I don't know if numbers aren't your strong point, but there's a big difference between 23rd and high 70s. But anyway, Cousins is a bogus comparison. Cousins is bigger, more athletic and a better defender by far, and always has been. Nobody ever doubted Cousins' star qualities, just his attitude. Okafor had several red flags even in college. Better comparisons: David Lee, Enes Kanter (although Kanter puts up considerably better numbers) and the old fave, Al Jefferson.
Your precious stat only goes back 2.5 seasons. That was Cousins 4th year in the league. My point is that he was trending upwards. 23rd in 2013-2014. 5th in 2014-2015. 1st in 2015-2016. Since I can't look back to his rookie season, or any of his other three years in the league, it's difficult to truly match him to Okafor, but offensively their rookie stats are fairly similar. Defensively, not so much, but I stated that already earlier in the thread.
Okafor is younger than Vonleh. We all talk about giving Noah time to develop and bigs taking more time. Keep in mind that Okafor is only a rookie. And on top of that, he's playing on a messed up Philadelphia team that sucks at developing young players. I love CJ and wouldn't be shopping him. But if Okafor for CJ was actually on the table, that would be hard to pass up.
Is riverman under the impression that Davis is going to be a free agent any time soon? Because I don't think we'll be seeing him on the free agent market for at least 4-5 years. He just signed a massive extension.
What's so good about Okafor? He has a nice low post game... in a league where that doesn't matter any more. What else is he good at? He's not much of a rebounder. He's a sulker. He's an awful free-throw shooter. His body type (thick legs, big butt, limited athleticism) pretty much bars him from ever being even average at defense. And it's not like he's James Harden, where it's not so bad that he's bad at defense - you can get away with having a leaky guard, but center is the most important position on defense. Maybe you want him because of his stellar off-court behavior. I don't get it. But I guess I don't get why people keep trading for David Lee, either, especially after Golden State's meteoric improvement when they demoted him for a better defending player who doesn't have his post moves. And I seem to recall a bunch of you getting all hot and bothered about Enes Kanter over the Summer. Are you still butthurt we didn't sign him? After all, he's doing MUCH better than Okafor.
Low post game doesn't matter.... until it does again. The league constantly goes through fads. Big men will come back into style at some point. Probably as soon as a team with a dominant big man wins the championship.
Yeah, I think you have to make this deal. You can build around Okafor. The guy will anchor the front line for a decade or more. His rookie stats are incredible for a 20 year old. Kevin Durant had a 15.8 PER as a rookie compared to Okafor's 16.9. I think he's going to get a LOT better at all things and he's already NBA ready as a scorer.
But but but.... his Real Plus Minus is horrible! (as the main option on offense on one of the worst teams in the history of the NBA).
Like I said, Olshey pried CP3 from New Orleans...who knows what is possible..like all the other suggestions, Cousins isn't a guy most teams want to trade and Philly has no reason to give up on Okafor's rookie deal..a guy can dream. Personally if I imagine us winning a championship, I think a Davis, Davis front court is a winning combo
Interesting stat: Allen Crabbe was ranked 72nd last year in ORPM. He is ranked 36th this season. For those of us who are numerically deficient, that's a jump of 36 spots in one season! OMG it's a miracle!
Another one like Okafor (only better): Greg Monroe. Another guy people were wetting their pants over. Oh look, Detroit loses him for nothing... and is suddenly much better. Milwaukee lands him as their "missing piece" - and they go from defensively great, hot young team, to dreary middle-of-the-pack-in-the-East, with nobody thinking they're on the brink of anything any more. Who would've thunk it? Besides me, of course.
"Anchor" being the appropriate term. As in something that sinks like a stone and stops you going anywhere.
I dont like the idea because the way the NBA is going it seems like having great shooters is more important then big men. If we were to do this id look to turn Oakfer into trade bait to get a really good player this off season.
Totally agree, but it's easier to find a ball handler than a scorer of CJ's caliber. If CJ is theoretically replaced by a similarly competent post scorer, then the team hasn't regressed in terms of scorers who can create their own shot. That's sort of the definition of post play.
Okafor would be kick ass, CJ is better right now but Okafor will likely be the top post player offensively in the NBA by 2018-19.
