Okufor should stay at C

Dexmor · Post #1 » by **Dexmor** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:53 pm

Unless they can get a Kaman which they can't he should stay at C.
At Center he is one of the best. Top 10 Center. He is just as strong as the centers and he is faster then most. He can block shots like a Center and guard less talented players.
As a PF he isn't faster then almost everybody and there are a ton of PF's better then him. Plus it is easier to get a really good pf then a really good center for him to play next to. It opens things up for management and makes there job easier.
Plus these days pf's score and score in a number of ways including the 3. As a C he wouldn't have to bother with that he can just play his game.

What do you guys think?

spectre_ · Post #2 » by **spectre_** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:20 pm

It seems almost everyone thinks he should remain a C except the coaching staff. The Idiot (after getting us to bring in Nazr) also came to that conclusion. I like Mek and Diaw paired together and I think both will benefit from it. Moving Mek to the 4 & Diaw to the 3 (assuming Crash is dealt) won't work near as well IMO. I saw Diaw try and guard Deng...thankfully Deng didn't really try and take advantage. I think guys like Caron Butler would smoke him on a nightly basis.

I've often wondered whether Mek himself thinks he should be a PF.

Dexmor · Post #3 » by **Dexmor** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:23 pm

Yeah see he does need to stay at Center but Diaw has to be able to play either forward position if were gonna trade Wallace and the reason is if Diaw is not able to play either and we keep Wallace we have no choice but to get a superstar sg. We need a guy to throw the ball to and get out of his way. It's not Okufor,DJ,Wallace or Diaw. Those guys just aren't up to that level. They can't be the best player on a winning team. So we need to have verstile players. The thing is you are right and Diaw might play more like a sf in some ways but he really will have the most success at the 4.
Jason Richardson was a guy you could throw it to and get out of his way but he just wasn't good enough. Trading him was the right move.
Vince Carter could be that guy and I am pretty sure he could be had although he is ready for his declining years any year now.
I think we are gonna have to wait til draft day to get that guy and hope they make the right pick again. They should hire Isiah Thomas for drafting reasons but with LB there I doubt that happens.

doc.end · Post #4 » by **doc.end** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:28 pm

Can we for a change spell Okafor's name right? Is it that difficult?!

freakon0mics · Post #5 » by **freakon0mics** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:31 pm

Its just sad that no one on the coaching staff would leave Okafor at the 5. We all see him being move to the 4 sometime later. During the mean time though he is relishing his role at the 5 and producing very nice for this team. Just ask Derrick Rose to drive in the paint on us again, he'll probably pull up for a jumper instead.

ohara · Post #6 » by **ohara** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:07 am

Crash at SF, Diaw at PF and Okafor at Center works for me.

Bassman · Post #7 » by **Bassman** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:55 am

ohara wrote:Crash at SF, Diaw at PF and Okafor at Center works for me.

Yep. We'll do fine with these guys. Big teams will pound us badly but we'll give them trouble with our quickness and multiple threats.

StutterStep · Post #8 » by **StutterStep** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 5:50 am

spectre_ wrote:I've often wondered whether Mek himself thinks he should be a PF.

I would assume Center since that's where he played in College, and got tutoring from Hakeem for.

Dexmor · Post #9 » by **Dexmor** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:02 pm

The Brad Miller rumor really bothers me for not just because Mek should play C but also because Crash is so much better and Miller is gonna be 33. Were not building for the now and future with him.
Plus this is no longer just a big mans game and basketball has changed. The guards control the game more and running style wins just as much as the pounding it style.

Vanderbilt_Grad · Post #10 » by **Vanderbilt_Grad** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:00 am

Okafor struggles against taller defensive players on offense & has said to the media several times that he wants to play at the PF spot.

Okafor’s best games have pretty much all come when he was playing the 5 and most teams don’t have 7’+ centers anymore.

These are the two points of view that I think all of our coaches have tried to deal with. Okafor at PF means that he will not have to face the taller guys as much in theory and SHOULD result in a more even game for him ... and make him happy since that’s what he seems to want.

My thought is that he should stay a center and the team should look to find a back who can deal with the tall guys letting Okafor slide over to the 4 in specific matchups when it works.

Dexmor · Post #11 » by **Dexmor** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:16 pm

U know I made this post but I am changing my mind. I think he should move to PF. The only way he would benefit from staying at C is if they ran and there not going to so he should be moved to the 4.

Mr2400 · Post #12 » by **Mr2400** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 1:07 am

spectre_ wrote:It seems almost everyone thinks he should remain a C except the coaching staff. The Idiot (after getting us to bring in Nazr) also came to that conclusion. I like Mek and Diaw paired together and I think both will benefit from it. Moving Mek to the 4 & Diaw to the 3 (assuming Crash is dealt) won't work near as well IMO. I saw Diaw try and guard Deng...thankfully Deng didn't really try and take advantage. I think guys like Caron Butler would smoke him on a nightly basis.

I've often wondered whether Mek himself thinks he should be a PF.

as a suns fan, i've become pretty familiar with diaw (the good and the bad) over the years. I can honestly say that he is pretty capable defensively, more than most people give him credit for. He always used to switch onto dirk for times for the suns, guarded duncan from time to time, and can stick with guys like deng and butler usually. he uses his body well, and has a nice combo of strength and speed for someone his size. the only game the suns won in last year's playoffs was when he guarded parker (and did very well at it). His main fault defensively is that he is undersized for some people in the post (guys like duncan, garnett). But i would say if the cats keep diaw, they can expect at least average defense.