I just watched Finland's game against Poland where Poland won 68-61 but it was a 2 point game with a little over a minute left. Again, I thought Polla had a good game but has some things to work on.
Highlights/comments:
- He scored 21 points in the game including 14 in the 4th quarter when Finland was making a comeback.
- I really like his free throw form. He was 7-9 from the line and shoots kind of 2-hand shot with really nice spin.
- He scores on the first play of the game on a pick and roll and converts the free throw for a 3-point play. He sets good screens and then rolls to the basket.... and they didn't him feed enough off that play.
- He had a nice 2-hand dunk on an inbound play in the 1st half.
- He's a better shot blocker than I expected. He doesn't sky like Lattin and McNeace but just his sheer size helps him on blocks.... he had 4-5 blocks in this game and times them well. He doesn't go for a lot of pump fakes like Khadeem sometimes does. He alters a lot of shots. He did get a flagrant foul for hammering a kid on a block attempt.
- He has a funny build. Some players have long legs and a small torso. He has a massive torso.
- His 3rd quarter was a stinker. He fumbled away several easy passes where he could have had a pretty easy shot. His hands aren't the greatest.
- I really like the form on his baby hook shot that he can take with either hand.
- He posts up deep on the block and they couldn't move him out, but Finland didn't take advantage of it enough until the 4th quarter.
- His 4th quarter was awesome.
I honestly think he will help the Sooners this season. He's a different kind of center than Lattin and McNeace. I could even see them playing some power forward with Polla at the 5. He can sure clog up the middle and not get pushed around. I agree with MisterF in that he kind of reminds me of a bigger Kevin Bookout. He's going to be a monster a year from now after a year in the weight room. He's pretty strong now as it is.... except for his hands.
For anyone who wants to watch the game, here's the link. I just dragged the bar forward when he wasn't in the game so it didn't take a lot of time to watch. No need to watch them play both national anthems, halftime, or timeouts. It was kind of fun watching with no commentary.
http://www.fiba.com/europe/u20b/2017/videos/Finland-v-Poland-Live-FIBA-U20-European-Championship-2017-DIV-B
Highlights/comments:
- He scored 21 points in the game including 14 in the 4th quarter when Finland was making a comeback.
- I really like his free throw form. He was 7-9 from the line and shoots kind of 2-hand shot with really nice spin.
- He scores on the first play of the game on a pick and roll and converts the free throw for a 3-point play. He sets good screens and then rolls to the basket.... and they didn't him feed enough off that play.
- He had a nice 2-hand dunk on an inbound play in the 1st half.
- He's a better shot blocker than I expected. He doesn't sky like Lattin and McNeace but just his sheer size helps him on blocks.... he had 4-5 blocks in this game and times them well. He doesn't go for a lot of pump fakes like Khadeem sometimes does. He alters a lot of shots. He did get a flagrant foul for hammering a kid on a block attempt.
- He has a funny build. Some players have long legs and a small torso. He has a massive torso.
- His 3rd quarter was a stinker. He fumbled away several easy passes where he could have had a pretty easy shot. His hands aren't the greatest.
- I really like the form on his baby hook shot that he can take with either hand.
- He posts up deep on the block and they couldn't move him out, but Finland didn't take advantage of it enough until the 4th quarter.
- His 4th quarter was awesome.
I honestly think he will help the Sooners this season. He's a different kind of center than Lattin and McNeace. I could even see them playing some power forward with Polla at the 5. He can sure clog up the middle and not get pushed around. I agree with MisterF in that he kind of reminds me of a bigger Kevin Bookout. He's going to be a monster a year from now after a year in the weight room. He's pretty strong now as it is.... except for his hands.
For anyone who wants to watch the game, here's the link. I just dragged the bar forward when he wasn't in the game so it didn't take a lot of time to watch. No need to watch them play both national anthems, halftime, or timeouts. It was kind of fun watching with no commentary.
http://www.fiba.com/europe/u20b/2017/videos/Finland-v-Poland-Live-FIBA-U20-European-Championship-2017-DIV-B
