<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Uh-oh-kafor: This doesn't sound good. Here's Portland player personnel director Mark Warkentien on Connecticut star Emeka Okafor: "Okafor is the Shane Battier at his position in this draft. He is an effective player, a wonderful off-the-court guy, a team guy. There is a place for him in this league. But in terms of NBA small forwards, how much does Battier affect a game? I'll be interested to see how [Okafor] impacts the league. Some people are comparing him to the likes of Alonzo Mourning or Bill Russell. Come on. Shane was a No. 6 pick and probably should have gone somewhere between 10 and 12. Okafor should be a five, six or seven pick."</div> INSIDE THE NBA
Well, this is likely a draft position related ploy to lower Okafors stock. BTW: Where's Portland drafting again? Oh yeah, they're lottery eligible. Regardless, I see his point. Okafor isn't like Battier though, he's more talented and versatile. I too don't believe that Okafor will be a world-beater in the NBA, but he's definetely earned better draft stock than Battier and will most likely be a better player, assuming that the back issues he's had don't continue to affect him, which is unlikely to happen.
Battier?? give me a break. "And the #1 draft pick of the 04-05 draft for the Orlandoooo Maaagiccc EMEKAAAA OKAAAFORRR!"
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, this is likely a draft position related ploy to lower Okafors stock. BTW: Where's Portland drafting again? Oh yeah, they're lottery eligible. </div> Hahaha. You're right. Maybe he's just hoping that he'll still be available by the time they pick. LOL. He'll be one of the rare number 1 picks who went to college and made a difference in the NBA. Of course he won't be a Tim Duncan in his first year. He'll be a KMart type of player in the sense that he's improving each and every year he's in the league.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Hahaha. You're right. Maybe he's just hoping that he'll still be available by the time they pick.</div> Sadly, it's an angle that has to be brought up, because it happens often. As a Celtic fan, I'm far too familiar with the approach of trying to devalue players through public comments, so that you have a better shot at actually getting them. The strategy was a regular facet of the Pitino years.
Why does everyone hate Battier so much? He tries really hard, he even gets the job done a lot of the time. He's like Battie, an underdog, and he plays like one. As far as Okafor goes, he is undersized, but I think he has the physique to not be like Ben Wallace but more like, well yes, he'd be a lot weaker than most. I still him being a rebounding and scoring machine though, he just needs to work on his freethrows, maybe even Duncan does it better than he does. Hell, even Shaq.
I think Battier is good, he could start on many teams in thi league and he can do everything, shoot, defend, slash, pass and is a good guy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Battier?? give me a break.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Why does everyone hate Battier so much?</div> Why it was said that way makes no sense to me either. I guess for some fans, you have to be a marquee name to be any good?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">BOULDER - The David Harrison era at the University of Colorado has ended. While on his way to the Athletes' Performance Institute in Los Angeles to begin training, the 7-foot center said he has made up his mind to forgo his final season of eligibility at Colorado and enter the NBA draft.</div> Harrison exits CU to enter NBA draft <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">North Carolina signee J.R. Smith's father said Monday he still is investigating his son's prospects for the NBA draft. A 6-foot-6 senior shooting guard from Newark, N.J., Smith was co-most valuable player of the McDonald's All-America game. His father, Earl Smith, said the decision between the pros and college is difficult, and he is helping his son the best he can. "That's tough," Earl Smith said. "He really loves North Carolina. He's really stuck on them. But then again, you've got a lottery. NBA. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to pick that."</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">J.R. Smith has indicated in the past he would turn pro if he were confident of being a lottery pick. His father reiterated that, saying he figures "lottery or nothing" for J.R. in terms of the NBA draft. Earl Smith said he has been told J.R. could go in the NBA lottery (first 14 picks), 13th to 16th, or 16th to 20th.</div> UNC signee is still weighing his options
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Magic Johnson:</div><div class="quote_post">As far as Okafor goes, he is undersized, but I think he has the physique to not be like Ben Wallace but more like, well yes, he'd be a lot weaker than most. I still him being a rebounding and scoring machine though</div> Well I don't know if he'll be as dominate Ben will be but Okafor will have a impact in the paint in the future i don't know if it will be a positive or negative impact. He ruled the paint in college but the Nba is totally different.
I see Okafor being a very good player in the NBA - if on the right team. A team that needs him for many minutes and has good low post training/learnings..... Remember, he's a Center - probably going to play PF..........bill
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Why does everyone hate Battier so much? He tries really hard</div> This isn't middle school basketball. It doesn't matter how hard you try, its how you produce.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This isn't middle school basketball. It doesn't matter how hard you try, its how you produce.</div> Then you should probably explain exactly what your expectations are for Battier then. Battier was always going to be a good blue collar guy. The biggest way he contributes to teams is by doing the little stuff that no one keeps stats on. Setting picks, playing strong defense, keeping his teammates involved. He's never going to be a world-beater and anyone who expected him to be has misjudged his game. He's the type of guy who's going to be an invaluable member of many teams over his career, because he a solid player who's not too proud to do the dirty work, like get on the floor for loose balls, box out, etc. Guys like Battier are the building blocks to championship teams. Battier is one of those guys, that barring injury will be in this league for 10-15 years easily. Okafor may look like a bright star to some, but keep in mind his history of back and shoulder injuries. Those are 2 areas that never fully recover and will always be issues for him. That alone makes Okafor one of those bright stars whose light may be extinguished prematurely. Suppose that's what ends up happening. How bad does the average, hard-working Battier look to those bashing him now?
I never bashed Battier. If someone doesn't try and produces, and someone tries real hard and produces a little, who would you want? And I never said Battier should be a 20 and 8 guy. I knew what Battier was coming to the league, and don't expect more from him.
he could be like a great small forward, since he has a quick first step and a forward he can have some shot-blocking presence.
