(Unofficial) Zeke Appreciation Day - 1/20/14

[Dave in Green]

Interesting comments about the Boston Celtics interest in Zeke. Before the NBA draft I'd heard a vague rumor that the Celts were interested in Zeke, but couldn't find anything solid and never mentioned it here.

Marla Ridenour: Former UA standout Zeke Marshall in NBA’s D-League

Ex-Zip Marshall finding his way in D-League

[Hilltopper]

Check out Zekes big slam!

Video

[zipsfan33]

Anyone know if they come back to Canton this season? I wish I had seen this post earlier...as a teacher I have nothing better to do on days off!

[Dave in Green]

Yes, twice -- 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, and 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, according to their schedule.

[Dave in Green]

Something odd going on with the Red Claws. Three games ago, Zeke entered the game, was fouled and made 1-2 free throws. He was taken out of the game after playing just 17 seconds and didn't return. Also in that game, starting center Ty Walker played just 12 minutes. Two games ago, Zeke didn't play at all and Walker played only 5 minutes. In the last game, Zeke didn't play and neither did Walker as Maine went 48 minutes without a center on the floor. Since player news from the D-League is scarce to say the least, I can't find anything about whether or not Zeke may be injured or if the Red Claws just aren't playing their centers.

The Red Claws return to Canton this Thursday (Feb. 6) for an 11 a.m. game against the Charge. I'd go again if I thought Zeke was going to play. Hoping we can get an update here from Zeke's family.

EDIT: Just went back and watched video of the game where Zeke played only 17 seconds. A Red Claw player was fouled heavily and had to leave the game before shooting free throws. Zeke was brought in to sub and shot the injured player's free throws. After the next whistle was blown 17 seconds later, Zeke was taken out. He appeared to be in good health, but didn't play after that or in the following two games.

[Hilltopper]

The Celtics Sent Their Backup center to Maine to get some playing time.

[Dave in Green]

Good catch. Vitor Faverani (6-11, 260) is listed as a forward by the Red Claws. But over the last three games he's been getting all of the minutes previously going to Zeke and Walker at center. Such is life in the D-League. Faverani just got recalled by the Celtics, so that should mean that Zeke will be back in the lineup Thursday in Canton.

[FromdaBurgh]

I know it's an EARLY game, but I hope to see some you my Zips family on Thursday!

[Dave in Green]

Interesting developments on the Red Claws roster. After being recalled by the Celtics following Saturday's Red Claws game, Vitor Faverani was reassigned back for yesterday's game and then recalled to the Celtics again today. So unless the Celtics change their mind again sometime in the next few hours, it appears that Faverani won't be keeping Zeke off the court in Canton tomorrow.

Even more interesting is that Red Claws starting center Ty Walker's name is not listed in the box score from yesterday's game while Zeke's name was still in the box score even though he didn't play. Over the previous few games as Faverani was playing long minutes, Walker and Zeke had been listed in box scores as DNP - Coach's Decision. So it's possible that Walker may be off the Red Claws roster for some reason. If so, Zeke could become the starting center for the first time in Canton tomorrow.

[ZachTheZip]

Zeke had a pretty good game today in Canton. 9 points (shot 3 of 3 from the floor and was 3 of 4 from the line), 5 boards (3 off, 2 def), 3 blocks, and 2 assists in 19 minutes.

Here's the replay:

[Dave in Green]

Zeke looked good. We sat with GameChngr44 and family behind the Red Claws bench. Ty Walker was not with the team. But newcomer Daniel Orton, a 6-10, 275-pound forward/center was. A University of Kentucky one-and-done who was picked #29 in the 2010 NBA draft, Orton has great offensive moves. But we were close enough to the bench to hear the team's coach tell Orton he needed to play D more like Zeke, who actually had 4 blocks. The stats folks missed the 4th block, which was right in front of us and caused the Canton player's shot to drop about 5 feet short of the basket. Zeke continues to improve, playing more aggressively at both ends and looking like he belongs. His coach high-fived him several times when he returned to the bench, and seems to be pretty high on Zeke's potential.

[Dave in Green]

Zeke has been rewarded for his steady improvement in D-League play by being named starting center of the Red Claws for the past 2 games, replacing Daniel Orton (former Maine starting center Ty Walker was traded to the Erie BayHawks). Averaging about 25 minutes per game in his 2 starts, Zeke has averaged 10 points per game on 9-16 field goals and 2-2 free throws. He's also averaged 7 rebounds, 1.5 blocked shots and 1.5 steals with only 1 personal foul and 1 turnover per game. Zeke's basically gotten better at every aspect of the game. He still has a way to go. But earning the starting center position over an ex-Kentucky center with NBA experience (Orton) is a nice step up.

[Valpo Zip]

Zeke has been rewarded for his steady improvement in D-League play by being named starting center of the Red Claws for the past 2 games, replacing Daniel Orton (former Maine starting center Ty Walker was traded to the Erie BayHawks). Averaging about 25 minutes per game in his 2 starts, Zeke has averaged 10 points per game on 9-16 field goals and 2-2 free throws. He's also averaged 7 rebounds, 1.5 blocked shots and 1.5 steals with only 1 personal foul and 1 turnover per game. Zeke's basically gotten better at every aspect of the game. He still has a way to go. But earning the starting center position over an ex-Kentucky center with NBA experience (Orton) is a nice step up.

That is an amazing progress and a great thing to see.

When I heard about Jason Kid and the Nets looking for a big who can help them defend the paint, I was (prematurely) hoping that Zeke will get a look. Anyways, it only shows that there is always need for a seven footer with his skills. I am hoping that we will see Zeke in the NBA some time next season.

[skip-zip]

When I heard about Jason Kid and the Nets looking for a big who can help them defend the paint, I was (prematurely) hoping that Zeke will get a look.

I know. I don't understand all of this, but the Nets go and pick up a guy who hasn't played in a year or two instead of someone from their own D-League team or another D-League team? Guys that are already playing right now and in shape?

Is the D-League not really the first source to "call up a player" like in baseball?

[Valpo Zip]

It is the main source for call ups but I think that Zeke needs to establish himself a bit more in the D-League before he gets called up. Becoming a starter is a good start.

[skip-zip]

It is the main source for call ups but I think that Zeke needs to establish himself a bit more in the D-League before he gets called up. Becoming a starter is a good start.

Oh, I'm not expecting anything. I think Zeke is still very much a long shot. But, it just sounded odd that the Nets went to a player who hasn't played in 1 or 2 years rather than a good prospect from their own D-league team, or any D-league team.

[zippy5]

It's a short-term sign, and he knows their system. Plug-n-play.

[ZachTheZip]

The Redclaws play Canton tonight.

[Dave in Green]

The Red Claws return for their last visit of the season to Canton at 7 p.m. this Wednesday (March 26). Yesterday the Red Claws were officially eliminated from the D-League playoffs. It seems as if the Red Claws are more about developing players than winning games. Zeke and Daniel Orton had been alternating as starting centers, with neither playing really long minutes. More minutes were given to some of the team's forwards and guards.

Today for the first time Zeke and Orton both played long minutes. Zeke started and played 31:40 and Orton came off the bench and played 31:23, which means they were on the floor together for quite a few minutes. Lo and behold, playing the 2 big men long minutes paid off with a rare Red Claws win. Zeke had a nice game, leading the team in rebounding with 9 and blocked shots with 6, and scoring 11 points on 3-4 from the field and 5-5 free throws. He also had a steal, an assist and just 1 turnover plus 4 personal fouls.

[FromdaBurgh]

THIS is why I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Dave In Green...he ALWAYS beats me to posting things on here! HELLO ZIPS FAMILY as DIG said Zeke will be there on Wed and since I cannot be there I am really asking if our Zips family can go and support him. I know that he almost cried "almost" (and don't tell him I told you all) when you all where there the first time he played. It even made the Canton team and announcers a little jealous LOL. He was sssooo grateful and sssoooo excited to have you all there to support him and I know that he would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see you all and hear you all one more time!

Things have been taking a very interesting and intriguing twist recently for Zeke. Vitor, the big for the Celtics is out for the rest of the season because of orthoscopic knee surgery. Orton, is a :mad_flame: HOT HEAD and has had 9 technical fouls called against him (with 2 ejections)..the last one being this past Friday when they played at Delaware (which is how Zeke scored 18pts, 7 boards). 50% of the Knicks squad are on the AARP "geriatic" team and are a few months to a year away from retirement...ssssooo the door is OPENING a little more wider for Zeke. Of course he ABSOLUTELY understands that he HAS to end this season out STRONG, STRONG, STRONG!

I hope you all can make it out Wed! I'll be watching via YouTube! Miss you guys so much! #TeamZeke #BackTHATZip #FearTheRoo w/theRedclaws

[Dave in Green]

GameChngr44, you can count on at least three Zeke fans with loud voices being in Canton tonight to make sure Zeke knows he still has our support -- Hilltopper, his son and me.

[dboze]

In the last 3 games Zeke is averaging 12 points 7 rebounds 4 blocks and 1 turnover in roughly 28 minutes per game. He's improving with the season. Also shooting 67% (12-18) from the floor.

[Dave in Green]

Zeke's stats over the 3 games prior to last night are remarkably similar to his senior averages at UA. That's a pretty good accomplishment in the D-League, and shows how much progress he's made from his early tentative start.

We ended up sitting fairly high up in the bleachers last night due to a big crowd for the Charge's final home game of the season. Hope he heard our loud ZEKE calls. We saw Brian Walsh sitting in one of the courtside seats, and when the Red Claws came out for second half warmups, Brian went out on the edge of the court, shook hands with Zeke and they had a little chat. So Zeke knows that he's still getting support from his old Zips mates.

Unfortunately, Zeke only got to play about 10 minutes. Not sure of all the reasons. But one reason may have been the Charge's latest addition -- 7-1, 280-pound Ukrainian center Kyrylo Fesenko. What a beast. Fesenko was selected 38th overall in the 2007 NBA draft, and hung around for years with the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. He averaged 8 minutes a game in 135 games over 5 seasons before giving up on the NBA and taking a good offer to play Euro ball. Funny thing, but the team he signed with was none other than Zeke's Polish team -- Śląsk Wrocław! Like Zeke, he left the team before playing in a single game. Speculation is that the Polish team has a tendency not to pay what they've promised. So Fesenko came back to the U.S. to play in the D-League.

Anyway, Zeke started at center, and the first time Fesenko got the ball near the basket, he started backing in on Zeke with exaggerated herky-jerky moves. Zeke planted his feet, and at one point Fesenko's butt literally lifted both of Zeke's feet off the floor. After Fesenko totally abused Zeke, they called a foul on ..... Zeke. A few minutes later, Fesenko did the same thing, wildly flailing his arms and legs in all directions, and they called another foul on Zeke. So the coach subbed Daniel Orton in for Zeke, perhaps thinking that Orton's greater weight and NBA experience could better handle Fesenko. No such luck. Fesenko abused Orton and the refs immediately called a foul on ..... Orton.

When one of the Red Claws' guards poked the ball away from Fesenko, who immediately flailed his arms and legs as if he were being electrocuted, the refs immediately called a foul on ..... I think by now you get how this story line goes. No one could get within 6 feet of Fesenko without being whistled. Hilltopper and I agreed that NBA refs wouldn't fall for his act. But this was a D-League game. Zeke started the second half and picked up a quick Fesenko foul. So the coach subbed Orton in right away and Zeke was done for the night. Orton ended up with 5 fouls and Bell-Holter and other Red Claws who tried to guard Fesenko also picked up numerous fouls. Fesenko, a career NBA 41% free throw shooter, ended up 8-13 from the free throw line.

Going forward it looks like one of Zeke's challenges is going to be learning how to deal with heavyweight giants like Fesenko, who've learned over the years how to throw their weight around without getting whistled for offensive fouls -- at least in the D-League. Zeke's stats from the previous 3 games are promising, so I'm still not betting against the big guy eventually working his way into the position of getting invited to an NBA team camp and getting a good look. We've always known that Zeke was a late bloomer, and we shouldn't be surprised that he's still developing.