Omar Calhoun's cieling?

[ConnHuskBask]

Responding to others:

A Denham Brown/Rashad Anderson hybrid would be a great player. But he has the potential to be really really special, and if he can't put the ball down on the deck and drive and dribble he won't get there. He needs a lot of work on the little things.

I like that Rashad Anderson/Denham Brown comparison as well. I think people forget that those guys were pretty good, but probably a little overshadowed in their years by bigger stars at UConn.

I agree with CTBasketball that how he develops his handle and passing will really determine how big of a star he can be. His dribbling and passing leave a lot to be desired at this point. That being said, he's pretty pretty damn good for a freshman and certainly isn't overwhelmed or scared of the competition.

 

[CTBasketball]

I like that Rashad Anderson/Denham Brown comparison as well. I think people forget that those guys were pretty good, but probably a little overshadowed in their years by bigger stars at UConn.

I agree with CTBasketball that how he develops his handle and passing will really determine how big of a star he can be. His dribbling and passing leave a lot to be desired at this point. That being said, he's pretty pretty damn good for a freshman and certainly isn't overwhelmed or scared of the competition.

You're right on point. Rashad and Denham were two very very good players. I think Denham got screwed a little with Rudy Gay showing up, he was a crucial piece to the 04' championship team and hit some huge shots against Duke in the Final Four. He kind of got put on the back burner when Gay came.

But onto Omar. There is no doubt his ability and instinct to score is there. He just needs to "fine tune" his game to make him a better all-around player. I really hope he stays until his junior year, he'll develop so much from now. Players lose so much by not becoming an upper-classman. In my opinion, they handle the game and see the game better. They treat it more like a job instead of a sport.

 

[UConnSwag11]

kids a freshman, he's going to be a stud... just needs to work on his handle and confidence

 

[mauconnfan]

More like Rash Jones thus far.........if he doesn't improve his handle or his passing ability he also will be coming off the bench in the future..........but very serviceable!!!

 

[TheChamps990411]

Im not worried about his shot being a hinderence at the next level. take a look around the nba and there are plenty of guys with ugly form on their jumpers (shawn marion). his problem is athleticism or lack there of. he doesnt have an explosive or quick first step and doesnt seem to be able to blow by anyone. i think he will be a terrific college player but will not cut it in the nba for long. i think he could have a career similar to lawrence moten. great college score but not nba material.

 

[boog204]

until he learns how to handel, play any semblance of D, or learn what is and isn't a good shot, he'll be a solid scorer. As of right now, I do not see an NBA player but of course he has a long way to go to improve on those skills. He is not a great athlete and is essentially a streaky scorer at this point. If JC were here, I don't think he would play nearly as much given how putrid he tends to be defensively.

 

[selles]

until he learns how to handel, play any semblance of D, or learn what is and isn't a good shot, he'll be a solid scorer. As of right now, I do not see an NBA player but of course he has a long way to go to improve on those skills. He is not a great athlete and is essentially a streaky scorer at this point. If JC were here, I don't think he would play nearly as much given how putrid he tends to be defensively.

I don't disagree on the NBA future. But not sure where you're coming from on the D. Putrid? I think he's actually been pretty good on D, especially for a freshman. He could rebound better, but I think the D's been darn solid.

 

[SaeHusky]

Seems to be an average athlete at best. I dont think he has dunked once in a game all year. Yesterday when he missed that wide open layup he barely got off the floor. However he will be a solid player and will be here all 4years.

 

[Mano]

Looks to me as though he's just always been bigger and stronger and longer and faster then his competition. Now at the NCAA level he's finding it a bit tougher to score, but in most cases he still has the edge in those places. NBA would be a much different story.

In two seasons time, after hopefully working really hard on the fundamentals of dribbling and passing, I could definitely see him thinking about making the jump, but more than likely I'm betting he's a four-year player. Often he seems to be just a little off balance which is detracting from his athleticism when preparing to go up for rebounds/lay ups. He definitely needs to get stronger but certainly has the frame to be a beast.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I can only guess at how good he can be because right now he is a guard that can't dribble. That is somewhat limiting, to say the least. I don't think he is any worse defensively than Boat or Daniels were last year. He probably is as good defensively as Daniels is this year.

His shot will get prettier and he will adjust to major college D1 speed.

 

[BoatShow]

Dyson was a freak athlete, look up some of his dunks on youtube. Calhoun can barely jump over a phonebook.

 

[CTBasketball]

Dyson was a freak athlete, look up some of his dunks on youtube. Calhoun can barely jump over a phonebook.

Calhoun has a little athleticism. Nowhere near as much as Dyson. Watching Dyson play in early 08-09 was so fun.

 

[BoatShow]

Calhoun has a little athleticism. Nowhere near as much as Dyson. Watching Dyson play in early 08-09 was so fun.

There was a game, against either Duke or Memphis in an early season tourney I think in 07-08 where he took off from just inside the free throw line twice, I'll never forget the image but the rest of the details have clearly clouded

With his propensity for catch-and-shoot if he developed a decent shot fake and used it to A. draw the foul and go to the line where he is above or B. finish at the rim or draw defense for a kickout/ drop pass he can be a very good player.

In the Siva thread, we all named those players who have 4 solid years and it just feels like they linger forever. Ideally, Omar could be one of those guys for other teams to loathe.

 

[CTBasketball]

There was a game, against either Duke or Memphis in an early season tourney I think in 07-08 where he took off from just inside the free throw line twice, I'll never forget the image but the rest of the details have clearly clouded

With his propensity for catch-and-shoot if he developed a decent shot fake and used it to A. draw the foul and go to the line where he is above or B. finish at the rim or draw defense for a kickout/ drop pass he can be a very good player.

In the Siva thread, we all named those players who have 4 solid years and it just feels like they linger forever. Ideally, Omar could be one of those guys for other teams to loathe.

Reminiscing, I love it.

 

[mauconnfan]

Seems to be an average athlete at best. I dont think he has dunked once in a game all year. Yesterday when he missed that wide open layup he barely got off the floor. However he will be a solid player and will be here all 4years.

4 years? Mr Wonderful begs to differ........he's still wondering what round he's going in this year??

 

[James]

What is all this talk of Calhoun being a bad athlete ? watch him in lay up lines, oh and he does blow by people. he just doesn't do it often because of his poor ballhandling. I mean , barely gets off the floor ? Really?

 

[James]

How much hoop you guys watch ? I saw him put it through the legs first night, but apparently he can't jump over a phonebook

 

[SaeHusky]

I wasnt at first night - Im glad to hear he has some hops - We just havent seen it yet in a game. Like I said I dont think he has a single dunk all year

 

[BoatShow]

I wasnt at first night - Im glad to hear he has some hops - We just havent seen it yet in a game. Like I said I dont think he has a single dunk all year

He has had A dunk and it came when he and Brandon Allen were all alone on a break during garbage time and rather than to give to Allen he dunked it himself.

Edit: Just saw that he won the First Night dunk contest??? Why is this kid awkwardly missing layups in games????

 

[caw]

Calhoun actually has a very good vertical. I know it didn't count but he had a great two-handed putback dunk against ND where Olander (?) was fouled. He also gets pretty high when he rebounds the ball.

Awkward is the correct word though. Sometimes he just doesn't jump high enough on drives. I'm not sure why. Maybe it has to do with his handle. Maybe he's a better two footed jumper and hasn't worked that out yet. I'm not sure.

 

[Bryan Lord]

Roscoe had his half court heaves, Omar has his passing.

 

[UConn_Top_Dog]

If he works on his shot, I can see him becoming a very good spot up shooter. Not much a of ball handler or driver. He reminds me of Richard Hamilton in a way. He could become as good as Hamilton if he continues to work hard and move without the ball.

 

[HooperScooper]

I got a kick out of this quote I saw this morning.

Without Napier, it seems Niels Giffey, Omar Calhoun and R.J. Evans would be in line for greater roles. Calhoun, who scored 20 points Monday, would be counted on to handle the ball more.

“It’s how I’m used to playing anyway — with the ball in my hands,” Calhoun said.

http://blog.ctnews.com/uconnbasketb...es-jan-17-its-hard-for-me-to-sleep-some-days/

Ummm, has he watched himself dribble?

 

[mauconnfan]

I got a kick out of this quote I saw this morning.

Without Napier, it seems Niels Giffey, Omar Calhoun and R.J. Evans would be in line for greater roles. Calhoun, who scored 20 points Monday, would be counted on to handle the ball more.

“It’s how I’m used to playing anyway — with the ball in my hands,” Calhoun said.

http://blog.ctnews.com/uconnbasketb...es-jan-17-its-hard-for-me-to-sleep-some-days/

Ummm, has he watched himself dribble?

Guess they don't watch film Hoop......if Bazz is not playing I will watch with my hands over my face peeking through my fingers......uggghhhhh

 

[Connrack]

I got a kick out of this quote I saw this morning.

Without Napier, it seems Niels Giffey, Omar Calhoun and R.J. Evans would be in line for greater roles. Calhoun, who scored 20 points Monday, would be counted on to handle the ball more.

“It’s how I’m used to playing anyway — with the ball in my hands,” Calhoun said.

http://blog.ctnews.com/uconnbasketb...es-jan-17-its-hard-for-me-to-sleep-some-days/

Ummm, has he watched himself dribble?

He's Rashamel Jones without the lift.