Towns or Okafor or Mudiay or Russel?

[Kenyon009]

I'd grab Towns and pair him with DeAndre Jordan. It'll solve the defensive problem that fast.

[Milk]

Karl Towns is Boogie 2.0, screw everyone else.

Okafor is too small for NBA centers/ PFs. He'll be eaten alive here.

That is one of the more ridiculous claims made about Okafor in this thread.

Karl Towns - 7ft, 248 lbs

Jahlil Okafor - 6'11", 272 lbs

I agree, they think that Towns is vastly superior to Okafor yet Okafor is held to a higher standard
i.e expecting him to score 40 pts and grab 15 boards against UK to be considered ''legit'' or the example you posted above.



I can't wait to see this board's reaction if/when we draft Okafor, it's gonna be glorious

Oh and congrats again to big Jah for winning POY!

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

[MKCATL]

May 19th is gonna be one crazy day around here.

[Jeff Van Gully]

If you think Towns "lacks polish" you haven't seen him play.
He's a master rebounder, master defense and is multi-dimensional on offense. There's nothing lacking polish, he just hasn't scratch the surface of his max potential. He's definitely elite in the collegiate level and has achieved mastery of more things than Okafor has.

first of all, i'm team towns. i've made that very clear all over this site. no need to make those silly qualifiers. just say you don't agree. that's fine.

when i speak of mastery, i'm talking about things that can be done at an elite level in the NBA. okafor's post play is world-class. put him in any league, he can do that element of his game at an expert level.

we love towns' defense, but i've watched him get overanxious and make plays that are going to get him into foul trouble in today's NBA. he still has to master his patience a bit. not sure he's making an all-defensive team out of the gate. let's not hand him that before he's guarded demarcus cousins, marc gasol, lamarcus, vucevic, duncan, etc. before james harden has broken down the perimeter defense and is coming at him full-speed. there's going to be an adjustment.

he can shoot well. he's not kyle korver, but he has a nice, consistent jumper. that's not mastery, that's being good at something.

i guess i haven't found the one thing about him that he is world-class at. maybe rebounding, like you say. that translates well from all levels. but i still i see him being good at a lot of different things, which is special and valuable.

i agree that towns may just be scratching the surface of his potential. and that also implies exactly what i said, that he hasn't quite mastered certain skills. he's not olajuwon yet.

It's safe to say, we never seen these guys play in the NBA yet. It's all a projection.

At an expert level, we've seen Towns play against NBA players and hold his own at a very young age before college ball. I believe there is no question Towns is ready to display mastery of his attributes on the NBA level. I think you're trying to reach the point where Okafor is more a "finished" product where Towns is still touching the surface of his game, but that shouldn't disqualify Towns for being known as "raw" and a "jack of all trades, master of none". Towns isn't Draymond Green.

Overanxiousness is all about experience. Not too many 18 year olds are going to look calm on defense. KG, Dwight and others never did. Within 160-200 games in the NBA they became all defensive players. Not sure how many rookies make all defensive team out of the gate. Not even worth mentioning. It's all about experience and we know that.

For example
Dwight Howard didn't make an all NBA defensive team until 2007. He was drafted in 2004.
Kevin Garnett didn't make an all NBA defensive team until 1999. He was drafted in 1995.

It years 2-3 years of recognition as a great defender especially as a growing young player to make those teams. To even suggest or bring into conversation that Towns can or cannot make the all defensive team right away is pointless. Towns still possess mastery of defensive and offensive tools to make these teams.

Towns overanxious is a good trait, shows Towns has a pulse on defense. Okafor's biggest problem is his heart rate is at 55 BPM when he's on D.


Towns isn't a SG/SF. How is he going to be Kyle Korver? So we want Towns to shoot like Kyle Korver and make NBA all defensive team his rookie season to be consider a master at his level? These are mindless and unrealistic projections.

Towns is a 7"0 250lb center.
He shoots 80% FT

How many defensive centers at 18 we find to shoot that well from FT, possess mid range ability and can create space to create his own shot?

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-bG_SQj5Wg[/youtube]

I believe for his age level, he's very advanced. I say it isn't mastery of shooting. That takes years of experience.

The two things I believe Towns will come to the NBA with mastery of is rebounding and shot blocking. Towns practices against NBA prospects, in the off season he trains with Al Horford, Jack Martinez (international superstar), and other NBA pros. He's getting tons of experience more than any college prospect we can name. His transition to the NBA will be hard, like for EVERY rookie. However, Towns is as polished and NBA ready as any player in this draft. To assume he is raw or not as ready as anyone else just because Towns plays 20 minutes a game is unfair in my opinion.

i think we are pretty much in agreement here, only differing in semantics. i will gladly accept mastery of rebounding and shotblocking. i also agree that his preview window is limited by kentucky's euro rotations, which i use to his defense in my pro-towns rhetoric. and he has faced off against pro comp in international play. i also agree that he is NBA-ready. there's a learning curve that's to be expected of a teenager playing in the pros. but if anyone is going to handle it like a pro, it's Super KAT.

yep. that's my nickname for him. the don dada.

Spoiler:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS6bVTYRh-w[/youtube]

[And100]

Knicks have at best (which isn't determined yet) a 25% chance of making the choice for themselves.

They have a no less than 75% of it being made for them, and a very significant chance of not being able to make the choice at all.

Smart money is focusing on how all the top prospects could help the Knicks, rather than fixating on the 25% OR LESS chance the 'vs.' topic is even relevant to the Knicks.

[Bobbyydee]

I hope Melo, Dolan, Fisher and Phil have a summit whether Okafor or Towns and why? IF Melo and coach are on the same page then you have to go with that guy if the vote is 2-2 Phil has to make the call

Once that is done you spend money on Green or Afflalo that is if MIlsap and Green are staying put. So If Aldridge, Gasol, Milsap and D. Green are staying with their respective clubs you just get one ONLY either Afflalo or Green (spurs) for Guard and save some of the money for 2016.

[sportscrazy]

Let's say the draft lottery has the picks fall like this:

1. Orlando Magic - Jahlil Okafor
2. Denver Nuggets - Karl-Anthony Towns
3. New York Knicks
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Philadelphia 76ers (from LA Lakers)

Would you consider an offer from the 76ers of Nerlens Noel and 6th Overall for 3rd Overall?

[superjay779]

If we get Muliday who can we realistically get to start at Center and Powerfoward through free agency or trade?

[And100]

Let's say the draft lottery has the picks fall like this:

1. Orlando Magic - Jahlil Okafor
2. Denver Nuggets - Karl-Anthony Towns
3. New York Knicks
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Philadelphia 76ers (from LA Lakers)

Would you consider an offer from the 76ers of Nerlens Noel and 6th Overall for 3rd Overall?

Hell yeah.

[Fat Kat]

Let's say the draft lottery has the picks fall like this:

1. Orlando Magic - Jahlil Okafor
2. Denver Nuggets - Karl-Anthony Towns
3. New York Knicks
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Philadelphia 76ers (from LA Lakers)

Would you consider an offer from the 76ers of Nerlens Noel and 6th Overall for 3rd Overall?

Don't want to think about that.

[sportscrazy]

Wait... We do all realize we can end up with the worst record and still only get the third or even worse fourth overall draft pick, right? We do realize that? (Half making a joke; Half really depressed about the previous sentences)

[kingquan316]

Wait... We do all realize we can end up with the worst record and still only get the third or even worse fourth overall draft pick, right? We do realize that? (Half making a joke; Half really depressed about the previous sentences)

I get a lil sad, but then I watch Russell highlights, n I'm alright.

Dropping 4th however, then Im looking at potential trades for it.

[kingquan316]

Karl Towns is Boogie 2.0, screw everyone else.

Okafor is too small for NBA centers/ PFs. He'll be eaten alive here.

That is one of the more ridiculous claims made about Okafor in this thread.

Karl Towns - 7ft, 248 lbs

Jahlil Okafor - 6'11", 272 lbs

I agree, they think that Towns is vastly superior to Okafor yet Okafor is held to a higher standard
i.e expecting him to score 40 pts and grab 15 boards against UK to be considered ''legit'' or the example you posted above.



I can't wait to see this board's reaction if/when we draft Okafor, it's gonna be glorious

Oh and congrats again to big Jah for winning POY!

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

I think the majority will still be happy at the end. Okafor is nothing to be angry about. His post game could be dominant in the nba, so that is what keeps me wanting him even with his other flaws. When u have a dominant part in ur game, where other teams cannot stop, that is something hard to pass up if ur a team wit an opportunity to get him.

[knicknack]

That is one of the more ridiculous claims made about Okafor in this thread.

Karl Towns - 7ft, 248 lbs

Jahlil Okafor - 6'11", 272 lbs

I agree, they think that Towns is vastly superior to Okafor yet Okafor is held to a higher standard
i.e expecting him to score 40 pts and grab 15 boards against UK to be considered ''legit'' or the example you posted above.



I can't wait to see this board's reaction if/when we draft Okafor, it's gonna be glorious

Oh and congrats again to big Jah for winning POY!

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

I think the majority will still be happy at the end. Okafor is nothing to be angry about. His post game could be dominant in the nba, so that is what keeps me wanting him even with his other flaws. When u have a dominant part in ur game, where other teams cannot stop, that is something hard to pass up if ur a team wit an opportunity to get him.

Thing is, OK4R is only excellent at one thing......low post scoring. What about:

1. The other half of the game.......defense
2. When Melo or someone else shoots the ball
3. During strategic times in the game when we can't afford for him to be in the game because the other team is going to play "Hack A Shaq" if he's on the floor.

Towns gives us more options to have him on the floor without being a liability. Towns looks to show more growth and developmental potential than OK4R does right now with his low motor and disinterest in playing defense or running the floor, especially on defense. Guess we'll all see soon, I'd love to see Duke play Kentucky in this years tournament. That would probably be more exciting than any Knick game this year.

[NBA Fan 1234]

Let's say the draft lottery has the picks fall like this:

1. Orlando Magic - Jahlil Okafor
2. Denver Nuggets - Karl-Anthony Towns
3. New York Knicks
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Philadelphia 76ers (from LA Lakers)

Would you consider an offer from the 76ers of Nerlens Noel and 6th Overall for 3rd Overall?

Expand it to a three team and send Noel somewhere else for a pick or a good young player.

If we end up with third though, I'd prefer us taking Russell (if he's not off the board). He's a stud.

[kingquan316]

I agree, they think that Towns is vastly superior to Okafor yet Okafor is held to a higher standard
i.e expecting him to score 40 pts and grab 15 boards against UK to be considered ''legit'' or the example you posted above.



I can't wait to see this board's reaction if/when we draft Okafor, it's gonna be glorious

Oh and congrats again to big Jah for winning POY!

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

I think the majority will still be happy at the end. Okafor is nothing to be angry about. His post game could be dominant in the nba, so that is what keeps me wanting him even with his other flaws. When u have a dominant part in ur game, where other teams cannot stop, that is something hard to pass up if ur a team wit an opportunity to get him.

Thing is, OK4R is only excellent at one thing......low post scoring. What about:

1. The other half of the game.......defense
2. When Melo or someone else shoots the ball
3. During strategic times in the game when we can't afford for him to be in the game because the other team is going to play "Hack A Shaq" if he's on the floor.

Towns gives us more options to have him on the floor without being a liability. Towns looks to show more growth and developmental potential than OK4R does right now with his low motor and disinterest in playing defense or running the floor, especially on defense. Guess we'll all see soon, I'd love to see Duke play Kentucky in this years tournament. That would probably be more exciting than any Knick game this year.

I agree with what u said, I currently have Towns as my first choice over Okafor. I look it like Okafor's post game is going to be better than any one thing that Town's does, but Town's can do more stuff than Okafor can. U can't underestimate his dominance of the post, that can cause huge matchup problems for teams. I just want one of the two at this point, these two can change the Knick franchise for years, if they live up to their potential of course.

[E-Balla]

I hope Melo, Dolan, Fisher and Phil have a summit whether Okafor or Towns and why? IF Melo and coach are on the same page then you have to go with that guy if the vote is 2-2 Phil has to make the call

Once that is done you spend money on Green or Afflalo that is if MIlsap and Green are staying put. So If Aldridge, Gasol, Milsap and D. Green are staying with their respective clubs you just get one ONLY either Afflalo or Green (spurs) for Guard and save some of the money for 2016.

No only Phil and the scouts should pick. Dolan knows nothing (you think he watches a lot of college games?), and Fisher probably doesn't have the time to watch them. We hire scouts for a reason, let them do their job. If they suck replace them.

Amazing pass from Doc.

[knicknack]

I think the majority will still be happy at the end. Okafor is nothing to be angry about. His post game could be dominant in the nba, so that is what keeps me wanting him even with his other flaws. When u have a dominant part in ur game, where other teams cannot stop, that is something hard to pass up if ur a team wit an opportunity to get him.

Thing is, OK4R is only excellent at one thing......low post scoring. What about:

1. The other half of the game.......defense
2. When Melo or someone else shoots the ball
3. During strategic times in the game when we can't afford for him to be in the game because the other team is going to play "Hack A Shaq" if he's on the floor.

Towns gives us more options to have him on the floor without being a liability. Towns looks to show more growth and developmental potential than OK4R does right now with his low motor and disinterest in playing defense or running the floor, especially on defense. Guess we'll all see soon, I'd love to see Duke play Kentucky in this years tournament. That would probably be more exciting than any Knick game this year.

I agree with what u said, I currently have Towns as my first choice over Okafor. I look it like Okafor's post game is going to be better than any one thing that Town's does, but Town's can do more stuff than Okafor can. U can't underestimate his dominance of the post, that can cause huge matchup problems for teams. I just want one of the two at this point, these two can change the Knick franchise for years, if they live up to their potential of course.

Yeah, at this point I wouldn't be sorry with one or the other but I'd like to know each player's accurate injury history to see which one will be more likely to limit that player over a lengthy career, for instance OK4R's recent ankle injury, I noticed he tweaked it against NC St (I believe) and it looked to bother him for a bit not to mention after he originally injured it he missed a game, returned for one game then missed the next game. So it got me to thinking about injuries.....especially since its apparent that OK4R currently labors running the floor on both ends of the floor. Foot/ankle issues for a big man can be a long term risky situation.

[Meat]

Let's say the draft lottery has the picks fall like this:

1. Orlando Magic - Jahlil Okafor
2. Denver Nuggets - Karl-Anthony Towns
3. New York Knicks
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Philadelphia 76ers (from LA Lakers)

Would you consider an offer from the 76ers of Nerlens Noel and 6th Overall for 3rd Overall?

Expand it to a three team and send Noel somewhere else for a pick or a good young player.

If we end up with third though, I'd prefer us taking Russell (if he's not off the board). He's a stud.

why would you trade noel for a "good young player"... he's already a "good young player"

[NBA Fan 1234]

Let's say the draft lottery has the picks fall like this:

1. Orlando Magic - Jahlil Okafor
2. Denver Nuggets - Karl-Anthony Towns
3. New York Knicks
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Philadelphia 76ers (from LA Lakers)

Would you consider an offer from the 76ers of Nerlens Noel and 6th Overall for 3rd Overall?

Expand it to a three team and send Noel somewhere else for a pick or a good young player.

If we end up with third though, I'd prefer us taking Russell (if he's not off the board). He's a stud.

why would you trade noel for a "good young player"... he's already a "good young player"

No offense game, stick thin, and I think he'll end up being injury prone. He doesn't have the frame to add weight, has no fluidity in his movement on offense (meaning the chances of him developing a good offensive game are slim to none), and he already had a knee injury coming from a gruesome injury. On top of that, he's not a good passer and doesn't fit the triangle at all. Just not a fan of his for the system...don't really see him being any better than a better Larry Sanders (defensively, but not offensively).