I think most people agree that Okafor is gonna go #1. But the question is, which team will get the first pick? Who do you think will win the rights to Emeka, which team(that is lottery bound) would he fit with the best, and what kind of season do you think he'll have? This may sound premature since the season is just beginning, but I'm just wondering, since several teams look like they could use him now.
Yea, Magic could use him now . Nah, but I think he will end up in a Magic uniform and will be able to contribute big for them next year, hopefully turn them around.
Okafor is possibly what the Magic need. Hes a great defender downlow, and can block shots. I think they might be looking for more of a center though, with Gooden at Pf already. They could be looking at Pavel Podkozine.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting The Prophecy:</div><div class="quote_post">Okafor is possibly what the Magic need. Hes a great defender downlow, and can block shots. I think they might be looking for more of a center though, with Gooden at Pf already. They could be looking at Pavel Podkozine.</div> Yeah. i think they are willing to Gamble on Polkodzine(spelling?) because they have young talent(Gooden, Giricek), and veteran talent(Howard, although I think he's a team cancer)
It's not a sure thing that Okafor goes #1. It isn't even a very likely thing he goes number one, I think. Tiago Splitter, Pavel, and Dwight Howard (if he elects to go pro) have all been looked at as scouts as better options for the number one pick than Okafor.
Podkolzine is a good prospect. He could possibly go number 1, but I just see Okafor as being a more finished product, someone who can immediately exert leadership on a team. I think the Magic are a good bet for taking him. He may be undersized, but he gives them what they're missing(interior D, rebounding) except for size. I think they'll take the gamble, assuming of course that they have the top pick. I think that Milwaukee would pick him over the others as well, if they get the top pick. Other than those teams, however, which need immediate help up front, a lot may opt for Podkolzine as a long term project, hoping that he can be a shot blocker and low post scoring threat. Personally i don't think he's gonna be that great, but that's neither here nor there.
Dwight Howard? Please not another HS player. The Magic needs someone with more experience. If they'd get number 1.
Okafor can play Center. Hes 6'10 252 according to espn i think thats where i saw it. He has great hops and long arms too.
Kinda reminds me Alonzo Mourning. When he came here to Charlotte, lotta people thought he was undersized, and we weren't too sure how he'd fit in with LJ, who was our 4, but he proved he can get it done. I think Okafor will do the same. Perhaps a better rebounder than Zo but not as good a scorer. Blocks will be close to the same, which is something the Magic can use, mos def.
Emeka Okafor will be great to any team he go's to and i havent even heard of this peskodiinge guy your talkin about(sorry for the spellin i cant spell)
NBADraft has Okafor listed as the #4 pick I think. Anyway here are my views on him from a Magic point of view. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting jump:</div><div class="quote_post">If there is a way of getting a decent center from Juwan, I say draft Howard. He has a great all around game and could slot in at sf for us. However, I doubt we will get a strong center out of Juwan, and I dont think we will get the number one pick. If this is the case, then I say go with Okafor. We need presence like this and the paint, and he will deliver it. He averaged close to 5 blocks per game last season, along with 16 PPG and 11 RBG. That's talent. He is very intelligent and offensively he shows good touch and a nice assortment of post moves. His jump shot is still developing and in time will become a great asset. In addition, he has good footwork down low and great passing skills for a big man. So how about drafting him, and trading Gooden for a Center? Just an idea.</div>
I think Okafor has a big chance of being # 1 and like a few ppl said I do believe the Magic have the ups for first pick.
I think as for only team wise, the Magic, Grizzlies, Bucks, Sonics and Warriors would make good use of him. They are very powerful underdog teams with great potential who would go so far with just a little boost to both offense and defense. I hope he goes to either the Sonics so that Lewis and Allen would have some help, as well as Barry or the Bucks so that Redd, Posey but above all Mason would have support and backup for boards and blocks as well as some dishers and offense.
If we picked him up, (Magic) we could be a great team next year because I feel we should be a good team this year, but if we got Okafor, we could be real contenders. This years team would have gelled and Howard would be gone, maybe traded for a pg and a backup center. McGrady, Gooden and Okafor.
I DONT THNK THE MAGIC WILL GET THE 1 PICK I ACTUALLY BELIEVE THEIR GONNA MAKE THE PLAYOFFS SOMEHOW AND I THINK THE HAWKS WILL HAVE THE 1 PICK
The thing that concerns me about Okafor is his height. He's looks about 6'9''. He's a great shot blocker, but I've seen too many great shot blockers whose ability didn't translate into the NBA. Eddie Griffin was one of the best shot blockers I'd seen at the college level and his size keeps him from dominating defensively in NBA. I kno there are guys like Ben Wallace and Zo. It will be interesting to see how Okafor turns out considering his game is primarily defensive based.
I dont think that a High Schooler(Dwight Howard) should get drafted 1st pick exceptions to LeBron...... I think Emeka Okafor will go 1st in the draft and i think that the LA Clippers are gonna get him.....o wait they already got brand and Kaman.........well all i know is that Emeka will go 1st.