Okafor. Better defender. More of a true post presence. I bet they both could play well together, though, as your frontcourt. Biedrins stats are skewed because of the ridiculous pace he plays at. Also he's pretty much the only frontcourt player for GS most of the time... Maggette and Jackson are closer to shooting guards than power forwards.
I haven't watched any bobcats games of late, only seen a couple of Warriors games hence the reason I ask. I was looking at stats in general an noted their both very close in a lot of stats. Regardless of pace, Biedrins shoots a phenominal FG% and is a good rebounder and decent shot blocker, but I didn't really know how good he was with regular man to man defense. I know okafor is a solid man to man defender, but wonder about him offensively. Does he have any range or is he a 4 feet and in offensive player?
I'd take Beans. Granted I'm a GS homer, I'll make my case anyway. We'll start with rebounding. Both very good, AB is averaging 11.6 rpg this season while Emeka is pulling down 10.5 rpg. Most will argue that Biedrins' numbers are inflated due to increased possessions and him being the only rebounder for the W's but one would also have to take into account that Okafor averages 33.5 mpg while Beans averages 30.6 mpg. FWIW Anthony Randolph has been the starter recently and hes a very good rebounder, before that Brandan Wright was the starter but he dislocated his shoulder a while back. Ronny Turiaf also gets a lot of burn (yes, I realize Turiaf and Wright aren't great rebounders but my point is that hes not ALWAYS playing with Mags at PF). I'd say it's pretty much a wash. I'm not sure who's the better defender. I was thinking that Okafor was the better shotblocker but there's not much difference; Okafor is averaging 1.7 bpg, Beans is averaging 1.5. Again, taking into account the difference in mpg it's probably a wash. Okafor is stronger in the post but Biedrins is taller. I really haven't been impressed by Beans' on ball defense this season. Seems like he was better last year, hes still quite solid but I'd assume Okafor is better in that regard. Beans is also averaging 1.1 spg which is nice from a C. Again, this is pretty much a wash but I'd give a slight edge to Okafor. As for offense, I think Beans blows Okafor out of the water here. Beans is fantastic on the pick and roll, hes got some of the best spacing in the pick and roll in the league. If he was playing under Sloan or next to a CP3 type PG it'd be fuggin nuts. He's just very smart with his positioning on offense. Hes got a great set of hands and finishes very well around the rim. You don't need to run plays for him. Hes averaging 2 apg which is nice from the C spot. He can get the rebound and initiate the break because hes got a nice handle. His quickness sets him apart from most Cs in the league. Okafor is probably the better post scorer but not by much. His hands are suspect at times and hes really not much of a threat on the pick and roll. Oh yeah, lets not forget that Biedrins is 22 y/o while Okafor is 26. Biedrins makes a flat 9 mil a year over the next 6 years, Okafor is making around 12 mil a year average on an escalating 6 year deal.
I take Biedrins, too. Okafor is a good player, but he's four years older and hasn't significantly improved his game over the span of five years already. Biedrins has much more potential.
id rather go w/ andris. he's younger and gets better and could end up being better than emeka. defense is about the same and offense is better. fts get better year by year.
I was thinking that somebody like Beidrins would be the perfect compliment to Okafor, big enough to take the opposing center and let Okafor play PF, but good enough of a shooter to let Okafor control the paint. If I were Charlotte, I would do whatever it takes to get somebody like that.
Okafor. I'd have to see Biedrins in a different system. I think you could plug Okafor into any system and he would be successful.
I would much rather chant Okafor, I think after several $8.00 beers it would be easier for my wife and I to say...
Biedrins is four years younger, has more upside, and his contract is more favorable as well. He's the guy I'd take.
