Can Okafor Play Center In The NBA?

Discussion in 'Charlotte Hornets' started by Streetball2k5, Jun 26, 2004.

  1. Streetball2k5

    Streetball2k5 JBB JustBBall Member

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    A question on Bobcat fans and NBA fans in general is can the Charlotte Bobcats First ever draft selection Emeka Okafor play Centre in the NBA.

    Personally, I think he can only do against some teams. Okafor is possibly another Ben Wallace IMO. He is short but has the heart, rebounding and blocking abililities to succeed as a center. Against teams in the Eastern conference I don't see Okafor having any problems playing Center as the East is weak in that position, but when the Cat's play against Western teams I forsee Emeka being destroyed like Chris Bosh was this year for the Raptors when he played Centre against the West. His back issues might also affect what position he plays

    Hopefully we won't have to play Emeka Okafor at the Centre postition so we won't have to worry about him getting owned [​IMG].

    Post your opinions about this issue here.
     
  2. Buckets

    Buckets JBB JustBBall Member

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    I think he can, Okafor has the body at 6'10 1/4" and 257lbs, he has size he is the size Bill Russell was and weighs 37lbs more than he did and look at what Bill Russell established in his career. Okafor anchors the defense like Russell did when he was playing, Okafor can block shots, make defensive stops and is quicker than most people his size.
     
  3. Streetball2k5

    Streetball2k5 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting L.Sooch:</div><div class="quote_post">I think he can, Okafor has the body at 6'10 1/4" and 257lbs, he has size he is the size Bill Russell was and weighs 37lbs more than he did and look at what Bill Russell established in his career. Okafor anchors the defense like Russell did when he was playing, Okafor can block shots, make defensive stops and is quicker than most people his size.</div>
    I agree that he has the size to do it, though height may be an issue later on when he slows down because of his age and possibly his back.

    You say that he can make defensive stops but as of right now I don't think you can say that just yet. He hasn't proven himself to be a player who can defend other centers in the NBA let alone win games with his defense.

    If Okafor would try to defend Shaq, he would get destroyed. He has a great basketball IQ and is very smart aswell, but I just don't see him being able to contain the NBA's Elite centers.

    On Offense I don't see him doing much of anything anyways.
     
  4. Triple Dubble

    Triple Dubble JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Personally, I think he can only do against some teams. Okafor is possibly another Ben Wallace IMO. He is short but has the heart, rebounding and blocking abililities to succeed as a center. Against teams in the Eastern conference I don't see Okafor having any problems playing Center as the East is weak in that position, but when the Cat's play against Western teams I forsee Emeka being destroyed like Chris Bosh was this year for the Raptors when he played Centre against the West. His back issues might also affect what position he plays</div>
    Bosh isn't quite as strong as Okafor is, either. I can see Okafor guarding any big man in the league except for Shaq. But that's Shaq. Not many, if anyone, can guard Shaq. Okafor's back could be an issue but he says it's fine.

    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I think he can, Okafor has the body at 6'10 1/4" and 257lbs, he has size he is the size Bill Russell was and weighs 37lbs more than he did and look at what Bill Russell established in his career. Okafor anchors the defense like Russell did when he was playing, Okafor can block shots, make defensive stops and is quicker than most people his size.</div>
    Exactly.

    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On Offense I don't see him doing much of anything anyways.</div>
    Well, that's where Okafor can improve. Even though Okafor is compared to Zo, I don't see him having the offensive abilities Zo had. Zo scored over 20 ppg his rookie season for the Hornets. I see Okafor getting maybe 15 ppg.

    Okafor also has a nice baseline turnaround jump shot.
     
  5. Streetball2k5

    Streetball2k5 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting L.Sooch:</div><div class="quote_post">I think he can, Okafor has the body at 6'10 1/4" and 257lbs, he has size he is the size Bill Russell was and weighs 37lbs more than he did and look at what Bill Russell established in his career. Okafor anchors the defense like Russell did when he was playing, Okafor can block shots, make defensive stops and is quicker than most people his size.</div>
    I agree that he has the size to do it, though height may be an issue later on when he slows down because of his age and possibly his back.

    You say that he can make defensive stops but as of right now I don't think you can say that just yet. He hasn't proven himself to be a player who can defend other centers in the NBA let alone win games with his defense.

    If Okafor would try to defend Shaq, he would get destroyed. He has a great basketball IQ and is very smart aswell, but I just don't see him being able to contain the NBA's Elite centers.

    On Offense I don't see him doing much of anything anyways.
     
  6. Chucksta

    Chucksta JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Streetball2k3:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree that he has the size to do it, though height may be an issue later on when he slows down because of his age and possibly his back.

    You say that he can make defensive stops but as of right now I don't think you can say that just yet. He hasn't proven himself to be a player who can defend other centers in the NBA let alone win games with his defense.

    If Okafor would try to defend Shaq, he would get destroyed. He has a great basketball IQ and is very smart aswell, but I just don't see him being able to contain the NBA's Elite centers.

    On Offense I don't see him doing much of anything anyways.</div>

    Idunno... Ya'll seem to forget he scored 17PPG in college... Hell, Ben Gordon scored only that much... 17 A game ain't bad in college... I see him getting 17-19PPG in the NBA...

    Whether he can play center is another question... You can say that BIG BEN can play the 5 but against any team EXCEPT the Lakers, 'Sheed was their real center... But then again, you can look at Russell and say he will succeed...
     
  7. Streetball2k5

    Streetball2k5 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Triple Dubble:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, that's where Okafor can improve. Even though Okafor is compared to Zo, I don't see him having the offensive abilities Zo had. Zo scored over 20 ppg his rookie season for the Hornets. I see Okafor getting maybe 15 ppg.

    Okafor also has a nice baseline turnaround jump shot.</div>

    Okafor only averaged 17.6 PPG this year at UCONN and the competition there is a fraction of what it is in the NBA. I don't think Okafor will average more than 10 PPG.

    Okafor does have a nice baseline turnaround jump shot I agree.

    And Okafor will definitley not have the offensive abilities of Alonzo Mourning in his rookie year.
     
  8. Buckets

    Buckets JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Originally Posted by Streetball2k3
    If Okafor would try to defend Shaq, he would get destroyed.</div>

    Who can???

    Okafor is a great back-to-the-basket player he can hit those shots when you need him too and he is so smart he graduated a year early. About his back I dont think that will affect him too much but in his late years when he's around 35 if he's still in the league and not retired that's when it will kick in for the next 10 years or so we have nothing to worry about. About his weight and size, there is also Willis Reed who was 6'10" and 240lbs look at how dominant these guy's were in there days. I think Okafor will follow in there foot steps.
     
  9. Streetball2k5

    Streetball2k5 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting L.Sooch:</div><div class="quote_post">Who can???</div>
    Yao Ming [​IMG]
     
  10. Triple Dubble

    Triple Dubble JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But then again, you can look at Russell and say he will succeed...</div>
    lol, Russell also played against a bunch of shorter white guys. Back in those days, the basket was also a bit shorter to the ground. Nothing against Russell's game, though. I could see Okafor being a Bill Russell type player.
     
  11. Streetball2k5

    Streetball2k5 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Triple Dubble:</div><div class="quote_post">lol, Russell also played against a bunch of shorter white guys. Back in those days, the basket was also a bit shorter to the ground. Nothing against Russell's game, though. I could see Okafor being a Bill Russell type player.</div>
    Exactly, the competition back then was nothing compared to what it is now, it is impossible to compare what Bill Russell did to what Emeka Okafor will do, the situation is very different.

    I don't see Okafor being a Russell type player.
     
  12. Triple Dubble

    Triple Dubble JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Exactly, the competition back then was nothing compared to what it is now, it is impossible to compare what Bill Russell did to what Emeka Okafor will do, the situation is very different.

    I don't see Okafor being a Russell type player simply for the fact that he is playing against real competition compared to Russell.</div>
    Hey, there are many Hall of Famers from those days other than Russell. It's not exactly correct to say Russell did not play against "real" competition. Anyway, sure Okafor will not dominate the game the way Russell did. But when it comes to being a player based on his defensive capabilities (intimidating, rebounding, shot blocking), I see Okafor able to excel in those areas. Like Russell did.

    So that just shows that Okafor can play center in this league. Of course, as you said, he hasn't played a single game yet in the NBA so we shouldn't assume. But with Okafor's determination, heart and maturity, he can.
     
  13. austinstoneman

    austinstoneman JBB JustBBall Member

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    I'm not at all sold on Okafor in the NBA. He is skinny and as to Ben Wallace comparisons, Wallace is a lot stronger than Okafor. He reminds me of a slightly shorter Samuel Dalembert with fewer post moves, honestly.
     
  14. Smitty

    Smitty brush em off.

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting austinstoneman:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not at all sold on Okafor in the NBA. He is skinny and as to Ben Wallace comparisons, Wallace is a lot stronger than Okafor. He reminds me of a slightly shorter Samuel Dalembert with fewer post moves, honestly.</div>

    Okafor isn't really that skinny, yeah he's nowhere near as strong as Big Ben but he's a good defender like him.
     
  15. Streetball2k5

    Streetball2k5 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting austinstoneman:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not at all sold on Okafor in the NBA. He is skinny and as to Ben Wallace comparisons, Wallace is a lot stronger than Okafor. He reminds me of a slightly shorter Samuel Dalembert with fewer post moves, honestly.</div>
    Okafor can play in the NBA I have no doubt in my mind about that, the only thing concerning me is if he can play Centre. Okafor is not skinny, he is bulked up like a PF should be and IMO he's almost as strong as Wallace. Okafor right now has the potential to be another big Ben but as of now I agree he is somewhat like Sam Dalembert. Okafor has lots of post moves I thought?
     
  16. Smitty

    Smitty brush em off.

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    Yeah thats what I thought also, he's like a slightly shorter Dalembert.
     
  17. Streetball2k5

    Streetball2k5 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Yeah, just a little bit, Okafor is 6'10 and Dalembert is 6'11, or at least that's what my research says. To me, Emeka Okafor will become the next Ben Wallace, but hey, that's just my opinion, his back could turn him into Sam Bowie Version 2.0!
     
  18. Online

    Online JBB JustBBall Member

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    I think he will do good agianst Eastern Conference Centers but What I am worried about is the play of the boards. His back is not in full strength, I think. I am worried about how is back will feel after the rough games.

    He has the body to play with anyone and as more heart than any player on the team but How do you think his back will play out?? He could miss alot of games beacuse of his back, he has the size but how will his body hold out.
     
  19. Streetball2k5

    Streetball2k5 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Online:</div><div class="quote_post">I think he will do good agianst Eastern Conference Centers but What I am worried about is the play of the boards. His back is not in full strength, I think. I am worried about how is back will feel after the rough games.

    He has the body to play with anyone and as more heart than any player on the team but How do you think his back will play out?? He could miss alot of games beacuse of his back, he has the size but how will his body hold out.</div>
    I heard his back was getting better, but he has a long way to go before he will be pain free after tough, hardnose games, which worries me. As you say Online, he has the heart and size to play the C position, but at the end of the season he could be playing with lots of pain, and that's not a good thing.

    Let's hope his back and the rest of his body holds up for the rest of his NBA career, if it does, The Charlotte Bobcats have a bright future. [​IMG]
     
  20. Moo2K4

    Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

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    I think Okafor is capable of playing center in the East. He has the size and strength to do so I think. But, against the Western conference centers, I don't think so. I think that many of them are stronger and bigger then him.
     

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