Welcome Okafor: Thread 2

[76ciology]

Not so much

From a guy who is known most for his post offense and defender solely at C into a diverse scorer and can defend PFs.

Most of these rookies are adjusting their game from amateur basketball into the pace&space of the NBA. Most of these guys are negatives during their rookie year, because they aren't playing the "NBA way." It's just some people are tailor fit like KAT and KP. While some people doesn't want or can't evolve their game like Wiggins.

Jah had this faceup game in college. Turned into a diverse scorer? He's doing the same things he did but at a different volume. Defending PF's? He's tasked to do it, but he is doing as badly as at center. I see very little improvement from him, taking into account what he did in college.

Defense: He started badly. But in January (last month as a center), He had104.5DRTG which is pretty good and is better than Towns (not saying he's a better defender, just saying that he did good on january). I have been recording his defensive sequence at the PF position this feb, and so far I haven't seen him being a defensive liability out there. The problem lies more in the miscommunication with him and Noel because of the cross matches the defenders had on our offense.

Offense: Jah scored 22% of his shots off mid range @ 46FG% in January, that is almost twice the volume compared to his oct-nov numbers @ 10-14%. This feb playing the PF position, he has been scoring 9.6% of his shots off fastbreak points. That's almost twice the volume of his and Kat's season average.

[76ciology]

Jah and KAT's DRTG for the season and the last two months are almost the same. IMO, the problem why the other numbers and the perception are bad is because of Jah's lack of rebounding. Needs almost 50% more volume on his rebounding numbers (13% to 18-19%). I wouldn't bet on it to happen this season. Then on the offensive end, stats say that he needs to follow the same model of KAT, KP and january's version of Jah. That means more assisted mid-range shots and less unassisted points in the paint.

[76ciology]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/pjeffersonlim/status/704234009098719232[/tweet]
Example of miscommunication in defense with Jah-Noel. Both have strong bias to guard opposing Cs. That there's a delay in decision on who they'll guard.

[joyeuxnoel]

From a guy who is known most for his post offense and defender solely at C into a diverse scorer and can defend PFs.

Most of these rookies are adjusting their game from amateur basketball into the pace&space of the NBA. Most of these guys are negatives during their rookie year, because they aren't playing the "NBA way." It's just some people are tailor fit like KAT and KP. While some people doesn't want or can't evolve their game like Wiggins.

Jah had this faceup game in college. Turned into a diverse scorer? He's doing the same things he did but at a different volume. Defending PF's? He's tasked to do it, but he is doing as badly as at center. I see very little improvement from him, taking into account what he did in college.

Defense: He started badly. But in January (last month as a center), the team limits opponents to 40FG% when he's on the court. 45% when he's off the court. He also 104.5DRTG which is pretty good and is better than Towns (not saying he's a better defender, just saying that he did good on january). I have been recording his defensive sequence at the PF position this feb, and so far I haven't seen him being a defensive liability out there. The problem lies more in the miscommunication with him and Noel because of the cross matches the defenders had on our offense.

Offense: Jah scored 22% of his shots off mid range @ 46FG% in January, that is almost twice the volume compared to his oct-nov numbers @ 10-14%. This feb playing the PF position, he has been scoring 9.6% of his shots off fastbreak points. That's almost twice the volume of his and Kat's season average.

i like the fast break points, and i want him to score around 20-25% of his offense from mid-range, and eventually the 3 pt line, which is great. so far so good

[CoreyGallagher]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/espnsteinline/status/704343058662367232[/tweet]

[Unbreakable99]

This guy is the biggest Okafor fan. He's such a fan he wrote an article about how he's not that bad on defense.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/stevekylernba/status/704460617135083520[/tweet]

[76ciology]

This guy is the biggest Okafor fan. He's such a fan he wrote an article about how he's not that bad on defense.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/stevekylernba/status/704460617135083520[/tweet]

haha yeah, you said it perfectly. He's really a big fan.

With regards to Jah's defense, I think it has a lot to do with his lack of defensive rebounding, problems in defensive rotation early the season and currently with the cross matches and the lack of intimidation when he's defending around the rim. Personally, he's been better than expected on the defensive end.

[HotelVitale]

So with Feb closing up tonight, Jah finished his second month in a row scoring about 18 ppg on 60% TS. For some perspective, Wiggins' best month last year was 20ppg on 55% TS, and his best two-month stretch was 18ppg on 53% TS. Durant's best stretch was 20ppg on 54% TS, and Carmelo's best stretch was about 25ppg on 53.5% TS.

No comparison meant between all those guys, just pointing out that he's been significantly more efficient than basically every offense-first, high volume, one-and-done rookie we know of. Jah has such long periods where he looks out of it, and it's so easy for him when he's on, that lots of folks can overlook that overall he's killin on offense. I share the same concerns about his effort on D, his inconsistency from quarter to quarter, and his forced offense, but there's a lot to be optimistic about. This season, Klay, Harden, Curry, KD, and Kawhi are the only guys who score 15ppg or more that can match Jah's efficiency over the last two months.

[Negrodamus]

So with Feb closing up tonight, Jah finished his second month in a row scoring about 18 ppg on 60% TS. For some perspective, Wiggins' best month last year was 20ppg on 55% TS, and his best two-month stretch was 18ppg on 53% TS. Durant's best stretch was 20ppg on 54% TS, and Carmelo's best stretch was about 25ppg on 53.5% TS.

No comparison meant between all those guys, just pointing out that he's been significantly more efficient than basically every offense-first, high volume, one-and-done rookie we know of. Jah has such long periods where he looks out of it, and it's so easy for him when he's on, that lots of folks can overlook that overall he's killin on offense. I share the same concerns about his effort on D, his inconsistency from quarter to quarter, and his forced offense, but there's a lot to be optimistic about. This season, Klay, Harden, Curry, KD, and Kawhi are the only guys who score 15ppg or more that can match Jah's efficiency over the last two months.

Could you imagine if Okafor was a 6'7 SF putting up these numbers? We'd be unanimously praising him.

I get it, he's massive and needs to be grabbing rebounds and playing better team defense, but those numbers are impressive. The thing is, I was on board with trading him a few weeks back. I'd still trade him, but we need a freak to come back.

[76ciology]

So with Feb closing up tonight, Jah finished his second month in a row scoring about 18 ppg on 60% TS. For some perspective, Wiggins' best month last year was 20ppg on 55% TS, and his best two-month stretch was 18ppg on 53% TS. Durant's best stretch was 20ppg on 54% TS, and Carmelo's best stretch was about 25ppg on 53.5% TS.

No comparison meant between all those guys, just pointing out that he's been significantly more efficient than basically every offense-first, high volume, one-and-done rookie we know of. Jah has such long periods where he looks out of it, and it's so easy for him when he's on, that lots of folks can overlook that overall he's killin on offense. I share the same concerns about his effort on D, his inconsistency from quarter to quarter, and his forced offense, but there's a lot to be optimistic about. This season, Klay, Harden, Curry, KD, and Kawhi are the only guys who score 15ppg or more that can match Jah's efficiency over the last two months.

Could you imagine if Okafor was a 6'7 SF putting up these numbers? We'd be unanimously praising him.

I get it, he's massive and needs to be grabbing rebounds and playing better team defense, but those numbers are impressive. The thing is, I was on board with trading him a few weeks back. I'd still trade him, but we need a freak to come back.

Less radical. Imagine him playing PF playing the LMA/Dirk/Bosh/Love role with a C like Embiid and a bunch of 3&D guys who can and will rotate on defense.

If he can score near 20 with 60TS%, how much better against smaller PFs. Being defended by a PF also prevents the transition D problems because of the cross match. If the otherguys won't be liabilities then you won't have to provide much weakside defense. Then if you have a C who can get 10 or more boards per game, then I don't think averaging 7-8rpg will be an issue.

[Ericb5]

So with Feb closing up tonight, Jah finished his second month in a row scoring about 18 ppg on 60% TS. For some perspective, Wiggins' best month last year was 20ppg on 55% TS, and his best two-month stretch was 18ppg on 53% TS. Durant's best stretch was 20ppg on 54% TS, and Carmelo's best stretch was about 25ppg on 53.5% TS.

No comparison meant between all those guys, just pointing out that he's been significantly more efficient than basically every offense-first, high volume, one-and-done rookie we know of. Jah has such long periods where he looks out of it, and it's so easy for him when he's on, that lots of folks can overlook that overall he's killin on offense. I share the same concerns about his effort on D, his inconsistency from quarter to quarter, and his forced offense, but there's a lot to be optimistic about. This season, Klay, Harden, Curry, KD, and Kawhi are the only guys who score 15ppg or more that can match Jah's efficiency over the last two months.

Could you imagine if Okafor was a 6'7 SF putting up these numbers? We'd be unanimously praising him.

I get it, he's massive and needs to be grabbing rebounds and playing better team defense, but those numbers are impressive. The thing is, I was on board with trading him a few weeks back. I'd still trade him, but we need a freak to come back.

Less radical. Imagine him playing PF playing the LMA/Dirk/Bosh/Love role with a C like Embiid and a bunch of 3&D guys who can and will rotate on defense.

If he can score near 20 with 60TS%, how much better against smaller PFs. Being defended by a PF also prevents the transition D problems because of the cross match. If the otherguys won't be liabilities then you won't have to provide much weakside defense. Then if you have a C who can get 10 or more boards per game, then I don't think averaging 7-8rpg will be an issue.

Okafor is doing what he is currently doing when the defense has the luxury of completely focusing on him.
The more talent we have the less attention they will be able to focus on him, and he should continue to feast while expending less energy, which would enable him to then spend it on other parts of the game.






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[dbodner]

Defense: He started badly. But in January (last month as a center), the team limits opponents to 40FG% when he's on the court. 45% when he's off the court.

Are you just making stuff up now? Opponents shot 46.1% in January when Okafor was on the court.

[Wilfried]

A couple of months ago, if the question was asked if I would prefer Okafor or Noel to go, I said Okafor.
But I'm changing opinions about that.

Because of:
Nerlens being more injury prone
Okafor being able to become a better defensive player seems more likely than Noel becoming a better offensive one
Okafor has a preferable contract situation
...

[76ciology]

Defense: He started badly. But in January (last month as a center), the team limits opponents to 40FG% when he's on the court. 45% when he's off the court.

Are you just making stuff up now? Opponents shot 46.1% in January when Okafor was on the court.

Oops. Sorry my bad with that, edited it already Was checking the last two month stats and he didn't made the team better in limiting opponent's fg% when he on court.

[Ericb5]

A couple of months ago, if the question was asked if I would prefer Okafor or Noel to go, I said Okafor.
But I'm changing opinions about that.

Because of:
Nerlens being more injury prone
Okafor being able to become a better defensive player seems more likely than Noel becoming a better offensive one
Okafor has a preferable contract situation
...

I prefer Okafor too, by a long shot actually, but I don't understand the idea of Noel being injury prone.

He had one freak knee injury that he returned to 100% from, and other than that he has had a normal health record. Minor injuries happen to players all of the time.


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[Lou_23]

Noel fractured the growth plate in his left knee when he was a sophomore in HS and was forced to sit out the entire season.

[Wilfried]

Doesn't he have tendinitis or something?

[Ericb5]

Noel fractured the growth plate in his left knee when he was a sophomore in HS and was forced to sit out the entire season.

Ok, but still. I wouldn't call him injury prone. I mean people like Eric Gordon, are injury prone.


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[76ciology]

http://www.libertyballers.com/2016/3/1/11139376/jahlil-okafor-is-putting-up-historical-offensive-numbers

Since the merger, only 20 players have managed a TS% of greater than 50% while simultaneously sporting a usage rate above 25%. Of those, Okafor has the 6th best TS% ever.

[Agnostifarian]

Noel fractured the growth plate in his left knee when he was a sophomore in HS and was forced to sit out the entire season.

Ok, but still. I wouldn't call him injury prone. I mean people like Eric Gordon, are injury prone.


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Kyrie, D Rose, KD qualifies