Omer Asik Unleashed

[Tim Horton]

I think he's gonna be awesome next season. He showed flashes of brilliance with the Bulls and with starter's minutes in Houston and a capable PG partner he'll be certified A' Sik N' Destroy.

That caveat aside, there’s no denying the fact that Omer Asik has been an early standout, delivering as advertised defense and a surprising amount of proficiency on the offensive end as well.

“Omer’s been great,” said Rockets Head Coach Kevin McHale. “He’s running better every day. He rebounded the heck out of the ball today and he really knows how to play both sides of the basketball. He’s a very smart player and a real diligent worker. He’s really been fantastic for us.”

Added Jeremy Lin: “He’s awesome. He’s cleaning up the boards, getting rebounds, creating space. He’s a great passer. He’s done a heck of a job so far, so I’m excited to play with him.”

Lin knows a thing or two about what life is like playing alongside a rim-protecting, rebound-guzzling monster in the middle, having played with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler last season in New York with the Knicks.

http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/news-an ... mp-edition

Projected per 36 Mins

8.6 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.2 bpg

http://www.basketball-reference.com/fri ... ctions.cgi

[Raptor_Guy]

Just needs to learn how to make more than half his free throws

[ManualRam]

he can't catch the ball for sht and he's a nervous ninny on offense, but outside of that asik is a heck of a player. he'll be one of the best starting c's in the league on the defensive end.

[DASMACKDOWN]

I'll be rooting for Asik and miss him. I think he can bring alot to the table in Houston.

His offense is a problem but maybe under McHale, he can improve on it.

[ndee1234]

Hope he breaks out this year and I wish him all the best. I will surely miss him as a Bull!

[JWiLL02]

The biggest issue for him will be fouls and free throw shooting, but he should really help the Rockets defensively.

He doesn't have great hands to be an elite pick and roll big like Chandler was with Lin, though he certainly knows how to finish strong when he does get it.

[boogie-reke]

He just needs to stay on the floor.

Offense, free throws etc are problems but not as relevant if he can't stay on the floor to begin with.

He comes into a brand new role where he is expected to give around 30 minutes per game - the big question will be how he'll adjust in terms of limited his foul trouble to stay on the court and help his team on the defensive end - cause when he's on the floor he does it aswell as anyone in the league.

TBH I think in PNR he will be a surprise. Kid is a big target and is always making himself an option - with Lin who'll constantly search for him and with some work with Mchale I expect him to be a pleasant surprise compared to what we saw of him.

[orangeparka]

It'll definitely be interesting to see how he handles being a starter. I always liked his energy and toughness.

[bledredwine]

I'm one of the few Bulls fans that absolutely did not want to let him go. Dominant bigs are hard to find, and he's as defensively dominant as they come.

And if he improves this season like I actually expect and learns to not only catch the ball, but maybe score a little,

I'm going to be so pissed. Because his defense IMO is at the very top of the league. Any offense whatsoever and you've got an excellent center.

After Derrick Rose, Asik was the biggest game changer, meaning the game changed the most when he was in. Why? Well, I witnessed time and time again the other team's offense turn into purely jumpshots because his interior defense is so good.

That being said, I do wish him the best and hope him/Lin can make something special in Houston.

[DanTown8587]

If he improved his endurance, he'll be fine. I don't think the hands thing is really that improvable but again, he won't be needed to score with that lineup.

He's a very good center and he's definitely paid fair market at about eight a year.

[Frank Mulely]

I'm one of the few Bulls fans that absolutely did not want to let him go. Dominant bigs are hard to find, and he's as defensively dominant as they come.

And if he improves this season like I actually expect and learns to not only catch the ball, but maybe score a little,

I'm going to be so pissed. Because his defense IMO is at the very top of the league. Any offense whatsoever and you've got an excellent center.

After Derrick Rose, Asik was the biggest game changer, meaning the game changed the most when he was in. Why? Well, I witnessed time and time again the other team's offense turn into purely jumpshots because his interior defense is so good.

That being said, I do wish him the best and hope him/Lin can make something special in Houston.

Yeah if I was Chi I would have amnestied Boozer and ran with Asik at 5 and Noah at 4 with Gibson as my rotation big.

[nykballa2k4]

ib4shaqsaysAsikIsBetterThanDwight

[HornetJail]

I've said this before, I'll say it again. Asik reminds me of Desagana Diop in the last couple years before he got his big contract. Hopeless offensively, solid defensively, good on the boards, nothing more. Looks great in limited minutes. The Rockets could regret this contract a lot. Asik is not a starting caliber center. I'm not saying he can't be one, but right now he is nowhere close to being a starting center. It's amazing what being 7-foot, 250+ can get you.

[ManualRam]

I've said this before, I'll say it again. Asik reminds me of Desagana Diop in the last couple years before he got his big contract. Hopeless offensively, solid defensively, good on the boards, nothing more. Looks great in limited minutes. The Rockets could regret this contract a lot. Asik is not a starting caliber center. I'm not saying he can't be one, but right now he is nowhere close to being a starting center. It's amazing what being 7-foot, 250+ can get you.

he's not just solid defensively, he's VERY good defensively. also, unlike 'gana, asik is fit, agile, has a good work ethic, has a very good motor and is fundamentally sound defensively. i don't think he's much like 'gana at all who was nothing but a big body, potential and long arms.

[bullsnewdynasty]

I've said this before, I'll say it again. Asik reminds me of Desagana Diop in the last couple years before he got his big contract. Hopeless offensively, solid defensively, good on the boards, nothing more. Looks great in limited minutes. The Rockets could regret this contract a lot. Asik is not a starting caliber center. I'm not saying he can't be one, but right now he is nowhere close to being a starting center. It's amazing what being 7-foot, 250+ can get you.

Asik is a rare talent on the defensive end of the floor. Saying that he's simply "solid" is discrediting him. He's probably top 5 at his position defensively. Strong, 7'1" frame, great defensive IQ - knows how to rotate, long arms, can move his feet, amazing at contesting shots in the lane, and can block shots. Diop is just big and slow. It's a lazy comparison.

Another Bulls poster said it before that Asik is unique in that he's probably one of the 5 best defensive big men, but probably one of the 5 worst offensive big men. Absolutely abysmal at that end of the floor. I'd be surprised to see him score more than 7-8 points per game.

[bullsnewdynasty]

Yeah if I was Chi I would have amnestied Boozer and ran with Asik at 5 and Noah at 4 with Gibson as my rotation big.

Bulls can't have that much money locked up in bigs who can't score with any kind of volume.

[Br0ken_Sp0ke]

I'll be rooting for Asik and miss him. I think he can bring alot to the table in Houston.

His offense is a problem but maybe under McHale, he can improve on it.

He’s been working hard on it this summer and it seems to be showing in camp:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0TkvyV-OmY[/youtube]

In the limited time that we’ve been able to watch practice, Asik has looked terrific. He’s absolutely huge… you notice right away that he’s exactly what this team has been missing — a large, imposing force on defense. He appears very sound defensively, knowing where to be on the floor, and covers quickly against penetration to block shots.

Offensively, he’s supposed to be extremely raw and doesn’t have the best pair of hands. I haven’t seen that. He’s creating space for himself on offense, running the pick and roll, and he’s finishing around the basket. I’ve probably witnessed him throw down 6 or 7 slams in the brief stints I’ve seen over two days. Now, I certainly haven’t seen any ‘create your own shot’ kind of offense, and I don’t expect to, but it’s clear he’s a load around the basket on both ends.

http://rockets.clutchfans.net/3288/what-theyre-saying-about-omer-asik/

Really I'll be more than happy if he can just play defense the way he did in Chicago for 30 minutes. But if he can also improve his offense to where he's not a complete liability that's going to be a great bonus.

[bullsnewdynasty]

^ I'll believe that when I see it. The time around training camp tends to have a lot of fluff pieces from the media where everybody has improved, everyone's in great shape, and optimism is at an all-time high. Not saying that he hasn't improved, but we're talking about a guy who struggled to catch a pass, rarely if ever tried to make a post move, and was one of the 5 worst free throw shooters in the league.

[bledredwine]

I'm one of the few Bulls fans that absolutely did not want to let him go. Dominant bigs are hard to find, and he's as defensively dominant as they come.

And if he improves this season like I actually expect and learns to not only catch the ball, but maybe score a little,

I'm going to be so pissed. Because his defense IMO is at the very top of the league. Any offense whatsoever and you've got an excellent center.

After Derrick Rose, Asik was the biggest game changer, meaning the game changed the most when he was in. Why? Well, I witnessed time and time again the other team's offense turn into purely jumpshots because his interior defense is so good.

That being said, I do wish him the best and hope him/Lin can make something special in Houston.

Yeah if I was Chi I would have amnestied Boozer and ran with Asik at 5 and Noah at 4 with Gibson as my rotation big.

That thought definitely crossed my mind.

I would have rather just pay the damned luxury tax and see where this team goes in the post season. I guess things aren't that simple in our FO.

Unfortunately, Boozer's offense is needed :/ We'll see how he does this year. When he first came to the Bulls, he started out ridiculous (was the most efficient player for months, shooting mostly J's too). If we lose Boozer, I don't know what we can get offensively to replace him.

But yeah, IMO it would have at least been smart not to let Asik walk before his 3rd season, AKA the most common breakout season for NBA players.

[arifgokcen]

Wow i just watched the workout video.Carroll Dawson said he weighs 295lbs and he said asik is like a truck.

I didnt know he was that heavy