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Ochai- What do we think?

Ferguson_Mellochill said:
He's a decent rotational player. Coming into the league, I thought he could be similar to a player Courtney Lee from some years back. Seems like he'll be a good, functional 2-way wing.
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Courtney is the guy I referenced in my OP. I think Danny Green is a much better defender than Ochai will be but Ochai is likely going to be better on offense (Green couldn't string two dribbles together).

The shot form is quick and pure so I think he might be a better offensive player than the typical 3 and D type... I just think the defense is assumed/overstated. It could be a rookie thing or it may just not be natural to body up on dudes... its kind of like "feel for the game" some dudes have it and other don't.

I think Hardy should give him a little more freedom to get into guys a bit more... even if it leads to fouls.
 
- I like how much he has improved since the beginning of the season, he seems like a hard worker and has a good attitude.
- I like the way his shot looks, and how he can get it off fairly quickly.
- He has NBA size and athleticism.

- His role isn't super complicated, so I'm not sure why he looked so lost at the beginning of the season, I worry he doesn't have great BBIQ.
- He's had some good and bad moments on defense. I think a lot of his mistakes are rookie mistakes and he'll get better, but I don't necessarily see a lock down defender or super disruptive defender. I think most likely he'll just be average.

Overall he seems like he'll be a solid contributor and could see him thriving in a 5th starter role.
 
seattlejazzfan said:
tremendous upside has been down on ochai since day one.
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I've been up and down on Ochai. Going through a skeptical phase right now.

He's obviously a great shotmaker from the corners, and that's valuable these days. And he doesn't need the ball.

But man, he just plays so incredibly small for his size and doesn't have the quickest feet (and/or has bad footwork technique, I still haven't decided which). Wings just go through him like he's not there and he can't stay with small PG's at 6'5''. People like to label him 3&D guy because he fits the physical profile and can shoot from the perimeter, but right now he's just a taker of wide open shots.

Like someone else mentioned, I fear some of this may also be caused by having bad BBIQ. Ochai has zero anticipation as a defender, and I just can't understand how you can be like that after four years at Kansas. He's not a young, raw, one-and-done rookie who needs time to learn the basics of the high level game. OA needs to realize that you can't just keep reacting as a defender in the NBA. Guys are way too good. You have to understand what they want to do in a given situation and be proactive trying to prevent it. Kessler had it from day 1.

The best way I can describe it is, Ochai looks like he's an extra in a TV show about pro basketball. He's the "Defender #3" in the end credits. Just going through the motions, trying to "stop" the main character from scoring.
 
Ochai is really fun to watch on defense. Just watch his on the ball defense. More often then not the players he guards test their first option, look for a second option, and then end up passing the ball off to someone else. It's super impressive for a rookie. When players do force the bad first option he is johnny on the spot to contest and frustrate their shots. Not sure what else someone wants in a good on the ball defender.

He does look less convicing off the ball but if Sexton, JC, or Spida could defend like Och, we would have a better team today. I look forwaradji to more obadji. ;)
 
Handlogten's Heros said:
Courtney is the guy I referenced in my OP. I think Danny Green is a much better defender than Ochai will be but Ochai is likely going to be better on offense (Green couldn't string two dribbles together).

The shot form is quick and pure so I think he might be a better offensive player than the typical 3 and D type... I just think the defense is assumed/overstated. It could be a rookie thing or it may just not be natural to body up on dudes... its kind of like "feel for the game" some dudes have it and other don't.

I think Hardy should give him a little more freedom to get into guys a bit more... even if it leads to fouls.
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I think Locke's point is that there is just so many of these guys that Ochai is bound to be good, just depends to what level
 
He's ok. I think his on ball defense is hit and miss, but eventually he will get there. The problem with his defense is that he is a total non-contributor as far as defensive playmaking and rebounding. I think he lacks a degree of toughness/grit to really make him a good defender and I'm not sure that is something you can really develop. He doesn't have a knack for making things happen. Offensively, he's shooting the ball well but he can only take the easiest shots. I think he has potential to become a more versatile shooter and get more attempts up, but he's probably going to be a 15% usage guy. Overall, I think he will be a player that won't hurt you on either end, but he's not a guy who is going to win you the game either. These types of players tend to find a lot of minutes on the court though. He's 22 and his game doesn't lend itself to a lot of upside, but I think he will improve enough to be a firm rotation player but probably a guy who plays 15 MPG.
 
Man, has he improved since the start, that's impressive stuff.

Holly mentioned it during the Kings game how the Jazz rookie development has been such a success with them being held back (in particular Ochai, I guess) early in order to let them have a better experience, as opposed to get a bunch of time and make a bunch of mistakes.
 
Jingled said:
I've heard Tim MacMahon say a couple of times that Will Hardy has told him that Ochai reminds him of Norm Powelll, and I don't really see it. He reminds me more of a Danny Green type.

He seems to be trending towards being just like Royce O'Neale offensively...one of the lowest usage rates in the entire league and only shoots when absolutely wide open. I think he's going to be very efficient and likely shoot over 40% from 3 for his career, but he needs to find other ways to contribute and make a mark on the game. He needs to become a really good defender or like Royce, a good rebounder for his size, get some steals, just do something besides shoot open shots.

I like him, but I don't think he's established himself as a key piece on the next contending Jazz team quite yet, the way Lauri and Kessler have. There is definitely a chance he gets there but he still has a way to go.
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I'm seeing the Norm Powell lately
 
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