[ IMAGES: Images ON turn off | ACCOUNT: User Status is LOCKED why? ]

Knicks Draft 2020: The Case for Isaac Okoro


Author Poll
smackeddog
Posts: 18389
Joined: 3/30/2005
Member: #883
Great defender, bad shooter- compared to Jimmy Butler if he can develop a shot, or Winslow as his low side. I think Spencer Pearlman said while Vassell is a great perimeter defender, Okoro is a much more versatile defender who can defend all over the court. Said he'd take Okoro over Vassell as he thinks he could be more of a difference maker, and is a better finisher than Vassell. Reports are he has a winning mentality, and a difference maker- should have no trouble handling being on the Knicks. Should fit very well with Thibs. Good passer, moves the ball. Great bball IQ. Unselfish. The lack of shooting and whether he fits next to RJ concerns me though. I suppose it all comes down to whether you think he can develop a 3pt shot.

(that video is a bit cringe-y as I think Mike goes overboard at trying to compare him to other players all the time)

Okoro closed out the season playing well, but his overall numbers aren't overly impressive (12.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.0 APG). He also converted just 28.6% of his 3-point attempts and 67.2% of his free throws during his lone season at Auburn. On the plus side, he's a superb, versatile defender with a high basketball IQ and a nonstop motor. Those characteristics are all prerequisites for playing for Coach Pop in San Antonio.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/08/21/2020-nba-mock-draft-post-lottery-edition/#77c1e7752419

Oh yes!
Hell no!
Maybe...
View Results


Author Thread
smackeddog
Posts: 38389
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 3/30/2005
Member: #883
8/26/2020  3:51 PM
Oof!- that dunk in the second video of this article!

https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2020/8/26/21401696/know-the-prospect-isaac-okoro

AUTOADVERT
joec32033
Posts: 30609
Alba Posts: 37
Joined: 2/3/2004
Member: #583
USA
8/26/2020  7:51 PM
This kid looks more and more who I like. Has a standout skill to fall back on. Was compared to a Caron Butler/Jimmy Butler/Ron Artest type. I think I would rather pay for shooting, alot of current proven NBA shooters in FA. Okoro may be a harder type to come by.
~You can't run from who you are.~
Jimbo5
Posts: 20878
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 4/12/2020
Member: #8854

8/26/2020  8:11 PM
joec32033 wrote:This kid looks more and more who I like. Has a standout skill to fall back on. Was compared to a Caron Butler/Jimmy Butler/Ron Artest type. I think I would rather pay for shooting, alot of current proven NBA shooters in FA. Okoro may be a harder type to come by.

I agree with you here, I'm curious to see the knicks draft him at 8, sign Bertans as our starting 4, evaluate Frank's shooting improvements, if not enough go hard on FVV in free agency as well.

A starting line up of:

Mitch
Bertans
Okoro
Rj
Frank(with shooting) or FVV

Defense, grit and shooting in this line up.

shinmen
Posts: 20363
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 4/7/2015
Member: #6029
France
8/27/2020  3:11 AM
joec32033 wrote:This kid looks more and more who I like. Has a standout skill to fall back on. Was compared to a Caron Butler/Jimmy Butler/Ron Artest type. I think I would rather pay for shooting, alot of current proven NBA shooters in FA. Okoro may be a harder type to come by.

I agree with you as well. It seems we can net 1 or 2 shooters with our other picks. The Garden would be a fortress.

TheGame
Posts: 26632
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/15/2006
Member: #1154
USA
8/29/2020  12:43 PM    LAST EDITED: 8/29/2020  12:44 PM
I like the kid. I hope he has a good career, but we already have one wing who we hope can develop a consistent shot. No point drafting another one, especially when there are guys like Vassell and Nesmith available who are more proven shooters. I would take Vassell over Okoro. Yeah, Okoro could learn to shoot and turn into an allstar, but this team needs shooting, and I don’t think a guy is likely to turn themselves from a bad shooter into a great one. More than likely, Okoro will always be a streak shooter, even if he improves. Vassell can provide similar defense, with a much better shot and better playmaking ability.
Trust the Process
BigDaddyG
Posts: 39873
Alba Posts: 9
Joined: 1/22/2010
Member: #3049

8/29/2020  12:51 PM
TheGame wrote:I like the kid. I hope he has a good career, but we already have one wing who we hope can develop a consistent shot. No point drafting another one, especially when there are guys like Vassell and Nesmith available who are more proven shooters. I would take Vassell over Okoro. Yeah, Okoro could learn to shoot and turn into an allstar, but this team needs shooting, and I don’t think a guy is likely to turn themselves from a bad shooter into a great one. More than likely, Okoro will always be a streak shooter, even if he improves. Vassell can provide similar defense, with a much better shot and better playmaking ability.

Don't agree with you on the playmaking. Vassel is a better team defender, but Isaac has the potential to be a legit stopper. I won't lie, Vassel is a safer pick and I can understand why people would go in that direction. I take the other side and say we need a serious talent boost. If Okoro is there, than I take him.

Always... always remember: Less is less. More is more. More is better and twice as much is good too. Not enough is bad, and too much is never enough except when it's just about right. - The Tick
TheGame
Posts: 26632
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/15/2006
Member: #1154
USA
8/29/2020  2:02 PM
BigDaddyG wrote:
TheGame wrote:I like the kid. I hope he has a good career, but we already have one wing who we hope can develop a consistent shot. No point drafting another one, especially when there are guys like Vassell and Nesmith available who are more proven shooters. I would take Vassell over Okoro. Yeah, Okoro could learn to shoot and turn into an allstar, but this team needs shooting, and I don’t think a guy is likely to turn themselves from a bad shooter into a great one. More than likely, Okoro will always be a streak shooter, even if he improves. Vassell can provide similar defense, with a much better shot and better playmaking ability.

Don't agree with you on the playmaking. Vassel is a better team defender, but Isaac has the potential to be a legit stopper. I won't lie, Vassel is a safer pick and I can understand why people would go in that direction. I take the other side and say we need a serious talent boost. If Okoro is there, than I take him.

This is a time when we really need to be able to work these guys out. Bring Okoro into a gym, put him in some 3 on 3s and see how that shot looks in person. If Okoro could shoot then I agree he should be the pick, but I look at Mickal Bridges with the Suns. The kid looks good, and sometimes, just getting a good solid player is better than taking chances. Vassell IMO has the potential to be even better than Bridges. Hopefully, the coaching staff can make the right decision.

Trust the Process
BigDaddyG
Posts: 39873
Alba Posts: 9
Joined: 1/22/2010
Member: #3049

8/29/2020  2:09 PM
TheGame wrote:
BigDaddyG wrote:
TheGame wrote:I like the kid. I hope he has a good career, but we already have one wing who we hope can develop a consistent shot. No point drafting another one, especially when there are guys like Vassell and Nesmith available who are more proven shooters. I would take Vassell over Okoro. Yeah, Okoro could learn to shoot and turn into an allstar, but this team needs shooting, and I don’t think a guy is likely to turn themselves from a bad shooter into a great one. More than likely, Okoro will always be a streak shooter, even if he improves. Vassell can provide similar defense, with a much better shot and better playmaking ability.

Don't agree with you on the playmaking. Vassel is a better team defender, but Isaac has the potential to be a legit stopper. I won't lie, Vassel is a safer pick and I can understand why people would go in that direction. I take the other side and say we need a serious talent boost. If Okoro is there, than I take him.

This is a time when we really need to be able to work these guys out. Bring Okoro into a gym, put him in some 3 on 3s and see how that shot looks in person. If Okoro could shoot then I agree he should be the pick, but I look at Mickal Bridges with the Suns. The kid looks good, and sometimes, just getting a good solid player is better than taking chances. Vassell IMO has the potential to be even better than Bridges. Hopefully, the coaching staff can make the right decision.

Ha, this is the same argument I had when we were debating the Bridges. I favored Miles, while some favored Mykal. In hindsight, both would've been better than Knox. I'll will say it's still too early to write Knox off.

Always... always remember: Less is less. More is more. More is better and twice as much is good too. Not enough is bad, and too much is never enough except when it's just about right. - The Tick
smackeddog
Posts: 38389
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 3/30/2005
Member: #883
8/29/2020  2:09 PM
Seems like the Cavs will take him, read it from a few different people who claim sources
martin
Posts: 76208
Alba Posts: 108
Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #2
USA
8/29/2020  2:16 PM
smackeddog wrote:Seems like the Cavs will take him, read it from a few different people who claim sources

LOL everyone will claim sources right up until the time the pick is just about to be had and the owner step in and selects Anthony Bennett

Official sponsor of the PURE KNICKS LOVE Program
smackeddog
Posts: 38389
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 3/30/2005
Member: #883
8/29/2020  2:24 PM
martin wrote:
smackeddog wrote:Seems like the Cavs will take him, read it from a few different people who claim sources

LOL everyone will claim sources right up until the time the pick is just about to be had and the owner step in and selects Anthony Bennett

Ha, probably! I still remember people thought that move was so crazy, there must have been some sort of amazing secret intel he Cavs must have had!

smackeddog
Posts: 38389
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 3/30/2005
Member: #883
9/2/2020  1:02 PM
Honest question:

Who is the better player now between RJ and Okoro and why, and who do you think the better player will ultimately be?

TheGame
Posts: 26632
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/15/2006
Member: #1154
USA
9/2/2020  1:24 PM
smackeddog wrote:Honest question:

Who is the better player now between RJ and Okoro and why, and who do you think the better player will ultimately be?

RJ is better. He has a better handle and is a better playmaker. Okoro is more athletic but he is not the scorer RJ is at the moment. The one thing they both have is the ability to drive and score. RJ just has a slightly better handle and mid-range game. Now in 2 years if OKoro learns to shoot, with his athleticism, he could be the better player.

Trust the Process
smackeddog
Posts: 38389
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 3/30/2005
Member: #883
9/2/2020  1:38 PM
TheGame wrote:
smackeddog wrote:Honest question:

Who is the better player now between RJ and Okoro and why, and who do you think the better player will ultimately be?

RJ is better. He has a better handle and is a better playmaker. Okoro is more athletic but he is not the scorer RJ is at the moment. The one thing they both have is the ability to drive and score. RJ just has a slightly better handle and mid-range game. Now in 2 years if OKoro learns to shoot, with his athleticism, he could be the better player.

Thanks- it's interesting analysis. One of the things that puts me off drafting Okoro is his fit next to RJ, but then I thought, if Okoro is or could be the better player why not just draft him and see if there's anything of value you can trade RJ for. But I have no idea who the better player is, so I thought I'd check!

ESOMKnicks
Posts: 21420
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 6/14/2015
Member: #6064

9/2/2020  5:47 PM
This is typical New York. Drooling over an offensively challenged prospect, while already willing to trade a legit college star who scored over 20 ppg while playing next to Zion.
BigDaddyG
Posts: 39873
Alba Posts: 9
Joined: 1/22/2010
Member: #3049

9/2/2020  6:25 PM
ESOMKnicks wrote:This is typical New York. Drooling over an offensively challenged prospect, while already willing to trade a legit college star who scored over 20 ppg while playing next to Zion.

Hold on...no one said anything about RJ yet. Just that it wouldn't be a bad problem to have if both guys developed to the point that we did have to make a trade.

Always... always remember: Less is less. More is more. More is better and twice as much is good too. Not enough is bad, and too much is never enough except when it's just about right. - The Tick
martin
Posts: 76208
Alba Posts: 108
Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #2
USA
9/2/2020  6:29 PM
I'm starting to warm to the prospect of drafting Isaac Okoro. But unless the Knicks want another ****show season it would also behoove them to bring in a pro at PG - CP3, Conley, Augustin
Official sponsor of the PURE KNICKS LOVE Program
TheGame
Posts: 26632
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/15/2006
Member: #1154
USA
9/2/2020  9:20 PM
martin wrote:I'm starting to warm to the prospect of drafting Isaac Okoro. But unless the Knicks want another ****show season it would also behoove them to bring in a pro at PG - CP3, Conley, Augustin

If Okoro has an agent with any sense, he would have had this kid working on his 3pt shot for the past four months. The Knicks should bring him in and if the shot looks solid (or at least fixable) then Okoro probably needs to be the guy they pick. If they have any legitimate doubts about the shot after seeing it in person, then they should draft Vassell or Nesmith instead. They really need to bring all three in.

Trust the Process
Knicks Draft 2020: The Case for Isaac Okoro

©2001-2025 ultimateknicks.comm All rights reserved. About Us.
This site is not affiliated with the NY Knicks or the National Basketball Association in any way.
You may visit the official NY Knicks web site by clicking here.

All times (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time.

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy