Thoughts on Okongwu?

[bleachkit]

30 minutes ago, High5 said:

Miami made the Finals with a defense built around a 6'8.75 center. The dream is for Okongwu to have a similar effect. 

Small ball centers are all the rage. Heck, Golden State had 6'6" Draymond as their center in some lineups.

[gurpilo]

True but that does not mean they are effective, a 6’8” C that only plays on the paint and cannot play outside is not ideal in today’s league. I hope all the rumors about him practicing shooting are true and he expand his game.

[bleachkit]

40 minutes ago, gurpilo said:

True but that does not mean they are effective, a 6’8” C that only plays on the paint and cannot play outside is not ideal in today’s league. I hope all the rumors about him practicing shooting are true and he expand his game.

He is really strong though. He knows how to make up for his shorter stature. 

[hazer]

18 hours ago, bleachkit said:

He is really strong though. He knows how to make up for his shorter stature. 

Skrawng, smart, high motor, eat up with dawg, and a lenthy wingspan...

[RedDawg#8]

Don't forget Ben Wallace was only 6'9 as well.

And he was very limited to playing only around the rim.

[gurpilo]

The only player that survives with that skill set in this league is Montrez Harrell and you need to be really excellent at that to survive.

[Cwell]

18 hours ago, RedDawg#8 said:

Don't forget Ben Wallace was only 6'9 as well.

And he was very limited to playing only around the rim.

Ben Wallace was a freak. I’ve seen him block a hook shot from Shaq before. Insane

[mrhonline]

Hawks need some rim protection. I imagine Okongwu will be the best on the team the second he plays.

[ATLHawks3]

2 hours ago, mrhonline said:

Hawks need some rim protection. I imagine Okongwu will be the best on the team the second he plays.

And hopefully that starts on Wednesday.

[Gray Mule]

25 minutes ago, ATLHawks3 said:

And hopefully that starts on Wednesday.

Would be nice to at least see him in a Hawk uniform.  We hear that he's worthy of being #6 draft pick but right now we can only guess.

Seems that big men have a tendency to have foot and ankle problems.  

Hawks need all the help that they can get right now.  Either they continue on this winning path or they fall flat on their face.  The next two road games will tell us a lot.  First five games, four on the road.  Oh, well.  Not having fans at the games changes things a bit.

GO ATL HAWKS !!

[RedDawg#8]

Think about this, once O and Gallo come back, that means we no longer see Hill at PF or Collins at the 5 for long stretches 

[Carmine]

6 hours ago, Cwell said:

Ben Wallace was a freak. I’ve seen him block a hook shot from Shaq before. Insane

Funny thing is he was actually 6'7 (Draymond height) & admitted this later on.

[aali34]

 

[Gray Mule]

Slowly the earth turns.  Hawks out, injured and resting.  Some we have not watched as Hawks.  And still, somehow, Atlanta continues to win.

Big test comes tonight.  Back home and facing back to back games.  Cleveland has an explosive back court, we are told.  Well, I suppose that Atlanta does too.

We expect there will be missing pieces that make up our puzzle (team) as we press on toward the goal of making the playoffs this season.  So far, so good.  Rondo may be back.  But, Brandon looked pretty good last night.  Remember, I told you he would be an OK player before he was called up.  He is.

Agent 0017 is now doing the 3 on 3 thing.  Next, 5 on 5.  Then, finally, active roster.  We wait....

[Gray Mule]

Well, we're getting closer.  For tonight's game he's come up from "out" to "doubtful."

[Thomas]

1 hour ago, Gray Mule said:

Well, we're getting closer.  For tonight's game he's come up from "out" to "doubtful."

Whether 00 is only 90% or less I am still so ready to see his impact on the floor. Am assuming ten or so games to begin to get the heat of battle feel for the big league. Patience is a virtual and all but it is also really difficult right now.

[JayBirdHawk]

My best guest for when Gwu makes his debut:

MLK Game, January 18th at home vs the Wolves.

After tonight's game on the road, we play Philly at home on Monday, then we have 3 roadies at Suns, Jazz and Blazers (another 3 games in 4 nights) before returning to The Farm.

[hawkman]

5 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

My best guest for when Gwu makes his debut:

MLK Game, January 18th at home vs the Wolves.

After tonight's game on the road, we play Philly at home on Monday, then we have 3 roadies at Suns, Jazz and Blazers (another 3 games in 4 nights) before returning to The Farm.

Brutal. If the Hawks can't right the ship things can go bad really fast this month. 

[JayBirdHawk]

10 minutes ago, hawkman said:

Brutal. If the Hawks can't right the ship things can go bad really fast this month. 

As lw3 pointed out, we have been better on the road, so there's that to look forward to 

[bleachkit]

I don't know if babying players really helps. Look at baseball, they absolutely baby the pitchers now, and it hasn't really reduced arm/shoulder injuries. It's not an apples to apples comparison of course.