I think using the term 'trend' or 'jump shooting' teams is a misnomer. The SAS's and GS's of the world have implemented a beautiful system with beautiful actions that they run to utilize or maximize the talent they have; it's predicated on several different areas of basketball. It's fun to watch. The scouts do drool over KAT because of the things you mentioned but he also played great defense in college while being multi-faceted offensively. While Okafor is agreat offensive weapon to have, there is obvious concern about his defense; at least too me. He was lazy, apathetic, and had a Pau-esque mentality to go after rebounds during Duke's games. He's also shown flashes, but he's never been consistent from what I've witnessed. Is it offense good enough to compensate for that at the pro-level. Nope. If he improves in that area, now we're talking. Agree about needing a bucket at the end of the game and having an option. That's true. I wouldn't fault Towns for only playing 2/3 of the time that Okafor did; when Towns did play, he produced at a very high level. No knock on Okafor. His defense is just a bit concerning, but like I said, if we grab him, implement the right players/scheme to fit him, and he improves on that end defensively, I think he has the potential to be a number 1 option on a very good playoff team...
They won't do that. If they were thinking someone other than the big 2, they'd trade the pick and get another pick / player. Teams would be lining up.
Taylor has already talked about trading the pick http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer...trading-no-1-pick-thibodeau-standoff-and-more
@RandleROFY You're right, people overlook the fact that SAS and GS just play the right way. I won't make any excuses for Okafor's inconsistence on defense and rebounding. It could be bad conditioning. Or maybe he was instructed to stay on the floor by Coach K. But you have scale back on Towns' production as well. Tarik Black averages 14.8 rebounds when pace-adjust for 40 minutes. That is not realistic. Same goes for Towns.
Great lottery outcome for the Purple and Gold!!!!! To me it's like picking between a Mercedes and BMW, either way they get a good young player on a controlled rookie contract which is tremendous! I picked Towns only because I don't like watching bad foul shooters at the line. BUT, you know the workouts will dictate who goes where. What if Mitch is blown away by Mudaiy, Russell, Winslow, or...Frank The Tank!!!, like Jerry West was by Kobe. The odds of that are slim I know but ya never know.
Okafor. Can't teach his abilities and you can coach up his weaknesses. Once in a decade (maybe more) type talent.
Okafor... I prefer a tank [yeah, THAT word] to humvee. If he had issues character wise or prone to bouts of indifference, he would not have flourished one moment in Coach K's system. We have the environment and personnel people to ensure Okafor has his priorities spot on and that he acts in a professional manner. How many Dukies out there have we heard are in trouble due to character issues? Hardly any if none at all. The only amusing issue I can see is that a Tar Heel will have to take a Blue Devil.
What do you think Towns' floor and ceilings are, injuries aside? Absolute disastrous worst case scenario would be Javale Macgee with a jumper, but I think that's not likely. I think his likely floor is Noah with a jumpshot, with a ceiling of a mature and always hungry/motivated to play defense Bynum with a 3 pt shot. I think Okafor's floor is Al Jefferson, with a ceiling of an only average defensive Tim Duncan. Maybe it's just me, but I take Noah+jumper over Al Jefferson any day. Heck, I'd take Noah+jumper over Okafor at 3/4 ceiling (which would be a poor man's Duncan). For me, the ONLY reason to take Okafor is the weak base/injury risk point that may or may not hold true once examined by the med staff. With that said, Okafor is still ORGASMIC in a Laker's uni!!!!!
Not feeling the Jefferson comparisons... To me Jefferson looks like a stiff. The Towns-Noah sounds apt BUT does he have the latter's intensity?
We'll give them Lin, Sloppy D, Hill, a pair of second rounders for successive years and Jimmy Goldstein.
Agreed. Okafor is a lot more fluid and effortless when he scores. And a bit more atheltic than Jefferson. Not sure if Towns will ever develop Noah's stamina and fire.
I picked Okafor for now, but man, the talent that KAT has. Wow. Dude is like a prime Rasheed Wallace at a YMCA. But Okafor's smartness and intangibles, you don't find that every day.
That's a good one with the Wallace comparison. Shoot the face-up J, play the post with his back to the basket, agile enough to rotate on defense, rebound and block shots. Okafor is another beast though...man-child in sneaks.
I'd honestly be stoked with either either one but slightly leaning towards Towns right now Okafor's post-work is phenomenal but Towns is a far better FT shooter and has Okafor beat when it comes to playing defense, which are 2 things that this Lakers team can use badly
I think okafor is the better player, but towns fits like a glove to randle and the lakers weekness in defence.
Towns is a great shotblocker, more mobile, versatile and athletic. But give me a polish post presence every single time in Okafor
