Cam Clark

[DenverSooner]

Clark has averaged well over 12 points a game and 5 boards a game over the last 5 games. His lowest point total has been 12 (more than one) and his lowest rebound total was 4 (once) but he had 7 in one game and 11 last night. I didn't do the math but I would estimate he is averaging about 6.5 boards and 13 or 14 points a game over this 5 game stretch. Hopefully this will conintue and he will be more productive next year. To put the in perspective 14 points a game and 6.5 boards a game in Big XII play on the season would make him a top ten scorer and rebounder slightly ahead of Dixon at 13.9 ponts per game (No. 10 scorer) and Samuels at 6.3 boards per game (No. 10 redouner). Maybe he is about to turn the corner.

 

[AdaSooner]

You're right, Cam has played well and with a lot more confidence the past few games. I think we all knew that a player with his athleticism and hops had the goods to be a better rebounder than he showed early on.

Props to him for making rebounding and going after loose balls a priority! :clap

 

[NormanPride]

I think concentrating on rebounding has made him better. Perhaps he was thinking too much about the points, and it was turning into a "thing"... When you let it go and concentrate on something that can be solved with effort (rebounding) then the scoring comes back.

 

[DenverSooner]

He was rebounding very well in Austin on Wednesday. The guy has an incredible vertical. Several times he appeared to be 6 inches to a foot higher than everyone else going for the rebound. I would love to see him average 6.5 (or more) boards a game next season. Even if he doesn't do that, if OU gets over 5 boards a game from Fitzgerald, Cam Clark, M'Baye and Osby that will be pretty good production from the front line.

 

[bocabull]

The regression of Cam has been Krugers most glaring failure. Good to see him starting to snap out of whatever was wrong because he has all conference caliber talent.

 

[campbest]

He was rebounding very well in Austin on Wednesday. The guy has an incredible vertical. Several times he appeared to be 6 inches to a foot higher than everyone else going for the rebound. I would love to see him average 6.5 (or more) boards a game next season. Even if he doesn't do that, if OU gets over 5 boards a game from Fitzgerald, Cam Clark, M'Baye and Osby that will be pretty good production from the front line.

My biggest beef with Cam has always been his rebounding.

 

[rickjames]

For a guy with that height and athleticism, he sure doesn't attack the rim very often. Settles for too many jump shots. Makes absolutely no sense. Someone like that should be a beast in the lane

 

[Krugerfan52]

I am a Cam Clark supporter. I am surprised that people question his rebounding. It's not like he's a big man that only get 4-5 rebs per game like Fitz. He's a guard/wing. I think for a guard/wing he is a good rebounder. At times last year he and Cade were the only guys that I ever thought would pull down a board.

As far as his offense, he had a rough stretch at times during his soph year, but he played well as a frosh and I expect him to have a strong career for 4 years at OU if people badmouthing a good kid doesn't result in the t-word. I hope we get to see him have two more good years at OU.

 

[DenverSooner]

He also played more of a forward position last year. OU started Blair, Pledger, Davis, Clark and Fitzgerald. That meant Cam was playing the 4 spot more than a wing. I think he will be a lot more comfortable playing the 3 spot next year and hopefully will show marked improvement (like he has down the stretch in Big XII play).

 

[ouwxman]

5 games is a bit small of a sample size, especially for a player who has been very inconsistent so far. But, I really hope he's turning the corner. Clark has a lot of potential, and we are a much better team when he's playing well.

 

[bgrch1350]

5 games is a bit small of a sample size, especially for a player who has been very inconsistent so far. But, I really hope he's turning the corner. Clark has a lot of potential, and we are a much better team when he's playing well.

Clarks biggest problem was when Newell left the team and Grooms/Blair/Neal never became any threat offensively, it put a lot more pressure on Clark to shoot more jump shots and try to create more on offense b/c if Pledger doesn't do it, their was no one else that could other than Clark and I believe that the pressure of having to step up in a huge way got to him. I think towards the end, he was taking better shots and not forcing as much. He's a solid player and will be a lot better next season.

 

[WTSooner]

I think towards the end, he was taking better shots and not forcing as much.

I don't agree with that at all. The difference was, he was actually making some of the difficult, ill-advised shots he was taking. Heck, against aTm, he nearly caused me to throw my remote through a wall. One trip down, we pass the ball around a couple of times, and Cam takes a jumper one step inside the three point line, pretty well guarded, and missed badly. We go down and play defense, and the next trip down on offense, Grooms makes one pass to Cam, he is in about the same spot as he was the previous trip down the floor, even more well guarded, and he fires up the same jumper, one step inside the three point line, and misses just as badly.

That kind of play.....not knowing your role and your strengths is just about as big a problem on this team as anything. Trips down the floor like that just KILL the momentum.

 

[bgrch1350]

I don't agree with that at all. The difference was, he was actually making some of the difficult, ill-advised shots he was taking. Heck, against aTm, he nearly caused me to throw my remote through a wall. One trip down, we pass the ball around a couple of times, and Cam takes a jumper one step inside the three point line, pretty well guarded, and missed badly. We go down and play defense, and the next trip down on offense, Grooms makes one pass to Cam, he is in about the same spot as he was the previous trip down the floor, even more well guarded, and he fires up the same jumper, one step inside the three point line, and misses just as badly.

That kind of play.....not knowing your role and your strengths is just about as big a problem on this team as anything. Trips down the floor like that just KILL the momentum.

Do you still not get it...Its Pledger or Him. Thats it. Neal/Grooms/Blair can't score. The odds are more in Clarks favor that he can make those bad shots over those 3 shooting wide open shots.

Is his game perfect...NO. Does he take bad shots...YES. Will he get better...YES. He's only a sophmore.