Maybe we should trade for Okafor

[footey]

I have been pretty negative about the idea of trading our 3 pick for Okafor.  Felt he was too much old school center, lacked foot speed to guard perimeter, etc. etc.

But I watched video of him from his freshman year in college.  Some of the things that I had thought were true about him were not.  For example:

1. Poor rebounder. Well, he is actually an excellent offensive rebounder, or at least he was at Duke. 
2. Poor passer. Actually, he handled double teams very well, able to find the open player, often in his post up position. His massive soft hands are a tremendous asset for him in this regard.

Some other assets that are worth repeating:

1.  He has incredible post up footwork.  The only other centers who compare in my recollection are Hakeem (who was a little quicker, but had similar moves) and Shaq.
2.  He is really strong, especially his low base, which enables him to create space which others simply cannot.
3.  As noted above, very soft, huge hands.  This compensates for his lack of explosiveness as a jumper, since he controls the ball so effortlessly with one hand, he does not need to jump as high.
4. His jump, while not high, is quick, enabling him to get his shot off.
5. Incredibly efficient in the paint, by far the most efficient scorer in college that year.
6. Is developing a sweet touch from outside facing up in the NBA. He took a paucity of shots from the outside in college because he did not need to.
7. Vastly improving as a free throw shooter. Shot .686 his rookie year, a dramatic jump from his foul shooting percentage in college.

I know the biggest concern with this guy is going to be his ability to guard in the pick and role. This is just as much as a concern with Kevin Love, yet I would take Okafor over Love right now, easily.  The efficiency of his inside game really could change the equation for us.  His ability to finish with "and 1's" is an additional plus factor.

Food for thought on draft/trade day.   I think for the right price, we should be willing to move the 3rd pick for Okafor.  Will force Brad to be really creative in his usage of him, and his ability to motivate.  But he is a great coach. Not concerned there.

We will still need a shot blocker type, but we have Mickey, and can probably grab 1 or 2 others in this draft easily.

[Csfan1984]

If Bender and Brown aren't great prospects in DA's opinion then I would be okay dealing 3 for Okafor. Team doesn't have a need for Dunn who by concensus seems to be bpa.

[The One]

I agree...there is potential.

He's not the final piece...but he's a very nice piece.

[trickybilly]

Throw in Noel - we're good.

[CoachBo]

I agree...there is potential.

He's not the final piece...but he's a very nice piece.

Completely agree.

[Celtics4ever]

17 and 7 is pretty decent for a rookie.  7 is not a poor rebounder, it is not elite but Sully only ripped down 8 last year and people think he has talent in that area.  I think he is a big improvement across the board on Sully.

I think he was playing for a team he did not like with losing culture.

The NBA is changing and back to basket guys are rare.   I am not saying it won't work.   I think it is nice to have a guy who can do the dirty work in the low post.   But detractors will say that he is not a modern center who can spread the floor and shoot the jumpers.

[celticsfan8591]

I'm starting to come around a little bit too.  He clearly needs to improve his defense to be an asset, but with the quality of our perimeter defenders, I don't think we need a great defensive big.  He is a potential go to scorer which we need, regardless of position, and if he can become average defensively I think we can still be a good defensive team.  Hell never be a great defender because of his lack of mobility, but I think his mobility is good enough for a guy with his size and length to be average defensively.

[crimcartel]

Its mind boggling the amount of people who keep saying he's only a back to the basket player...

LOOK UP his games vs Towns: he dominated towns... Look up the game against whiteside. golden state wins one championship without a true back to the basket players and all of a sudden people say the league is changing... its asinine. spurs just won not even 3 full years ago with Duncan. The lack of polished big men is why you don't see the shaqs and ewings of the world anymore... big men take time. okafor is polished and only needs to improve conditioning  and more game experience. You can't win without having someone who can score in the paint.

Just look at why GS lost in the finals... they relied too much on the 3 point shot and missed 9 consecutive shots when pressure was on in games 5 and 7. WHY? because they had no one to go to for an easy two when cavs stopped biting on pump fake threes.


GET Okafor in green NOW.

[number_n9ne]

Okafor, Saric and #26 for #3, #23, #31, Young and Hunter. I really don't care what the pick exchange is, I just want the Trash Bros out and Okafor and Saric in 

[AB_Celtic]

17 and 7 is pretty decent for a rookie.  7 is not a poor rebounder, it is not elite but Sully only ripped down 8 last year and people think he has talent in that area.  I think he is a big improvement across the board on Sully.

Sully pulled down 8 rebounds in 7 less minutes per game than Okafor. Per 36, Okafor grabbed ~8 rebounds to Sully's ~13.

I'm on board the Okafor train, because I don't think you give up on a 21 year old after one season, let alone a good season, but let's compare apples to apples here. His rebounding (and defense) can improve, but right now they're subpar.

[crimcartel]

17 and 7 is pretty decent for a rookie.  7 is not a poor rebounder, it is not elite but Sully only ripped down 8 last year and people think he has talent in that area.  I think he is a big improvement across the board on Sully.

Sully pulled down 8 rebounds in 7 less minutes per game than Okafor. Per 36, Okafor grabbed ~8 rebounds to Sully's ~13.

I'm on board the Okafor train, because I don't think you give up on a 21 year old after one season, let alone a good season, but let's compare apples to apples here. His rebounding (and defense) can improve, but right now they're subpar.

but you're not comparing apples to apples... sullinger is a 4 year Vet who avg. 5.9 Rebs a game as a rookie...

[AB_Celtic]

17 and 7 is pretty decent for a rookie.  7 is not a poor rebounder, it is not elite but Sully only ripped down 8 last year and people think he has talent in that area.  I think he is a big improvement across the board on Sully.

Sully pulled down 8 rebounds in 7 less minutes per game than Okafor. Per 36, Okafor grabbed ~8 rebounds to Sully's ~13.

I'm on board the Okafor train, because I don't think you give up on a 21 year old after one season, let alone a good season, but let's compare apples to apples here. His rebounding (and defense) can improve, but right now they're subpar.

but you're not comparing apples to apples... sullinger is a 4 year Vet who avg. 5.9 Rebs a game as a rookie...

True, but that's still over 2 more rebounds per 36 than Okafor's rookie season (10.7 vs 8.4). And let's not forget Sully was backing up KG that year.

I don't want to live and die by per 36 numbers, but they're usually directionally indicative. You'd expect more rebounds from a starting seven footer who's the best player on his team.

[dreamgreen]

We do need a big body and the kid has talent, personally I think he needs to lose 15-20 lbs but I wont be shocked if he's wearing Green soon.

[aingeforthree]

#3 straight up for Okafor is a fair trade on both sides. I understand Ainge holding out for more though. He's got the leverage.

[Celtics4ever]

Sully pulled down 8 rebounds in 7 less minutes per game than Okafor. Per 36, Okafor grabbed ~8 rebounds to Sully's ~13.

Yep, your comparing a rookie to a guy who has been in the league a few years.  Perhaps you did not understand that.   One was a rookie and one was not.   Normally, people improve from their rookie years.   While you're at it how about comparing their shooting? 

I will one shot  44% and the other 51% from the field.  The rookie outshot the 3 year veteran.   Some of this is due to Sully take a shot he has no business taking.  I will take the guy who plays within his game over a guy who thinks he is a stretch four but in all reality was a PF with stretch marks.

Not to mention that Okafor blocked some shots  1.2 BPG to  .6 BPG.  Maybe a change of venue would help him.  We know that staying here has not helped Sully.   Sully is such an unprofessional that he ate himself out of shape during the season and gained weight during the season.   Last season, he ate himself into a foot injury.   Every year he states he will get it together yet does not.  I am interested in hearing your defense from that?

I still think Rookie Okafor was better player than rookie Sully.   One could make a strong argument he is a better player now.      Personally, part of me would rather have Noel because of his D.   But Okafor is not chopped liver, there is a lot of good with some bad there.   The same is true of Sully but has proven for several years.  Time to cut our ties.