Signs of Life from EO50?

[coordinator0]

I haven't been able to watch the past two games, but I have checked the box scores. In the last two games Okafor has had 20+ points 10+ rebounds. I know OKC doesn't have a great big, but MIN has Big Al and it "seems" that EO50 played good against him, according to the stats. I ask you that have been able to watch the Bobcats, "Is EO50 finally coming around?" Or is it just the lack of competition that he has played against. Either way, it's good to see him get involved offensively again.

[ohara831]

Maybe he has seen the light! Someone lit a fire under his ass, and he's seen the light! Amen brother!

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

I think the big difference is the way he has been scoring the points...anyone else notice that he had low scoring games when he was trying to create plays himself? Ie..when he has his back to the basket and turns for a hook shot.

He doesn't have much touch...but if you give the ball to him under the basket he will score. It certainly helps to have 3 guys who can pass to him while driving in to the basket (RF, DJ, GW).. these guys are playing well enough that the other team's big man leaves Mek open in order to try to guard them

I posted this video a while back ago..but it shows the type of game Mek played in college that made him so effective...he needs to keep bringing the energy and aggressiveness every night..i hate when he looks soft and goes for a layup instead of a dunk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6UvJ8TYCBo

[Slam]

PP - I was just about to post a similar thought.

EO50 isn't a better offensive player today than he was last week or last year or ever. He's just been catching the ball the last two games. He's not creating any offensive himself - everyone is creating it for him. Is there little wonder Felts assists have been so high the last two games?

If it gets him 20ppg on 50+% shooting then I am all for it, just so we know though that it's not because he is all of a sudden an offensive player. As soon as opposing defenses man up on him and stop allowing him easy baskets the sooner he'll go back to jacking up off balance jump hooks.

I love this new found ft shooting, but I'm not counting on it continuing.

[davcbow]

Bearers of no faith... I think the entire turn around for everyone is LB's coaching....:cool:

[TheBeagle]

Having been at both of the "Monstrous Mek" games, I can say he just looks more energetic. I think the key is, as has been stated by everyone else, getting him touches. I really never thought it mattered to him, but it turns out, he does need his touches. He's even been doing reposts and getting better position and knocking down a closer, less awkward hook. FT shooting has definitely improved his scoring numbers as well. I wouldn't say it has anything to do with the competition; it has everything to do with a commitment to getting him the ball in positions where he can succeed, which, as dav alludes to, is due to Coach.

I hate some folks haven't been able to see these last two games (MIN,OKC): they've been a joy to watch with "Larry Ball" in full effect!

[tamburello]

Pick and rolls with Felton helps him a lot in scoring 20+ points. Keep it up.

[BIGCatBobcat]

Having been at both of the "Monstrous Mek" games, I can say he just looks more energetic. I think the key is, as has been stated by everyone else, getting him touches. I really never thought it mattered to him, but it turns out, he does need his touches. He's even been doing reposts and getting better position and knocking down a closer, less awkward hook. FT shooting has definitely improved his scoring numbers as well. I wouldn't say it has anything to do with the competition; it has everything to do with a commitment to getting him the ball in positions where he can succeed, which, as dav alludes to, is due to Coach.

I hate some folks haven't been able to see these last two games (MIN,OKC): they've been a joy to watch with "Larry Ball" in full effect!

Yeah man, it's been spectacular. Good ball movement, everyone moving without the ball. Ray and DJ's vision is getting better. EO50 hasn't changed the way he plays, it's a whole team thing. I think it's sort of one of those "the way Mek goes, so goes the team" deals. I'm really excited about the way it's been going. Mek has stone hands. If he has to really put the ball on the floor, create and work to get his shot, his game doesn't really flow. He catches the ball down low, one bounce, go up and either dunk or layup. I mean it's smooth, not exciting really. I'm thinking of the way Shaq has played in the last 4-5 years. Have a PG that can create, make space collapse the defense, and he's got easy baskets.

[bing!]

Notice the stark contrast in his split stats...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr138/ch_bing/oky.jpg

I know it's only two games, but he's shown a steady improvement over the last couple of'em. His numbers will dwindle, of that I'm sure, but not into the dismal levels he was swimming in during mid-novemeber.

[Mustachio]

i think it has at least a little to do with the competition. Mek seemed like his confidence was higher than it usually is and he was so much more active around the rim. I just hope the first time an upper echelon big man comes in... he doesn't lose that confidence.

I honestly think thats something Mek needs to fix. His confidence. you can physically see the difference when he matchs up with elite big man. His shoulders seem lower, seems less active, a little nervous. With the exception of Dhoward, when it seems like Mek brings his big boy game, i think Mek lets dudes get in his head.

[Slam]

I honestly think thats something Mek needs to fix. His confidence.
Valid point. You can pretty much tell within his first three possesions what sort of night he is about to have. If he clanks the 1st three or is blocked or bobbles the ball we are going to be in for a long night. If the PG's get him easy shots on the 1st three he's in for a good one.

Crash used to be the same years ago. If he get a steal and a break away dunk in the 1st few mins of a game you knew he was in for a good night. Now he's mroe balanced and confident and knows that no matter what, he'll get his regardless of how he starts a game.

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

PP - I was just about to post a similar thought.

EO50 isn't a better offensive player today than he was last week or last year or ever. He's just been catching the ball the last two games. He's not creating any offensive himself - everyone is creating it for him. Is there little wonder Felts assists have been so high the last two games?

If it gets him 20ppg on 50+% shooting then I am all for it, just so we know though that it's not because he is all of a sudden an offensive player. As soon as opposing defenses man up on him and stop allowing him easy baskets the sooner he'll go back to jacking up off balance jump hooks.

I love this new found ft shooting, but I'm not counting on it continuing.

Bigslam...good point on RF..I read the same this morning

"Okafor has scored 24 and 25 points in the past two games – his best output of the season – and Felton had 14 and 12 assists in those same games."

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/104/story/392732.html

[DanielWheeler]

I really, really, really, really, really, reaaaaaaallllllllllyyyyyyyy want to see Okafor turn the corner, but I cannot be sold till he faces someone other than the Timberwolves and Thunder.

Wouldn't that be great if he instantly turned to the 20/10 guy we've been praying for him to turn into?

[BRNC]

One of the biggest differences (IMO) is handling the ball when he gets it passed to him now....he was not the only big fumbling passes but he certainly had his share of fumbles...I don't know if LB worked them harder on it in practice (if I could see it I'm sure the coaching staff did) or not but he is handling passes better...I had started to notice early in games his teammates looked to get him the ball, fumble or two, then no more passes in, so his teammates are getting more confidence in his ability to finish the last couple of games and he has big games...

I agree on the competition factor (although Jefferson is no slouch) and it would be nice to see the team play consistantly good ball...but I still like the direction and think we're heading to the heady .500 mark...

[ALong13]

I've always thought that Okafor was underrated on Offense, he can score, you just got to get him the ball, we know he's a very good defensive player, but he's not too bad offensively either. I was one of the biggest supporters of him re-signing that contract, and I think he's earning it...sure he's not going to go 20+ ppg and 10+ rbg forever, but I think he could easily do 15-16 ppg and 12 rpg

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

15-16 PPG i could see..but not against better centers than him.. i really think he's limited in his offensive ability. there's a reason why so many of his shots get blocked..

i'm interested to see how he matches up against greg oden..i think right now they're a similar type of player, with oden having a slight advantage

[ohara831]

Oden has intensity on defense and will match or surpass Okafor on defense. But Okafor has a vastly superior offensive game right now. I say this remembering that Oden is essentially in his Rookie year and Okafor has several years of ball under his belt. And offense is not Okafor's strong suit. In 2-3 years, I think Oden will be well ahead of Okafor in both categories.

[GoBobs]

he is recognizing the when the guards get doubled and looking for the ball a little more rather than looking for the rebound

[dnbman]

15-16 PPG i could see..but not against better centers than him.. i really think he's limited in his offensive ability. there's a reason why so many of his shots get blocked..

Yeah, but we don't need him to be an offensive stud. The only thing we need him to do is hit the easy to moderate ones, keeping the defense honest. The way it should work is Okafor gets the ball, then:

a. takes the shot if he has a good look or position on his man. Even though he may be defended, he do a lot of things from 5-8 feet.

b. draw the defense in and pass back outside, where our guards find the open man.

He doesn't need to be the dominant force that Duncan or Amare are. If he just holds his own down low, we'll be in good shape. And of course, if our shooters are making shots, that opens things up for him to have really big nights on occasion.