Rookie Promise Lavine vs Okogie

[Monster]

Its hard to really go back to that rookie season when Lavine was playing especially since it went to one of basic tanking and this season this team is now legitimately chasing a playoff spot but I think its interesting to compare these 2 players at similar points. Both guys are not top 10 guys that may be THE picks the guys selecting them are known for as very good basketball moves you have to actually give them credit for becasue they weren't no-brainer picks.

Lavine was clueless on both ends at this point in his rookie year. The talent was there but it was often brutal. Still quite a number of his minutes he was being asked to play as a PG which he was CLEARLY not ready for at the NBA level. Meanwhile Okogie gets to play more of a complimentary role on a team with good players. Because Okogie clearly has some immediate and likely defensive potential...I honestly think I would give him the nod as a better prospect (part of that is becasue his floor is higher than Lavine's was) at this point. His offense is clearly better than Lavine's defense was...it was truely bad. This is coming from someone who had alot of belief in Zach's talent at that point. Okogie is really impressive. Both are pretty athletic and raw in some ways but also very different as well. Thoughts on comparing these guys? It REALLY intrigues me.

[Wolvesfan21]

LaVine was playing out of position though too. I think that what Okogie does well (plays hard, aggressive with solid defense) translates easier then trying to develop into a PG out of 1 year in college. Or was it two? Anyways. If Okogie can develop on the offensive end, he's going to be a real good player. You can't really teach playing hard as we've seen with guys like Wiggins.

[Duke13]

I'm a big Zach guy, I acknowledge his weaknesses, mostly defense. I also love Okogie, I think Okogie offensive potential is being undervalued a bit because he's so high energy. His handle appears to have potential, I'd love to see some play ran for him, coming of screens and the green light to bring the ball up a little. I love his ability to grab a rebound and go. We don't have many players that can do that. Tough to compare these two in their first year I think for reason monster explained. #FreeOkogie

[thedoper]

Lavine thought he was a PG in college. His dad was on record expressing their disappointment that he didn't play point at UCLA because they thought it was his "true position". Flip was just giving him what he wanted. With Josh he seems to just want to do whatever it takes, regardless of position. Lavine was more of a problem to try and fit into a winning gameplan, clearly this went back all the way to UCLA. Lots of raw talent, never been put together to winning.

[worldK]

Interesting thread monster. Im picking okogie at this point. Im a big lavine guy but josh as a rookie is better because he has a fix and useful role on the team. We saw talent in lavine in his rookie but he couldnt put it together and was not good at 1 thing specifically and he was terrible on defense.

Obi wan okogie is looking like a great pick for thibs @20. He is definitely an nba rotation player with a high ceiling. Maybe thibs best move as POBO when we look back in 4-5 years.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'm picking Okogie.

But that's because he's here... and LaVine isn't.

I advise you not to look at my posts from when LaVine was here... or from anybody else during that time. Ahem.

[worldK]

I'm picking Okogie.

But that's because he's here... and LaVine isn't.

I advise you not to look at my posts from when LaVine was here... or from anybody else during that time. Ahem.

Vintage abe being abe.

[Monster]

Good posts so far. A couple things to consider.

Remember that the roles in college to the pros were completely reversed. Lavine played one season coming off the bench for a pretty good UCLA group that had a bunch of guys drafted and the coach's son who I believe has the record for most 3's in school history. Okogie ended up being the man his sophomore year on a team that needed him to do a ton.

I think the Okogie and Lavine comparisons are so intruiging because I think most people felt like Lavine was the young piece that was dealt away and now we don't have. Okogie COULD become that level of talent. He is well on his way. I still can't believe some of the decision making and refinement he shows in some of his game offensively.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I like defense and an awareness for the game over offensive flash, so Josh all day for me.


[sub]plus, Josh is here and Zach isn't)[/sub]

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I'm picking Okogie.

But that's because he's here... and LaVine isn't.

I advise you not to look at my posts from when LaVine was here... or from anybody else during that time. Ahem.

Vintage abe being abe.

No, Vintage Abe always adds a note at the end of his post.