Knicks · OBI (page 2)

When I watched him in college I saw a lot of Kenyon Martin. There were the Amare comparisons as well. When I watched him this year his play made me think he could become more of a Shawn Marion (offensively only as defensively he's nowhere close to Marion). He has a funny release and can shoot a little bit, he's smaller than we realized and doesn't seem like he can overtake NBA big men in the paint (like he did in college). He's kind of fast and very athletic - but more of a tweener than originally thought. Let's see what he works on this off-season and hopefully comes back with more in his arsenal.

jskinny35 wrote:When I watched him in college I saw a lot of Kenyon Martin. There were the Amare comparisons as well. When I watched him this year his play made me think he could become more of a Shawn Marion (offensively only as defensively he's nowhere close to Marion). He has a funny release and can shoot a little bit, he's smaller than we realized and doesn't seem like he can overtake NBA big men in the paint (like he did in college). He's kind of fast and very athletic - but more of a tweener than originally thought. Let's see what he works on this off-season and hopefully comes back with more in his arsenal.

Marion is my hopeful comparison as well. With his length/wingspan, athleticism, motor and unorthodox 3pt ability. Marion's big thing is he got into passing lanes and could swat shots. The ultimate off ball up tempo player at his peak.

He does not have Marion’s coordination but I think he easily could be a poor man’s amare stoudemire.

jskinny35 wrote:When I watched him in college I saw a lot of Kenyon Martin. There were the Amare comparisons as well. When I watched him this year his play made me think he could become more of a Shawn Marion (offensively only as defensively he's nowhere close to Marion). He has a funny release and can shoot a little bit, he's smaller than we realized and doesn't seem like he can overtake NBA big men in the paint (like he did in college). He's kind of fast and very athletic - but more of a tweener than originally thought. Let's see what he works on this off-season and hopefully comes back with more in his arsenal.

On offense I agree. I see some Kmart in his transition game

On defense he’s nowhere near the defender KMart was. Not that Obi’s defense was bad last year he was supposed to be a worse defender than Eddy Curry and his defense looked surprisingly competent

Obi has a history of being a low starter and then assimilates and rises.
It will be fascinating to see if this plays out at this level. Thus I won’t label him quite yet.
That Leon and company took him with high regard perhaps is aligned with this thinking.
He has range and can go the rim. His handle and lateral quickness on defense needs improvement. I’m thinking the coaches see this as “fixable”. Strong hard working back ground. He has the hops next a good nose for the ball.
Loved what he showed at seasons end. Thibs worked him hard. Non of the young guys got any free passes. frank and Knox were given little rope. IQ and Obi similar. Frank ran out of time and Knox gets one more shot if not traded.
Always prefer we fix internally then dump. But dumps will happen.
Obi showed some nice stuff vs. ATL. He should feel good going into the offseason with a full schedule of work to do. Good for him!

He's really raw right now and doesn't have a real game. He hustles and works hard so I think he should be able to really improve. College was easy because he could out run and out jump everyone.

1. Get in the weight room. Develop strength to use in the post.
2. Work on pick and pop 12-16 foot jumpers. These will be there all game long.
3. Work on finishing in traffic. To often he made himself small and didn't have the spring to finish on the break or in traffic. His hops can't be just on wide open looks and lobs.

He does those three things, he's playing 25 minutes a night and averaging 12pts 5rbs.

VDesai wrote:When Obi started sticking a few 3's at the end of the year we got a glimpse of what he can be. A high energy, rim runner who can knock a corner shot and bring a lot of activity on both ends of the floor. Next year we wanna see more of what he can do putting the ball on the floor and scoring with his back to the basket. Attitude doesn't always count for a lot, but I think the crowd really appreciate the positivity, energy and hard work from the guy. He needed to get used to game speed and get more consistency in his role, but once that happened (even if it was late) you started to see the value he could bring.

Actually like the idea of Obi being groomed to play the 3 position.. has the athleticism to guard 3 and is learning the game from great coaches. Excited to see how he progresses, despite his age (which is not that old lol)

TLover wrote:

VDesai wrote:When Obi started sticking a few 3's at the end of the year we got a glimpse of what he can be. A high energy, rim runner who can knock a corner shot and bring a lot of activity on both ends of the floor. Next year we wanna see more of what he can do putting the ball on the floor and scoring with his back to the basket. Attitude doesn't always count for a lot, but I think the crowd really appreciate the positivity, energy and hard work from the guy. He needed to get used to game speed and get more consistency in his role, but once that happened (even if it was late) you started to see the value he could bring.

Actually like the idea of Obi being groomed to play the 3 position.. has the athleticism to guard 3 and is learning the game from great coaches. Excited to see how he progresses, despite his age (which is not that old lol)

There shouldn't be a whole lot of grooming for a dude about to be 24, and he looks almost as raw as 19 yr old Knox.

One reason Rj is developing so well is the PT that he gets (and obvious is work ethic) he can play sg/sf/pg, and he did that in college. How much PT would rj get if he played behind PG13 and Kawhi on the clippers

Randle is too good for OBI to ever see 25 minutes on this team, because he can only play PF, which means is development will be at a crawl, he will rarely get the opportunity to play, and the minutes he makes a mistake he will get yanked (see frank and knox).

Obi is going to be fine because he's a sick athlete with a unique physical profile who works hard, is coachable and loves the game. He loves to compete. He gives it his all. He's a good teammate. He never pouted despite being one of the NCAA's best scorers and never got a play called for him here once.

Knick fans are not used to having prospects. Every draft pick is the next star or trade bait. Most good teams use the draft to simply add good players that help them win. Atl is great example of that. Obi's got 3 more years under his rookie deal. Who knows how good he becomes, but the profile for a very good NBA player in the least is there. He's in the right place. I really believe in this coaching staff and how they are brining him along. I think the Obi/IQ draft a year after RJ will really be looked as a turning point. Looks like Knox was a whiff but we did get Mitch in that draft and that is why you add picks and spend on scouting and develop guys

I think Obi is going be a really nice bench/rotation guy for us the next couple years. We will learn if he can share the floor with Randle and if not which one it makes sense to keep

TLover wrote:

VDesai wrote:When Obi started sticking a few 3's at the end of the year we got a glimpse of what he can be. A high energy, rim runner who can knock a corner shot and bring a lot of activity on both ends of the floor. Next year we wanna see more of what he can do putting the ball on the floor and scoring with his back to the basket. Attitude doesn't always count for a lot, but I think the crowd really appreciate the positivity, energy and hard work from the guy. He needed to get used to game speed and get more consistency in his role, but once that happened (even if it was late) you started to see the value he could bring.

Actually like the idea of Obi being groomed to play the 3 position.. has the athleticism to guard 3 and is learning the game from great coaches. Excited to see how he progresses, despite his age (which is not that old lol)

He really doesn't. His footwork and lateral quickness are just not there. EVERY SF in the league would blow by him. You and I would blow by him and I can barely walk these days.

And what is strange to me: His strength is not there as a PF in the league.

martin wrote:

TLover wrote:

VDesai wrote:When Obi started sticking a few 3's at the end of the year we got a glimpse of what he can be. A high energy, rim runner who can knock a corner shot and bring a lot of activity on both ends of the floor. Next year we wanna see more of what he can do putting the ball on the floor and scoring with his back to the basket. Attitude doesn't always count for a lot, but I think the crowd really appreciate the positivity, energy and hard work from the guy. He needed to get used to game speed and get more consistency in his role, but once that happened (even if it was late) you started to see the value he could bring.

Actually like the idea of Obi being groomed to play the 3 position.. has the athleticism to guard 3 and is learning the game from great coaches. Excited to see how he progresses, despite his age (which is not that old lol)

He really doesn't. His footwork and lateral quickness are just not there. EVERY SF in the league would blow by him. You and I would blow by him and I can barely walk these days.

And what is strange to me: His strength is not there as a PF in the league.

I’ve been wondering if he could develop into an Al Horford type F/C, but I don’t really think so for the reasons Martin mentions above

there is no reason Obi and Randle can't be on the floor together, with one playing center, when the clippers are using Nicolas Batum as a center- and he is 32, so if either are weaker or slower than him, then they shouldn't be in the league. I'm not saying that is your starting line up- just saying they should find time to invest in Obi next year, and if they can't, trade him for something that can contribute.

franco12 wrote:there is no reason Obi and Randle can't be on the floor together, with one playing center, when the clippers are using Nicolas Batum as a center- and he is 32, so if either are weaker or slower than him, then they shouldn't be in the league. I'm not saying that is your starting line up- just saying they should find time to invest in Obi next year, and if they can't, trade him for something that can contribute.

Clips used that lineup because they were combating Gobert's presence. And they had Morris, PG, Kawhi, Jackson to compliment.

Just because one team in one situation does something does not equate out to a sound reasoning to what the Knicks can do with Obi.

franco12 wrote:there is no reason Obi and Randle can't be on the floor together, with one playing center, when the clippers are using Nicolas Batum as a center- and he is 32, so if either are weaker or slower than him, then they shouldn't be in the league. I'm not saying that is your starting line up- just saying they should find time to invest in Obi next year, and if they can't, trade him for something that can contribute.

Problem is Thibs loves traditional defensive rim protecting centers. That’s not Obi’s style of play. Obi would have to play C to run with Randle for it to work. Neither of them can guard wings.

If you have Randle or Obi at the 3 the other team would go with a smaller 3 guard alignment and run wild

Philc1 wrote:

franco12 wrote:there is no reason Obi and Randle can't be on the floor together, with one playing center, when the clippers are using Nicolas Batum as a center- and he is 32, so if either are weaker or slower than him, then they shouldn't be in the league. I'm not saying that is your starting line up- just saying they should find time to invest in Obi next year, and if they can't, trade him for something that can contribute.

Problem is Thibs loves traditional defensive rim protecting centers. That’s not Obi’s style of play. Obi would have to play C to run with Randle for it to work. Neither of them can guard wings.

If you have Randle or Obi at the 3 the other team would go with a smaller 3 guard alignment and run wild

I suspect you are right about Thibs- I'd like to think we can retain Noel and Robinson develops more as a player. I'm not saying that you play Obi exclusively there- but somehow we have to find minutes for him next year. And if we can't, trade him for someone that can help.

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:there is no reason Obi and Randle can't be on the floor together, with one playing center, when the clippers are using Nicolas Batum as a center- and he is 32, so if either are weaker or slower than him, then they shouldn't be in the league. I'm not saying that is your starting line up- just saying they should find time to invest in Obi next year, and if they can't, trade him for something that can contribute.

Clips used that lineup because they were combating Gobert's presence. And they had Morris, PG, Kawhi, Jackson to compliment.

Just because one team in one situation does something does not equate out to a sound reasoning to what the Knicks can do with Obi.

Batum is out there right now against Phoenix. MDA would go small, regardless of his players because he wanted to go up tempo.

If they can't find 20+ minutes a game for Obi next year, trade him or release him. He is 23, not 19. He was picked 8, not 28.

jskinny35 wrote:Not sure how Obi will turn out but I think it's safe to say we didn't utilize him or play to his strengths much this season. Until the very end of the season/playoffs - he was usually sitting at the wing or corner waiting for a kick out 3. To his credit, he started to shoot better from outside but regardless - that's not his strength. Getting out on the break, posting up and back cuts were the ways he seemed to play best IMO. But we probably won't see enough if Randle continues to start for us at the 4... most likely he'll be packaged in some kind of trade and reach his potential elsewhere.

I agree. A shame really because Obi is such a Knicks fan but there's nothing but a bench role here if he's lucky.

franco12 wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

franco12 wrote:there is no reason Obi and Randle can't be on the floor together, with one playing center, when the clippers are using Nicolas Batum as a center- and he is 32, so if either are weaker or slower than him, then they shouldn't be in the league. I'm not saying that is your starting line up- just saying they should find time to invest in Obi next year, and if they can't, trade him for something that can contribute.

Problem is Thibs loves traditional defensive rim protecting centers. That’s not Obi’s style of play. Obi would have to play C to run with Randle for it to work. Neither of them can guard wings.

If you have Randle or Obi at the 3 the other team would go with a smaller 3 guard alignment and run wild

I suspect you are right about Thibs- I'd like to think we can retain Noel and Robinson develops more as a player. I'm not saying that you play Obi exclusively there- but somehow we have to find minutes for him next year. And if we can't, trade him for someone that can help.

Another option is retain Mitch long term. Let Obi play at both the 4 and 5. Mitch is better than Noel I think the playoffs showed that but he is injury prone. Obi would get more time at C whenever Mitch gets injured

Thibs would have to adjust but heck, Pat Riley once upon a time went from an offense only coach to coaching the league’s best defensive team

Philc1 wrote:

franco12 wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

franco12 wrote:there is no reason Obi and Randle can't be on the floor together, with one playing center, when the clippers are using Nicolas Batum as a center- and he is 32, so if either are weaker or slower than him, then they shouldn't be in the league. I'm not saying that is your starting line up- just saying they should find time to invest in Obi next year, and if they can't, trade him for something that can contribute.

Problem is Thibs loves traditional defensive rim protecting centers. That’s not Obi’s style of play. Obi would have to play C to run with Randle for it to work. Neither of them can guard wings.

If you have Randle or Obi at the 3 the other team would go with a smaller 3 guard alignment and run wild

I suspect you are right about Thibs- I'd like to think we can retain Noel and Robinson develops more as a player. I'm not saying that you play Obi exclusively there- but somehow we have to find minutes for him next year. And if we can't, trade him for someone that can help.

Another option is retain Mitch long term. Let Obi play at both the 4 and 5. Mitch is better than Noel I think the playoffs showed that but he is injury prone. Obi would get more time at C whenever Mitch gets injured

Thibs would have to adjust but heck, Pat Riley once upon a time went from an offense only coach to coaching the league’s best defensive team

You have to hope Mitch can stay healthy a full season, and maybe he is just made of glass. I'm not paying Noel outrageous money, but I don't feel like I can go into next year with Robinson & Toppin as my players at the 5. That is just asking to much. I'm ok with asking Obi/Thibs to play Toppin at the 5 for 10 minutes a game, maybe more here and there - but what happens if Mitch goes down? Now your starting Toppin at the 5? Or Randle?

He needs a real pg playing PnR with him. Not sure we’re that team with the usage randle and rj gets. But w a top pg he can deliver value

franco12 wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

franco12 wrote:there is no reason Obi and Randle can't be on the floor together, with one playing center, when the clippers are using Nicolas Batum as a center- and he is 32, so if either are weaker or slower than him, then they shouldn't be in the league. I'm not saying that is your starting line up- just saying they should find time to invest in Obi next year, and if they can't, trade him for something that can contribute.

Problem is Thibs loves traditional defensive rim protecting centers. That’s not Obi’s style of play. Obi would have to play C to run with Randle for it to work. Neither of them can guard wings.

If you have Randle or Obi at the 3 the other team would go with a smaller 3 guard alignment and run wild

I suspect you are right about Thibs- I'd like to think we can retain Noel and Robinson develops more as a player. I'm not saying that you play Obi exclusively there- but somehow we have to find minutes for him next year. And if we can't, trade him for someone that can help.

How can you retain Randle, Noel and Robinson, and still try and give OBI more minutes?

Why not use him in a trade to upgrade another position of need instead of giving him token minutes for another yr.