Nevada Hoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 18,762
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Oct 2, 2024 14:24:37 GMT -5
I have been out of town, so I just now can pay my respects to the life of Dekembe and his family. He was a great man and great athlete and a HOYA!
As an aside, I was out of town for a high school reunion, celebrating our 80th birthdays. We had five Hoyas at the celebration there too. But what tied us to Dekembe was that our high school classmate, who organized the whole event, died of a brain bleed just after the event. So we lost two great men this week.
I intend to keep honoring Dekembe with his picture to the left with Tommy Carroll (Hoya basketball player from my years and my brother-in-law, who thought he was taller than both of them).
May Dekembe rest in peace.
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hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,490
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Post by hoyarooter on Oct 2, 2024 19:07:01 GMT -5
I have been out of town, so I just now can pay my respects to the life of Dekembe and his family. He was a great man and great athlete and a HOYA! As an aside, I was out of town for a high school reunion, celebrating our 80th birthdays. We had five Hoyas at the celebration there too. But what tied us to Dekembe was that our high school classmate, who organized the whole event, died of a brain bleed just after the event. So we lost two great men this week. I intend to keep honoring Dekembe with his picture to the left with Tommy Carroll (Hoya basketball player from my years and my brother-in-law, who thought he was taller than both of them). May Dekembe rest in peace. Oh God, I know all about brain bleeds, and I'm sorry for your loss, Nevada. |
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DanMcQ
Moderator 
Posts: 32,997
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Post by DanMcQ on Oct 2, 2024 20:35:21 GMT -5
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bluegray79
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,167
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Post by bluegray79 on Oct 3, 2024 6:28:14 GMT -5
Can watch that all day. Dikembe does 2 things that sets him apart from other elite shot blockers: I heard or read that because he did not grow up playing basketball, he didn't go for the up fakes but instead timed his jump with the release of the shot - watch for that -- his timing is exquisite. And because he was timing his block to the ball, he didn't get as many fouls drawn by the shooter looking to make contact. (Some of those blocks did involve some contact that didn't get called -- maybe the reffing in the 90's let them play, which I also like). And the other thing I like when I remember his shot blocking is that he would swat the occasional ball into the stands, but the majority of blocks he kept in play which lead to lots of fast breaks and transition ball points.
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Post by Ranch Dressing on Oct 3, 2024 11:01:27 GMT -5
He also, very purposefully, kept all of those blocked in bounds to increase the chance of a change of possession. Incredible timing and direction.
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jwp91
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,425
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Post by jwp91 on Oct 3, 2024 11:23:38 GMT -5
Can watch that all day. Dikembe does 2 things that sets him apart from other elite shot blockers: I heard or read that because he did not grow up playing basketball, he didn't go for the up fakes but instead timed his jump with the release of the shot - watch for that -- his timing is exquisite. And because he was timing his block to the ball, he didn't get as many fouls drawn by the shooter looking to make contact. (Some of those blocks did involve some contact that didn't get called -- maybe the reffing in the 90's let them play, which I also like). And the other thing I like when I remember his shot blocking is that he would swat the occasional ball into the stands, but the majority of blocks he kept in play which lead to lots of fast breaks and transition ball points. After watching. a season with no rim protection, that was a sight for sore eyes. Sadly, I don't think Cooley values blocked shots as much as JTJr did. A blocked shot (recovered) at the rim is worth 2 points. We used to see 5-10 of these a game. They were a tremendous help. |
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tashoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 12,681
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Post by tashoya on Oct 3, 2024 11:36:17 GMT -5
I have been out of town, so I just now can pay my respects to the life of Dekembe and his family. He was a great man and great athlete and a HOYA! As an aside, I was out of town for a high school reunion, celebrating our 80th birthdays. We had five Hoyas at the celebration there too. But what tied us to Dekembe was that our high school classmate, who organized the whole event, died of a brain bleed just after the event. So we lost two great men this week. I intend to keep honoring Dekembe with his picture to the left with Tommy Carroll (Hoya basketball player from my years and my brother-in-law, who thought he was taller than both of them). May Dekembe rest in peace. Condolences on the loss of your classmate, Nevada. Pretty great that you all still get together. |
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blueandgray
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,822 
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Post by blueandgray on Oct 8, 2024 9:29:47 GMT -5
I still can’t believe that he is no longer with us.
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Post by sborelli96 on Oct 20, 2024 16:46:25 GMT -5
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DallasHoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,659
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Post by DallasHoya on Oct 21, 2024 8:58:30 GMT -5
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