For those who are already denying Okafor (you know who you are), then take a look at this. First off, there are a few guys saying that Okafor has no chance to be great in the league. This is complete and utter ignorance to say this, based on NOTHING. Okafor has yet to play a regular season game. Some guys automatically believe that since their favorite players can't win a championship, then Okafor won't be able to, either. People doubted Michael Jordan. Emeka has defensive presence like no other out of the draft this year, and was the main reason why UConn made their comeback for the NCAA championship. Maybe even these "haters" don't realize that the Bobcats chose him for a reason for their #2 pick...that IS why they are getting paid much, much more than the fans. Doubting players that have not had the chance to prove themselves is ridiculous. The reason the Bobcats will perform poorly is because NONE of these guys have played together before (at least not on a team with 5 others from the Bobcats), and that's why it's going to be difficult for this rookie to come in and prove himself. Listen to this: "It shouldn't be difficult [to prove himself] if he doesn't have good players. It wasn't difficult for LeBron." This is a quote from a member of JBB. This member is also an Allen Iverson fan. First off...let's talk about this. I asked this same member if it was hard for Allen Iverson to prove himself, being on the Sixers...and here's his comment: "Not really. But he has better players." Okay, fair enough. So if it was so easy for LeBron, then why not Iverson? Didn't Cleveland and the Sixers fight for the playoff spot, when Iverson was still healthy (before he was injured)? What does it take to actually prove yourself? Okafor has yet to have a chance. The ONLY games he's seen with professional athletes are in Athens in the Olympics...that's it. Listen to this... "Yeah, and he s*cked." Maybe that's because he had NO experience in the league. Haters...already...on one of the best defensive players out of the draft and an NCAA champion. Emeka Okafor could score 14 PPG...or he could score 26 PPG...and what if he comes up with the ROY? What then? Watch the man. He'll be an East All-Star within a few years.
Amen. Couldn't have said it better man. Okafor is gonna be a future hall of famer, one of the best rookie big men i've seen so far, nobody shouldn't doubt his talent at all, he is gonna be a bonafide monster in a couple years.
Okafor is great, I think it's kind of strange how little we've heard about him though. I think that last year's draft was so huge that this year's draftees aren't getting the attention they deserve, sad. Emeka has a great opportunity, to make a name for himself on a team with no reputation.
There's no doubt in my mind the Emeka Okafor will be a very good player in the league. I see him being a 4 In the league. Him and Primo should be a very strong frontcourt this year. I don't t expect him to score much this year, since their are other players on the team that are offensive options before him (Wallace, Brezec, Ely), but he should still manage around 12 points and 8-9 boards this year with a around 2 and half blocks. He'll be a huge reason this year on why the Bobcats won't be giving up 100 PPG to their opponents.
I think he'll be good, great, I don't know, we're yet to see, but the only thing that boggles my mind is mmm, Okafor isn't getting any blocks in pre-season. It might be pre-season, but doesn't mean he shouldn't block any shots, I was expecting him to be swatting 1.5+ a game at least. He played 30+ minutes twice, and only got 1 block each game, and in another he had 0 His rebounding hasn't been that great either so far, but hopefully he'll start picking up...
People aren't exactly doubting him as a player with the ability to make it - they are doubting his longevity. Lets face it, he is an injury prone player and even though his back hasn't acted up on him lately, it could be a problem for the future. In no way am I trying to knock on Okafor, because we still can't judge him as an NBA player yet. The only thing we can do is wait it out and see if he remains healthy. If he stays healthy, then he will be a great player in the league and deserves to be respected. If not, then we'll know why the Magic skipped over him and went for the younger Dwight Howard. As for what you said about the teammates/ability to prove themselves- You're right. Just look at Tracy McGrady from last year. He had a successful season for himself (Much like Lebron) but his team struggled. It's very obvious the Bobcats will struggle since they are so young, but Okafor will be the bright spot on that dull roster.
man realdealbneal thats right maneveryone said he sucked in the olympics.hey i didn't even see him play in the olympics(i know he did though) but okafor will definently be a good player in the future. even a hof!
Okafor is a lot better than most of the big men to come out in the past few years, being selected to play for the olympics and being taken 2nd overall isnt easy peasy lemon squeezy. Okafor worked hard to get here and if continues to work hard he will make it far in this league, and will be a great defensive player like James Posey, Ron Artest and Ben Wallace.
