Ok, explain why you Minn would pick Okafor over KAT?

[BlueCat43]

What? In what scenario is a great player not a "star player"? I would assume being a great player is the prerequisite for being a "star."

I think he is talking about a start player more in the context of how he is used by the team (offense run through him, etc.) as supposed to the players abilities independent of the team. Kevin Love is a great example to me. In Minnesota he was a star because he got a lot of touches and much of the offense relied upon him. Now, fast-forward to him on the Cavs and he is not really a star but more of a high-caliber role player. It is not that his ability is less now but rather how he fits into the philosophy of the team.

 

[coolcat9lives]

I think he is talking about a star player more in the context of how he is used by the team (offense run through him, etc.) as supposed to the players abilities independent of the team. Kevin Love is a great example to me. In Minnesota he was a star because he got a lot of touches and much of the offense relied upon him. Now, fast-forward to him on the Cavs and he is not really a star but more of a high-caliber role player. It is not that his ability is less now but rather how he fits into the philosophy of the team.

Thanks @BlueCat43! I get ahead of myself sometimes and fail to explain my points fully.

 

[coolcat9lives]

There is a big difference between good and great. Al Jefferson is not a great player. He's a very good player, but definitely not great.

Your argument makes sense if a team considers two players available to be similar in abilities. For example, if Minnesota projects Okafor and Towns to both be perennial all-stars, then yeah, they pick the best fit. If they project Towns to be a top 5 player in the NBA and Okafor to be an Al Jefferson type big, then in no circumstance would a team pick Okafor. I don't care if they think he's a better fit, style wise.

I'm saying that if Minnesota is considering taking Okafor over Towns, then they believe both to be future stars. You're saing they would consider Okafor because he's a better fit, even though they believe Towns is the better player, which I don't think is the case.

I definitely think the word "enamored" could explain all of this. If Flip Saunders is enamored with Okafor it could cause him to throw conventional wisdom to the wind. I'm just saying I don't think every NBA team in the lottery, even the team with the #1 pick, always looks for the best player available. If so, these teams wouldn't spend so many years in the lottery. They would draft the best available asset and leverage him to improve their team if he didn't fit no matter what the players potential was.

I agree that my use of the word "great" may have muddled my argument. So let me try something else. Let's just say KAT goes #1 to Minny and D'angelo Russell goes #2 to LA. Do the Sixers draft Jahlil Okafor because he is the best player available even though they have two centers on their team? Probably not. My point being is that these teams look at way more that best player available when drafting. Just my opinion.

 

[Hoskins91]

The Lakers have a history of overcoming adversity and landing on their feet. Minnesota has no history of winning at all. I'd be fine with Towns going to Los Angeles or New York. It would be cool to see a UK guy with a shot to re-kindle a huge market franchise with great history. Much better than going anywhere like Minnesota, Denver, Utah, Orlando or Detroit. At least in Phoenix, Sacramento, Philadelphia or Charlotte, it gives us a few UK guys to root for.

I'd much rather him play for Detroit than LA or New York. I trust Van Gundy to turn things around there.

 

[Catzman]

The difference between their offensive scoring abilities and rebounding is not as big as the difference in their defense and athleticism. Per 48 minutes in a game okafor might outdo karl by a couple points and boards but as a whole on defense karl is miles ahead of okafor. As good as jahlil is he's not head and shoulders above towns who can't be stopped with his baby hook and he's nowhere near a match for KATs jumper. He's just as likely to average 15 and 10 his first year as okafor.

 

[TheOtherGreatOne]

Flip wants a center that can't guard anyone

 

[bucsrule8872]

To me they are fairly even offensively.

Two things make KAT more appealing, IMHO:

1. Defense- KAT plays D, Okafor doesn't. You've got to defend at the NBA level.

2. Free Throw shooting. KAT makes his free throws, Okafor doesn't. In the "Hack-a-Shaq/Howard" era of the NBA, that is a huge advantage for a big man.

 

[king of cali]

Flip wants a center that can't guard anyone

They have an elite defensive center in Pekovic(sp). Maybe they see Okafor as a 4?

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

I can't see KAT falling to #2. I hope he does go to the Lakers though so he can team up with JR. Some people think that Okafor is the more polished offensive post player so they could plug and play him for 15 and 10 right away. But yes, KAT is a future HOFer if he stays healthy, IMO.

Future Hall of Famer? I'm not so sure about that just yet. That's a pretty big shoe to fill, even for a guy with the foot size of KAT. LOL! I truly hope you are correct, as I'm a huge KAT fan but I wouldn't go that far just yet. I think he will be an multiple All-Star caliber player in a couple to three years but I just haven't seen that Hall of Famer type play from him yet. Again, I could be wrong and I would be tickled to death to be wrong on this but I just haven't seen it yet from him. Let me come back and answer this in a couple years and hopefully my opinion would be different. However, you did say it was your opinion and you're definitely entitled to that.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

I'm sitting here watching AD highlights on the DP show, and tell me which guy is more favorable to the skillset of AD?

I like Okafor, but the ceiling IMO is higher on KAT as far as impacting a game.

I'm sure most here will favor KAT, but it's almost funny to think that Okafor is rated even with KAT. I see Okafor as Carmelo Anthony in the post.
The Lakers would be elated to see KAT fall to 2.

Isn't this a question for the Duke board? I doubt many on here will make any legit arguments for Okafor.

 

[musrat59]

I am far from being a big NBA fan, but I think the Lakers would be the best fit for Karl.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

The only reason is because they traditionally make awful draft decisions. Towns is superior in every way except true post scoring ability. Even that's close, and I expect Kat to quickly overcome that minor disadvantage.

As another poster said, they'd actually be better off trading down. They have their star. And 2 consecutive #1 picks really ties up alot of payroll.

 

[1war]

The only reason is because they traditionally make awful draft decisions. Towns is superior in every way except true post scoring ability. Even that's close, and I expect Kat to quickly overcome that minor disadvantage.

As another poster said, they'd actually be better off trading down. They have their star. And 2 consecutive #1 picks really ties up alot of payroll.

They SHOULD draft KAT ,and you need two stars to compete for titles.Two consecutive number 1 picks doesnt tie up alot of payroll, it's actually very payroll friendly assuming they live up to the number 1 pick status. It doesnt tie up payroll until the second contract and if they are max contract players by then,you would gladly pay two max contracts.If they can get a star that's what they should do, the question is who do THEY beleive is a future star.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Coach K is a great coach, but his track record concerning players in the pros is less than stellar.

They should take that into account.

Of course, we are talking about the T-Wolves, so they will find a way to mess it up.

 

[KMKAT]

But after trying to look after this in a neutral manner, you have KAT, who is much closer to KG than Okafor will ever dream of being, and KG is there to instill his knowledge.
Minny might simply be blowing a smokescreen, but it sounds like Flip absolutely would take Okafor.

Reminds me of the 2011 draft, when no one knew who CLE would take......we heard maybe Nerlens, even injured, but they took Bennett. What a huge mistake! Nerlens is coming around, and ready to be the centerpiece for Philly if losing doesn't affect him too much.

 

[fatguy87]

It would not surprise me at all if Flip Saunders favors Okafor. Flip is old school so he is probably enamored with Okafor's proficiency in the post.

 

[lacocat]

I can't wait to see Kat wherever he goes, be it with Wiggins or Randle. I'd pick Kat over Okafor, better defense, and Okafors poor free throw shooting is a liability, can almost play hack-a-Okafor especially in late game scenarios.

 

[lacocat]

But after trying to look after this in a neutral manner, you have KAT, who is much closer to KG than Okafor will ever dream of being, and KG is there to instill his knowledge.
Minny might simply be blowing a smokescreen, but it sounds like Flip absolutely would take Okafor.

Reminds me of the 2011 draft, when no one knew who CLE would take......we heard maybe Nerlens, even injured, but they took Bennett. What a huge mistake! Nerlens is coming around, and ready to be the centerpiece for Philly if losing doesn't affect him too much.

2013 draft and yea, Bennett pick was awful

 

[WildMoon]

There isn't a good reason to pick Okafor over KAT if you are Minn. KAT is exactly the type of center you want moving forward. He fits much better with the current pieces they already have.

And it's not even about who'll be better player in the League. KAT just fits much better and will be an all-star.