RealGM

I'm 50/50 on Hayes/Okongwu, I'd be shocked if we took either over Edwards or Wiseman, but I'll take Okongwu

The only thing that makes me worried about OO is worrying that I'm biased due to the obvious Bam comp. OO seems like a can't miss starter based on what he's good at and potentially a Bam level contributor if he adds skills he didn't show in college.

I watched the videos with OO and Wiseman where they were interviewed by Mike Schmitz, and I came away much more impressed with OO.

yosemiteben wrote:The only thing that makes me worried about OO is worrying that I'm biased due to the obvious Bam comp. OO seems like a can't miss starter based on what he's good at and potentially a Bam level contributor if he adds skills he didn't show in college.

I watched the videos with OO and Wiseman where they were interviewed by Mike Schmitz, and I came away much more impressed with OO.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I thought they both did really well.

amcoolio wrote:I'm 50/50 on Hayes/Okongwu, I'd be shocked if we took either over Edwards or Wiseman, but I'll take Okongwu

Haven’t voted in either poll, but I’m split between Hayes and Okongwu as well as tops on my board. Probably go with Hayes if I had to chose, but I really like the smarts I’ve seen in Okongwu.

yosemiteben wrote:The only thing that makes me worried about OO is worrying that I'm biased due to the obvious Bam comp. OO seems like a can't miss starter based on what he's good at and potentially a Bam level contributor if he adds skills he didn't show in college.

I watched the videos with OO and Wiseman where they were interviewed by Mike Schmitz, and I came away much more impressed with OO.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I'm still waiting to hear a good reason why he's even compared to Bam in the first place other than having a similar physical profile.

It seems lazy and a victim of currency

SWedd523 wrote:

yosemiteben wrote:The only thing that makes me worried about OO is worrying that I'm biased due to the obvious Bam comp. OO seems like a can't miss starter based on what he's good at and potentially a Bam level contributor if he adds skills he didn't show in college.

I watched the videos with OO and Wiseman where they were interviewed by Mike Schmitz, and I came away much more impressed with OO.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I'm still waiting to hear a good reason why he's even compared to Bam in the first place other than having a similar physical profile.

It seems lazy and a victim of currency

Their college stats, college roles, and body types are extremely similar.

Watch that video, it's talked about ad nauseum.

To be clear, I like the Bam comparison but only on the defensive end. He's nothing like Bam on offense.

Defensively they both have quick feet,good hips, and strong legs that allow them to switch and guard 1-5. They are also both good/great rim protectors and good rebounders. To be fair, Precious is more like Bam on defense than Okongwu, but it's not a horrible comp.

Offensively Bam is on a whole other level. Bam can handle the ball, has good touch, and makes great decisions. I like Okongwu but he hasn't shown the ability to do these things so far. He never really got to make many short roll decisions as he was often playing the 4 in college. Most of his points came from dives at the rim and post ups. He won't be able to survive posting up against NBA bigs. He'll be good on mismatches though. He's made a few jumpers, but it's mostly theoretical at this point i.e. I'll believe it when I see it.

1.Terry
2. Hayes

Thats all

James Gatz wrote:Offensively Bam is on a whole other level. Bam can handle the ball, has good touch, and makes great decisions.

That's Bam now, but not college Bam. Watch that video, they talk all about it.

yosemiteben wrote:

James Gatz wrote:Offensively Bam is on a whole other level. Bam can handle the ball, has good touch, and makes great decisions.

That's Bam now, but not college Bam. Watch that video, they talk all about it.

Yeah man, I've seen the video and watched numerous of his games at USC. I don't think it's likely or fair to Okongwu as a prospect to expect for him develop in the extraordinary ways that Bam has up this point. You can compare them as similar prospects at the moment they were drafted but it doesn't make sense they would follow the same development curve.

I'm still high on him as a prospect, but we shouldn't see it as inevitable that he will become a primary ball handler, a good shooter, or someone who makes great decisions with the ball in his hands ala Bam. He potentially could, but I'd rather focus on what prospects have shown up until this point.

James Gatz wrote:

yosemiteben wrote:

James Gatz wrote:Offensively Bam is on a whole other level. Bam can handle the ball, has good touch, and makes great decisions.

That's Bam now, but not college Bam. Watch that video, they talk all about it.

Yeah man, I've seen the video and watched numerous of his games at USC. I don't think it's likely or fair to Okongwu as a prospect to expect for him develop in the extraordinary ways that Bam has up this point. You can compare them as similar prospects at the moment they were drafted but it doesn't make sense they would follow the same development curve.

I'm still high on him as a prospect, but we shouldn't see it as inevitable that he will become a primary ball handler, a good shooter, or someone who makes great decisions with the ball in his hands ala Bam. He potentially could, but I'd rather focus on what prospects have shown up until this point.

That's fair, my bad, obviously Bam's development trajectory is far from the norm. I just thought you were comparing them as prospects.

I do think OO's defensive awareness is a good sign that he has some high BBIQ, which is primarily what gives me hope that he can be a plus contributor as a traffic cop on offense.

Voted okongwu 2020.

The fans have spoken - Okongwu with the win.

Next up: pick #3.