Countdown to NBA Draft: Prospect Talk

PMFJB · Post #741 » by **PMFJB** » Wed Jan 7, 2015 5:01 pm

nbadraft.net has Okafor,Muiday, Stanley Johnson as top 3.

What happened did Johnson all of a sudden get better?

They got Towns at 6. I might not like Towns but that does seem a bit low. Especially with this draft class.

Post #742 » by **mpharris36** » Wed Jan 7, 2015 5:02 pm

deshawn Stevenson = Michael jordan

Post #743 » by **Manhattan Project** » Wed Jan 7, 2015 6:26 pm

It's probably because mock drafts in January are nothing but click baits.

JBreezeNY · Post #744 » by **JBreezeNY** » Wed Jan 7, 2015 6:30 pm

ibraheim718 wrote:
JBreezeNY wrote:
Manhattan Project wrote:
It's going to be like a Anthony Davis moment, like oh damn he has a shot? Towns time with the DR team and the Bahamas he showed off a whole lot more than he has so far this season.

Listen I get it, Okafor has been putting a hurting on everyone so far. He's doing exactly what he needed to do to become the first overall pick. However with that being said, Okafor isn't a consolation prize in my eyes.

Yup, yup same view.

It is what it is but give me the two-way big man in Towns.

Nice job by Kentucky to hold on though.

Except he's not really a two way big man yet. He had 3 consecutive looks down low with good position and did nothing with them.

He's a hustle guy that looks like he has a nice touch from the perimeter and who likes to pass.. **** which really isn't a high priority for a guy his size.

I disagree, not having an established post-up game doesn't suddenly take away from the fact he's a good offensive & defensive player.

His post-up game will come especially with the way he's talked about improving every facet of his game. He's a two-way player, Towns gonna be eating good.

Post #745 » by **Manhattan Project** » Wed Jan 7, 2015 6:40 pm

ibraheim718 wrote:Chad Ford's latest big board analysis.

Okafor is one of the most dominant freshman big men I've ever seen. He's absolutely destroying defenses right now. In his past five games, he's averaging 23.2 PPG and 10.4 RPG while shooting a crazy 74 percent from the floor. Okafor now leads all players in the NCAA in PER. While scouts can nitpick about his pedestrian defense, the truth is that players his size with offensive polish come around once in a decade. He might never be Anthony Davis because of his lack of elite athleticism, but he looks like a lock to be a 20-and-10 guy in the NBA someday.

Is anyone really surprised by what Okafor has done thus far? Up until this point Duke has had one legitimate contender in Wisconsin and maybe another with a struggling UCONN. He's pretty much dominated cupcakes up until this point.

In the following games:
Beejay Anya
Montrezl Harrell
Rakeem Christmas
Devin Thomas

At least these guys shouldn't be walk overs. Okafor has been beating up on some real inferior opposing players thus far and I look forward to seeing him against some legitimate competition. The numbers are real impressive from Okafor and I know you play your schedule, but I look forward to see Okafor putting in work as the year goes on as the competition gets better.

Post #746 » by **moocow007** » Wed Jan 7, 2015 8:01 pm

Manhattan Project wrote:
ibraheim718 wrote:Chad Ford's latest big board analysis.

Okafor is one of the most dominant freshman big men I've ever seen. He's absolutely destroying defenses right now. In his past five games, he's averaging 23.2 PPG and 10.4 RPG while shooting a crazy 74 percent from the floor. Okafor now leads all players in the NCAA in PER. While scouts can nitpick about his pedestrian defense, the truth is that players his size with offensive polish come around once in a decade. He might never be Anthony Davis because of his lack of elite athleticism, but he looks like a lock to be a 20-and-10 guy in the NBA someday.

Is anyone really surprised by what Okafor has done thus far? Up until this point Duke has had one legitimate contender in Wisconsin and maybe another with a struggling UCONN. He's pretty much dominated cupcakes up until this point.

In the following games:
Beejay Anya
Montrezl Harrell
Rakeem Christmas
Devin Thomas

At least these guys shouldn't be walk overs. Okafor has been beating up on some real inferior opposing players thus far and I look forward to seeing him against some legitimate competition. The numbers are real impressive from Okafor and I know you play your schedule, but I look forward to see Okafor putting in work as the year goes on as the competition gets better.

Okafor's post game is NBA ready right now IMO...so I don't think it'll matter who defends him in college. His post game has never been the question and I agree with Ford's assessment. In fact I've said in other threads that I think Okafor would be one of the best post players in the NBA right now if he were in the NBA. The question is the other aspects of his game, can they translate to make him something more than Al Jefferson (one of the best post bigs in the NBA). He can be Al Jefferson offensively right now. He actually has better footwork in the post than Big Al.

Post #747 » by **Manhattan Project** » Wed Jan 7, 2015 8:45 pm

moocow007 wrote:
Okafor's post game is NBA ready right now IMO...so I don't think it'll matter who defends him in college. His post game has never been the question and I agree with Ford's assessment. In fact I've said in other threads that I think Okafor would be one of the best post players in the NBA right now if he were in the NBA. The question is the other aspects of his game, can they translate to make him something more than Al Jefferson (one of the best post bigs in the NBA). He can be Al Jefferson offensively right now. He actually has better footwork in the post than Big Al.

No one is going to question Okafor's post game, you would be a fool to. However one thing that I hate in prospects in both football/basketball is I'm always wary when prospects face zero opposition nor were place in any tough situations. Football this year for example Winston vs Mariota, I honestly don't understand the love for Mariota. Okafor thus far hasn't had foul troubles, hasn't had a bad game in the post when he's getting tested. I want to see that from him before the year is up, thus far it's been a cupcake schedule with teams that had no business playing Duke.

I would ask you, who are the top five best post scorers in the NBA? Literally after Boogie, Duncan and Jefferson who comes to mind? Pekovic? Randolph? Griffin who forgot where the post even is? Monroe? Jonas? Point is post scorers are rare and Okafor certainly should be applauded for his post moves. I just think that some get carried away Okafor is already a top five post scorer because it's not really saying much.

Post #748 » by **moocow007** » Wed Jan 7, 2015 10:48 pm

Manhattan Project wrote:
moocow007 wrote:
Okafor's post game is NBA ready right now IMO...so I don't think it'll matter who defends him in college. His post game has never been the question and I agree with Ford's assessment. In fact I've said in other threads that I think Okafor would be one of the best post players in the NBA right now if he were in the NBA. The question is the other aspects of his game, can they translate to make him something more than Al Jefferson (one of the best post bigs in the NBA). He can be Al Jefferson offensively right now. He actually has better footwork in the post than Big Al.

No one is going to question Okafor's post game, you would be a fool to. However one thing that I hate in prospects in both football/basketball is I'm always wary when prospects face zero opposition nor were place in any tough situations. Football this year for example Winston vs Mariota, I honestly don't understand the love for Mariota. Okafor thus far hasn't had foul troubles, hasn't had a bad game in the post when he's getting tested. I want to see that from him before the year is up, thus far it's been a cupcake schedule with teams that had no business playing Duke.

I would ask you, who are the top five best post scorers in the NBA? Literally after Boogie, Duncan and Jefferson who comes to mind? Pekovic? Randolph? Griffin who forgot where the post even is? Monroe? Jonas? Point is post scorers are rare and Okafor certainly should be applauded for his post moves. I just think that some get carried away Okafor is already a top five post scorer because it's not really saying much.

Oh absolutely, there aren't many post scorers in the NBA nowadays so that's saying he's Al Jefferson may not be saying much. But IMO he'd still be considered one of the top post scorers in the NBA back in the day when post players were a lot more common. Seriously, his post moves right now is NBA caliber. I personally don't think he'll have too much of a problem scoring 18 points a game (most in the post) his rookie season. And once he gets more comfortable and gets his body stronger I think Ford is right. He will become one heck of a post player...in any era. And believe me, I'm not a big overall fan of his. But post offense this bad boy can do and I don't think that he'll have too many problems regardless of what generation we're talking about. Now you can say that still the relevance of something that really has no (or little) competition is marginalized, but he still plays the way he plays. His impact on the court can still be significant even if there aren't many guys that can do it.

JBreezeNY · Post #749 » by **JBreezeNY** » Wed Jan 7, 2015 11:21 pm

moocow007 wrote:
Manhattan Project wrote:
moocow007 wrote:
Okafor's post game is NBA ready right now IMO...so I don't think it'll matter who defends him in college. His post game has never been the question and I agree with Ford's assessment. In fact I've said in other threads that I think Okafor would be one of the best post players in the NBA right now if he were in the NBA. The question is the other aspects of his game, can they translate to make him something more than Al Jefferson (one of the best post bigs in the NBA). He can be Al Jefferson offensively right now. He actually has better footwork in the post than Big Al.

No one is going to question Okafor's post game, you would be a fool to. However one thing that I hate in prospects in both football/basketball is I'm always wary when prospects face zero opposition nor were place in any tough situations. Football this year for example Winston vs Mariota, I honestly don't understand the love for Mariota. Okafor thus far hasn't had foul troubles, hasn't had a bad game in the post when he's getting tested. I want to see that from him before the year is up, thus far it's been a cupcake schedule with teams that had no business playing Duke.

I would ask you, who are the top five best post scorers in the NBA? Literally after Boogie, Duncan and Jefferson who comes to mind? Pekovic? Randolph? Griffin who forgot where the post even is? Monroe? Jonas? Point is post scorers are rare and Okafor certainly should be applauded for his post moves. I just think that some get carried away Okafor is already a top five post scorer because it's not really saying much.

Oh absolutely, there aren't many post scorers in the NBA nowadays so that's saying he's Al Jefferson may not be saying much. But IMO he'd still be considered one of the top post scorers in the NBA back in the day when post players were a lot more common. Seriously, his post moves right now is NBA caliber. I personally don't think he'll have too much of a problem scoring 18 points a game (most in the post) his rookie season. And once he gets more comfortable and gets his body stronger I think Ford is right. He will become one heck of a post player...in any era. And believe me, I'm not a big overall fan of his. But post offense this bad boy can do and I don't think that he'll have too many problems regardless of what generation we're talking about. Now you can say that still the relevance of something that really has no (or little) competition is marginalized, but he still plays the way he plays. His impact on the court can still be significant even if there aren't many guys that can do it.

I gotta say I agree with both your posts :clap:

No matter what I feel about Okafor I'll never deny his awesome post-game, it's truly a blessing to see that from a kid his age.

Of course however there is a but & I think everyone will agree with these concerns:

In a league where it is clearly guard driven & has gone to more shooting than post-ups, what will happen to him? Even the Triangle Offense which is probably the most post-up oriented offense today, requires big men to be able to shoot more than 5 ft away from the basket. I don't believe there is a coach in the league that will cater or focus their offense specifically so Jahlil gets his touches & if that's the case that's a legitimate problem.

Looking at all the top big men in the league they all do something other than posting up.

-Marc Gasol while skilled in the post is a great passer, capable defender & usually focuses on things other than touches because of the attempts Conley, Randolph, Courtney Lee & Vince Carter gets.

-Demarcus Cousins is arguably the best center in the game but his improved defense, his passing ability & mid-range shot takes away from the fact that he's a really, really good post scorer.

-Joakim Noah who has some decent post skills (albeit limited) is known more for his defense & PG skills as well as making the occasional jumpshot.

-Anthony Davis, I don't think I have to explain his versatility.

-Dwight Howard is probably the most limited guy of everyone I mentioned offensively but because his go to moves are efficient & his defense is so great he doesn't have to worry about his offense which lets the game come to him allowing easier chances at scoring. It's the same reason why he averaged 26 points in the playoffs against the Blazers despite not having a great repertoire of moves.

I'm not trying to say Okafor doesn't do anything else because from what I've seen he's a pretty good passer out of the post/double team but the dark cloud that will hover over his head is the fact he's not a good rebounder, not a good defender & has poor athleticism which like Cousins if you're gonna be bad at jumping you better have good rebounding/defensive skills, something Cousins has always been good at even in College.

BRIGGS · Post #750 » by **BRIGGS** » Wed Jan 7, 2015 11:45 pm

Two guards

Tyler Harvey

and Zeke Woodley--way under the radar.

Both have TS% for guards that are mind-blowing. One is a Steph Curry type clone--the other a wade/lillard Power guard type clone

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA95ElujkKE[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHJDFEv44gs[/youtube]

ibraheim718 · Post #751 » by **ibraheim718** » Thu Jan 8, 2015 2:29 am

Okafor getting double and tripled teamed every time he touches the ball.

NBA Fan 1234 · Post #752 » by **NBA Fan 1234** » Thu Jan 8, 2015 2:43 am

Poeltl on ESPN2.

DaGawd · Post #753 » by **DaGawd** » Thu Jan 8, 2015 3:45 am

Daniel Thomas is going right at Jahlil.. Good comp for Okafor

ibraheim718 · Post #754 » by **ibraheim718** » Thu Jan 8, 2015 3:55 am

DaGawd wrote:Daniel Thomas is going right at Jahlil.. Good comp for Okafor

Tonight was clear evidence why we desperately need to draft Okafor... you know how easy the game would be for Melo and lets say a guard like Reggie Jackson with that kid on your team? You're not going to be able to double team him the way Wake did tonight with other good NBA scorers around him and more space and that means easy, efficient buckets.

DaGawd · Post #755 » by **DaGawd** » Thu Jan 8, 2015 4:00 am

ibraheim718 wrote:
DaGawd wrote:Daniel Thomas is going right at Jahlil.. Good comp for Okafor

Tonight was clear evidence why we desperately need to draft Okafor... you know how easy the game would be for Melo and lets say a guard like Reggie Jackson with that kid on your team? You're not going to be able to double team him the way Wake did tonight with other good NBA scorers around him and more space and that means easy, efficient buckets.

Yeah Wake Forest sent the whole team at Okafor when he caught it a lot of times. Still had a pretty nice game regardless

swisscheeseD · Post #756 » by **swisscheeseD** » Thu Jan 8, 2015 4:26 am

ibraheim718 wrote:
DaGawd wrote:Daniel Thomas is going right at Jahlil.. Good comp for Okafor

Tonight was clear evidence why we desperately need to draft Okafor... you know how easy the game would be for Melo and lets say a guard like Reggie Jackson with that kid on your team? You're not going to be able to double team him the way Wake did tonight with other good NBA scorers around him and more space and that means easy, efficient buckets.

Would you rather Reggie Jackson at $10-$12 million a year or Goran Dragic at $13-$15 million for the Knicks in this Free Agency?

ibraheim718 · Post #757 » by **ibraheim718** » Thu Jan 8, 2015 4:30 am

swisscheeseD wrote:
ibraheim718 wrote:
DaGawd wrote:Daniel Thomas is going right at Jahlil.. Good comp for Okafor

Tonight was clear evidence why we desperately need to draft Okafor... you know how easy the game would be for Melo and lets say a guard like Reggie Jackson with that kid on your team? You're not going to be able to double team him the way Wake did tonight with other good NBA scorers around him and more space and that means easy, efficient buckets.

Would you rather Reggie Jackson at $10-$12 million a year or Goran Dragic at $13-$15 million for the Knicks in this Free Agency?

Jackson. He's a little more physically resilient, younger, and a little better defensively.

DaGawd · Post #758 » by **DaGawd** » Thu Jan 8, 2015 4:36 am

ibraheim718 wrote:
swisscheeseD wrote:
ibraheim718 wrote:
Tonight was clear evidence why we desperately need to draft Okafor... you know how easy the game would be for Melo and lets say a guard like Reggie Jackson with that kid on your team? You're not going to be able to double team him the way Wake did tonight with other good NBA scorers around him and more space and that means easy, efficient buckets.

Would you rather Reggie Jackson at $10-$12 million a year or Goran Dragic at $13-$15 million for the Knicks in this Free Agency?

Jackson. He's a little more physically resilient, younger, and a little better defensively.

Plus he lures Durant here in 2016 probably :nod:

EMG518 · Post #759 » by **EMG518** » Thu Jan 8, 2015 9:12 am

ibraheim718 wrote:
swisscheeseD wrote:
ibraheim718 wrote:
Tonight was clear evidence why we desperately need to draft Okafor... you know how easy the game would be for Melo and lets say a guard like Reggie Jackson with that kid on your team? You're not going to be able to double team him the way Wake did tonight with other good NBA scorers around him and more space and that means easy, efficient buckets.

Would you rather Reggie Jackson at $10-$12 million a year or Goran Dragic at $13-$15 million for the Knicks in this Free Agency?

Jackson. He's a little more physically resilient, younger, and a little better defensively.

Definitely Dragic. Better at breaking down the defense, finishing around the rim, far more range on his shot. Reggie cant even shoot the 3 ball. I dont even think it is close. I dont want Reggie Jackson in my starting lineup.

BRIGGS · Post #760 » by **BRIGGS** » Thu Jan 8, 2015 9:27 am

1 week update
1. Jahill Okafor PF
2. Deangelo Russell PG
3. Emmanuel Mudiay PG
4. Bobby Portis PF
5 Delon Wright PG
6. Karl Towns PF PF/C
7. Kevin Looney PF
8 Devin Booker SG
9 Tyler Harvey PG
10 Troy Williams SF
11 Stanley Johnson SF
12 Myles Turner C /PF
13 Frank Kaminsky C
14 Willie Stein C
15 Justice Winslow SF
16. Rakeem Christmas
17 Montrezl Harrell PF
18 Zeek Woodley CG
19 Terry Rozier PG
20 Robert Upshaw C
21 Kelly Oubre SG
22 Dakari Johnson C
23 Christian Wood
24 Sam Decker SF
25 Denzel Livingston PG
26 Justin Andersen SF
27 Zach Auguste PF
28 Tyrone Wallace CG
29 Juwan Staten PG
30 Jerian Grant PG
No foreign guys in this draft.