Oh I agree completely. I just think the one spot where Towns' passing ability really impressed me was from the high post area. He has a great bounce pass from there and when he is able to hit from 16 feet regularly, he'll really open a great high-low game with whoever he's playing next to. Overall, Okafor's game is just better to me. He's a better Center which is exactly what we need. I really hope Minnesota falls in love with Towns' versatility because I really want a back-to-the-basket Center.
It's tough. My preferring Okafor is because of your analysis of his awkward locomotion and mechanics. From a strict "fit" perspective, with Randle as our 4, Towns is the better fit and a better fit in today's NBA. Truth be told, I'll be happy with either. I just am tired of injuries and Bynum's knees are too fresh in my mind.
My main problems with Towns are 1. his body mechanics 2. he's not as developed as Okafor meaning more time for impact (like Bynum) and 3. I just think Okafor is a better prospect. I think Okafor is the kind of generational talent the Lakers look for in these picks. He's a natural born post player/inside playing Center. He's physically gifted. He's a National Champion. No he's not a natural shot blocker or perimeter defender but he's the kind of Center that could swing the pendulum back into the post. I think he's that talented.
I will constantly be switching my preference between Okafor and Towns everyday until the day we draft one of them. I like the chess game you've described @therealdeal and it really does make a lot of sense. If theres one guy I trust to bring us back to the promise land it is Mitch. He will do his homework and we will get what we want and need.
Re: Okafor's passing... what stood out to me in some of the clips I've seen is his ability to use those massive hands to hold the ball up while in the post, then throw it out to the 3pt line one-handed without bringing the ball down. Impressive strength and control.
When I first saw the pictures of Okafors hands I thought he was holding a small bball. Or photoshopped. That is a HUGE advantage, one Wilt, Connie Hawkins, Dr J and Jordan used to their advantage.
I agree with all that. It's so close. I wanted Towns for a while, now I'm squarely in the Okafor camp, and I don't think I'll be moving...And Jimmy will take Kaminsky at #2 and I will commit suicide.
To be honest, Towns would still be my first choice if he were available just because I prefer defense. With that said, I'd be just as giddy if/when the commish announces that the Lakers have selected Jahlil Okafor as the 2nd pick of the draft.
Not to get too amped up, and trying to retain my cool on it, but . . . Okafor looks like a franchise type player to me. Towns would be great, but I have to agree with therealdeal here about Okafor's talent level. I think Okafor is a guy you could build around for years to come. That's no slag on Towns but he's more about potential for me and he just doesn't seem like an absolute alpha type franchise player in the same way as Okafor.
Watch between 6:15-7:00 on this video. People get caught up in "go to guy", "1st option", and stuff like that, but this sort of thing wins games. Give me a guy with a 7'3.5" that can hedge the PnR, slide his feet, & show/recover any day of the week. Love the defensive potential this guy has...
If that happens, the SoCal police force will be combing the L.A. Basin and Angeles Crest for Laker fan bodies. I don't think the Jimmy and Chaz show is involved in the pickings anymore...at least I hope not.
Any idea where that photo was taken? My guess would be they're all out in the L.A. area and that looks like it could be the big White Sands hill a little north of Zuma Beach on PCH.
Yeah, his offense is great. No doubt; face up, gets position, bullies opponents or can take you off the dribble. The unique thing is the efficiency he does it at; if he could translate average defensively, he'll be a monster. I just don't solely want to rely on the post with Okafor on our team, though. That could be the bread & butter of what you go too, though, when you need a basket. Quite frankly, these are the 4 categories, I'd love to work out of and get a good yield from: Post-Up Spot-Up Cuts Pick-In Rolle ball Those are the 4 categories. Okafor could post up, has a good feel for cutting, and I think would be a monster on the pick in roll. He's the best finisher in college basketball. I'm not so sure about spotting up, yet. The defense we'd figure out later; TRD mentioned a much more athltice perimeter where guys could run around disrupting things and rotating from the weak side that causes TO's. I'd like to see that. I'd also like to see us funnel more to the middle with Okafor. I posted a video where Kobe did a good job of closing out on Beverly and funneled his man toward the middle; Davis was there, Beverely passed the ball, but Davis recovered quick and blocked the shot. Similar, to how Gasol was used defensively when he played the 5 for us during his years here... I also like what Portland does; less gambling, playing more conservative defense, not fouling, and contesting shot/making smarter rotations. This was an instance last year when we played the Washington Wizards; Humpries was open for a mid-range shot; we left Beal open to close 'hard' on Humpries for the inefficient shot in basketball and left Beal open for a wide open 3 pointer. Either way, I think we need a better defensive scheme; more updated with either Center we take; an upgrade in personnel with defensive versatility would help too.
Not sure. Seen the picture online and decided to post it. Okafor clearly has a thicker base in his legs...
Yep. The more videos I watch of Towns the more I see him with a weak lower body. It makes me insanely nervous.
Me, too, I won't lie. I'd still be stoked to have him, but it only reaffirms that I'd rather have Okafor.
