Okafor was Ainge's Mystery Man?

[PhoSita]

I have a feeling the Brooklyn pick is ultimately gonna get traded along with a few role players for Okafor on draft night.

Probably better than anyone after pick number 2 in this draft, but I just don't know if he's going to fit our style.

That's a really valid concern, I just don't think Ainge cares.  Brad's shown he can make do with whatever Ainge gives him, Ainge knows it's his job to give Brad some elite talent.  Okafor is one, even if he's not the ideal prospect.

The fit, on at least one level, is simple -- how do you maximize a guy who's really good at finishing inside but who struggles on defense and shooting?  You surround him with versatile defenders who can spread the floor and who love to pass the ball.

[LilRip]

Anyone know what we would've given up? Okafor is an intriguing prospect although yeah, definitely not a no-brainier deal.

[jpotter33]

I have a feeling the Brooklyn pick is ultimately gonna get traded along with a few role players for Okafor on draft night.

Probably better than anyone after pick number 2 in this draft, but I just don't know if he's going to fit our style.

That's a really valid concern, I just don't think Ainge cares.  Brad's shown he can make do with whatever Ainge gives him, Ainge knows it's his job to give Brad some elite talent.  Okafor is one, even if he's not the ideal prospect.

The fit, on at least one level, is simple -- how do you maximize a guy who's really good at finishing inside but who struggles on defense and shooting?  You surround him with versatile defenders who can spread the floor and who love to pass the ball.

I just don't know if Okafor's game is really going to translate in the new NBA. Sure, he'll have mismatches against certain teams that can't guard him down low, but it's just so abnormal to have a low post, non-stretch 5 nowadays who can't play defense. You almost need an Ibaka-type, i.e. 3 and D, stretch 4 next to him that is great defensively. However, there's just not that many guys like that in the NBA, especially at the 4.

[LarBrd33]

Makes sense.  We probably offered the Brooklyn pick and a guard for Okafor and philly decided they were better off waiting until the summer.

If you were watching the ESPN broadcast of the game, they said the target was Okafor.

Also, Philly probably worried that trading Okafor for what very well may be a dud pick would be perceived as more of the same blatant tanking.  Can't blame philly for backing out. 

[Sixth Man]

If we leave this as a rumor, it becomes Schrodinger's Cat. It can be any number of possibilities, and if it can be any number of possibilities, then it was whatever we wanted it to be.

I like the idea of Butler better.

Schrodinger's Cat has no outside game. It's only effective inside the box.

I'll take Pavlov's Dog instead.

Well played, TP for you!

[hwangjini_1]

Makes sense.  We probably offered the Brooklyn pick and a guard for Okafor and philly decided they were better off waiting until the summer.

If you were watching the ESPN broadcast of the game, they said the target was Okafor.

Also, Philly probably worried that trading Okafor for what very well may be a dud pick would be perceived as more of the same blatant tanking.  Can't blame philly for backing out.

or much else for that matter do you?

[greece66]

I have a feeling the Brooklyn pick is ultimately gonna get traded along with a few role players for Okafor on draft night.

I'd love to see that happening. IMO Danny prefers Okafor to both Rabb (great rebounder but can't shoot) and Bender (for good or bad Danny rarely drafts euros).

Okafor has two things: he does not shoot much- and this might be an issue with a CBS team. But this does not mean he cannot shoot, his shooting form is fine, and with time he can improve.

Second, he does not play D. But come on, who would do that on his right mind in this Philly team?

On the other hand, he has a fantastic dribble for a big, shows leadership and toughness, and above all a great scorer at the post. He could be a great addition.

[PhoSita]

I have a feeling the Brooklyn pick is ultimately gonna get traded along with a few role players for Okafor on draft night.

Probably better than anyone after pick number 2 in this draft, but I just don't know if he's going to fit our style.

That's a really valid concern, I just don't think Ainge cares.  Brad's shown he can make do with whatever Ainge gives him, Ainge knows it's his job to give Brad some elite talent.  Okafor is one, even if he's not the ideal prospect.

The fit, on at least one level, is simple -- how do you maximize a guy who's really good at finishing inside but who struggles on defense and shooting?  You surround him with versatile defenders who can spread the floor and who love to pass the ball.

I just don't know if Okafor's game is really going to translate in the new NBA. Sure, he'll have mismatches against certain teams that can't guard him down low, but it's just so abnormal to have a low post, non-stretch 5 nowadays who can't play defense. You almost need an Ibaka-type, i.e. 3 and D, stretch 4 next to him that is great defensively. However, there's just not that many guys like that in the NBA, especially at the 4.

I think there will always be a place in the NBA for big men with elite size and skill. I'm not convinced Okafor is a lost cause defensively and I don't buy into the idea that post up big men can't succeed in the NBA anymore. It's just not as easy to make it work as it once was.

What's the point of having a supposedly great coach if he can't figure out ways to maximize a tricky talent like Okafor?

It'd be one thing if he seemed like a selfish guy or a guy with no interest in playing defense. I don't think he's that.

[sawick48]

Maybe this was the mystery man.

"While a league source has indicated the late target Ainge has referred to in radio interviews was Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor, Ainge has turned silent on the matter." – via Boston Herald

I don't understand the hope for a guy like Okafor?  Nevermind that he's already gotten into trouble off the court multiple times in a single season, but we already have PLENTY of experience watching 7 footers that can't protect the rim to know that it isn't worth the investment.  Yes he's worlds better offensively in the post than Amir, Kelly, and probably Zeller (who himself is an underrated post pivoter on offense) but still, on defense he's just another body.  As we saw tonight, anytime a team goes up tempo and emphasizes ball movement we have no way of stopping them once they get inside.  It doesn't move the needle much for me

[greece66]

OKafor shoots .356 from the 10-16 distance and .682 from the FT line.

Granted, he is not Draymond Green, but he is nothing like Drummond or Deandre Jordan when it comes to shooting.

[LarBrd33]

OKafor shoots .356 from the 10-16 distance and .682 from the FT line.

Granted, he is not Draymond Green, but he is nothing like Drummond or Deandre Jordan when it comes to shooting.

He's an old school big man.  You can debate whether there's still a place for old schol big men, but his rookie stats are pretty impressive and his floor seems to be Al Jefferson/Brook Lopez.   He's worth more than the Brooklyn pick right now.   I'm not at all surprised to hear Ainge offered it.  No-brainer. 

Really hope Brooklyn doesn't spoil this party, because I want to have a crack at getting one of those Philly bigs.  It's painfully clear they will need to trade at least one of them eventually and I think all three will be fantastic long-term.

[oldtype]

I feel like our coaching staff could do something with a guy that has the  physical gifts and natural skills that Okafor has. The problems he's having in Philly feel like the result of playing in a bad team without any semblance of mentorship.

If we're not getting a top-3 pick (which seems more likely than not) I'm happy to trade the Brooklyn pick for him.

[LarBrd33]

I feel like our coaching staff could do something with a guy that has the  physical gifts and natural skills that Okafor has. The problems he's having in Philly feel like the result of playing in a bad team without any semblance of mentorship.

If we're not getting a top-3 pick (which seems more likely than not) I'm happy to trade the Brooklyn pick for him.

Problem is, I don't know that this trade will be there for us if we aren't in the top 3.  The Brooklyn pick was enticing, because of the chance it could end up being top 2.   If they turned down that, it's because they were rightfully concerned it will not be that high. 

[greece66]

I feel like our coaching staff could do something with a guy that has the  physical gifts and natural skills that Okafor has. The problems he's having in Philly feel like the result of playing in a bad team without any semblance of mentorship.

If we're not getting a top-3 pick (which seems more likely than not) I'm happy to trade the Brooklyn pick for him.

Problem is, I don't know that this trade will be there for us if we aren't in the top 3.  The Brooklyn pick was enticing, because of the chance it could end up being top 2.   If they turned down that, it's because they were rightfully concerned it will not be that high.

Since we are on this topic, what about Bender? He's a big that can shoot, he certainly fits the bill of a CBS player. He is also super young (18). Only criticism is that he is too soft, but playing in Europe this is normal.

[tankcity!]

OKafor shoots .356 from the 10-16 distance and .682 from the FT line.

Granted, he is not Draymond Green, but he is nothing like Drummond or Deandre Jordan when it comes to shooting.

He's an old school big man.  You can debate whether there's still a place for old schol big men, but his rookie stats are pretty impressive and his floor seems to be Al Jefferson/Brook Lopez.   He's worth more than the Brooklyn pick right now.   I'm not at all surprised to hear Ainge offered it.  No-brainer. 

Really hope Brooklyn doesn't spoil this party, because I want to have a crack at getting one of those Philly bigs.  It's painfully clear they will need to trade at least one of them eventually and I think all three will be fantastic long-term.

First I'm shocked philly is looking into trading Him. Imo, he is currently there most valuable asset. Second, people forget both Lopez and Jefferson can shoot. They stretch the floor, just not to the three. Third, I think he is actually pretty athletic. If he gets in good shape and works on his game in the off-season, he can become very very good. I mean even his defense could become above average if he works on it. That is what makes him different from Lopez and Jefferson. He just needs to improve his shot, which he can if he works on it.