Nalod wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

Nalod wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

TheGame wrote:If Obi proves to be able to play competent defense (big if!), then he really could be just as dominating on offense. He does not have Zion’s power, but he is a better outside shooter and he is just as effective in pick and roll situations. Zion clearly is better but, if Obi can find his defense, he would not be that much of a step down. Time will tell.

Obi is still pretty powerful in his own right. Already has an nba body at 22. For him to really be successful at least offensively he has to be able to hit 3’s at around the same percentage he did in college (39%)

While he’s not a good defender he can block shots so it will be fun watching him and Mitch swat

I know we all saw those videos but if he is this “Athletic freak” then I suppose he has the physical tools to be a decent defender. If he has to think it will hold him back a bit. Knox I think got messed up by improving on defense and finishing strong to the rim. It hurt his shooting.
Zion does not have to play 82 games. He has to learn to dial it down a bit for the grind.

If Zion is playing 40-50 games a year while on a minutes restriction that’s a problem

Obi’s problems on defense are fixable but it will take time. He has length and lateral quickness. He needs to fix his footwork and timing.

Knox has zero lateral quickness which is why he will always be a defensive liability

I don’t put the word “Always” on any player under 22. Knox was too young to come into the league. His feel were like too big, and he was not developed. I’m not saying he can be DPOTY but perhaps good enough for Thibs.

Zion’s issues are not his weight. Its his mass. Kid is not fat. He can fly but is not built for it. Nobody really is but question is how do you reduce a body mass of muscle that is naturally his propensity?
Does he have the tendons and ligaments to sustain that mass in the way he moves about? Issue with the 7footers is the length of those tendons and they don’t sustain. That Zions Legs are thick might really be the key but he has to stay closer to the ground! He can take up a lot of space still and be an allstar! His injury in college was indicative of what the issue is. Both God and Nike cannot sustain that force that he generates. He is a phenomenal athlete. This is a Lawrence Taylor type of generational athlete.

Eeeehhhhhh he’s a bit gynoid fat. His stomach is very lean but he definitely has a lot of weight in his hips and ass. You’re right about his mass and tendons though. Hopefully he’ll find a way to sustain the pounding he puts in his joints. I am a big fan of his game and he seems like a good kid.

Hopefully Topin doesn’t suffer the Amar’e fate!

Philc1 wrote:

Nalod wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

TheGame wrote:If Obi proves to be able to play competent defense (big if!), then he really could be just as dominating on offense. He does not have Zion’s power, but he is a better outside shooter and he is just as effective in pick and roll situations. Zion clearly is better but, if Obi can find his defense, he would not be that much of a step down. Time will tell.

Obi is still pretty powerful in his own right. Already has an nba body at 22. For him to really be successful at least offensively he has to be able to hit 3’s at around the same percentage he did in college (39%)

While he’s not a good defender he can block shots so it will be fun watching him and Mitch swat

I know we all saw those videos but if he is this “Athletic freak” then I suppose he has the physical tools to be a decent defender. If he has to think it will hold him back a bit. Knox I think got messed up by improving on defense and finishing strong to the rim. It hurt his shooting.
Zion does not have to play 82 games. He has to learn to dial it down a bit for the grind.

If Zion is playing 40-50 games a year while on a minutes restriction that’s a problem

Obi’s problems on defense are fixable but it will take time. He has length and lateral quickness. He needs to fix his footwork and timing.

Knox has zero lateral quickness which is why he will always be a defensive liability

How can one just declare this? And Obi does not have adequate lateral quickness

Nalod wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

Nalod wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

TheGame wrote:If Obi proves to be able to play competent defense (big if!), then he really could be just as dominating on offense. He does not have Zion’s power, but he is a better outside shooter and he is just as effective in pick and roll situations. Zion clearly is better but, if Obi can find his defense, he would not be that much of a step down. Time will tell.

Obi is still pretty powerful in his own right. Already has an nba body at 22. For him to really be successful at least offensively he has to be able to hit 3’s at around the same percentage he did in college (39%)

While he’s not a good defender he can block shots so it will be fun watching him and Mitch swat

I know we all saw those videos but if he is this “Athletic freak” then I suppose he has the physical tools to be a decent defender. If he has to think it will hold him back a bit. Knox I think got messed up by improving on defense and finishing strong to the rim. It hurt his shooting.
Zion does not have to play 82 games. He has to learn to dial it down a bit for the grind.

If Zion is playing 40-50 games a year while on a minutes restriction that’s a problem

Obi’s problems on defense are fixable but it will take time. He has length and lateral quickness. He needs to fix his footwork and timing.

Knox has zero lateral quickness which is why he will always be a defensive liability

I don’t put the word “Always” on any player under 22. Knox was too young to come into the league. His feel were like too big, and he was not developed. I’m not saying he can be DPOTY but perhaps good enough for Thibs.

Zion’s issues are not his weight. Its his mass. Kid is not fat. He can fly but is not built for it. Nobody really is but question is how do you reduce a body mass of muscle that is naturally his propensity?
Does he have the tendons and ligaments to sustain that mass in the way he moves about? Issue with the 7footers is the length of those tendons and they don’t sustain. That Zions Legs are thick might really be the key but he has to stay closer to the ground! He can take up a lot of space still and be an allstar! His injury in college was indicative of what the issue is. Both God and Nike cannot sustain that force that he generates. He is a phenomenal athlete. This is a Lawrence Taylor type of generational athlete.

I just don’t think Zion’s knees will hold up in the long run

The comparisons to Shaq, who was also obviously a massive guy, are off base. The nba in the 90’s was a half court league. Today the nba is running, full court press and shooting. Zion will have to run a lot more than Shaq did in his day

BigDaddyG wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

martin wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

Nalod wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

TheGame wrote:If Obi proves to be able to play competent defense (big if!), then he really could be just as dominating on offense. He does not have Zion’s power, but he is a better outside shooter and he is just as effective in pick and roll situations. Zion clearly is better but, if Obi can find his defense, he would not be that much of a step down. Time will tell.

Obi is still pretty powerful in his own right. Already has an nba body at 22. For him to really be successful at least offensively he has to be able to hit 3’s at around the same percentage he did in college (39%)

While he’s not a good defender he can block shots so it will be fun watching him and Mitch swat

I know we all saw those videos but if he is this “Athletic freak” then I suppose he has the physical tools to be a decent defender. If he has to think it will hold him back a bit. Knox I think got messed up by improving on defense and finishing strong to the rim. It hurt his shooting.
Zion does not have to play 82 games. He has to learn to dial it down a bit for the grind.

If Zion is playing 40-50 games a year while on a minutes restriction that’s a problem

Obi’s problems on defense are fixable but it will take time. He has length and lateral quickness. He needs to fix his footwork and timing.

Knox has zero lateral quickness which is why he will always be a defensive liability

How can one just declare this? And Obi does not have adequate lateral quickness

For a 4 he has adequate lateral quickness. His problems are footwork, body positioning and timing. That can be taught

Naw, scouts universally have crapped on his lateral quickness. He's fast north-south, but he's bad east-west. The hope is that it can be improved if there's significant effort in improving his bio mechanics. His high waist and poor center of gravity are issues.

This

blkexec wrote:

ekstarks94 wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:Listen, I love Zion and I hope he gets himself in shape and becomes one of the best players in the world. However, based on the college careers we saw and the skillset they both possess, I don’t think it’s that silly to say that right this second, it’s not currently worse to have Obi.

I also think RJ has the avenue to take-off with Obi being a good passer AND shooter. This pairing has potential and I am surprised I didn’t think of RJ and Zion earlier. Obi and RJ can actually make a better pairing than Zion and RJ.

Don't do this to yourself man hahaha 23 points a game on 60% shooting in 28 minutes a game. Shaq level dominance. I would offer to trade the entire Knicks roster for Zion and the Pelicans would laugh at me while taking a crap and hang up.

I would trade for college Zion...not NBA...Louisiana cooking...gumbo fed Zion....also him and RJ were special at Duke...

I agree with you, they was dominate in college. But even in college I felt like they didn't always compliment each other. Becasue both strengths are attack the rim. With Obi, he has multiple ways to impact a game and this will give RJ and Mitch running lanes to the rim.

Yes zion is better. But that doesn't mean obi can't be a better fit.

100%....Obi and RJ are a better fit....plus Obi is a much better shooter than Zion...almost as explosive but not the instinctive player that Zion is...

I think the defense with Obi is correctable....if Thibs can make his defense passable and his offense is as advertised then we are cooking...

I think Obi might have a better outside shot and be a better passer. The game against the Pelicans will be hyped up if Obi is playing well.

GustavBahler wrote:One area that gets shortchanged when discissing Zion's positives as a player, is his BBall IQ. Rival college coaches praised Zion's smarts. Ive seen it in the NBA as well. Zion isnt built like most rookies, let alone most NBA players. None of that would matter if he didnt know how to make the smartest use of his skill set.

Zion started his NBA career setting an NBA rookie 3pt record. We havent seen all he can do.

Same thing goes for Obi. Ive read that Obi has a high BBall IQ as well. Hope he can also use his BBall IQ to make the best use of his athleticism. Anthony Randolph reminds me of someone who couldnt, as a Knick anyway. As well as many others.

Obi seems like he's got the right mind set though. Says all the right things. RJ/Mitch/Obi! Eff Randle!
Play the games!