My All Things Positive OU Basketball Thread (just for you BigTime!)

[Edmond_Sooner]

And no this is not a sarcastic thread...i really just wanted to reflect on the positive things i have seen this year since i pretty much have been a negative nancy thus far (IMO out of character for me)...











Carl Blair-I have been impressed with his ability to slow down the game, he looks very comfortable and calm during play and makes very sound passes...this is what i was looking for out of him when we got him...i hope he continues to grow and get more comfortable with the offense and his role...

Cameron Clark-I see a lot of Tony Crocker in him, in the fact that he is not afraid to crash the boards and be active...this is something each team needs, especially this one...I think as he continues to mature as a college basketball player we will start to see some of the slashing and mid range skills we all were told about...


Cade Davis-There are just so many positives i cant name them all, he is the definition of a lead by example guy...He is putting the ball on the floor more this year as well as really filling it up when they need it the most...I am just glad this team has a guy like Cade on the squad...

Fitz-I fell in love with his little mid range jumper last year and he just continues to show me he has more to his game...he is going to be outsized pretty much all year height-wise, but so far he has found a way to get the ball in the hole...the weight he lost just shows me we have a workhorse that wants it bad, cant ever have enough of those on a squad...

Barry Honore-Has produced some nice minutes this year and another example of a guy that just doesnt quit...he was a big mystery since he arrived but has really shown he can step in and fill a gap when needed....

Tyler Neal-He just impresses me more and more with each minute he gets on the court, i fully expect him to be a fan favorite for years to come...much like Cade is...And the great thing is, there is so much we havent been able to see because of lack of playing time...the more comfortable he gets and the more confidence Capel shows in him i see him blossoming (earlier i thought he would have little to no impact)...

Calvin Newell-Athlete...that sums it all up...he just comes in and is on another gear...he has the ability to score in bunches and really plays aggressive...A guy that will be fun to watch for years to come as he continues to grow and the college game slows down for him...

Stephen Pledger-One of my favorite players, i really like the way he transformed his body and has done some things for this team that arent his strengths...he does really have a pure shot and when he is put in the proper position to use that strength i feel he will be a deadly weapon for us...

Nick Thompson-He has a fire about him and isnt afraid of the competition, that came out IMO during the Kentucky game...He is very skilled in many areas and as fans we expect him to just take over since he does have those abilities but i see him more as a guy that is playing within his limitations...Shows a lot of maturity when a player recognizes that about his own game...

CJ Washington-A skilled rebounder and energy guy that is going to earn more minutes as he progresses as a Sooner this year...he is still trying to get that Juco to OU transition down, the good thing is that we have seen glimpses of his talents and i believe we will see more as the season progresses and he learns the work ethic involved in earning playing time...



Overall i am very pleased that even though we dont have the talent right this moment to compete at a high level, i see that there is a high ceiling for several of these players and with the right pieces the next couple of years we will be right back where we need to be as a contender in the Big XII...i see a lot of guys that are about team and about getting better...If nothing else this year we should be able to applaud their successes (major and minor) and see them grow as a unit...

My hope is that this squad will surprise us all and do some things we can get behind as a fan base in the coming months...

BOOMER

 

[seniorsooner]

Newell
Pledger
Clark
Fitz
Osby
Goff
Neal
Taylor

Throw in Blair, Thompson and Washington for depth.

That has the potential to be a nice rotation as is, and hopefully Capel can land another impact guy in the late period.

 

[campbest]

Cameron Clark-I see a lot of Tony Crocker in him, in the fact that he is not afraid to crash the boards and be active...this is something each team needs, especially this one...I think as he continues to mature as a college basketball player we will start to see some of the slashing and mid range skills we all were told about...




BOOMER

The one complaint I have about Clark is his lack of rebounding given our size. Take away the first game, and he has only had 18 caroms in 6 games....that is not good given his athleticism. Really think Clark is not a real assertive player right now, just trying to fit in. Capel needs to draw some plays specifically for him...I mean at this point, who cares if they work.

 

[Krugerfan52]

One positive from the Arkansas game was Nick Thompson hitting threes. I hadn't really seen him do it yet this year. To me, since he's so weak defensively he has to hit some threes to be worth having on the court.

The next step now is for Pledger to start knocking them down.

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Newell
Pledger
Clark
Fitz
Osby
Goff
Neal
Taylor

Throw in Blair, Thompson and Washington for depth.

That has the potential to be a nice rotation as is, and hopefully Capel can land another impact guy in the late period.

I agree with this. I just hope that Newell and Blair both improve throughout this year, and going into next yr. If they both could learn to protect/value the ball more, it would be huge for us.....

 

[jmizzy4ou]

One positive from the Arkansas game was Nick Thompson hitting threes. I hadn't really seen him do it yet this year. To me, since he's so weak defensively he has to hit some threes to be worth having on the court.

The next step now is for Pledger to start knocking them down.

Yep. His stroke from 3 was surprisingly fluid, IMO. That may become his greatest value because if he can consistently hit a few from deep, he draws a big out of the paint...

 

[jmizzy4ou]

And no this is not a sarcastic thread...i really just wanted to reflect on the positive things i have seen this year since i pretty much have been a negative nancy thus far (IMO out of character for me)...











Carl Blair-I have been impressed with his ability to slow down the game, he looks very comfortable and calm during play and makes very sound passes...this is what i was looking for out of him when we got him...i hope he continues to grow and get more comfortable with the offense and his role...

Cameron Clark-I see a lot of Tony Crocker in him, in the fact that he is not afraid to crash the boards and be active...this is something each team needs, especially this one...I think as he continues to mature as a college basketball player we will start to see some of the slashing and mid range skills we all were told about...


Cade Davis-There are just so many positives i cant name them all, he is the definition of a lead by example guy...He is putting the ball on the floor more this year as well as really filling it up when they need it the most...I am just glad this team has a guy like Cade on the squad...

Fitz-I fell in love with his little mid range jumper last year and he just continues to show me he has more to his game...he is going to be outsized pretty much all year height-wise, but so far he has found a way to get the ball in the hole...the weight he lost just shows me we have a workhorse that wants it bad, cant ever have enough of those on a squad...

Barry Honore-Has produced some nice minutes this year and another example of a guy that just doesnt quit...he was a big mystery since he arrived but has really shown he can step in and fill a gap when needed....

Tyler Neal-He just impresses me more and more with each minute he gets on the court, i fully expect him to be a fan favorite for years to come...much like Cade is...And the great thing is, there is so much we havent been able to see because of lack of playing time...the more comfortable he gets and the more confidence Capel shows in him i see him blossoming (earlier i thought he would have little to no impact)...

Calvin Newell-Athlete...that sums it all up...he just comes in and is on another gear...he has the ability to score in bunches and really plays aggressive...A guy that will be fun to watch for years to come as he continues to grow and the college game slows down for him...

Stephen Pledger-One of my favorite players, i really like the way he transformed his body and has done some things for this team that arent his strengths...he does really have a pure shot and when he is put in the proper position to use that strength i feel he will be a deadly weapon for us...

Nick Thompson-He has a fire about him and isnt afraid of the competition, that came out IMO during the Kentucky game...He is very skilled in many areas and as fans we expect him to just take over since he does have those abilities but i see him more as a guy that is playing within his limitations...Shows a lot of maturity when a player recognizes that about his own game...

CJ Washington-A skilled rebounder and energy guy that is going to earn more minutes as he progresses as a Sooner this year...he is still trying to get that Juco to OU transition down, the good thing is that we have seen glimpses of his talents and i believe we will see more as the season progresses and he learns the work ethic involved in earning playing time...



Overall i am very pleased that even though we dont have the talent right this moment to compete at a high level, i see that there is a high ceiling for several of these players and with the right pieces the next couple of years we will be right back where we need to be as a contender in the Big XII...i see a lot of guys that are about team and about getting better...If nothing else this year we should be able to applaud their successes (major and minor) and see them grow as a unit...

My hope is that this squad will surprise us all and do some things we can get behind as a fan base in the coming months...

BOOMER

:clap:clap

 

[CMSOONER]

:clap This OP is a breath of fresh air from the hazy polution of negativity that has taken over this board the last few weeks. Nicely done E_S.