Shot Blocking

[NCMUFan]

Wow, what a long time to having a shot blocking presence like Theo John.
Only one I can compare to Theo is Jim McIlvaine to my knowledge. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Theo is very good.  But at the moment he is more at McCaskil or Abraham levels than Jimmy Mac.

[Amal Sh00k Up]

Jimmy ShaqIlvaine was definitely the greatest but second place (in the minds of a few, probably just me!) might belong to Amal "A-Train" McCaskill.  He had crazy athleticism for a big guy.

Long time lurker, first time poster.  Can't wait to get in on the fun, Scoopers!  Now, let's beat Xavier!

[We R Final Four]

Yes—Big MAC was in a class by himself.
However, It is nice to have opponents having to consider TJ when they drive the lane.

[real chili 83]

Jimmy ShaqIlvaine was definitely the greatest but second place (in the minds of a few, probably just me!) might belong to Amal "A-Train" McCaskill.  He had crazy athleticism for a big guy.

Long time lurker, first time poster.  Can't wait to get in on the fun, Scoopers!  Now, let's beat Xavier!

Ban dis guy^^^^^^

You gonna join Tony and me to watch the game today?

[Boozemon Barro]

Theo is very good.  But at the moment he is more at McCaskil or Abraham levels than Jimmy Mac.

We're so lucky to have you here to correct everyone's opinions.

[warriorfred]

What impressed me about Theo is that he can get the ball in the paint, take a drop step and throw it down, even when contested.  Put a man on McCaskil, Abraham, and even Jimmy Mac, and they would have to lay-it-up in that situation. 

I am struggling to remember a Marquette power forward or center with that type of athleticism.

[tower912]

Mac was 7'1 with long arms.   He was able to get some blocks flat footed with his arms up.    Theo is a powerful 6'9 who gets his blocks by jumping.    The difference is that Mac could contest shots and still be in position for rebounds.   Merely standing in the lane with his hands up made Mac a huge barrier.    Because Theo's shot blocks frequently come from a help position and leaping at the shooter, he is more susceptible to pump fakes and is out of position for rebounds when he misses.   I love the guy and love the physical presence he brings to the floor.  It is something MU has not had in years.    Can you picture someone like him on the Buzz teams next to Crowder or Butler?    But he still has a ways to go.    And I know I am going to enjoy watching the rest of his progression. 

[warriorfred]

Theo is improving as a shot blocker, and is close to being an elite shot blocker.

[tower912]

Agreed.   

[4everwarriors]

Jimmy ShaqIlvaine was definitely the greatest but second place (in the minds of a few, probably just me!) might belong to Amal "A-Train" McCaskill.  He had crazy athleticism for a big guy.

Long time lurker, first time poster.  Can't wait to get in on the fun, Scoopers!  Now, let's beat Xavier!

Lurker iz a sinomin four voyeur, aina?

[BossplayaOtto]

Mac was 7'1 with long arms.   He was able to get some blocks flat footed with his arms up.    Theo is a powerful 6'9 who gets his blocks by jumping.    The difference is that Mac could contest shots and still be in position for rebounds.   Merely standing in the lane with his hands up made Mac a huge barrier.    Because Theo's shot blocks frequently come from a help position and leaping at the shooter, he is more susceptible to pump fakes and is out of position for rebounds when he misses.   I love the guy and love the physical presence he brings to the floor.  It is something MU has not had in years.    Can you picture someone like him on the Buzz teams next to Crowder or Butler?    But he still has a ways to go.    And I know I am going to enjoy watching the rest of his progression.

Through their sophomore years Theo has a better rebound rate than McIlvaine.

Mac improved his rebounding slightly his Junior year and then made a significant jump his Senior season.

Perhaps Theo will have a similar progression. Clearly he will still need to jump for blocks as he simply doesn't have Mac's height/wingspan, but Mac wasn't a strong rebounder early in his career either.

Love Theo and what he brings to this team. He has interacted with my kids on multiple occasions and based on the way this young man handles himself, it appears that his character is as strong as his physique.

Theo is certainly on my growing list of 'favorite all-time Warriors' from this squad.

[WarriorFan]

Mac was great but Theo is a lot more fun to watch!

Mac blocked with Finesse, kept the ball in play, maintained rebounding position and all that good stuff.

Theo just mauls the ball. 

[Markusquette]

Mac was great but Theo is a lot more fun to watch!

Mac blocked with Finesse, kept the ball in play, maintained rebounding position and all that good stuff.

Theo just mauls the ball.

I've often wondered, does a team benefit more from a finesse block, keeping it in play and potentially getting your team the possession, or does the ferocity of a monster block make more of a difference for energy and team morale?

[Goose]

WarriorFan
I guess it comes down to why you enjoy a certain player. Your points on Mac are exactly why he was the greatest shot blocker in MU history. Mac seldom had to make a block from behind because he was burned on the play. He almost always blocked the shot with finesse and kept the ball in play.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I've often wondered, does a team benefit more from a finesse block, keeping it in play and potentially getting your team the possession, or does the ferocity of a monster block make more of a difference for energy and team morale?

The ferocity of Theo's blocks also might also reiterate that opponents shouldn't even attempt to take it to the rim against "The Monster".  Fear and Awe.

[Markusquette]

The ferocity of Theo's blocks also might also reiterate that opponents shouldn't even attempt to take it to the rim against "The Monster".  Fear and Awe.

Agreed. Come to think of it, a decent percentage of Theo's blocks seem to be chase down off the backboard, so he's both keeping it in play and destroying their shot.

[Goose]

Markusquette
The great shot blockers in ball history kept/keep the ball in play. The whole object of playing D is to stop opponent from scoring. It never is a good idea to give opponents multiple tries on a possession. Monster blocks are fun for the fans, but finesse is what you want.

[mileskishnish72]

Bill Russell (GOAT IMHO) specialized in blocking shots and keeping them in play.

[WarriorFan]

I've often wondered, does a team benefit more from a finesse block, keeping it in play and potentially getting your team the possession, or does the ferocity of a monster block make more of a difference for energy and team morale?

From a sophomore, I'll take "monster block" any day... when he's a junior/senior, then he needs to develop further and keep the ball in play.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Finesse block is theoretically better than a monster block because you have a chance to regain possession...of course it could also go straight to an opponent in position to score. I remember this happened against Kansas. Theo got a good block but it went straight back to Dedric Lawson for an easy layup. IIRC, that was the first bucket of their eventual 22-0 run.

Finesse is better, but I do think there is something to be said about the psychological and morale implications of a monster block.

[Cheeks]

Here the three are

[Jockey]

We're so lucky to have you here to correct everyone's opinions.

TAMU didn't correct everyone's opinions - and - he was correct in his assessment.

Jimmy Mac was head and shoulders above any of these other guys. And he made $35 mil to prove it.