6/21/04, Can Okafor hold off Howard for No. 1?

[JCSunsfan]

I really do have a hunch the Suns are trying to angle somehow for Okafor. Last night, Mark Curtis was interviewing DAntoni. He asked about Okafor and what the chances were the Suns could get him.

I thought it was a strange questions, since there was no talk about the Suns trading for Okafor. Curtis had this funny little smile on his face like he knew something.

D'Antoni said it was possible but quickly changed the subject saying, "we could also trade the pick." He looked somewhat uncomfortable with the question.

Its probably no big deal, but the exchange made me think there might be something going on concerning Okie.

 

[Errntknght]

Joe, "First of all it will be clear that this is Amare Stoudemire's team and the offense runs through him."

I don't know that the offense is going to run through Amare as long as coach Mikey is in charge. I've been saying we should be moving that direction since early in his rookie year but neither coach has attempted to involve him in operating the offense (as a passer) after all this time. Now Amare has developed a nice little fake pass as he starts to drive and were he to pass the ball more than once a week when he wasn't double teamed, it'd probably be quite effective.

 

[Joe Mama]

I really do have a hunch the Suns are trying to angle somehow for Okafor. Last night, Mark Curtis was interviewing DAntoni. He asked about Okafor and what the chances were the Suns could get him.

I thought it was a strange questions, since there was no talk about the Suns trading for Okafor. Curtis had this funny little smile on his face like he knew something.

D'Antoni said it was possible but quickly changed the subject saying, "we could also trade the pick." He looked somewhat uncomfortable with the question.

Its probably no big deal, but the exchange made me think there might be something going on concerning Okie.

I saw that also, but I don't think there's any chance the Phoenix Suns could move up to take one of those top two players. Orlando is going to get one of them, and Charlotte just traded up to get the other. I suppose one of those teams could trade out to the Suns, but I doubt it. I also don't have a lot of faith in Mark Curtis' knowledge of the NBA at this point. I think it was more likely just a crazy question from Curtis.

Joe, "First of all it will be clear that this is Amare Stoudemire's team and the offense runs through him."

I don't know that the offense is going to run through Amare as long as coach Mikey is in charge. I've been saying we should be moving that direction since early in his rookie year but neither coach has attempted to involve him in operating the offense (as a passer) after all this time. Now Amare has developed a nice little fake pass as he starts to drive and were he to pass the ball more than once a week when he wasn't double teamed, it'd probably be quite effective.

The last half of last season Amare Stoudemire was the focus of the offense. It might not have been the smoothest operation, but the plan was definitely to dump the ball down to him at every opportunity. As is the situation with every team with a good low post presence sometimes they did not get the ball to him enough. I believe it will operate more smoothly back season. At least I hope so.

Joe Mama

 

[devilalum]

I saw that also, but I don't think there's any chance the Phoenix Suns could move up to take one of those top two players. Orlando is going to get one of them, and Charlotte just traded up to get the other. I suppose one of those teams could trade out to the Suns, but I doubt it. I also don't have a lot of faith in Mark Curtis' knowledge of the NBA at this point. I think it was more likely just a crazy question from Curtis.



Joe Mama

I bet Orlando would trade picks with the Suns if they took Hill.

 

[Joe Mama]

I bet Orlando would trade picks with the Suns if they took Hill.

I'll bet I could fly across the Grand Canyon if I had big enough wings.

I don't think there's any way the Phoenix Suns would take Grant Hill's contract.

BTW if the Orlando Magic pass on Okafor to take Dwight Howard I think they're making a colossal mistake. We'll see.

Joe Mama

 

[hcsilla]

there's any way the Phoenix Suns would take Grant Hill's contract.

BTW if the Orlando Magic pass on Okafor to take Dwight Howard I think they're making a colossal mistake.

They can't be that stupid. I simply can't see why Howard is a better PROSPECT while Okafor is obviously a much much better player right now.

 

[Joe Mama]

They can't be that stupid. I simply can't see why Howard is a better PROSPECT while Okafor is obviously a much much better player right now.

I'm sorry Hcsilla, I can't tell if you are agreeing were arguing with me here.

I think Okafor is miles ahead of Howard right now. Of course I have only seen Howard a few times. He could have improved pretty significantly since then. Still, from what I saw Howard will never be as good as Okafor is right now on defense. It's also easy to forget that Okafor is still improving his offense. He averaged something like 18 points per game against much better than high school competition last year.

Joe

 

[hcsilla]

I agree with you. I can't imagine why in the hell would ORL take Howard over Okafor.

 

[devilalum]

How about the #7 and Eisley for #1 and Hill. It's possible that Hill may be retired by December.

I know taking on Grant Hill's contract is VERY unlikely but I prefer it to the Suns just sitting on cap space or overpaying some of the role players others have talked about.

It's very possible the Suns could go into panic mode in about a month and we'll all be wishing they'd done any one of a number of deals that now look questionable.

Would you rather have Okur and Barry or Okafor?

 

[hcsilla]

It's possible that Hill may be retired by December.

If that's possible ORL will keep him and Okafor.

 

[slinslin]

Well I think it is almost certain the Magic won't take Okafor now.

The fanatic christian and Steve Francis on the same team looks like an explosive combination though.

 

[George O'Brien]

IF the trade goes through with Houston, I think the Magic will give consideration to taking Howard. The reason is that Cato is strictly a defense oriented center and Okafor is mostly defense. Howard is considered to have very good offensive skills and is probably better suited the playing SF his first few years.

C - Cato
PF - Gooden
SF - Howard
SG - Mobley
PG - Francis

Gooden proved he can't play SF and they really have no one who can. Can Howard be an SF right away? I don't know, but that would be the scenerio.