Jahlil Okafor's ceiling

[Ca$H]

Is it more like Al Jefferson or Tim Duncan?

[Milbuck]

The Duncan comparisons never made sense to me. Impact-wise Duncan is one of the most dominant defensive players of all time...Okafor will never in his life approach what Duncan was at that end.

[plowking]

The Duncan comparisons never made sense to me. Impact-wise Duncan is one of the most dominant defensive players of all time...Okafor will never in his life approach what Duncan was at that end.

He might.

[Cocaine80s]

The Duncan comparisons never made sense to me. Impact-wise Duncan is one of the most dominant defensive players of all time...Okafor will never in his life approach what Duncan was at that end.
You watched him play that much to know? Its only been like 3 games so far this year

[inclinerator]

poor man's julius randle

[outbreak]

poor man's julius randle
:no:

Okafor is already 10 times the player Randle is.

He's still too young to tell how he will pan out but he already has a well refined offensive game that doesn't rely on his size but uses foot work and a good touch which bodes well for how he will translate to the NBA. He should be able to learn how to be at least an above average defender based on his physical gifts.

[Milbuck]

You watched him play that much to know? Its only been like 3 games so far this year
Saw him live at the UW-Duke game. Sat literally 20 feet away from him. It's really not that controversial to say he's not gonna be Duncan defensively, or at all close. We're talking about the best defender of his generation, at worst 2nd. Okafor has nowhere near the explosiveness, lateral quickness, instincts, or anywhere near the defensive IQ Duncan had.

Offensively he could be incredible. But I'm 100% confident he's not going to be a dominant defensive player. And that's 50% of what made Duncan, Duncan.

[outbreak]

Saw him live at the UW-Duke game. Sat literally 20 feet away from him. It's really not that controversial to say he's not gonna be Duncan defensively, or at all close. We're talking about the best defender of his generation, at worst 2nd. Okafor has nowhere near the explosiveness, lateral quickness, instincts, or anywhere near the defensive IQ Duncan had.

Offensively he could be incredible. But I'm 100% confident he's not going to be a dominant defensive player. And that's 50% of what made Duncan, Duncan.

Sounds about right. I still think he should be a good defender but your right that Duncan was an amazing defensive player while Okafor hasn't shown signs of that yet. Towns has looked like a better offensive player at this stage.

[SwishSquared]

Didn't Duncan have overall more mobility than Okafor at the same age? I heard Okafor dropped weight over the summer, so he looks more athletic than he did his senior year, which is great for him.

I don't feel comfortable calling him the next Duncan when people say he's not special defensively or on the boards. His rebounding rate is fairly average compared to some other bigs in this draft right? He does have like a 7'6" wingspan, so that should help him become a decent defender hopefully.

He does have a really nice arsenal for his age and should be able to use both hands offensively, which will make him hard to guard. Ceiling?

A rich man's Big Al, in that he can be a better defender and use both hands? Idk. Need to watch some more of his games.

[Magic731]

:no:

Okafor is already 10 times the player Randle is.

He's still too young to tell how he will pan out but he already has a well refined offensive game that doesn't rely on his size but uses foot work and a good touch which bodes well for how he will translate to the NBA. He should be able to learn how to be at least an above average defender based on his physical gifts.
Funny because this time last year Randle was dominating with most people saying he was already better offensively than most bigs in the NBA.

[Cocaine80s]

Saw him live at the UW-Duke game. Sat literally 20 feet away from him. It's really not that controversial to say he's not gonna be Duncan defensively, or at all close. We're talking about the best defender of his generation, at worst 2nd. Okafor has nowhere near the explosiveness, lateral quickness, instincts, or anywhere near the defensive IQ Duncan had.

Offensively he could be incredible. But I'm 100% confident he's not going to be a dominant defensive player. And that's 50% of what made Duncan, Duncan.
Idk hes only 18 though


Whos knows, I dont know how how good Duncan was in college

[hawksdogsbraves]

Idk hes only 18 though


Whos knows, I dont know how how good Duncan was in college

Duncan was freaking amazing in college.

I agree with Milbuck, Okafor just doesn't seem to have the athleticism that I'd want to see from a real superstar type big man. He just looks a step slow.

Idk I've only watched 2 Duke games this year, and he's honestly played pretty well in both, but I just haven't been all that impressed. He seems a half-step slower than what I expect from a prospect of his caliber, despite his good stats.

Like, when you watched Anthony Davis play in college, you could tell you were really seeing something special because of the way he would explode for those blocks. He would regularly step out and get blocks on guards and wings shooting 3's and it was a real 'wow' moment because that just isn't something a normal player can do. With Okafor, I don't get that sense from any part of his game.

Idk though, I look forward to watching him more.

[wakencdukest]

Funny because this time last year Randle was dominating with most people saying he was already better offensively than most bigs in the NBA.

I'd take Okafor over Randle right now, based on a few games. He's got a post game that is probably more well developed than Randle's will ever be. Randle puts the ball on the floor and faces up almost every time he touches it, on top of that he doesn't really play above the rim.

[kurple]

higher than anyone in the 2014 draft not named joel embiid

[IGOTGAME]

He might.

no, he wont. not ever, not even close.

[plowking]

no, he wont. not ever, not even close.

Just maybe though.

[kunk75]

slightly less plodding jefferson with nowhere near as good post moves.

[AboutBuckets]

He runs the floor well but doesn't explode in the half court. I like that he trusts his post game as opposed to trying to jack up jumpshots like a lot of big men these days, if he stays true to his strong suits and keeps developing his post game and the passing once he begins to demand double teams he can definitely be a perennial All-Star.

The Al Jefferson comparisons aren't fair yet, Okafor (while obviously not as gifted as Davis) gives an honest effort on defense. Nobody was hyping him to have Davis-level defensive impact.

Also, as always, these kids aren't even old enough to drink legally so it's way, way too early to tell

[AboutBuckets]

higher than anyone in the 2014 draft not named joel embiid

:cheers: :banana:

[Sarcastic]

It's way too early to speculate on him. He's averaging 17/8 on 65% so far. Duncan's freshman year stats were 10/10 on 54%.

I doubt he will be as good as Duncan, but putting a cap on him this early is just not fair. The age when players really start to blossom is usually around 20 or 21 years old.

[Kingwillball]

Dude has terrible hops not a good defender and limited at this stage offensively so yeah relax he is no Anthony brow Davis.

[hateraid]

JR Reid

[hoopslife]

Vucevic with a slightly better offensive game. Defense and rebounding could be comparable.

[Magic731]

I'd take Okafor over Randle right now, based on a few games. He's got a post game that is probably more well developed than Randle's will ever be. Randle puts the ball on the floor and faces up almost every time he touches it, on top of that he doesn't really play above the rim.
I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, just pointing out that this exact time last year Randle had had some huge games and people on this very board were saying he would already have been one of the best offensive big men in the NBA.

[GOBB]

Vucevic with a slightly better offensive game. Defense and rebounding could be comparable.

:biggums:

[hateraid]

Funny because this time last year Randle was dominating with most people saying he was already better offensively than most bigs in the NBA.

Prospects are like new cars. They're over valued on the sales floor but are immediately depreciated when you drive them off the lot.
It wouldn't suprise me Okafor worked out to be the next JR Reid or Eddy Curry.
A big who is limited defensively is generally unsuccessful in the NBA.
He'll be good. But the comparisons are beyond expectations IMO.

This time last year Randle was the next Chris Webber. Something to mull over

[wakencdukest]

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, just pointing out that this exact time last year Randle had had some huge games and people on this very board were saying he would already have been one of the best offensive big men in the NBA.


Yeah, you're right. I just can't see why people were so hyped about Randle. He definitely ain't the next Webber.

[Rameek]

Not even a month into the season and people are making bold and outlandish predictions. Lets see how he fairs in January (nice competitive month for Duke) and the NCAA tournament.:facepalm