What does Osby need to improve on

[BigTime]

if he wants to get selected in next year's NBA draft?

He is 6-8, 232 so he already falls a little in the tweener category for NBA power forwards but it isn't out of the realm for him to make it on a roster at that position in the league. He already has an NBA body in terms of strength and athleticism. He also has the intensity and rebounding ability to be an undersized PF in the league.

I say:

- Tighter handles on the drive. He got ripped quite a bit by defenders when he would take it off the dribble last year
- Quicker post moves/counter moves that end with power finishes. He is a guy that needs a very quick first step and he needs to always finish strong.
- Lots of pick and pop work on his midrange game and being able to establish a face up jumper from the midrange (which will be open if he improves on the first two that I mentioned).


Right now I think he is right there with several Sooners that we thought had a chance to play in the league but didn't: Taj Gray and Aaron MaGhee.

The good news for him is that he is going to make a pretty penny playing overseas if he doesn't get drafted as long as he keeps working hard and progressing.

But for the sake of him and the Sooner program, I hope he has a monster year and sneaks in the late first round/second round.

What do you think?

 

[garyeb2]

I think that by the time he is through here, he will be considered by OU fans as a really fine college player. But, I really don't think they have a position for him in the NBA.

 

[Darwin]

If he shoots better from outside it will open up more options offensively. He will make a lot of money if that happens but I don't think he is a shooter. I expect a big year for him and others because as a team they will be harder to defend.

 

[WTSooner]

I don't see him as an NBA player, but he should be a really good player overseas if that is something that interests him. May not, seeing as how he has a kid and is getting married soon.

 

[BoulderSooner]

I don't see him as an NBA player, but he should be a really good player overseas if that is something that interests him. May not, seeing as how he has a kid and is getting married soon.

Making hundreds of thousands of dollars interests everyone

 

[WTSooner]

Making hundreds of thousands of dollars interests everyone

Not if your wife doesn't want to leave the states. Sometimes $50k a year and a happy wife is better than $200k a year, and not getting to see your son grow up. I don't know Osby, just throwing the possible idea out there. There are PLENTY of kids that could play overseas that turn it down for various reasons.

 

[DenverSooner]

Not if your wife doesn't want to leave the states. Sometimes $50k a year and a happy wife is better than $200k a year, and not getting to see your son grow up. I don't know Osby, just throwing the possible idea out there. There are PLENTY of kids that could play overseas that turn it down for various reasons.

That would be one stupid wife. Lets say he can make $300K a year. Save $100K a year, live off the rest. Play as long as you can. At 30 something come back to the U.S. with enough saved to buy a nice house in cash and some money in the bank. If they purchase a reasonable house and both get jobs, they will live a great life financially.

 

[AdaSooner]

if he wants to get selected in next year's NBA draft?

He is 6-8, 232 so he already falls a little in the tweener category for NBA power forwards but it isn't out of the realm for him to make it on a roster at that position in the league. He already has an NBA body in terms of strength and athleticism. He also has the intensity and rebounding ability to be an undersized PF in the league.

I say:

- Tighter handles on the drive. He got ripped quite a bit by defenders when he would take it off the dribble last year
- Quicker post moves/counter moves that end with power finishes. He is a guy that needs a very quick first step and he needs to always finish strong.
- Lots of pick and pop work on his midrange game and being able to establish a face up jumper from the midrange (which will be open if he improves on the first two that I mentioned).


Right now I think he is right there with several Sooners that we thought had a chance to play in the league but didn't: Taj Gray and Aaron MaGhee.

The good news for him is that he is going to make a pretty penny playing overseas if he doesn't get drafted as long as he keeps working hard and progressing.

But for the sake of him and the Sooner program, I hope he has a monster year and sneaks in the late first round/second round.

What do you think?

Spot on analysis, BT!

I really like Romero and what he has brought to the program, both on and off the court. But I think he has too far to go in one season to develop into a NBA prospect.

At the same time, he has the skills and athleticism to make a good living playing overseas somewhere, if that's what he decides to do. If not, I have little doubt that he will be successful at whatever he chooses to do in life. Ro is easily one of the nicest young men I have ever met!

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Not to dis RO, but he is primarily an athlete, and athletes like him are a dime a dozen in the NBA. That said, to answer your question to "make it" in the NBA IMHO he would have to show that he can defend both a small forward and a power forward, rebound as effectively against same/similar athletes, and have the ability to shoot about 35% from the NBA three point line. To me a somewhat comparable player is Damion James, who is a marginal guy off the bench for the Nets.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

That would be one stupid wife. Lets say he can make $300K a year. Save $100K a year, live off the rest. Play as long as you can. At 30 something come back to the U.S. with enough saved to buy a nice house in cash and some money in the bank. If they purchase a reasonable house and both get jobs, they will live a great life financially.

maybe spending time with family and friends is more important than money to some. I think it is a little harsh to call someone stupid for not wanting to leave the states

 

[SilliSooner]

When he's healthy Ro has as much potential as San Antonio's Blair. He has good interior footwork and can be an aggressive rebounder and scrapper.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

When he's healthy Ro has as much potential as San Antonio's Blair. He has good interior footwork and can be an aggressive rebounder and scrapper.

Has he not been healthy all year?

 

[dahldennsull]

Apparently he was battling a foot injury or something in the latter part of the season. Will be good to see his experience now with a fully healthy body next season

 

[Smash Williams]

When he's healthy Ro has as much potential as San Antonio's Blair. He has good interior footwork and can be an aggressive rebounder and scrapper.

I don't really get that comparison. Blair is a a big-bodied NBA 4 that plays spot minutes at the 5, relies more on power than athleticism, and lives around the rim. As Mr. B mentioned, Osby's only chance in the league would be as an athletic forward that can defend the 3 and the 4 while developing a consistent outside shot. And Blair was a better player as a freshman than Osby is now.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

RO and Blair couldn't be any more different as basketball players IMHO for the reasons you mentioned. I'm not an NBA talent scout or anything, but even a casual observer would see what it is going to take for RO to make it at the NBA level, play two positions on defense at a high level and show the ability to hit an open shot fairly consistently. I think RO has a shot though, so hopefully nobody thinks I'm hating on his game.