Woj: Sixers plan on moving one of Noel or Okafor "eventually"

[The Oracle]

 If its the Memphis first rounder in addition  To  Rozier and Smart  is that really a deal breaker for you.

 We are losing Smarts elite defense yes, but we still have Bradley, Crowder, Brown, Thomas, Jackson.

 Okafor, Horford, Zeller
 Kelly, Amir, Jonas

 I would say that balances both teams very well.

 Philly

 Embiid
 Noel
 Simmons
 Smart
 Rozier

i just don't know why philly would move the guy who projects to be their main offensive weapon next year for a backup guard who can't shoot and another backup guard who hasn't even proven he can play on the NBA level.

Bold prediction Okafors 17.5 pts per game will be one of the top 3 season averages of his career.

He has the makings of a player who should average over 20 points fairly easily.

Sorry I just don't see it. 

That's weird to me.  A rookie enters the league averaging 17 points (21 per 36) with 51% shooting... while only being assisted on 30% of his shots (while guys like Towns and Porzingis were assisted on 60-70% of their shots), while consistently getting double teamed with essentially zero NBA talent surrounding him other than a player who played the same position and has no offense...  And you "don't see" how he could average 20 points fairly easily? 

Watch him put up 26 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists against DeMarcus Cousins, remember that Okafor is a 20 year old rookie... you still don't see it?   The kid is incredibly gifted offensively already and should improve barring prison.  I get that some people are arbitrarily deciding that this 20 year old is incapable of improving while our 23-27 year olds are on the verge of greatness, but I just don't see it.

If you were a timetraveler from the future and told me one of the following two scenarios was definitely going to happen:

#1 - Okafor never averages over 20 points
#2 - Okafor leads the league in scoring within the next 5 years

I'm putting my money on #2

Who cares if a player can score 20+ a night on an awful team.  What matters is if you can build a contender around said player and in Okafor's case it will prove to be futile because he will not allow your team to produce neither a high level offense or defense.  Go look for the last time a back to the basket center, as a focal point, was part of a high level offense, you are going to be looking for quite awhile. 

Yeah... A different era.  All the way back in the pre-Internet age of 2014.



... Nobody is saying Okafor is a superstar already.  He's a 20 year old kid with work to do.  The flaws in his game are clear.  But there's a ton of mitigating factors that h8ers ignore when it comes to okafor's unprecedented season.  You point out that the other guys were catch and hoot players.  Who was going to pass to Okafor last year?  Who was he going to pass to?  He was a 20 year old being asked to have one of the highest usage rates of any rookie of the past 15 years. His teammates were d-league ringers.  He clearly didn't trust them and for good reason. He was double teamed constantly and still managed to shoot 51% for the season.  His field goal percentage jumped over 60% when he shared the court with ish smith.  We already basically have proof Okafor plays better with better players.  His efficiency will only improve with time and an NBA-level supporting cast. 

And while it has been mentioned that Okafor was only successful from 3ft and struggled mid-to-long range, it should be noted that his shooting percentages from both 10-16 ft (35%) and 16-23ft (27%) were basically even with Marcus Smart's rookie year (and better than Jaylen brown shot in summer league against undrafted semi-pro defenses) - difference being that guard are actually supposed to shoot well from that range and a traditional center isn't.   It should also be pointed out that there are already signs of improvement for Okafor's shooting. His FT% increased from something like 52% in college to 67% last season which suggests his mid range game will also improve.  There's things he can and most likely will improve on as he develops - such as working to get the ball in deeper position, increasing his reaction time, and making better passes out of the post, but if you watched the team last year it's not a surprise why he wasn't successfully passing out of the post.  Not only was he playing with amateurs, but the spacing was horrid and his teammates weren't moving to get into position when he had the ball.

It was a dumpsterfire of a situation and nobody was all that interested in fixing it because the team was transparently tanking for another star prospect while embiid sat out another year and saric stayed overseas.  It was likely ungodly frustrating for Okafor to be on a team that probably didn't even want him and had little interest in winning games.   The knocks on him are legit, but overblown right now.  He can be very successful heading forward.  The idea that big men are obsolete is a myth.  A quality post player will eventually rip this league apart.  The idea that draymond green would have been able to guard shaq is just stupid.   I don't know if Okafor will be the guy to lay waste to the little ball lineups, but the kid sure as heck has uncanny touch around the rim and a blossoming versatile post game that could be harnessed to great success if he keeps making improvements - as we generally assume 20 year old kids are apt to do.

I would hardly call Duncan a "focal point" as a back to the basket center of the S.A. offense in 2014.  They didn't come down the floor and dump it into him in the post a high % of the time and he only averaged 12 FGA per game.

As for Okafor don't you think it's odd that the 76ers wants to trade their supposed superstar big man after only 1 season?  Why in the world would you do that if in fact he had that kind of potential?  The reason is simple it is because he doesn't remotely have that kind of potential.  No matter how much he improves it is not going to change his archetype as a lane clogging, pace killing, space eater who has zero defensive chops.  It is going to be comical watching Phil. offense next year if he isn't traded because sticking him on the floor with Simmons is a recipe for disaster. 

[LarBrd33]

No I do not think it's odd they are open to trading Okafor (or Noel).  People like scalabrine say embiid will be better than towns.  If you had a roster with Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Isaiah Thomas on it, you might be open to moving Thomas.

[Eddie20]

No I do not think it's odd they are open to trading Okafor (or Noel).  People like scalabrine say embiid will be better than towns.  If you had a roster with Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Isaiah Thomas on it, you might be open to moving Thomas.

"People like" suggests that there are several people echoing those thoughts. If so, who are these "people" you're referring to? Also, could you provide Scalabrine's actual quote, preferably with a link? You often stretch the truth, blatantly make stuff up, and take things out of context when it fits your Philly narrative. 

[LarBrd33]

Couple weeks ago:

Oh, Embiid. Not even close. If Embiid’s healthy, we’re talking about, I’m not going to say a generational player, but I’m talking about a franchise-changer. I think the world of Embiid. If healthy, I find the the league is going to have a hard time with him. If healthy. But that’s a huge ‘if!’ In a sense, because of missing these two years, if the foot is healed, it might lead to something else that’s messed up. The health thing is huge with him. With Jabari Parker, I’m not trying to throw that in there, [with] the ACL; it’s not like a reoccurring thing. Big men, seven foot, seven-one now, 280 pounds, moves as athletic as he is, the foot is a big, big deal… But if he is healthy… In two years, he’s the best big man. He will surpass Karl-Anthony Towns as the future of the big men.”
Scalabrine reiterated how big a question mark Embiid’s health is:

“That ‘if’ is huge! He might have minute restrictions for the next two years, or something like that. But if he comes back where he has no restrictions whatsoever, Embiid is a flat-out stud. He is a stud of this league.”

I've seen several others say healthy embiid will be better than towns. I'd share more, but I'm tired of teaching you how to google and the above quote should once again sufficiently prove that you like to make up that I make things up.

[Donoghus]

Couple weeks ago:

Oh, Embiid. Not even close. If Embiid’s healthy, we’re talking about, I’m not going to say a generational player, but I’m talking about a franchise-changer. I think the world of Embiid. If healthy, I find the the league is going to have a hard time with him. If healthy. But that’s a huge ‘if!’ In a sense, because of missing these two years, if the foot is healed, it might lead to something else that’s messed up. The health thing is huge with him. With Jabari Parker, I’m not trying to throw that in there, [with] the ACL; it’s not like a reoccurring thing. Big men, seven foot, seven-one now, 280 pounds, moves as athletic as he is, the foot is a big, big deal… But if he is healthy… In two years, he’s the best big man. He will surpass Karl-Anthony Towns as the future of the big men.”
Scalabrine reiterated how big a question mark Embiid’s health is:

“That ‘if’ is huge! He might have minute restrictions for the next two years, or something like that. But if he comes back where he has no restrictions whatsoever, Embiid is a flat-out stud. He is a stud of this league.”

I've seen several others say healthy embiid will be better than towns. I'd share more, but I'm tired of teaching you how to google and the above quote should once again sufficiently prove that you like to make up that I make things up.

The problem is that I think that "If" is going to be a recurring theme throughout his career. 

[Eddie20]

Couple weeks ago:

Oh, Embiid. Not even close. If Embiid’s healthy, we’re talking about, I’m not going to say a generational player, but I’m talking about a franchise-changer. I think the world of Embiid. If healthy, I find the the league is going to have a hard time with him. If healthy. But that’s a huge ‘if!’ In a sense, because of missing these two years, if the foot is healed, it might lead to something else that’s messed up. The health thing is huge with him. With Jabari Parker, I’m not trying to throw that in there, [with] the ACL; it’s not like a reoccurring thing. Big men, seven foot, seven-one now, 280 pounds, moves as athletic as he is, the foot is a big, big deal… But if he is healthy… In two years, he’s the best big man. He will surpass Karl-Anthony Towns as the future of the big men.”
Scalabrine reiterated how big a question mark Embiid’s health is:

“That ‘if’ is huge! He might have minute restrictions for the next two years, or something like that. But if he comes back where he has no restrictions whatsoever, Embiid is a flat-out stud. He is a stud of this league.”

I've seen several others say healthy embiid will be better than towns. I'd share more, but I'm tired of teaching you how to google and the above quote should once again sufficiently prove that you like to make up that I make things up.

Scal's exaggerating, man. Again, where are the other people you keep saying?


Do you notice any difference? Like I said, you take things out of context and you proved exactly that with Scals' actual words. How's the foot you just shot?

You - People like scalabrine say embiid will be better than towns.

Scal - The foot is a big, big deal… But if he is healthy… In two years, he’s the best big man. He will surpass Karl-Anthony Towns as the future of the big men.”

[LarBrd33]

Couple weeks ago:

Oh, Embiid. Not even close. If Embiid’s healthy, we’re talking about, I’m not going to say a generational player, but I’m talking about a franchise-changer. I think the world of Embiid. If healthy, I find the the league is going to have a hard time with him. If healthy. But that’s a huge ‘if!’ In a sense, because of missing these two years, if the foot is healed, it might lead to something else that’s messed up. The health thing is huge with him. With Jabari Parker, I’m not trying to throw that in there, [with] the ACL; it’s not like a reoccurring thing. Big men, seven foot, seven-one now, 280 pounds, moves as athletic as he is, the foot is a big, big deal… But if he is healthy… In two years, he’s the best big man. He will surpass Karl-Anthony Towns as the future of the big men.”
Scalabrine reiterated how big a question mark Embiid’s health is:

“That ‘if’ is huge! He might have minute restrictions for the next two years, or something like that. But if he comes back where he has no restrictions whatsoever, Embiid is a flat-out stud. He is a stud of this league.”

I've seen several others say healthy embiid will be better than towns. I'd share more, but I'm tired of teaching you how to google and the above quote should once again sufficiently prove that you like to make up that I make things up.

The problem is that I think that "If" is going to be a recurring theme throughout his career.

no more so than Kevin durant, really.  If the bone graft holds up through the first season, he just becomes the next Blake griffin as a player who made it through a rough injury start and had a career. 

Of course, the oden fears will be strong early on and we don't know if embiid is telling the truth when he says he's 100%.  but if he is, philly can probably afford to move Okafor or Noel for a position of need.

[Eddie20]

Couple weeks ago:

Oh, Embiid. Not even close. If Embiid’s healthy, we’re talking about, I’m not going to say a generational player, but I’m talking about a franchise-changer. I think the world of Embiid. If healthy, I find the the league is going to have a hard time with him. If healthy. But that’s a huge ‘if!’ In a sense, because of missing these two years, if the foot is healed, it might lead to something else that’s messed up. The health thing is huge with him. With Jabari Parker, I’m not trying to throw that in there, [with] the ACL; it’s not like a reoccurring thing. Big men, seven foot, seven-one now, 280 pounds, moves as athletic as he is, the foot is a big, big deal… But if he is healthy… In two years, he’s the best big man. He will surpass Karl-Anthony Towns as the future of the big men.”
Scalabrine reiterated how big a question mark Embiid’s health is:

“That ‘if’ is huge! He might have minute restrictions for the next two years, or something like that. But if he comes back where he has no restrictions whatsoever, Embiid is a flat-out stud. He is a stud of this league.”

I've seen several others say healthy embiid will be better than towns. I'd share more, but I'm tired of teaching you how to google and the above quote should once again sufficiently prove that you like to make up that I make things up.

The problem is that I think that "If" is going to be a recurring theme throughout his career.

no more so than Kevin durant, really.

Dude, are you really that blind? The guy didn't even make it through his lone college season with yet another stress fracture (back) and has missed both of his first two seasons. Durant? Really? That's the health comparison?

[LarBrd33]

Couple weeks ago:

Oh, Embiid. Not even close. If Embiid’s healthy, we’re talking about, I’m not going to say a generational player, but I’m talking about a franchise-changer. I think the world of Embiid. If healthy, I find the the league is going to have a hard time with him. If healthy. But that’s a huge ‘if!’ In a sense, because of missing these two years, if the foot is healed, it might lead to something else that’s messed up. The health thing is huge with him. With Jabari Parker, I’m not trying to throw that in there, [with] the ACL; it’s not like a reoccurring thing. Big men, seven foot, seven-one now, 280 pounds, moves as athletic as he is, the foot is a big, big deal… But if he is healthy… In two years, he’s the best big man. He will surpass Karl-Anthony Towns as the future of the big men.”
Scalabrine reiterated how big a question mark Embiid’s health is:

“That ‘if’ is huge! He might have minute restrictions for the next two years, or something like that. But if he comes back where he has no restrictions whatsoever, Embiid is a flat-out stud. He is a stud of this league.”

I've seen several others say healthy embiid will be better than towns. I'd share more, but I'm tired of teaching you how to google and the above quote should once again sufficiently prove that you like to make up that I make things up.

The problem is that I think that "If" is going to be a recurring theme throughout his career.

no more so than Kevin durant, really.

Dude, are you really that blind? The guy didn't even make it through his lone college season with yet another stress fracture (back) and has missed both of his first two seasons. Durant? Really? That's the health comparison?

dude, embiid could have played last year if they didn't care about his long term health.  They didn't want to risk injury - hence the bone graft.  Meanwhile, durant played two seasons ago, had problems - bone graft.

They are both living with bone grafts.  So is brook Lopez and he's been able to avoid major injury for a couple years. 

If embiid gets through this season I don't see how he will be seen as a bigger long term health risk than durant.

[Snakehead]

You are arguing with the 76er Big Men Fan Club President here.  Don't bother.

[jpotter33]

Couple weeks ago:

Oh, Embiid. Not even close. If Embiid’s healthy, we’re talking about, I’m not going to say a generational player, but I’m talking about a franchise-changer. I think the world of Embiid. If healthy, I find the the league is going to have a hard time with him. If healthy. But that’s a huge ‘if!’ In a sense, because of missing these two years, if the foot is healed, it might lead to something else that’s messed up. The health thing is huge with him. With Jabari Parker, I’m not trying to throw that in there, [with] the ACL; it’s not like a reoccurring thing. Big men, seven foot, seven-one now, 280 pounds, moves as athletic as he is, the foot is a big, big deal… But if he is healthy… In two years, he’s the best big man. He will surpass Karl-Anthony Towns as the future of the big men.”
Scalabrine reiterated how big a question mark Embiid’s health is:

“That ‘if’ is huge! He might have minute restrictions for the next two years, or something like that. But if he comes back where he has no restrictions whatsoever, Embiid is a flat-out stud. He is a stud of this league.”

I've seen several others say healthy embiid will be better than towns. I'd share more, but I'm tired of teaching you how to google and the above quote should once again sufficiently prove that you like to make up that I make things up.

The problem is that I think that "If" is going to be a recurring theme throughout his career.

no more so than Kevin durant, really.

Dude, are you really that blind? The guy didn't even make it through his lone college season with yet another stress fracture (back) and has missed both of his first two seasons. Durant? Really? That's the health comparison?

dude, embiid could have played last year if they didn't care about his long term health.  They didn't want to risk injury - hence the bone graft.  Meanwhile, durant played two seasons ago, had problems - bone graft.

They are both living with bone grafts.  So is brook Lopez and he's been able to avoid major injury for a couple years. 

If embiid gets through this season I don't see how he will be seen as a bigger long term health risk than durant.

And this is why no one takes you seriously around here lol Double-standards, delusions of grandeur, and taking things out of context - wash, rinse, repeat, otherwise known as the LarBrd33 posting philosophy!

[moiso]

Couple weeks ago:

Oh, Embiid. Not even close. If Embiid’s healthy, we’re talking about, I’m not going to say a generational player, but I’m talking about a franchise-changer. I think the world of Embiid. If healthy, I find the the league is going to have a hard time with him. If healthy. But that’s a huge ‘if!’ In a sense, because of missing these two years, if the foot is healed, it might lead to something else that’s messed up. The health thing is huge with him. With Jabari Parker, I’m not trying to throw that in there, [with] the ACL; it’s not like a reoccurring thing. Big men, seven foot, seven-one now, 280 pounds, moves as athletic as he is, the foot is a big, big deal… But if he is healthy… In two years, he’s the best big man. He will surpass Karl-Anthony Towns as the future of the big men.”
Scalabrine reiterated how big a question mark Embiid’s health is:

“That ‘if’ is huge! He might have minute restrictions for the next two years, or something like that. But if he comes back where he has no restrictions whatsoever, Embiid is a flat-out stud. He is a stud of this league.”

I've seen several others say healthy embiid will be better than towns. I'd share more, but I'm tired of teaching you how to google and the above quote should once again sufficiently prove that you like to make up that I make things up.

The problem is that I think that "If" is going to be a recurring theme throughout his career.

no more so than Kevin durant, really.

Dude, are you really that blind? The guy didn't even make it through his lone college season with yet another stress fracture (back) and has missed both of his first two seasons. Durant? Really? That's the health comparison?

dude, embiid could have played last year if they didn't care about his long term health.  They didn't want to risk injury - hence the bone graft.  Meanwhile, durant played two seasons ago, had problems - bone graft.

They are both living with bone grafts.  So is brook Lopez and he's been able to avoid major injury for a couple years. 

If embiid gets through this season I don't see how he will be seen as a bigger long term health risk than durant.

That is just so crazy.

Durant was healthy in college and played in 80 and 74 games in his first two years.  Embiid was injured in college and has played in zero NBA games after 2 years.   You can't just focus on the foot when Embiid has had other problems too.

[MBunge]

Just in the interests of truth, what evidence is there that Embiid could have played last year?  They didn't even let him play in summer league.  And what's this nonsense about Philly caring about Embiid's long term health, as though every team doesn't have the same exact concern for its players?

Mike

[LarBrd33]

Just in the interests of truth, what evidence is there that Embiid could have played last year?  They didn't even let him play in summer league.  And what's this nonsense about Philly caring about Embiid's long term health, as though every team doesn't have the same exact concern for its players?

Mike

he felt no pain, was dominating people in practice, and dunking without issue.  In another era, embiid plays last year.   They did a scan and didn't see the level of healing they wanted around the bone.   He had his original surgery before he was drafted.  Articles have been written about this... They determined the best thing for his long term success would be a bone graft.  We have seen success with bone grafts recently - Kevin durant for instance.  IF Embiid makes it through this season (which is a big if) the level of concern for his health should be comparable with durant.  This is true whether you people want to agree with me or not.  Last year people were worried durant might not make it through the whole season.  He made it and now people barely bring it up.  Would be a similar situation with embiid if he played a healthy season injury free.

[Csfan1984]

Just in the interests of truth, what evidence is there that Embiid could have played last year?  They didn't even let him play in summer league.  And what's this nonsense about Philly caring about Embiid's long term health, as though every team doesn't have the same exact concern for its players?

Mike

he felt no pain, was dominating people in practice, and dunking without issue.  In another era, embiid plays last year.   They did a scan and didn't see the level of healing they wanted around the bone.   He had his original surgery before he was drafted.  Articles have been written about this... They determined the best thing for his long term success would be a bone graft.  We have seen success with bone grafts recently - Kevin durant for instance.  IF Embiid makes it through this season (which is a big if) the level of concern for his health should be comparable with durant.  This is true whether you people want to agree with me or not.  Last year people were worried durant might not make it through the whole season.  He made it and now people barely bring it up.  Would be a similar situation with embiid if he played a healthy season injury free.

That's mostly reaching. Practice doesn't equal actual games just ask Derrick Rose.