The Case for Okafor

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

You simply can't expect Okafor to shoot 66% from the field in the NBA, though. That's just not going to happen.

I agree, but doing it in the NCAA is crazy in and of itself. He wasn't just catching lobs like Jordan either. He was creating his own shot for the most part. He is going to be a very efficient scorer.

Depends on his field goal percentage. Efficiency also figures in free throw shooting, and he sucks from the line. So, "how far will the number drop from 66" is the question.

Keep in mind, it was college big men Okafor (and Towns) were going against. Both guys had a size advantage in the large majority of their games. Okafor will be going against larger, stronger and better defenders in the low post at the NBA level. I expect him to still score at a good clip, but that FG% won't be in the 60s.

[mrhockey89]

(the other thing with Towns is it could lead to all sorts of interesting inverted offensive sets, with the likes of Shabazz and Wiggins posting up smaller wings in the paint - which we know they can do - with Towns pulling the opposing Center out of the lane and giving these guys a lot more room to operate. Oh, how much easier would things be if the likes of Andrew Bogut, DeAndre Jordan, Tyson Chander, and Rudy Gobert aren't parked in the paint on defense! They are rendered virtually useless if having to follow KAT out to the 3 point arc).

I agree with Q here that Towns being so versatile and not having a weakness, yet also having the size and athleticism means we can be a matchup nightmare for teams (well once we get enough talent with him) since we can play inside out, outside in, stretch the floor, fullcourt offense, halfcourt offense, play towns at PF or C, with any of our bigs, etc. With Okafor, you've got a great post player but he can't play with Pek, he can't move to PF, he can't stretch the D, etc. And then you can't play him with a lot of scorers on the floor at the same time and have him be his most effective (he wouldn't be a good fit with Shabazz, for instance).

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

You simply can't expect Okafor to shoot 66% from the field in the NBA, though. That's just not going to happen.

I agree, but doing it in the NCAA is crazy in and of itself. He wasn't just catching lobs like Jordan either. He was creating his own shot for the most part. He is going to be a very efficient scorer.

Depends on his field goal percentage. Efficiency also figures in free throw shooting, and he sucks from the line. So, "how far will the number drop from 66" is the question.

Keep in mind, it was college big men Okafor (and Towns) were going against. Both guys had a size advantage in the large majority of their games. Okafor will be going against larger, stronger and better defenders in the low post at the NBA level. I expect him to still score at a good clip, but that FG% won't be in the 60s.

Yeah I definitely wouldn't expect in the 60s. Shaq only did that a few times in his career and like I said early he is the standard for offensive dominance. Okafor will be highly efficient no doubt though.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

(the other thing with Towns is it could lead to all sorts of interesting inverted offensive sets, with the likes of Shabazz and Wiggins posting up smaller wings in the paint - which we know they can do - with Towns pulling the opposing Center out of the lane and giving these guys a lot more room to operate. Oh, how much easier would things be if the likes of Andrew Bogut, DeAndre Jordan, Tyson Chander, and Rudy Gobert aren't parked in the paint on defense! They are rendered virtually useless if having to follow KAT out to the 3 point arc).

I agree with Q here that Towns being so versatile and not having a weakness, yet also having the size and athleticism means we can be a matchup nightmare for teams (well once we get enough talent with him) since we can play inside out, outside in, stretch the floor, fullcourt offense, halfcourt offense, play towns at PF or C, with any of our bigs, etc. With Okafor, you've got a great post player but he can't play with Pek, he can't move to PF, he can't stretch the D, etc. And then you can't play him with a lot of scorers on the floor at the same time and have him be his most effective (he wouldn't be a good fit with Shabazz, for instance).

I don't like Towns playing the 4 in today's NBA. 10/20 years ago he would be an ideal 4, but with these smaller quicker guys I'm not sure he is suited defensively to play the 4.

While Towns' versatility is very nice I'm not sure he will be drawing double teams like a dominating post game will. Collapsing defenses will leave open shooters. Okafor is a great facilitator out of the post and the numbers at Duke back it up. He has midrange potential as well. Okafor's game opens things up for his teammates.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

At Kentucky, when Towns was in control of the ball in the halfcourt set, the Wildcats converted at a 1.19 points per possession rate. In these situations, Towns was actually more effective in percentage to assist rate. In 405 possessions in which Towns had what was deemed control of the possession, Kentucky converted on a percent-assist rate from Towns at 59.7%.

In simplified terms, Towns was able to find the open player at an extremely high level for Kentucky to shoot nearly 60 percent on passes coming from Towns. And Towns wasn't just finding cutters for easy buckets, he was finding three-point shooters in open time and space situations (4-plus feet of space) and converting at a 2.45 points per assist rate. That is a very high level of points per assist and clearly shows that Towns has great vision and feel for where his teammates need the ball to succeed.

- See more at: http://hoopshype.com/columns/david-nurse/karl-anthony-towns-is-a-renaissance-man#sthash.LyvHlVfQ.dpuf

Both Okafor and Towns should open things up for teammates. You also don't have to be double-teamed to be a great passer and set up others, but I'll add here that Towns commanded double teams in the NCAA tourney when UK needed him most so to think he won't get major attention in the NBA is a bit silly.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

At Kentucky, when Towns was in control of the ball in the halfcourt set, the Wildcats converted at a 1.19 points per possession rate. In these situations, Towns was actually more effective in percentage to assist rate. In 405 possessions in which Towns had what was deemed control of the possession, Kentucky converted on a percent-assist rate from Towns at 59.7%.

In simplified terms, Towns was able to find the open player at an extremely high level for Kentucky to shoot nearly 60 percent on passes coming from Towns. And Towns wasn't just finding cutters for easy buckets, he was finding three-point shooters in open time and space situations (4-plus feet of space) and converting at a 2.45 points per assist rate. That is a very high level of points per assist and clearly shows that Towns has great vision and feel for where his teammates need the ball to succeed.

- See more at: http://hoopshype.com/columns/david-nurse/karl-anthony-towns-is-a-renaissance-man#sthash.LyvHlVfQ.dpuf

Both Okafor and Towns should open things up for teammates. You also don't have to be double-teamed to be a great passer and set up others, but I'll add here that Towns commanded double teams in the NCAA tourney when UK needed him most so to think he won't get major attention in the NBA is a bit silly.

What Tourney game was he being doubled? ND specifically decided to single him because they were too worried about the three ball burning them. I don't remember Wisconsin doubling him. Will have to go back and look. He was a non factor in the WV game. Maybe he was doubled in the Hampton game.

Look I'm not making any sort of case against Towns. I'm just making a case for Okafor since some people, not on this board but on others, feel that picking Okafor first would be the worst pick in the history of drafting.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

This game really shows off Okafor's ability to distribute the ball.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ts_u8ShcN4

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

This game really shows off Okafor's ability to distribute the ball.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ts_u8ShcN4

Here's Towns. (lob + outlet pass included) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aUpq0PvlHA

[Coolbreeze44]

This question is for Cam: If you had to decide today whether to draft Towns or Okafor #1, which way would you be leaning?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

This question is for Cam: If you had to decide today whether to draft Towns or Okafor #1, which way would you be leaning?

"I want the best player for this team." :roll: