The #2 Pick

[Rafer24]

To sum up, we should be very happy with either Towns or Okafor.

We are in a win-win situation. Enjoy it.

[Kilroy]

Yeah, don't think Towns is in any way a lock to go first either. So we should definitely be thinking Towns/Okafor/Russel... In that order probably.

[ArC_man]

So basically the defensive player of the year was criticized for lack of defense pre-draft. I don't buy that criticism of Okafor as being permanent and when I see video of his games I see much better switching, quickness, and defensive iQ than he's given credit for. Rim protector is a term they keep using to trash him, but no one says "Marc Gasol is a great rim protector". Marc's vertical is not impressive but that does not matter half as much as position, strength, and iq.

Draymond Green scouting

Marc Gasol (another DPOY) was criticized for his defense before entering the NBA:

He wasn't really a go-to guy for Girona on the offensive end (mainly because of Real Madrid’s double-teaming defense), but especially he doesn't make a great impact on the defensive end. His limited mobility gets exploited in pick-and-roll situations that the opponents throw at him; he's not a great intimidator, he allows smaller opponents to shoot over him; and given his superb size, he's not the best rebounder around.

and even in his rookie year:

Much of what we documented about Gasol during his European career has held true during his rookie season in the NBA. Given his lack of vertical explosiveness and lateral quickness, he actually creates a surprising number of defensive turnovers (1.0 STLPG, 1.5 BLKPG); however, he still struggles whenever forced to guard perimeter oriented big men or the pick-and-roll. When guarding ball screens, the Grizzlies seem to hedge most frequently, which often results in Gasol getting caught outside of the three point arc and failing to rotate successfully back to his man. Gasol must improve upon his conditioning to improve his lateral quickness and pick-and-roll defense to avoid becoming a defensive liability moving forward. If he fails in this department and/or the Grizzlies don't improve their interior defense this offseason by surrounding him with more talent, we can expect to see Memphis continue their defensive struggles through another season.

In instances where Gasol is defending the interior, he holds his ground well, although he rarely makes highlight-reel defensive stops. Since he's a step slow, he's a victim of quick-footed bigs possessing great wheel or seal moves which pin him on the backside of the offensive player. And although he'll never really be the type of intimidating, explosive defender the Grizzlies desperately need, Gasol still shows good fundamentals to counter the offensive skill sets of more talented NBA players and keep them out of the lane.

Help side defense is the area in which Gasol must improve his defensive game the most. As we previously wrote, he often allows smaller defenders to shoot over him and lacks lateral quickness - both of which usually equate to subpar defense. Gasol also tends to play lackadaisically off the ball, rarely knocking down cutters and looking to aggressively box out on when shots goo up. If he improves on his work ethic and hustle, we should see him develop into a respectable NBA defender - particularly if he increases his tenacity against more athletic players. Being a member of a struggling defensive system like Memphis' certainly hurts Gasol's numbers, but the addition of another interior presence this offseason should help the team's defensive play.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/#ixzz3anoyyLzH

Don't these quotes remind you of Okafor? Like I said before, a big difference is Okafor is only 19 while Gasol was already 24 years old.

[lake_show]

My wish list goes:
Towns
Russell
Okafor

I know Towns is projected to go number 1 but I think we all have to remember that Minnesota is the same team that took 3 Point Guards with their 3 first round picks in 2009. Two of which were lottery picks (5,6). None of which were Steph Curry.

So, anything can happen. And regardless of what I want, I trust the Lakers organization to do their homework and make the right decision. Just excited to have some fresh young talent on the team for once. Clarkson/Randell/#2 Pick - Gonna be fun to watch.

[ak7]

I want us to take Okafor/Towns instead of Russell, but I'm just going to leave this here after brainstorming for a minute:

Bowie over Jordan.
Oden over Durant.
Thabeet over Harden and Curry.
Bosh over Wade.
Milicic over Melo.
Bogut over Paul.
Bennett over Oladipo


I am sure there are many more...

[Dilly]

The footwork Oka possesses not many bigs have its insane

[Sedale Threatt]

^ He had a dribble drive out of a double team on the wing into a lefty layup that was pretty crazy.

Also, interesting stuff on Marc. From that to DPOY.

[Rafer24]

Lakers intrigued by Russell/Mudiay.

I think if Towns is gone, there´s a good chance D´Angelo ends in L.A.

[Kilroy]

Lakers intrigued by Russell/Mudiay.

I think if Towns is gone, there´s a good chance D´Angelo ends in L.A.

That was when we figured we were picking around 4th or 5th... 2nd is a whole different ball game.

[El Poochio]

Can you vote for this too lads. Since you know Mitch better than anyone else i would appreciated if you can give your honest opinion about who you think your management will pick, rather than putting yourself in their shoes. Thanks in advance!

http://strawpoll.me/4418954

[Penberthy]

Haven't really seen Okafor play much. Can he play NBA PF?

I ask because it would be interesting if we got Marc with a 3 man big rotation of Marc Okafor and Randle

Maybe something like

PF: Okafor (18 min) Randle (30 min)
C: Marc (33 Min) Okafor (15 min)

Then we get HollisJefferson with 27 and another SG with 34.
Go big for KD in 2016

Clarkson
HollisJefferson #34
Durant Young
Okafor Randle
Marc Okafor

Kind of sick.

[Danny Darko]

Okafor is !00% center

[spaceballer]

Lakers intrigued by Russell/Mudiay.

I think if Towns is gone, there´s a good chance D´Angelo ends in L.A.

That was when we figured we were picking around 4th or 5th... 2nd is a whole different ball game.

Like they say, you can't teach size. Quality bigs are harder to come by in this guard dominated era. At 4th or 5th, both the bigs were expected to be gone. At 2nd, one of them will be available.

[Kalidogg24]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSQ-n1VmZvo[/youtube]

[Penberthy]

I want us to take Okafor/Towns instead of Russell, but I'm just going to leave this here after brainstorming for a minute:

Bowie over Jordan.
Oden over Durant.
Thabeet over Harden and Curry.
Bosh over Wade.
Milicic over Melo.
Bogut over Paul.
Bennett over Oladipo


I am sure there are many more...

Off the top of my head:

Walton over the field
Kareem over the field
Worthy over the field
Hakeem over the field minus the best to ever play
Ewing over the field
Robinson over the field
Shaq over the field
Webber over the field
Duncan over the field
Dwight over the field
Davis over the field

[TylersLakers]

The thing i keep thinking (besides the people claiming the league isn't for bigs anymore are completely blind to reality):
1. People love Russell because he's a special offensive player who scores at a high rate and facilitates
2. People avoid mentioning how terrible Russell is on D and how his lack of athleticism is never going to assist that facet.
3. Okafor is about the best offensive Center to come out in a decade or more and that means his offense is higher percent per shot than Russell.
4. Okafor is quick but not springy and is long with unusual hand size. The knock is that he's not a rim protecting shot rejecter... not that he doesn't play D (like Russell) He can learn to play D and has the tools. Artest's key D assets was never his amazing speed and jumping, it was his amazing strength and hands.

Lastly talented point guards/combo guards are more common than quality bigs. As much as no one wants to be the team taking Sam Bowie over Jordan... Russell does not have the physical tools to become transcendent which means he'd have to be more the stockton mold, but he's not as ruthless as stockton.

Great post DD.

[Tarik_shaq]

ok, so how likely is it that Minny drafts Towns? I am really so sold on Okafor!

[BEazy]

Okafor is too hard for me to pass up if I were Mitch. Dude has enormous hands.

[dockingsched]

ok, so how likely is it that Minny drafts Towns? I am really so sold on Okafor!

Personally I expect Okafor to go first. It's pretty remarkable how Okafor went from consensus #1 to consensus #2 while never really having a dip in play.

[Luciferswings]

Actually Winslow looked like the more impactful player between the two of them in college this year, especially in the tournament.