Is Okafor available?

legacyinthemakin89c · Post #1 » by **legacyinthemakin89c** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:46 pm

I've heard from a bunch of random fans that the Bobcats are looking to deal Okafor but I really don't believe it. So I just wanted to ask you guys if you knew anything and to clarify one or the other because I would love to deal for him as a Pistons fan. I just wanted some clarification because I think the rumors of him being shopped are greatly exaggerated.

Post #2 » by **BigSlam** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:51 pm

I don't think he is being shopped as much as we are just trying to get the best out of him. LB said in the media at the end of the season that he would like to see Emeka spend as much time on improving his basketball game as he does his body (he is very meticulous with his preparation and post game routines). I think he is going to spend a lot of the summer and preseason really trying to motivate Emeka to be the best he can be.

In saying all that, if the right deal came along, of course we would look at it. But it's far from a fire sale.

misterglover · Post #3 » by **misterglover** » Mon May 25, 2009 7:46 pm

I agree w/ Slam...... Atlhough and I may be alone in this a swap of Okafor for Rip Hamilton interest me but only if we could get a legit Big in the draft...Im soooo over Okafor he's a decent player but I dont think he's ever gonna get any better... I think Rip would give us the SG we need plus allow us to move Raja to the bench as a backup to Rip & Gerald...but again that only works if we could draft a legit big man and this draft has very little...

dookieguy · Post #4 » by **dookieguy** » Tue May 26, 2009 12:30 pm

Why can't Okafor increase his offensive game? Don't big men usually improve their offense a couple of years into the league? Okafor seems on the decline offensively.

Post #5 » by **BigSlam** » Tue May 26, 2009 12:53 pm

He was better on offense last season than he ever has been before. He was much more agressive, shot the mid range J a little and from a deep post position under single coverage usually did a pretty good job.

He'll never be Al Jefferson, but there has been improvement.

nugentrk · Post #6 » by **nugentrk** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:07 pm

No and the bets not trade Okafor, if anything they need to hire a former center to work with Okafor. McHale worked with KG. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar works with Andrew Bynum and Patrick Ewing works with Dwight Howard.

Bassman · Post #7 » by **Bassman** » Tue May 26, 2009 3:15 pm

nugentrk wrote:No and the bets not trade Okafor, if anything they need to hire a former center to work with Okafor. McHale worked with KG. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar works with Andrew Bynum and Patrick Ewing works with Dwight Howard.

Mek has worked with Hakeem down in Houston several times. I think he learned some stuff but it hasn't translated into dramatic improvements for 2 reasons:

1. Okafor has some physical limitations that will always be a factor in his performance. His quickness off his feet is decent but isn't combined with great hops. His body is not fluid relative to fine motor skill coordination, which is why he looks so mechanical in his offensive attempts at shot creation.

2. Evidently Mek doesn't apply himself to basketball training, so his progress is further hampered by a lack of skill development. The man is very bright, not lazy at all. Perhaps he just doesn't have a passion for the game.

A decent quality player who delivers consistent performance, but lacks that "something" to take his game to the next level.

arh1109 · Post #8 » by **arh1109** » Tue May 26, 2009 4:29 pm

I agree with everything Bassman said plus the fact that he's probably closer to 6'9 without shoes. I'd like to see him stay but if he doesn't show dedication to the team's success then I want him out of here.

nugentrk · Post #9 » by **nugentrk** » Tue May 26, 2009 6:15 pm

Mek has worked with Hakeem down in Houston several times.

I Google that info! It seems like Okafor works out most summers at Hakeem free camp. That should dispel the notion that Okafor is not dedication to getting better. Our coaching staff doesn’t seem to have any big man coach.

spectre_ · Post #10 » by **spectre_** » Tue May 26, 2009 6:34 pm

nugentrk wrote:
Mek has worked with Hakeem down in Houston several times.

I Google that info! It seems like Okafor works out most summers at Hakeem free camp. That should dispel the notion that Okafor is not dedication to getting better. Our coaching staff doesn’t seem to have any big man coach.

How long is that camp? I was under the impression he was only with Hakeem for like a week/10 days out of the summer.

Edit:

http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Olajuwo ... 9-822.html

After spending a week tutoring Okafor last summer, Olajuwon decided to invite a few more names this summer to his tutorial sessions, transforming his private lessons into a Big Man Camp.

A week in Mek's 2nd year.

Several big names have lined up to see him. Dallas' DeSagana Diop and D.J. Mbenga, Golden State's Ike Diogu and Chicago's Luol Deng are expected to join Okafor at Memorial Hermann-HBU Wellness Center.

Maybe there's a revelation to be had here...

Post #11 » by **fatlever** » Tue May 26, 2009 7:21 pm

lets be honest... if hakeems pupils consist of okafor, diop, mbenga and diogu... maybe the problem is the teacher

Post #12 » by **BigSlam** » Tue May 26, 2009 7:37 pm

Thoughts?

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=908260

nugentrk · Post #13 » by **nugentrk** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:00 pm

What I am saying is the Bobcats should have a big men assistant coach on staff to teach/help develop Okafor, Alexis Ajinca and the other big men on this team.

spectre_ · Post #14 » by **spectre_** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:11 pm

nugentrk wrote:What I am saying is the Bobcats should have a big men assistant coach on staff to teach/help develop Okafor, Alexis Ajinca and the other big men on this team.

I thought we did have a big man coach...didn't Mek pull out of the FT practice with Capel to work on his big man skills? I don't know who it is though, and the main site only lists Brown/Brown/Hanners/Ford.

I definitely agree management has been PITIFUL in trying to help Mek develop big man skills.

On the above Bosh trade...definitely.

Post #15 » by **BigSlam** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:16 pm

spectre_ wrote:I thought we did have a big man coach...didn't Mek pull out of the FT practice with Capel to work on his big man skills? I don't know who it is though, and the main site only lists Brown/Brown/Hanners/Ford.

LaSalle Thompson was doing it, but then he was promoted to assistant coach.

thruthefire · Post #16 » by **thruthefire** » Wed May 27, 2009 1:18 am

Okafor, Diaw, and Augustin for Bosh? :-?

RuPaul is a terrific player, but that's giving up an awful lot.

And again, the Gana Diop starting factor doesn't sit well with me.

WaydownSouth · Post #17 » by **WaydownSouth** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:46 am

I don't mind the Bosh for Okafor deal. I'm not jumping up and down saying it's the best deal of all time, it needs some work, but I don't totally hate it.

Takuya Kimura · Post #18 » by **Takuya Kimura** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:10 am

If the pick is the 7th pick(Toronto's own pick) I'd think about it.
Seriously,Okafor,Diaw AND Augustin for Bosh and a sucky contract?No way in hell.

Fred Williamson · Post #19 » by **Fred Williamson** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:17 am

how about Diaw+Augustin+#12 for Bosh and Banks? seriously, i don't want Diop as a starter

Elden Payton · Post #20 » by **Elden Payton** » Fri May 29, 2009 7:10 am

I am definitely hoping that the franchise is not looking to deal Okafor.. The thing I like about Okafor is the fact that he is a double-double guy who plays defense.. he may only be 13-15 p-pg 10-11 rpg but that is something you can build a team around.. We need to have a dominant scorer for him to play with.. if we traded him we would regret it..