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| So why Okafor? “He’s really good now. Young, but he has it all. One thing he might lack is lateral quickness,” said one scout. “But he’s tough, he can score inside, he can take you out a little bit. He’s a good kid, works hard. I think he’s a major star when the time comes. A year with Mike Krzyzewski helps. He’s pro ready.” For all his praise of Okafor, the scout also raved about Towns, especially his development from last year. So if the Knicks think big, and it’s not Okafor, then Kentucky’s Towns comes into play. “For me, right now it’s 1 and 1A,” said one exec, “and No. 1 is Towns. I’m not saying Towns is clear cut and I think the Knicks will have to do a lot of homework and studying. But both have great potential and high upside. Okafor is good offensively, you know he’s going to score. Towns will get better offensively but he could be really good on the defensive side of the ball. “Towns could be a Tyson Chandler-type but with more offense. He’s already shown more offense at an early stage than Tyson did,” the executive said. But as one opposing player personnel guy said, “They had Chandler and gave him away.” And that guy likes Russell for the Knicks. Even over a big? “Everybody thinks bigs but it’s a point guard-driven league, [with] the way those guys get to the foul line with the ball in their hands,” he said. “I think it’s easier to find a big to give you a defensive presence than it is to find a guard who can break people down. This is really tough. It comes down to Towns, Okafor and Russell. It all depends on what they [Knicks] want to do, what their mindset is going forward. “Towns is a great defender, great shot blocker. Has some offensive skills but he’s defensive minded. He moves his feet well, great size. Okafor is not really an athlete. He’s a basketball player. He smart as anything, has huge hands, makes good passes. Russell’s a real athletic guard.” |
Who are the white players who are knocked for being too street, not enough school? The one guy I can think of is Jason Williams, who notably earned the moniker "White Chocolate". Its funny that Ginobli never gots criticized for his street style. A lot of guys who have an erratic style are deemed uncoachable or unable to play in a system. Manu?
Im not sure I buy the class distinction, but I havent given it a lot of thought. Kobe has a lot of street in him (especially early Kobe), and he didnt grow up on the mean streets. I'd expect that with prep schools and AAU, class is playing a lesser role with respect to player development.
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I'm not a huge AAU fan either but the young players today are infinitely smarter than the young players a decade ago. When I look at the 2000s, it bothers me how many careers went in the wrong direction because the players didn't know how to play the game.
Okafor's post up % is staggering. I dont have a hard time believing that he'll be a top 5 post up player in the NBA, maybe the best. But physically, he isnt Shaq. I dont think he'll get close to 50% post up. Lets say he's closer to Jefferson at 1/3. Then what? He doesnt seem to have the jumper to step out and keep them honest, or to execute the pick and pop.
Can Okafor be a dominant player as a pure post up guy?
Bigs in college have such a huge advantage. If you're a 6'11-7'0 in college, you're playing on Rookie difficulty.
52% post up rate makes perfect sense when you're typically playing 6'8-6'9 centers at best. I'd run my offense thru the big too.
These guys could lose a few games to a college team in a best of 7. It's the worst Knicks team I've ever seen.
Only one way to go folks. Up!
I hope the moronic Knicks marketing people use that as their 2016 slogan.
The main problem is that it looks awful on a resume.
Btw, Amundson had himself quite a game. -30 +/- in 15 minutes. That isn't easy, unless you are shooting at the wrong basket.
So if Ledo throws an alley-oop to Amundson, who deflects the ball into the wrong basket, does Ledo get a turnover? I think so, because Amundson never had possession.
KAT is so complete. Checks a lot of boxes. I think WCS might make him look a little better than he is individually imo. Having a guy like WCS on D helped Towns so much. Imagine Okafor with WCS, that frontcourt would dominate too.
Russells going to be good. Great hands, makes nice passes. Smooth shooter. Big fan of his offensive game.
Mudiay is someone I'd take 4th because I haven't seen him enough. Might move him up later. All I know is that he's a sick athlete for a PG.
Lots of NBA people came to see Mario Hezonja today, but after his interview about the Draft, Barcelona decided to keep him out of the roster
He's already doing interviews saying he should be the #1 pick and that he's able to do all of Zach Lavine's dunks with no problem. He's a really good athlete with a lot of skill. The weird thing is with the little I've seen of him, I don't see a Euro style all that much. He plays so much like an NBA player it's not even funny. I think he's going to excel here if he doesn't get sent to the dog house with his attitude.
But in all other aspects of the game I just see things develop and move faster than JO is reacting. It doesnt look like he's bad defensively because he doesnt understand stuff or doesnt care -- the problem appears to be much more fundamental. I dont know if it is called "reaction time" or "quick twitch" or what. But the only times he looks good to me are on one-on-one post ups, where he as the offensive player gets to dictate when the war starts.
But in all other aspects of the game I just see things develop and move faster than JO is reacting. It doesnt look like he's bad defensively because he doesnt understand stuff or doesnt care -- the problem appears to be much more fundamental. I dont know if it is called "reaction time" or "quick twitch" or what. But the only times he looks good to me are on one-on-one post ups, where he as the offensive player gets to dictate when the war starts.
But isn't that true of most "non-plus" athlete bigs? I mean I can't claim I'm watching Al Jefferson tape all day or even Z-Bo but isn't that a similar concern?
But isn't that true of most "non-plus" athlete bigs? I mean I can't claim I'm watching Al Jefferson tape all day or even Z-Bo but isn't that a similar concern?
Maybe I did a bad job explaining my observation. See video below starting at 4:34 (vs. Wisc) and especially the two plays starting at 5:15. JO looks like a spectator -- a total potted plant out there. Al Jeff and ZBo may not move laterally like Anthony Davis, but I dont picture them just standing there watching plays blow by them.
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But isn't that true of most "non-plus" athlete bigs? I mean I can't claim I'm watching Al Jefferson tape all day or even Z-Bo but isn't that a similar concern?
Maybe I did a bad job explaining my observation. See video below starting at 4:34 (vs. Wisc) and especially the two plays starting at 5:15. JO looks like a spectator -- a total potted plant out there. Al Jeff and ZBo may not move laterally like Anthony Davis, but I dont picture them just standing there watching plays blow by them. Link - ( New Window )
Fair enough but then again I can't claim I was following them as defensive players at 18-19 but I honestly do think Okafor can make some legit defensive/quickness gains with professional training/gym. He doesn';t look fat but he looks soft.
And JFC, how is ZBo only 33?
Okafor: 8.7 rebounds in 30.3 mins
Anthony Davis: 10.4 rebounds in 32 mins
Demarcus Cousins: 9.8 rebounds in 23.5 mins
Derrick Favors: 8.4 rebounds in 27.5 mins
Andre Drummond: 7.6 rebounds in 28.4 mins
Nerlens Noel: 9.5 rebounds in 31.9 mins
Blake Griffen: 14.4 rebounds in 33.3 mins (sophomore)
Greg Monroe: 9.6 rebounds in 34.2 mins (sophomore)
And what happens to 2nd round order (I assume we dont have a pick).
Good question, I have no clue.
Good. I think.
I hope so. But I'm nervous about how we have a bunch of young guys with something to prove in this league (as opposed to vets just going through the motions). The good news is that most of them suck.