What are your thoughts on him? Is he a classic example of the "2 pick curse" (I don't think so) or is he going to get healthy and pan out, and be a future All-Star? When healthy, he is a very vaulable player. He is a very good rebounder, very very strong, a banger, good defensive low post player, and he is humble. He also is a very hard worker and an overall good individual person who values his teammates, family, and friends. Sure he could use work on the offensive end, but if he gets healthy, that will come in time.But, he has serious ankle problems and has sprained both ankles more than once. For a big man, that is not a good sign, and he (along with my boy Big Al Jefferson) need to learn to tape there ankles. But the point is, he has missed 65 games in his first 2 NBA seasons. That is not good. How serious do you think this will be in the future and how do you think it will affect Emeka's career? Do you think he will eventually overcome this, return to form, and develope into an All-Star? Or do you think his career is going to be vastly slowed down the whole way through?
Alot of people get slowed down drastically from injuries like this and it even ends careers for others. I'm not sure how he will play this upcoming season following that injury but he is a great player when he is on the floor.Emeka certainly seemed like the best pick at the time for the Bobcats. If I remember right people said he was the best choice for the present while Dwight will be better in the future. I don't see him being a bad pick though, I can see him recovering from his inujury and playing well once again. However, I don't see him being All-Star level just yet, it takes lots of times to overcome serious injuries.Amare is another example of a bad injury, it isn't sure how he will play again with the injury he suffered this season.
He seems like a guy who is always going to be injured, I don't know if his injuries were the reason he shot 41% this year or not. But if his injuries take a back season this next season he should go back to doing what he did his rookie season which is 15/11. But everyones forgotten about him because he's playing in a small city and was hurt this year. I'm a Okafor supporter and hope he comes back fine this year.
He would be a great player, but unfortunately the injuries will really slow him down, possibly to a stop. It's a damn shame.
He is obviously not that great offensively. He doesnt have a mid-range. Not too many post moves, etc..He is a good defender though. He can give you 10 rebounds, 1 or 2 blocks. I dont think he will ever be an all star though, because his offense wont be enough
Tell that to Ben Wallace. I know that's a little different, but i'm just saying that you don't have to be all that great on offense to get into the asg. Unfortunately, he'll probably never be healthy long enough to make it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CB4AllStar @ Jun 5 2006, 11:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He is obviously not that great offensively. He doesnt have a mid-range. Not too many post moves, etc..He is a good defender though. He can give you 10 rebounds, 1 or 2 blocks. I dont think he will ever be an all star though, because his offense wont be enough</div>Once again, a post drawn from ignorant media depictions. You guys do realize he averaged 15 PPG in his rookie year, and 13 this season with an injured back. If I'm not mistaken, he averaged 20 PPG his senior year at UConn. Explain to me how the guy gives you very little offense?Again: This for yourselfs. Just because the media says he can't score doesn't mean it's true. I'd take a 15 Point scorer at center anyday!
He got the ball a ton on the Bobcats. It's really not that impressive to score 15 ppg in your rookie season, when you get the ball just about every play. He doesnt have very good post moves, not a good shot. He shot a very poor percentage. I dont see him ever averaging more than maybe 17-18 ppg.
I never said he had "very little" offense. I said that his offense was not great. His inside game isnt polished, bad shot, shot a very low percentage for a PF/C last year. I said he is not that great offensively. That is true, whether you want to argue with me or not.
Okafor's offense isn't terrible, but it's also nothing to write home about. He does have more offensive post skills than people give him credit for, I will say. He is extremely strong and uses every oz. of muscle to get to the basket for an easy shot. He does that. He has the ability to muscle a lot people under the basket, making it easier for him to score.
Is he really injury prone guys? He had a healthy rookie season and this past year, he came back too early from his ankle injury and forced the action that made him sit out the rest of the year. I don't see how you label injury prone for that. Including his back injury during college, he's had zero back problems in the NBA so far. I think some of you are jumping the gun.
What I always do is just forget about 2nd years. The Sophmore year is the unluckiest for a lot of athletes so I just wait until year 3 to really make my decision, especially if they were successful in their rookie year. I think Okafor will be fine and have a good career.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Jun 5 2006, 02:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Is he really injury prone guys? He had a healthy rookie season and this past year, he came back too early from his ankle injury and forced the action that made him sit out the rest of the year. I don't see how you label injury prone for that. Including his back injury during college, he's had zero back problems in the NBA so far. I think some of you are jumping the gun.</div>He had back and ankle problems all through college as well.
Not many players come into the league with a great inside offensive game, Emeka got 15ppg his rookie season, I don't see how thats not that good considering it was his first year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>He had back and ankle problems all through college as well.</div> He's yet to have back problems in the NBA, and his ankle injury was a accident, it happens. He made the mistake in coming back early, still no reason to lament his career in the NBA so far as injury prone.
When I look at him I see the future of the Bobacats, however this depends on how his future goes talking about injuries and developement. I don't see him reaching his full potential on the cats, but i don't see him being traded either, very sticky situation.
I know there are many who fall into this category:When the Magic took Howard No. 1, I called them stupid. "Take Okafor, he's proven, he's great. Forget about this kid who dunks on 5-foot-tall white guys."Then, I ate my words, because now, nobody in their right mind would want Okafor over Howard. Anyone else fall into that category and feel like owning up to it?
Eh, Dirk had 17.5 ppg in his first full season. I'm not saying he's the rule rather than the exception, but if someone has the basic tools and the drive (and stays uninjured), they'll work out most likely.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Mavs Man @ Jun 7 2006, 02:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I know there are many who fall into this category:When the Magic took Howard No. 1, I called them stupid. "Take Okafor, he's proven, he's great. Forget about this kid who dunks on 5-foot-tall white guys."Then, I ate my words, because now, nobody in their right mind would want Okafor over Howard. Anyone else fall into that category and feel like owning up to it?</div>As a Magic fan, i will own up to it and say that i said the same thing when the Magic drafted Howard over Okafor. At the time i really wanted Okafor from the way he was so dominant in college, i felt he would do the same in the NBA, and i'm pretty sure that is what Tracy Mcgrady wanted at the time. As for how he will do, i think he will turn out to be just fine. He did get injured this season, and he isn't overly great on offense but i really think he will work on his offense this off season, and every off season. I think if Brand can develop a very nice mid range jumper, and low post moves, then Okafor can do the same thing. Maybe not at the same level as Elton Brand can, but i think he can improve to a 19-20 point per game scorer for the Bobcats, especially as Felton gets better at point guard, and is able to feed him the ball better down low.
