The next big thing? Jahlil Okafor thread.

[ManualRam]

what gives you the impression that he's plodding? he doesn't struggle changing ends. he actually runs the floor well. he's got quick moves. is it primarily because he's a back to the basket player? because he has quick face up moves as well, including a dynamite spin move either direction.

[jpatrick]

I think plodding is the wrong word. I don't see great lateral quickness. At least as a defender in space and as a help defender. That combined with a lack of lift would seem to limit him defensively. At least that's my initial take based on a very small sample size.

[Talent Chaser]

Look at the attention Okafor draws. He just sucks the defense in, so valuable.

[Justwar]

thats Amile Jefferson right? that explains the defense collapsing. I don't see why they don't play 4 perimeter guys and Okafor mostly.

[Marcus]

thats Amile Jefferson right? that explains the defense collapsing. I don't see why they don't play 4 perimeter guys and Okafor mostly.

yeah looks more like they're playing off of Amile as opposed to collapsing on Jah. Maybe throw in Grayson or Matt Jones and slide Jus to the 4 to keep shooters around Jah.

[Justwar]

I just don't see them beating Kentucky with Amile on the floor. They have depth at sg, why not use your talent at SG, instead of trying to beat UK at there own game.

[Ruzious]

I just don't see them beating Kentucky with Amile on the floor. They have depth at sg, why not use your talent at SG, instead of trying to beat UK at there own game.

If Booker keeps playing like he is, coming within 20 points of them will be a moral victory for even their best opponents.

Btw, Towns last game: 17 minutes, 13 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal, 0 TO's, 5 of 5 from the field. Okafor's come down to earth the last 2 games totaling 11 for 30, and considering how much he shoots, he hasn't done much at the line. Duke plays today at 5.

[Ruzious]

I don't get the Duncan comparisons. I'm guessing it's people who didn't see him at Wake, even as a raw freshman fairly new to basketball he was averaging 10 boards and 4 blocks. He was not plodding at all and appeared quite a bit more athletic then Okafor does now. Remember, he was an Olympic level swimmer before taking up basketball. He was not Embiid, but he was an athletic freak in his own smooth/quickness sort of way.

This is not to say Okafor can't improve his athleticism as he tightens up his body. Marc Gasol coming into the league was not the Gasol we see now.

I still see a slightly taller Jefferson in Okafor. That's a really good player, maybe a perennial all star.

Good post - though when Duncan came to Wake, he was about 6'10 220 - so he should have been quicker. You're right - Duncan was already a great ALL-AROUND player - not just a low-post scorer. No doubt Okafor is an outstanding prospect, but I think people have gotten carried away.

[Notanoob]

So, does Okafor have any excuse for having a .19FTr right now? I'm pretty sure that he's suffering from Al Jefferson syndrom- he's so good at creating space with his post moves that he can't actually draw any fouls.

Unlike Big Al, he can pass the ball well, but I'm feeling extremely put off by that FTr- there are three point specialists who draw fouls better than he is.

Also, his blocks numbers are looking disappointing, in contrast to his steals.

[Marcus]

So, does Okafor have any excuse for having a .19FTr right now? I'm pretty sure that he's suffering from Al Jefferson syndrom- he's so good at creating space with his post moves that he can't actually draw any fouls.

Unlike Big Al, he can pass the ball well, but I'm feeling extremely put off by that FTr- there are three point specialists who draw fouls better than he is.

Also, his blocks numbers are looking disappointing, in contrast to his steals.

more than likely won't ever be a shot rim protector shot blocker so its not something I would suggest looking forward to.

[EricAnderson]

So, does Okafor have any excuse for having a .19FTr right now? I'm pretty sure that he's suffering from Al Jefferson syndrom- he's so good at creating space with his post moves that he can't actually draw any fouls.

Unlike Big Al, he can pass the ball well, but I'm feeling extremely put off by that FTr- there are three point specialists who draw fouls better than he is.

Also, his blocks numbers are looking disappointing, in contrast to his steals.

College refs don't know how to properly officiate big men..

[noobcake]

So, does Okafor have any excuse for having a .19FTr right now? I'm pretty sure that he's suffering from Al Jefferson syndrom- he's so good at creating space with his post moves that he can't actually draw any fouls.

Unlike Big Al, he can pass the ball well, but I'm feeling extremely put off by that FTr- there are three point specialists who draw fouls better than he is.

Also, his blocks numbers are looking disappointing, in contrast to his steals.

College refs don't know how to properly officiate big men..

1) Okafor too skilled. Creates too much space on his moves that contacts are rare.

2) Okafor too strong, finishes even with minor contact

[moss_is_1]

Is he a taller Al Jeff? I don't think he's as skilled as Al on the block,yet anyway.

I see some of Bynum pre-injury. Maybe the fact he looks so massive compared to college players is what does it.

[E-Balla]

Is he a taller Al Jeff? I don't think he's as skilled as Al on the block,yet anyway.

I see some of Bynum pre-injury. Maybe the fact he looks so massive compared to college players is what does it.

Finally someone who agrees with me on Bynum. He doesn't have the jumper to be Tim or Big Al. Defensively he's also well under Duncan but better than Al. If Bynum was quicker with his moves, smarter, and a little smaller he'd be Jahlil.

[crazy_me_87]

Is he a taller Al Jeff? I don't think he's as skilled as Al on the block,yet anyway.

I see some of Bynum pre-injury. Maybe the fact he looks so massive compared to college players is what does it.

Finally someone who agrees with me on Bynum. He doesn't have the jumper to be Tim or Big Al. Defensively he's also well under Duncan but better than Al. If Bynum was quicker with his moves, smarter, and a little smaller he'd be Jahlil.

A healthy,smarter Bynum that actually cared about the Game would without any doubt be the Best Center in the NBA

does Okafor have that Potential?

I mean clearly Offensivly he can match or out do Bynums best years with 15-19ppg but can he get to 11rpg and 2.5bpg?

He averages 7.9rpg and 1.7 Bpg right now.. thats not BAD but not especially good either at the college Level

[E-Balla]

Is he a taller Al Jeff? I don't think he's as skilled as Al on the block,yet anyway.

I see some of Bynum pre-injury. Maybe the fact he looks so massive compared to college players is what does it.

Finally someone who agrees with me on Bynum. He doesn't have the jumper to be Tim or Big Al. Defensively he's also well under Duncan but better than Al. If Bynum was quicker with his moves, smarter, and a little smaller he'd be Jahlil.

A healthy,smarter Bynum that actually cared about the Game would without any doubt be the Best Center in the NBA

does Okafor have that Potential?

I mean clearly Offensivly he can match or out do Bynums best years with 15-19ppg but can he get to 11rpg and 2.5bpg?

He averages 7.9rpg and 1.7 Bpg right now.. thats not BAD but not especially good either at the college Level

Bynum averaged 10.9 rebounds per 36 and 2.2 blocks per 36 in his career with the Lakers. You think Jahlil can't pull that off? Hell big Al has 11rpg seasons and almost had a 2bpg season.

[crazy_me_87]

Finally someone who agrees with me on Bynum. He doesn't have the jumper to be Tim or Big Al. Defensively he's also well under Duncan but better than Al. If Bynum was quicker with his moves, smarter, and a little smaller he'd be Jahlil.

A healthy,smarter Bynum that actually cared about the Game would without any doubt be the Best Center in the NBA

does Okafor have that Potential?

I mean clearly Offensivly he can match or out do Bynums best years with 15-19ppg but can he get to 11rpg and 2.5bpg?

He averages 7.9rpg and 1.7 Bpg right now.. thats not BAD but not especially good either at the college Level

Bynum averaged 10.9 rebounds per 36 and 2.2 blocks per 36 in his career with the Lakers. You think Jahlil can't pull that off? Hell big Al has 11rpg seasons and almost had a 2bpg season.

Thats why i asked i havent watched Jahil play sadly so far. I hope i will be able to do that over the season.

If the realistic prediction of Jahil would be a mix Between a Healthy Bynum and Big Al.. that would make him a potentially 19ppg 9rpg 2apg 2bpg Player right? well that would be great

Overall i get the Feeling in the next years the influx of immensly Talented Bigs is coming along very nicely:
Okafor,Towns,Turner,Ayton,Raab,Maker,Giles

I like

[E-Balla]

A healthy,smarter Bynum that actually cared about the Game would without any doubt be the Best Center in the NBA

does Okafor have that Potential?

I mean clearly Offensivly he can match or out do Bynums best years with 15-19ppg but can he get to 11rpg and 2.5bpg?

He averages 7.9rpg and 1.7 Bpg right now.. thats not BAD but not especially good either at the college Level

Bynum averaged 10.9 rebounds per 36 and 2.2 blocks per 36 in his career with the Lakers. You think Jahlil can't pull that off? Hell big Al has 11rpg seasons and almost had a 2bpg season.

Thats why i asked i havent watched Jahil play sadly so far. I hope i will be able to do that over the season.

If the realistic prediction of Jahil would be a mix Between a Healthy Bynum and Big Al.. that would make him a potentially 19ppg 9rpg 2apg 2bpg Player right? well that would be great

Overall i get the Feeling in the next years the influx of immensly Talented Bigs is coming along very nicely:
Okafor,Towns,Turner,Ayton,Raab,Maker,Giles

I like

Actually he's a good passer out of the post. I'd say he'll peak at (on a good team not a scrub team) 22/11/3, 2bpg, 55%. He might average 20/10 as a rookie (I'd expect 16-18/10 as a rookie though - only 20/10 I've ever expected from a rookie before was Blake Griffin).

[RSCD3_]

Down low he puts defenders in a coffin and he is so good Duke can have the 2nd best offense in the country (by both ORTG and Adjusted ORTG) while running 45% of their plays through him.

From the rooting from goliath blog

[jpengland]

He's going to be drafted by the Knicks, book it. And he will be Al Jefferson 2.0.

Never draft a C that can't protect the rim with a top 5 pick. Ever.