Chuma Okeke drafted #16 by the Orlando Magic

[orlando_joe]

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

who cares make a new thread if you want to talk about woulda coulda ...

[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

who cares make a new thread if you want to talk about woulda coulda ...

pipe down charlie, dude asked a question and I responded with an answer.

[ezzzp]

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

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I don't want to say he won't eventually be, but nobody really knows what parts of his skill set will translate over to the NBA. So saying he's more multi-dimensional isn't really true...at least not yet.

In SL, he isn't being defended by NBA level size, skill or systems...right now he's going against guys who 99% of them won't be in the NBA ever, and vs squads that only met a week ago and practiced together less than a handful of times. Its weaker than college competition because at least those teams have systems in place.

When Fournier came into NBA he actually had a lot of same characteristics as NAW. He was guard that might be able to play some PG - actually did overseas. I saw an interview somewhere where Masai Ujiri - the GM that drafted Fournier - talks about him as a skilled passer with length who can shoot lights out. Fournier ended up a secondary playmaker in NBA.

Ross had killer athleticism and could shoot...but his weakness entering nba were refined handles or creation tools.

[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?

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

Got it. Thanks for that.

Looks good and I agree with your sentiment on taking MCW minutes.

But I think the main problem with us fans is that we look at things so narrow minded and how x player can help us today/right now and dont realize that WeHam is literally looking at things at a wider angle and probably as far as 3-4 years down the road and is accounting several variables like future potential trades, future drafts, Markelle's health etc.

I totally get the Okeke pick, BPA by all accounts and highest potential out of the crop. The only thing in question is health, which WeHam had total confidence in apparently.

Wings run this league and are the highest in demand, this also opens up several different avenues where Gordon becomes expendable without jeopardizing his production in the SL.

We're so starved of a true play-maker so any player that even resembles that we go crazy (rightfully so), but I still stand behind this pick. Next years draft is FULL of guards/play makers if Markelle doesn't come to fruition.

[Magic_Johnny12]

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

who cares make a new thread if you want to talk about woulda coulda ...

pipe down charlie, dude asked a question and I responded with an answer.

You answered it perfectly, thanks dude.

[orlando_joe]

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

who cares make a new thread if you want to talk about woulda coulda ...

pipe down charlie, dude asked a question and I responded with an answer.

my bad just every time I check its about someone else no chuma..

[VFX]

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.

I like the Okeke pick in a vacuum. I think you can never have enough solid 3-D players that can become something more integral. I was also a NAW supporter on draft night.

That being said, this FO is obviously pushing for win now playoff scenario. That means we did not add to the roster for the short term window Weltham have committed to. We could not be seeing the 2019 pick pay off for another 2-3 seasons. NAW helps in the window we just committed $100m Center and essential 6th man.

Edit: I’ll add the caveat that none of this matters if there is a mid season trade that better explains this pick in the long and short term.

[Def Swami]

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.

Instead Okeke will rot behind Gordon, Isaac, Aminu, and Iwundu.

[Def Swami]

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 have him listed as a 2, but he has definitely been running as a point guard for them at times during the SL games. It's his most impressive skillset IMO.

[Def Swami]

Summer League can be such a misleading environment at times. You have to take everything you see with a grain of salt.

Personally, I believe having a good or great summer league is generally always better than having a bad one. It doesn't mean you'll be a star player or all-star. But you can usually tell by the eye test who is good and who isn't and what kind of skills a player has.

But having a bad summer league is usually not a good sign. If you can't showcase your strengths in this environment, it's probably going to be rough sledding in the real deal.

Obviously, there are countless examples of players supporting and opposing this.

The majority of this board, most Magic fans, and even most NBA mocks had us taking NAW because of his skillset and profile and how much we need help in the back court. His game has translated well to this environment. His passing, basketball IQ, ability to finish, and ability to hit open shots have been impressive. But, this was always his game and I don't believe any of this is a fluke. He's also gotten stronger, which was a concern of mine. He's just playing the same game he has since college. I liked that he had some experience in college being a lead guy.

It's way too early to judge the 2019 draft. But Weltman and Hammond went against the grain by reaching for Okeke as high as they did when most of us thought NAW would be the pick. I respect them for believing in their own projections, but it places a lot of pressure and judgment on Weltman and Hammond. I hope they're right in the long run.

I always imagined NAW being able to play some 1 and 2. I still would have preferred drafting NAW. IMO, I think I would have rather had him as a 2nd string PG (3rd string if Fultz actually proves to play well) than have Okeke as the 4th forward on the team.

[basketballRob]

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

He played mostly the 1 yesterday

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[Magic4champ]

A point guard in the nba is a tough spot to play. There are a lot of elite players you need to match up with. He needs aside from elite play making skils and elite shooting an elite defense. Elite defense to control the likes of Kemba, Kyrie, westbrook and D Angelo. MCW may not have elit shooting but he has elite defense to contain Van Fleet in our series against the champs. Point guard need a lot of seasoning to be a leader of the offense and somehow defense. NAW has the potential I am sure but the FO already decided on our present setup of playmakers.

[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.

Instead Okeke will rot behind Gordon, Isaac, Aminu, and Iwundu.

Okeke will be 2nd string SF as soon as he comes back.

[pepe1991]

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.

Instead Okeke will rot behind Gordon, Isaac, Aminu, and Iwundu.

Okeke will be 2nd string SF as soon as he comes back.

When did Okeke play SF ? Highschool? What makes you belive he can play SF in nba?
Also as soon as he comes back is in October of 2020
As long as Magic keep Aminu, Isaac and Gordon, Okeke won't recive more than 10-14 mpg

[Furinkazan]

We Ham are taking patient approach cause it fits their wallets.

[drsd]

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.

The problem here is the injury risks. Every first-round predicted player would not play. They play now a they are all under contract at their respective raft slot.

But the idea does have merit for players trying to play their way in to the second round.

..

[drsd]

Fournier ended up a secondary playmaker in NBA.

If Okeke or Alexander-Walker end up as a "secondary playmaker in NBA", the both would be BPA at their respective draft slots. After the lottery, a team is typically drafting for bench depth, historically.

A 3rd, 4th man on a starting roster is a huge value pick at 16 or 17.


..

[zaymon]

Fournier ended up a secondary playmaker in NBA.

If Okeke or Alexander-Walker end up as a "secondary playmaker in NBA", the both would be BPA at their respective draft slots. After the lottery, a team is typically drafting for bench depth, historically.

A 3rd, 4th man on a starting roster is a huge value pick at 16 or 17.


..

Still Weltman projects Okeke to be better. Guys its not like Weltman picked Okeke by mistake. We had NAW for couple of days here, they went to dinner together. NAW was available for us and Weltman without hesitation chose Chuma with big smile on his face. NAW ceiling projects to be Fournier who everybody here dislike. I dont get the love. Its players like Chuma that are the most valuable assets right now. What has NAW that makes him better than Okeke ? Becouse i dont see him as a lead ball handler.

[basketballRob]

Fournier ended up a secondary playmaker in NBA.

If Okeke or Alexander-Walker end up as a "secondary playmaker in NBA", the both would be BPA at their respective draft slots. After the lottery, a team is typically drafting for bench depth, historically.

A 3rd, 4th man on a starting roster is a huge value pick at 16 or 17.


..

Still Weltman projects Okeke to be better. Guys its not like Weltman picked Okeke by mistake. We had NAW for couple of days here, they went to dinner together. NAW was available for us and Weltman without hesitation chose Chuma with big smile on his face. NAW ceiling projects to be Fournier who everybody here dislike. I dont get the love. Its players like Chuma that are the most valuable assets right now. What has NAW that makes him better than Okeke ? Becouse i dont see him as a lead ball handler.

NAW is a ball handler. Have you watched him play? He is capable of running the point.

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[tiderulz]

Instead Okeke will rot behind Gordon, Isaac, Aminu, and Iwundu.

Okeke will be 2nd string SF as soon as he comes back.

When did Okeke play SF ? Highschool? What makes you belive he can play SF in nba?
Also as soon as he comes back is in October of 2020
As long as Magic keep Aminu, Isaac and Gordon, Okeke won't recive more than 10-14 mpg

i think he looks fluid enough to play SF. even if as just a 3&D