How similar was Hakeem to Okafor in his college years?

Does anybody have Olajuwon's number in college? My recollection is that he wasn't exactly dominant in his sophomore year. He was clearly a freakish athlete. But he didn't have the shot he had developed later on.

Remember they had Larry Micheaux, Clyde Drexler, and Michael Young on the team, with a freshman PG. The bench was also full of amazing athletes. They were coined the Phi Slamma Jamma that year. They went all the way to the Final only to be beaten by a fluke airball dunk at the buzzer.

In his junior year, he's had a fairly good game down low, though still very raw. I remember when he came out to the pro, there were people doubting whether he would develop a consistent offensive game. So if my memory is correct (I might be wrong), Okafor seems to have a more mature offensive game than Dream at the same stage. But Okafor clearly doesn't have nearly the amazing tools Dream had.

 

He averaged 27.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game in his three-year career at Houston. In 1984, he led the nation in field-goal percentage (.675), rebounding (13.5 per game) and blocked shots (5.6 per game). He is one of only three players to ever lead the NCAA in more than one category in a season

 

The guy was just amazing. (thanks for the stats) He improved year after year, during his career at Houston and from the beginning of his NBA career. That's one of the things that has always amazed me the most about Olajuwon... his hunger to get better. I haven't seen enough of Okafor to make a valid comparison, but I'd love for us to get him if there isn't anything significantly wrong with his back. I like the Malone comparison... I could live with that. But he'd need to work on his flop.

 

They wore different numbers at home and on the road. One was 34 and the other was 35.

 

Despite an impressive draft field that included Michael Jordan, the Dream was the clear number one choice in 1984. In contrast, many (including me) feel that Dwight Howard is the better pro prospect this year.

That hurts my soul because I always favor the hometown hero, which Emeka is. I wanted the Rockets to draft Drexler, Rashard Lewis and Alton Ford during their respective drafts. Don't get me wrong, Okafor will be a very good player, but my gut says Howard will be better.

 

Okafor is going to have a hardtime in the NBA. Word is he is only 6-8 and he will be undersized going up against NBA power forwards. At best he will be Elton Brand IMO, which is not bad at all, but no way do I think you could compare him to Hakeem.

 

Your numbers for FG% and rebs are right but Akeem only avg 16.8 pts in 84 and 13.3 pts for his 3 yrs from my source:
http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/m_basketballs_finest/1998/players.pdf

BTW, his college career FT% was 56% compared to 64%FG!

 

Akeem had more raw talent and potential than Okafur.

Akeem got 'exponentially' better with years in the league...I'm not sure how much better Emeka will get as a pro.

Some compare Emeka to Ben Wallace, but I see him more of a poor-man's Elton Brand.

 

I believe it was those idiots, er announcers Packer and Nantz, saying that last night's matchup between Emeka and Schenscher was the best big man matchup in a final since Olajuwon and Ewing. I fell out of my chair when I heard that one...talk about insulting 2 of the 50 greatest players ever - if that truly is the case, then the game of basketball has REALLY declined over the years.

 

what Okafor's college comparison I first thought of was Elton Brand.

 

Man, Hakeem didnt have this back spasm. Bill Walton is written all over it.

 

yep, i'm also positive that whoever has the first pick would trade it for Yao. so why not lets pull the trigger and pick up Okafor.

 

they gotta get ratings somehow, manny.

 

Anatomical disparity. Walton had feet of clay.

 

Off topic here, but what did you think about Schill and Foulke today?

I love those guys!

 

yeah yours seems for valid coming from NCAA but I forgot to put the link from where I got my info....

http://www.stp.uh.edu/vol68/33/sports/sports4.html

 

soild, Gene Peterson, DD and pgabriel all make good points about Akeem vs Okafor...

But you guys are overlapping your descriptions...

Akeem was NOT as skilled at Okafor. Akeem developed "skills" like shooting, passing, post moves as time when on in the NBA. But entering the NBA, Akeem was raw athletic ability. Sure, he could score, rebound and block shots. But this was because of his extraordinary athletic ability, not in spite of them.

Akeem was was able to dominate sooo well just relying on that extraordinary athletic ability, regardless if he lacked skills here or there. Thus, as time went on he became much more a well rounded player when his "skills" caught up with his athletic ability.

Okafor already has a solid "skills" base. He not as athletic as Akeem, but is similar.

The big question is how much potential will Okafor have as time goes on? He wont be able to rely on athletic ability alone like Akeem did to get the same results. No. He'll have to work more on his skills in order to compensate.

Don't forget that Hakeem was 6"10 3/4, 256lbs. And he had freaky long arms! So, that's another reason that Okafor has to compensate in *other ways.*

Draftnet compares Okafor to Ben Wallace. I like to think of Okafor as a combination of Elton Brand and Ben Wallace. That's no Akeem/Hakeem. But pretty good none the less.

It's important to note that we're comparing a Power Forward to a Center.

 

awesome... watched the game actually.

Schilling is a pro man... he's the Tim Duncan of baseball, so solide, except I like Schilling. Not his commercials though. anyway, we've still got problems. Johnny Damon still stinks man... I didn't like him in Kansas City back when I lived near there, and I don't like him now. Nice guy I guess... but we need a better leadoff. Ellis Burks... great pickup, definitely good for the bench/pinch hitting. Pedro's hair really scares me... it looks like a helmet ... I can't bear to look at it. Ortiz had a big spring, but can he carry it over?

Anyway, Schilling is awesome. It's not a stretch to say that he could be the AL Cy Young. This is so off topic... if you start a thread in the hangout we can talk about it. But then people are gonna complain that there are too many Red Sox threads. You need to get into the SoSH and then reference me. haha.

 

The 27.2 ppg number doesn't seem right. First, you have to be REALLY dominant to average that many points in one year, let alone through your career. I'm pretty sure Akeem didn't score a lot in his freshman year. He wasn't even a starter. That means his second and third year would have to be huge. I don't remember him as such a monster scorer in college.

I can't find any source that has NCAA individual stats database. Anybody? ragingFire, you link doesn't work for me.

 

works for me but I know what your saying I was suprised too thats why the NCAA link seems more practical.