Hinkie Update: Hanging out in Starbucks, plans to snowboard

[SHAQATTACK]

Mr Hankie was hanging out . .....hideeeeee ho 👹

[celticsclay]

Perspective:

In SI.coms recent top 100 players Porzingas was #68. Okafor wasnt even listed. Players listed as better than Okafor were Nerlens Noel, Ian Mahinmi, Clint Capella, and Robin Lopez.

Kind of lets you know where people across the country put Okafors value.

I am honestly surprised Okafor is worse than mahinmi or capella. Kind of crazy he didn't make top 100....that is eye opening

About as "eye opening" as Noel making the list while Marcus Smart didn't. 

Which of the several players drafted after Jaylen Brown do you suspect will have surprisingly great rookie seasons that make the Jaylen selection look bad?

Demetrius Jackson. I am not surprised Noel made it and smart didn't. Are you really?

Edit: To give you a more serious answer if Bender came out and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and was running around looking like a 7 foot genetic freak we would all be livid at Ainge for picking Brown. Not sure you would be sitting there saying we had to pick Brown if that occurred.

Well yeah, clearly not, because taking brown at #3 is the equivillent of taking Anthony Bennett at #1 - both were giant risks gambling on a huge return a top tier prospect on par with marcus smart.   Okafor was a safe choice.  You knew no matter what, that dude was going to produce - and he has.  Porzingis was a greater gamble with the potential for greater results.  So far, he looks really good, but I don't think it's a lock Porzingis will have a better career than Jahlil.

It is a lock barring injury. We can shut the book on Okafor after his one year of playing with d-leaguers and having poor advanced stats. I know exactly what he is and what he will become. He will never be 7'3, he will never be soaring over people for windmill jams with a 38 inch vertical (can you believe porzingas has a 38 inch vertical!), he will never be dominating the game by blocking tons of shots, he will never racing up court like some cross between a white Usain Bolt and a Gazelle. I mean, Okafor plods along like a turtle on tylenol pm and can barely jump over a book of matches. Stop the madness larbrd, even philly fans would all strongly prefer porzingas. This isn't a real contest.

[LarBrd33]

Perspective:

In SI.coms recent top 100 players Porzingas was #68. Okafor wasnt even listed. Players listed as better than Okafor were Nerlens Noel, Ian Mahinmi, Clint Capella, and Robin Lopez.

Kind of lets you know where people across the country put Okafors value.

I am honestly surprised Okafor is worse than mahinmi or capella. Kind of crazy he didn't make top 100....that is eye opening

About as "eye opening" as Noel making the list while Marcus Smart didn't. 

Which of the several players drafted after Jaylen Brown do you suspect will have surprisingly great rookie seasons that make the Jaylen selection look bad?

Demetrius Jackson. I am not surprised Noel made it and smart didn't. Are you really?

Edit: To give you a more serious answer if Bender came out and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and was running around looking like a 7 foot genetic freak we would all be livid at Ainge for picking Brown. Not sure you would be sitting there saying we had to pick Brown if that occurred.

Well yeah, clearly not, because taking brown at #3 is the equivillent of taking Anthony Bennett at #1 - both were giant risks gambling on a huge return a top tier prospect on par with marcus smart.   Okafor was a safe choice.  You knew no matter what, that dude was going to produce - and he has.  Porzingis was a greater gamble with the potential for greater results.  So far, he looks really good, but I don't think it's a lock Porzingis will have a better career than Jahlil.

It is a lock barring injury. We can shut the book on Okafor after his one year of playing with d-leaguers and having poor advanced stats. I know exactly what he is and what he will become. He will never be 7'3, he will never be soaring over people for windmill jams with a 38 inch vertical (can you believe porzingas has a 38 inch vertical!), he will never be dominating the game by blocking tons of shots, he will never racing up court like some cross between a white Usain Bolt and a Gazelle. I mean, Okafor plods along like a turtle on tylenol pm and can barely jump over a book of matches. Stop the madness larbrd, even philly fans would all strongly prefer porzingas. This isn't a real contest.

Saw a thing on philly.com where the writer was predicting 19ppg for Okafor this year.  You taking the high or low?

[celticsclay]

Perspective:

In SI.coms recent top 100 players Porzingas was #68. Okafor wasnt even listed. Players listed as better than Okafor were Nerlens Noel, Ian Mahinmi, Clint Capella, and Robin Lopez.

Kind of lets you know where people across the country put Okafors value.

I am honestly surprised Okafor is worse than mahinmi or capella. Kind of crazy he didn't make top 100....that is eye opening

About as "eye opening" as Noel making the list while Marcus Smart didn't. 

Which of the several players drafted after Jaylen Brown do you suspect will have surprisingly great rookie seasons that make the Jaylen selection look bad?

Demetrius Jackson. I am not surprised Noel made it and smart didn't. Are you really?

Edit: To give you a more serious answer if Bender came out and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and was running around looking like a 7 foot genetic freak we would all be livid at Ainge for picking Brown. Not sure you would be sitting there saying we had to pick Brown if that occurred.

Well yeah, clearly not, because taking brown at #3 is the equivillent of taking Anthony Bennett at #1 - both were giant risks gambling on a huge return a top tier prospect on par with marcus smart.   Okafor was a safe choice.  You knew no matter what, that dude was going to produce - and he has.  Porzingis was a greater gamble with the potential for greater results.  So far, he looks really good, but I don't think it's a lock Porzingis will have a better career than Jahlil.

It is a lock barring injury. We can shut the book on Okafor after his one year of playing with d-leaguers and having poor advanced stats. I know exactly what he is and what he will become. He will never be 7'3, he will never be soaring over people for windmill jams with a 38 inch vertical (can you believe porzingas has a 38 inch vertical!), he will never be dominating the game by blocking tons of shots, he will never racing up court like some cross between a white Usain Bolt and a Gazelle. I mean, Okafor plods along like a turtle on tylenol pm and can barely jump over a book of matches. Stop the madness larbrd, even philly fans would all strongly prefer porzingas. This isn't a real contest.

Saw a thing on philly.com where the writer was predicting 19ppg for Okafor this year.  You taking the high or low?

Absolutely am taking the under on that barring major trades. He attempted 15 shots a game last year. With Embiid playing 24 minutes and taking shots, Simmons taking shots (and defenses will dare him to shoot) and Gerald Henderson probably taking a decent amount (he shot 7.5 in just 20 minutes last year playing alongside lillard and mccollum who shoot a combined 40 shots a game) it would be pretty surprising if Okafor didn't get 2-3 less shots a game. Perhaps Okafor can improve this, but it seemed pretty abysmal that he got to the foul line for less than 4 attempts a game on his 15 attempts. By comparison IT got to the line 6.5 times on 17 shots a game. I imagine he will average less than he did last year, let alone increase it. (imagine the majority of philly fans would agree that as it is pretty basic logic)

[LarBrd33]

Perspective:

In SI.coms recent top 100 players Porzingas was #68. Okafor wasnt even listed. Players listed as better than Okafor were Nerlens Noel, Ian Mahinmi, Clint Capella, and Robin Lopez.

Kind of lets you know where people across the country put Okafors value.

I am honestly surprised Okafor is worse than mahinmi or capella. Kind of crazy he didn't make top 100....that is eye opening

About as "eye opening" as Noel making the list while Marcus Smart didn't. 

Which of the several players drafted after Jaylen Brown do you suspect will have surprisingly great rookie seasons that make the Jaylen selection look bad?

Demetrius Jackson. I am not surprised Noel made it and smart didn't. Are you really?

Edit: To give you a more serious answer if Bender came out and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and was running around looking like a 7 foot genetic freak we would all be livid at Ainge for picking Brown. Not sure you would be sitting there saying we had to pick Brown if that occurred.

Well yeah, clearly not, because taking brown at #3 is the equivillent of taking Anthony Bennett at #1 - both were giant risks gambling on a huge return a top tier prospect on par with marcus smart.   Okafor was a safe choice.  You knew no matter what, that dude was going to produce - and he has.  Porzingis was a greater gamble with the potential for greater results.  So far, he looks really good, but I don't think it's a lock Porzingis will have a better career than Jahlil.

It is a lock barring injury. We can shut the book on Okafor after his one year of playing with d-leaguers and having poor advanced stats. I know exactly what he is and what he will become. He will never be 7'3, he will never be soaring over people for windmill jams with a 38 inch vertical (can you believe porzingas has a 38 inch vertical!), he will never be dominating the game by blocking tons of shots, he will never racing up court like some cross between a white Usain Bolt and a Gazelle. I mean, Okafor plods along like a turtle on tylenol pm and can barely jump over a book of matches. Stop the madness larbrd, even philly fans would all strongly prefer porzingas. This isn't a real contest.

Saw a thing on philly.com where the writer was predicting 19ppg for Okafor this year.  You taking the high or low?

Absolutely am taking the under on that barring major trades. He attempted 15 shots a game last year. With Embiid playing 24 minutes and taking shots, Simmons taking shots (and defenses will dare him to shoot) and Gerald Henderson probably taking a decent amount (he shot 7.5 in just 20 minutes last year playing alongside lillard and mccollum who shoot a combined 40 shots a game) it would be pretty surprising if Okafor didn't get 2-3 less shots a game. Perhaps Okafor can improve this, but it seemed pretty abysmal that he got to the foul line for less than 4 attempts a game on his 15 attempts. By comparison IT got to the line 6.5 times on 17 shots a game. I imagine he will average less than he did last year, let alone increase it. (imagine the majority of philly fans would agree that as it is pretty basic logic)

You sound bullish on Embiid if you're predicting he'll play at least 24mpg.

Considering Okafor is going from having no passers to a few gifted passers, I wouldn't be too surprised to see him score over 19ppg next season.  Simmons is basically a 6'10 Rajon Rondo. 

[ThaPreacher]

Perspective:

In SI.coms recent top 100 players Porzingas was #68. Okafor wasnt even listed. Players listed as better than Okafor were Nerlens Noel, Ian Mahinmi, Clint Capella, and Robin Lopez.

Kind of lets you know where people across the country put Okafors value.

I am honestly surprised Okafor is worse than mahinmi or capella. Kind of crazy he didn't make top 100....that is eye opening

About as "eye opening" as Noel making the list while Marcus Smart didn't. 

Which of the several players drafted after Jaylen Brown do you suspect will have surprisingly great rookie seasons that make the Jaylen selection look bad?

Demetrius Jackson. I am not surprised Noel made it and smart didn't. Are you really?

Edit: To give you a more serious answer if Bender came out and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and was running around looking like a 7 foot genetic freak we would all be livid at Ainge for picking Brown. Not sure you would be sitting there saying we had to pick Brown if that occurred.

Well yeah, clearly not, because taking brown at #3 is the equivillent of taking Anthony Bennett at #1 - both were giant risks gambling on a huge return a top tier prospect on par with marcus smart.   Okafor was a safe choice.  You knew no matter what, that dude was going to produce - and he has.  Porzingis was a greater gamble with the potential for greater results.  So far, he looks really good, but I don't think it's a lock Porzingis will have a better career than Jahlil.

It is a lock barring injury. We can shut the book on Okafor after his one year of playing with d-leaguers and having poor advanced stats. I know exactly what he is and what he will become. He will never be 7'3, he will never be soaring over people for windmill jams with a 38 inch vertical (can you believe porzingas has a 38 inch vertical!), he will never be dominating the game by blocking tons of shots, he will never racing up court like some cross between a white Usain Bolt and a Gazelle. I mean, Okafor plods along like a turtle on tylenol pm and can barely jump over a book of matches. Stop the madness larbrd, even philly fans would all strongly prefer porzingas. This isn't a real contest.

Saw a thing on philly.com where the writer was predicting 19ppg for Okafor this year.  You taking the high or low?

I don't think he'll score that  much in Boston....He has to share time with Horford and Johnson.

[celticsclay]

Perspective:

In SI.coms recent top 100 players Porzingas was #68. Okafor wasnt even listed. Players listed as better than Okafor were Nerlens Noel, Ian Mahinmi, Clint Capella, and Robin Lopez.

Kind of lets you know where people across the country put Okafors value.

I am honestly surprised Okafor is worse than mahinmi or capella. Kind of crazy he didn't make top 100....that is eye opening

About as "eye opening" as Noel making the list while Marcus Smart didn't. 

Which of the several players drafted after Jaylen Brown do you suspect will have surprisingly great rookie seasons that make the Jaylen selection look bad?

Demetrius Jackson. I am not surprised Noel made it and smart didn't. Are you really?

Edit: To give you a more serious answer if Bender came out and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and was running around looking like a 7 foot genetic freak we would all be livid at Ainge for picking Brown. Not sure you would be sitting there saying we had to pick Brown if that occurred.

Well yeah, clearly not, because taking brown at #3 is the equivillent of taking Anthony Bennett at #1 - both were giant risks gambling on a huge return a top tier prospect on par with marcus smart.   Okafor was a safe choice.  You knew no matter what, that dude was going to produce - and he has.  Porzingis was a greater gamble with the potential for greater results.  So far, he looks really good, but I don't think it's a lock Porzingis will have a better career than Jahlil.

It is a lock barring injury. We can shut the book on Okafor after his one year of playing with d-leaguers and having poor advanced stats. I know exactly what he is and what he will become. He will never be 7'3, he will never be soaring over people for windmill jams with a 38 inch vertical (can you believe porzingas has a 38 inch vertical!), he will never be dominating the game by blocking tons of shots, he will never racing up court like some cross between a white Usain Bolt and a Gazelle. I mean, Okafor plods along like a turtle on tylenol pm and can barely jump over a book of matches. Stop the madness larbrd, even philly fans would all strongly prefer porzingas. This isn't a real contest.

Saw a thing on philly.com where the writer was predicting 19ppg for Okafor this year.  You taking the high or low?

Absolutely am taking the under on that barring major trades. He attempted 15 shots a game last year. With Embiid playing 24 minutes and taking shots, Simmons taking shots (and defenses will dare him to shoot) and Gerald Henderson probably taking a decent amount (he shot 7.5 in just 20 minutes last year playing alongside lillard and mccollum who shoot a combined 40 shots a game) it would be pretty surprising if Okafor didn't get 2-3 less shots a game. Perhaps Okafor can improve this, but it seemed pretty abysmal that he got to the foul line for less than 4 attempts a game on his 15 attempts. By comparison IT got to the line 6.5 times on 17 shots a game. I imagine he will average less than he did last year, let alone increase it. (imagine the majority of philly fans would agree that as it is pretty basic logic)

You sound bullish on Embiid if you're predicting he'll play at least 24mpg.

Considering Okafor is going from having no passers to a few gifted passers, I wouldn't be too surprised to see him score over 19ppg next season.  Simmons is basically a 6'10 Rajon Rondo.

You expect less than 24 minutes a game? He is only 5-1 to win rookie of the year right now...

[LarBrd33]

Perspective:

In SI.coms recent top 100 players Porzingas was #68. Okafor wasnt even listed. Players listed as better than Okafor were Nerlens Noel, Ian Mahinmi, Clint Capella, and Robin Lopez.

Kind of lets you know where people across the country put Okafors value.

I am honestly surprised Okafor is worse than mahinmi or capella. Kind of crazy he didn't make top 100....that is eye opening

About as "eye opening" as Noel making the list while Marcus Smart didn't. 

Which of the several players drafted after Jaylen Brown do you suspect will have surprisingly great rookie seasons that make the Jaylen selection look bad?

Demetrius Jackson. I am not surprised Noel made it and smart didn't. Are you really?

Edit: To give you a more serious answer if Bender came out and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and was running around looking like a 7 foot genetic freak we would all be livid at Ainge for picking Brown. Not sure you would be sitting there saying we had to pick Brown if that occurred.

Well yeah, clearly not, because taking brown at #3 is the equivillent of taking Anthony Bennett at #1 - both were giant risks gambling on a huge return a top tier prospect on par with marcus smart.   Okafor was a safe choice.  You knew no matter what, that dude was going to produce - and he has.  Porzingis was a greater gamble with the potential for greater results.  So far, he looks really good, but I don't think it's a lock Porzingis will have a better career than Jahlil.

It is a lock barring injury. We can shut the book on Okafor after his one year of playing with d-leaguers and having poor advanced stats. I know exactly what he is and what he will become. He will never be 7'3, he will never be soaring over people for windmill jams with a 38 inch vertical (can you believe porzingas has a 38 inch vertical!), he will never be dominating the game by blocking tons of shots, he will never racing up court like some cross between a white Usain Bolt and a Gazelle. I mean, Okafor plods along like a turtle on tylenol pm and can barely jump over a book of matches. Stop the madness larbrd, even philly fans would all strongly prefer porzingas. This isn't a real contest.

Saw a thing on philly.com where the writer was predicting 19ppg for Okafor this year.  You taking the high or low?

Absolutely am taking the under on that barring major trades. He attempted 15 shots a game last year. With Embiid playing 24 minutes and taking shots, Simmons taking shots (and defenses will dare him to shoot) and Gerald Henderson probably taking a decent amount (he shot 7.5 in just 20 minutes last year playing alongside lillard and mccollum who shoot a combined 40 shots a game) it would be pretty surprising if Okafor didn't get 2-3 less shots a game. Perhaps Okafor can improve this, but it seemed pretty abysmal that he got to the foul line for less than 4 attempts a game on his 15 attempts. By comparison IT got to the line 6.5 times on 17 shots a game. I imagine he will average less than he did last year, let alone increase it. (imagine the majority of philly fans would agree that as it is pretty basic logic)

You sound bullish on Embiid if you're predicting he'll play at least 24mpg.

Considering Okafor is going from having no passers to a few gifted passers, I wouldn't be too surprised to see him score over 19ppg next season.  Simmons is basically a 6'10 Rajon Rondo.

You expect less than 24 minutes a game? He is only 5-1 to win rookie of the year right now...

If he manages to make it through a whole season averaging 24mpg, half this forum is going to be feasting on crow.

[chambers]

Taking a year off is indicative of being on the verge or having gone through a nervous breakdown.  Wouldn't be surprised if Sam was simply exhausted after this chapter in his life. Philly has asked him to do something and expressed their 100% faith in his process and the nba got fed up with the media attention, and somewhat embarrassed him in their own way.

I'm a fan of Hinkie and his strong conviction in staying the course.
If Philly wins a championship with Ben Simmons they owe it to Hinkie.

[moiso]

Perspective:

In SI.coms recent top 100 players Porzingas was #68. Okafor wasnt even listed. Players listed as better than Okafor were Nerlens Noel, Ian Mahinmi, Clint Capella, and Robin Lopez.

Kind of lets you know where people across the country put Okafors value.

I am honestly surprised Okafor is worse than mahinmi or capella. Kind of crazy he didn't make top 100....that is eye opening

About as "eye opening" as Noel making the list while Marcus Smart didn't. 

Which of the several players drafted after Jaylen Brown do you suspect will have surprisingly great rookie seasons that make the Jaylen selection look bad?

Demetrius Jackson. I am not surprised Noel made it and smart didn't. Are you really?

Edit: To give you a more serious answer if Bender came out and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and was running around looking like a 7 foot genetic freak we would all be livid at Ainge for picking Brown. Not sure you would be sitting there saying we had to pick Brown if that occurred.

Well yeah, clearly not, because taking brown at #3 is the equivillent of taking Anthony Bennett at #1 - both were giant risks gambling on a huge return a top tier prospect on par with marcus smart.   Okafor was a safe choice.  You knew no matter what, that dude was going to produce - and he has.  Porzingis was a greater gamble with the potential for greater results.  So far, he looks really good, but I don't think it's a lock Porzingis will have a better career than Jahlil.

It is a lock barring injury. We can shut the book on Okafor after his one year of playing with d-leaguers and having poor advanced stats. I know exactly what he is and what he will become. He will never be 7'3, he will never be soaring over people for windmill jams with a 38 inch vertical (can you believe porzingas has a 38 inch vertical!), he will never be dominating the game by blocking tons of shots, he will never racing up court like some cross between a white Usain Bolt and a Gazelle. I mean, Okafor plods along like a turtle on tylenol pm and can barely jump over a book of matches. Stop the madness larbrd, even philly fans would all strongly prefer porzingas. This isn't a real contest.

Saw a thing on philly.com where the writer was predicting 19ppg for Okafor this year.  You taking the high or low?

Absolutely am taking the under on that barring major trades. He attempted 15 shots a game last year. With Embiid playing 24 minutes and taking shots, Simmons taking shots (and defenses will dare him to shoot) and Gerald Henderson probably taking a decent amount (he shot 7.5 in just 20 minutes last year playing alongside lillard and mccollum who shoot a combined 40 shots a game) it would be pretty surprising if Okafor didn't get 2-3 less shots a game. Perhaps Okafor can improve this, but it seemed pretty abysmal that he got to the foul line for less than 4 attempts a game on his 15 attempts. By comparison IT got to the line 6.5 times on 17 shots a game. I imagine he will average less than he did last year, let alone increase it. (imagine the majority of philly fans would agree that as it is pretty basic logic)

You sound bullish on Embiid if you're predicting he'll play at least 24mpg.

Considering Okafor is going from having no passers to a few gifted passers, I wouldn't be too surprised to see him score over 19ppg next season.  Simmons is basically a 6'10 Rajon Rondo.

You expect less than 24 minutes a game? He is only 5-1 to win rookie of the year right now...

If he manages to make it through a whole season averaging 24mpg, half this forum is going to be feasting on crow.

Why?  I think that it's your imagination that people a rooting for him to get hurt, or even that they predicting that he will always be injured.   That's in your head.

What I have seen are posters pointing out that he has been injury prone so far and that he's a bigger injury risk than Durant, etc.   And they are right.

[PhoSita]

Basically they have used 5 high draft picks over 3 years, with near no NBA on court player development over that time. They may be on track now, but going through 3 years of having a d-league team with the cornerstone players not even suiting up is tough to swallow.

I think as Celts fans we have to remember that Sixers fans watched the team be utterly and totally mediocre for over a decade. 

After they made the Finals in 2001, they won 43, 48, 33, 43, 38, 35, 40, 41, 27, 41, 35 (equivalent to 43 -- lockout), and 34 games.

During that time, the Sixers made it out of the first round just twice -- 2003 and 2012.  They never made it further than the second round.

That's a loooooooong time to spend in the purgatory of the NBA middle class.

During that time, their lottery picks were Iggy @ 9, Thaddeus @ 12, Turner @ 2, and MCW @ 11.

From that perspective, it's not surprising that many 76ers fans were willing to spend a few years at the absolute bottom of the league, if it meant they'd have a very good chance of finally getting the pieces necessary to climb out of the morass of the NBA middle.


Rest assured, if the Celts ever spend 12 years winning 30-45 games and rarely making it past the first round, these forums will be a writhing mass of fans screaming for the mercy of a comprehensive tank job.

Pho are you already forgetting about the period between 1992-2007?

Celts had Pierce and Walker during that time, won 49 games and made a Conference Finals, and had multiple shots at a top 5 pick. 

Definitely a comparable stretch for the Celts, but not nearly as resolutely down the middle as it was for the Sixers.

The Celts had chances to build up out of the middle, they just did a very poor job of it until new ownership came in and Ainge / Doc were hired.

Also ... pretty sure the hunger for a tank job was there by 2007.

[LarBrd33]

Perspective:

In SI.coms recent top 100 players Porzingas was #68. Okafor wasnt even listed. Players listed as better than Okafor were Nerlens Noel, Ian Mahinmi, Clint Capella, and Robin Lopez.

Kind of lets you know where people across the country put Okafors value.

I am honestly surprised Okafor is worse than mahinmi or capella. Kind of crazy he didn't make top 100....that is eye opening

About as "eye opening" as Noel making the list while Marcus Smart didn't. 

Which of the several players drafted after Jaylen Brown do you suspect will have surprisingly great rookie seasons that make the Jaylen selection look bad?

Demetrius Jackson. I am not surprised Noel made it and smart didn't. Are you really?

Edit: To give you a more serious answer if Bender came out and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and was running around looking like a 7 foot genetic freak we would all be livid at Ainge for picking Brown. Not sure you would be sitting there saying we had to pick Brown if that occurred.

Well yeah, clearly not, because taking brown at #3 is the equivillent of taking Anthony Bennett at #1 - both were giant risks gambling on a huge return a top tier prospect on par with marcus smart.   Okafor was a safe choice.  You knew no matter what, that dude was going to produce - and he has.  Porzingis was a greater gamble with the potential for greater results.  So far, he looks really good, but I don't think it's a lock Porzingis will have a better career than Jahlil.

It is a lock barring injury. We can shut the book on Okafor after his one year of playing with d-leaguers and having poor advanced stats. I know exactly what he is and what he will become. He will never be 7'3, he will never be soaring over people for windmill jams with a 38 inch vertical (can you believe porzingas has a 38 inch vertical!), he will never be dominating the game by blocking tons of shots, he will never racing up court like some cross between a white Usain Bolt and a Gazelle. I mean, Okafor plods along like a turtle on tylenol pm and can barely jump over a book of matches. Stop the madness larbrd, even philly fans would all strongly prefer porzingas. This isn't a real contest.

Saw a thing on philly.com where the writer was predicting 19ppg for Okafor this year.  You taking the high or low?

Absolutely am taking the under on that barring major trades. He attempted 15 shots a game last year. With Embiid playing 24 minutes and taking shots, Simmons taking shots (and defenses will dare him to shoot) and Gerald Henderson probably taking a decent amount (he shot 7.5 in just 20 minutes last year playing alongside lillard and mccollum who shoot a combined 40 shots a game) it would be pretty surprising if Okafor didn't get 2-3 less shots a game. Perhaps Okafor can improve this, but it seemed pretty abysmal that he got to the foul line for less than 4 attempts a game on his 15 attempts. By comparison IT got to the line 6.5 times on 17 shots a game. I imagine he will average less than he did last year, let alone increase it. (imagine the majority of philly fans would agree that as it is pretty basic logic)

You sound bullish on Embiid if you're predicting he'll play at least 24mpg.

Considering Okafor is going from having no passers to a few gifted passers, I wouldn't be too surprised to see him score over 19ppg next season.  Simmons is basically a 6'10 Rajon Rondo.

You expect less than 24 minutes a game? He is only 5-1 to win rookie of the year right now...

If he manages to make it through a whole season averaging 24mpg, half this forum is going to be feasting on crow.

Why?  I think that it's your imagination that people a rooting for him to get hurt, or even that they predicting that he will always be injured.   That's in your head.

What I have seen are posters pointing out that he has been injury prone so far and that he's a bigger injury risk than Durant, etc.   And they are right.

thats mostly just them backtracking, moving goal posts and trying to save face.  Most of this forum wrote off embiid already. Just a few short months ago members of this forum felt he wasn't worth a late 1st.  Many claimed his career was over and gloated about his surgery last season (without even knowing why he was having surgery or what it entailed).  No doubt a large chunk of this forum will be shoveling buckets full of blended crow smoothie down their gullets if embiid successfully makes it through a season.  You can sense the tension as the possibility of a legitimate embiid career slowly becomes a reality.   I've never lost faith in that guy.  Still a long way to go for him, but you can smell it becoming real. 

[celticsclay]

Basically they have used 5 high draft picks over 3 years, with near no NBA on court player development over that time. They may be on track now, but going through 3 years of having a d-league team with the cornerstone players not even suiting up is tough to swallow.

Lol are we really pretending that walker pierce team was a contender? I was like 17 and loved it, but that being the apex of a 15 year period was pathetic and not much different from philly. Didn't they push the future champion NBA Celtics to 7 games at one point?

I think as Celts fans we have to remember that Sixers fans watched the team be utterly and totally mediocre for over a decade. 

After they made the Finals in 2001, they won 43, 48, 33, 43, 38, 35, 40, 41, 27, 41, 35 (equivalent to 43 -- lockout), and 34 games.

During that time, the Sixers made it out of the first round just twice -- 2003 and 2012.  They never made it further than the second round.

That's a loooooooong time to spend in the purgatory of the NBA middle class.

During that time, their lottery picks were Iggy @ 9, Thaddeus @ 12, Turner @ 2, and MCW @ 11.

From that perspective, it's not surprising that many 76ers fans were willing to spend a few years at the absolute bottom of the league, if it meant they'd have a very good chance of finally getting the pieces necessary to climb out of the morass of the NBA middle.


Rest assured, if the Celts ever spend 12 years winning 30-45 games and rarely making it past the first round, these forums will be a writhing mass of fans screaming for the mercy of a comprehensive tank job.

Pho are you already forgetting about the period between 1992-2007?

Celts had Pierce and Walker during that time, won 49 games and made a Conference Finals, and had multiple shots at a top 5 pick. 

Definitely a comparable stretch for the Celts, but not nearly as resolutely down the middle as it was for the Sixers.

The Celts had chances to build up out of the middle, they just did a very poor job of it until new ownership came in and Ainge / Doc were hired.

Also ... pretty sure the hunger for a tank job was there by 2007.

[celticsclay]

Perspective:

In SI.coms recent top 100 players Porzingas was #68. Okafor wasnt even listed. Players listed as better than Okafor were Nerlens Noel, Ian Mahinmi, Clint Capella, and Robin Lopez.

Kind of lets you know where people across the country put Okafors value.

I am honestly surprised Okafor is worse than mahinmi or capella. Kind of crazy he didn't make top 100....that is eye opening

About as "eye opening" as Noel making the list while Marcus Smart didn't. 

Which of the several players drafted after Jaylen Brown do you suspect will have surprisingly great rookie seasons that make the Jaylen selection look bad?

Demetrius Jackson. I am not surprised Noel made it and smart didn't. Are you really?

Edit: To give you a more serious answer if Bender came out and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and was running around looking like a 7 foot genetic freak we would all be livid at Ainge for picking Brown. Not sure you would be sitting there saying we had to pick Brown if that occurred.

Well yeah, clearly not, because taking brown at #3 is the equivillent of taking Anthony Bennett at #1 - both were giant risks gambling on a huge return a top tier prospect on par with marcus smart.   Okafor was a safe choice.  You knew no matter what, that dude was going to produce - and he has.  Porzingis was a greater gamble with the potential for greater results.  So far, he looks really good, but I don't think it's a lock Porzingis will have a better career than Jahlil.

It is a lock barring injury. We can shut the book on Okafor after his one year of playing with d-leaguers and having poor advanced stats. I know exactly what he is and what he will become. He will never be 7'3, he will never be soaring over people for windmill jams with a 38 inch vertical (can you believe porzingas has a 38 inch vertical!), he will never be dominating the game by blocking tons of shots, he will never racing up court like some cross between a white Usain Bolt and a Gazelle. I mean, Okafor plods along like a turtle on tylenol pm and can barely jump over a book of matches. Stop the madness larbrd, even philly fans would all strongly prefer porzingas. This isn't a real contest.

Saw a thing on philly.com where the writer was predicting 19ppg for Okafor this year.  You taking the high or low?

Absolutely am taking the under on that barring major trades. He attempted 15 shots a game last year. With Embiid playing 24 minutes and taking shots, Simmons taking shots (and defenses will dare him to shoot) and Gerald Henderson probably taking a decent amount (he shot 7.5 in just 20 minutes last year playing alongside lillard and mccollum who shoot a combined 40 shots a game) it would be pretty surprising if Okafor didn't get 2-3 less shots a game. Perhaps Okafor can improve this, but it seemed pretty abysmal that he got to the foul line for less than 4 attempts a game on his 15 attempts. By comparison IT got to the line 6.5 times on 17 shots a game. I imagine he will average less than he did last year, let alone increase it. (imagine the majority of philly fans would agree that as it is pretty basic logic)

You sound bullish on Embiid if you're predicting he'll play at least 24mpg.

Considering Okafor is going from having no passers to a few gifted passers, I wouldn't be too surprised to see him score over 19ppg next season.  Simmons is basically a 6'10 Rajon Rondo.

You expect less than 24 minutes a game? He is only 5-1 to win rookie of the year right now...

If he manages to make it through a whole season averaging 24mpg, half this forum is going to be feasting on crow.

Why?  I think that it's your imagination that people a rooting for him to get hurt, or even that they predicting that he will always be injured.   That's in your head.

What I have seen are posters pointing out that he has been injury prone so far and that he's a bigger injury risk than Durant, etc.   And they are right.

thats mostly just them backtracking, moving goal posts and trying to save face.  Most of this forum wrote off embiid already. Just a few short months ago members of this forum felt he wasn't worth a late 1st.  Many claimed his career was over and gloated about his surgery last season (without even knowing why he was having surgery or what it entailed).  No doubt a large chunk of this forum will be shoveling buckets full of blended crow smoothie down their gullets if embiid successfully makes it through a season.  You can sense the tension as the possibility of a legitimate embiid career slowly becomes a reality.   I've never lost faith in that guy.  Still a long way to go for him, but you can smell it becoming real.

I'm smelling so many things

[PhoSita]

Lol are we really pretending that walker pierce team was a contender? I was like 17 and loved it, but that being the apex of a 15 year period was pathetic and not much different from philly. Didn't they push the future champion NBA Celtics to 7 games at one point?

I think having Pierce, at least -- you can put Walker in the category or not -- made the team fun, and gave it the sense of potential for taking a leap, that those Sixers teams never had when Iggy was their best guy.


The Sixers' apex during that stretch was probably pushing the 2012 Celts to 7 games, and they only made the second round that year because Derrick Rose blew out his knee.