Time to get Okafor

[truthiness]

Okafor just got traded from the Wizards to the Suns for Gortat. Great trade for the Wizards.

But the Suns are beefing up their tank, so they probably don't have any intention of playing Okafor, who might actually help them win a few games, sabotaging their tank.
I think he's getting bought out. In which case (assuming he comes back this season from injury), Pat Riley should be all over him.

You can't only rely on Greg Oden as an interior presence when the East has a bunch of very strong and big front-courts. Andersen is only 6'10, and really more of a PF. Okafor is not taller, but he's stronger, and he's a much better defender.

Having a rotation of Okafor, Andersen and Oden at the C would allow the Heat to match the Nets/Bulls/Pacers inside. And unlike that bum, Dalembert, Okafor can actually contribute and play D, and is not a lazy bum.

All aboard the Okafor-to-Miami bandwagon, leaving Phoenix in about 1.5-2 months with the destination: Miami.

[MisterHibachi]

I think his injury is quite serious. I'm not sure. I read somewhere his spinal thing might need surgery.. In that case, he's probably out for the year and useless to us.

[NBA82]

Okafor would be perfect for us. He's the perfect complement to Bosh. He's a quality post defender, a good shot-blocker, a great rebounder, and he's not Joel Anthony on offense.

His neck issue is serious but he'll probably be back this season. It sounds like it may keep him out until around the all-star break, though. Phoenix is probably going to try to trade him but will buy him out if they can't find a taker.

He's not that old. He just turned 31. He's a legit 10/9 type of center, has a very high basketball IQ, and is by all accounts a great teammate. I'd even give up our first rounder for him if we had to, but for contract reasons, I think we'll need to wait on him being bought out. His contract is massive -- far too big for us to match with expirings.

Chalmers/Cole
Wade/Allen
LeBron/Battier
Bosh/Haslem
Okafor/Birdman

with Oden, Beasley, and James Jones available in case of emergency? Nobody's beating that team.

[SmushedPennies]

I like it. Couple of questions, though.

1) Think he'd really start? Haven't kept up with him the past few years. Actually thought he'd played less games than I now see he has. His rebounding is also better than I thought.

2) Would Pat be able to convince Arison to dole out the mini-MLE (along with the luxury tax penalty) for a guy coming back from a serious injury? I think it's fine that he's not available until the AS break, considering his important contribution will come in the postseason, but there are some question marks around him right now.



I really liked the way we looked with Bosh-Bird and Bosh-Oden up front, defensively, and I think Spo wants to go to those kinds of lineups a little more this year. Adding Okafor to the rotation would almost make us a full-time big team.

[DefenseWins]

I think we're jumping the gun here.

We had a center position void last year that deeply needed to be filled, and it has been with Birdman. We still need a starting Center, but this team is all about the end result, and Bosh finishes at Center.

Okafor isn't needed really. I mean they can get him for vet min if he buys out and stash him away so other teams won't get him.

Okafor is also out indefinitely, the Heat don't have time for that. They are trying to 3peat in a tough season ahead. We have Oden now also, and if he progresses, there really is no need. If Oden can give 10 minutes a night later on, that'd be awesome. Him and Bosh looked great out there, just slow on rotations against long range big men though.

[RexBoyWonder]

I think we're jumping the gun here.

We had a center position void last year that deeply needed to be filled, and it has been with Birdman. We still need a starting Center, but this team is all about the end result, and Bosh finishes at Center.

Okafor isn't needed really. I mean they can get him for vet min if he buys out and stash him away so other teams won't get him.

Okafor is also out indefinitely, the Heat don't have time for that. They are trying to 3peat in a tough season ahead. We have Oden now also, and if he progresses, there really is no need. If Oden can give 10 minutes a night later on, that'd be awesome. Him and Bosh looked great out there, just slow on rotations against long range big men though.

Sorry but that's a terrible post.

You can never enough of a good thing - Great defensive high IQ mobile Centers are a very good thing. That's why Okafor is making 15 Mil $ this year - He's a good player. Birdman can't play big minutes at his age, and Oden is a gamble that wouldn't play big minutes even if he stays healthy. Okafor is still in the prime of his career, he's one of the best defensive anchors in the leauge still. huge wingspan, smart player, hard worker, he's Heat materiel top to bottom.

Getting him will also allow us to play Bosh in his real natural position - PF. Suddenly Bosh is enjoying a size ADVANTAGE on a nightly bases, not having to match up with stronger guys all the time.

I''ll repeat my previous outrageous yet accurate statement : a Center rotation of Okafor + Birdman + Somewhat healthy Oden will be one the of the best defensive rebounding rotations in the entire NBA.

It will make our biggest weakness (strong inside presence, rebounding, rim protection) and turn it into another strength. We dont need these guy to score much (although all 3 are atleast serviceable on the offensive side too, and actually are good finishers), we need them to do what they've always done - be big strong m*therfu*krs and allow the rest of the roster to concentrate their energy on the other areas.

FU*K SMALLBALL, LET"S START CRUSHING SOME BITCH*S

[Phinsoverpats]

I think his injury is quite serious. I'm not sure. I read somewhere his spinal thing might need surgery.. In that case, he's probably out for the year and useless to us.

This right here should end this topic, I seriously don't know why this is being discuss when he might not even play this season

[heater4life]

I think we're jumping the gun here.

We had a center position void last year that deeply needed to be filled, and it has been with Birdman. We still need a starting Center, but this team is all about the end result, and Bosh finishes at Center.

Okafor isn't needed really. I mean they can get him for vet min if he buys out and stash him away so other teams won't get him.

Sorry but that's a terrible post.

You can never enough of a good thing - Great defensive high IQ mobile Centers are a very good thing. That's why Okafor is making 15 Mil $ this year - He's a good player. Birdman can't play big minutes at his age, and Oden is a gamble that wouldn't play big minutes even if he stays healthy. Okafor is still in the prime of his career, he's one of the best defensive anchors in the leauge still. huge wingspan, smart player, hard worker, he's Heat materiel top to bottom.

Getting him will also allow us to play Bosh in his real natural position - PF. Suddenly Bosh is enjoying a size ADVANTAGE on a nightly bases, not having to match up with stronger guys all the time.

I''ll repeat my previous outrageous yet accurate statement : a Center rotation of Okafor + Birdman + Somewhat healthy Oden will be one the of the best defensive rebounding rotations in the entire NBA.

It will make our biggest weakness (strong inside presence, rebounding, rim protection) and turn it into another strength. We dont need these guy to score much (although all 3 are atleast serviceable on the offensive side too, and actually are good finishers), we need them to do what they've always done - be big strong m*therfu*krs and allow the rest of the roster to concentrate their energy on the other areas.

FU*K SMALLBALL, LET"S START CRUSHING SOME BITCH*S

I agree.

The only reason the Heat were playing small ball was to nullify their deficiency in the middle. In 2010, Miami tried to mask it using giant lumbering centers, which led to defensive breakdowns (slow rotations not getting back in transition) and missed opportunities on offense (not running the floor on break). Miami's 5 spot has to be mobile to be successful in their system, the trouble has been finding a center with size and strength to go along with the mobility. Birdman, Joel, and even a recovering Greg Oden all offer mobilty at the position, they run the floor well. Miami will always get out into transition off of their defense.

Okafor will be a great asset if added. He is strong, mobile, plays defense, rebounds well and can finish around the hoop. Essentially, he is what we hope a healthy Oden can become by years end. The interest is more than justified.

[DayofMourning]

Just looking forward, who would we cut? Rashard?

[Vertical Limit]

Well we're still jumping the gun that the Suns will actually waive him, they may just keep him on the roster all season and provide treatment. After all he is an expiring isn't he?

[RexBoyWonder]

Just looking forward, who would we cut? Rashard?

Or we could really push for a Joel trade. Even ship him out with a future draft pick, replace him with Okafor who is a HUGE upgrade. This also makes sense on the financial level.

We could lose JJ or lewis and and be fine. Mason is probably more useful to us just because he can play PG and SG, a bigger need for this roster.

Well we're still jumping the gun that the Suns will actually waive him, they may just keep him on the roster all season and provide treatment. After all he is an expiring isn't he?

Right, nothing is guaranteed. He might not even recover fast enough to play this season. but it really makes no sense on any level for PHX to keep him.
They're going for a long rebuild with a very young core, the'll try to get high picks for at least another year or 2. They dont need a veteran taking minutes from Len and dont need Okafor mistakenly helping them win some games. Also, who's going to trade for him? Just doesn't seem likely.

[DayofMourning]

Definitely jumping the gun, but we might as well speculate on possibilities. Its very real that he could be cut. Maybe not though. Just thinking about him as part of our center rotation is pretty exciting.

[Way Of Wade]

Okafor would be absolutely amazing for this team.

As previously stated a center rotation of Okafor, Oden, Birdman would be a great fit.

Really hope this happens. But a lot of things would have to go right.

One more competent center is about all this team needs.

[heat in italy]

WTF ??

Okafor
Oden
Andersen
Joel
Bosh
Lewis
Haslem
Beasley
Lebron
Battier

...

10 players that can play power positions ...

[Ratchet_Rio]

I seriously don't know why this is being discuss

Because this board has had an unexplainable love affair with okafor for the last 2 years

[nbhadja]

It's because we need a center. Small ball is stupid and we are only doing it because we don't have a legit center. There is a reason that Riley goes all out trying to sign centers. Okafor when healthy is a good center.

[Ratchet_Rio]

The Bulls just waived Pittman since ya'll want a center so damn bad..

[truthiness]

I seriously don't know why this is being discuss

Because this board has had an unexplainable love affair with okafor for the last 2 years

If anything, the unexplainable love affair has been with Dalembert. 2 offseasons in a row lots of fans have been clamouring for that bum.

It's the first time there's a realistic chance Okafor could end up on the Heat. And the previous time I saw his name mentioned was in my own post, when I suggested the Heat should get him if he gets bought out, and if not, go for him or Pau Gasol next summer.

[truthiness]

The Bulls just waived Pittman since ya'll want a center so damn bad..

Because Pittman and Okafor have the same value, right ?

[This IsMy House]

It's because we need a center. Small ball is stupid and we are only doing it because we don't have a legit center. There is a reason that Riley goes all out trying to sign centers. Okafor when healthy is a good center.

And because we've won back to back championships with it, but thats a moot point I guess.