[ZouldiersParticipant]

 What are the chances he signs with the Shanghai Sharks of the CBA or be a PBA import? Does he even have a shot at the Euroleague?

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

He can find a home in the Euroleague. There’s still a place for low post scoring there.

[XYRYXParticipant]

I think his shocking path so far has much more to do with his total lack of shape and desire to change that. He was hurt in his rookie year and it only went worse from there. 

It is often mentioned his skills and strengths don’t match today’s NBA game but in his case I don’t believe it. If he would be in shape he might not have problems finding a spot in the league but he has not shown heart, grit and the desire to belong there for like 2 years now.

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 B/c in the modern NBA – in the Regular season at least – Perimeter Defense is almost Non-existent – at least in terms of Physical On Ball or Man to Man Defense which is what was played before the 2002 Zone rules were changed 

Defense in the modern NBA is more positional on the perimeter – I’m not giving a Value judgement on whether that is a good or bad thing – just that it is what it is & as a reference for my larger point. 

And that is Okafor plays a position where NBA Execs can live w/ Out theur Center scoring but he MUST Rebound & Either protect the Rim or be athletic enough to get out on the perimeter to at least stay w/ the opponents Center – who function more like the Stretch 4/PF’s who evolved into Pick & Pop players from distance 

Okafor can do NONE of these Skills & it’s just not a matter of being in Shape. While still in high school NBA scouts wrote accounts of Okafor’s fantastic low post game but commented Often that his "Lack of Lateral Foot Speed / quickness & Below the Rim game" would really be a problem for him to "transition to the NBA" 

Bill Self stopped by on the broadcast of the Celtics / Sixers Summer League game July 8th & Doris Burke asked Self about several former Kansas players now in the NBA & of course Burke asked Self about Joel Embiid: "did u Ever imagine Joel Embiid would be THIS domianant in the NBA?" 

Self grinned & giggled Sheepishly & then answer: "Yes" 

Doris was incredulous & clearly did not believe him & responded "Really! This good?" Again Self responded "Yes" & then explained – "Doris we’d have scouts want to see him in practice & we’d tell Joel just show them some Lateral footwork & the scouts would be absolutely blown away that a player that size could move like that & he’s 7’2” now Doris w/ good muscle on him – let me tell you – Embiid is Just scratching the surface of what he’ll become – a man that size should Not be able to cover that much space laterally that quickly" 

Okafor is the Polar opposite of Embiid & it is Ironic they were drafted by the same man b/c Okafor’s game has ZERO lateral quickness. Even his offense depends on a deliberate back to the basket post breakdown that takes Time & brings his OWN team to a Stand Still & that is the Problem! 

For those old enuf to remember the NBA in the 90’s when Iso ball, back to the basket ruled the day before Zone Star player would call for the ball on the Elbow or the Post & then their 4 teammates would drag their defenders to the other side of the court & 8 players would watch TWO men go One V One 

It was Awful & This is why the NBA changed the Zone & Double team rules in 2002!

So this idea that Okafor is SO great on Offense that Some team will work him into their line up is just false 

And even if a bottom dwelling team was So desperate to try to Run this Dinosaur of an Offense, Okafor is SO limited Defensively he could Avg 30 a night & it Still would Not be worth it b/c the opposing team just FEASTS on Any unit anchored by Okafor at the Center position & the Analytics AND traditional stats back this up – the Data is Overwhelming how Bad Okafor is 

The Truth is & it is a Shame but Okafor just can Not play in the modern NBA. There are Not stats invented to explain how many buckets NEVER occurred b/c 7’2” Freak Shows like Joel Embiid & Rudy Gobert are able to Read a play & move Laterally So fast that a cutter kicks the ball back out rather than even attempt what would Surely be a demoralizing Blocked shot – but when u watch the game – Especially Live – u can NOT miss the Impact a Gobert & an Embiid – the 2 Very best Def Centers in the NBA – have on the opponents cohesion on Offense

These same plays result in Dunks when Okafor is on the court & of you can get your hands on some game tape when Embiid & Okafor were Both playing for the 76ers I Promise U it is Shocking! B/c the Same players who can get Any where near the Rim when Embiid is on the floor suddenly look like Super Stars as they Relentless attack the Rim when Okafor subs for Embiid. And then Embiid returns & No one even Attempts to attack the Rim – Rarely will you ever find evidence So stark as that Sixers situation 

Apologies for the Length 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[timinator1Participant]

 All of the above is true except…there are guys in the league that have similar games, and work just fine. David West, Boogie Cousins (not comparing the athlete, but the size and the type of game), Kyle O’Quinn, Frank the Tank, Nene, etc etc. These are not high flying Capela types.

Most of these guys  (except for Boogie) are not near the offensive player Okafor is. The reality is, he has some "bust" stink on him, and no one wants to take the chance. He’s an NBA player, he has the skillset for be on a roster.
If anyone wants to look at tape of him in the Rookie/Soph Allstar game, he’s able to face up and put the ball on the floor (not a ton of defense in that game, but still)

He’s also very young, and maybe his head isn’t quite on right yet. The problem with "The process" is that losing a sh!t ton right when you get into the league can mess you up. I would bet is happened with both MCW and Jah.

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I’d be shocked if he didn’t end up on a NBA roster by training camp.

He’s been in Miami since the season ended transforming his body and working on his game. I wouldn’t write him off just yet. 

 

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 Hawks should take a look at him..They’ll suck anyways might as well see what this kid has. 

[HitsterParticipant]

 David West was a proven All Star and is now a veteran who might have played his last NBA game. Nene likewise is now a veteran and both these guys were seen as high character locker room veterans and had good basketball IQs and almost played in another era to Okafor.

Miami would be a decent fit for Okafor and I wondered if Knicks might take a look with Porz out, he has a similar game to Kanter so would kind of fit in.

 

 

 

[timinator1Participant]

both of those guys were rotation players on playoff teams. The role of the "below the rim Big, without a 3 point shot" still exists in the NBA.

[EndlessknightParticipant]

One of the many things we learned from burner-gate was that Okafor’s knee injury was a lot worse than thought. I wonder how much that is still effecting him.

[Author]

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