<u>CLE</u> 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists (only played 22 minutes) <u>@ MEM</u> 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 assists <u>IND</u> 19 points, 13 rebounds, 6 blocks, 2 assists <u>@ BOS</u> 28 points, 18 rebounds, 2 blocks, 3 assists, 2 steals <u>SEA</u> 20 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks <u>DEN</u> 22 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assist, 1 steal <u>@ NOK</u> 25 points, 16 rebounds, 7 blocks, 1 assist <u>@ SAS</u> 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks, 1 assist, 5 steals <u>@ ORL</u> 26 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals <u>DAL</u> 22 points, 13 rebounds, 8 blocks, 3 assists, 1 steal Look at those numbers Okafor is producing. With all the talk about Dwight Howard, I think Okafor is starting to fall off the radar. But obviously his game speaks at another level. Just look at his stats.
Emeka Okafor is underrated but at the same time, his stats are inflated because he plays for the Bobcats. His blocks aren't inflated because he is doing great defensively but I'd say his scoring and rebounding stats wouldn't be as high if he were on a decent team. For example, the Magic are shooting almost 50% from the field (second in the league) every night yet Dwight still manages to grab 14 rebounds per night. The Bobcats on the other hand are shooting 43% from the field (twenty-fifth in the league). Okafor has many more chances to collect rebounds than say, Boozer or Howard whose teams are ranked one and two in field goal percentage. Also, he is the number one scoring option on the Bobcats and takes the majority of Charlotte's shots. So far this season, Emeka has attempted 146 shots while leading his team in scoring. Meanwhile, Howard has attempted only 102 shots and Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson have both attempted more shots this year (Grant Hill is also attempting the same amount of shots as Dwight with 101 this season). That means that Dwight is having to share the ball with three other guys while Emeka takes the most shots for the Bobcats each and every game. I have been impressed by Okafor this season, don't get me wrong. Against the Magic, he showed he could knock down jumpers and you could just tell he has worked to improve his offense. I just think his numbers are a little inflated because of the team he is on. What I'm trying to say is, Emeka's stats look good but they are inflated because of the players around him. Also, Emeka's stats haven't translated into wins this season like Dwight's stats have. The Bobcats are currently 2-8 and ranked last in the Southeast. Howard has led the Magic to a 7-4 start putting them first in the division and second in the entire Eastern Conference. The reason I've compared Dwight to Emeka is because they've both been in the NBA for the same amount of seasons and Brian mentioned him in the first post. It is also important to note that this season Dwight has worked on distributing the ball and usually chooses to find an open teammate when in a pass or shoot situation. He's experienced a lot of double teams this year so he's starting to figure out how to help the team without scoring and is doing things like altering shots that don't show up on the stat sheet.
Very nice points Swish. But remember that the Bobcats do have some scorers in Raymond Felton and Adam Morrison. They may not be all-stars yet, but they are certainly capable of being good scorers every night. Of the course the talent level on the Magic squad is much higher than the talent level on the Bobcats squad. I agree that if Okafor was surrounded by more talent, or by more veterans, he may not be putting up huge numbers on offense (though I am certain he can at least average 16 ppg). But you can't take anything away from his defense. The guy has been an absolute monster. He has been battling in the paint, and has been blocking shots like crazy. Now, I'm not trying to start a Dwight Howard and Emeka Okafor debate, but I just feel that Okafor has really been under the radar with the numbers he has been producing. I'm sure that if I hadn't pointed out his recent play in this thread, nobody would be aware of the numbers he has been putting up.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">But remember that the Bobcats do have some scorers in Raymond Felton and Adam Morrison. They may not be all-stars yet, but they are certainly capable of being good scorers every night. Of the course the talent level on the Magic squad is much higher than the talent level on the Bobcats squad.</div> The fact that Morrison and Felton are two of the team's better scorers also shows how weak the Bobcats are. On most teams, your three leading scorers are the veterens or guys in their prime. The Bobcats have three guys who are all in their early twenties anchoring their offense. This shows the talent level of Charlotte but you are right, Morrison and Felton can put some points up for the Bobcats. <div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I agree that if Okafor was surrounded by more talent, or by more veterans, he may not be putting up huge numbers on offense (though I am certain he can at least average 16 ppg).</div> I also think he would average around 16 points per game, much like Dwight is doing right now with Orlando. <div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">But you can't take anything away from his defense. The guy has been an absolute monster. He has been battling in the paint, and has been blocking shots like crazy.</div> I agree, his defense has been insane. On defense he just seems better than anyone else around him, much like his days back at Connecticut. He's blocking tons of shots and when I looked at the Charlotte-Dalls box score last night I couldn't believe he was 2 blocks away from a triple double. <div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Now, I'm not trying to start a Dwight Howard and Emeka Okafor debate, but I just feel that Okafor has really been under the radar with the numbers he has been producing. I'm sure that if I hadn't pointed out his recent play in this thread, nobody would be aware of the numbers he has been putting up.</div> Yeah Dwight is getting a lot of attention because his team has been winning, he has been having the 20 and 20 games, and because announcers and the media have already started comparing him to Rodman, Russell, or Wilt when it comes to his rebounding. Last night during the Magic broadcast, they were saying that he is the best rebounder they have ever seen and things like that. People see Howard and think of his potential (because he is still only 20 and came out of high school) but people see Emeka and think what you see is what you get. I don't believe this is true however because if people were paying attention they would see how much Okafor's game has progressed. Every aspect of his game has improved this year and like you said, people just aren't realizing it.
<div class="quote_poster">Swish15 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">but I'd say his scoring and rebounding stats wouldn't be as high if he were on a decent team. For example, the Magic are shooting almost 50% from the field (second in the league) every night yet Dwight still manages to grab 14 rebounds per night. The Bobcats on the other hand are shooting 43% from the field (twenty-fifth in the league). Okafor has many more chances to collect rebounds than say, Boozer or Howard whose teams are ranked one and two in field goal percentage.</div> I agree that Howard is a better rebounder, but Okafors stats arn't inflated. 12 RPG is still very good. You can't say Kobe's 35 PPG was inflated because he didn't have a good supporting cast. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Also, he is the number one scoring option on the Bobcats and takes the majority of Charlotte's shots.</div> You can say that, but you can also say that the defenses keying in on him which makes it harder for him to score. He's still averaging averaging 20 PPG on 57% from the field (8th in the league). <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So far this season, Emeka has attempted 146 shots while leading his team in scoring.</div> Again, he is the main focus on offense but he's still shooting 57%. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">while Emeka takes the most shots for the Bobcats each and every game.</div> Actually, in 5 of the 10 games he hasn't lead the team in FGA. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Also, Emeka's stats haven't translated into wins this season like Dwight's stats have. The Bobcats are currently 2-8 and ranked last in the Southeast. Howard has led the Magic to a 7-4 start putting them first in the division and second in the entire Eastern Conference.</div> You said it yourself, he doesn't have that good of a team around him. Switch Okafor and Howard and those records are still the same.
That give any team nightmares. You would have the methodical and bruising Okafor dominating the paint on D and getting his fair shair on offensive. Then there would be the beast himself, Howard. That kid is just crazy. I stopped counting the times he's outleaped the guy boxing him out and slamming it back.
I haven't seen him play yet this season, but his stats are way impressive. After his first couple season, I definitely underrated him. Didn't think he'd ever reach all-star level or even become an above average offensive player. Now, I'm think he, Dwight, and Yao could be vying for best center in the league over the next 10 years.
I haven`t seen much of Okafor yet, but just looking at his stats alone, he`s definitley underrated. Maybe it`s because he plays for Charlotte or maybe his injury last season silenced his hype, I dunno.
I read that he lost some of the unneeded mass he put on last season when he got injured, and has done great this season. I haven't seen him play, but his stats have been impressive like most of guys have been saying. And he's also been shooting great from the field with 56%. And a shot blocking beast.
Okafor's numbers are looking mighty (did i just say that?) fine. I was wondering if anyone can put up some of his defensive numbers (advanced) to show his impact on defense, if that's possible, i don't know much about stats. Props.
<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Imagine Dwight and Okafor playing together...</div> They would just take away from each other. It would be better to combo them with a great SG or SF
Okafor is playing extremely well :] Underrated is because his team is not.. I mean look at the press Dwight has gotten thanks to the Magic's hot start. Emeka is not all that far behind him, statistically
No, he was just injured, which didn't allow him to get much props for anything. Working with Hakeem seems to have done wonders for him on offense, and maybe even on defense, who knows, though he was already good defensively.
