Caleb Ostrander
Center
Offensive Game:
Caleb has a strong post game, with
drop-step and a jump hook. He prefers the lower left
block from a point guard's perspective (the Olajuwon side).
His footwork is exceptional. He's adept at getting the
shot from post position. He can take a hit and give as
good as he gets when working with a power move. He has
a strong drive when facing from the outside, although a bit
of sloppy ball-handling and footwork will turn some drives
into travels. In the post, he is slow and methodical.
On the perimeter, he uses a quick first step and generally
tries to finish with a finesse move.
His size helps him, and he employs good
variety to receive entry passes. However, once the
ball goes in, it's rarely coming back out; he is not a
strong passer in the post.
Caleb also has 3-point range with a
reliable outside shot. He can also shoot a lane
fadeaway, although this pulls him away from the strength of
his game.
Defensive Game:
Caleb is an old-style shot-blocker.
When playing more as a forward, he tends to gamble a bit on
the outside. He's quick and mobile for a center, but
if he's ever moved to a skill position, he becomes a
defensive liability.
He's weaker than expected as a defensive
rebounder, mostly due to poor rebounding position as the
result of the shot-block.
The Mental Game:
Big and tall describes his physical game;
he's a mental midget. He can get so down on himself
when he's missing shots that instead of trying to rebound
them, he simply tries to shoot himself out of it on the next
trip. He plays without an awareness of score or
situation; he often takes his 3-pointer at ill-advised
times. Tends to be a "win it or lose it" player.
Amazingly enough, however, he tends to do well in the clutch
with that mentality.
His defensive focus is continually on the
shot-block, which makes him more disciplined defensively
than offensively, although in a half-court game, when he's
unhinged, you can beat him with the fast outside-inside
transition before he has time to focus (while he's still
beating up on himself).
At his best:
...the answer to all questions -
offensively and defensively - in the post.
At his worst:
...he'll do a better job of taking himself
out of a game than an opponent can.
Strategy for playing with him:
Play outside-to-inside basketball, and let
him work. Reward him for good position often; if
he leaves the post too often, re-focus him by playing
pick-and-roll. Make sure to use all the different
angles you can feed him from and take advantage of his post
footwork. Do not feed him for the open three-pointer
unless you're willing to accept a three-pointer. Give
him room to work in the post; keep your man away from
his blind side.
Strategy for playing against him:
Send double-teams into the post and turn
him into a passer. Make sure his shots are difficult,
and attack quickly after rebounding his miss.
Concentrate specifically on rebounds off of shots that he's
missed. Force him into a finesse game rather than a
power game. Tighten defense around other players when
he's off, and encourage him to try to shoot his way out of
slumps. Attack his blind side aggressively.
Comparable Pro: Rasheed Wallace
Last updated: June 17, 2008
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