This topic contains 10 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by AvatarAvatar Jdean24 9 years, 3 months ago.

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  • #58626
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    Jdean24
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    Is anyone else a little concerned that he won’t translate as well as we think too the next level? I by no means think the kid will be a bust or anything like that just not sure he’s got the long team potential too be a sure fire top three or four pick. Offensively advanced beyond his years. But not a great defender. Doesn’t show a jump shot with any regularity. Average Athleticism for a college big man. I just would worry about all the Tim Duncan comparisons. I feel  Carlos Boozer or Zach Randolph might be more realistic. We just compare all these kids too NBA superstars when in reality if Okafor has a career similar too Randolphs there’s no shame in that. I just think Myles Turner and Karl Towns are better long term options. 

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  • #958984
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    Snowta
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     I have to disagree with this post. Although I can kind of see where you’re coming from because when you watch him his athleticism does not jump out at you, but I think you’re underrating just how skilled he is. I don’t know about the Zbo, Boozer comparisons because although they are both skilled bigs they’re both true 4’s and I see Okafor as a legit 5. To have legitimate center size with a skilled offensive game is extremely rare. In fact, in today’s NBA I would almost say it’s more rare than the 7′ freak athlete (Deandre Jordan, Drummond, Larry Sanders, etc.) and as much potential as these freak athletes seem to have will any of them ever get to the point where you can bring the ball up and dump it into the post when you need a bucket? Still waiting on Javale McGee to get there…..We’ll see, but with Okafor I feel like a team will be able to do that from day one. I think in today’s NBA a lot of people forget how valuable a great post game is. I think the Tim Duncan comparisons are stretching it a little, but I see where they’re coming from as well. I think a little more reasonable comparison especially early on is Nikola Vucevic. You look at Vucevic’s career to this point (minus his year in Philly) and I think that could be the type of production we see from Okafor at first. However, speaking of athleticism I would say Okafor is more athletic and a better defender. I think down the road Okafor will be a better player, but I think it’s a good comparison just to show what a young center with a good offensive game can achieve from a production standpoint.

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  • #958846
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    Snowta
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     I have to disagree with this post. Although I can kind of see where you’re coming from because when you watch him his athleticism does not jump out at you, but I think you’re underrating just how skilled he is. I don’t know about the Zbo, Boozer comparisons because although they are both skilled bigs they’re both true 4’s and I see Okafor as a legit 5. To have legitimate center size with a skilled offensive game is extremely rare. In fact, in today’s NBA I would almost say it’s more rare than the 7′ freak athlete (Deandre Jordan, Drummond, Larry Sanders, etc.) and as much potential as these freak athletes seem to have will any of them ever get to the point where you can bring the ball up and dump it into the post when you need a bucket? Still waiting on Javale McGee to get there…..We’ll see, but with Okafor I feel like a team will be able to do that from day one. I think in today’s NBA a lot of people forget how valuable a great post game is. I think the Tim Duncan comparisons are stretching it a little, but I see where they’re coming from as well. I think a little more reasonable comparison especially early on is Nikola Vucevic. You look at Vucevic’s career to this point (minus his year in Philly) and I think that could be the type of production we see from Okafor at first. However, speaking of athleticism I would say Okafor is more athletic and a better defender. I think down the road Okafor will be a better player, but I think it’s a good comparison just to show what a young center with a good offensive game can achieve from a production standpoint.

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  • #959047
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    rope
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    My biggest question with him is rebounding. He seems average at best on the boards. I always see rebounding as one of the best indicators of how well you will do in the NBA. It’s an effort stat that requires technique. If he is a 7 board a game guy, his ceiling is Brook Lopez. Not a horrible player, but not someone who will win you much.

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  • #958909
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    rope
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    My biggest question with him is rebounding. He seems average at best on the boards. I always see rebounding as one of the best indicators of how well you will do in the NBA. It’s an effort stat that requires technique. If he is a 7 board a game guy, his ceiling is Brook Lopez. Not a horrible player, but not someone who will win you much.

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    • #959077
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      rileymcshea3
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       It’s funny that you say that because he just got 20 rebounds today on his 19th birthday. It was against Elon, but still impressive. In terms of comparisons he reminds me so much of Al Jefferson. Both big centers with post skills and a soft touch. They are guys you can give the ball in the post at anytime by either backing them down or facing up and problably get a good shot whether it’s them taking it or finding the open man. 

      In most peoples eyes they wouldn’t want to take a guy like Al Jefferson first, because of the lack of defensive ability, but Big Al has a 7’2 wingspan and Jahlil has a 7’6 wingspan. That will be very beneficial to help him with rebounding ( which I don’t see him having any trouble with) and shot blocking at the next level. With all that being said NBA draft scouts might question his athleticism, thinking that it will lower his ceiling, but his basketball IQ is superstar like, he sees the game differently from everyone one else.

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    • #958939
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      rileymcshea3
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       It’s funny that you say that because he just got 20 rebounds today on his 19th birthday. It was against Elon, but still impressive. In terms of comparisons he reminds me so much of Al Jefferson. Both big centers with post skills and a soft touch. They are guys you can give the ball in the post at anytime by either backing them down or facing up and problably get a good shot whether it’s them taking it or finding the open man. 

      In most peoples eyes they wouldn’t want to take a guy like Al Jefferson first, because of the lack of defensive ability, but Big Al has a 7’2 wingspan and Jahlil has a 7’6 wingspan. That will be very beneficial to help him with rebounding ( which I don’t see him having any trouble with) and shot blocking at the next level. With all that being said NBA draft scouts might question his athleticism, thinking that it will lower his ceiling, but his basketball IQ is superstar like, he sees the game differently from everyone one else.

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  • #959113
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    tuck243
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    He’s so much like Tim Duncan it’s scary (Not precise, just a veteran at a young age)…  A savvy vet with one of the best touches I’ve seen in a while.  His ability to pass out of the double team is already better than some 3-4 year NBA veterans.   Strictly based on offense he’s a future All-Star…  

    Defensively?  I’m not sure…  He’s better than I expected when it comes to pick and rolls, but he’s not the rebounder or defensive anchor like Duncan.  He has enough athletic ability and length to be good down there, I just can’t put my finger on why he isn’t dominant..

      

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  • #958975
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    tuck243
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    He’s so much like Tim Duncan it’s scary (Not precise, just a veteran at a young age)…  A savvy vet with one of the best touches I’ve seen in a while.  His ability to pass out of the double team is already better than some 3-4 year NBA veterans.   Strictly based on offense he’s a future All-Star…  

    Defensively?  I’m not sure…  He’s better than I expected when it comes to pick and rolls, but he’s not the rebounder or defensive anchor like Duncan.  He has enough athletic ability and length to be good down there, I just can’t put my finger on why he isn’t dominant..

      

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  • #959233
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    Jdean24
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    Big men generally aren’t dominant right away in the NBA because they are far from finished products.  I feel like he is a very close too finished player. I think he’d be the best player right now if plugged into an nba game but not in 5 years. The Al Jefferson comparison I like. Tim Dunan though. .no not even as a player at Wake Forest. He’s not a good on ball defender. And the 20 rebounds came against Elon..so don’t put much stock in that. Will be a good NBA player but not the next Dunan…

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  • #959094
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    Jdean24
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    Big men generally aren’t dominant right away in the NBA because they are far from finished products.  I feel like he is a very close too finished player. I think he’d be the best player right now if plugged into an nba game but not in 5 years. The Al Jefferson comparison I like. Tim Dunan though. .no not even as a player at Wake Forest. He’s not a good on ball defender. And the 20 rebounds came against Elon..so don’t put much stock in that. Will be a good NBA player but not the next Dunan…

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