Can we talk about Okogie?

[JCSunsfan]

I stepped away from watching the Suns for about a month and a half because of stuff going on in life. Away from this board too. The KD business pulled me back in. In that time injures pushed Josh Okogie into more playing time. The guy is intriguing to me. I have only been able to watch highlights of him, so my knowledge is a bit limited. I would be interested in a discussion about him.

He seems to be a monster defensive player. It looks like he plays D more like a big Jevan Carter than a smaller Mikal Bridges. More physical and aggressive than Mikal. He looks almost like he might be as good or better as a defender than Mikal, but maybe Mikal is more consistent. I am not sure on that one. He is 6-4 but everyone sees him as a SF which seems strange to me. His size says SG all day long.

He seems to fill a defensive gap that Mikal left, being able to dog the other team's best 1-3 position player. He does not look like he nearly has the offense of Mikal, but he might be much more useful in a line up with KD, Book, Ayton, and Paul.

Does this kid (he is only 24) have starter potential?

 

[NashDishesDimes]

Totally agree. Im 100% okay with him getting more PT with the shortened depth now. He can score, had 25 and 17 in last two games with 30+ mins in bith games and over 50% shooting.

Much more comfortable with him getting PT in playoffs than landale or ish. Hes didnt even miss a beat with the mask.

 

[Mainstreet]

If Josh Okogie could shoot, he might have a chance to be a starter but since he can't, I doubt it.

He is more of a defensive specialist who can score on a given night when he gets hot.

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Checkout the latest stats of Josh Okogie. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, shoots, school and more on Basketball-Reference.com

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[Proximo]

He has been shooting better, and unlike most suns players he will drive and get to the line.

Defensively he is just a menace to the opposition, and he's pretty decent rebounding as well.

The only thing stopping me from completely endorsing him to be a starter is he seems to either play well, or horrible on any given night. There does not seem to be an in between. But I think he has a chance to become a pretty good player with some more playing time.

 

[Bufalay]

I think the biggest problem is that his defense is actually kind of inconsistent. His offense is limited, but if he could be a consistently high impact defender he'd be really good. His shooting isn't that good but he does enough other stuff on offense that his shooting wouldn't matter that much.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think the biggest problem is that his defense is actually kind of inconsistent. His offense is limited, but if he could be a consistently high impact defender he'd be really good. His shooting isn't that good but he does enough other stuff on offense that his shooting wouldn't matter that much.

I know he missed some games here and there from a hip injury, I just assumeed his up and down play at both ends was related to that problem.

 

[Chaplin]

Defensively, he's among the best players we've ever had. Offensively, he's average at best.

I think we are putting too much stock on being a starter/not being a starter. Monty especially staggers lineups like crazy so a lot of times (Jae Crowder notwithstanding), starting is irrelevant. The main reason for starting someone honestly is all about how many minutes the starter can play. Can Okogie push at least 25 minutes as a starter playing like he does? I'm not sure he can.

 

[JCSunsfan]

What about his position? SG or SF?

 

[Bufalay]

I know he missed some games here and there from a hip injury, I just assumeed his up and down play at both ends was related to that problem.

That's a good point. Hard to keep track of who is and isn't recovering from an injury these days.

 

[Muggz]

Yeah on D he CAN be a pest, with the way the floor will open up now, I'd like to see more drives from him which we know he can do. He's inconsistent atm.
Would be nice to have a lights out shooter at that spot but were a lil handicapped in what we can do atm.
Pretty sure they will start Craig or Warren but by the time the playoffs come around someone may have taken that spot.
Maybe Okogie would be better suited on the second team while trying to keep a lead.

 

[AzStevenCal]

That's a good point. Hard to keep track of who is and isn't recovering from an injury these days.

Yeah ain't that the truth.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

He’s a strong and athletic man-on defender. I actually think he’s better than bridges one-on-one defensively. But he’s not nearly the overall disrupter that mikal is.

Offensively his shot is erratic, which just makes him a gamble. But it’s not so much his erratic shooting that troubles me as it is his often horrid shot selection. It’s not unusual for him to catch the ball in position for a wide open corner three onky to hesitate, give the defense time to close out and then end up taking an atrocious step back 3 (which he is never going to hit). And while he does occasionally draw fouls on forays into the lane he never seems as if he does so with an actual plan. He has more awful double clutch shots that clank off the rim than I care to remember. It’s his decision making that’s most concerning for me and why I don’t want him starting. Our starting five should be the best offense in the league. Him being clunky in that regard would inhibit it from reaching its zenith.

All that said, he was a pretty good scorer at Georgia tech. He’s not afraid of the moment. He’s happy drawing contact. He’s a high energy guy that nets us additional possessions and a hard nosed defender. He also brings some attitude. There’s a place on the court for him. But I think it requires Monty being judicious with the when’s, how long’s, and why’s.

 

[SirStefan32]

I actually suggested he be the fifth starter due to his defense. That hinges on him being able to hit SOME open shots. He has been hitting them recently, but his history is not very good.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I think Josh could be used the way the Warriors used Gary Payton, Jr. Someone who can muck up the opposing 1 or 2 for a bit and provide a big energy boost for the team/fans.

 

[95pro]

His on the ball D is good but team defense could be better. He likes to attack because he's not confident with his 3 even if left open. My only issue right now is he doesn't use his athleticism to seek contact, lately he's been hanging and fading although he'll still get a call or two. I wish i could see him in the playoffs play 2-3 minutes to pressure guys full court, but we know that will never happen. He can get us some unexpected rebounds with his hops and effort. Starter no, he'll be a huge offensive liability. Now if him and Baz can provide some defense for Ross and TJ then the second unit will be much solid. Biz and Landale depending on the matchups.

 

[clyde2tw]

His on-ball defense is really disruptive and effective, as he tends to anticipate the ball-handler's moves and where the dribble ball drops on the court, to guide the opponent into hesitation mode. It's gamble in it and sometimes got the off. player a wide open path to basket, but often times he can recover quickly. And I really liked the def. line of Oki, Saben and Ish who all have strong and quick body to switch and cause big troubles on D. I place him as among the best defenders in NBA.

His 3pt shot is streaky. Monty offensive scheme orders guys to shoot the 3 when open and place them to be ready for 3s, but Damion, Craig, Landale, Saric and Oki have all been chunking it with no touch nor confidence. His best move is to draw the defender out and drive with his deceptive euro steps and relatively strong and good body controls to draw foul calls. That's huge positive contribution on offense when non of the bench players could shoot or create anything. Well, Saben could do some but not consistently, and he also seems now less confident with dribble drives than when he was on the first 10-day, guess due to Monty's system requirements.

 

[Cardsfan77]

This guy is an absolute stud, seems like he’s getting used to the mask indeed.

 

[Muggz]

He must read the forums, Great game Josh.

 

[Mainstreet]

What about his position? SG or SF?

I'd add, Josh Okogie has some point guard skills as well. It's most obvious when he brings the ball up the court but they are there.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Durant didn't win a championship with OKC but he might win one with Okogie

 

[Mainstreet]

Josh Okogie making a statement he really wants to start.

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[BirdGangThing]

Okogie played more minutes than anyone else on the team last night - not because we were limited on players but because of his overall production

Think about it

We were playing a top shelf team. We had no Mikal, no Cam J, no KD, and Devin Booker didn't even have to play 30 minutes - Josh Okogie is partly to blame for that (I do realize we're still limiting Booker's playing time but still!)

I don't know what got into Josh Okogie but I hope it stays there, I hope it's permanent because productionally speaking it's ridiculous - and a lot of it doesn't even show up on a stat sheet

 

[JCSunsfan]

Josh Okogie making a statement he really wants to start.

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His case for starting won't be about overall scoring numbers, but about defensive versatility and offensive efficiency. He is 6-4. Seems small for a sf. However, Durant is 7-0 some say. I read an article that said that KD is measured at 6-11 without shoes and over 7-0 in shoes and has a 7-5 wingspan.

 

[BirdGangThing]

If Josh Okogie could shoot, he might have a chance to be a starter but since he can't, I doubt it.

He is more of a defensive specialist who can score on a given night when he gets hot.

Josh Okogie Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats of Josh Okogie. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, shoots, school and more on Basketball-Reference.com

www.basketball-reference.com

He shot 75% from 3 pt land last night

 

[JCSunsfan]

I would sum your comparison up as: Bridges the technician vs. Okogie the bulldog. I don't know who else in Suns history played defense in a Bridges style, but Okogie's style sounds like Raja Bell's.

If Bridges were here and Okogie could somehow start with him (say, if Booker were still injured), the starting lineup would be limited in offense but probably devastating in defense. The technician and the bulldog playing together. They might be feared.

Or if Paul were injured and Booker had to spend more time playing point.

Jevon Carter is a bulldog defender.