Freshman Amida vs. Freshman Thabeet

[Brochacho]

Who ya got?

 

[Danpisco12]

Amida just seems to be much more athletic for a guy his size. Hopefully he can add some weight and hit the boards a little harder. Although, I don't think his rebounding suffers for lack of effort. I think he may just lack the instincts at such an early point in his career compared to a big man who has played basketball their entire life.

 

[CTBasketball]

Thabeet because he was a better defender. His freshman numbers were better too, but I would like to see how Amida compares if he got 25 minutes a night.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Before 2 weeks ago I would have said Thabeet, no question. Brimah looked like he had never held a basketball, much less could put one in the basket.

Lately Brimah's hands have been a lot better, he's catching rebounds on both ends and finishing around the rim. I really like what I'm seeing. Now if only he could get an injection of BB IQ (or maybe the benefit of the doubt from the officials once in a while) and learn how to defend other bigs in the post without fouling.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Thabeet was so much bigger both in height and weight, but especially in his weight, that they are difficult to compare. I feel like Amida has a better attitude toward the game in the sense that he is more willing to mix it up and seems to have a better feel even as a "beginner." He has to get bigger and stronger, though, or is mobility and coordination won't translate into a similar impact that Hasheem made. I still recall how Hasheem used to fall down all the time and tried to draw charges when if he could have realized how big and strong he really was he could have dominated far more than he did.

Amida seems to be more "into it" and he shows glimpses of nice touch around that basket that makes me wonder if he could make some quantum leaps. He has some exciting potential....should be fun to see how he develops.

 

[caw]

Thabeet at this point in their respective freshman years, though Brimah may have more upside.

Thabeet was bigger, taller and stronger. Was a force defensively and was an OK rebounder. He just had more impact at this point in his freshman year.

Brimah runs the floor better and so far his learning curve has been better. Brimah now does some things Thabeet (and most bigs) struggle with. Specifically keeping the ball high and going straight up on blocks. He's also been better at not going for pump fakes recently. He also appears to have better hands than Thabeet.

Honestly, how was Brimah so lowly ranked in high school?

 

[CAHUSKY]

Thabeet at this point in their respective freshman years, though Brimah may have more upside

More upside than national defensive player of the year and #2 pick in the NBA draft? I'll take it.

 

[Cheddie]

A significant factor, beyond their athletic ability and experience - per Ollie, Brimah is like a sponge soaking up coaching and a very hard worker. Thabeet as a freshman thought extra practice was akin to punishment and wanted no part of it.

 

[caw]

More upside than national defensive player of the year and #2 pick in the NBA draft? I'll take it.

Not saying he will, but his mobility does give him that chance. Thabeet shouldn't have been #2 overall.

 

[Walker11]

More upside than national defensive player of the year and #2 pick in the NBA draft? I'll take it.

More upside could also mean that Brimah could be at the least a semi serviceable NBA player.

 

[SubbaBub]

Thabeet was a better rebounder and interior defender. Brimah shoots FT better and appears be more athletic/fluid on offense. Hopefully Brimah in 15-16 is so much better that discussions like this will seem funny in retrospect.

I will say that KO should look at hiring a big man coach. All 3 C's come up short in traditional big man skills. I can't remember the last time any of them executed a legit post move.

 

[uconnfan68]

Who ya got?

If Thabeet had Amidas's passion, he'd be a sure Hall-of-Famer.

 

[aceboon]

Thabeet was a better rebounder and interior defender. Brimah shoots FT better and appears be more athletic/fluid on offense. Hopefully Brimah in 15-16 is so much better that discussions like this will seem funny in retrospect.

I will say that KO should look at hiring a big man coach. All 3 C's come up short in traditional big man skills. I can't remember the last time any of them executed a legit post move.

Amida converted a jump hook within the opening minutes of the game last night, and to be honest I actually like Nolan's footwork and moves down there, he's just not ready to be an offensive option yet.

 

[aceboon]

Thabeet was better, but I'd take Amida over the long haul to be a better player and a serviceable big in the league.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Amida is probably a slightly better offensive player even though they both were limited.

Thabeet was the far better defensive player. Brimah still goes all out to block every shot ( though he's been staying home better lately). AB will learn but HT was better.

Also, not fouling out is a skill too. So to just extrapolate the MPG and compare stats isn't fair either.

 

[joober jones]

At this point I have to go with Thabeet as Brimah is still a question mark as to exactly where he'll end up.

 

[Strummer]

Loved what HT did for the program, and he was a force in his own right, buuuuut . . .

Brimah has more potential, IMO, at this level and the next, for these reasons:

1. Better motor. By a lot.
2. Better motivation. By a lot.
3. Better toughness. By a a lot.
4. Better hands. By a little.
5. Better instinct to dunk. By a lot.
6. Better touch. By a lot.
7. Better foot movement. By a lot.
8. Better athleticism. By a lot.

Gives up size, strength, and instinctive D, all of which are, obviously, important.

In 3 years he could very well be national DPOY and average 15/12/5.

 

[ddent68]

Brimah by far. Thabeet couldn't dunk! Thabeet's only skill was being tall. True Brimah has a long way to go,but the upside is way beyond Thabeet.

 

[msgordon]

Loved what HT did for the program, and he was a force in his own right, buuuuut . . .

Brimah has more potential, IMO, at this level and the next, for these reasons:

In 3 years he could very well be national DPOY and average 15/12/5.

in hasheems 3rd year, he basically averaged that and was DPOY...

 

[dogpause]

JC recognized Thabeet's potential immediately and gave him lots of PT from the start of the season. I think Ollie made a mistake by not investing early in the one player who could become a game changer. At thi point in the season, Thabeet had a lot more experience than Brimah does. However, except for being a 7'4" shot blocker, Amida has a lot more skills and way more upside. He also hits FT's.

 

[7774]

JC recognized Thabeet's potential immediately and gave him lots of PT from the start of the season. I think Ollie made a mistake by not investing early in the one player who could become a game changer. At thi point in the season, Thabeet had a lot more experience than Brimah does. However, except for being a 7'4" shot blocker, Amida has a lot more skills and way more upside. He also hits FT's.

Thabeet managed to foul much less. That's the main reason Brimah's minutes are what they are.

 

[UConnPuneet]

Freshman Thabeet could stay on the court for more than 15 min/game (4.3 fouls/40 min vs 7.1 for Brimah). Amida's clearly had a breakthrough of late and if he keeps this up, this'll be an interesting question to re-visit in a month but for now, Thabeet and it's not even close.

 

[FeedTheDove]

Freshman Thabeet could stay on the court for more than 15 min/game (4.3 fouls/40 min vs 7.1 for Brimah). Amida's clearly had a breakthrough of late and if he keeps this up, this'll be an interesting question to re-visit in a month but for now, Thabeet and it's not even close.

Agreed. I think most are factoring in potential way too much. I'm glad people are so excited about Amida's future; I am too. But at this point it has to be Thabeet. Prove me wrong Amida!!!! Please!

 

[ConnHuskBask]

People's openings of Thabeet have been negatively affected by his lack of an NBA impact.

Make no mistake, HT was a monster defensively at UConn and one of our best centers ever.

Amida has shown flashes, but people are vastly underrating HT even as a freshman.

 

[Jerry1714]

I think the only thing you can point to Amida being better than HT at this point is his ability to run the floor and his FT shooting. Amida also has the benefit of playing with Shabazz, DD and Boat, not a freshmen/soph version of Dyson, Austrie and Price.

HT was way ahead of Amida defensively at this point.