Lets also remember that Jahi is likely north of 6-10 270 pounds and as we saw this Sunday very nimble on his feet and a VERY good ballhandler with a soft extremely accurate touch.
I tend to think he is not guard-able 1-1 kind of like a bigger more advanced Zach Randolph. While he doesnt play super high above the rim--well much higher than randolph--like Randolp he uses his unique body length and touch with his footwork to simply get great shots at the basket. I dont think he is guard-able 1-1.
nobody ... he can only defend himself
Okafor's nice, no question about it although I think I prefer Towns. Many reasons but one big reason I've been thinking about -- I think we have a good chance of targeting a standout offensive big in FA -- someone like Kanter, Monroe, Ajinca. As it's been pointed out by many--these guys, for all their offensive prowess, really aren't rim protectors/standout defenders. No argument...Towns is however, or at least has the potential to be a big-time defensive presence. Plus, Towns isn't some Jeff Withey here -- there's true, discernible offensive potential as well. Look at the shooting range, the touch at the FT line, the improvements made with the hook-shots with either hand in close (a true go-to weapon for him now). Combine the defense + offense, the slightly better length, the much better athleticism AND the fact that he'd fit better next to one of these nice offensive big men we have a shot at in FA (who's the true 2-way big man in FA we can target?), I think I like Towns slightly better for us.
BRIGGS wrote:Lets also remember that Jahi is likely north of 6-10 270 pounds and as we saw this Sunday very nimble on his feet and a VERY good ballhandler with a soft extremely accurate touch.I tend to think he is not guard-able 1-1 kind of like a bigger more advanced Zach Randolph. While he doesnt play super high above the rim--well much higher than randolph--like Randolp he uses his unique body length and touch with his footwork to simply get great shots at the basket. I dont think he is guard-able 1-1.
I would hope none of the top players in the draft can be guarded 1 on 1. I couldn't be guarded 1 on 1 in my late 20's.....So I would expect the same from all NBA players, especially at the top of the draft.
My question is who can he defend in the NBA?
Finestrg wrote:Okafor's nice, no question about it although I think I prefer Towns. Many reasons but one big reason I've been thinking about -- I think we have a good chance of targeting a standout offensive big in FA -- someone like Kanter, Monroe, Ajinca. As it's been pointed out by many--these guys, for all their offensive prowess, really aren't rim protectors/standout defenders. No argument...Towns is however, or at least has the potential to be a big-time defensive presence. Plus, Towns isn't some Jeff Withey here -- there's true, discernible offensive potential as well. Look at the shooting range, the touch at the FT line, the improvements made with the hooks shots with either hand in close (a true go-to weapon for him now). Combine the defense + offense, the slightly better length, the much better athleticism AND the fact that he'd fit better next to one of these nice offensive big men we have a shot at in FA (who's the true 2-way big man in FA we can target?), I think I like Towns slightly better for us.
Couldn't have said it any better.
What I would do with the #1 pick?
1. Draft Towns....easy decision...OR
2. Draft OK4 and put a package together for the #2 pick with maybe a future pick or player or something.....
Everybody loves OK4, and for good reason. Use that as leverage, if we get the top pick selection! Phil seems like the kind of guy to get 2 for 1 deals. Towns and a second round pick maybe and better than just picking Towns! Let the teams that want OK4 out bid themselves.
TPercy wrote:Joakim Noah easily...
Not a chance. hes giving up forty pounds and were talking 19 year old legs vs 30.
blkexec wrote:Finestrg wrote:Okafor's nice, no question about it although I think I prefer Towns. Many reasons but one big reason I've been thinking about -- I think we have a good chance of targeting a standout offensive big in FA -- someone like Kanter, Monroe, Ajinca. As it's been pointed out by many--these guys, for all their offensive prowess, really aren't rim protectors/standout defenders. No argument...Towns is however, or at least has the potential to be a big-time defensive presence. Plus, Towns isn't some Jeff Withey here -- there's true, discernible offensive potential as well. Look at the shooting range, the touch at the FT line, the improvements made with the hooks shots with either hand in close (a true go-to weapon for him now). Combine the defense + offense, the slightly better length, the much better athleticism AND the fact that he'd fit better next to one of these nice offensive big men we have a shot at in FA (who's the true 2-way big man in FA we can target?), I think I like Towns slightly better for us.
Couldn't have said it any better.
What I would do with the #1 pick?
1. Draft Towns....easy decision...OR
2. Draft OK4 and put a package together for the #2 pick with maybe a future pick or player or something.....
Everybody loves OK4, and for good reason. Use that as leverage, if we get the top pick selection! Phil seems like the kind of guy to get 2 for 1 deals. Towns and a second round pick maybe and better than just picking Towns! Let the teams that want OK4 out bid themselves.
well Towns is on top of a lot of draft boards so its 1 and 1a at this point. If Philly is willing to trade another pick to move up one spot I would do that and take either one.
Ive been vocal about OK4 over Towns, but that doesnt mean Im down on him either.
blkexec wrote:BRIGGS wrote:Lets also remember that Jahi is likely north of 6-10 270 pounds and as we saw this Sunday very nimble on his feet and a VERY good ballhandler with a soft extremely accurate touch.I tend to think he is not guard-able 1-1 kind of like a bigger more advanced Zach Randolph. While he doesnt play super high above the rim--well much higher than randolph--like Randolp he uses his unique body length and touch with his footwork to simply get great shots at the basket. I dont think he is guard-able 1-1.
I would hope none of the top players in the draft can be guarded 1 on 1. I couldn't be guarded 1 on 1 in my late 20's.....So I would expect the same from all NBA players, especially at the top of the draft.
My question is who can he defend in the NBA?
He can guard on the low block just as good as Zach Randolph
Zach Randolph is covered by gasol and their guards --one of the best defenses in the NBA. Also last time I checked Duke starts 4 guys under 6-6 and their defense was pretty darn good all year at 30-3
If you are down 1 who would you rather have the last shot--Carmelo Anthony Jahill Okafor or Karl Towns.
BRIGGS wrote:If you are down 1 who would you rather have the last shot--Carmelo Anthony Jahill Okafor or Karl Towns.
Jahill is not taking the last shot if he doesn't have the ball.
So I want Melo to have the ball and make the best decision.
Listen, I know you like OK4....And I understand why. But when can you ever compare an Offensive guy with a Defensive guy?
What if we got the last shot because of Towns defense? Does that count for anything?
Defense vs Offense is an ongoing debate, that deserves it's own thread....For example, do you agree with Coach from Kentucky on "defense is the key, regardless of how many point we score"
It all depends on your winning phylosphy on basetball....
Are you an MDA guy or a Jeff Van Gundy guy? Both are right, but I'm a defensive guy. So I agree with Kentucky's coach. I rather have Van Gundy than MDA. And I'm drafting Towns. 
At the end of the day....I hope Phil makes the best decision. And if it's OK4, then I'm an OK4 fan. If it's Towns, then I'm a Towns fan.
BRIGGS wrote:If you are down 1 who would you rather have the last shot--Carmelo Anthony Jahill Okafor or Karl Towns.
only down 1? Thats victory enough! Who cares what happens next?????
What is Duke's record if we take out Okafor and insert KAT. My take is they are out of the tourney. What KAT does well--and hes a nice player--but he does a lot of his tuff flanked by others. Okafor does it on his own.
I just want the best player available for this team. Seems like a number of players are rated highly, and you still hear "experts" and others debating about who will be the best player coming out of this draft.
I prefer OK4 or Towns, but who knows at this point which of them will be the better player, or if Russell or Mudaiy, or Hezonja, or others are a lot better than we think.
I think I could make an argument supporting either Towns or OK4, and hopefully we will get to see more of what they can do as the tournament continues.
I have questions about both of them, but if OK4 shows any hint that he can defend against NBA speed/power/and size, I'd have no issue taking him. Until then, though, I will continue to express doubt about his defensive instincts, although he is young enough, and supposedly smart enough, to make adjustments.
WaltLongmire wrote:I just want the best player available for this team. Seems like a number of players are rated highly, and you still hear "experts" and others debating about who will be the best player coming out of this draft.I prefer OK4 or Towns, but who knows at this point which of them will be the better player, or if Russell or Mudaiy, or Hezonja, or others are a lot better than we think.
I think I could make an argument supporting either Towns or OK4, and hopefully we will get to see more of what they can do as the tournament continues.
I have questions about both of them, but if OK4 shows any hint that he can defend against NBA speed/power/and size, I'd have no issue taking him. Until then, though, I will continue to express doubt about his defensive instincts, although he is young enough, and supposedly smart enough, to make adjustments.
The problems I see with OK4 on defense....is more alarming than Towns issues on offense.
And to BRIGGS point about Duke having Towns vs OK4.....I know their defense would be better. I know coach wouldn't be so quick to put Plumlee in, like he does with OK4.
WaltLongmire wrote:I just want the best player available for this team. Seems like a number of players are rated highly, and you still hear "experts" and others debating about who will be the best player coming out of this draft.I prefer OK4 or Towns, but who knows at this point which of them will be the better player, or if Russell or Mudaiy, or Hezonja, or others are a lot better than we think.
I think I could make an argument supporting either Towns or OK4, and hopefully we will get to see more of what they can do as the tournament continues.
I have questions about both of them, but if OK4 shows any hint that he can defend against NBA speed/power/and size, I'd have no issue taking him. Until then, though, I will continue to express doubt about his defensive instincts, although he is young enough, and supposedly smart enough, to make adjustments.
Okafor is a summer of explosion training and film work to give him the necessary requirements to become a very suitable defensive player in the nBA--the offensive stuff--lets be real--there are guys in the NBA who are considered very good who dont have close to what Jahi possesses. When you pick some one 19 you must also do some projecting--you need to look at the sculpture you are working with. I know that a pro trainer can work with Jahi to get his torso to explode quicker on D and that repetition and film work can complete the player. To find a guy who holds the ball like a grapefruit to find a 275 pd man who can dribble out of double teams out to the 3 point line take two dribbles pirouette off a foot into a layup--that my friend is superstar material. His touch and footwork is innate --the defense is effort and training. Hes smart and hes got great coaching. And as good as Phil is as a coach coach K is right there with him. He took the USA team to 3 golds he knows whats up In fact Coach K is probably 10 times the talent evaluator. If Phil is smart hes been talking with Coach K a no nonsense guy who isnt going to lie.
blkexec wrote:WaltLongmire wrote:I just want the best player available for this team. Seems like a number of players are rated highly, and you still hear "experts" and others debating about who will be the best player coming out of this draft.I prefer OK4 or Towns, but who knows at this point which of them will be the better player, or if Russell or Mudaiy, or Hezonja, or others are a lot better than we think.
I think I could make an argument supporting either Towns or OK4, and hopefully we will get to see more of what they can do as the tournament continues.
I have questions about both of them, but if OK4 shows any hint that he can defend against NBA speed/power/and size, I'd have no issue taking him. Until then, though, I will continue to express doubt about his defensive instincts, although he is young enough, and supposedly smart enough, to make adjustments.
The problems I see with OK4 on defense....is more alarming than Towns issues on offense.
And to BRIGGS point about Duke having Towns vs OK4.....I know their defense would be better. I know coach wouldn't be so quick to put Plumlee in, like he does with OK4.
I like Towns but he is not proven yet in anyway that you can run 30 minutes of offense through him. I
Finestrg wrote:Okafor's nice, no question about it although I think I prefer Towns. Many reasons but one big reason I've been thinking about -- I think we have a good chance of targeting a standout offensive big in FA -- someone like Kanter, Monroe, Ajinca. As it's been pointed out by many--these guys, for all their offensive prowess, really aren't rim protectors/standout defenders. No argument...Towns is however, or at least has the potential to be a big-time defensive presence. Plus, Towns isn't some Jeff Withey here -- there's true, discernible offensive potential as well. Look at the shooting range, the touch at the FT line, the improvements made with the hook-shots with either hand in close (a true go-to weapon for him now). Combine the defense + offense, the slightly better length, the much better athleticism AND the fact that he'd fit better next to one of these nice offensive big men we have a shot at in FA (who's the true 2-way big man in FA we can target?), I think I like Towns slightly better for us.
Towns averaged 10/6 in the SEC... I would vastly prefer Okafor. I may change my tune by the time the tournament is over but I really believe people see what they expect Towns to be when they look at him. The SEC was trash and his production does not impress me. Plus it seems like Calipari questions Towns' heart and dedication... that type of stuff tends to matter when you make the kid a millionaire
is he harder to guard than Al Jefferson at this point? No way!
BRIGGS wrote:blkexec wrote:WaltLongmire wrote:I just want the best player available for this team. Seems like a number of players are rated highly, and you still hear "experts" and others debating about who will be the best player coming out of this draft.I prefer OK4 or Towns, but who knows at this point which of them will be the better player, or if Russell or Mudaiy, or Hezonja, or others are a lot better than we think.
I think I could make an argument supporting either Towns or OK4, and hopefully we will get to see more of what they can do as the tournament continues.
I have questions about both of them, but if OK4 shows any hint that he can defend against NBA speed/power/and size, I'd have no issue taking him. Until then, though, I will continue to express doubt about his defensive instincts, although he is young enough, and supposedly smart enough, to make adjustments.
The problems I see with OK4 on defense....is more alarming than Towns issues on offense.
And to BRIGGS point about Duke having Towns vs OK4.....I know their defense would be better. I know coach wouldn't be so quick to put Plumlee in, like he does with OK4.
I like Towns but he is not proven yet in anyway that you can run 30 minutes of offense through him. I
Disagree. We Kentucky feels like running the offense through him he produces better than most 19yr bigs. He is also the guy they go to in the clutch. Only reason you are saying that is because ok4 is so polished in the post.
Okafor's greatest difficulty with the opposition at the next level will come not from sizeable Centers and Power Forwards, but athletic shot blocking 4s and 5. With his weight and post positioning skills, he'll be able to bang in the paint easily. The challenge will come at times when his shot goes up, as the opposing defender may have a much higher vertical against his low center of gravity.
