Omar Calhoun's cieling?

[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.

 

[mauconnfan]

He's Rashamel Jones without the lift.

Agreed, pretty close but has time to develop........has better range and I think has better hops than we've seen but his passing and handle are eerily similar!!

Again let's give him time to be more than he's shown. Seems like a great kid who works hard so one can only hope he does what is necessary offseason to become more rounded!

 

[Hoophound]

Agreed, pretty close but has time to develop........has better range and I think has better hops than we've seen but his passing and handle are eerily similar!!

Again let's give him time to be more than he's shown. Seems like a great kid who works hard so one can only hope he does what is necessary offseason to become more rounded!

Omar is a better natural scorer. As he develops, he will become a much better player than Rash. Omar is wired differently, he has no conscience.

 

[FeedTheDove]

Omar can get up, however we haven't seen this in an actual game yet. It's kind of annoying me. Lots of times I find myself yelling JUST DUNK IT OMAR whenever he puts up an awkward looking layup. I think he's a little timid to try and dunk on someone at this point to be honest.

Earlier in the season when Omar would drive it would usually result in him drawing a foul and we'd get free points at the line because he's a pretty excellent free throw shooter. More recently these drives have resulted in no calls, missed layups, or turnovers. I don't mind him looking to drive to the basket but it can not result in more turnovers.

As for his dribbling ability, it flat out needs to improve. I loved his 20 points against UL, but the 6 TO's really hurt us as well. I reeeallly don't want him making any difficult passes because his passing is hard to watch as well. When he attempted to throw an alley-oop I threw up in my mouth.

One part of Omar's game that I really love besides his 3-pt shooting is his midrange. He has the ability to create his own shot from there and knocks it down. He has a really nice stroke from there - i'd love to see more of it.

So far he has been a great asset to this squad and will continue to get better, no reason to worry about a guy like this.

 

[Perspective]

Oh lord, where's [where're] the spelling police?

Apparently they are out and about somewhere playing Texas Hold 'Em with the grammar Nazis.

I have a different view of Omar Calhoun than many posters in this thread.

I start with this - his handle is fine, if by "handle" you mean his skill at controlling the ball while catching it, throwing it, rebounding it, and, particularly, while bouncing it. In fact, I'd say it's fairly well developed. Sure, it's not anywhere near Shabazz or Kemba, but it doesn't have to be. It merely has to be good enough for him to do a few things - handle the ball against the press as a secondary ball handler - move on offense with the ball to create his own shot - receive and pass in transition.

The issue with Omar Calhoun right now, in my opinion, is merely one of being a freshman. That is, he finds himself dribbling through people who have much better defensive awareness than the highschool kids he was playing against 11 months ago.

He is averaging a bit over two turnovers a game in 30 minutes a game. That's not horrible.

I think that a few things are going to happen over the rest of the year - first, he's going to completely break out of his tentative shooting state and his 3% is going to fly up toward 40%. Second, his in-traffic awareness will get better and he'll look less awkward with the ball.

In terms of his ceiling, he's going to be a very good offensive player, there is no doubt. He is showing more frequent flashes. What will take him from that - a very good offensive player - to a great all time Husky will be whether he develops a lust for rebounding and assisting; 3 boards a game can be improved, and 1 assist a game is very weak.

Here's a link to his senior year highlights - if you don't have time to watch it, go to the 3:05 mark and watch his drive up the court. The kid's handle is very solid, and is better than RIP's was already, in my opinion. His skill set is there - he simply needs to fit it into college speed games:

 

[ctchamps]

His ceiling is higher than a Bb over high C!!!! At end of video~

 

[ctchamps]

I'm with the group who thinks he will be very good to great before his career is over!

 

[nelsonmuntz]

If a guard doesn't have a handle, his entire game looks awkward. Calhoun doesn't have a handle. That is something that will improve with time.

 

[Palatine]

I'll play.

I thin the biggest issue with Omar is his decision making. He is great when the game comes to him. When he tries to make something happen he finds trouble. He watches Bazz and Boat and those guys can create an react in an instant. So, it's natural for him to press at times.

A secondary problem is his "chest shot" is a liability in traffic. So even if he creates of the dribble, he is prone to having his shot blocked. No matter how good his handle gets, this will be problematic.

Rashad Anderson should be his model. RA wasn't great in traffic but really knew how to draw fouls.

 

[boog204]

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.

He gets beat off the dribble regularly and loses his guy off of screens constantly. Iso on him on D at some point. He gets very lazy.

 

[aboogieee]

Here's a link to his senior year highlights - if you don't have time to watch it, go to the 3:05 mark and watch his drive up the court. The kid's handle is very solid, and is better than RIP's was already, in my opinion. His skill set is there - he simply needs to fit it into college speed games:

Wow. UConn should sign this kid! But in all seriousness, he'll be fine. OC has to be "ball-tough" as Coach mentioned & reenact everything he did in that video..