BRIGGS wrote:If you sit back and ask yourself would I rather have Mark Gasol at 30 at center or 19 year old Okafor? I'd take jahill. I like the fact that he attacked his problem so hard right after the season--shows he wants to be great. For me there is a thin line between ok4 and Towns and I don't think I would trade either pick 1 or 2 under any circumstance

BRIGGS wrote:If you sit back and ask yourself would I rather have Mark Gasol at 30 at center or 19 year old Okafor? I'd take jahill. I like the fact that he attacked his problem so hard right after the season--shows he wants to be great. For me there is a thin line between ok4 and Towns and I don't think I would trade either pick 1 or 2 under any circumstance

I'd add in pick 3 to that no trade list. If we could draft OK4, Towns or Russel/Mudiay you simply don't trade.

knickscity wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:We would be lucky to get okafor. Not sure why some are down on him.

Maybe because some dont want to draft Al Jefferson with the number 1 pick.

He has an inch in height and 4 inches in wingspan on jefferson. That's the difference between a 4 and a 5. You think jefferson was leading a college basketball team to a ncaa title?

CrushAlot wrote:I agree. I posted this quote in the draft thread.

The knock on Okafor late in the season was his conditioning. Lewis agreed, saying he believes an ankle injury suffered in February against North Carolina set Okafor back.
“I think he lost his conditioning at end of season because he couldn’t practice,’’ Lewis said. “His body type, he needs to practice and work hard constantly.’’

I couldn't remember if it was you or Nix that said that his conditioning and play suffered because of his injury. Too bad some that judge him only saw him in the tourney.

this is a red flag because you are counting on him being a professional and taking his work seriously. he needs to be vetted thoroughly for character flaws, and if drafted by the knicks, have a conditioning clause in his contract of some kind, if that is at all possible. otherwise it could end up being eddy curry 2.0.

These parts from the article bugged me, though:

“His body type, he needs to practice and work hard constantly.’’

Winslow said Okafor has to be more consistent with his defensive effort.
“All players struggle with something,” Winslow said. “There’s definitely segments when his defense is unbelievable. but with all of us it’s taking the weaknesses and turning them into strengths.”

Are they hints of future issues?

The fact that he's doing a lot of work behind the scenes with little fanfare is something positive. Makes you think that he has a lot of pride, and he's taken notice of criticisms.

If you believe in him as a franchise player, you have to hope that the effort he's going through now will become habit during his career, and that he'll be the kind of player who is always trying to improve.

It will be interesting to hear how his team workouts go.

It will even be more interesting to finally find out our draft position in a few days.

BRIGGS wrote:

knickscity wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:We would be lucky to get okafor. Not sure why some are down on him.

Maybe because some dont want to draft Al Jefferson with the number 1 pick.

He has an inch in height and 4 inches in wingspan on jefferson. That's the difference between a 4 and a 5. You think jefferson was leading a college basketball team to a ncaa title?

This is where measurements can get you in trouble. Ok4 might be bigger and longer than Al Jefferson, but Al would run circles around him. Right now and even next year, Al is way better than Ok4. Lets not get carried away. Ok4 and Towns are loaded with potential right now. Thats it. Both could be stars or bust. It's really the luck of the draw at this point. Nobody knows the future. For all we know, Kaminsky who is 7'1 could be the best complete player in the draft. Russell could be the next Steph Curry. We all have favorites, based on our own historical bias.

Mine is Towns, because we haven't had that type of 2-way talent since Ewing. Others who loved Zach Randolph when he was here, would lean towards Ok4. Free agency is where it counts. Jordan by himself didn't win games, until Phil had a complete team. The top 5 draft pick this year is like closing your eyes and picking whatever comes out. As a Towns fan, I can make a case for Ok4, Russel or Winslow as the #1 pick. It's a crap shoot. Theres no Lebrons, Jordans, Iversons or other clear cut #1 picks this year.

Ok4 is NBA ready right now....correct, but thats just year 1. What about year 5? 10? It's an expensive gamble that can make or break a GM's career. Good luck Phil....I would hate to be you! Whatever he does, hes going to get major back lash. Whether we draft Ok4 or not, Phil needs to build this team with 2-way players.

WaltLongmire wrote:I'd have no trouble ending up with OK4... honestly.

These parts from the article bugged me, though:

“His body type, he needs to practice and work hard constantly.’’

Winslow said Okafor has to be more consistent with his defensive effort.
“All players struggle with something,” Winslow said. “There’s definitely segments when his defense is unbelievable. but with all of us it’s taking the weaknesses and turning them into strengths.”

Are they hints of future issues?

The fact that he's doing a lot of work behind the scenes with little fanfare is something positive. Makes you think that he has a lot of pride, and he's taken notice of criticisms.

If you believe in him as a franchise player, you have to hope that the effort he's going through now will become habit during his career, and that he'll be the kind of player who is always trying to improve.

It will be interesting to hear how his team workouts go.

It will even be more interesting to finally find out our draft position in a few days.

BRIGGS wrote:

knickscity wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:We would be lucky to get okafor. Not sure why some are down on him.

Maybe because some dont want to draft Al Jefferson with the number 1 pick.

He has an inch in height and 4 inches in wingspan on jefferson. That's the difference between a 4 and a 5. You think jefferson was leading a college basketball team to a ncaa title?