Omar vs freshman lamb

[James]

I'm bored at work so I perused a sports reference site. Omar gets to the line alot of more, and has recently shown how physical he is (much more than lamb was) when guarding a variety of cuse athletes. Lamb as a freshman was a much more consistent shooter, and was more efficient when on the floor. I listened to
Coach miller say , "we tell omar he is passing up shots that he shouldn't", post game with joe d. if he can raise his shooting %s and lower TOs, he could have a better year than lamb did. Thoughts ?

 

[Excalibur]

Lamb had a much more complete offensive game. He could shoot coming off of screens and get to the basket. Omar has a good midrange game when under control and is a better defender when he wants to be. Omar's a better shooter but only when standing still/stepping into his shot.

 

[James]

Very true omar needs to add a few more aspects to his offensive game. working on hitting shots off screens could increase his true shooting % immensely. we'd be able to have him come off pin downs like lamb in the ncaas. His ball handling ability is basically at 0, if one of our guards leaves he will have the ball alot more in his hands. he's a much better prospect than I thought originally

 

[alexd]

It's amazing how fast he gets that little "push shot" jumper of his out of his hands. You'd think he'd get it blocked more often, especially with a "long" team like Cuse, but he really gets it off quickly.

Really looking forward to watching the game on ESPN3 tonight. The crowd was amazing last night. Simply electric atmosphere. One of those games, after 24 years of season tickets, that I'll always remember.

 

[61cygni]

Omar can't get his own shot like Lamb could at the same stage in their careers.

 

[James]

I know omar is leaps and bound as far as consistency and physically( manifests itself on defense and FT attempts). lamb could score easier and was a better ball handler. curious to how he develops and how much

 

[Inyatkin]

Lamb had that floater that was such a thing of beauty his freshman year, and he basically abandoned it last year. Never figured that out.

 

[Palatine]

Lamb's arms were much longer.

 

[Huskies4ever]

I'm bored at work so I perused a sports reference site. Omar gets to the line alot of more, and has recently shown how physical he is (much more than lamb was) when guarding a variety of cuse athletes. Lamb as a freshman was a much more consistent shooter, and was more efficient when on the floor. I listened to
Coach miller say , "we tell omar he is passing up shots that he shouldn't", post game with joe d. if he can raise his shooting %s and lower TOs, he could have a better year than lamb did. Thoughts ?

Lamb was quicker, more explosive, and a better athlete.

 

[jibsey]

Let's just take Omar for what he is right now, a deadeye shooter with a lot of time to improve and a big upside. As long as we have guards that can penetrate he'll get his shots.

 

[OkaForPrez]

By this time 2 years ago, Lamb was already on his offensive rise. Or as Syracuse fan's like to put it, UConn was just starting to get really lucky.

 

[Rico444]

Omar should focus on being a jump shooter for this team. He's deadly from behind the 3 point line, especially when he's left wide open. He also has worked some midrange game in, faking defenders that come out to guard the 3 then taking the 12-15 footer. For next season, he should work on finishing in traffic and being more aggressive off the dribble, but for now he's a terrific complement to Shabazz and Boatright just as a jump shooter.

 

[jibsey]

Omar should focus on being a jump shooter for this team. He's deadly from behind the 3 point line, especially when he's left wide open. He also has worked some midrange game in, faking defenders that come out to guard the 3 then taking the 12-15 footer. For next season, he should work on finishing in traffic and being more aggressive off the dribble, but for now he's a terrific complement to Shabazz and Boatright just as a jump shooter.

the thing everybody is focusing on is the low release of his jumper. I don't know if that can be changed, you would hate to lose his accuracy.

 

[Rico444]

He's 6'5", I'm not too worried about his release point. It's still higher off the ground than Boatright's.

 

[ctchamps]

By this time 2 years ago, Lamb was already on his offensive rise. Or as Syracuse fan's like to put it, UConn was just starting to get really lucky.
View attachment 2322

Great chart. The only problem with these isolated comparisons is that they don't factor in other team components. AO was no JA or even a junior HT, but teams had to consider him in their defense. I'm not sure TO, EW or PN have required the same degree of attention. Hence teams can and do play the guards more closely then they did with JL imo.

 

[OkaForPrez]

Great chart. The only problem with these isolated comparisons is that they don't factor in other team components. AO was no JA or even a junior HT, but teams had to consider him in their defense. I'm not sure TO, EW or PN have required the same degree of attention. Hence teams can and do play the guards more closely then they did with JL imo.

Wholeheartedly agree. Tough to look at individual players in a vacuum. I think the one thing that you can glean from this chart is the relative rise of JL to himself in that year. Its really evident how much he was able to grow which was one of the fundamental reasons we won the NC. That's not to slight Omar, who has been a great piece so far and I would still say its reasonable that he can become a 2 and done type player but maybe closer to 3 and done.

 

[ctchamps]

Wholeheartedly agree. Tough to look at individual players in a vacuum. I think the one thing that you can glean from this chart is the relative rise of JL to himself in that year. Its really evident how much he was able to grow which was one of the fundamental reasons we won the NC. That's not to slight Omar, who has been a great piece so far and I would still say its reasonable that he can become a 2 and done type player but maybe closer to 3 and done.

I agree with the 2 and done possibility. The first half of the Cuse game OC couldn't have been worse. He couldn't make baskets, couldn't hold onto the ball and lost his player on every defensive set. RJ subbed for him and stopped the bleeding.

Second half started the same way. Told my wife UConn could easily be up double digits if only OC had a decent game. And then the kid turns everything around. It was a complete light switch turn on because he was every bit as effective on the defensive end as on the offensive end. There are some players who lack confidence. Not OC. Nor is he cocky imo. He is constantly working to improve his game. He just goes about assessing his game and makes adjustments. RA had onions. So does OC but I feel OC has a more complete game.

 

[Bryan Lord]

Not that it matters but any ideas why lamb abandoned his floater last year?

 

[James]

Not that it matters but any ideas why lamb abandoned his floater last year?

IMO ,using a floater initially for him was mainly a product of lack of strength finishing at the rim. Not a desperation but something you could get up without getting embarrassingly blocked. After his summer with team USA I'm guessing he thought he was good enough to get the rim and finish over body's.

 

[aceboon]

IMO ,using a floater initially for him was mainly a product of lack of strength finishing at the rim. Not a desperation but something you could get up without getting embarrassingly blocked. After his summer with team USA I'm guessing he thought he was good enough to get the rim and finish over body's.

He didn't really try to get to the basket either though. I thought the dunk in the 1st game against Columbia was a sign of things to come but he mostly settled for long 2s and 3s during the season. From youtubes of his made baskets in the DLeague and what I saw from him in actual summer league games he doesn't shoot too many floaters in both situations either, but his jumper is automatic. I know it's just DLeague comp but in those vids he looks ridiculous, like a man amongst boys.

 

[caw]

Lamb versus Calhoun is interesting.

I would say Calhoun is a bit better at getting and hitting the corner three. Lambs all seemed to come from the top.

Both have very good floaters though Lamb took a ton more.

Lamb had a better handle, though Calhoun is stronger and doesnt get pushed around as much.

Neither are great at getting to the rim, but I like Calhouns shot fake better. Bob Knight would love Calhoun for it.

Lamb was better off the curl, Calhoun off the one dribble pull up.

Rebounding is similar. Neither are great passers though are decent.

Lamb was better in the open court.

Calhoun is a more physical and better defender, Lamb was much better in the passing lanes.

 

[James]

Lambs ball handling and composure coming off screens is mounds ahead of omar. omar has that nice one dribble pull up. thing with Calhoun is(I've said this ages ago) he's our best athlete. His consistency makes me think his freshman to sophomore year jump to be huge. he can guard 2s and 3s.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Jeremy Lamb's upside apparent at the end of his freshman year appears a lot higher to me than Omar's. I sure hope those of you seeing "2 and done" potential are right or in the ballpark. I do think that his low release point is a serious detriment to his NBA potential and his potential to be a real "go to" guy for us. How does he get off his own shot when tightly guarded?

I do not see him as anywhere near our best athlete. He does not seem to be a great leaper and has not been a very good defender (although I think he has been getting better). He has strengths of very good confidence and he is someone who will put up the big shot and can make them (when reasonably open). I think he can be much better at driving to the hoop than he has shown. If I was him, I would work with Blaney or whomever is best to help him break down and reconstruct his shot to see if he can develop a "high release" jumpshot. Kemba came out for his junior year with a new and improved jumpshot that contributed to a pretty good year. Right now I think that Omar will be a four year player.