[USABasketballParticipant]

I’m hearing mixed reviews on Jahlil Okafor as an NBA prospect and honestly I do not see why. I think he can be Demarcus Cousins without all the drama. They both play similar bully ball down low with good post moves, footwork and sneaky athletiscm. They also have similar measurables. Feedback appreciated. 

[hbomb3300Participant]

I don’t think Okafor has Cousins’ quickness but he’s probably a harder worker and no reports of attitude issues so those are big pluses.

[hbomb3300Participant]

I don’t think Okafor has Cousins’ quickness but he’s probably a harder worker and no reports of attitude issues so those are big pluses.

[cheetosjalapeno17Participant]

i dont think he has the ball handling of DMC. Can he be a bigger version of Big Al?

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

A bigger version of big Al would be impossible to stop .

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

A bigger version of big Al would be impossible to stop .

[cheetosjalapeno17Participant]

i dont think he has the ball handling of DMC. Can he be a bigger version of Big Al?

[JeffreyhardenParticipant]

 Not to be a smart ass but who are you hearing this from, this site has him as the 2nd pick next year.

[USABasketballParticipant]

From reading ESPN articles and looking at posts on this site. Everyone talks about how Myles Turner and Karl Towns have much higher upside. I just think people see that they have good permiter games and fall in love with their versatillity which is impressive dont get me wrong but with league lacking true back to the basket big men I believe Okafor with thrive. And looking at his recent tape and performances he has shed weight and is running the floor like a beast. Not knocking Turner or Towns, I think they will be great players as well. 

[USABasketballParticipant]

From reading ESPN articles and looking at posts on this site. Everyone talks about how Myles Turner and Karl Towns have much higher upside. I just think people see that they have good permiter games and fall in love with their versatillity which is impressive dont get me wrong but with league lacking true back to the basket big men I believe Okafor with thrive. And looking at his recent tape and performances he has shed weight and is running the floor like a beast. Not knocking Turner or Towns, I think they will be great players as well. 

[JeffreyhardenParticipant]

 Not to be a smart ass but who are you hearing this from, this site has him as the 2nd pick next year.

[JoeWolf1]

 A 7’6" wingspan, a good showing at the hoop summit, soft hands and good footwork all before his 1st college game is enough for me to keep regarding him as a top level prospect, for now.

[JoeWolf1]

 A 7’6" wingspan, a good showing at the hoop summit, soft hands and good footwork all before his 1st college game is enough for me to keep regarding him as a top level prospect, for now.

[JeffreyhardenParticipant]

 I look at those high upside players like Turner and Towns compared to Okafor and can’t help but to think of the Tyrus Thomas/LaMarcus Aldridge situation that has Chicago without a title. If the Bulls would of never fell in love with Tyrus and kept Lamarcus along with Noah and a healthy Derrick Rose that team (the year Rose won MVP) would have had a chance of winning that title that year. 

[JeffreyhardenParticipant]

 I look at those high upside players like Turner and Towns compared to Okafor and can’t help but to think of the Tyrus Thomas/LaMarcus Aldridge situation that has Chicago without a title. If the Bulls would of never fell in love with Tyrus and kept Lamarcus along with Noah and a healthy Derrick Rose that team (the year Rose won MVP) would have had a chance of winning that title that year. 

[MalcolmxParticipant]

 Right now I’m not to high on Turner due to him being hurt a lot. These are usually leg injuries also which is not good for a near 7 footer.He is not as explosive as some scouts have claimed either. Okafor I am high on. He is wide and strong.Has very good size(reach and wingspan included). I do not compare him to Cousins because to me cousins has a better face up jumper and is also quicker. I can not think of a comparison but I feel he is still a top tier prospect. He is what you look for a back to the basket big man.

[MalcolmxParticipant]

 Right now I’m not to high on Turner due to him being hurt a lot. These are usually leg injuries also which is not good for a near 7 footer.He is not as explosive as some scouts have claimed either. Okafor I am high on. He is wide and strong.Has very good size(reach and wingspan included). I do not compare him to Cousins because to me cousins has a better face up jumper and is also quicker. I can not think of a comparison but I feel he is still a top tier prospect. He is what you look for a back to the basket big man.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 Reminds me of a taller/longer Jared Sullinger, which is really good. When Sullinger first arrived at Ohio state he averaged 17 and 10 as a freshmen and even had a game where he scored 40 and grabbed 13 rebounds. I remember there being a big 3 of the freshmen for the draft with Kyrie,Harrison Barnes, and Sullinger but then he stayed another year and scared teams with his back injury and ended up dropping the next year for the draft. 

Besides that Okafor seems like the real deal and there seems to be a lot of promising young centers (Turner,Alexander, Towns Jr) and Eman Mudiay being the top prizes for next years draft

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 Reminds me of a taller/longer Jared Sullinger, which is really good. When Sullinger first arrived at Ohio state he averaged 17 and 10 as a freshmen and even had a game where he scored 40 and grabbed 13 rebounds. I remember there being a big 3 of the freshmen for the draft with Kyrie,Harrison Barnes, and Sullinger but then he stayed another year and scared teams with his back injury and ended up dropping the next year for the draft. 

Besides that Okafor seems like the real deal and there seems to be a lot of promising young centers (Turner,Alexander, Towns Jr) and Eman Mudiay being the top prizes for next years draft

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I like him better than Cousins, relative to each of their respective ages.  Perhaps he is less versatile on offense, as he isn’t the ball-handler or shooter that Cousins is, but I think his post game will be better.  He may not have as many moves, but the moves he does have conserve motion much better than Cousins’ post moves.  Okafor just seems really disciplined in the post and should be a very efficient option from a pretty young age.  His footwork in the post is super advanced for his age.

Okafor is my early favorite for 1st pick in the 2015 draft.  His strength and hands seem incredible, and, given his excellent motor, he chould be a dominant rebounder in college.  And his post moves are really NBA-style.  His footwork down low reminds me a bit of Marc Gasol.  How quickly he adapts to defending in space is his biggest question, but given his outstanding reach and excellent footwork, that isn’t necessarily a weakness.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I like him better than Cousins, relative to each of their respective ages.  Perhaps he is less versatile on offense, as he isn’t the ball-handler or shooter that Cousins is, but I think his post game will be better.  He may not have as many moves, but the moves he does have conserve motion much better than Cousins’ post moves.  Okafor just seems really disciplined in the post and should be a very efficient option from a pretty young age.  His footwork in the post is super advanced for his age.

Okafor is my early favorite for 1st pick in the 2015 draft.  His strength and hands seem incredible, and, given his excellent motor, he chould be a dominant rebounder in college.  And his post moves are really NBA-style.  His footwork down low reminds me a bit of Marc Gasol.  How quickly he adapts to defending in space is his biggest question, but given his outstanding reach and excellent footwork, that isn’t necessarily a weakness.

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