Just some info I wanted to share, hopefully it's not seen as boasting since I went to the same HS I played for Bellaire HS a year behind Okafor and saw all the qualities that you hear about him. I remember John Lucas having his ego along with his "followers" while Emeka would just be there for the ride (so to speak). I remember after practice for JV and Freshmen (when he was still on JV) when I'd see him running around the gym for a long time as his father and coach Hudek watched him. Hudek was a terrible coach by the way, so it goes to show you what kind of work ethic Emeka had and still has since he was improving each day. He was a nice guy too, he was respectful to me even though I wasn't the greatest player on the freshmen team (in which he didn't even have to pay attention to since I was a year behind). I also remember just seeing him around campus like an average student just going about his business, studying, and not wanting all the publicity even though he was a stud on the court. Very humble, modest fellow which I wish I could demonstrate like how Emeka does today. Very similar to Hakeem as a person due to the similar background, but I'm not comparing them as basketball players if you notice. He will be a great pro, even if he doesn't put up the great numbers and make the hall of fame. But he will have a lasting impression on others, as he did to me, in the NBA and other facets of life as more people get to know him. He may even be a CEO one day, if he's into corporate business, since he can truely do anything he wants with his life. I hope for the best for him.
guys i would trade yao for okafor and tyson chandler. Okafor will be a better rebounder, shot blocker, will bring toughness and can stay here in the summer to get better.
Works for me too! Good suggested scenario! In fact, I think the Clippers could look to move Brand anyway (regardless of getting Okafor). They still have Wilcox, have a desperate need for a PG and need STAR power to put butts in seats, especially if the team is not winning a lot of games.
He's closer to 15 and 10 I think. Still, he doesn't bring Yao's presence. It's just not the same Juugie. Yao is 7'6, and that IS a factor. So if you had a 7'6 player averaging 18 and 9 (yes, 9,not 8) and you have a 6'9 player averaging the same thing, which do you pick? I would love to have Okafor next to Yao, but Okafor is no Yao.
Realistically, what can Chicago get for Tyson Chandler? Would they rather have Chandler and Steve together or Okafor and whatever they can get for Chandler? I would think they'd rather have Chandler and Steve. Just can't see them being able to get much for Chandler. I sure wouldn't trade Steve for Chandler straight up. I can see maybe a #5 to #10 1st rounder and another role player for Chandler but not much more than that. So, then the question is, what could get for Okafor? I wonder what teams would be willing to better a deal of Francis, and a future #1 for the rights to Okafor and a bad contract or two, such as ERob and whatever else makes the salaries work. I can't see too many teams willing to give up a superstar talent for Okafor either. Don't even know if CD and JVG would be willing to do it either. But I'd sure think about it. Same thing with Orlando. Offer them Steve and Cato, for Okafor, Howard, Hill, and whatever salary cap fodder needed to make the deal go down. Would they rather have TMac and Okafor together or would they rather have TMac, Steve, and Cato together? I think they'd really look hard at that deal. A proven commodity in Steve and a very good defensive, shot blocking center in Cato for an unproven risk in Okafor and clearing out their salary cap. I'd think they'd consider that deal too.
7'6 is definitely a factor. But so is increased speed, quickness, and athleticism. Also, I wouldn't trade Yao for Okafur straight up, but if I could get TMac and Gooden in the deal as well while getting rid of Mo T's contract, I would do it.
Even if it means losing tons of marketing money which would in turn mean being even more careful about the salary cap which in turn would mean reduced quality?
I don't think the Rockets are seeing such a huge boost in marketing money. SF still sells WAY more jerseys than YM. Yao hasn't even sold out the Toyota center on a regular basis In the end, it comes down to winning. If Yao/someone is able to make the Rockets championship contenders, then the money will come.
Our 3 most tradeable players (excluding Yao who will not be dealt) is what it will take to get Okafor. Francis + Mobley + Cato for either: 1) #1 plus Crawford + ERobinson (and another bad K if needed) - would love it if we could get chandler - he would look great next to yao. 2) #1 plus Lue + Gooden + salaries Either scenario pairs Okafor with Yao and the rest of the team sucks - but with 2 good young inside players, maybe we could build something better through the draft or with the $ we clear when Taylor's contract (and whatever bad contracts we take back) expire.
I think this is the most honest assessment of Okafor by a journalist to date IMO. (His name is Jason Whitlock) Last Monday night we tried to turn Emeka Okafor into a modern-day Akeem Olajuwon. It was nothing more than overhype intended to mask an inferior product. The public, intelligently, didn't buy it. Monday-night's championship tilt featuring Connecticut vs. Georgia Tech, Okafor vs. Luke Schenscher -- an alleged re-enactment of UCLA vs. Houston, Lew Alcindor vs. Elvin Hayes, or Georgetown vs. Houston, Patrick Ewing vs. Akeem Olajuwon -- was the worst-rated NCAA title game in the modern era. Those of us who participated in the overhype of this matchup should be embarrassed. But that's what we do now, particularly in college basketball. The product is so weak and we so desperately long for the good old days that we'll pretend Emeka is Akeem and Luke is Patrick. Akeem and Patrick they are not. There's no reason to dissect Schenscher. His championship game performance left little doubt that he's more Rik Smits than Ewing. It's Okafor who is truly being hyped beyond his skill. And it's totally unnecessary. Okafor is the ideal college athlete. He's going to graduate in just three years. He's an academic All-American. He's a gentleman on and off the court. He helps old women cross the street. He comes from a supportive family. He's the next Pervis Ellison. You remember Never Nervous, don't you? He led Louisville to the national championship and then became the No. 1 pick in the 1989 draft. The Sacramento Kings plucked Never Nervous. Ellison showed a little early promise, could never stay healthy, bounced around the league and eventually fizzled into oblivion. Okafor isn't nearly as gifted as Ellison. Okafor reminds me of Adonal Foyle, a sound athlete with lots of brains. Okafor doesn't have a polished low-post game. He doesn't have a move that will consistently produce points at the next level. He'll score on dunks and put-backs. He doesn't put the ball on the floor well enough to excel facing the basket. And he doesn't have Carlos Boozer's big butt to muscle guys in the paint. Okafor is a top-flight college player. There are a dozen high school kids with more basketball upside, and there are probably a half dozen more kids overseas who will outplay him on the next level. But, hell, we talked about Okafor Monday night like he was the second coming of Karl Malone. I guess you have to say something, especially when your game is in the toilet and no one is watching. Might as well overhype. No one is listening anyway.
You think wrong. The exposure we get on TV can not be matched. We get way too many TV games for a 7th or 8th seed. Also, Francis sells more jerseys in the states, I'm pretty sure Yao sells more outside, and that number will continue to increase once we make the playoffs. You can't deny that Yao is a marketing machine, the most marketeable international player in the NBA. Fact of the matter remains we can win without trading Yao, and if it's between Steve and Yao, I'd definitely trade Steve. We can win the championship by remolding this team around Yao, we have the assets.
And he doesn't have Carlos Boozer's big butt to muscle guys in the paint. One thing Okafor (the "a" is pronounced AHH like in "apple") has IS the ability to muscle guys in the paint.
good lord. the majority of you are deifying Okafor. Yes, he will likely be a solid NBA player. He will work hard it seems, and I really like him for that. That being said, he's undersized, and his post-game is vastly overrated on this board. He outworked and outrebounded some small teams in the tournament. I was impressed, but a perennial All Star? I don't think we can even come close to saying that yet. The comparisons to Zo and Dream are ridiculous. Sorry. Alonzo was a lot quicker and had a much better (and deeper) outside shot. Quickness on both ends, that is. Let's not even start with Hakeem. So I think he'll be decent, with some potential to be pretty good. But to trade Francis for that?? Not too bright.. In response to others...Okafor could NOT come in and get 18 and 8. Do you know how spectacular a rookie season that is? And the person that said "downside" is Brand? Elton is incredible...consistent double-double man. Just because they're both undersized PF's doesn't mean they're even close to equal..
No I wouldn't trade yao for mcgrady and okafor and all the rest magic wants to offer.... I'll give them Francis and cat for mcgrady and okafor....
There is NO WAY I'd give up Yao and whatever contracts we have for McGrady, Okafor and Gooden. Yao is a difference maker. There are only a few of them in the NBA. McGrady is a great player, and I would love to get him, but not at the expense of losing Yao. Yao is probably the next big superstar, and you can't walk away from that. You build around him.
there is no way we can get okafor i say we try to get Marvin Williams http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/marvinwilliams.asp
