2015 Nba Draft Discussion: Russell, Nance Jr., Brown

So Karl Anthony Towns has a imaginary friend named Karlito... who sits on his shoulder and Towns talks to him during games

Headcase?

 

I've been on the towns wagon since day 1. I think he's got the highest ceiling in the draft, and he's no slouch right now. he could be a more talented version of derrick favors.

that said, depending on draft position, I could be persuaded to trade down if I could get WCS and a mid-first. WCS looks ready to contribute right now, and his skillset is valuable in the modern nba.

 

I understand Towns having the better defensive upside, but I'm not sure how important that is in today's perimeter dominated game.... I mean, would adding Towns to our team help against teams like the Warriors? How do you explain the success of the Rockets without Dwight? There aren't that many scoring bigs in the league anymore.... I don't think the full value of defensive bigs are realized in today's game. Although I do understand how he could alter some layups, etc against perimeter players.

Okafor is so dominant, his presence alone would facilitate a team's offense. It would open up shots for everyone. If he turns out to be a liability on defense, just get a DeAndre or Tyson Chandler to play next to him. Those type of players are attainable. Okafor has an once-in-a-decade offense game. His post game is just beautiful and fun to watch as a basketball fan. I defintely want him on the team.

 

individual post defense isn't as important as it once was (though it can still be crucial if you run into one of the handful of teams with legit low post scoring options), but basket protection is incredibly important. guys like noah and chandler impact games dramatically. houston is unaffected by dwight's absence because he still insists on being part of the offense, imo, which is a problem when you suck at offense.

anyway, i don't think the lakers end up with either, and WCS could be a noah/chandler type, so i wouldn't cry too hard.

in fact, i'll only cry hard if they lose the pick.

 

I agree, and I'm not trying to undervalue the importance of defense, not at all. I'm talking about the trend in the NBA. More than half of the baskets are coming from the perimeter, so basket protection isn't as important as it once was. In the 80-90s, most teams initiated the offense with their bigs. Nowadays, you have teams like the Warriors jacking up perimeter shots 4-5 posessions in a row, which means P&R defense >>>> Rim protection.

And like I said, defensive bigs (Noah, Chandler, Horford, Asik, Dwight, Sanders, Perkins, Splitter, etc etc) are readily available. So an argument can be made that Towns-like defense can be bought, whereas Okafor-like offense is simply unattainable.

 

What if you could switch the pick in roll with a big man who has the mobility to do so or even blitz the pick in roll where your center could get back and recover quickly at the rim? Example. I was watching the OKC/Suns game a couple of weeks back on TNT; I seen a defensive possession where Ibaka switched out on Bledsoe and forced him into a tough shot. I love that flexibility defensively. Towns or WCS are more apt to become successful in those situations because of their ability to guard out in space, IMO. I still think Okafor could at least be average defensively, though.

 

You're right, P&R defense is key in today's game. But we're still talking 'potential' here.

Towns has the 'potential' to be a Serge Ibaka with a jump shot. Okafor is a unstoppable offensive force today, with the 'potential' to be at least average defensively. I prefer the latter.

Okafor is the type of player that you have to plan your entire defensive scheme against. He forces the opposing coach to change the game plan. Towns has the potential to impact posessions, not the entire game IMO.

 

Sure, and I'm not going to debate that with you. My stance is clear; we need talent. Whether it be Okafor, Towns, Russell, or whomever we pick, we land a good player, fill a need, and go from there into Free Agency with the objective to fill more needs with quality pieces that will contend for a playoff sport next year. That's my goal.

 

@RandleROFY I agree, just referring to people that prefer Towns over Okafor, arguing that he has a 'higher ceiling' I just can't see that when Okafor is already an unstoppable force with the potential to be even better.

 

Well said. I'm not hating on Towns either. I still think he is a #2 pick. But the gap between #1 and #2 is alot bigger than people realize. It's not even a case of "you can't go wrong with either" Picking Towns over Okafor is a huge mistake.

 

No, Towns is really good on defense NOW. It's not a potential thing when it comes to his defense. He moves his feet, he times his block shots, he recovers on defense, he focuses on rebounds. Okafor is currently unstoppable at the collegiate level, don't know how that will translate to the NBA level either. Also, you haven't been watching Towns on the offense at all my friend.

Kentucky have been going to him lately itn the clutch for big time baskets because he's developed some basic post moves. But what makes his basic post moves so effective is that he has the size AND athleticism to sky over defenders, and he has a prety soft touch around the rim too. Think Bynum's early years in the post. He wasn't dominant, but no one could really guard against his size and length once he goes up for a hook shot.

 

I have been watching his games. He has more range than Okafor, and he has developed a competent hook shot. No denying that he is an excellent prospect. But unless his hook shot becomes the second coming of the Sky Hook, he's not going to impact the game like Okafor IMO.

 

I think defense is a better gauge nowadays because the NBA is somewhat closer to the college level with the high paced up and down tempo and pick and roll play. Towns' has shown excellent lateral foot speed in terms of defending the pick and roll, he sprints down the court and gets back on defense. Sure he fouls a lot, but that's all about learning how to control yourself. If you're going to say Okafor is going to be able to "learn" to play defense, his curve is going to be a little higher.

Let's put ratings on each player for opinions sake.

Okafor - Offense - 9/10 Defense - 4/10
Towns - Offense - 6/10 Defense 8/10

No, I didn't make it seem Towns is better in this sense, this is how I truly rate their game at this point.

 

Why does it need to be the second coming of the sky hook? Have you seen anyone employ the sky hook since Kareem on a regular basis? Okafor doesn't have one, does that mean he's not going to impact the game?

Imagine if Deandre Jordan developed a decent hook shot and made his free throws. Towns has the size, although not the same through the roof jumping ability, he can outjump most bigs, and that's what make his offensive game so potent.

 

That's how potent Okafor's offense is. Town's hook shot would have to develop in to the Sky Hook for him to be as unstoppable as Okafor.

You rated them:

Okafor - Offense - 9/10 Defense - 4/10
Towns - Offense - 6/10 Defense 8/10

but if we are rating them on the college level, Okafor's offense is a 10 or 11 because there is no college kid that even comes close to his dominance.

And since you asked, I would take Okafor over a Deandre Jordan with a decent hook/FT shot. Okafor could end up as dominant as Shaq. You can't pass on that.