Mbao

[bma725]

But his primary action in practice is Otule (who is not practicing now) who has played all of 12 college games and barely seen action in the Big East. I'm not so sure that portends good development for Mbao, or even Otule for that matter.

Even today, one of the most common drills for big men is still the Mikan Drill.  It's just the player, the ball and the basket.  No on trying to stop them, no coach feeding them the ball.  Yet it's still probably the most common drill used by big men to improve touch around the basket and work on bettering their footwork.

Practicing against another big man will come, but a lot of what big men do to get better involves them working on their own on something the coach taught them, or them working with a coach and no defender.

[GGGG]

I think much of what Mbao needs to work on is mechanical and he will need thousands of repetitions without any opposition at all.  Many players (including NBA all stars) work on the same move (e.g., drop step to the left, drop step to the right, etc.) thousands of times as someone just feeds them the ball.  I think Mbao needs a whole lot of this type of practice in order to become the player we all would like him to become.  If he plays in the post in games he may get a dozen or two touches (if that many).  While that will provide some benefit to him, it's just a start.  I'm not suggesting that he doesn't need experience against competition (Otule or otherwise), but he also needs a lot of development that will come from work in an empty gym.  As I said before I think Buzz should plug him into games however Buzz thinks will give us the best chance to win that game.  I think that where Mbao plays in these games has very, very little effect on his future development.  That will come in practice.

Yeah, this is exactly right.  Putting him on top of a zone now is really the only way Buzz thinks he can contribute this year.  There is no reason to stick him in a useless game and think that it is somehow going to make a difference this year.

[NCMUFan]

Ok we touched on how Buzz will use Mbao on defense.  Now how about on offense, what can he do that will benefit the team?

[Skatastrophy]

Ok we touched on how Buzz will use Mbao on defense.  Now how about on offense, what can he do that will benefit the team?

I've always hoped he'd turn into a Thabeet.  Thabeet didn't have much offense at first, but he could hang down low and catch an inlet pass 8 feet in the air and effectively redistribute the ball back to the perimeter for a drive or a shot.  Until Mbao has post moves it would be nice if he could do that as well as pulling down an Orebound or two.

[Golden Avalanche]

Even today, one of the most common drills for big men is still the Mikan Drill.  It's just the player, the ball and the basket.  No on trying to stop them, no coach feeding them the ball.  Yet it's still probably the most common drill used by big men to improve touch around the basket and work on bettering their footwork.

Practicing against another big man will come, but a lot of what big men do to get better involves them working on their own on something the coach taught them, or them working with a coach and no defender.

Hey, I totally understand skill development. I get that Mbao needs a shitload of hours in that area just to be somewhat effective.

My main point is that when its time for Mbao to use those skills developed with the Mikan and other drills, its not like he's going to find the quality inside the Al that he'll find outside the Al. I don't think we can say "oh, he'll get the time in during practice and he'll be Big East quality down the road" if we don't bring in any real competition for either player.

Btw, for anyone to expect Thabeet I think that's wild. I'd say a more apt comparison would be N'Dyiae(sp?) from Rutgers. I also don't think we're going to see anything from Mbao this year but I find it strange some fans think it meaningless if he plays in a game against PC or North Florida.

[MR.HAYWARD]

Look, no one should have expected much from him this year.  He has only played ball for a couple of years.  If he can add some strength and mass, he will be a different player.  He can't even get his arms up if he is in tight with a player, and like many young big men he looses his balance if bumped.  These are strength and mass/weight issues.

That being said, he moves like a small forward, and has great hands.  Two things that are important and limit the ceiling of most big men.  I think he is two years of hard work away, but I think he has a very high ceiling.  Most big men can't move like he can, and most big men are not as coordinated.  The first thing I look for with young big men is how they move their feet/quickness and if they have good hands.  If a big man has it all, but has bad hands - good luck, as they rarely significantly improve their hands. 

I've watched him before games and at the open practices.  He has a nice little jumper, is very coordinated, moves well, good to great hands for a big man, etc.  He is just way to light and needs reps and needs to learn the game.  If he sticks it out for two more years, I think anyone that used teal will need to eat their words.   He has a lot to learn and needs to add a lot of strength and size.  He may not be able to add the size and strength, but if he can, I think we'll have a legit Big East 7'2" player by his Junior year.

chicos why dont you copy this post and then paste it and act like an idiot any time a post refernceing Mbao comes up.

BTW very well said GOO i absolutely 100% agree with you, yet Chicos insecurities cause him to mock me about me feelings on Mbao at every opportunity..  Must suck to be so short and insecure

[MR.HAYWARD]

Even today, one of the most common drills for big men is still the Mikan Drill.  It's just the player, the ball and the basket.  No on trying to stop them, no coach feeding them the ball.  Yet it's still probably the most common drill used by big men to improve touch around the basket and work on bettering their footwork.

Practicing against another big man will come, but a lot of what big men do to get better involves them working on their own on something the coach taught them, or them working with a coach and no defender.

well said BMA in fact most skill development work is done with out any defense at all.  Why add a defensder before the player has mastered the skill?  Addionally alot of big man work can be done with blocking pads.  Mbao simply needs hours and hours in the gym and thousands of reps. additionally he needs to play alot!!  and before anyone goes off the handle i am referring to open gyms, 3 on 3 work and 4on 4 work, game time at this point is argaubly not even any good for him, if anything it may even hurt his confidence.  all that and hundreds of hours in the weight room and at the training table

[Hards Alumni]

chicos why dont you copy this post and then paste it and act like an idiot any time a post refernceing Mbao comes up.

BTW very well said GOO i absolutely 100% agree with you, yet Chicos insecurities cause him to mock me about me feelings on Mbao at every opportunity..  Must suck to be so short and insecure

mocking when he knows he is wrong is Chico's MO.