OMax - Balance

[StillAWarrior]

My recollection is that Nevada Smith commented on The Golden Break podcast that they had worked quite a lot with OMax on his balance. I think he has regressed a bit the last 6-8 games. At this point, i feel like "it is what it is" for the remainder of the season. I just hope he doesn't hurt himself and that he gets back to his feet quick enough to be in position on defense (which he generally does).

[wadesworld]

This season, he is what he is.  Teams are going to dare him to shoot the 3, they're going to cut off the straight line drives, and they're going to chest him up when he picks the ball up.  He's still one of the best defenders on the team, and if he hits the 3 he can be a game changer.

This offseason, he'll need to develop some secondary moves to play off of the straight line drive.  A simple spin back the opposite direction would do wonders for him.  He'll need to get better at being decisive once he picks up the ball in the lane.  Too often he looks to score, his man is in his space with high hands, and then he tries to pivot around with nowhere really to go, and guys are covered up for the pass.  He needs to either go up or immediately pass out of it.

Defensively the one thing I'd change, he's constantly waiving around.  Just stay solid while the man you're guarding has his dribble, and once he picks it up then you get high hands waiving around.  Seems like he spends a lot of energy when he doesn't always need to there.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I won't speak for BChoopster but that's what I imagine he meant by Omax adding a "midrange" game.

That's not a mid-range shot. A mid range shot is outside the key, inside the three point line.

[swoopem]

I want to see him have enough confidence and strength to go up with it on his first attempt/initial drive. His constant jump stops/pump fake combo aren’t fooling anyone anymore

He’s super important to the success of the team. I hope he steps it up and get out of this slump

[panda]

Omax would benefit from comfort with a pull up/jump stop game (inside or directly outside of the paint for those seeking deeper clarity) which would then open up passes for backside cutters or give him the option for a short pull up. This perfectly compliments his straight line drive game.

Not going to happen this year, but would love to see it next year.

[JakeBarnes]

Yeah, this week's "OMax is a liability" is the same as "Stevie is a liability" a couple weeks ago.  And particularly funny since his tip in is why we beat Xavier.

There is zero reason for Shaka to change up what he is doing now.

And both he and Stevie are playing smothering defense. It's a great luxury to worry about one of our top defenders that pads the stat sheet and has a PPRG that's 4th on the team. He improves modestly on the offensive end and keeps defense metrics steady and that's a first-team big east player. This team is in really good shape. I expect that O-Max will have some games like the Baylor in the coming weeks as he gains that "slowing down" feeling over the next 3.

[WarriorFan]

Omax is a good on-ball defender and good in the press.  Off the ball, just watch him.  He's almost immediately lost.  Those of you who are impressed with his close outs (and I do appreciate his hustle) are missing the fact that if he was anywhere near his man, he wouldn't have had to close out, he could have deflected the pass, or prevented the pass.  The fact is, OMAX's guy is almost always wide open and OMAX has a long recovery to find him.  Watch the replays of the last two games.

[Tyler COLEk]

To me it seems like the problem is mental, not physical. He has the look of a player who’s being sped up in-game, like his mind is moving way too quickly for his body. He needs to slow down and trust his talent and physical attributes.

[21Jumpstreet]

To me it seems like the problem is mental, not physical. He has the look of a player who’s being sped up in-game, like his mind is moving way too quickly for his body. He needs to slow down and trust his talent and physical attributes.

Couldn’t agree more, I think he has created a bad habit, that’s all mental. I also think he works so hard on unproductive movements, flailing, getting back up from the ground that it wears him out. He busted his ass last night, and he was absolutely gassed. And, he kept up the energy level.

My family was laughing at me last night saying things like, hey OMax didn’t fall shooting that free throw, hey great offensive set OMax and Jop didn’t touch the ball, stupid stuff like that. But he worked, he has heart.

I really think he needs to prioritize staying on his feet and simply playing a half where he works to stay in front his his guy rather than flailing all about. Of course, as I also said last night, it’s super easy from my couch. Great win by the boys, great heart, warts and all.

[JakeBarnes]

To me it seems like the problem is mental, not physical. He has the look of a player who’s being sped up in-game, like his mind is moving way too quickly for his body. He needs to slow down and trust his talent and physical attributes.

100% spot on

[tower912]

Omax is a good on-ball defender and good in the press.  Off the ball, just watch him.  He's almost immediately lost.  Those of you who are impressed with his close outs (and I do appreciate his hustle) are missing the fact that if he was anywhere near his man, he wouldn't have had to close out, he could have deflected the pass, or prevented the pass.  The fact is, OMAX's guy is almost always wide open and OMAX has a long recovery to find him.  Watch the replays of the last two games.

I am watching.   Through the first half he hasn't missed an assignment.   Including rotating to front Kalkbrenner.   

Creighton made their run with Stevie on the bench.    And TKo got beat a couple of times ball watching.

The one time OMax got beat in the first half was the step back three by Scheierman. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Yeah I don't see that OMax loses himself on defense very often. No one really does though.

[ATL MU Warrior]

The one i noticed was Joplin against Xavier. When Boum was wide open for a 3, it was usually because Joplin was the one who should have rotated to him but didn’t.

[JakeBarnes]

I am watching.   Through the first half he hasn't missed an assignment.   Including rotating to front Kalkbrenner.   

Creighton made their run with Stevie on the bench.    And TKo got beat a couple of times ball watching.

Thanks for taking one for the team here. I thought maybe I was just off on remembering. But seems you're seeing similar things

[Goose]

Anyone that does respect the role Omax plays on defense really is watching another game. Want to complain about his offense, you will get little debate from me at the moment.

[Scoop Snoop]

Anyone that does respect the role Omax plays on defense really is watching another game. Want to complain about his offense, you will get little debate from me at the moment.

And then there's the minor issue that our coach has decided to keep him in the starting lineup.

[Goose]

Snoop

He played almost the entire second half against X and 35 minutes last night, yet there is a nice number of scoopers that don't want him back next season. I feel fairly confident that Shaka has a high level of confidence in Omax leading the D efforts.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Yeah, there was a guy on the game thread who said it would be best if OMax moved on next season. I mean...WTF? Our second leading scorer, second best shooter (EFG%) and one of our top defenders?

[Viper]

I think Omax has a really bright future. I’m excited for next season for him. I hope he’s back. I hope each guy that played last night is back. Add the incomings, and next season could be bad ass!

[BCHoopster]

Snoop

He played almost the entire second half against X and 35 minutes last night, yet there is a nice number of scoopers that don't want him back next season. I feel fairly confident that Shaka has a high level of confidence in Omax leading the D efforts.

To all, he has showed improvement this year but I can see a better Omax next year, hope he is back.

[tower912]

Second half of OMax defense.    He should not have fouled Scheierman on the fast break after Kolek's pass was stolen.   
He gave up a 3 to Scheierman from 26 feet after taking a step over to help Kolek and then not recovering quite fast enough.
He got caught in the zone.    Ball handler had beaten Kolek up near the foul line, OMax moved up,  the pass was thrown behind him to a cutter from the wing into the space Omax had just left, Omax turned to recover, lay up, foul.

The running around that was referenced came out of double teams and switches.    MU would switch and double with Omax.    The ball would get passed out of the double, and he would be running to get to the open shooter, regardless of where he was.    So, if you weren't paying attention to context, it could be interpreted as he was running around lost.    In reality, it was the exact opposite.   

So, one dumb play.    Two plays where he got caught in no man's land on a help.    A few times recovering out of double teams and switches where he was running across the floor.     His defense is stellar.   

It would be nice if he fell less.   

[Goose]

tower

Yes, it would be nice if he fell less. I would think he would get tired of falling all of the time.

[JakeBarnes]

Second half of OMax defense.    He should not have fouled Scheierman on the fast break after Kolek's pass was stolen.   
He gave up a 3 to Scheierman from 26 feet after taking a step over to help Kolek and then not recovering quite fast enough.
He got caught in the zone.    Ball handler had beaten Kolek up near the foul line, OMax moved up,  the pass was thrown behind him to a cutter from the wing into the space Omax had just left, Omax turned to recover, lay up, foul.

The running around that was referenced came out of double teams and switches.    MU would switch and double with Omax.    The ball would get passed out of the double, and he would be running to get to the open shooter, regardless of where he was.    So, if you weren't paying attention to context, it could be interpreted as he was running around lost.    In reality, it was the exact opposite.   

So, one dumb play.    Two plays where he got caught in no man's land on a help.    A few times recovering out of double teams and switches where he was running across the floor.     His defense is stellar.   

It would be nice if he fell less.

Thanks again, Tower. Appreciate the review. So you're saying...he's pretty good at being where he should be overall and that he has the ability to recover moderately well. But sometimes makes a few silly plays (fouls). Seems right.