Problem I saw in last games box score!

[Yuma]

Jake Vokshul had 4 total rebounds all game. Casey Jacobson had 4 total rebounds off the bench!! No way should Casey have as much, or shall I say, our starting center should have as little rebounds as Casey Jacobson!! Jeez guys. All I ask is a starting center that gets 8 to 10 boards a game and 2 blocks per game!! If he gets 10 points a game, too, that's just gravy!! Jake did block out better this game, he hustled like he always does, but I am in no way happy with his progress this year. JJ, Amare, even Jacobson, you can see them making progress with their games. Jake seems he is at last year's level or even regressed some since last year. I see him hustling really hard on the court. I cannot blame his on court hustle. However, it seems he isn't putting any off season, or off the court in season effort on his skills. I don't think at this point we will ever see Jake take thet next step to the next teir of centers. Can you really say he has any better offensive moves? Has he gotten better with his footwork so he doesn't do those silly reach in fouls? Is he rebounding any better? Is he blocking significantly any more shots? He does shoot free throws well for a center. He hustles. I just don't see his skills progressing.

 

[Chaz]

I think the problem with Jake is nothing more than size and strength.

He will be a good player as C/PF but I think he will be limited by his lack of some real weight to throw around.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by SirChaz
I think the problem with Jake is nothing more than size and strength.

He will be a good player as C/PF but I think he will be limited by his lack of some real weight to throw around.

More weight and strength would help a lot. However, I think the hidden truth about Jake is that his arms aren't very long and he is not much of a jumper. When you combine his size, lack of strength, short arms, lack of "hop" - you have a guy who cannot rebound in traffic.

Obviously Jacobsen is even smaller, but Casey seems to have better anticipation as to where the ball is going than Jake does. Rebounding is as much about angles and distance of shots as anything else which Jacobsen seems to have a better feel for.

 

[zett]

I disagree completely, Jakes game has improved alot since last year, If your judging him on his 1 game against San Antonio in the playoffs then maybe, but jake has inproved his game and is progressing, last year you would not of seen him even attempt an out side shot, but he is working on it(not very good yet) but in time he will get better. Jake jumps well and uses his body well he just doesn't have the strength to move people out, when he has no room to jump he's not very good. skinny players like shawn and amare are better at jumping in traffic.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by zett
I disagree completely, Jakes game has improved alot since last year, If your judging him on his 1 game against San Antonio in the playoffs then maybe, but jake has inproved his game and is progressing, last year you would not of seen him even attempt an out side shot, but he is working on it(not very good yet) but in time he will get better. Jake jumps well and uses his body well he just doesn't have the strength to move people out, when he has no room to jump he's not very good. skinny players like shawn and amare are better at jumping in traffic.

I agree. Furthermore I think it's a little bit crazy to criticize Little Jake for one game where he only grabbed 4 rebounds. He is going to be undersized at Center in almost every game. I mean I think it's pretty obvious that he is not good enough to be a starting center on a good NBA team. However he is a very nice backup.

I do not think he has regressed.

Joe Mama

 

[Yuma]

I could see it being crazy if this was just the only game he performed like this. This is more than 1 bad game syndrome. Look at his stats over the year and tell me he is getting markedly better. Heck, half the time he can't keep from fouling his way to the bench and insignificant minutes. I hope he picks it up next year!

 

[newfan101]

Remember, it's just one game. In the Lakers last game, Shaq had 2 rebounds, Kobe had 14.

 

[Yuma]

OK guys, he AVERAGES 5, that's right, JUST 5 REBOUNDS PER GAME! Look it up! I am talking EVERY game! Geez, he had 1 LESS rebound then his SORRY 5 rebound AVERAGE!! C'mon, our starting center HAS to do better then THAT!

 

[PetryJr]

And what do you expect from him??

5 RPG is not bad, considering that he only averages 24.7 minutes per game, and that Marion/Amare are averaging almost 18 rebounds per game among them.

Like Joe Mama already said, he has to play guys bigger than him most nights.

There's no doubt Voskuhl has improved his game this year. When Amare was out, he had some VERY solid games. Sure, he isn't one of the best centers in this league nor will ever be, but he's still a nice player.

 

[Chaz]

Originally posted by PetryJr

There's no doubt Voskuhl has improved his game this year. When Amare was out, he had some VERY solid games. Sure, he isn't one of the best centers in this league nor will never be, but he's still a nice player.

Agreed

 

[BC867]

Originally posted by PetryJr
Sure, he isn't one of the best centers in this league nor will ever be, but he's still a nice player.

Petry,Jr, you've just described the Phoenix Suns for three-and-a-half decades . . . nice players. As Leo Durocher said over 50 years ago, "Nice guys finish last."

With the exception of 2 Power Forwards, each with a short tenure on the Suns, Maurice Lucas and Charles Barkley, we've been a franchise of nice players.

It's time for the Suns to be not-so-nice. Li'l Jake isn't going to change that as starting Center.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by BC867
As Leo Durocher said over 50 years ago, "Nice guys finish last."

I thought Green Day said that about 10 years ago??

 

[George O'Brien]

Jake had 2 rebounds in 19 minutes against the Kings. McDyess had two rebounds in 5 minutes. Jake has not been as effective since Amare has returned. I'm not sure I know if why and won't bother speculating.

The question is not so much if Jake is regressing or even if Jake is a useful player. His productivity is very good for veteran with his salary and could easily be considered a bargain independent on the hustle he brings.

But to think that Jake is going to become a solid starting center seems excessively optomistic. It is not Jakes fault that the Suns do not have a real starting center but it IS frustrating.