How similar was Hakeem to Okafor in his college years?

I saw the game today, he looks pretty good probaly better on offense than Akeem was in those days, but no where near him in terms of natural talent and hustle.

 

Hakeem was very raw in college. He didn't even start playing basketball tell he was 17. Hakeem grew up playing goalie in soccer(this helped him later in basketball for blocking shots). Emeka Oakafor has been playing alot longer than Dream had at the same age. Okafor might have a better post game then Dream, but Dream had more athletic ability and potential. I don't think Oakafor is going to have the kind of NBA career Dream had, but I not going to say it is impossible. Okafor is very smart and if he is willing to learn and have the disire to become great then he has a shot. I don't think Okafor will ever have the footwork that Dream had, but I'm not sure any NBA player ever will.

 

I am shocked that you would say that Okafor has a better offensive game that Hakeem did in college. Whoa! I followed Hakeem through college and he was awesome in all respects of the game. By his sophmore year he was absolutely dominant. I like Okafor, but he is no Hakeem. Hakeem was simply one of a kind. It is true that he went from raw to refined, but raw Hakeem was better than every other big man on the floor.

 

I agree Okafor has a much more advanced offensive game then the collegiate Olajuwon. Hakeem didn't really develop his low post offensive moves and jump shooting until his second or third pro season. He dominated in college with sheer will and atheleticism but little in the way of skills.

But forcasting Okafor's pro career based on Hakeems would be a risky exercise. Hakeem was focused and determined to become the best and worked at it very hard. It seemed he had few outside interests or distractions. Still, the resemblence is there and if I were an NBA GM, I would be very pleased to make Okafor the #1 pick in the 2004 draft.

 

Man,

I really want Okafor as our PF on the Rockets...he is EXACTLY what we need at the 4 spot.

DD

 

The Dream was taller, more athletic, more intense with worlds more potential. Other than that, they are about the same.

 

Hakeem was less skilled than Okafer, and they are both freakishly fast for a big man.

I would not be surprised if EO has a great NBA career, hall of fame even.

DD

 

Exactly, this is ridiculous. Okafor is a nice player and he probably will have a good NBA career, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. But there is no way you can say he is gonna be like Hakeem. First of all, Hakeem played against much better competition on a night in night out basis. Hakeem had Ewing, Okafor has Schenscher. Plus Okafor is a great athlete, and a defensive monster, but he's not the athlete Hakeem was. Hakeem always had the footwork, even at UofH. He was always a small forward in a CENTER's body. Okafor is barely 6'9".

 

Watched Hakeem's career at UH , had season tickets.
I have seen Okafor play in the NCAA tourney.

Hakeem (Akeem at the time) was much quicker and an even better shot blocker. He had freakish leaping ability and was a beast dunking the ball. He also had a great back to the basket game because he had small forward type skills.

He had not developed the baseline jumper and the dream shake. Those came later when he was far less physical in the paint.

But during his college days he was very physical down low often overpowering people to the basket. He may not have had as soft of touch as Okafor has at 10 ft. but I would rather have the college Akeem taking a feed into the post than Okafor, it is no contest.

Okafor has the same basic skill set minus about one inch in height. But Okafor does not have the insane quickness and power that Hakeem had when he was young.

I once saw Hakeem dribble the length of the court like a guard and finish with a massive dunk. He was fluid like a Dr. J and yet he was this wirey 6'-10" guy that had a power post game.

Okafor compares much more to a Mourning or J. O'Neal

Hakeem is more of a Garnett back to the basket post player- freakish

 

Hakkem was a Dream Player in College and he had real Centers for competition. He was relentless, he was a natural player who played with athletic almost primitive power. Okafor is only decent by comparison at this stage. You might see him realy develop in the NBA if he goes to a Team with a decent Playmaker Point Guard.[He would be wasted on our present Rockets]

 

Little Yao

I guarantee Steve Francis and Co. wouldn't have any problem getting Okafor involved.

 

I would be surprised if Okafor ever became the offensive player Dream became. This would mean Okafor would need to develop an unstoppable turnaround, improve his ballhandling, and be able to shoot from 19 ft and in.

The only comparison is that they are both Nigerian, have Houston ties, and can play defense like a mofo.

Okafor isn't close to being the athlete Olajuwon was.

 

Just asking but how many people on this board could even ride a bike without training wheels 1983?

Why couldn't Okafor continue to improve? Once he becomes a pro he can actually devote himself to basketball instead of earning a degree in 3 years with a 3.7. He might add a dream shake, a left handed jump hook or learn to shoot 50% from the 3 point line. The kid is bright enough to learn anything he sets his mind to.

But let me reiterarte: I think Okafor is more skilled but less athletic than Olajuwon was at the same point in his career
(a junior remember), he has the potential to be an NBA super star but it will take a monumental effort and a great deal of good fortune for him to have an NBA carrer anywhere close to Olajuwon's.

 

LOL

I also agree. With Okafor's athleticism, he would fit right in with Steve and the guys.

 

YOU must be dreaming . Francis and Mobley are why the Rockets need revamping.

 

You should really post in that who would win 1-on-1 thread.

 

The superstar center Okafor reminds me most of, actually, is David Robinson. But Okafor clearly doesn't have Robinson's size at the moment, and likely will never have the height.

As a PF, there is no reason Okafor, if healthy, couldn't be the next Karl Malone - and I say that in a good way. Malone, like Okafor was a horrible FT out of college and not that great far away from the basket. But Okafor certainly has the brains and desire to improve in those areas, there's no reason he can't eventually become a 20/10 player in the league annually.

 

That can be said of quite a few players. Potential and achievement can be very different animals (see Eddie Griffin). Only time will tell.

 

True enough...though one caould say with a fair amount of certainty that Okafor will not be following EG's path to downfall.