Obi gets a lot of shit for his rebounding numbers. Could they be better? Sure. But everyone fails to recognize that he is essentially utilized like a deep ball wide receiver where he leaks out on the break the majority of the time rather than going for boards. This works out great when the Pacers grab the rebound but not so great when they fail to. He averaged 7.5 reb in college so the potential is there to grab more and would like to see him be a bit more strategic with leaking out vs boxing out.
I would argue that if he’s being used as a wide receiver type player that he’s being used poorly. Losing a rebounder is a much bigger issue than losing a deep ball threat. He should not be the first one down the Court but instead should be the trailer. It’s not him being first down the lane but him being faster than his defender in getting back. If he was a guard I would understand but his position, the defender is going in for the rebound and likewise so should he.
Just wanted to tip my hat to a Grade A take and recognization. He is a massive reason why we score so much in transition. His assignment on whether to leak or stay home is based on so many factors, sometimes he already knows he’s going to leak because the play or set of the offense, other times he has to make the decision in a split second aka “the strategic” aspect you are referring to.
Anyways, I like this post a lot … 🎩
He needs to strike a better balance between running and rebounding
He has the talent to be a good rebounder. Especially when Turner goes to help and challenge a shot. It really falls onto our forwards to secure the rebound off the miss. Obi can be excellent in this role
It’s not just rebounding though is it, it’s his lack of screen assists, his pathetically bad ‘contested shots’ percentages. His 30% 3p%. Let’s be honest folks, if all he can do is run up the court very fast… He just doesn’t need to be on it.