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Does anyone else find it a major disconnect with reality that a guy who averaged 12/4 in college is talking about how he thinks he should be the top pick? What happened to being a star first? I know it happens but seriously?

#1 pick, no but if a team took him #1. It wouldn't be the worse decision you could make. I trust him more at that spot than Anthony Edwards tbh.

I'd take Edwards and Vassell over him

If you are anywhere close to the top 5, you're supposed to say **** like that.

there is a fine line between confidence and delusion, we don't really know which one is this...I'm fine with it as long as he continues to improve internally and work on his game especially offensively.

could have been taken out of context. Id rather trade for Kevin Knox than draft this guy. I think he could be a great role players he is willing to do what it takes but he does nothing great at the moment besides his elite athleticism.

dolphinatik wrote:could have been taken out of context. Id rather trade for Kevin Knox than draft this guy. I think he could be a great role players he is willing to do what it takes but he does nothing great at the moment besides his elite athleticism.

Knox is available.

I see him as a top-5 guy personally. I like him more than I liked Jaylen Brown coming out of Cal.

I think I should have all the most beautiful women in the world begging for my attention but the reality is only 1 is and its too take out the trash and fix the drain

EMG518 wrote:

dolphinatik wrote:could have been taken out of context. Id rather trade for Kevin Knox than draft this guy. I think he could be a great role players he is willing to do what it takes but he does nothing great at the moment besides his elite athleticism.

Knox is available.

Knox was the worst player in the league last year

penbeast0 wrote:Does anyone else find it a major disconnect with reality that a guy who averaged 12/4 in college is talking about how he thinks he should be the top pick? What happened to being a star first? I know it happens but seriously?

I think he'd best fit for the teams picking 16 through 19 (Trailblazers, Mavericks, Timberwolves, Nets). He can play right away and help a team desperate for defense. Maybe the Pelicans or Kings in the late lottery depending on how the board plays out. Him making this statement is a red flag for me and doesn't help him in any way shape or form.

penbeast0 wrote:Does anyone else find it a major disconnect with reality that a guy who averaged 12/4 in college is talking about how he thinks he should be the top pick? What happened to being a star first? I know it happens but seriously?

Yep, don't like that mindset at all in a prospect. Top pick, my rangdang.

For comparison watch the way Vassell interviews. Comes across as very modest. Talks about being team first as a priority. (3.50)

OGLife wrote:I'd take Edwards and Vassell over him

Yup. I'd add Wiseman before Okoro also.

Depending on the circumstances that lead up to him giving the answer I think it's a perfectly fine answer. If they asked him where they think he should go, knowing he's currently projected in the 5-10 range, I most definitely would want the player saying he should be the #1 pick. Shows some confidence and belief he can back it up. If they asked him where does he think he'll end up, then saying the #1 pick was just ludicrous.
Its like when QBs get asked where they should be drafted. If they a 1st round pick they say at a minimum they should be the 1st QB taken if not the #1 overall pick.

Revenged25 wrote:Depending on the circumstances that lead up to him giving the answer I think it's a perfectly fine answer. If they asked him where they think he should go, knowing he's currently projected in the 5-10 range, I most definitely would want the player saying he should be the #1 pick. Shows some confidence and belief he can back it up. If they asked him where does he think he'll end up, then saying the #1 pick was just ludicrous.
Its like when QBs get asked where they should be drafted. If they a 1st round pick they say at a minimum they should be the 1st QB taken if not the #1 overall pick.

yeah I mean it would be one thing if he was a sap but he easily could fit on any team in the top 5 and so he has a lot of support backing a high selection whether it proves real or not is another story because he aint the full package at all on offense and far from the typical #1 prospect in any draft even this one.

I have him as the prospect with the highest upside in the draft, so I'd personally do it. My big board is:

1. Okoro
2. Wiseman
3. Hayes
4. Vassell
5. Edwards

Granted I'm no draft expert, but he's a tremendous defender who is deceptive on his way to the rim and seems to have some untapped ceiling per footwork and ball handling that could really unlock a ton for him. As long as his shot becomes passable, I like him a lot. Even if it doesn't, I think he will be a nice role player.

I also have Okoro #1 on my BIG BOARD

1. Okoro ( upside = Jimmy Buckets)
2. Wiseman
3. Ball
4. Avdija
5. Vassell
6. Okongwu
7. Edwards ( the most talented player in the draft but by far the laziest)
8. Hayes

Okoro was the best player and hands down leader on that talented Auburn team. He was trying to lead the team in scoring, he was shutting down other teams leaders. He’s a dog and unlike Edwards, his teams win.

Shooting numbers are really poor though. Needs lots of work there.

I think if he was a great shooter, he’d be the top pick.

One thing I really love about Okoro is that, while his jumper has some work to do, he was still at 60% from 2 which is absurd. So without a really good jumper and the lack of space that the college game has, he was still able to get to the hoop and score/get fouled at an incredible rate.

He could be a combo of a poor man Jimmy Buckets with a poor man Tony Allen... which makes a rich mans wing.

babyjax13 wrote:I have him as the prospect with the highest upside in the draft, so I'd personally do it. My big board is:

1. Okoro
2. Wiseman
3. Hayes
4. Vassell
5. Edwards

Granted I'm no draft expert, but he's a tremendous defender who is deceptive on his way to the rim and seems to have some untapped ceiling per footwork and ball handling that could really unlock a ton for him. As long as his shot becomes passable, I like him a lot. Even if it doesn't, I think he will be a nice role player.

The one issue with this kind of thinking is that I could say Okongwu or Wiseman with the ability to hit threes like a guard or wing would have more upside than Okoro due to being bigger, and I don't think you can say Okoro is *that* much more likely to become a good shooter.