In todays NBA...

[Goldfield]

Since there arnt but afew big dominante centers. Why cant a team be sucessfull with 2 good PF's?


Would Amare & Brand be a dominante duo? I dont see why not?


We have tried forever to get a good center, but I dont think an inch or two makes as big a difference as a dominante 6'10" PF who has a ton of skill.


If it's Okefer or someother PF. I wouldnt mind a shot at trying it.


P.S. Make sure you read the sig.

 

[Goldfield]

no opinions? C'mon...

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by BEERZ
no opinions? C'mon...

I am all for trading up to get Okafor. There are only about three or four centers that would be too big for him, but that is not too bad. At some point Lampe my be the Suns big guy, but having a great talent off the bench would not hurt at all.

 

[elindholm]

You really need only one dominant inside player on the offensive end. Having Stoudemire and Brand would be redundant because they'd both be trying to operate in the same space.

For defense and rebounding, you need players who can defend and box out the other team's bigs. I'm not convinced that either Stoudemire or Brand could be effective at center on the defensive end, and I don't know enough about Okafor to have an opinion.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by elindholm
You really need only one dominant inside player on the offensive end. Having Stoudemire and Brand would be redundant because they'd both be trying to operate in the same space.

For defense and rebounding, you need players who can defend and box out the other team's bigs. I'm not convinced that either Stoudemire or Brand could be effective at center on the defensive end, and I don't know enough about Okafor to have an opinion.

Since Brand is not going to be available, I'm not concerned. The more interesting question would be someone like Kurt Thomas (player option this summer). He's too small to play center on a slow down team like the Knicks, but he might work well with Amare.

 

[Goldfield]

IMO what we need most at center is a guy who blocks shots & rebounds. If thats Oakfor then lets do what we have to to get him.

We need a presence inside on defence more than anything.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I wouldn't mind Okafor. I do not not much about him, except that he is a defensive beast, who is just starting to prove he can play some offense as well. Even though he is undersized, he could be a great compliment to Amare. (Not sure on his midrange game however....)

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by thegrahamcrackr
I wouldn't mind Okafor. I do not not much about him, except that he is a defensive beast, who is just starting to prove he can play some offense as well. Even though he is undersized, he could be a great compliment to Amare. (Not sure on his midrange game however....)

The most recent game I watched was against North Carolina. U Conn lost but Okafor scored 29 points in spite of a lot of attention.

 

[Goldfield]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
The most recent game I watched was against North Carolina. U Conn lost but Okafor scored 29 points in spite of a lot of attention.

wow... This guys sounds like "the one"

where is he projected to be drafted?

 

[SunsTzu]

I've only watched about 2 of Okafor's games this year but I haven't been overly impressed despite the numbers he's put up. He reminds me a lot of K-Mart who also put up some impressive numbers in college. He looks to be stronger than K-Mart and will probably transition to the pros easier, but I don't think he'll be a dominate player.

 

[Goldfield]

A stronger K-Mart would be pretty good...

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by BEERZ
A stronger K-Mart would be pretty good...

Martin is about 20 pounds lighter than Okafor and about the same heigth. This year he is averaging 17.6 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 49.6% shooting including 33% for 3, and 2.4 assists per game.

I could live with that.

I doubt that Okafor would have Martin's offensive numbers, but he has been a great defender in college.

 

[Evil Ash]

Originally posted by BEERZ
where is he projected to be drafted?

Top 2 ... 3 at the latest

The Suns have to hope that the balls bounce their way.

 

[SunsTzu]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
I doubt that Okafor would have Martin's offensive numbers, but he has been a great defender in college.

Actually Okafor has a better offensive game that I remember Martin having at the same stage. Martin was a dominate defender in college, which reminds me of Okafor. I just don't think Okafor will be a franchise player or superstar some think he'll be.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Evil Ash
Top 2 ... 3 at the latest

The Suns have to hope that the balls bounce their way.

It would be huge upset if he fell futher than second. That is why the Suns would need to either get very very lucky or trade up.

It is almost impossible to scope the draft until after March Madness and undergraduate announcement deadline. Guys like Wade made huge jumps on everyone's mock drafts after his fantastic run in March. Most of the scouting reports on the Europeans are at least a year old, so some players may jump pretty quickly once they are updated.

It will be to the Suns advantage if several of the top undergraduates come out, even if they are not who the Suns want because it will make their picks more valuable.

 

[SunsTzu]

It will be to the Suns advantage if several of the top undergraduates come out,

Well the best under grad isn't coming out. Deng said he's staying in school. But your right the more players that come out all the better for the Suns.

 

[Joe Mama]

I'm anxious to see how tall Okafor really is. Sometimes I think he is only 6'8", and at other times he looks to be about 6'10". The best NBA comparison is definitely Ben Wallace. Okafor isn't as strong yet, but he is already twice the offensive player.

The Phoenix Suns will have to luck out in the lottery, trade up, or some of the other guys in the draft will have to climb if they are going to have a shot at getting Okafor.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
I'm anxious to see how tall Okafor really is. Sometimes I think he is only 6'8", and at other times he looks to be about 6'10". The best NBA comparison is definitely Ben Wallace. Okafor isn't as strong yet, but he is already twice the offensive player.

The Phoenix Suns will have to luck out in the lottery, trade up, or some of the other guys in the draft will have to climb if they are going to have a shot at getting Okafor.

Joe Mama

The scouting the reports I've seen all compare Okafor to Ben, except that Ben took a while before becoming effective in the NBA.

I'm not sure how tall is tall enough. Ben Wallace is 6'9". Kurt Thomas is only 6'9". Brian Grant is only 6'9". Antonio Davis is only 6'9". Elton Brand is only 6'8". Zach Randolph is only 6'9". K-Mart is 6'9". I'm not sure any of these guys are taller than Okafor and for the right price I'd take any of them.

 

[slinslin]

Originally posted by SunsTzu
Well the best under grad isn't coming out. Deng said he's staying in school. But your right the more players that come out all the better for the Suns.

I don't think Deng is close to the best undergrad. He looks like Joe Johnson to me probably less athletic.

The best under grad is Okafor who graduates but is only a junior. I would also take Iguodala over Deng and some highschoolers.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by slinslin
I don't think Deng is close to the best undergrad. He looks like Joe Johnson to me probably less athletic.

The best under grad is Okafor who graduates but is only a junior. I would also take Iguodala over Deng and some highschoolers.

We really do need a phrase to describe guys who are coming out following their freshman and sophomore years when compared to guys coming out as juniors or guys like Okafor. The extra year helps a lot. BTW, the fact that Okafor is smart enough to graduate in three years is a BIG plus in my book.

I have not seen Deng this year so I will take your word for it. In either case, I am concerned that neither Deng nor Iguodala would make the regular season roster unless there are injuries.

 

[elindholm]

We really do need a phrase to describe guys who are coming out following their freshman and sophomore years when compared to guys coming out as juniors or guys like Okafor.

How about "teenagers" and "post-teenagers"?

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by elindholm
We really do need a phrase to describe guys who are coming out following their freshman and sophomore years when compared to guys coming out as juniors or guys like Okafor.

How about "teenagers" and "post-teenagers"?

By Jove, I think he's got it.

Actually age is only part of the issue. Years of experience in college is valuable even if the guy did not start school until he was 19. But teenagers may be one way to do it.

 

[SunsTzu]

Originally posted by slinslin
I don't think Deng is close to the best undergrad. He looks like Joe Johnson to me probably less athletic.

The best under grad is Okafor who graduates but is only a junior. I would also take Iguodala over Deng and some highschoolers.

I don't think Okafor will live up to his expectations. Deng can already do everything Igoudala can do plus he has a better J.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by SunsTzu
I don't think Okafor will live up to his expectations.

Please let the top six or seven teams know that.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by SunsTzu
I don't think Okafor will live up to his expectations. Deng can already do everything Igoudala can do plus he has a better J.

From what I've seen Deng is not as good at handling the ball and passing as Igoudala. The numbers seem to support that because Deng is averaging 1.8 assists to Iguodala's 5.3. In fact Iguodala is shooting better from the field as well.

Deng has better size though. He is a legitimate 6'8". He's listed at 220 lbs., but he looks like he could easily be 230 lbs. +. Iguodala is listed at 6'6", 207 lbs., but he certainly doesn't look anything over 6'5".

Joe Mama