Ochai- What do we think?

[Handlogten's Heros]

I would not say the kid is like a building block... he's not a bust or even disappointing. I think his defense is actually not great and he isn't doing a ton of other things... its fine and it makes sense. But Locke has been throwing out comps like Norman Powell, Reggie Bullock, Desmond Bane... I don't see that really. I think he might be Courtney Lee... that was the guy that popped in my head randomly and I think it fits.

Anyway - Ochai... what do you think?

 

[Korisfani]

I can see him:
- shooting 40 % from 3, with more volume, with less of them being only of the pretty open corner variety
- being a plus defender
- super durable
- good on the fast break
- good FT shooter

Scoring in other ways, rebounding, passing? Yet to be seen. A durable 3 & D is valuable. But it's probably "just" a role player. Give him time, he's only 500 minutes into his NBA career (for a full-time starter that would be like 15 games in).

 

[Bawse Dawg]

When I learn how to announce his name, he will have arrived.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I'm buying Ochai stock.

I don't like a lot of stuff about him. I wish he did more to impact the game like rebound or get deflections, but he is athletic w/ size and a beautiful jumper.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

There's just... something missing.

Ochai is probably the softest, most contact-averse player I've ever seen get rotation minutes in the NBA. He has the size, the strength and the length, but plays like a ghost.

He makes Beasley look like PJ Tucker.

You know how some players are quicker than they look? Ochai is the opposite, he's slower than he looks. He pretty much has the ideal wing/SG body for the modern NBA, but can't really stay with any of the quicker guys at his position. I'm having trouble deciding if he has bad lateral movement or if his footwork just sucks. Might be the latter, since he generally looks like he's never played defense on any level before coming to the NBA.

I still have hope for him but the clock is ticking. He'll be 23 in a few months and shouldn't be looking like a clueless rookie at this point.

 

[The Jazz Wonderbra]

Ochai is shooting a league leading percentage (nearly 60%) from the corner. He guards dribble penetration better than virtually everyone else on the team.

He is the definition of 3&D.

Wes Matthews is the better comp.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

He guards dribble penetration better than virtually everyone else on the team.

No he doesn't.

That's a truly bizarre take.

He was unplayable for the 1st half of the season due to his nonexistent defense.

 

[Eddie Zero]

I think he needs a really solid playmaker at the point to open his off ball game right now. He is not a great creator but is fine at playing within a system and is getting better by the day adjusting to the league defensively. I see Mikal Bridges without the elite wingspan at the 3 but better mobility and upside as a ball handler/playmaker to justify developing as a primary off ball guard that can switch on multiple position players, and help us get stop,s and take a lot of corner 3's once the offense is clicking. The other thing I love about him is his upside as a glass crashing wing.

 

[Eddie Zero]

No he doesn't.

That's a truly bizarre take.

He was unplayable for the 1st half of the season due to his nonexistent defense.

Actually don't think that's why he wasnt playing the first half of the season. But yes he had to take the long hard road to Hardyville.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

His defense looks fine to me. Needs work but I see no reason to have a doomer take on it

 

[Eddie Zero]

When I learn how to announce his name, he will have arrived.

aaahhhh gh baahhh gee or O works

 

[Chargers Jazz Angels]

I think it is funny how many people equate scoring with talent. Teams need players that will play defense and hit open shots. That don't demand the ball but keep it moving

 

[seattlejazzfan]

I would not say the kid is like a building block... he's not a bust or even disappointing. I think his defense is actually not great and he isn't doing a ton of other things... its fine and it makes sense. But Locke has been throwing out comps like Norman Powell, Reggie Bullock, Desmond Bane... I don't see that really. I think he might be Courtney Lee... that was the guy that popped in my head randomly and I think it fits.

Anyway - Ochai... what do you think?

i mean he was the primary defender on ja yesterday. i think he's a better defender than you give him credit for (and not just from that one game). but defense is so subjective so we probably have to agree to disagree.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Ochai is definitely a better defender than what some are giving him credit for.

 

[Chargers Jazz Angels]

Honestly I believe he is a core piece at this time

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

i mean he was the primary defender on ja yesterday. i think he's a better defender than you give him credit for (and not just from that one game). but defense is so subjective so we probably have to agree to disagree.

Ja works with Ochai's style cuz he doesn't really get into guys physically and when he does he gets whistled for fouls. If Ja could hit the three Ochai would have been in trouble.

There is potential there but I think Kessler affected Ja more than Ochai last night tbh. I don't think he's flammable but I think he's labeled a good defender simply because that is his player type and he is athletic. Other than the huge block he had I haven't seen much to suggest he is a great defender. He might get more aggressive as he gets comfortable... so I'm not trying to say he never will be a good defender but assuming it is a little aggressive at this point.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Ochai allows the lowest DFG% on the team at 43.8%. That is over a span of 240 shots. That is still a slightly small sample size but it is promising.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Ochai allows the lowest DFG% on the team at 43.8%. That is over a span of 240 shots. That is still a slightly small sample size but it is promising.

It feels like Ochai has barely played at all, seems like a high number of shot defended for his amount of playing time.

 

[Elizah Huge]

It feels like Ochai has barely played at all, seems like a high number of shot defended for his amount of playing time.

Comes out to just a little over 7 shots defended per game played for him.

 

[Douchebag K]

making a judgement on a dude who's a handful of games into his career is nuts. But he does have some real positive attributes. The big thing is does he have the drive and mentality to make big improvements