The #2 Pick

[mjba]

i think most would agree that if Minnesota take Okafor, we draft Towns without hesitation. the possibility of pairing a potential defensive anchor – w room to grow offensively – w Randle is too much to pass up.

i've seen a lot of people say that we 'have to' draft a big or 'you always take big over small'. my question: in 2015, is this still the case?

i'll be the first to admit that i didn't see every game of any of these guys this season. but my hope is that, by having this thread, posters from other boards who watch a lot of college ball will come here and provide us with some insight.

some questions to get us rolling:

- is Okafor's - obviously extraordinary - offensive skill set redundant next to Randle?
- is the fact that neither of them show any signs of evolving into a rim protector a concern?
- how likely is Okafor to develop into an elite interior presence on defence?
- how beneficial is it to have a solid low-post scoring threat w no range (and poor FT shooting) in today's NBA?
- is Russell’s perceived lack of athleticism a concern?
- what are Russell and Clarkson like as a fit? does it matter?

[mjba]

scouting videos below; i found these very informative as a quick snapshot into both players.

Okafor:

Strengths:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNgjYxttRL0[/youtube]

Weaknesses:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSKsrQqq-io[/youtube]

Russell:

Strengths:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEgMvIQ4uw8[/youtube]

Weaknesses:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5BtA2JdOBY[/youtube]

[jorge]

I take Russell or Mudiay befor Okafor. Both have a bigger upside and more star potential.
Russell because he has a very versatile game, is a great shooter and would build a nice guard duo with Clarkson
Mudiay because Scouts and Experts seem to be very high on him. We just didn't have the chance to see him play.

Okafor will be a very solid C but not what you hope to get with the 2. pick. And if we can sign a C on the FA Market it's not necessary.

[Michael Lucky]

I'm happy with either. I'm more biased towards Russell though.

[PKABOOICU]

bullet to my head i take russell due to superstar potential..his game, flashiness, and demeanor go hand in hand with LA.

okafor may be an allstar for a few years, but probably not a dominant superstar


ideally, I'd love to sign deandre jordan or marc gasol and draft russell, and pair him up with jordan clarkson, then try to sign demarre carroll

[PKABOOICU]

damn watching the draft express videos, i have to take d'angelo russell....he reminds me A LOT of harden/ginobili...that just seems too good to pass up in today's league.

[Laker_Kid]

Towns, if not, Okafor. Only reason I take Russell is if we already have a deal in place for a C like Deandre/Gasol/Monroe/etc.

[Mirjalovic]

Okafor for me.

my english too bad so i can't write in depth analysis for my reasoning.

[TylersLakers]

Okafor. Not even a question. We can't try to get cute when we know the best players in the draft are Towns/Okafor.

You take Okafor, give him some proper coaching and tutelage and watch him develop into a capable defensive player.

[ratra_1211]

Okafor for me.

my english too bad so i can't write in depth analysis for my reasoning.

use your own language just for the luls bruh

if possible id rather pick Kareem Abdul Towns, but between russell or okafor, man, tough choice but okafor seems like a good fit.
russell and clarkson would stunt each other imo especially with kobe still around

[VIPER8382]

I say draft Russell, then see how much Philly will add on top to trade us #3 (Okafor). If Philly balks, just keep Russell and enjoy. I am 51% Russell, 49% Okafor, but I think we can get enough value out of Philly to swing it in favor of Okafor.

[LAKESHOW]

Or, heres another take.

Lets not out think ourselves here. okafor or towns. towns or okafor.

[kobe808lak]

I voted Russ, I think Okafor and Randle is a bad fit..

We would suck defensively..

[LApwnd]

I voted Russ, I think Okafor and Randle is a bad fit..

We would suck defensively..

I'm just gona say Atl ranks top 5 or something on D, their bigs are Milsap/Horford....I would believe Randle/Okafor couldn't be any worse than that pairing, Horford is not even a legit 7ft C like Okafor is.

[SDChargers#1]

I can't believe people are saying Russell has more upside than a 6'11'' 270 lb Okafor, who has a polished offensive game. Okafor should be the #1 pick, if we get him, it will be a dream come true.

[Slava]

I think Okafor is good enough that if Randle doesn't fit next to him, you'll look to move Randle and not the other way around.

[ardee]

Okafor. No question. He is clearly the better player and fills a much more immediate need.

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[Pointgod]

I think Okafor is good enough that if Randle doesn't fit next to him, you'll look to move Randle and not the other way around.

This. Only an idiot wouldn't draft Okafor because of Randle(who hasn't even played a game yet). people who harp on Okafor's defence, hello Blake Griffin?! Okafor will slaughter in the low post, demands a double team and is an above average passer. I still think Russell could end up the best player in the draft but I see him and Okafor as 1 and 2 long term.

[Goudelock]

Okafor. Not even a question. We can't try to get cute when we know the best players in the draft are Towns/Okafor.

You take Okafor, give him some proper coaching and tutelage and watch him develop into a capable defensive player.

This. You don't pass up on the potentially dominant big man unless he has leg/foot problems, which Okafor doesn't have.

BTW, how does Okafor and Randle fit together. I don't even know what Randle's strengths are as a player, to tell you the truth. All I know about him is that he's a banger inside who struggles on defense, which sounds like Okafor.

[DEEP3CL]

I can see now it's gonna be a lot of chatter on this pick. For me you take Okafor no questions asked period. Talented bigs are to hard to come by.There ain't gonna be another Jahlil or Karl for a long long time. Guards are a dime a dozen....you can always find one.