Lukasz Orbzut

[Will Lavender]

Woo may well get his minutes taken next year by Jared Carter. But we all know how Tubby rewards experienced players, so you would think that Woo will be a key part to this team, at least early on.

Here are some things that he needs to work on.

* Footwork and overall offensive skill. Watching Woo try and make a move in the paint is a little like watching the human experimentation in A Clockwork Orange. He needs more of a...a "smoothness" to his post game. I think this has to do with instinct as much as it does anything, and sadly I would say Lukasz, because he has very little innate skill for the game of basketball, is not going to improve much in this regard. Hope I'm wrong, though.

* Mid-range game. I really believe if Woo could knock down that ten footer consistently, he would either (a) get some time at the 4 or (b) really open up his game in the paint at the 5. To this point, though, that jumper is inconsistent.

* Defensive positioning. The man needs to learn how to defend without fouling. He got better as a junior, but he's still a limitation defensively because he thrashes down with his arms instead of jumping straight up to obstruct the opponent's shot.

I've left a lot of things out here, I know. What do you guys (and gals) have?

[Buddah]

See my reply in the Sheray thomas thread. I would like to see just for fun, to see Woo play at the four, and see if all the rumors about him being a great shooter are true. I have heard more rumors about that, than about boosters at this program pulling the strings. i would like to see if he is for real or if it was just delusion. Since we have been recruiting werner, and had some big guys who can play out there, i would like to see it. he would probably get beat on defense, but i just would like to see if the rumors were true and if he is a good shooter.

[Will Lavender]

Buddah wrote: See my reply in the Sheray thomas thread. I would like to see just for fun, to see Woo play at the four, and see if all the rumors about him being a great shooter are true. I have heard more rumors about that, than about boosters at this program pulling the strings. i would like to see if he is for real or if it was just delusion. Since we have been recruiting werner, and had some big guys who can play out there, i would like to see it. he would probably get beat on defense, but i just would like to see if the rumors were true and if he is a good shooter.
You don't have to see him play at the 4. Watch him in warm ups. Watch him shoot the ball from the 5 when he gets the ball at the free throw line (the Jules Camara play), which he occasionally does.

Woo is nothing more than a decent shooter. Honestly, I would be much more comfortable with Randolph Morris shooting the ball than Woo Orbzut.

[Littlemeyer]

I'm closer to Buddah's camp on this one. Anybody that knows me knows that I am not a pessimist, and am not usually cynical. I'll try not to be here...

Woo will be called on next year to give Morris/Carter relief at the five. I don't expect much more out of him than those few minutes per game that Morris is in foul trouble and Carter is tired.

I like the idea tossed about here concerning some minutes at the four. Were that to happen, defensive positioning and, mentioned above, mid-range game would be keys. I don't think its a rumor that Woo has a nice shooting touch...we've seen it a few times. Its more of an issue of getting off a clean shot, which shouldn't be an issue for a 7-footer.

I like Woo, I really do. I'm just afraid that we've already seen the best he has to offer. On the court, that is. I can't wait to sample some Polish cuisine at his restaurant on one of my future trips to Lexington.

[jrodw8]

I wish Tubby would give him more of a chance to play on the peremiter. His hands are not great and his moves when he plays back to the basket are not good, but that is pretty typical of Euros. If he could play a little at the top of the key, he is above average at feeding the post, and his 15 to 18 foot jump shot is not bad at all. On the defensive end, I think he is quick enough to stay with alot of power forwards and if he learns to not lean in with his lower body he will be an adequte low post defender. Having said all this I would look for 12 or so minutes a game from him, split about evenly between the four and the five, depending on how Carter, Stevenson, and Sheray Thomas play. We know if Morris is out of foul trouble he will play 28 to 32 minutes a game, so that leaves about 48 minutes for those four, hopefully one of them will be able to seize this oppritunity and make the most of their talents.

[Chunks06]

I think the 2 universal improvements greatly apply to WOO as well as most on this team. Footwork and strength. I hope the new S &C coach lives up to the hype. The more I look at things, the more conditioning and strength we need.

[cnice11]

i have to disagree with you there Will. I think Woo's biggest problem that holds him back more than anything is defense. He needs to really work on moving his feet.I think he has an adequate 15 footer. I don't know about his passing ability, but, if he has any passing ability at all, he could be really effective with Morris in a high low play. Sort of a lesser version of Hayes and Daniels.Also, he's 7 ft tall, take the ball up strong, he has the strength to do it.

[BIGBLUEFAN4LIFE]

How much time do I have to list all he needs to work on?

[Will Lavender]

cnice11 wrote: i have to disagree with you there Will. I think Woo's biggest problem that holds him back more than anything is defense. He needs to really work on moving his feet.I think he has an adequate 15 footer. I don't know about his passing ability, but, if he has any passing ability at all, he could be really effective with Morris in a high low play. Sort of a lesser version of Hayes and Daniels.Also, he's 7 ft tall, take the ball up strong, he has the strength to do it.
I agree with you.

I would also call his jumper "adequate," but it isn't the Nowitski-esque shot that we heard he had when he arrived in Lexington. (Chalk that rumor up to wishful thinking.)

I think your idea about passing the ball is a good one. Having a guy who's seven feet who can see over the defense would be awesome in the high/low. The problem with Woo is that he has virtually no basketball instinct, and passing the ball is one of the most instinctual facets of the game.

[SunBaller]

Great person. Highly Motivated. Very Loyal. Terrible Athlete.

I love him and respect him.

Go back to Poland. He's not UK material and never will be. Let's get some Kentuckians who have the will to win for UK>

[DCWildcat]

Really has to improve on everything. Not top D1 material in any facet of the game. I usually hate universal statements like that, and I hate to be negative, but he really doesn't show promise in any area.

[bret1555]

SunBaller wrote: Great person. Highly Motivated. Very Loyal. Terrible Athlete.

I love him and respect him.

Go back to Poland. He's not UK material and never will be. Let's get some Kentuckians who have the will to win for UK>

Will to win is great. . . But, the state's level of basketball talent for the last 5-10 years has been underwhelming, at best. By the way, this past installment of the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team featured 6 players from our fair state. I really don't think we need more players from KENTUCKY, we need more players who fill our NEEDS, no matter where they are from.

[matt57]

are we talking about woo being a good shooter???? hasn't he BANKED in a couple free throws??? he might be decent for a 7 footer. but, he's now dirk. hell, he's no manute bol! i love the kid to death and it brings a smile to my face everytime he plays well. but, he just seems like the uncoordinated kid on the basketball team who looks @ mom and dad every time he does something halfway resembling a basketabll move.

[Aaron]

I have to say Woo should have never been given a scholarship to play basketball at UK along with a few others. ButWoo is here andWoo will be here next season.

ForWoo to get better or be any use for UK he has to playlike theEuropeans play basketball out on the floor running and shooting the ball as a foward. Woo runs the courtgood for a big man and can shoot mid ranger jumper.Who else do we have to play foward (the 3 orthe4 spot), Perry, Thomas, Stevenson or someone out position as Crawford. I know everybody will say Morris at the 4 spot. Morrisis center and hewill always be a center where ever he plays at. For Morris to get better he need stay at center a learn that position first before he given the ideal that he can shoot 3 points to make the NBA.

I really believe that Tubby will have to pull off one the greatest coaching jobs ever just to have a season that University of Kentucky Basketball's Tradition expects. I hope he does!!!

[FatCatDaddy]

matt57 wrote: are we talking about woo being a good shooter???? hasn't he BANKED in a couple free throws??? he might be decent for a 7 footer. but, he's now dirk. hell, he's no manute bol! i love the kid to death and it brings a smile to my face everytime he plays well. but, he just seems like the uncoordinated kid on the basketball team who looks @ mom and dad every time he does something halfway resembling a basketabll move.
Woo is a very good Free throw shooter. He shot 71% this past season, which is a lot higher than the team average. I don't remember him banking in any free throws. You must be thinking of Rondo or Morris.

[bret1555]

Aaron wrote: I have to say Woo should have never been given a scholarship to play basketball at UK along with a few others. ButWoo is here andWoo will be here next season.

ForWoo to get better or be any use for UK he has to playlike theEuropeans play basketball out on the floor running and shooting the ball as a foward. Woo runs the courtgood for a big man and can shoot mid ranger jumper.Who else do we have to play foward (the 3 orthe4 spot), Perry, Thomas, Stevenson or someone out position as Crawford. I know everybody will say Morris at the 4 spot. Morrisis center and hewill always be a center where ever he plays at. For Morris to get better he need stay at center a learn that position first before he given the ideal that he can shoot 3 points to make the NBA.

I really believe that Tubby will have to pull off one the greatest coaching jobs ever just to have a season that University of Kentucky Basketball's Tradition expects. I hope he does!!!

Just because Orbzut is Polish, does not mean he plays "European" style of basketball. He really is not very mobile and his mid-range shooting touch has never been that great. These are definitely things he needs to work on, but he will NEVER be a swingman. . . Never. With that in mind, we need to focus on developing him as a post player. Especially defensively.

[DCWildcat]

Also, Woo is a very good passer for a big man. He's also a hustler and has a good attitude while playing. His smile on the court is something that I'll miss. If he could only play much stronger and develop much better footwork, he would be better.