[Snatalini247Participant]

 So I have a question for the experts on this site. I’m a sixers fan and I’m a little confused by something. Last year it seemed like 2014 was supposed to be the best draft since 2003/2007. Wiggins went first but it seemed like Embiid was going to be the number one pick before his injury. I remember how impressed everyone was by this potential superstar two way center in a really strong draft. Now from what I’ve been told it didnt seem like 2015 was a bad draft but it wasnt supposedly anything like last year. Yet everyone is making it seem like Jahlil Okafor is so much of a better prospect. Throw out Embiid’s injuries, who would be the best prospect Embiid or Okafor? Seems like Embiid to me? Give me some info please because I’m lost and getting pretty sick of my team

[ChoppyParticipant]

 …but my understanding is that Okafor is purely a back to the basket post scorer. Embiid has more of a face up game, can shoot it out to the college 3. Much more offensive versatility. Plus he can defend and is an excellent shot blocker. Not considering injuries, Embiid is the better prospect. No question. 

Unfortunately injuries must be considered. Okafor WILL play this year. Embiid POTENTIALLY will play this year. Okafor is a pretty good plan B. 

[220Participant]

 Agreed if Embiid was healthy then he’s the better of the two prospects particularly because he’s far better defensively while still being good offensively.

 Big men with foot injuries tend to continue having foot injuries so hopefully for Embiid’s sake he can brake that mold.

[220Participant]

 Agreed if Embiid was healthy then he’s the better of the two prospects particularly because he’s far better defensively while still being good offensively.

 Big men with foot injuries tend to continue having foot injuries so hopefully for Embiid’s sake he can brake that mold.

[ChoppyParticipant]

 …but my understanding is that Okafor is purely a back to the basket post scorer. Embiid has more of a face up game, can shoot it out to the college 3. Much more offensive versatility. Plus he can defend and is an excellent shot blocker. Not considering injuries, Embiid is the better prospect. No question. 

Unfortunately injuries must be considered. Okafor WILL play this year. Embiid POTENTIALLY will play this year. Okafor is a pretty good plan B. 

[llperez]

 i have not really heard too many people say okafor is a significantly better prospect then embid. And i agree embid is the better prospect if healthy. But this injury doesnt look good. There was talk when he very first got hurt late in th ecollege season that he might be back in the tourny if kansas made a deep run. Then it was he wont be back for tourny but he will be ready for nba season. Then it was no first year in nba but he will be ready for second season. now his second season is in in doubt.

 

 So i ask you, instead of the hypothetical of who would be better prospect if healthy, who would you guys take right now knowing everything you know?

 

 For me, im taking okafor. One thing i really noticed about okafor in college and ive heard scouts say it as well, is that he doesnt allow double teams and traps to speed him up, he is very patient and calm with the ball in his hands and has good ball handling and passing skills so he will take his time and read the defense and make the right pass or look to get into the paint and get his shot up. I wanted the lakers to take him.

[220Participant]

 If both big men were available in the draft and the 76ers had to choose one then I’d have to imagine they’d take Okafor. 

[220Participant]

 If both big men were available in the draft and the 76ers had to choose one then I’d have to imagine they’d take Okafor. 

[llperez]

 i have not really heard too many people say okafor is a significantly better prospect then embid. And i agree embid is the better prospect if healthy. But this injury doesnt look good. There was talk when he very first got hurt late in th ecollege season that he might be back in the tourny if kansas made a deep run. Then it was he wont be back for tourny but he will be ready for nba season. Then it was no first year in nba but he will be ready for second season. now his second season is in in doubt.

 

 So i ask you, instead of the hypothetical of who would be better prospect if healthy, who would you guys take right now knowing everything you know?

 

 For me, im taking okafor. One thing i really noticed about okafor in college and ive heard scouts say it as well, is that he doesnt allow double teams and traps to speed him up, he is very patient and calm with the ball in his hands and has good ball handling and passing skills so he will take his time and read the defense and make the right pass or look to get into the paint and get his shot up. I wanted the lakers to take him.

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

 No injuries, Embiid is the better prospect, he’s like in a different category. 

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

 No injuries, Embiid is the better prospect, he’s like in a different category. 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Embiid was the best Center prospect since Oden. Unfortuantely it looks like he may follow a similar career arc. 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Embiid was the best Center prospect since Oden. Unfortuantely it looks like he may follow a similar career arc. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Big men with foot injuries are not a good combination. That’s something that drastically decreases Embiid value. Koudos to Philly for being patient and trying to get this thing right but its not looking to good for Joel. I really hope for this young mans sake we get to see him on the court soon and with an injury free career.

Okafor on the other hand seems to be free of any recurring injuries. I’d rather have the low risk and start building my team.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Big men with foot injuries are not a good combination. That’s something that drastically decreases Embiid value. Koudos to Philly for being patient and trying to get this thing right but its not looking to good for Joel. I really hope for this young mans sake we get to see him on the court soon and with an injury free career.

Okafor on the other hand seems to be free of any recurring injuries. I’d rather have the low risk and start building my team.

 

[slepchorParticipant]

 Embiid has this ”it” factor that you don’t find in a player (let alone a center) often. He can make you stand up in just one play, judging by pure talent he is much better. Okafor on the other hand is 100% fundamental, and at worst case a decent 15 and 8 guy career wise. Being conservative I’d go with Okafor, but injury free Embiid is superior.

[slepchorParticipant]

 Embiid has this ”it” factor that you don’t find in a player (let alone a center) often. He can make you stand up in just one play, judging by pure talent he is much better. Okafor on the other hand is 100% fundamental, and at worst case a decent 15 and 8 guy career wise. Being conservative I’d go with Okafor, but injury free Embiid is superior.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Factor in injuries, Okafor and Noel starting is the way to go with Embiid off the bench.  

For the Philly Koop Aid drinkers you hope the trio of Oak, Noel, and Embiid equal the ’86 Celtics trio of Parish, McHale and 6th man Bill Walton.  Wroten and Tokoto are some long athletic wings. Now all they need are shooters.  Oh, and the next Larry Bird…

I can see it.  Beats the current Celtics rebuilding around solid role players.  If the Sixers land two great perimeter guys in the next couple of drafts they will be looking scary.  

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Factor in injuries, Okafor and Noel starting is the way to go with Embiid off the bench.  

For the Philly Koop Aid drinkers you hope the trio of Oak, Noel, and Embiid equal the ’86 Celtics trio of Parish, McHale and 6th man Bill Walton.  Wroten and Tokoto are some long athletic wings. Now all they need are shooters.  Oh, and the next Larry Bird…

I can see it.  Beats the current Celtics rebuilding around solid role players.  If the Sixers land two great perimeter guys in the next couple of drafts they will be looking scary.  

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 My comp for Embiid was Ralph Sampson.  Lots of promise but hopefully he holds up better.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 My comp for Embiid was Ralph Sampson.  Lots of promise but hopefully he holds up better.

[Snatalini247Participant]

Definitely agree that with Embiid being injured the Sixers did the right thing, I was just generally confused if Okafor was being overhyped as a prospect because of the way so many sports writers have tried to justify the pick. I’m pretty with Okafor, I’m just hoping they find a way to turn one of these guys in to a decent asset, time for the Sixers to Suck for Simmons… 

[Snatalini247Participant]

Definitely agree that with Embiid being injured the Sixers did the right thing, I was just generally confused if Okafor was being overhyped as a prospect because of the way so many sports writers have tried to justify the pick. I’m pretty with Okafor, I’m just hoping they find a way to turn one of these guys in to a decent asset, time for the Sixers to Suck for Simmons… 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Embiid has more potential upside than Okafor as most of the guys above generally agree but Okafor may be a more solid durable pro if Embiid is a bit fragile throughout his career. Okafor may be morfe ready to contribute from day 1 too.

[HitsterParticipant]

 Embiid has more potential upside than Okafor as most of the guys above generally agree but Okafor may be a more solid durable pro if Embiid is a bit fragile throughout his career. Okafor may be morfe ready to contribute from day 1 too.

[CoachWyersParticipant]

No injuries Embiid has the higher ceiling as he can be a franchise center where Okafor is likely a 2nd or 3rd best player on a team ceiling which is also good. Okafor is def. more polished on the low block offensively, stronger, and NBA ready, but Embiid is more athletic and has the better physical tools for the NBA, is a much better defender, and like I said before has the higher cieling.

[CoachWyersParticipant]

No injuries Embiid has the higher ceiling as he can be a franchise center where Okafor is likely a 2nd or 3rd best player on a team ceiling which is also good. Okafor is def. more polished on the low block offensively, stronger, and NBA ready, but Embiid is more athletic and has the better physical tools for the NBA, is a much better defender, and like I said before has the higher cieling.

[Author]

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