Chuma Okeke drafted #16 by the Orlando Magic

[Furinkazan]

Back in my days when You watched summer league you could see real players not like these scrubs nowadays.

[backasswards]

Let’s be real here, if NAW was balling out for us in SL, people would be hyped as hell instead of tempering expectations.

[OrlChamps2030]

NAW may or not look as good as his SL play, but either way his skill set seems to be as advertised, a playmaking backcourt player.

I think we needed a playmaking backcourt player more than a 3&D front court player. Definitely rooting for Okeke though and I like him as a prospect, I just don’t see where he fits in.

[MagicFan101]

NAW may or not look as good as his SL play, but either way his skill set seems to be as advertised, a playmaking backcourt player.

I think we needed a playmaking backcourt player more than a 3&D front court player. Definitely rooting for Okeke though and I like him as a prospect, I just don’t see where he fits in.

I’m not going to argue between NAW and Chuma because I honestly didn’t have Chuma on my radar at all.

But your argument hinges on what we need rather than NAW or Chuma. Jerian Grant is better described as a playmaking backcourt player than he would be a 3&D front court player. Does that mean you would prefer us to have resigned him than draft Chuma? I assume not.

Clearly WeHam felt Chuma is a better prospect than NAW. Right or wrong is something only time will tell but the strategy is correct.

Needs change. Talent is more precious.

For example, what if we trade AG for Deangelo Russell? Our needs have completely flipped.

[drsd]

Alexander-Walker is third in ppg at 24.5
Alexander-Walker is second at apg at 7.0

..

[VFX]

NAW may or not look as good as his SL play, but either way his skill set seems to be as advertised, a playmaking backcourt player.

I think we needed a playmaking backcourt player more than a 3&D front court player. Definitely rooting for Okeke though and I like him as a prospect, I just don’t see where he fits in.

I’m not going to argue between NAW and Chuma because I honestly didn’t have Chuma on my radar at all.

But your argument hinges on what we need rather than NAW or Chuma. Jerian Grant is better described as a playmaking backcourt player than he would be a 3&D front court player. Does that mean you would prefer us to have resigned him than draft Chuma? I assume not.

Clearly WeHam felt Chuma is a better prospect than NAW. Right or wrong is something only time will tell but the strategy is correct.

Needs change. Talent is more precious.

For example, what if we trade AG for Deangelo Russell? Our needs have completely flipped.

I would agree with you if this current FO wasn’t selling Orlando as a playoff team. That’s a contradiction to their m.o. That and the fact that nearly every big board had NAW being a perfect fit and BPA for our draft position.

You might claim talent as more precious, but that talent has to have opportunity. NAW would come in and be an immediate contributor as opposed to a long term health project that would be playing behind two guys that will absolutely be playing 30+ minutes a night. Unfortunately, that’s an aspect of the pick that absolutely devalues it’s worth.

Okeke could be a great pick as some always look at SL as the end all be all, even though it obviously isn’t. The pick is still questionable in the context of this current roster and where we’ve committed money, signings, and minute distribution.

[Skin]

Let's be real. NAW would've rot behind Fournier and Ross and everyone here would be saying "he's too raw to start"... "he needs to show it in practice first"... "he'll be ready by his 3rd year to become an impact player"... "WeHam is taking the patient approach"... etc etc.

So I don't want to hear any flipping out about NAW. This team would never have found early results.

[MagicFan101]

NAW may or not look as good as his SL play, but either way his skill set seems to be as advertised, a playmaking backcourt player.

I think we needed a playmaking backcourt player more than a 3&D front court player. Definitely rooting for Okeke though and I like him as a prospect, I just don’t see where he fits in.

I’m not going to argue between NAW and Chuma because I honestly didn’t have Chuma on my radar at all.

But your argument hinges on what we need rather than NAW or Chuma. Jerian Grant is better described as a playmaking backcourt player than he would be a 3&D front court player. Does that mean you would prefer us to have resigned him than draft Chuma? I assume not.

Clearly WeHam felt Chuma is a better prospect than NAW. Right or wrong is something only time will tell but the strategy is correct.

Needs change. Talent is more precious.

For example, what if we trade AG for Deangelo Russell? Our needs have completely flipped.

I would agree with you if this current FO wasn’t selling Orlando as a playoff team. That’s a contradiction to their m.o. That and the fact that nearly every big board had NAW being a perfect fit and BPA for our draft position.

You might claim talent as more precious, but that talent has to have opportunity. NAW would come in and be an immediate contributor as opposed to a long term health project that would be playing behind two guys that will absolutely be playing 30+ minutes a night. Unfortunately, that’s an aspect of the pick that absolutely devalues it’s worth.

Okeke could be a great pick as we always look at SL as the end all be all, even though it obviously isn’t. The pick is still questionable in the context of this current roster and where we’ve committed money, signings, and minute distribution.

I’ll go back to my original example.

Jerian Grant has every opportunity last season based on need and fit. How did that work out?

It didn’t matter how perfect the situation is. If you don’t have the talent you won’t make a difference.

It doesn’t matter how terrible the situation is. If you have the talent, your opportunity to shine will come.

Look at the NFL. Alex Smith had a career year and was kicked out the door for a kid yet to play a meaningful role. Why? TALENT!!!

We gave AG and Vuc declining deals which can be moved if and when Bamba or Chuma are ready or a better offer comes along via trade.


... for the record, I was hoping to hear NAW called when we were on the clock.

[Skin]

The NBA should simulate Summer League like games during the predraft process. Not like the combine where they run around like chickens without a head. Like actual rosters with simplified systems and select coaching staffs in a week long tournament.

[PrimeThyme]

Let's be real. NAW would've rot behind Fournier and Ross and everyone here would be saying "he's too raw to start"... "he needs to show it in practice first"... "he'll be ready by his 3rd year to become an impact player"... "WeHam is taking the patient approach"... etc etc.

So I don't want to hear any flipping out about NAW. This team would never have found early results.

Don’t agree whatsoever. In fact I think the scenario you are describing is the one Chuma will be dealing with considering our current FC situation. I wouldn’t just automatically expect him to eat into all of Iwundus/Aminus/AGs minutes at the 3. I think coming off of the ACL he will struggle to find minutes on this team until he’s 100% and even then he will have to earn his minutes.

Everyone knew, or atleast everyone that actually watched him knew that NAW was one of the more NBA ready prospects in this draft so I don’t think people would be saying he was too raw at all. Completely different situation from the one we’ve had the previous two years with Isaac/Bamba. Fournier is much more expendable in my eyes then AG/Isaac is so I think NAW with his skillet and position had a much easier route to big minutes sooner rather than later. He just checked all the boxes.

[VFX]

I’m not going to argue between NAW and Chuma because I honestly didn’t have Chuma on my radar at all.

But your argument hinges on what we need rather than NAW or Chuma. Jerian Grant is better described as a playmaking backcourt player than he would be a 3&D front court player. Does that mean you would prefer us to have resigned him than draft Chuma? I assume not.

Clearly WeHam felt Chuma is a better prospect than NAW. Right or wrong is something only time will tell but the strategy is correct.

Needs change. Talent is more precious.

For example, what if we trade AG for Deangelo Russell? Our needs have completely flipped.

I would agree with you if this current FO wasn’t selling Orlando as a playoff team. That’s a contradiction to their m.o. That and the fact that nearly every big board had NAW being a perfect fit and BPA for our draft position.

You might claim talent as more precious, but that talent has to have opportunity. NAW would come in and be an immediate contributor as opposed to a long term health project that would be playing behind two guys that will absolutely be playing 30+ minutes a night. Unfortunately, that’s an aspect of the pick that absolutely devalues it’s worth.

Okeke could be a great pick as we always look at SL as the end all be all, even though it obviously isn’t. The pick is still questionable in the context of this current roster and where we’ve committed money, signings, and minute distribution.

I’ll go back to my original example.

Jerian Grant has every opportunity last season based on need and fit. How did that work out?

It didn’t matter how perfect the situation is. If you don’t have the talent you won’t make a difference.

It doesn’t matter how terrible the situation is. If you have the talent, your opportunity to shine will come.

Look at the NFL. Alex Smith had a career year and was kicked out the door for a kid yet to play a meaningful role. Why? TALENT!!!

We gave AG and Vuc declining deals which can be moved if and when Bamba or Chuma are ready or a better offer comes along via trade.


... for the record, I was hoping to hear NAW called when we were on the clock.

Jerian Grant wasn’t close to near the projection of what NAW was compared to. Opportunity AND talent should play as factors for a “playoff team”. He was considered both. Okeke was not.

Again, that doesn’t mean Okeke can’t surprise us and end up being the better player. However, the pick itself is extremely questionable with the other moves, or lack thereof, that were made this offseason while selling “win now” playoffs as the goal.

[Skin]

Let's be real. NAW would've rot behind Fournier and Ross and everyone here would be saying "he's too raw to start"... "he needs to show it in practice first"... "he'll be ready by his 3rd year to become an impact player"... "WeHam is taking the patient approach"... etc etc.

So I don't want to hear any flipping out about NAW. This team would never have found early results.

Don’t agree whatsoever. In fact I think the scenario you are describing is the one Chuma will be dealing with considering our current FC situation. I wouldn’t just automatically expect him to eat into all of Iwundus/Aminus/AGs minutes at the 3. I think coming off of the ACL he will struggle to find minutes on this team until he’s 100% and even then he will have to earn his minutes.

Everyone knew, or atleast everyone that actually watched him knew that NAW was one of the more NBA ready prospects in this draft so I don’t think people would be saying he was too raw at all. Completely different situation from the one we’ve had the previous two years with Isaac/Bamba. Fournier is much more expendable in my eyes then AG/Isaac is so I think NAW with his skillet and position had a much easier route to big minutes sooner rather than later. He just checked all the boxes.

I'm not saying he's raw. I'm saying that's the excuses people would be saying due to his lack of playing time and while you have a fair point, I will disagree with you if you think NAW would see enough PT to force a Fournier trade or take away min from Ross.

If anything we'd be so anxious for NAW only to see WeHam extend Fournier for 4 years in the summer and kill our excitement.

[MagicFan101]

I would agree with you if this current FO wasn’t selling Orlando as a playoff team. That’s a contradiction to their m.o. That and the fact that nearly every big board had NAW being a perfect fit and BPA for our draft position.

You might claim talent as more precious, but that talent has to have opportunity. NAW would come in and be an immediate contributor as opposed to a long term health project that would be playing behind two guys that will absolutely be playing 30+ minutes a night. Unfortunately, that’s an aspect of the pick that absolutely devalues it’s worth.

Okeke could be a great pick as we always look at SL as the end all be all, even though it obviously isn’t. The pick is still questionable in the context of this current roster and where we’ve committed money, signings, and minute distribution.

I’ll go back to my original example.

Jerian Grant has every opportunity last season based on need and fit. How did that work out?

It didn’t matter how perfect the situation is. If you don’t have the talent you won’t make a difference.

It doesn’t matter how terrible the situation is. If you have the talent, your opportunity to shine will come.

Look at the NFL. Alex Smith had a career year and was kicked out the door for a kid yet to play a meaningful role. Why? TALENT!!!

We gave AG and Vuc declining deals which can be moved if and when Bamba or Chuma are ready or a better offer comes along via trade.


... for the record, I was hoping to hear NAW called when we were on the clock.

Jerian Grant wasn’t close to near the projection of what NAW was compared to. Opportunity AND talent should play as factors for a “playoff team”. He was considered both. Okeke was not.

Again, that doesn’t mean Okeke can’t surprise us and end up being the better player. However, the pick itself is extremely questionable with the other moves, or lack thereof, that were made this offseason while selling “win now” playoffs as the goal.

Vuc, Ross and AFA are “win now” moves WeHam made in free agency.

They clearly have a different philosophy when it comes to the draft.

Isaac, Bamba, (injured) Chuma? These are not “win now” picks but they stretch over the past 3 years.

Clearly WeHam have a strategy for balancing the short term through free agency against the long term through the draft.

I agree with that strategy.

[basketballRob]

Let's be real. NAW would've rot behind Fournier and Ross and everyone here would be saying "he's too raw to start"... "he needs to show it in practice first"... "he'll be ready by his 3rd year to become an impact player"... "WeHam is taking the patient approach"... etc etc.

So I don't want to hear any flipping out about NAW. This team would never have found early results.

Don’t agree whatsoever. In fact I think the scenario you are describing is the one Chuma will be dealing with considering our current FC situation. I wouldn’t just automatically expect him to eat into all of Iwundus/Aminus/AGs minutes at the 3. I think coming off of the ACL he will struggle to find minutes on this team until he’s 100% and even then he will have to earn his minutes.

Everyone knew, or atleast everyone that actually watched him knew that NAW was one of the more NBA ready prospects in this draft so I don’t think people would be saying he was too raw at all. Completely different situation from the one we’ve had the previous two years with Isaac/Bamba. Fournier is much more expendable in my eyes then AG/Isaac is so I think NAW with his skillet and position had a much easier route to big minutes sooner rather than later. He just checked all the boxes.

I'm not saying he's raw. I'm saying that's the excuses people would be saying due to his lack of playing time and while you have a fair point, I will disagree with you if you think NAW would see enough PT to force a Fournier trade or take away min from Ross.

If anything we'd be so anxious for NAW only to see WeHam extend Fournier for 4 years in the summer and kill our excitement.

Not saying NAW will be better than Ross or Fournier but he's more multi dimensional.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

[VFX]

I’ll go back to my original example.

Jerian Grant has every opportunity last season based on need and fit. How did that work out?

It didn’t matter how perfect the situation is. If you don’t have the talent you won’t make a difference.

It doesn’t matter how terrible the situation is. If you have the talent, your opportunity to shine will come.

Look at the NFL. Alex Smith had a career year and was kicked out the door for a kid yet to play a meaningful role. Why? TALENT!!!

We gave AG and Vuc declining deals which can be moved if and when Bamba or Chuma are ready or a better offer comes along via trade.


... for the record, I was hoping to hear NAW called when we were on the clock.

Jerian Grant wasn’t close to near the projection of what NAW was compared to. Opportunity AND talent should play as factors for a “playoff team”. He was considered both. Okeke was not.

Again, that doesn’t mean Okeke can’t surprise us and end up being the better player. However, the pick itself is extremely questionable with the other moves, or lack thereof, that were made this offseason while selling “win now” playoffs as the goal.

Vuc, Ross and AFA are “win now” moves WeHam made in free agency.

They clearly have a different philosophy when it comes to the draft.

Isaac, Bamba, (injured) Chuma? These are not “win now” picks but they stretch over the past 3 years.

Clearly WeHam have a strategy for balancing the short term through free agency against the long term through the draft.

I agree with that strategy.

That’s fine to agree with. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But those same people should also take a long hard look in the mirror when/if NAW takes off this season and Orlando continues to struggle mightily in the back court during the playoffs when trying to justify the pick.

[Magic_Johnny12]

I'm sure this has been talked about already, but is NOP playing him at the 2 and can he even play the 1?

[MagicFan101]

Jerian Grant wasn’t close to near the projection of what NAW was compared to. Opportunity AND talent should play as factors for a “playoff team”. He was considered both. Okeke was not.

Again, that doesn’t mean Okeke can’t surprise us and end up being the better player. However, the pick itself is extremely questionable with the other moves, or lack thereof, that were made this offseason while selling “win now” playoffs as the goal.

Vuc, Ross and AFA are “win now” moves WeHam made in free agency.

They clearly have a different philosophy when it comes to the draft.

Isaac, Bamba, (injured) Chuma? These are not “win now” picks but they stretch over the past 3 years.

Clearly WeHam have a strategy for balancing the short term through free agency against the long term through the draft.

I agree with that strategy.

That’s fine to agree with. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But those same people should also take a long hard look in the mirror when/if NAW takes off this season and Orlando continues to struggle mightily in the back court during the playoffs.

Why?

Do you see NAW alone as the difference between a 1st round exit and a championship run?

If not then it doesn’t matter.

But if we lose in the first round with DJ or we lose in the first round with NAW it doesn’t matter ... we still lost in the first round!

Again, I was a NAW supporter on draft night. That isn’t my argument. I’m simply showing the FACT that your KPIs are flawed in this analysis.

[OrlChamps2030]

I’m not going to argue between NAW and Chuma because I honestly didn’t have Chuma on my radar at all.

But your argument hinges on what we need rather than NAW or Chuma. Jerian Grant is better described as a playmaking backcourt player than he would be a 3&D front court player. Does that mean you would prefer us to have resigned him than draft Chuma? I assume not.

Clearly WeHam felt Chuma is a better prospect than NAW. Right or wrong is something only time will tell but the strategy is correct.

Needs change. Talent is more precious.

For example, what if we trade AG for Deangelo Russell? Our needs have completely flipped.

I would agree with you if this current FO wasn’t selling Orlando as a playoff team. That’s a contradiction to their m.o. That and the fact that nearly every big board had NAW being a perfect fit and BPA for our draft position.

You might claim talent as more precious, but that talent has to have opportunity. NAW would come in and be an immediate contributor as opposed to a long term health project that would be playing behind two guys that will absolutely be playing 30+ minutes a night. Unfortunately, that’s an aspect of the pick that absolutely devalues it’s worth.

Okeke could be a great pick as we always look at SL as the end all be all, even though it obviously isn’t. The pick is still questionable in the context of this current roster and where we’ve committed money, signings, and minute distribution.

I’ll go back to my original example.

Jerian Grant has every opportunity last season based on need and fit. How did that work out?

It didn’t matter how perfect the situation is. If you don’t have the talent you won’t make a difference.

It doesn’t matter how terrible the situation is. If you have the talent, your opportunity to shine will come.

Look at the NFL. Alex Smith had a career year and was kicked out the door for a kid yet to play a meaningful role. Why? TALENT!!!

We gave AG and Vuc declining deals which can be moved if and when Bamba or Chuma are ready or a better offer comes along via trade.


... for the record, I was hoping to hear NAW called when we were on the clock.

The Jerian Grant = NAW point you keep making is really static and arbitrary, acting like you only have BPA prospects and need-based prospects and nothing in between . Of course talent matters. If the talent difference is similar (I believe it is) than you go for the need, that’s all I’m really saying.

If it means anything, I’ve actually seen a lot of posters justify the Okeke pick by saying backup PF was a bigger need than backup guard

[MagicFan101]

I would agree with you if this current FO wasn’t selling Orlando as a playoff team. That’s a contradiction to their m.o. That and the fact that nearly every big board had NAW being a perfect fit and BPA for our draft position.

You might claim talent as more precious, but that talent has to have opportunity. NAW would come in and be an immediate contributor as opposed to a long term health project that would be playing behind two guys that will absolutely be playing 30+ minutes a night. Unfortunately, that’s an aspect of the pick that absolutely devalues it’s worth.

Okeke could be a great pick as we always look at SL as the end all be all, even though it obviously isn’t. The pick is still questionable in the context of this current roster and where we’ve committed money, signings, and minute distribution.

I’ll go back to my original example.

Jerian Grant has every opportunity last season based on need and fit. How did that work out?

It didn’t matter how perfect the situation is. If you don’t have the talent you won’t make a difference.

It doesn’t matter how terrible the situation is. If you have the talent, your opportunity to shine will come.

Look at the NFL. Alex Smith had a career year and was kicked out the door for a kid yet to play a meaningful role. Why? TALENT!!!

We gave AG and Vuc declining deals which can be moved if and when Bamba or Chuma are ready or a better offer comes along via trade.


... for the record, I was hoping to hear NAW called when we were on the clock.

The Jerian Grant = NAW point you keep making is really static and arbitrary, acting like you only have BPA prospects and need-based prospects and nothing in between . Of course talent matters. If the talent difference is similar (I believe it is) than you go for the need, that’s all I’m really saying.

If it means anything, I’ve actually seen a lot of posters justify the Okeke pick by saying backup PF was a bigger need than backup guard

If “Jerian Grant = NAW” is what you took from that then please stop posting and go back to school.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

I'm sure this has been talked about already, but is NOP playing him at the 2 and can he even play the 1?

They've got him at the combo guard right now but SL coach mentioned starting him at 2 the 1st game then when he got going they gave him the keys at 1 to continue to create. Sure looks like he could take MCW minutes tomorrow had we drafted him.

Read on Twitter