The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(01-07-2019 06:56 PM)JJMonarch Wrote:  

(01-07-2019 05:46 PM)Nukesquad Wrote:  

(01-07-2019 05:05 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-07-2019 04:10 PM)JJMonarch Wrote:  

(01-07-2019 12:43 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  Lets let Kalu just be Kalu and however he turns out to be over the course of his time here at ODU. He's a good, hard working player with a lot of potential and we are all happy to have him on the team. To make comparisons to Odell is unfair to both of them at this point in Kalu's brief time at ODU. Odell is one of the premier big men and players to ever wear an ODU uniform. He's had his jersey retired at ODU. As Mac related earlier, he was a significant star on the team from day one with the stats to back it up. Maybe one day later in his career Kalu will be in the same conversation as Odell, but not today.

Not trying to say Kalu will be as good as Hodge. I was just saying when I first saw him his body type was almost identical. And the short time we have seen him play, Kalu looks like he could be a stud. At this point I am just happy he is a Monarch.

I understand. I didn't single anyone out with my comment. I too am happy that Kalu is a member of the Monarchs, and he appears to have a good potential for some anticipated growth during his remaining years if he stays with the team and puts forth the work in the gym and the weight room. Only time will tell us how good he ends up being as a player.

Guys like Odell, Mark West, and Ronnie Valentine (for example) were special talents and it was obvious that they were from day one. As special of a defensive talent as West was, even he grew significantly talent wise between his sophomore and junior seasons. He came back for his junior season about 30 pounds heavier (muscle, not fat) and was a much better offensive player in the post from then on.

Others like Frank Hassell worked to make themselves into a special talent after a few years of putting in the time in the gym and the weight room while at ODU. His last couple of seasons, he played in the CAA like a man playing among boys. W & M's coach told me personally that they couldn't do anything with him inside, and JMU's coach stated to the news media that he was a match up problem for them. The combination of him being more mature, bigger, stronger, and learning how to play the low post college game by his junior season made him a much better player than he was before. I am hopeful that will be the kind of progress that we see in the years ahead with Kalu.

I'll go along with this. I refuse (or at least try to) to compare current players to past ones. As much as I want to (or see some glimpses in games), I try to refrain. Your example of Hassell is a prime example to the non-"1-&-dones" in that if you actually put the work in, you can make a great difference in your own personal development (and future career). I will never forget talking to players from the 2009-2011 teams, who said that, even they, were shock at the transformation/progression he took during off-seasons.

I understand your refraining from comparison of players, especially from different eras. However, having seen every player come through since Dave Twardzik, I always find myself making comparisons. But, please don't misunderstand me. In no means when I make a comparison , I am not trying to say this player is going to be better than that player or the same level. I just have some fun looking back at our starts and seeing how some players games or style should may be similar.

For example, when I saw Jason Wade play in high school , I thought he played with an attitude like Ben Finney. He is similar in size and plays with a big heart. I have no clue how he will develop compared to Finney. I hope he has his success. Kalu reminds me of Hodge with his frame , the way he try's to post up, etc. Godwin reminds me of Mike Jones with that silky smooth jump shot. Jones didn't put the ball on the floor much as he was a center in high school but he had a nice jump shot and turned into a strong wing player. I won't bore you with more but I compare everyone. I am still looking for the next Dave Twardzik.

I think they broke the mold and there will never be another Twardzik. Absolutely one of a kind.