Okafor out indefinitely

[Ruzious]

Probably already been answered somewhere in this thread, but, how long will it take for him to recover from this after surgery?

Is this a kind of bounce-back sports injury, or will he likely never be the same?

The prognosis is very simple - he's out indefinitely.

[Ruzious]

]For now, this is the Jan Vesely of franchises. Hapless, hopeless, and lovable in the sort of way you love a three-legged puppy. That's the Wizards the past five years. But maybe this is the season when John Wall becomes the player everyone's always hoped for, splits the earth in half, and gives them a new identity. If it seems like we're bouncing between entrenched, passionate cynicism and blind optimism, well, that's what being a fan of a horrible team is all about.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-trian ... -the-world

I know that there will be guys on the board who will continue with their blind optimism, others will see this situation as something that was entirely predictable and should have been planned-for in-advance by having a better drafting /off-season strategy. Fans should not accept AGAIN the injury excuse should we fails to make the playoffs.

Well said by both closg and the Grantland writer. STOP accepting the injury excuse. Every team has injuries. The Wiz were built to fall apart with any significant injury. Good organizations aren't.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

]For now, this is the Jan Vesely of franchises. Hapless, hopeless, and lovable in the sort of way you love a three-legged puppy. That's the Wizards the past five years. But maybe this is the season when John Wall becomes the player everyone's always hoped for, splits the earth in half, and gives them a new identity. If it seems like we're bouncing between entrenched, passionate cynicism and blind optimism, well, that's what being a fan of a horrible team is all about.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-trian ... -the-world

I know that there will be guys on the board who will continue with their blind optimism, others will see this situation as something that was entirely predictable and should have been planned-for in-advance by having a better drafting /off-season strategy. Fans should not accept AGAIN the injury excuse should we fail to make the playoffs.

I can't quite fathom Okafor being that good that the team falls apart without him. Surely, the team won't be as good as it would have with Okafor and Nene at full strength. I am not sure how much worse they'll be.

I felt drafting Olynyk made much more sense than Porter, with some trade down scenario as part of the draft. I think signing Maynor for what they should have spent to get Blair was downright dumb. Even Bernard James would have made a lot of sense.

The one thing I don't necessarily think, however, is that with Okafor out the team won't make the playoffs. I truly believe the same team that won the last 6 games and 8 of 10 before Okafor was acquired can win now. Nene with Harrington might be better because they've played together. I still think Vesely runs well with the starters. Seraphin scores better than Okafor. Ariza is a solid player, and he might also start in place of Okafor. Depth and defense won't be as good but it's possible a smaller, quicker, lineup might be more effective in the short run and Okafor finishes the season strong.

I don't know how Okafor being out will affect the team because Nene when healthy is far better than Okafor IMO.

[DCZards]

I can't quite fathom Okafor being that good that the team falls apart without him. Surely, the team won't be as good as it would have with Okafor and Nene at full strength. I am not sure how much worse they'll be.

I don't know how Okafor being out will affect the team because Nene when healthy is far better than Okafor IMO.

ccj, like you I don't see the Zards falling apart without Emeka. However, it will almost certainly make it harder to win the 43-45 games that I thought the Zards would win before Okafor's injury.

Yes, a healthy Nene is better than Okafor, but don't underestimate Emeka's role in helping Nene play his best ball. Okafor's rebounding and interior defense allows Nene to concentrate on what he does best--scoring, passing. Emeka and Nene complement each other very well.

[dobrojim]

Probably already been answered somewhere in this thread, but, how long will it take for him to recover from this after surgery?

Is this a kind of bounce-back sports injury, or will he likely never be the same?

first - what I had heard was that he is not planning/expecting to need surgery.

timeframe? - no one knows.

[dobrojim]

ccj - I don't think KS scores 'better' than Okafor. KS shoots more and he shoots worse.
Dare I say he's the Big Balls of 4/5s.
Maybe this year that'll get tamed down. But their respective histories doesn't back
up your assertion that KS is a better offensive player.

I do agree that there seems to be a sky is falling attitude among some
that I also don't completely share. It's a concern though.

[barelyawake]

Probably already been answered somewhere in this thread, but, how long will it take for him to recover from this after surgery?

Is this a kind of bounce-back sports injury, or will he likely never be the same?

first - what I had heard was that he is not planning/expecting to need surgery.

timeframe? - no one knows.

From what I have read, when surgery isn't required, players usually return within six to twelve weeks (meaning he would just miss pre-season anywhere to missing only the first month). But, I'm no doctor and we haven't had a good history in this regard. They say surgery usually has good results and many players return to their usual athleticism. Dwight, I believe, had a worse form of the same injury and had surgery.

[hands11]

ccj - I don't think KS scores 'better' than Okafor. KS shoots more and he shoots worse.
Dare I say he's the Big Balls of 4/5s.
Maybe this year that'll get tamed down. But their respective histories doesn't back
up your assertion that KS is a better offensive player.

I do agree that there seems to be a sky is falling attitude among some
that I also don't completely share. It's a concern though.

I think someone posted some numbers showing that if Kevin limits his shots to hooks, he is very effective. Well the way to get him to do that is put him in the post with a S4. I think part of the reason he shot from the outside more last year is the same reason Okafor did. Its because all of Nene, Okafor and Kevin score best in the post so pairing any two always had one of them trying to expand their game by shooting more mid range shots.

Here is what I think we will see. Either..

Wall/Manyor
Beal/Temple/Glen
Trevor A/Otto
Webster/AH/Booker/Ves
Nene/Kevin

Kevin make 3/4 of his hooks. Put him in the post with a S4.
This works well for getting Otto mins at SF and seeing what Temple can do. I think Temple could be an UTR type story. Also there are plenty of mins for Trevor A, Otto and Webster. Then turn to Booker if you need more power and rounding.

or

Ves at PF with Nene and a range shooting SF will work since Nene can score, pass, defend and box out.
Good floor spacing either way they go. It really comes down to defense and rebounding. Ves is a pretty good offensive rebounding and at least has the length to block shots on defense.

Wall 36/Manyor 12
Beal 30/Otto 14/Temple/Glen (Otto and Webster in the corners)
Trevor A 24/Webster 24 (interchangable) but I started Trevor for his defense.
Ves 22 /AH 26/Booker
Nene 26/Kevin 22

I think in either set of line ups you can still get away with not over playing Nene most nights. I wouldnt be surprised at all of the go with the second option for two reasons. One, its a more traditional set up and two, it gives them to best chance to save some Ves value if they want to trade him for something cuz thats the kind of line up that would hide most of Ves's weakness while allow what he does well to shine.

See more at: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=1217209&start=840#sthash.L7o3qTbN.dpuf

[dckingsfan]

I just don't see Webster playing any PF... He is 6'6" at best. He is a SG/SF - his career would be shortened greatly by having to defend post players. He rebounds like a SG. You can't do that to the guy... that would be cruel and unusual punishment.

[dckingsfan]

As it stands EG hasn't been able to balance the squad...

PG: Wall/Maynor

Interchangeable wings: Porter, Beal, Webster, Rice, Temple, Ariza

Really bad PFs: Seraphin, Sigleton, Vesely
Bad PFs: Booker
Good PF: Nene

C: Injured Okafor

[dckingsfan]

With a healthy Wall, we will still be better. But 25 solid minutes from a healthy Okafor to start the season was needed on soooo many levels. Not the least that Nene wouldn't have to play too many minutes.

[dobrojim]

re Singleton - where's James these days? He would be a nice addition
as insurance against an extended Okafor absence.

[JWizmentality]

re Singleton - where's James these days? He would be a nice addition
as insurance against an extended Okafor absence.

He was sooooo good for us. I just don't understand why we could never hold on to him. He'd be perfect.

[hands11]

With a healthy Wall, we will still be better. But 25 solid minutes from a healthy Okafor to start the season was needed on soooo many levels. Not the least that Nene wouldn't have to play too many minutes.

Actually Okafor out to start is probably better. As long as he returns for the more meaningful games mid/late season and into the playoffs.

And Nene still doesn't have to play to many minutes. He will start at center and Kevin will back him up. Kevin working on becoming a PF is what had him shooting from outside more. Now he will be back at center where he is more effective shooting closer to the basket.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Looking at all the centers throughout the league, I've come to the conclusion we should be ok with Nene and Seraphin until Okafor gets back.

No reason to jeopardize our cap space next offseason to bring in someone like Asik. In fact Houston really is the only team with Howard, Asik, Camby, and Detroit with Monroe and Drummond, that are significantly superior at the position. Indy with Hibbert is tough to match up with. But otherwise, few teams have any kind of overwhelming talent there.

Still puzzling how Childress factors into the Wizards plans. Seems to indicate Ariza may be on the move. I guess we'll see.

[doclinkin]

I can't quite fathom Okafor being that good that the team falls apart without him. Surely, the team won't be as good as it would have with Okafor and Nene at full strength. I am not sure how much worse they'll be.

...

The one thing I don't necessarily think, however, is that with Okafor out the team won't make the playoffs. I truly believe the same team that won the last 6 games and 8 of 10 before Okafor was acquired can win now. Nene with Harrington might be better because they've played together. I still think Vesely runs well with the starters. Seraphin scores better than Okafor. Ariza is a solid player, and he might also start in place of Okafor. Depth and defense won't be as good but it's possible a smaller, quicker, lineup might be more effective in the short run and Okafor finishes the season strong.

...

I don't know how Okafor being out will affect the team because Nene when healthy is far better than Okafor IMO.

Okafor is the only player who rebounds well for his position in the front court. He's the ideal complement to Nene who guards the pick and roll well, challenges shots and boxes out his man well, but does not snatch rebounds out of his area. Okafor protects the cylinder well where Nene is better at impeding progress on the drive. Okafor frees Nene up to play the midpost game away from the basket where he becomes a positive mismatch with his decision making ability, nifty passing, and solid pick setting, letting Oke worry about garbage-ball putbacks and close range dunks in traffic.

Giving up free possessions is a recipe for frustration and losses. Playing Nene as our only competent big is a recipe for injury. We have no tough guy in the paint. From that end of season streaking team we're missing two key pieces: James MFn Singleton and the midas-touched MORRIS ALMOND!!! HOW CAN YOU FORGET!!!

Seriously though James gave us exactly what we needed in grit, hustle and savvy. He was like Booker but with a midrange game, and a little more size. This is not the same team without him, he was an excellent catalyst for team chemistry, must have been an **** in the locker room or something since the team had no further need of him, or I guess he was 'taking' minutes from the other Singleton if not Vesely. You think Harrington is the upgraded replacement from that player? Remains to be seen if his better ranged shooting is the difference, though he's not the rebounder and defender that James was though.

Yeah we'll struggle to defend the interior without Oke. I'm cool with that since we can rack losses early again and make that late season push and hopefully catch the final draft pick we need to build our core. Then I expect us to start winning dynasty style. If not Wizardsdynasty style.

[dckingsfan]

With a healthy Wall, we will still be better. But 25 solid minutes from a healthy Okafor to start the season was needed on soooo many levels. Not the least that Nene wouldn't have to play too many minutes.

Actually Okafor out to start is probably better. As long as he returns for the more meaningful games mid/late season and into the playoffs.

And Nene still doesn't have to play to many minutes. He will start at center and Kevin will back him up. Kevin working on becoming a PF is what had him shooting from outside more. Now he will be back at center where he is more effective shooting closer to the basket.

Whitman's job is on the line - the outcome will be predictable - Nene will go down and no playoffs for us... but I guess that takes us back to the prediction thread

[The Consiglieri]

This is why I was so against Porter in the draft. We have no young bigs worth a darn. I was wrong on discounting Zeller. He'd look pretty good right now.

One of my many reasons as well, I was also wrong on Zeller (so far), high on him in '11-'12, cooled last year. For me, while not ideal, I'll take this, next years draft is terrific, and personally I feel we've botched three of our five cellar dweller drafts, so finally getting a shot possibly in the uberspecial '14 class would be great. I'd be done w/tanking after '14 and could definitely cope with one more bad year if it paid off with a quality pick. Doesn't bother me all that much as I always felt the trade was crazy for many reasons not the least of which was the injury history with 2 of our 3 recent acquisitions (Nene/Oka), and Ariza just being overrated and overpaid.

My nightmare is the team tanks, and then trades the pick for some quick fix veteran help, rather than draft one of the young studs. A scenario I find almost certain to happen if we tank. Our FO is that stupid.