Thoughts on Cam Clark playing the 4

[BigTime]

Just curious what some of my fellow fans (and guests) think about this which seems pretty eminent this year.

Good thing?
Bad thing?
Will it work against Big 12 teams?
Is it the best thing for Cam?
Anyone else think he can be like Melvin Ejim (sp) from ISU?


I'm a little torn on the subject myself. I guess we will find out soon enough...

 

[NickZepp]

Against certain teams it'll probably work and be a good matchup but I'm sure he'll play the 3 against other teams also.

 

[KBaden145]

If he can hold his own on boards, I think it is a good thing. He should match up well in conference play. Most teams don't have true 5s and are now playing a 4 at the post with a stretch 4 or big 3 at the power forward position. Like Gary has said, I think he can replace MBayes production quite nicely. If he was to really hit the tip of his ability, there is no reason why he can't be more productive.

 

[garyeb2]

If he can hold his own on boards, I think it is a good thing. He should match up well in conference play. Most teams don't have true 5s and are now playing a 4 at the post with a stretch 4 or big 3 at the power forward position. Like Gary has said, I think he can replace MBayes production quite nicely. If he was to really hit the tip of his ability, there is no reason why he can't be more productive.

I think your definition is too confining. Calling Cam a #4 is only sometimes the case. During these early practices they would set up with two guards, two wings, and a post. A legit looking 4 around one. Every now and then Cam would slip over and post up. But, not often.

I'm thinking that the offense just won't look much like what they were trying to do last season. Except when Spangler and Bennett are in the game at the same time.

 

[WTSooner]

I like it.

I've been pretty hard on Cam, but I think he can exploit his strengths easier against most opposing 4's, as opposed to most 3's. I see his, as a 4, kind of in the mold of Selvy. High energy, high athleticism, and playing inside the arc. Rebounding is the biggest potential issue, but with Hield as a good rebounder, and Spangler/Bennett looking strong on the boards so far, I think he'll be fine.

I don't like that he is being forced to play there due to numbers, but I do like him playing there.

 

[TheGimper]

I'm predicting 3rd team all conference honors for Cam.

 

[KBaden145]

I think your definition is too confining. Calling Cam a #4 is only sometimes the case. During these early practices they would set up with two guards, two wings, and a post. A legit looking 4 around one. Every now and then Cam would slip over and post up. But, not often.

I'm thinking that the offense just won't look much like what they were trying to do last season. Except when Spangler and Bennett are in the game at the same time.

I know what you are saying but I'm not really calling him a power forward. I go by the numbers and I think he will play a 4 most of the time for us. He should pop out often to drive if larger post is on him. There just aren't many teams that play a true '4' so he should be free to initiate offense from the high post, the wing, and some post ups. Again if he can hold his own on the boards, this can work and work well. He'll match up well with Ejim at IState and Nash at OState, 2 other non-traditional 4s in the league.

 

[jaymOU]

never understood why Cam can't make 3's. When you look at the "stretch 4's" - like Ejim and Nash, they stretch teams because they make 3s. Cam has a beautiful jump shot, but when he gets 20' from the basket, it disappears. I don't mind the idea of a smaller, quicker line-up and our defensive ball pressure with Cousins, Hornbeak, Heild and Woodard could offset our post size with Cam at the 4.

Whether we like it or not, it's likely going to be a reality based on the roster. So LK and the boys will need to figure out how to make it work.

Could OU run more? Cam does finish well at the rim.

 

[garyeb2]

I know what you are saying but I'm not really calling him a power forward. I go by the numbers and I think he will play a 4 most of the time for us. He should pop out often to drive if larger post is on him. There just aren't many teams that play a true '4' so he should be free to initiate offense from the high post, the wing, and some post ups. Again if he can hold his own on the boards, this can work and work well. He'll match up well with Ejim at IState and Nash at OState, 2 other non-traditional 4s in the league.

All I'm saying is that a Spangler-Cam offense won't look much like a Spangler-Bennett or a Osby-M'Baye or a Osby-Fitz. Cam is a versatile guy and I'm sure Kruger will use him ways that create a mismatch.

I'm in the camp that thinks Cam could be the leading scorer within a pretty balanced scoring group.

 

[KBaden145]

All I'm saying is that a Spangler-Cam offense won't look much like a Spangler-Bennett or a Osby-M'Baye or a Osby-Fitz. Cam is a versatile guy and I'm sure Kruger will use him ways that create a mismatch.

I'm in the camp that thinks Cam could be the leading scorer within a pretty balanced scoring group.

I agree but those mismatches will be some of the same ones Osby was able to exploit. I really think the measure of Cams effectiveness on offense will be the number of FTs he gets each game. I would really like to see him attack the lane and try to get to the rim, then finish or go to the line.

 

[garyeb2]

I agree but those mismatches will be some of the same ones Osby was able to exploit. I really think the measure of Cams effectiveness on offense will be the number of FTs he gets each game. I would really like to see him attack the lane and try to get to the rim, then finish or go to the line.

Well, we are close. But, I think his effectiveness on offense will be measured by his shooting pct. on 10-12 ft. jump shots.

 

[KBaden145]

Well, we are close. But, I think his effectiveness on offense will be measured by his shooting pct. on 10-12 ft. jump shots.

I understand but I just hate to see such an athletic guy limit himself to jump shots. Shooting % goes up closer to the rim and at the line.

 

[skyvue]

I really think the measure of Cams effectiveness on offense will be the number of FTs he gets each game.

The problem is, Cam hasn't been the most reliable free-throw shooter, averaging just 66% his first two seasons. He improved to 80% last season, so hopefully that trend continues. But he only shot 57 FTs all last season.

 

[KBaden145]

...he only shot 57 FTs all last season.

I REALLY want to see that number go up significantly.

 

[DenverSooner]

Clarks best season at OU was his freshman year. Didn't he play the 4 that season? Wasn't that starting lineup Blair, Pledger, Davis, Clark and Fitzgerald?

Last season Clark played as a forward a bit and really took advantage of his skill set over larger, slower buys.

Whether you call Clark a wing or a forward really doesn't matter. If he gets to opportunity to match up against the other teams PF on the offensive end he will probably be a pretty effective offensive player. The question is can he defend the PF position. It is hard to say based on his freshman season because OU couldn't defend anyone that season.