SAMSON VS BERGEN 2/10
10 PTS
7 REB (1 offensive)
0 AST (2 potential / 0 foul)
3 TO
4 STL
3 BLK
3/3 2FG
1/4 3FG
1/3 FT
- Looks pretty comfortable facing up at the top of the key. If we’re going to continue to have our 5s do that, probably a good skill to have.
- His arms are stupid long. There’s no way he is able to buy shirts that fit.
- Way more confident in his ability to contest shots than a year ago. He didn’t look very comfortable before. Looks like a natural shotblocker now. Contesting most everything he can at the rim without fouling.
- I don’t really think TPS is that well coached of a team--hate to say it. They certainly amass talent, but their offense is mechanical and boring. Kids don’t seem to know their roles and no one can score. Sounds a lot like UConn right now, TBH. No sense of urgency down 6 with two minutes to go and never bothered to foul? Weird.
- Does play quite a bit of time at the 4… maybe 2/3rds of this game. but still filling a kind of traditional big man role. Catches and passes on the perimeter, shoots some 3s, but most of his work inside was at the rim.
- Surprisingly good handle on the perimeter. Not great, not even good compared to guards, but definitely better than Akok/Polley for example.
- Got a lot stronger, noticeable different in his rebounding.
- Not a very good outlet passer. 2 of his TOs were off them.
- Has the lateral speed and hip movement to defend just about anyone on the perimeter
- Looks SUPER awkward at the rim doing anything but dunking, but he did have a nice tip in off a missed 3 that showed some touch.
Overall, I hate making these kinds of comparison, but he looks A LOT like Akok at the same stage… just an inch taller and a few inch longer arms. Stupid length and athleticism. Fantastic defender, but a little too skinny to defend the block. Versatility guarding the perimeter at his height will be a big asset. Shooting is not good at all, but getting the opportunities now will pay dividends in a year or two.
Ranking seems fair. Right around what Akok was before that 1 good weekend in June that bumped him up. Very high potential--as high as anyone on our team outside of Bouk probably. But also a long way to go to get there.
Between Johnson, Hawkins, an improving Jackson and Tyrese we’re going to have a heck of a defensive team at the 2-4.