FIBA U19

[MUDPT]

Happy 4th of July! Here are some Canada highlights...

https://mobile.twitter.com/FIBA/status/1411622434462183432

[jfp61]

He had a really good start to the game vs. Lithuania and then tapered off. But there is no doubting his upside. And he starts for them meaning at least the canada coaches think he is better than some of the guys on the bench.

That U19 canada team has a lot of good centers.

http://www.fiba.basketball/world/u19/2021/team/Canada#tab=overview,average_statistics

[bilsu]

I hope he can do more than dunk the ball.

[tower912]

Silver Warrior, dodds' curmudgeon, pointed out the Lithuanian player OMP was guarding went for over 30. 

I think OMP has game.   I look forward to watching him grow as a player at MU.    Like most of the rest of the team, there will be a learning curve.   

[MuggsyB]

Silver Warrior, dodds' curmudgeon, pointed out the Lithuanian player OMP was guarding went for over 30. 

I think OMP has game.   I look forward to watching him grow as a player at MU.    Like most of the rest of the team, there will be a learning curve.

Ty Tower.  Hopefully O-Max Maximizes his potential .

[panda]

Silver Warrior, dodds' curmudgeon, pointed out the Lithuanian player OMP was guarding went for over 30. 

I think OMP has game.   I look forward to watching him grow as a player at MU.    Like most of the rest of the team, there will be a learning curve.

Tubelis will be an NBA player. You obviously want to see a stronger defensive performance , but per usual, context is missing from a Dodds board opinion.

[JWags85]

Tubelis will be an NBA player. You obviously want to see a stronger defensive performance , but per usual, context is missing from a Dodds board opinion.

Yea, Tubelis was All Freshman in the Pac-12, putting up 12 and 8.  He averaged 15 and 12 at the last junior Euro Championship and played for probably the second best team in a legit Lithuanian league before going to Zona.  He's the next Sabonis, their careers have been eerily similar thus far.

Aka, he's far from a pushover and no real indication of OMP's true defensive ability at the collegiate level

[lawdog77]

Yea, Tubelis was All Freshman in the Pac-12, putting up 12 and 8.  He averaged 15 and 12 at the last junior Euro Championship and played for probably the second best team in a legit Lithuanian league before going to Zona.  He's the next Sabonis, their careers have been eerily similar thus far.

Aka, he's far from a pushover and no real indication of OMP's true defensive ability at the collegiate level

This guy?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1412389931700264963

[JWags85]

This guy?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1412389931700264963

Yep.  Mind you, Domantas Sabonis, not his father. Though Tubelis is more athletic

[panda]

Yea, Tubelis was All Freshman in the Pac-12, putting up 12 and 8.  He averaged 15 and 12 at the last junior Euro Championship and played for probably the second best team in a legit Lithuanian league before going to Zona.  He's the next Sabonis, their careers have been eerily similar thus far.

Aka, he's far from a pushover and no real indication of OMP's true defensive ability at the collegiate level

This is my favorite quote from the Dodds board synopsis.

"Most of the time he was in he was matched with Lithuania's best player, a guy named Tibius. Remember that name. He could start for MU this year; he's that good."

Lol

[JWags85]

OMP and Canada currently playing the US right now.

I've watched a number of the US's games.  I can't get a feel for Holmgren.  Obviously he's very very good. But he's got that KD super long, super skinny build.  But KD seems so much more athletic, even at that age.  Hologram seems kind of slow of foot sometimes and doesn't seem to have the fast twitch.  Be interesting to see him in a college training program

[wadesworld]

OMP and Canada currently playing the US right now.

I've watched a number of the US's games.  I can't get a feel for Holmgren.  Obviously he's very very good. But he's got that KD super long, super skinny build.  But KD seems so much more athletic, even at that age.  Hologram seems kind of slow of foot sometimes and doesn't seem to have the fast twitch.  Be interesting to see him in a college training program

Agreed. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Baldwin was a better pro. Baldwin isn't a completely elite athlete but he is so, so skilled and smooth.

[Jockey]

OMP and Canada currently playing the US right now.

I've watched a number of the US's games.  I can't get a feel for Holmgren.  Obviously he's very very good. But he's got that KD super long, super skinny build.  But KD seems so much more athletic, even at that age.  Hologram seems kind of slow of foot sometimes and doesn't seem to have the fast twitch.  Be interesting to see him in a college training program

I've watched him a couple times. I think you are right when comparing him with Durant.

But he has a lot of very advanced basketball skills. He just graduated HS, so he will definitely gain weight and get stronger. He absolutely deserves to be rated as the #1 incoming freshman - even in a pretty strong class.

[bilsu]

I am not sure if it is fair to compare anyone to Durant. However, I wonder how good Durant would be in college. He pushes off a lot and travels even more. The college rules would have an impact on his game.

[JTJ3]

I am not sure if it is fair to compare anyone to Durant. However, I wonder how good Durant would be in college. He pushes off a lot and travels even more. The college rules would have an impact on his game.

Huh?  Durant was an absolute monster his one year in college.

[wadesworld]

I am not sure if it is fair to compare anyone to Durant. However, I wonder how good Durant would be in college. He pushes off a lot and travels even more. The college rules would have an impact on his game.

Durant was *okay* in college.

[JWags85]

Agreed. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Baldwin was a better pro. Baldwin isn't a completely elite athlete but he is so, so skilled and smooth.

Baldwin has also put on some size already. He's just a really good looking player.  His jumper is fantastic looking.

I've watched him a couple times. I think you are right when comparing him with Durant.

But he has a lot of very advanced basketball skills. He just graduated HS, so he will definitely gain weight and get stronger. He absolutely deserves to be rated as the #1 incoming freshman - even in a pretty strong class.

I don't disagree. He's not overrated at all.  And he's gonna be very good in college.  Even in this tourney, he was a standout.  I'm just talking next level.  As he's the consensus #1 recruit and will be a lottery pick projection assuredly. He's very skilled, especially for his size, I just wonder about athleticism for the NBA.  I mean look at Ellenson.  Holmgren is far past him at this stage, but his athleticism is one of the big reasons he struggled in the NBA IMO.  Durant can blow by people and gets up the court QUICK, almost gliding so dang fast.  I don't see that from Holmgren.

I am not sure if it is fair to compare anyone to Durant. However, I wonder how good Durant would be in college. He pushes off a lot and travels even more. The college rules would have an impact on his game.

Yea the consensus POY who averaged 25 and 11 would def struggle in college.  He's clearly only good due to the sheisty stuff he's been "allowed" to get away his last 10 years in the league 

Unrelated, I'm very optimistic about OMP.  He's raw but he's got incredible energy, bounce, and potential