chris Obekpa?

Anyway, I didn't find him particularly smrat® or stupid. To the extent that selflessness is not an absurd BB metric - is Kobe Bryant selfless? - I didn't find him one way or the other: I assume he was an efficient cog in the offensive machine his coach assembled and that if he was acting selfishly his coach would have sat him, as he regularly sat lots of other players for lots of other less egregious reasons, because some things are more important than winning.

I think Sampson averaged 12 and 6 and shot 50 percent from the floor. I think he was an above average sophomore with some flaws in his game. I think his production will be missed on a team that regularly struggled to score in an offense that regularly stagnated and that the vitriol he receives is the usual sort of good riddance hoohah SJ fans display every time any player leaves the program.

I think Sampson could have been one of the best offensive rebounders in the country if he wanted it for 40 minutes.  He got anything close to him and I think he was elite in that regard.  The problem with him (and Sanchez and Pointer) was that he was frequently out of position or too far from the basket.  At the end of close games, he was a monster on the boards.  If he had a guy like Keith Thomas on the court with him it wouldn't have been as big of a deal, but Pointer and Sanchez only made it exponentially worse.

As far as what his Brewster team did...that roster was just silly. You could have replaced Sampson with the male member of the dance team--started him--and they still would have won.  Mitch McGarry, TJ Warren, Semaj Christon, Aaron Thomas, and Jalen Reynolds!!!