Okafor or Noel

[Dchuck]

Clearly these two bring different skill sets to the table.  But with Horford now here, who makes more sense?

[fantankerous]

I'm not a fan of either, but I'd give Noel a slight edge.

[Clench123]

Okafor

[Iggzilla]

In a vacuum, I'd choose Noel. He's a versatile defender who can ideally defend 1-4 positions and is an excellent shot blocker, which is extremely valuable in the modern NBA.

But in the current context of the Celtics, I think I'd like Okafor on this team. He'll make a good pairing with Horford, who can slide to the 4 and cover for his teammate's defensive deficiencies. They'll complement each other well.

[Future Celtics Owner]

Before you make your mind up you should watch videos and read the DX profiles.
OKAFOR:
"he turned in one of the most efficient, prolific post up scoring seasons of any elite NBA prospect in recent memory, outscoring a number of teams from the low block on the year by himself, shooting .922 points per possession over 8.4 possessions per game. "back in college.
2 of the more concise videos of Okafor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZihwmQ3PaC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb1iND8bFLU
DX profiles:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jahlil-Okafor-6469/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Nerlens-Noel-6455/



 By far Okafor. The dude is longer than Noel and way bigger but without being fat. He has some of the best footwork and has very nimble feet and a very quick first step.
 I am happy that many people believe Noel is better for us than Okafor and that even scouts believe this, because it shows how low his stock is and also shows a bias/misunderstanding of the current NBA style/market. And bc his value is so low the Celtics will actually have the ability to acquire him.lol.

[jpotter33]

We'd probably have a historically good defense with Noel, so I'm going to go with him.

I'm still questionable about Okafor's fit with Horford.

[OldSchoolDude]

Okafor commands a double team in the post.   if Horford gets  doubled on the perimeter  he can easy kick it to Okafor and its an easy 2 pts.  When IT drives he'll have Okafor in the paint to dish to if he gets trapped.  Now IT throws up wild shots when he gets stopped driving.  Noel is not the the same level of thereat.   Okafor will be an offensive beast with our other players forcing single coverage on him.  On defense all I can say is Sully and KO sucked at D as rookies.   They're not all word by any means now, but they are both serviceable and Horford is really good.  If Okafor can learn to defend as well as sully, with his offense he'll be really good.

[crimson_stallion]

Before you make your mind up you should watch videos and read the DX profiles.
OKAFOR:
"he turned in one of the most efficient, prolific post up scoring seasons of any elite NBA prospect in recent memory, outscoring a number of teams from the low block on the year by himself, shooting .922 points per possession over 8.4 possessions per game. "back in college.
2 of the more concise videos of Okafor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZihwmQ3PaC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb1iND8bFLU
DX profiles:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jahlil-Okafor-6469/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Nerlens-Noel-6455/



 By far Okafor. The dude is longer than Noel and way bigger but without being fat. He has some of the best footwork and has very nimble feet and a very quick first step.
 I am happy that many people believe Noel is better for us than Okafor and that even scouts believe this, because it shows how low his stock is and also shows a bias/misunderstanding of the current NBA style/market. And bc his value is so low the Celtics will actually have the ability to acquire him.lol.

1) I don't have to watch any videos or scouting reports - I know both players.

2) You say Okafor is "longer then okafor and way bigger without being fat".  That it absolutely wrong. I disagree.  Both guys have comparable height (at 6'11) and length (7'4" and 7'5") and Okafor absolutely IS fat.  He's not Sully-grade fat, but he's chunky.

Having seen him play, he just doesn't look the slightest bit impressive.  His post game is good and he has a lot of potential in that regard, but it's not like he's the best post scorer int he NBA.  Watching him play down low he looks really no more impressive then an Al Jefferson, Greg Monroe or Demarcus Cousins.

Which is fine if he was good at other things, but he's not.

So given the choice, I would take Noel as a preference.  He's a better rebounder, a better defender, a playmaker (disturbingly) and is just more versatile in a number of ways. 

If Noel even developed a solid offensive game, he could be a star.

For Okafor to become a star he'd need to dramatically improve his defence, his rebounding, his conditioning AND his overall offensive game.

I have more faith in Noel developing one area or his game then I do in Okafor developing ALL of his game.  Hence I'd take Noel, without a doubt.

However if I couldn't get Noel, I would be ok with Okafor as a second choice.

[crimson_stallion]

Okafor commands a double team in the post.   if Horford gets  doubled on the perimeter  he can easy kick it to Okafor and its an easy 2 pts.  When IT drives he'll have Okafor in the paint to dish to if he gets trapped.  Now IT throws up wild shots when he gets stopped driving.  Noel is not the the same level of thereat.   Okafor will be an offensive beast with our other players forcing single coverage on him.  On defense all I can say is Sully and KO sucked at D as rookies.   They're not all word by any means now, but they are both serviceable and Horford is really good.  If Okafor can learn to defend as well as sully, with his offense he'll be really good.

Noel shot just as high a percentage int he paint last year as Okafor did, and he got to the line at a higher rate as well.

If Horford draws a double team, I'm just as happy with Noel being open at the basket as I am with Okafor being open at the basket.  Make no difference - from 5 feet away, neither of the two guys is missing.

From 10 feet away neither of them is scoring - so it's ultimately a moot point.

Only way Okafor can be effective is if you run your entire offense through him (which you can
t do with Noel) - but there's no way you do that if you have Thomas and Horford on the court.

Noel is a guy who doesn't need the ball in his hands, doesn't need plays run. That means you can run your offense through Thomas and Horford, and Noel can just do what he does in the background.  He's a much better fit for that reason.

Okafor isn't so good a fit because you need to change your offensive gameplan to include him, and he's too limited to make him the focal point of your offense at this point.   

[Who]

Neither are a good fit alongside Horford.

[Bobshot]

I saw both a lot last year. Both were on my fantasy team. I'll say Okafor for his offense. He's quick offensively around the basket and has a good shot. He can rebound, too, as long as he plays the 5. Noel has no shot, and is slowly getting stronger. He's still weak for a 5. Philly should trade them both if Embiid is OK. Embiid is a 5. Philly has better 4s than Noel.

This is a classic case of a team drafting too many #1s consecutively at the same position. It even looked like Hinkie was drafting centers to keep them out of the Celtics hands! Whatever, it was stupid, and has put Philly in an awkward position. They are the opposite of the Celtics--strong up front, weak in backcourt. These teams are obvious trading partners.

[PAOBoston]

Neither

[Denis998]

Simmons and Noel would make a great combo in philly

[KGs Knee]

I'll take the better, more talented player: Okafor.

[BitterJim]

I like Noel more than Okafor, but I really don't want to be the team that gives him a max contract next year