Before anyone kills me on the board, I just want to point out that this is not a thread calling for Obi to receive more minutes. From everything we have seen in his limited minutes, he seems to lack the mobility needed to be an adequate defender at this point. This thread is about his health. I have heard that he is having issues with his knees and that may be contributing to his problems. I was hoping to hear from other people with more knowledge of the situation to see if this may be corrected during the offseason or if this may be something he will have to deal with for the foreseeable future.
Sean Obi
- Thread starter MyDudeG_rivals
- Start date
I do not have any information in regards to injury issues. I was under the assumption that it was known all the way back to the summer months, that Obi was not going to contribute this year. He was just that far behind.
In the future, injuries or not, I do not see Obi ever contributing for us.
With Giles, Amile coming back, and Jeter showing signs of life, we already have 3 Bigs (4 with Tatum playing PF, 5 if you count Delaurier, SIX if we land Bolden)
That would push things all the way to the 2017-2018 season (Obi Sr year) and obviously that is way too far to project, but we will probably have another loaded recruiting class + Jeter & Delaurier (maybe Bolden too).
I am sure Obi is a great guy and a great locker room presence. But I don't see the point of having him and Vrank on scholarship as 2 "practice bigs."
In the future, injuries or not, I do not see Obi ever contributing for us.
With Giles, Amile coming back, and Jeter showing signs of life, we already have 3 Bigs (4 with Tatum playing PF, 5 if you count Delaurier, SIX if we land Bolden)
That would push things all the way to the 2017-2018 season (Obi Sr year) and obviously that is way too far to project, but we will probably have another loaded recruiting class + Jeter & Delaurier (maybe Bolden too).
I am sure Obi is a great guy and a great locker room presence. But I don't see the point of having him and Vrank on scholarship as 2 "practice bigs."
I think it's a handful of things....1) his health/knees, 2) rumors about him coming into the season very out of shape, 3) him not adjusting to the rigors of major college basketball, and 4) Duke maybe taking a swing and a miss on this prospect.
All of us were obviously looking for more from Sean, and who knows....maybe, just maybe he can become more of a factor down the road. I actually wouldn't be surprised to see him graduate next year and play a 5th season somewhere else.
A lot of people didn't see the point of having Marshall 2-3 years ago either. Like you, I'd be surprised if Obi ever contributed much here, but I still think it's too early to give up on Vrank. He's a full two years younger than Sean, has battled foot problems/injuries (like Marshall), and knew coming in to Duke that his time would be down the road. Not today or tomorrow.
All of us were obviously looking for more from Sean, and who knows....maybe, just maybe he can become more of a factor down the road. I actually wouldn't be surprised to see him graduate next year and play a 5th season somewhere else.
A lot of people didn't see the point of having Marshall 2-3 years ago either. Like you, I'd be surprised if Obi ever contributed much here, but I still think it's too early to give up on Vrank. He's a full two years younger than Sean, has battled foot problems/injuries (like Marshall), and knew coming in to Duke that his time would be down the road. Not today or tomorrow.
Marshall was a McDonalds All American and went head to head with Anthony Davis in that game. However, it was obviously very clear early on in Marshall's career (2012-2013 season his first year after the redshirt) that Marshall was going to be a "project."
Marshall was able to give us serviceable minutes as a sophomore (the Jabari year) on a team that DESPERATELY needed a center. I recall him having a great game when we lost at UNC that year. What I mean is, Marshall gave us 2 solid years as a backup big, and 1 solid year as a starting big.
I would be happy if Vrank gave us 1 solid year as a backup big.
Marshall was able to give us serviceable minutes as a sophomore (the Jabari year) on a team that DESPERATELY needed a center. I recall him having a great game when we lost at UNC that year. What I mean is, Marshall gave us 2 solid years as a backup big, and 1 solid year as a starting big.
I would be happy if Vrank gave us 1 solid year as a backup big.
I have heard a lot of people saying that it may have just been a misevaluation. That's a tough pill to swallow because of our recent success with transfers (Curry/Hood), but if that is the case, I hope that Obi is able to graduate and continue his playing career for another season at a different University. He seems like a great kid.
In theory it seemed like a fit. Rebounding seems to be our biggest weakness most years, and Obi's best trait appeared to be rebounding.
Completely agree with you. Before the season I honestly thought Obi would be a big factor against teams with bigger front courts. Sadly, I still remember rumblings from the first few practices that Obi was not impressing and was even being picked after the walk ons for the early scrimmages. I guess our expectations should have been lowered a bit from the beginning.
I have also heard of a possible injury to his knee(s)? I really like the young man, but as many have said, I don't know that he will ever contribute to the team (on the floor). He has a great attitude, and if you watch, he really cheers from the bench.
Whatever happens with this young man, I certainly wish him the very best and hope he gets his degree, with a lot of pleasant memories of Duke.
Go Duke!!
JC-OFC
Whatever happens with this young man, I certainly wish him the very best and hope he gets his degree, with a lot of pleasant memories of Duke.
Go Duke!!
JC-OFC
I take back everything I said earlier. Hope we don't lose OBI to the draft this summer.
That game he played is the very reason he should have been getting minutes during the season. I just don't get it.
He had as many rebounds in 6 minutes as Marshall did in 24. And rebounding has been an achilles heel for us all year.
Had we given him minutes earlier in the year he may have developed more, gained some confidence and motivation, and might have been in a position to give us 10-15 minutes today with many more rebounds.
This happens a lot in the K era and is the most significant for him, imo. He won't play his depth unless he's just forced to; and so often when his hand is forced, the player actually gives some quality minutes. Which indicates they may have been giving many more quality minutes in prior games.
He had as many rebounds in 6 minutes as Marshall did in 24. And rebounding has been an achilles heel for us all year.
Had we given him minutes earlier in the year he may have developed more, gained some confidence and motivation, and might have been in a position to give us 10-15 minutes today with many more rebounds.
This happens a lot in the K era and is the most significant for him, imo. He won't play his depth unless he's just forced to; and so often when his hand is forced, the player actually gives some quality minutes. Which indicates they may have been giving many more quality minutes in prior games.
Wasn't that the case with Lee Melchionni? I remember he was used almost out of necessity and he ends up being a three-point marksman in JJ's last two years. He's a phenomenal coach, arguably the best of all time, but using a short bench is just something we've dealt with as Duke fans. He could do what Roy does or Calipari does, but then he might end up going 38-Oh or lose to Duke more times than not.
Yeah, totally agree that one of Coach's blind spots is developing his bench. We saw the same thing with Grayson last year, unless you think he miraculously got game right after Rasheed was dismissed. Given our lack of bigs post-Amile, unless Obi miraculously developed since yesterday, it makes little sense to not have played him 6-10 minutes per game.
it has been on many boards for a while that obi has blown knees. k also mentioned this in his press conference after the game. as someone who also has 2 bum knees i feel bad for him. no he will never play big minutes. i think he goes medical hardship and finishes his education at duke but if he doesnt and finishes out his career playing small spot minutes for us then good for him. as to vrank i just dont understand the constant bashing he gets on all the boards. let him develop and lets see. it costs us nothing and the guy is flat out huge. i dont ever remember a plumlee scoring 50 plus in a high school game like vrank did. lets just wait and see and trust in the staff.
I would like to see Vrank get a fair chance, but I will be surprised to see him stay at Duke...Just a feeling he will transfer- hope I am wrong...
Like I said, I still think a lineup with Plumlee, Obi, Jeter, Vrank and Thornton cane be extremely effective.
look at next year. if amile gets his medical pass and he comes back that gives us down low amile at center with vrank and jeter doing spot duty. giles at pf with jeter and delarier filling in. if for once k will develop and play these guys we would be stupidly deep. add in obi if he can play anything at all and it is WOW! this is why i dont think we get bolden because he wants to be a one and done or at least a huge impact player and he would be a backup to jefferson. giles will start at pf. given the depth and our coaches unwillingness to play more than a few post players a year we just cant be that appealing to him. now if vrank and jeter transfer out as some people on all the boards keep suggesting they will (I dont) then game on with bolden.
Only reason I said Vrank could leave is he could see its simply not in cards for him PT wise at Duke...And it might not be a bad decision for him....
Vrank came in knowing he's a 4 year player, and that his time will come. He's fundamentally sound and isn't far off from getting decent PT.
Hope so...I like the kid...Just know w/the abundance of talent Duke does bring in, its bound to get frustrating for some kids...
he has spent most of early season, and since in between, in walking boots. I believe it's more of a stress reaction but could be wrong.
Yeah in earlier games you would also see his left foot in a boot and his leg wrapped heavily. Also big V like Zoobs in most of his highlight reels is the biggest kid on the floor so when you get to college and guys are your same size reality sets in that you gotta put in work to compete
He couldn't use the traditional redshirt, but if the medical condition is legit they could try to get the medical waiver/redshirt.
I too just don't see it in the cards for Vrank to get any PT other than as insurance for an injury. (knock on wood)
With Jefferson back, and Jeter making a leap, count out next year.
That gives him 2 more years, and K will obviously be landing some more 5 star big men in that stretch. Again hope I am wrong, but seems like it be a numbers game of too many people in front of him, much like Olyk Czyz.
With Jefferson back, and Jeter making a leap, count out next year.
That gives him 2 more years, and K will obviously be landing some more 5 star big men in that stretch. Again hope I am wrong, but seems like it be a numbers game of too many people in front of him, much like Olyk Czyz.