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Okafor has been getting a lot of hype for his offensive skill and rebounding, but his arms are shorter, he isn't too athletic and he has issues on defense. Karl Anthony-Towns, on the other hand, is a defensive force inside the paint with his long arms. Offensively he compares to DeMarcus Cousins. While Okafor is tearing it up for Duke, I think Towns is the better overall prospect as he fits the need of more teams, but he clearly will need some growing and adjusting.


What are your thoughts? Who is the better prospect and who will get drafted first?

i don't think anybody should worry about Okafor's "short" arms. 7'5" wingspan!!!!

I think Okafor is the safest pick. He is already an elite offensive C and will be able to step into the league and be your starting Center and contribute. Even if his Defense never materializes he be an Allstar.
Towns to me does have a higher ceiling, is a better athlete, shows more two way potential and could definitely be a better NBA player than Okafor, but I also think there is a higher likely hood that he does not become a star center in the league.


simply put Towns has a higher ceiling but lower floor.
I would have no problem if a team picked Towns over Okafor...but given the opportunity I would hope my team picked Okafor.

Okafor is the better center. Towns is the better defender. I would choose Okafor.

Okafor is longer than Towns, he has a longer wingspan and a higher reach.
Towns is not even in the conversation, Mudiay and Russell are ahead of him, so if you are talking about prospects, those two, or even Stanley Johnson and Porzingis, might be in the convo, before Towns.
I have Towns 5-6th in my Board right now.

Fischella wrote:Okafor is longer than Towns, he has a longer wingspan and a higher reach.
Towns is not even in the conversation, Mudiay and Russell are ahead of him, so if you are talking about prospects, those two, or even Stanley Johnson and Porzingis, might be in the convo, before Towns.
I have Towns 5-6th in my Board right now.

Towns has still been super impressive outside of his foul troubles (*cough* Demarcus Cousins *cough*). He's clearly produced more than Stanley per minute and I wouldn't say his stock should have fallen this year. To me he's the same guy I expected him to be coming out of high school when I had him ranked first. Fortunately Russell and Jahlil have blown expectations out the water and took the top 2 spots to me. I'd still pick Towns 3rd even though I love Mudiay and Stan the Man.

For potential NBA impact, I like Karl Towns better than Okafor. Karl Towns is better in the high post offensively and more importantly a much better defender. Both are great passers, but I think Towns is more creative and has more awareness. Okafor outclasses Karl Towns in the low post, but because neither are exceptionally explosive, I think Karl Towns' High post game will be nearly as effective as Okafors' low post game at the pro level. Regarding defense: I'll always select the defensive center over the offensive center unless the defensive guy is a pure zero on offense (like Caulie-Stein).

Recently, it seems the offensive centers that do not protect the rim, also don't produce wins in the NBA. (Pekovic, Vucevic, Al Jefferson, Brook Lopez). I don't want to build my team around a center that doesn't defend the basket.

Towns cant defend Centers in the post, he has length and can block shots, but thats far from been a rim protector.
The best 2 Center defenders in the league are Bogut and Gasol, both of them are basically smart and have quick feet, while they are strong and big.

Towns is not a strong guy, his lower body especially is going to be an issue going forward.
I do not really see were this defensive potential hype from Towns comes.

Towns is a very good run jump athlete not a freak but very good. He's currently being forced to learn the post first which will benefit him later. In March expect more jumpers to show more of his game.

Calapari didn't let randle show his jumper at UK. I think we're seeing all we're going to see from Towns until he gets into the NBA. Personally, I see him as a 4 in the NBA because of his weak base. At least for the first few years.


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PICKnPOP wrote:Calapari didn't let randle show his jumper at UK. I think we're seeing all we're going to see from Towns until he gets into the NBA. Personally, I see him as a 4 in the NBA because of his weak base. At least for the first few years.


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randle couldnt shoot.

also, i'd be just as worried about towns' ability to defend in space as a i would him holding position in the post.
he's a C through and through to me.

Call me crazy but okafor is not a #1 for me ! Guy is not to athletic,towns is my guy,If the Knicks get a crack at either perhaps they go for towns ! mudiay is a special talent and the Knicks could use a point leader real bad ! Sleeper in the draft may be the kid from ND

2hard2guard wrote:Call me crazy but okafor is not a #1 for me ! Guy is not to athletic,towns is my guy,If the Knicks get a crack at either perhaps they go for towns ! mudiay is a special talent and the Knicks could use a point leader real bad ! Sleeper in the draft may be the kid from ND

okafor isnt athletic...but towns is? pls

ManualRam wrote:

2hard2guard wrote:Call me crazy but okafor is not a #1 for me ! Guy is not to athletic,towns is my guy,If the Knicks get a crack at either perhaps they go for towns ! mudiay is a special talent and the Knicks could use a point leader real bad ! Sleeper in the draft may be the kid from ND

okafor isnt athletic...but towns is? pls

In your opinion, Who is the best prospect in the draft ?

Okafor imo but Towns has high upside and won't be a liability on the defensive end like Okafor probably will be. I just think it'll take more time for Towns to adjust to the NBA.

I still feel like Okafor is close to Lopez type of player, I'd draft Towns over him, I want to find out what the upside is.

MinneOOPalis wrote:

ManualRam wrote:

2hard2guard wrote:Call me crazy but okafor is not a #1 for me ! Guy is not to athletic,towns is my guy,If the Knicks get a crack at either perhaps they go for towns ! mudiay is a special talent and the Knicks could use a point leader real bad ! Sleeper in the draft may be the kid from ND

okafor isnt athletic...but towns is? pls

In your opinion, Who is the best prospect in the draft ?

okafor

Can someone here explain to me why in all the boards Towns is been pictured as a defensive minded, shotblocking, stretch PF in the mold of Ibaka, or dare I say, Sheed? seriously, I dont get it, he is nothing like that, like at all.

I'll have to say Okafor.

Fischella wrote:Can someone here explain to me why in all the boards Towns is been pictured as a defensive minded, shotblocking, stretch PF in the mold of Ibaka, or dare I say, Sheed? seriously, I dont get it, he is nothing like that, like at all.

per 40 block numbers, lack of post game, and the jumper he's expected to showcase in the league.

ManualRam wrote:

MinneOOPalis wrote:

ManualRam wrote:okafor isnt athletic...but towns is? pls

In your opinion, Who is the best prospect in the draft ?

okafor

how good of player do you think he'll be? how good on defense in particular?

ManualRam wrote:

2hard2guard wrote:Call me crazy but okafor is not a #1 for me ! Guy is not to athletic,towns is my guy,If the Knicks get a crack at either perhaps they go for towns ! mudiay is a special talent and the Knicks could use a point leader real bad ! Sleeper in the draft may be the kid from ND

okafor isnt athletic...but towns is? pls

Towns is more athletic than Okafor, that shouldn't be under debate.