Chuma Okeke Appreciation Thread (Signed by the NY Knicks)

[Knightro]

Read on Twitter

I really had high hopes for him and it just never panned out.

Best of luck in the Big Apple. Except when you play the Magic.

[GameOver25]

See ya Okeke. I felt when he changed his shot it was over. His release was all over the place. The only time he stood out to me was his 2nd year (1st healthy season) and the west coast trip this past season.

[RichCollab]

Good luck!

[RookieStar]

GL!!!!

When the 3 rookies played together ( him, Cole and RJ) I thought you had the most chance to be succesful

[Furinkazan]

told you he deserves an NBA spot

[anothermagicfan]

Congratulations to Chuma for continuing his NBA career even with all the doubters. I hope he can carve out a long success career still

[VFX]

Thanks Chuma. Good luck on the bench in New York instead of on the bench in Orlando.

Second worst draft pick under Weltman besides Bamba.
Notable guys taken after Chuma:

NAW
Thybulle
Goga
Clarke
G. Williams
K. Johnson
N Claxton
C Martin
D Gafford
Mann

Thats not even including Jordan Poole.

Good job Weltman. You got cute and drafted an injured redemption project that wasn't big enough to be a PF and wasn't skilled enough to be a SF.

[shadrock]

told you he deserves an NBA spot

He absolutely does not.

[OrlChamps2030]

Thanks Chuma. Good luck on the bench in New York instead of on the bench in Orlando.

Second worst draft pick under Weltman besides Bamba.

Notable guys taken after Chuma:

NAW
Thybulle
Goga
Clarke
G. Williams
K. Johnson
N Claxton
C Martin
D Gafford
Mann
J McDaniels

Thats not even including Jordan Poole.

Good job Weltman. You got cute and drafted an injured redemption project that wasn't big enough to be a PF and wasn't skilled enough to be a SF.

Do Cole next

Actually don’t

[VFX]

Thanks Chuma. Good luck on the bench in New York instead of on the bench in Orlando.

Second worst draft pick under Weltman besides Bamba.

Notable guys taken after Chuma:

NAW
Thybulle
Goga
Clarke
G. Williams
K. Johnson
N Claxton
C Martin
D Gafford
Mann
J McDaniels

Thats not even including Jordan Poole.

Good job Weltman. You got cute and drafted an injured redemption project that wasn't big enough to be a PF and wasn't skilled enough to be a SF.

Do Cole next

Actually don’t

Cole's draft was a WAY worse miss, but at least he can see the court.

[richi_v25]

Who? Jk he actually had a few games his first season where he looked decent scoring then it was all down, way DOWN hill from there. He seemed like a chill dude to be around in the vlogs so enjoy NY homie.

[Residual-Heat]

I almost forgot he was a starter for 8 games last season. Wasnt horrible in those games. Good for him getting a new contract.

[thelead]

I'm surprised that he got picked up so soon. Figured he would have to hit the GLeague or go overseas before ever getting another shot.

Edit: It's an exhibit 10 contract:

Read on Twitter

[pepe1991]

Only and i mean ONLY time when he played well was few days after i opened thread about him sucking.

[drsd]

Thanks Chuma. Good luck on the bench in New York instead of on the bench in Orlando.

Second worst draft pick under Weltman besides Bamba.
Notable guys taken after Chuma:

NAW
Thybulle
Goga
Clarke
G. Williams
K. Johnson
N Claxton
C Martin
D Gafford
Mann

Thats not even including Jordan Poole.

Good job Weltman. You got cute and drafted an injured redemption project that wasn't big enough to be a PF and wasn't skilled enough to be a SF.

The good news abut this pick.

1) it revealed that Weltman in general would think outside the box.
2) Orlando ended up with Bitadze for nothing, and as the player taken next, thus there was value for Orlando in this draft.

[pepe1991]

Thanks Chuma. Good luck on the bench in New York instead of on the bench in Orlando.

Second worst draft pick under Weltman besides Bamba.
Notable guys taken after Chuma:

NAW
Thybulle
Goga
Clarke
G. Williams
K. Johnson
N Claxton
C Martin
D Gafford
Mann

Thats not even including Jordan Poole.

Good job Weltman. You got cute and drafted an injured redemption project that wasn't big enough to be a PF and wasn't skilled enough to be a SF.

The good news abut this pick.

1) it revealed that Weltman in general would think outside the box.
2) Orlando ended up with Bitadze for nothing, and as the player taken next, thus there was value for Orlando in this draft.

Pretty sure only reason they drafted him is because he agreed to not sign pro contract right away. They had like 13 men under a contract that year.
He is also good reminder that taking players with ACL tear even in modern era is very dangerous. Chuma wasn't most athletic guy before injury, after injury he was as athletic as 80% of crossfit amateurs. It's pretty damn telling to know that 6'6 guy has 44 dunks in his entire nba career, and 29 out of 44 happened in year 2 ( 8 dunks total in past 2 years and epic 7 FTA in entire 2023-24 /47 games played might be lowest rate in history of basketball )

[Skybox]

NYK are doing what you’re supposed to do…fill out your roster with vet min guys that can give you a few mins in a pinch…not pay 3rd stringers $8m per. Throw all your cap space at the top 6 or 7- if injuries takes you past there, you’re toast anyway.

There’s no glory in having the best 3rd string in the NBA…Who’s got less depth than the wire to wire champs?

[orlando_joe]

NYK are doing what you’re supposed to do…fill out your roster with vet min guys that can give you a few mins in a pinch…not pay 3rd stringers $8m per. Throw all your cap space at the top 6 or 7- if injuries takes you past there, you’re toast anyway.

There’s no glory in having the best 3rd string in the NBA…Who’s got less depth than the wire to wire champs?

dont worry magic about a yr away from that with paying franz,paolo and suggs ..and those contracts for 3rd string are mostly 1 yr then team option or rookie deals if you can afford insurance this season whats problem?

[Skybox]

NYK are doing what you’re supposed to do…fill out your roster with vet min guys that can give you a few mins in a pinch…not pay 3rd stringers $8m per. Throw all your cap space at the top 6 or 7- if injuries takes you past there, you’re toast anyway.

There’s no glory in having the best 3rd string in the NBA…Who’s got less depth than the wire to wire champs?

dont worry magic about a yr away from that with paying franz,paolo and suggs ..and those contracts for 3rd string are mostly 1 yr then team option or rookie deals if you can afford insurance this season whats problem?

Hopefully, the plan is to package some of those short salaries for a player(s) that makes a difference in actually contending…not just kicking the can down the road again and again. The FO always look brilliant for setting themselves up perfectly for a big move - but it never comes. KCP is an excellent role player that is generating way too much celebration for a team poised to take a leap this summer.

[drsd]

Pretty sure only reason they drafted him is because he agreed to not sign pro contract right away. They had like 13 men under a contract that year.
He is also good reminder that taking players with ACL tear even in modern era is very dangerous. Chuma wasn't most athletic guy before injury, after injury he was as athletic as 80% of crossfit amateurs. It's pretty damn telling to know that 6'6 guy has 44 dunks in his entire nba career, and 29 out of 44 happened in year 2 ( 8 dunks total in past 2 years and epic 7 FTA in entire 2023-24 /47 games played might be lowest rate in history of basketball )

The media had a near universal view that Okeke was "a winner". His NCAA run up to the ACL tear, he did comand games. I guess the thought is that he might of had that "it" factor. At 16, worth a look I guess.

But: Okeke does not have "it". For me, he might develop to a rotational player, as he is still young. But now, he is not an NBA caliber player in my opinion.

Changing topics: I actually think Howard is in the same streak/vain as Okeke. I just don't see it in Howard.