Nick Thompson's floor vision and passing

[Sam]

They have to be the best we've ever had on a "big". Its insane the way he sees the court and knows how the game will develop.

I think he's a good as a passer as TMG was last year (TMG may have had some faults but he knew how to pass damn well)
:clap

 

[topdaug]

Blake was a pretty damn good passer, so I don't know if I'd say NIck is the best we've had as a "big" but it's definitely impressive the type of vision he has...

 

[artvandelay]

The guy is competitive, and a winner. The kind of guy a Butler picks up and grinds out upsets.

 

[Sam]

Blake was good but the assists Nick make and they way he leads players on the break is insane (ex. the one to Cameron to the end 1st half). The guy has what 15 assists in 2 games? That has to be among the tops in the nation for any player not even counting guys over 6'8.

 

[artvandelay]

He reminds me of what Keith Clark "could" have been. Keith's vision and handles for his size were outlawed in 42 states.

 

[sdcloud9]

Thompson is perfect compliment to Fitzgerald at the other post. I like the intangibles he brings to the table.

 

[NickZepp]

Blake Griffin was a great passer. But I think what helps Thompson out is that Fitzy is turning into a great player inside.

 

[Gutter]

Renzi Stone was a very good passer.

Nick had 7 assists but also 5 TOs, according to box score.

 

[kbsooner]

he does have vision, but needs to quit forcing when it's not there. Those lanes will tighten considerably by Big 12...

 

[Tony]

They have to be the best we've ever had on a "big".

 

[soonersyd]

That kid in the picture in Tony's post was a pretty good passer!

 

[red recluse]

blake was a great passer, can't speak on the kind of assists alvan had, but nick is dropping steve nash-like wrap-around passes. you don't see that from forwards. he just needs to understand he doesn't dribble like a guard, so don't be trying to take guys off the dribble right now.

he's going to be such a huge asset if teams want to go zone. i know nccu played it for most of the night, so i don't know why nick didn't touch it in the high post more than he did, especially after going 1-17 from 3 at one point. but if we get that hi-lo game going, nick will just toy with defenders and fitz will benefit by not having to get a shot up over taller defenders.

 

[Sam]

blake was a great passer, can't speak on the kind of assists alvan had, but nick is dropping steve nash-like wrap-around passes. you don't see that from forwards. he just needs to understand he doesn't dribble like a guard, so don't be trying to take guys off the dribble right now.

he's going to be such a huge asset if teams want to go zone. i know nccu played it for most of the night, so i don't know why nick didn't touch it in the high post more than he did, especially after going 1-17 from 3 at one point. but if we get that hi-lo game going, nick will just toy with defenders and fitz will benefit by not having to get a shot up over taller defenders.

First half Capel had him playing baseline most of the time. Following the ball and flashing to the corner quite a bit. Really negated his passing skills quite a bit without cutters (which didn't happen cuz the guards stayed on the wing). He finally figured out with nobody able to hit water even if they fell out of a boat with an anchor tied around their waist to move Nick into a high low game. I am sure if Nick or other guys are hitting he could be deadly roaming the baseline with his stroke but tonight wasn't the night for it.

 

[brothers brother]

I couldnt agree more. His vision is remarkable. However it is pretty much negated whenever we are running that kind of offense. As soon as you get Hot Sauce on the high post the game is changed and it gets nasty. He also made some great passes which lead to his awesome fake in OT which lead to an easy lay up to help put us ahead. He did solid tonight. He was also getting rode like a freakin horse the whole game and not getting any calls. At one point I thought he had a saddle on his back...

 

[BoulderSooner]

He reminds me of what Keith Clark "could" have been. Keith's vision and handles for his size were outlawed in 42 states.

it is scary to think how good clark and blake could have been together

 

[stoops4pres]

Blake was a pretty damn good passer, so I don't know if I'd say NIck is the best we've had as a "big" but it's definitely impressive the type of vision he has...

My thoughts as well.

I think you see Thompson dispersing the ball more because not only is he a very unselfish player, but also its pretty obvious he doesn't have the scoring aptitude like Blake had. Therefore, he's more inclined to dish the ball when he's down in the paint.

But no doubt about it, Thompson is an awesome passer for his size.

 

[One More Rebound]

Amen, Tony! Preach it, brother!

 

[One More Rebound]

Doing some quick research, Alvan had 4,012 career assists in the NBA. How quickly we forget...

 

[OULad]

Doing some quick research, Alvan had 4,012 career assists in the NBA. How quickly we forget...

Well the guy played at OU before many posting here was born, so I wouldnt say we quickly forgot.

 

[sybarite]

I saw Alvan's first game at OU, and I became a believer. I think he had 28 rebounds----28, as in twenty-eight. He would have had ten assists if the other forwards hadn't turned to rebound every time he jumped, resulting in a lot of passes hitting them in the back of the head.

Phoenix used him as a high post because he was a great passer who could feed any cutter, as well as hit a fifteen foot jump shot. He became probably the best undersized center in the NBA, largely because of intelligence and passing.

I enjoy what I have seen of Thompson, but he is no comparison to Alvan, except with respect to height.