Cam Clark

[DenverSooner]

Cam is having a tough year. OU needs him to catch fire. He is actually one of my favorite players on the team. The guy is a great athlete and looks like he is on the verge of exploding with some of the plays he makes but it doesn't seem to be klicking for him on a consistent basis.

If he doesn't start to produce I could potentially see him coming off the bench next year because OU has to get production from the 3. I realize that is a bit of a crazy statement to suggest a two year starter will not start next season but OU really needs some points from that position.

 

[AdaSooner]

It's not a crazy statement at all. To be honest, I don't see how Coach Kruger can continue to be patient with Cam if he doesn't come out of his funk soon?

There is no doubt about his potential. He's a superb athlete with a huge upside. He's not a good rebounder. But we all know he can score in a variety of ways when he's on his game. If it's a matter of lost confidence, we can only hope that he finds it before long. This team needs production from that position in the worst way right now.

 

[StatGeek]

He has looked lost and unnatural on the court virtually all season. I feel like he is being encouraged to be more aggressive but doesn't truly believe that he should be.

 

[j2d2]

It doesnt seem to me to warrant starting him now much less continuing to do so through the rest of the year. Why not at least try him coming off the bench and see what happens? It surely wouldnt be less productive than leaving him on the floor.

 

[OklaSooners]

Clark looks terrible. Has a very jerky awkward looking shot that never looks like it will go in. All he can do is dunk the ball. No defense or shooting. Just a few dunks and that's it. He should be benched.

 

[TheGimper]

Clark looks terrible. Has a very jerky awkward looking shot that never looks like it will go in. All he can do is dunk the ball. No defense or shooting. Just a few dunks and that's it. He should be benched.

What? He's our best defensive guard/forward. You're out of your mind.

 

[sperry]

It's not a crazy statement at all. To be honest, I don't see how Coach Kruger can continue to be patient with Cam if he doesn't come out of his funk soon?

There is no doubt about his potential. He's a superb athlete with a huge upside. He's not a good rebounder. But we all know he can score in a variety of ways when he's on his game. If it's a matter of lost confidence, we can only hope that he finds it before long. This team needs production from that position in the worst way right now.

Kruger has got to be patient with Clark, because there's no one you can replace him with right now. Neal has been playing even worse than Cam since conference play started.

 

[Soonerman]

He's looked completely lost on the offensive end pretty much all season long. Defensively? He's a good one.

Even during the Houston game in the All-College where I think he had a pretty good night (something like 12-14 points). He hit a couple of jumpers early, that were bad shots if they didn't go in, but they went in. It's like he's creating very little separation from his defender. After both of those shots, I was sitting right behind the OU bench and the coaches looked at each other like "that wasn't a good shot but luckily it went in".

I was also hoping for some improvement on his handles. When he's dribbling, he tends to go out wide with his arms with the ball in that hand, and it leaves him exposed for it getting stolen/knocked away. It's almost like his hands can't keep up with his feet. Anyone else notice that?

Not trying to bash Cam. I think he can become a great player for us, and I'm really rooting for him. Home Kruger and company can help him out. If anyone can, Coach K can.

 

[Sawyer]

Reminds me some of Marshall Brown at Mizzou. Amazing athlete, and he did some things very well. He would have occasional huge games. But most of the time, he just looked off. It got to the point where it didn't seem like he really even liked the game. As a senior his minutes dropped considerably (in part because Demarre Carrol was simply better).

I'm pretty sure he's still playing in the NBDL somewhere. He had NBA ups, but just didn't have the mind of a basketball player.

 

[Krugerfan52]

He has looked lost and unnatural on the court virtually all season. I feel like he is being encouraged to be more aggressive but doesn't truly believe that he should be.

This sums it up. Last year he was the 4th option and always had his feet set for open shots. This year he's trying to take people off the dribble, he's rushing everything and trying to force shots. He winds up off balance nearly every time. Thats not his game.

 

[25mob]

I honestly think that Lk needs to use less screen and roll with the post players and use more motion by bringing Cam and Pledger off screens. this would be really helpful for Cam because he doesn't have to dribble, he is tall and long enough to shoot over smaller players and it can create an opening for him to drive without having to beat his man one on one.

The same goes for Pledger except I would add a few guard to guard pick and roll with him. I think this would have really been effective against OSU because there is no way Paige can guard him in the post or effectively challenge his shot on the perimeter.

 

[WTSooner]

I've said this since before Cam got on campus, but he is a skilled athlete, but not a particularly skilled basketball player. That is why I never predicted the big things for him, especially early on. I knew he'd have a lot to learn and improve on.

That said, I always thought somewhere in the Tony Crocker mold was Cam's ceiling. I'd kill to be getting anywhere near that kind of production from Cam. Heck, even a year like last year, and we probably have 1-2 more wins this year.

Next year is going to be interesting. Curious to see who and where LK works into the lineup.

 

[cowboysooner]

Gifted athlete, good (potentially great) defender and completely lost on offense.

Not sure what to think of Cam at the moment. When he goes up for a shot off the dribble, he isn't even looking at the rim, he just throws the ball up towards the backboard and hopes to get lucky. He is doing a really bad job of focusing. Similarly, he is playing with out any purpose whatsoever on the offensive side. He constantly dribbles to nowhere and dribbles between his legs and behind his back for absolutely no reason. He constantly passes up open shots, just to dribble to a guarded position and shoot a guarded off balance jump shot. I don't know what causes this stuff, maybe he is just thinking too much.

But, the kid is trying and he plays hard and in a tough way. Like some on here, I don't particularly like his shot, but I'm ok with it if he will square up and/or use better footwork when shooting. A little focus wouldn't hurt as well.

Bottom line, I haven't given up on the kid, and I think we have to play his this year due to a lack of other options. Put me in the group that thinks he will come around.

 

[AdaSooner]

Gifted athlete, good (potentially great) defender and completely lost on offense.

Not sure what to think of Cam at the moment. When he goes up for a shot off the dribble, he isn't even looking at the rim, he just throws the ball up towards the backboard and hopes to get lucky. He is doing a really bad job of focusing. Similarly, he is playing with out any purpose whatsoever on the offensive side. He constantly dribbles to nowhere and dribbles between his legs and behind his back for absolutely no reason. He constantly passes up open shots, just to dribble to a guarded position and shoot a guarded off balance jump shot. I don't know what causes this stuff, maybe he is just thinking too much.
But, the kid is trying and he plays hard and in a tough way. Like some on here, I don't particularly like his shot, but I'm ok with it if he will square up and/or use better footwork when shooting. A little focus wouldn't hurt as well.

Bottom line, I haven't given up on the kid, and I think we have to play his this year due to a lack of other options. Put me in the group that thinks he will come around.

I'll take the part in bold one more step by offering an opinion. I think Cam is focusing too much on style points and making spectacular plays. Shooting jump shots, drives down the lane and dribbling to get open for a shot don't have to be highlight video material to be effective. He needs to just play basketball and use the gifts he's been blessed with to his advantage.

 

[StatGeek]

Cam is having a tough year. OU needs him to catch fire. He is actually one of my favorite players on the team. The guy is a great athlete and looks like he is on the verge of exploding with some of the plays he makes but it doesn't seem to be klicking for him on a consistent basis.

If he doesn't start to produce I could potentially see him coming off the bench next year because OU has to get production from the 3. I realize that is a bit of a crazy statement to suggest a two year starter will not start next season but OU really needs some points from that position.

Looks like he will be coming in off the bench sooner than you thought.