Felix Okpara

[tontoz]

So am am watching Tennessee vs Iowa State from the sweet 16 to check out Felix. My first impression is that he looks like a 3 the way he moves around the court.

Nice jump hook for his first basket.

Watch on YouTube

[AWIZZINGBULLET]

We now have a C that sets meaningful screens.

No knock on JuJu.

[MVPofDC]

Just listened to the Okpara episode of Locked on Wizards that featured a guest who was a reporter for the Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team.

He said Okpara’s low rebound numbers were due to often playing with another big. He went on to say that Okpara’s role was as a shot blocker and rim protector instead of boxing out. Lastly he said that Okpara has good enough rebounding mechanics.

[tontoz]

Just listened to the Okpara episode of Locked on Wizards that featured a guest who was a reporter for the Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team.

He said Okpara’s low rebound numbers were due to often playing with another big. He went on to say that Okpara’s role was as a shot blocker and rim protector instead of boxing out. Lastly he said that Okpara has good enough rebounding mechanics.

Tennessee was 4th in the NCAA in rebounding so that suppressed his rebounds a bit

[payitforward]

Nice highlight reel:

Watch on YouTube

[MVPofDC]

Nice highlight reel:

Watch on YouTube

His 9’4” standing reach will be useful on both ends of the floor.

Can already envision the Trae to Okpara alley oops.

[tontoz]

His 9’4” standing reach will be useful on both ends of the floor.

Can already envision the Trae to Okpara alley oops.

His measurements seem odd to me. He is almost 2" shorter than Sarr, with a shorter wingspan, but somehow his standing reach is 2" higher.

His offense might be raw but his defense definitely isn't. Very active and aware of what is going on. Seems like he can guard anyone except big, physical centers.

[nate33]

His 9’4” standing reach will be useful on both ends of the floor.

Can already envision the Trae to Okpara alley oops.

His measurements seem odd to me. He is almost 2" shorter than Sarr, with a shorter wingspan, but somehow his standing reach is 2" higher.

His offense might be raw but his defense definitely isn't. Very active and aware of what is going on. Seems like he can guard anyone except big, physical centers.

Sarr probably tanked the standing reach to boost his vertical leap numbers. Okpara didn't. Also, it could be that Okpara just has a narrow torso.

[nate33]

One thing nice about Okpara is that he has similar mobility and length to Sarr. Whatever switching and trapping defensive schemes we execute with Sarr in the lineup can be carried out by Okpara as well.

[tontoz]

His 9’4” standing reach will be useful on both ends of the floor.

Can already envision the Trae to Okpara alley oops.

His measurements seem odd to me. He is almost 2" shorter than Sarr, with a shorter wingspan, but somehow his standing reach is 2" higher.

His offense might be raw but his defense definitely isn't. Very active and aware of what is going on. Seems like he can guard anyone except big, physical centers.

Sarr probably tanked the standing reach to boost his vertical leap numbers. Okpara didn't. Also, it could be that Okpara just has a narrow torso.

Maybe but it's pretty rare for a guy that measures 6'10 to have a standing reach of 9'4. If I was watching Tennessee games without knowing his measurements I would never guess he was that long.

[dobrojim]

The highlight video I watched on Okpara, since it focused a lot on dunks, were O-rebounds put backs
in addition to lobs to the rim. I posted it in another thread. He seemed to have quick reactions to
loose balls on the rim or around the dunking area. It was a highlight reel so it had highlights plays.

[doclinkin]

His measurements seem odd to me. He is almost 2" shorter than Sarr, with a shorter wingspan, but somehow his standing reach is 2" higher.

His offense might be raw but his defense definitely isn't. Very active and aware of what is going on. Seems like he can guard anyone except big, physical centers.

Sarr probably tanked the standing reach to boost his vertical leap numbers. Okpara didn't. Also, it could be that Okpara just has a narrow torso.

Maybe but it's pretty rare for a guy that measures 6'10 to have a standing reach of 9'4. If I was watching Tennessee games without knowing his measurements I would never guess he was that long.

Narrow shoulders long arms. But yeah 9’4” is elite. And the same way those long arms are surprising to you, he can catch shooters off guard who don’t expect him to be able to reach them.

I think this archetype will begin to be more and more sought after in the Wemby era: long strong and mobile. You want outside shooters to draw the Big French Fry out of the paint. But on defense you want either burly guys who can dislodge him or strong mobile length that can challenge outside, quick enough to stay in front of him, soccer players who have the instinct to move laterally and backwards to cut off his angles. Basically everything Wemby does but able to dance while moving backwards. Seven foot Ginger Rogers es.

[doclinkin]

Predictably I’m happier about this pick than adding an offensive driver up top.

We need rim defense in the worst way. Even more than adding an outside in attack.

Nice that we have 2 drivers now in Trae and AJ. But when stopped they need a dumpoff outlet willing to finish thru contact. AJ is building strength still but it’s not his instinct. AD is gunshy from all the injuries he sustained in post play. Wants to play in space if he can. Felix can be raw as marinaded bbq I just need him to be able to catch and flush while getting bumped. Set concrete screens. I’m especially excited about developing Big to Big passing on the short roll. Sarr and AJ can take full advantage of the aerial passing lanes most players can’t bother.

And on defense we need the yard dog who guards his home turf within two steps of the basket. Nice that we have long switchy defenders who can range in space. But you need the deterrent who forces attackers to hesitate. Check up. Try a floater instead.

Always a proponent of recruiting soccer player bigs who know the angles and play with spacing. Defend with footwork.

The playoffs showed all these unicorn bigs who want to be Durant are deficient in the back to the basket skills that give you easy buckets. Post entry feed. Baby hook. Left hand lay up. Foot work to chamber your spin dunk. If Wemby or Chet had that package they’d have added extra points.

This NBA needs Big Man grad school. Wish we could pull a low post OG to teach it.

Oh and Dawkins clearly has a type:

He plays with an active motor, and Nichols said his teammates often described him as their favorite teammate.

“He was always supportive,” Nichols said. “He was always vocal. He always knew where everyone was supposed to be on the floor and (was) willing to communicate. They enjoyed his presence when they weren’t at practice or playing games. Those types of qualities stand out to us as someone that’s a connector.

From the Athletic.

A secret strength of hiring genuinely good dudes is that the players look forward to coming into the basketball frat house to hang with their teammates and work out together. Imagine being 21 years old avd your summer job was to hang with a bunch of friends, work out, talk smack, work your ass off getting better at the game you love. Pretty cool.

[J-Ves]

Close enough welcome back Daniel Gafford

[DCZards]

One thing nice about Okpara is that he has similar mobility and length to Sarr. Whatever switching and trapping defensive schemes we execute with Sarr in the lineup can be carried out by Okpara as well.

Yeah…I made the same comparison to Sarr yesterday in the draft thread.

[AFM]

FELIX BLOCKPARA

[tontoz]

Watch on YouTube

[badinage]

FELIX BLOCKPARA

See, now you’re cooking.

[MVPofDC]

Watch on YouTube

[closg00]

How tall is he? He doesn’t appear much taller than AJ.

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