Rak is playing himself into the nba

[CorduroyG]

I said after the cal game if rak is our go to player we're in big trouble. I couldn't have been more wrong. Dude is a beast.

 

[PauliePeppas]

Impossible, syracuse cant develop big guys...yawnnn

 

[raf4488]

Love it. He's obviously worked really hard and I'm happy to see his success. We'll need more of this during ACC play; we're a legitimately good team when he plays like this

 

[rrlbees]

Hitting shots with both hands too.

 

[KingOnuaku]

Unbelievable to see him scoring in the post like this. Looks like Jackson or Onuaku. Our best player, on both ends of the court.

 

[two3zone]

He really is putting himself into that position. I love it.

 

[CorduroyG]

Unbelievable to see him scoring in the post like this. Looks like Jackson or Onuaku. Our best player, on both ends of the court.

AO yes, rick no. Rick couldn't finish with both hands like rak.

 

[KingOnuaku]

AO yes, rick no. Rick couldn't finish with both hands like rak.

Jackson, by his senior year, was still money every time he caught it in the post. Also, remember that he drew double teams on every post touch his senior year.

 

[jekelish]

AO yes, rick no. Rick couldn't finish with both hands like rak.

Agreed. All you had to do was play Rick to turn over his left shoulder rather than his right, and you had a better than fair chance of shutting him down.

 

[Ghost]

Rak's left hand is better than Rick's!!

j/k

 

[Czar]

I don't think anyone ever said he'd never get a shot. Even with a year more like what people expected he was still likely getting a 2nd round pick, and at the least a camp look. I think he's solidifying a pick in the 30's or low 40's. Don't think he'll touch the first round though.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Agreed. All you had to do was play Rick to turn over his left shoulder rather than his right, and you had a better than fair chance of shutting him down.

You've got that backwards. Lefty player goes over their right shoulder.

 

[pearl31]

hope his leg/ankle is OK

 

[anglerman]

I will say I'm very impressed. I didn't even think he was a good role player prior to this season. In my opinion he's made the greatest improvement that I've ever seen at SU. I couldn't be happier to be completely wrong

 

[jekelish]

You've got that backwards. Lefty player goes over their right shoulder.

That's what I said. When I say "play him to go over his left shoulder" I meant defend him to force him to go over his left shoulder.

 

[jdubs30]

He's a monster right now...as long as he can control the fouls; I could see him getting 2 early fouls vs. Harrell or Okafor and killing our chances in those games.

 

[Orange2389]

I'd like to see him get into the NBA 2nd round as a PF. kid has talent!

 

[OttoinGrotto]

That's what I said. When I say "play him to go over his left shoulder" I meant defend him to force him to go over his left shoulder.

Well why didn't you say that, Jek?

 

[dyedorange]

I said after the cal game if rak is our go to player we're in big trouble. I couldn't have been more wrong. Dude is a beast.

He's so much fun to watch. When he's in his groove, he's just automatic. Plus he finishes through contact, which I love for the slightly demoralizing affect it must have on the defender. Like, ok, foul me, I'll still get my 2 points.

 

[pearl31]

and in the last few games he's showing greater patience when he gets the ball in the post, as well as ability/willingness to kick it back out.
and now he's adding the 15ft jumper... wow

 

[Francis03]

Impossible, syracuse cant develop big guys...yawnnn

So you saying we're not going to get the yearly "we need a big man coach" after the season lol?

 

[Upstate]

Man, if Rak "got it" last year, that team really could have gone far. Lack of a low-post presence has been evident since Rick and AO played.

 

[Dave85]

Rak is playing himself into the nba

Being 6'9" and 250 pounds helps too.

 

[rrlbees]

Being 6'9" and 250 pounds helps too.

He was 6'9 250 last year too. He wasn't seriously on the NBA radar.

He is now, thus he is playing himself into that position.

Going from 6 and 5 to 17 and 9 will do that.

 

[orangepassion]

My question is-How much of it is improvement from last year and how much of it is just getting the ball consistently this year? I believe it's a combination, but wonder how much of each.