Surely CD and JVG looked at tonight's game and saw visions of Okafor in a Rockets Uni. It is so easy to see that the dude is a winner, a stud defender, rebounder, and shot blocker, and has some decent post up moves along with the 10 to 15 footer. What else do we want as Yao's partner down low? I'd like to hear from Clutch and Gater what their opinion is of Okafor and how can the Rockets get their hands on him. Would Chicago give us their #1 and somebody for Francis? What are the legitimate possibilities here?
I dont think we could get Okafor for anyone on the team except Yao Ming. I think Franics value is at a all time low. And you can say he is a allstar, but i dont think he will make the team next year if he continues the way he is playing now.
I guess no team would give up the 1st pick for Francis. Though I haven't ever seen Okafor play, I heard someone compared him to a young Hakeem.
i thought he was closer to an alonzo mourning, although smaller but slightly more mobile. free throws were the same too.
"I grew up as a Rockets fan," Okafor said. "(Olajuwon's) footwork was crazy. He was a great defender and he had great success -- and two back-to-back championships. I'm not saying I'm anywhere near where he is, but maybe one day I can be. I loved that guy." If there was any way to get this guy on our team without losing Ming, I wouldn't think twice.
Okafor is a Rockets fan? Good News. Is there any chance he demand a trade to Rockets if he drafted by a team he doesn't like? Just like Francis demanded trade from Grizzlies to Rockets.
I'd absolutely love to see Okafor here. If we could deal just one player and a pick. (Francis for their #1 or Mobley/2nd rounder for him) I know it's wishful thinking. I know I'm crazy to think we'd get him. And I don't want him to force a trade like Francis did. How about Cato/#1 (2005)? Yeah, I'm figuring the bulls wouldn't do this ever. If only Jerry Krause was still there. Brand for 2 high school scrubs? WHERE DO I SIGN?
He's from houston. Graduated from Bellaire High School. My sis goes to the same middle school as his sis. My sister got to walk him to his sister's class since she was the office worker for that period. She came and told me that afternoon. Sis: "Man this tall basketball player came to pick up his sis today?" Me: "Who?" Sis: "Emeka Okafor or something" Me: "Okafor?" Sis: "Yes" Me: "Emeka?" Sis: "Yes" Me: "You met him?!" Sis: "Yeah, why, is he that good?" Me: I also made my sis watch the championship game with me today. She was amazed by him.
I know I told her if she ever sees him again to tell him that her crazy ass brother is a big fan and says congratulations on the NCAA championship.
Okafor would be just great as our Power forward. But please dont even think that he is a young Hakeem. The young Hakeem was a lithe beast and abilities far in advance of Okafor.
I went to school with him (class of 01). He's a very bright and talented guy. He was a cool, cat, always put education before bball practice. He would skip practice because he had to study for a IB science or Calculus test (He was in honors like I was), and when people would ask him he would say "this comes first, if coach wants to cut me, let him, this class comes first". What coach in their right mind would do that tho? He knew he had that leverage, it was funny really. Oh also another cool story is my friends went bowling with him once (I was out of town ) and they said it was crazy!! He used the heaviest ball and everytime he bowled you heard this loud "CRASH". They thought he was really going to break the back bumper at the alley, or they'd get kicked out or something. It would be real cool if we could land him........i don't see it happening tho, but its wishful thinking. He's come a loooooong way talent wise (and strength wise as well). Thats one kid who has always had his head on straight, he should go far.
Okafor as the PF for the Rockets would be a dream come true. If the Rockets could trade Francis to the Bulls\Magic etc's #1 and draft Okafor, I'd jump for joy. Then to make it even more better, sign Mehmet Okur and Hidayet Turkoglu and move Cato to another team for a PG or Draft pick. Maybe Carlos Arroyo? Here would be my dream off season lineup. PG-Carlos Arroyo, Chris Duhan SG-Cuttino Mobley, Boki Nachbar SF-Jim Jackson, Hidayet Turkoglu PF-Emeka Okafor, Mo Taylor C-Yao, Mehmet Okur I think that is a much better team. Can score in many ways, outside or inside. May not be the #1 defensive team, but Mobley, Jackson, and Duhan could stick on the opposing teams guards and Yao and Okafor would change alot of team minds about driving to the hoop. Okur would be a better back up to Cato because he can score alot better. Jim Jackson or Turkoglu would make the perfect six man. I think this team could compete for a 4th seed.
Spot on. He is more like a "Zo" than"Keem". After all is said and done, Emeka will end up the second coming of Alonzo Mourning or a little better (which will be great for him nonetheless). He will make an immediate impact in the NBA in the defensive/shot blocking and rebounding areas. He also has great footwork (sometimes underrated). He has a good chance of becoming perenial all star in the Eastern Conference.
Not in a million years, would Francis get you the #1 pick/Okafor straight up. Orlando seems to be the likely team to get Okafor. He would be perfect for that team. They won't give him up for anything.
Do you think we'd have an Olajuwon/Barkley-like problem if we did somehow get Okafor? You can't put both him and Yao on the low block at the same time. Do you put Yao in a high post as second fiddle with Okafor in a low post -- you know, for the inside-out everyone loves? While this is a problem I'd love to have, I think what the Rockets really need at the 4 isn't a high-dollar low-post scorer. We need a guy who plays good defense underneath, rebounds strong and can hit a midrange jumper. Having an All-Star here means you'll be paying a max contract (eventually) for a redundant skill-set. Those who think Francis and Yao can't co-exist in the same offense will find Okafor even less complementary, imo.
