Minnesota Sports Forum

Camden0916 wrote:Today was a struggle for damn near everybody. Russell, Towns and Okafor.

It happens. Let's see how the guys rebound after rough days.

TRKO wrote:

Camden0916 wrote:Today was a struggle for damn near everybody. Russell, Towns and Okafor.

It happens. Let's see how the guys rebound after rough days.

Didn't see the game, but it looks like Okafor ended up with a pretty nice outing.

Q12543 wrote:

TRKO wrote:

Camden0916 wrote:Today was a struggle for damn near everybody. Russell, Towns and Okafor.

It happens. Let's see how the guys rebound after rough days.

Didn't see the game, but it looks like Okafor ended up with a pretty nice outing.

Yeah, his second half was the polar opposite of the first. At one point he was 2-7 from the field.

Still uber worried about his defense, though.

Camden0916 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

TRKO wrote:

Camden0916 wrote:Today was a struggle for damn near everybody. Russell, Towns and Okafor.

It happens. Let's see how the guys rebound after rough days.

Didn't see the game, but it looks like Okafor ended up with a pretty nice outing.

Yeah, his second half was the polar opposite of the first. At one point he was 2-7 from the field.

Still uber worried about his defense, though.

Me too. If he had a defensive game he would be number one by a mile. A big that can score at will in the post, a great passer, and a good rebounder and defender is rare. Okafor isn't a good defender and to me that is the primary skill I want a big to have. He has the length and physical ability to be a good defender. I'm not sure why he seems disinterested on the defensive end.

TRKO wrote:

Camden0916 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

TRKO wrote:

Camden0916 wrote:Today was a struggle for damn near everybody. Russell, Towns and Okafor.

It happens. Let's see how the guys rebound after rough days.

Didn't see the game, but it looks like Okafor ended up with a pretty nice outing.

Yeah, his second half was the polar opposite of the first. At one point he was 2-7 from the field.

Still uber worried about his defense, though.

Me too. If he had a defensive game he would be number one by a mile. A big that can score at will in the post, a great passer, and a good rebounder and defender is rare. Okafor isn't a good defender and to me that is the primary skill I want a big to have. He has the length and physical ability to be a good defender. I'm not sure why he seems disinterested on the defensive end.

TRKO wrote:

Camden0916 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

TRKO wrote:

Camden0916 wrote:Today was a struggle for damn near everybody. Russell, Towns and Okafor.

It happens. Let's see how the guys rebound after rough days.

Didn't see the game, but it looks like Okafor ended up with a pretty nice outing.

Yeah, his second half was the polar opposite of the first. At one point he was 2-7 from the field.

Still uber worried about his defense, though.

Me too. If he had a defensive game he would be number one by a mile. A big that can score at will in the post, a great passer, and a good rebounder and defender is rare. Okafor isn't a good defender and to me that is the primary skill I want a big to have. He has the length and physical ability to be a good defender. I'm not sure why he seems disinterested on the defensive end.

I think most front offices will convince themselves that he can learn to play defense. Physically he doesn't have any major shortcomings. What can't be taught are his offensive gifts around the basket. But yeah, I could see it taking him a few years to learn how to play defense in the NBA.

To me though defense is about intensity and desire. He seems way too passive on the defensive end. I think he can be an ok defender, but I think your C needs to be a great defender if you really want to play winning basketball.

TRKO wrote:To me though defense is about intensity and desire. He seems way too passive on the defensive end. I think he can be an ok defender, but I think your C needs to be a great defender if you really want to play winning basketball.

Obviously having a Center that can play great defense is of tremendous help. But if you have a Center that puts constant pressure on the opposing team's offense, can clear out space for rebounds, and can at least hold good position, that's a pretty great start. Put some athletes on the wing and a great defender at the point of attack (PG) and I think Okafor could be OK. But yeah, he'll need to get better.

Q12543 wrote:

TRKO wrote:To me though defense is about intensity and desire. He seems way too passive on the defensive end. I think he can be an ok defender, but I think your C needs to be a great defender if you really want to play winning basketball.

Obviously having a Center that can play great defense is of tremendous help. But if you have a Center that puts constant pressure on the opposing team's offense, can clear out space for rebounds, and can at least hold good position, that's a pretty great start. Put some athletes on the wing and a great defender at the point of attack (PG) and I think Okafor could be OK. But yeah, he'll need to get better.

Having a great defensive C allows the rest of the guys to take more risks and play more aggressively on defense knowing if their guy gets past them the guy in the paint is going to make their life hell. Okafor's offensive skill makes him very attractive if he can develop into an ok defender. I will be happy if we get him, he isn't my first choice but he is a good choice none the less.

Stanley Johnson: Not impressed.

Q12543 wrote:Stanley Johnson: Not impressed.

Does he look like Marcus Fizer 2.0 to you?