Height 	Height 	     	  	         	              
                Year	Source              w/o Shoes	w/shoes      Weight   Wingspan    Standing Reach
Jared Sullinger 2012	NBA Draft Combine   6' 7.75"	6' 9"	     268      7' 1.25"	  8' 9.5"       	
Jahlil Okafor   2014	Hoop Summit	    6' 9.5"	6' 10.75"    272      7' 5"	  9' 2.5"    
Dwight Howard   2004	NBA Draft Combine   6' 9"	6' 10.25"    240      7' 4.5"     9' 3.5"
Greg Monroe     2010	NBA Draft Combine   6' 9.75"	6' 11"	     247      7' 2.25"    9' 0.5"
Nene Hilario    2002	NBA Draft Combine   6' 9.25"	6' 10.25"    253      7' 4.5"     9' 1" 

knickscity wrote:He wont be scoring like that against NBA competition. And I doubt Phil does the wait game anyway. If he drafts Okafor he's gonna trade him for some help to win now.

nixluva wrote:Yes Okafor is similar to Sullinger but he's just a bigger and longer guy. That little bit extra puts Okafor squarely in the PF/C zone. He's long enough for the position his head just isn't another inch higher. Does that really make any difference? This dude is worth drafting and might just be a franchise player. Only time will tell, but i'd take the chance for sure.

                 	                    Height 	Height 	     	  	         	              
                Year	Source              w/o Shoes	w/shoes      Weight   Wingspan    Standing Reach
Jared Sullinger 2012	NBA Draft Combine   6' 7.75"	6' 9"	     268      7' 1.25"	  8' 9.5"       	
Jahlil Okafor   2014	Hoop Summit	    6' 9.5"	6' 10.75"    272      7' 5"	  9' 2.5"    
Dwight Howard   2004	NBA Draft Combine   6' 9"	6' 10.25"    240      7' 4.5"     9' 3.5"
Greg Monroe     2010	NBA Draft Combine   6' 9.75"	6' 11"	     247      7' 2.25"    9' 0.5"
Nene Hilario    2002	NBA Draft Combine   6' 9.25"	6' 10.25"    253      7' 4.5"     9' 1" 

I can definitely see some Sullinger in Okafor's game. Mentioned that the other day...Granted Okafor's ceiling appears to be higher but Sullinger has actually made himself into a pretty nice jump-shooter all the way out to NBA 3. Can Okafor do that? He doesn't have to shoot 3s, not even sure you'd want him to, but can he refine his jumper to the point where he can consistently knock down the 15-18 footer? I think so. Let's hope so if we're lucky enough to get him...

Interesting to see the Okafor/Howard measurements comparison. According to the above, Okafor's got him by a half inch in the first few categories yet Howard measures out an inch more standing reach. How is that? Two different sources can account for the difference I suppose. Point taken though -- he's right there with D12 and definitely has enough total size to play NBA 5.

I just hope the Knicks are prepared if the ping-pong balls don't fall their way and we lose out on Okafor, even a Karl Towns. What's the plan to improve the frontline then? I hope Phil's considering that. I hope to God in heaven it works out and we get this kid Okafor but there's no guarantee, even if we manage to come up with the worst record. And then like some of you have said -- any kind of little winning streak by these dopes the rest of the way and POOF--it all goes up in smoke. Watch a 20% chance to get this kid turn into 2%...Let's hope there are some solid contingency plans in place when the time comes. All I'm saying...Nice to see there are a few solid plan-B type FA Cs we can turn to if need be -- I'd prefer either DeAndre Jordan as a real rebounding/defensive anchor inside or Enes Kanter for his size, youth and offensive potential. I find both equally intriguing. The fact that both guys are young is a huge plus -- Jordan's very productive and is flat out great at what he does. Not Tyson Chandler OK but GREAT. Jordan's just begun hitting his prime years with many more to come. Kanter, meanwhile, brings a ton of offensive upside and hasn't even hit his prime years yet. I could see this guy being a 20/10 guy as a centerpiece big-man eventually...I prefer both of these guys over Marc Gasol, Roy Hibbert, & Brook Lopez to be honest. I think each guy would come cheaper than a Marc Gasol too..

Finestrg wrote:

nixluva wrote:Yes Okafor is similar to Sullinger but he's just a bigger and longer guy. That little bit extra puts Okafor squarely in the PF/C zone. He's long enough for the position his head just isn't another inch higher. Does that really make any difference? This dude is worth drafting and might just be a franchise player. Only time will tell, but i'd take the chance for sure.

                 	                    Height 	Height 	     	  	         	              
                Year	Source              w/o Shoes	w/shoes      Weight   Wingspan    Standing Reach
Jared Sullinger 2012	NBA Draft Combine   6' 7.75"	6' 9"	     268      7' 1.25"	  8' 9.5"       	
Jahlil Okafor   2014	Hoop Summit	    6' 9.5"	6' 10.75"    272      7' 5"	  9' 2.5"    
Dwight Howard   2004	NBA Draft Combine   6' 9"	6' 10.25"    240      7' 4.5"     9' 3.5"
Greg Monroe     2010	NBA Draft Combine   6' 9.75"	6' 11"	     247      7' 2.25"    9' 0.5"
Nene Hilario    2002	NBA Draft Combine   6' 9.25"	6' 10.25"    253      7' 4.5"     9' 1" 

I can definitely see some Sullinger in Okafor's game. Mentioned that the other day...Granted Okafor's ceiling appears to be higher but Sullinger has actually made himself into a pretty nice jump-shooter all the way out to NBA 3. Can Okafor do that? He doesn't have to shoot 3s but can he refine his jumper to the point where he can consistently knock down the 15-18 footer? I think so. Let's hope so if we're lucky enough to get him...

Interesting to see the Okafor/Howard measurements comparison. According to the above, Okafor's got him by a half inch in the first few categories yet Howard measures out an inch more standing reach. How is that? Two different sources can account for the difference I suppose. Point taken though -- he's right there with D12 and definitely has enough total size to play NBA 5.

I just hope the Knicks are prepared if the ping-pong balls don't fall in there favor and we lose out on Okafor, even a Karl Towns. What's the plan to improve the frontline then? I hope Phil's considering that. I hope to God in heaven it works out and we get this kid Okafor but there's no guarantee, even if we manage to come up with the worst record...Let's hope there are some solid contingency plans in place when the time comes. Nice to see there are a few solid plan-B type FA Cs we can turn to if need be -- I'd prefer either DeAndre Jordan as a real rebounding/defensive anchor inside or Enes Kanter for his size, youth and offensive potential. I find both equally intriguing. The fact that both guys are young is a huge plus -- Jordan's very productive and is flat out great at what he does. Not Tyson Chandler OK but GREAT. Jordan's just begun hitting his prime years with many more to come. Kanter, meanwhile, brings a ton of offensive upside and hasn't even hit his prime years yet. I could see this guy being a 20/10 guy as a centerpiece big-man eventually...I prefer both of these guys over Marc Gasol, Roy Hibbert, & Brook Lopez to be honest. I think each guy would come cheaper than a Marc Gasol too..

theres a huge difference between okafor and Sullinger. You are talking two inches in height and 4 inches in length--that 6 inches is ENORMOUS. He is NOT athletic like Howard but he has a great deal of offensive skill on him. Also I would play Okafor as a 4--I want a 5 that works in symmetry with him.

knickscity wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

knickscity wrote:He wont be scoring like that against NBA competition. And I doubt Phil does the wait game anyway. If he drafts Okafor he's gonna trade him for some help to win now.

Which current NBA PF is going to stop him. My take at WORST case is this is a 20-10 post. There is zero doubt that the man is 270 pounds powerful yet nimble with advanced footwork a beautiful low block touch and great length and hand size. There are few players who can keep up with his physical profile. Lets go to Taj Gibson a good defender from the PF. Just out of the gate Gibson would give up 40 pounds of muscle--this is significant. Okafor can move him and then has the length--a 7-5 wingspan in addition to girth to shield his shot. If anything I believe Okafor will be found unstoppable one on one--meaning any time he wants a shot--he'll be able to get it against any post player one on one. Not 1 NBA player can stop Okafor from getting a good shot. They would need double teaming. Hes already a good passer and smart player--so if double teams come--he will find the open man. Okafor when he walks into the NBA is immediately a top 10 player and we will find that out very soon.

Okafor has a greater chance to be a bust than top 10 right off the bat. okafor doesnt even have a power game, he's a big finesse player. Lets see how he responds constantly getting raked in the paint.

There are very few top 10 talents that 1)dont play good defense and 2)range is only inside the arc. These two aspects alone will chain him outside of top 10 until he can get these things right.

Point being...offense aint everything...give any player the ball and they'll score if they shoot enough.

I think Tim Duncan has done a fine job offensively being a finesse low block player for many years. I think you are really under selling this kid. Again I argued with someone about Blake Griffin--Ill go back and get the exchanges--lets say I wasnt wrong and I feel confident I wont be wrong here. Another poster who knows it all yet wont name a name he would insert instead of okafor.

BRIGGS wrote:

knickscity wrote:He wont be scoring like that against NBA competition. And I doubt Phil does the wait game anyway. If he drafts Okafor he's gonna trade him for some help to win now.

Which current NBA PF is going to stop him. My take at WORST case is this is a 20-10 post. There is zero doubt that the man is 270 pounds powerful yet nimble with advanced footwork a beautiful low block touch and great length and hand size. There are few players who can keep up with his physical profile. Lets go to Taj Gibson a good defender from the PF. Just out of the gate Gibson would give up 40 pounds of muscle--this is significant. Okafor can move him and then has the length--a 7-5 wingspan in addition to girth to shield his shot. If anything I believe Okafor will be found unstoppable one on one--meaning any time he wants a shot--he'll be able to get it against any post player one on one. Not 1 NBA player can stop Okafor from getting a good shot. They would need double teaming. Hes already a good passer and smart player--so if double teams come--he will find the open man. Okafor when he walks into the NBA is immediately a top 10 player and we will find that out very soon.

His game isn't above the rim..Lots of his shot releases are below the rim and will be more difficult in the NBA..He also isn't muscling up on his opponent, clearing space with his body to release his shot...Look at Amare's game around the rim..Has to be a power game when playing interior ball...U won't move Hibbert like those college guys...But all fixable...He has to play stronger in the NBA..

I haven't seen him play defense yet for that size...

nixluva wrote:I think people are wrong about Okafor. His base is so strong that he's not going to have as much trouble scoring inside as some think. He's also quick footed and agile and knows how to use his length at a high level already. He's only going to get stronger and has really gotten stronger since his high school to 1st year in college. I like guys with a strong base and low center of gravity like Okafor has. He's going to be able to move and bang with no problems cuz he's going to be lower and stronger than a lot of taller and thinner guys. Tyson Chandler will get moved quite easily by a strong kid like Okafor. If he can mix in a mid range game he will be unstoppable.

Okafor seems to have already figured out how to score against bigger guys. He keeps the defender at length and his moves are so quick and cover so much ground. Then he has those big hands and total ball control and uses those long arms to finish outside the reach of his defender. Teams will end up fouling him more than stopping his moves. I think this is the perfect offense for Okafor. He can post and pass out of it and if Phil can surround him with shooters he should be quite effective. I admit that his weight and lack of hops does concern me a bit, but Duncan almost never jumps and he's great. It's not all about being able to jump thru the roof.

Duncan never jumps???..Check out Tim in college..

holfresh wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

knickscity wrote:He wont be scoring like that against NBA competition. And I doubt Phil does the wait game anyway. If he drafts Okafor he's gonna trade him for some help to win now.

Which current NBA PF is going to stop him. My take at WORST case is this is a 20-10 post. There is zero doubt that the man is 270 pounds powerful yet nimble with advanced footwork a beautiful low block touch and great length and hand size. There are few players who can keep up with his physical profile. Lets go to Taj Gibson a good defender from the PF. Just out of the gate Gibson would give up 40 pounds of muscle--this is significant. Okafor can move him and then has the length--a 7-5 wingspan in addition to girth to shield his shot. If anything I believe Okafor will be found unstoppable one on one--meaning any time he wants a shot--he'll be able to get it against any post player one on one. Not 1 NBA player can stop Okafor from getting a good shot. They would need double teaming. Hes already a good passer and smart player--so if double teams come--he will find the open man. Okafor when he walks into the NBA is immediately a top 10 player and we will find that out very soon.

His game isn't above the rim..Lots of his shot releases are below the rim and will be more difficult in the NBA..He also isn't muscling up on his opponent, clearing space with his body to release his shot...Look at Amare's game around the rim..Has to be a power game when playing interior ball...U won't move Hibbert like those college guys...But all fixable...He has to play stronger in the NBA..

I haven't seen him play defense yet for that size...

You have two different types of players there. Roy Hibbert is a true 5. Okafor really is a 4. If Okafor matched up with Hibbert he'd go right around him every play--it wouldnt be close .Uconn with a frontline of 7-0 6-10 6-9 triple teamed him almost every play and all he did was get them in foul trouble pass out of double teams for scores and gave other players a LOT of space to help win the game. The guy is shooting nearly 70% from the field. They have played against two of the best C's in CBB Bridah and Kaminsky. If he was able to get some of these Kentucky guys 1-1 hed hurt them too. This guy is a machine in the low post. And to say he plasy below the rim is insane. While not a high flyer 1/2 of his shots made this year are dunks. We know he can dunk. But having that finesse game with the footwork--thats what sets him apart.