Not impressed with Okafor

[mr. dee]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugCbmikA_hE&spfreload=10

Maybe he can be our go-to scorer, but we would miss a good rim protection if we drafted him. He can alter and block shots with length, but NBA bigs are bigger, quicker and stronger. He'll also get burned by NBA guards in the paint. He is no better than Zeller in that category. I'm all for drafting him if KO and Sully weren't here and replaced by a defensive minded big.

I'd rather draft Mudiay, Johnson and Russell over him with a top pick. All have great potential in both ends and we can always draft rim protector with our lower pick(s).

I don't think it matters now, though now that we are close in making it in the playoffs.

[BleedGreen1989]

I tend to agree.

He's also going to get murdered in the NBA PnR.

[pearljammer10]

I haven't watched him too much but from what I have read and seen I haven't been very impressed either. I see many other college guys I would like to have other than him.

He's not a great athlete and a poor rebounder. If we are looking to fill our center position through the draft I don't want a taller and bigger version of Sully, I want someone who can run the floor, play above the rim, and block shots.

[slamtheking]

interesting that his stock here may be falling.  if he's not the all-around center everyone covets, and Danny has the opportunity to pick him, would Danny possibly trade that pick to slide down a few spot to get another good young player and possibly grab WCS or one of the top SFs that seem to be climbing the draft boards?

[BigAlTheFuture]

He's not an Anthony Davis or Joel Embiid type prospect but he's far and away the best prospect in this draft class. His offensive arsenal is very impressive for his age. Obviously his defense is pretty poor right now but if we get the first pick, I'd be pretty upset if we picked anyone else.

[Donoghus]

I'm actually a really big fan of Towns from what I've seen out of him.

I don't you can necessarily go wrong with either, though.

[CFAN38]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugCbmikA_hE&spfreload=10

Maybe he can be our go-to scorer, but we would miss a good rim protection if we drafted him. He can alter and block shots with length, but NBA bigs are bigger, quicker and stronger. He'll also get burned by NBA guards in the paint. He is no better than Zeller in that category. I'm all for drafting him if KO and Sully weren't here and replaced by a defensive minded big.

I'd rather draft Mudiay, Johnson and Russell over him with a top pick. All have great potential in both ends and we can always draft rim protector with our lower pick(s).

I don't think it matters now, though now that we are close in making it in the playoffs.

His positives vastly out weight his negatives. While he is never going to be an all nba defensive center he has great length and will not be a (-) defender. I absolutely think he is a top 5 center in the NBA very early in his career and a play that a team can be built around. With that said in order to be a championship caliber team his teammates will need to be good perimeter defenders and his PF will have to give some additional rim protection. 

[RockinRyA]

If we're drafting a Center Id rather go with Towns.

[manl_lui]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugCbmikA_hE&spfreload=10

Maybe he can be our go-to scorer, but we would miss a good rim protection if we drafted him. He can alter and block shots with length, but NBA bigs are bigger, quicker and stronger. He'll also get burned by NBA guards in the paint. He is no better than Zeller in that category. I'm all for drafting him if KO and Sully weren't here and replaced by a defensive minded big.

I'd rather draft Mudiay, Johnson and Russell over him with a top pick. All have great potential in both ends and we can always draft rim protector with our lower pick(s).

I don't think it matters now, though now that we are close in making it in the playoffs.

His positives vastly out weight his negatives. While he is never going to be an all nba defensive center he has great length and will not be a (-) defender. I absolutely think he is a top 5 center in the NBA very early in his career and a play that a team can be built around. With that said in order to be a championship caliber team his teammates will need to be good perimeter defenders and his PF will have to give some additional rim protection.

I only saw a handful of games by Duke this season and am very impressed by Okafor. His post moves are very pretty to watch and he is pretty dominant down low. I see people double team him a lot and he can still make those shots in a lot of occasions. I would absolutely choose this guy if we have the #1 pick. 

[BigAlTheFuture]

I'm actually a really big fan of Towns from what I've seen out of him.

I don't you can necessarily go wrong with either, though.

Oh shoot. Completely forgot about Towns. Yeah, I really like him too. I would probably say he has a higher ceiling than Okafor, but he's more likely to bust as well. It's like Jabari-Wiggins situation all over again (big man version). With that said, I'll still probably go with Okafor.

[GetLucky]

If we are in a position to even consider Okafor, I'd be ecstatic. He might not be all-world (I still have faith), but he's certainly an upgrade over what we have now. Like pearljammer said, he could be a bigger, taller Sully, but most of us say that Sully would be a monster if he had more size. I'm honestly more concerned with Okafor's free throw shooting. He might not be an elite athlete, but he's no Kelly.

[gift]

I think you draft him and then deal Sullinger and maybe Olynyk too. In order for him to be effective you have to build around him. Try to pair him with an athletic, defensive minded forward. He's not going to excel in just any scenario because of his limitations, otherwise he will be just a taller Sullinger getting a few touches here and there and setting picks.

But he's so good in the post, that you have to build the team and game plan around him if you have him. He will effectively decrease the rim protection of opposing centers with his post game anyway, probably more than negating the difference between them defensively.

[littleteapot]

I think the problem with Okafor is if you end up with a guy like Al Jefferson, who is very very good at what he does, but not quite good enough that you can build around it. I would take Towns over him for that reason - Towns has the potential to be a bigger and healthier Al Horford with post-ups, defending the paint, rebounding, shooting, playmaking etc. but even if he is just a solid big who's good but not great he's still a valuable asset.

I think if Okafor doesn't just dominate in the post, he will always be an awkward fit and the defensive deficiencies will be tough to overcome.

[playdream]

I will go with Towns, too
JO is too slow to play the NBA, he somehow reminds me of Fab Melo with higher IQ

[jonaslopes]

I'd rather get Towns.