The biggest difference between Okafor and Al Jefferson is passing ability

[Purch]

Since this is the most common comparison I see for Okafor... I'd like to adress it..

Whiles Al Jefferon was always a great post player, with great potential... His biggest issue on the Timberwolves was that he was a Black hole, and he was an awful passer. So everytime he would get double teamed he'd either put up a bad shot attemp, turn the ball over, or pass it out way to late in the clock. This made it easy for teams to to limit his impact, and completely shut down his teams offense. It also made him very inefficient for a post player of his caliber. Even though he improved on this on the Jazz and the Hornets, it's still been his biggest issue.

However, Okafor is just as strong of a post player, but is also a great passer on top of it. By being a great passer he'll be able to go 1 on 1 more often and score more efficiently than Jefferson. This is because when you can make the correct pass and read double teams, it makes defenses play you straight up. Because of this Okafor will be a much more efficient scorer than Jefferson.

Jefferson had all the potential in the world, but his passing has limited him his whole career. Okafor can be the kind of scorer Jefferson could have been if that wasn't an issue

[Ca$H]

Agreed. Okafor is a great passer. If he could improve his defense and free throw shooting to mediocre then he will be a top 15 player eventually.

[FireDavidKahn]

Jefferson also has a jumpshot and is a better rebounder. Pretty much a wash.

[Purch]

I'd say it's in Okafor's favor once you realize that he's much more effective drawing fouls than Jefferson. Jeffersons post moves always took him away from contact, especially his push shot. Okafor drew a lot more contact on average.

Also it'll be easier for Okafor to develop into an averge shooter , than it was for Jefferson to become a decent passer. He really struggled with it for such a long time

[christian1923]

Al Jefferson didn't have moves like Okafor at 19. He's still got a lot of developing to do

[Purch]

Al Jefferson didn't have moves like Okafor at 19. He's still got a lot of developing to do

I would say he didn't have moves... There was a reason Minny traded with Boston instead of the Lakers for KG. Al Jeffeson was great in the post, but I don't think he was as polished as Okafor was, and he never learned how to use his post game to consistently get to the line

[chips93]

I dont think okafor gets enough credit for his efficiency. He shot 65% from the field despite being the clear cut number one option on offense, and the focus of oppossing teams defensive game plan every night.

[GimmeThat]

just remember that under the Mikan rule, they are both Centers

[chocolatethunder]

I'd say it's in Okafor's favor once you realize that he's much more effective drawing fouls than Jefferson. Jeffersons post moves always took him away from contact, especially his push shot. Okafor drew a lot more contact on average.

Also it'll be easier for Okafor to develop into an averge shooter , than it was for Jefferson to become a decent passer. He really struggled with it for such a long time
Yeah but he can't shoot free throws so who cares how much he gets fouled. I agree that he's an excellent passer but he needs to get fitter and learn how to play D, get a 15ft jumper and shoot FTs.