Redbird Alum 2004
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Damn
That's what I thought, too. Then I saw two years of Reggie Lynch getting stuffed by the rim.DannyCooksey said:cpacmel said:https://twitter.com/hoijim/status/935362185571815429
He enjoys dunking the ball. those are usually good bets to go in the hoop
Adunk33 said:West won 49-43 after being down 11. Okoro 14 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots. Payton: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks.
JHBird said:I didn't see the Coach there. I was up high in the rafters though, on the visitors side. My first high school game in thirty years! It's amazing how loud a small gym can get when it's packed.
To me, Okoro looked more like a raw talent, especially on the offensive side. Payton looked more polished offensively. The game was tight at the end. BHS was down two points when Payton came down with a rebound. He didn't think anybody was around him so he let up a bit. That's when a Normal West player came in behind and stole the ball. Probably the key to the game.
Payton looks like an explosive leaper, and he blocked Okoro's shop a few times, of course Okoro returned the favor a few times as well. They seemed to be guarding each other a lot. Okoro was a beast on the defensive end, and used his size advantage well (17 rebounds!). Personally, I've seen him ranked as the 25th best player in his class. I wouldn't have known that just by watching that game. Definitely good though. Kinda like Phil Fayne. Very raw and athletic for a 6'9" guy.
After the game we went to Portillo's. We noticed a couple of the Normal West players sitting next to us so we talked to them a bit. They said neither Payton or Okoro really played that well. It wasn't one of their better games. I was wearing my Red Bird gear, so I told them I went to see Payton play. I asked where they thought Okoro would end up. They said 'no clue'. I then asked if he was the kinda of kid who wanted to stay home and maybe -- then they cut me off saying 'There's no way he stays here and plays.' That kinda bummed me out ... but who knows what may lurk in the mind of a teenager.
I'm glad we got Payton though. Saw him at the Murray game. Afterward, when all the kiddies are shooting baskets, he jumped over one of them to slam the basketball. Great kid! Too bad he can't play for us now.
Bird Friend said:Many rankings are projections, and not necessarily an indication of how "good" a player is at that point. Okoro is probably higher ranked because of his height and athleticism. You can't teach those two things. Payton is probably more polished because he grew up around his older brother. That happens a lot with younger brothers . . . or, it could turn out like me and end up shorter, slower, and with less vertical lift than my older brother.
RedbirdSoxFan said:Bird Friend said:Many rankings are projections, and not necessarily an indication of how "good" a player is at that point. Okoro is probably higher ranked because of his height and athleticism. You can't teach those two things. Payton is probably more polished because he grew up around his older brother. That happens a lot with younger brothers . . . or, it could turn out like me and end up shorter, slower, and with less vertical lift than my older brother.
So who is going to be better?
JHBird said:At the game Friday night, they announced him as 6-6. Hope he hasn't started shrinking on us. COME ON CHRIS! DRINK MILK FOR STRONG BONES! I was hoping he'd be 6-8 when he got here. Maybe they didn't measure him with his shoes on? I hear that's how the NBA measures players.
The one who wants it more.RedbirdSoxFan said:Bird Friend said:Many rankings are projections, and not necessarily an indication of how "good" a player is at that point. Okoro is probably higher ranked because of his height and athleticism. You can't teach those two things. Payton is probably more polished because he grew up around his older brother. That happens a lot with younger brothers . . . or, it could turn out like me and end up shorter, slower, and with less vertical lift than my older brother.
So who is going to be better?
Bird Friend said:Many rankings are projections, and not necessarily an indication of how "good" a player is at that point. Okoro is probably higher ranked because of his height and athleticism. You can't teach those two things. Payton is probably more polished because he grew up around his older brother. That happens a lot with younger brothers . . . or, it could turn out like me and end up shorter, slower, and with less vertical lift than my older brother.
4thRowRedbird said:Not playing ball anymore from what I hear. Selling cars in Peoria was the story going around.