Amida Brimah's Legacy

[uchusky32]

Great kid, great enthusiasm, very good defender, unfortunate basketball mind which lead to a much lower ceiling than most (if not all) anticipated.

Author of one of the most important plays in UCONN history. Key cog in winning a program-righting championship.

Was it a program righting championship? Not much good has come sincentives but I agree with everything else.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

My understanding of recruiting - although I don't follow it any more - is that this whole notion of not "recruiting over" someone that people on the Boneyard talk about is a myth. You recruit for need, but if there is a great player that's available to you, you recruit him, no matter what you have at his position. How many times do Calhoun and Ollie have to observe that Calhoun recruited over Ollie every year he was at UConn for this to resonate? I mean, part of Ollie's legacy is that he was tough and dedicated enough to overcome the fact that Calhoun was bringing in people to take his job.

 

[intlzncster]

Was it a program righting championship? Not much good has come sincentives but I agree with everything else.

Do you have any idea where we'd be without it? It validated Ollie nationally. That's one of the big reasons we've recruited well the past few years while still remaining in the AAC.

Perhaps a better word would be "program-saving". UCONN might be dead otherwise.

 

[Huskybass]

A pro setting?

Boo Willingham played professionally and he did virtually nothing while at UConn. If I recall correctly, he scored something like 110 points in his entire college career. Brimah definitely has a pro career somewhere.

 

[uchusky32]

Do you have any idea where we'd be without it? It validated Ollie nationally. That's one of the big reasons we've recruited well the past few years while still remaining in the AAC.

Perhaps a better word would be "program-saving". UCONN might be dead otherwise.

Yeah, what you said isn't righting the ship. But I understand what your saying.

 

[sledog]

Legacy: I coulda / shoulda had a V8 - ugh, I mean a BBC!!!!

 

[joober jones]

Hell, even Mandeldove played professionally, with stints in Peru and Romania.

 

[JSM1970]

Yes, and making the FT

Last 3 years fairly inconsistent and listless

Legacy is summed up in 1 play



That'll do for me.

 

[NielsisGood]

The legacy of the contributions in the championship run of course. He'll be the player nobody wanted, but most will miss when he's gone. Like next year, when other teams are taking it to the rim anytime they want and there's nobody there to block the shot.

His defensive impact is overstated, and these guys are used to playing without him anyways with how often he manages to foul out within 15 minutes.

 

[intlzncster]

Yes, and making the FT

Last 3 years fairly inconsistent and listless

Inconsistent, absolutely. Listless? The exact opposite. Who on the team has more energy and enthusiasm than Brimah?

 

[jibsey]

He'll likely be among the most misunderstood players in UConn history, for better or worse. The consensus - that he's great defensively and terrible offensively - is not supported, to my knowledge, by any factual data. By my count, he's occasionally great defensively - but sometimes a liability - and generally useful offensively depending on the match-up.

It's important to consider that his on/off splits are very much colored by what we've had behind him (which hasn't been much). That we crater with him off the court is less a credit to him than it is an indictment on how sanctions, injuries, etc. have compromised our depth.

Still: there is nothing to suggest that he's not a player who has consistently helped us win when he is out there. The same has not always been true of our other seniors. Conversely, it's also fair to wonder if he's the worst type of player to have on your team - good enough that he has to be depended on, but not actually, you know, dependable.

The project is still a huge success at large. It looked like it was going to be a monumental success at times, though, and when what you think is your greatest asset isn't, maybe it turns out to be your greatest handicap.

I won't have anything but warm feelings for him, though. He helped us win a championship, and these last three years fell on his shoulders only because he was our best option. I'll take him on my team every time. I can't say that about a senior Purvis or an early-season Facey. I don't even care if it's one of our vintage teams, I'll take him on my team because he has a skill set that better players can't replicate.

Great defensive centers get rebounds, a lot of them.

 

[dennismenace]

Boo Willingham played professionally and he did virtually nothing while at UConn. If I recall correctly, he scored something like 110 points in his entire college career. Brimah definitely has a pro career somewhere.

Agreed. You can't teach 7 feet.

 

[mauconnfan]

Pretty simple career. Made a play that will forever play in to our legacy as a program. Timing is everything to many, that one had just that.

Great kid, enthusiastic, not very coachable and not someone with the natural instincts to be able to comprehend. Blocked shots, not great shot blocker as some believe but he did block shots. Great one's keep a few in play, but he still had some impact games blocking shots in runs where we needed him to do so, I applaud him for that. The insinuation that he was a great defender because he blocked shots will always be amusing to me because besides the blocked shots, he was only decent at best and that is pushing it. Also had many games when 6'7 centers abused him in the lane but many forget those, sorry I find it difficult. Never got better on offense, and never got better rebounding the ball or staying in the game. He will find a place in Euro ball or something alike, but the game won't change for him he just doesn't get it.

"It is what it is and soon to be was what it was"

 

[Kitaman]

I can't go back in time on the Boneyard (or just too lazy). But when he came in as a freshman and a Yarder watched one of the pre-season practices he referred to Brimah as looking like a 'praying mantis' on the court.

For the next 4 years I always remembered that post when watching him play, thinking he looks just like a praying mantis (thin frame, long limbs).

That was his first impression and for me a lasting impression. LOL

 

[Onions]

I was just asking for clarification really. Brimah can certainly find a role in an overseas league if he so chooses to,I am confident in that, but if the post was in reference to the NBA then he must be out of his mind.

I can easily see Brimah being a free agent signing or, less likely, a second round pick, spending a year or two in the D league and then having a career as a back-up defensive center. He fills a defined niche, backup defensive center; he has the height, the athleticism to go with that height and a great attitude - the qualities that kept KO around the league for 13 years.

 

[Palatine]

A Brimah apologista. Love it coming from you.

I'm not apologizing for Brimah. I wrote exactly his legacy.

And Brimah doesn't owe you any apology because he didn't live up to your expectations.

 

[Onions]

Pretty simple career. Made a play that will forever play in to our legacy as a program. Timing is everything to many, that one had just that.

Great kid, enthusiastic, not very coachable and not someone with the natural instincts to be able to comprehend. Blocked shots, not great shot blocker as some believe but he did block shots. Great one's keep a few in play, but he still had some impact games blocking shots in runs where we needed him to do so, I applaud him for that. The insinuation that he was a great defender because he blocked shots will always be amusing to me because besides the blocked shots, he was only decent at best and that is pushing it. Also had many games when 6'7 centers abused him in the lane but many forget those, sorry I find it difficult. Never got better on offense, and never got better rebounding the ball or staying in the game. He will find a place in Euro ball or something alike, but the game won't change for him he just doesn't get it.

"It is what it is and soon to be was what it was"

We will have to agree to disagree on this.

He is the best defensive player in the AAC and one of the best in D1. We are a good defensive team with him on the floor and atrocious when he's off, and not all of that is attributable to Enoch's shortcomings.

As for where he blocks his shots too -- if a shot is blocked and kept in play it's likely to be picked up by the offensive team and put back for a score - better to put it in the stands and get ready to play some D. The only shot blocker I ever saw who could direct his block to his own team's players was Bill Russel -- it's a myth that this is some problem with Brimah.

He has become a better rebounder, the facts on that are clear, and his offense will not keep him from the NBA because they won't ever want him to touch the ball on that side of the court.

His biggest problem as a player is staying on the floor, I am very disappointed with that aspect of his play this year, but that only emphasizes how valuable he is when he's out there.

His legacy is that he gave it his all, every game, even when he was just cheering from the bench, and he was a big contributor on a championship team. That's a better legacy than most. And I fully agree with the poster who said you'll first miss him next year -- you don't miss your water ...

 

[BUConn10]

I can easily see Brimah being a free agent signing or, less likely, a second round pick, spending a year or two in the D league and then having a career as a back-up defensive center. He fills a defined niche, backup defensive center; he has the height, the athleticism to go with that height and a great attitude - the qualities that kept KO around the league for 13 years.

No, it's the NBA not a Disney channel original movie.

 

[ctchamps]

I'm not apologizing for Brimah. I wrote exactly his legacy.

And Brimah doesn't owe you any apology because he didn't live up to your expectations.

I was being sarcastic Pal.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

As a soph, 40 points against Coppin State (getting everyone excited about his development). Coppin State!!!! One whole point a couple nights later against Duke. Not 15 points. Not 10 points. But a single point against a big boy program.

 

[mauconnfan]

We will have to agree to disagree on this.

He is the best defensive player in the AAC and one of the best in D1. We are a good defensive team with him on the floor and atrocious when he's off, and not all of that is attributable to Enoch's shortcomings.

As for where he blocks his shots too -- if a shot is blocked and kept in play it's likely to be picked up by the offensive team and put back for a score - better to put it in the stands and get ready to play some D. The only shot blocker I ever saw who could direct his block to his own team's players was Bill Russel -- it's a myth that this is some problem with Brimah.

He has become a better rebounder, the facts on that are clear, and his offense will not keep him from the NBA because they won't ever want him to touch the ball on that side of the court.

His biggest problem as a player is staying on the floor, I am very disappointed with that aspect of his play this year, but that only emphasizes how valuable he is when he's out there.

His legacy is that he gave it his all, every game, even when he was just cheering from the bench, and he was a big contributor on a championship team. That's a better legacy than most. And I fully agree with the poster who said you'll first miss him next year -- you don't miss your water ...

Not even close to the best defensive player in the AAC, certainly not in the country and not even on the team maybe. He was schooled out of the clock this year vs Wagner and 6'7 white dude who threw his shoulder into him and scored probably more than he did the rest of the year vs anyone. His defense will also keep him from the NBA we know he's pitiful offensively but he has zero defensive ability vs physical bigs and that's all he will see. He can't rebound worth a squat in all reality you overrate him immensely. Can't hedge well, doesn't move his feet when he needs to help - believe it or not this is ALL part of defense not just blocking shots. He blocks shots, that's it and every 3 or so he even keeps them in play.

Won't miss him at sorry (we will miss Facey now that he actually gets it and improved though) - will be able to play 5 on 5 on offense too which will be great and even adding an extra guard will give us more rebounds if we go small. Zero shot in the NBA ever just not a smart enough basketball player. Admit he's a great kid, love his cheering but unfortunately for us this was his best attribute. I wish him luck and for his sake I hope you're right but the NBA is not even looking is my guess. Imagine getting in foul trouble vs 6'9 centers who aren't very good or even that physical then think about him vs any NBA center - ouch painful thought.

Agree to disagree we aren't close.

 

[Travelman6]

A good, solid shot blocker, but rarely leading to anything useful offensively (into the stands!), too many fouls too quickly, fouls out a lot, needs to work on his foot work on the offensive end.

 

[gtcam]

The legacy of the contributions in the championship run of course. He'll be the player nobody wanted, but most will miss when he's gone. Like next year, when other teams are taking it to the rim anytime they want and there's nobody there to block the shot.

He has been sitting more than playing this year so why would teams be taking it to the rim next year and not this season? Nobody has taken it to the rim with him in there this year? Don't understand this logic.
The guy is not accountable to himself or his team for the lack of understanding the importance of playing within the limits of the rules and staying in the game. Nor will I understand how a guy of this size has not improved his foot skills, his ability to catch a ball, the desire to rise up and grab a rebound or gain a defensive position on a 1 on 1 situation. It's not the coaching. I think it's a lack of desire on his part to improve and work on these areas - it's easier to be an occasional fly swatter. He has needed to become a tougher and stronger player and to date that has failed to happen - that requires a stronger heart and again, desire.
AB is a great ambassador for the program and I wish he had decided to play basketball earlier in life. But most guys get better - he has, in my opinion, stagnated.
I wish him luck in the future but I see no way he plays in the NBA - but maybe I'll be wrong

 

[mauconnfan]

He has been sitting more than playing this year so why would teams be taking it to the rim next year and not this season? Nobody has taken it to the rim with him in there this year? Don't understand this logic.
The guy is not accountable to himself or his team for the lack of understanding the importance of playing within the limits of the rules and staying in the game. Nor will I understand how a guy of this size has not improved his foot skills, his ability to catch a ball, the desire to rise up and grab a rebound or gain a defensive position on a 1 on 1 situation. It's not the coaching. I think it's a lack of desire on his part to improve and work on these areas - it's easier to be an occasional fly swatter. He has needed to become a tougher and stronger player and to date that has failed to happen - that requires a stronger heart and again, desire.
AB is a great ambassador for the program and I wish he had decided to play basketball earlier in life. But most guys get better - he has, in my opinion, stagnated.
I wish him luck in the future but I see no way he plays in the NBA - but maybe I'll be wrong

Amazing to me that the only thing they see is a blocked shot and he's "dominating". Never hear the apologists talk about the little guard scoring in his face because he was lining it up but swung (literally) and missed. Or the block OOB's which leads to an open 2 on the in bounds, or the missed rebounds which continuously go off his hands on the defensive side, which by the way is part of defense. The swat down to fold someone when at 7' all he had to do was hold his arms straight up and not foul and the offensive guy wasn't going to get the ball to the rim.

Listen have to love the kid for his passion and charisma, but no one owes it to say he's better than he actually is. It seems some of you do that and the loyalty is inspiring. I really hope he finds a way to make a living from the game and is happy doing so I really do. But anyone who wants any more of that frustration we've lived for 4 years now is plain crazy, to me of course and Lord knows it's just one crazy man's opinion!

 

[Mr. Hand]

Amazing to me that the only thing they see is a blocked shot and he's "dominating". Never hear the apologists talk about the little guard scoring in his face because he was lining it up but swung (literally) and missed. Or the block OOB's which leads to an open 2 on the in bounds, or the missed rebounds which continuously go off his hands on the defensive side, which by the way is part of defense. The swat down to fold someone when at 7' all he had to do was hold his arms straight up and not foul and the offensive guy wasn't going to get the ball to the rim.

Listen have to love the kid for his passion and charisma, but no one owes it to say he's better than he actually is. It seems some of you do that and the loyalty is inspiring. I really hope he finds a way to make a living from the game and is happy doing so I really do. But anyone who wants any more of that frustration we've lived for 4 years now is plain crazy, to me of course and Lord knows it's just one crazy man's opinion!

Brimah's defensive dominance can be easily neutralized by drawing him away from the basket and making him move his feet. His lack of lateral quickness is the key to his lack of development as a player. It's why he can't rebound out of his area, why he has such a limited post up game, and why he's constantly reaching and committing so many fouls. He's a lumbering giraffe in a game of lions and rhinos.

 

[upstater]

He has been sitting more than playing this year so why would teams be taking it to the rim next year and not this season? Nobody has taken it to the rim with him in there this year? Don't understand this logic.

It's simple to understand. Just subtract this year's MPG for Brimah from next year's team, and you have less MOG at the center position.

 

[BUConn10]

It's really simple, Brimah was a soccer player from Africa until the age of 15, and then someone noticed his height and put a basketball in his hands. The rest is history, I'd say he has accomplished a lot relative to his starting position, maybe expectations at a program like UConn are simply too high, maybe why I think we have invested too heavily in the "raw projects" game lately. Programs like UConn produce inherently high expectations, and guys who need to be taught the game will really only lead to disappointment and frustration.

 

[mauconnfan]

It's really simple, Brimah was a soccer player from Africa until the age of 15, and then someone noticed his height and put a basketball in his hands. The rest is history, I'd say he has accomplished a lot relative to his starting position, maybe expectations at a program like UConn are simply too high, maybe why I think we have invested too heavily in the "raw projects" game lately. Programs like UConn produce inherently high expectations, and guys who need to be taught the game will really only lead to disappointment and frustration.

This is true unless they can learn and bring it on to the basketball court. Again not AB's fault he wasn't a student of the game didn't have the ability to learn the game. But others have played late in their careers and been real good players it's just a matter of being coachable or not. The kid from Penn State averaging 9/8 in this his redshirt freshman year also started playing at 15 and he thinks the game like a kid who played AAU all his life.

Like this 2* kid we're looking at, has he progressed while in HS at all, has he shown development in a year, 2 or 3? If he's just 6'11 and looks like he might be able to play I'm hoping now the coaches learned there needs to be some natural instincts somewhere in that game also or it may be a waste of time.

 

[intlzncster]

Like this 2* kid we're looking at, has he progressed while in HS at all, has he shown development in a year, 2 or 3? If he's just 6'11 and looks like he might be able to play I'm hoping now the coaches learned there needs to be some natural instincts somewhere in that game also or it may be a waste of time.

You know, I don't think it's that simple though. When a kid is that raw, and has been exposed to the game for such a short time, it's gotta be difficult as hell to predict. How do you know when/if it will click? Even coachable kids look mentally challenged at first.

Basically, if a kid has height, athleticism, and some semblance of ability, you just hope he can catch on. It's easy for us to say it was never there after the fact.

 

[Huskybass]

Brimah's defensive dominance can be easily neutralized by drawing him away from the basket and making him move his feet. His lack of lateral quickness is the key to his lack of development as a player. It's why he can't rebound out of his area, why he has such a limited post up game, and why he's constantly reaching and committing so many fouls. He's a lumbering giraffe in a game of lions and rhinos.

I have always been a Brimah supporter. I have to admit, your post brings some very good insight. Thanks.