Update- Marc Gasol is getting his ankle re-taped and will return for @memgrizz— Rob Fischer (@thefishnation) April 12, 2015
The GSW and Memphis will face off in a few days, which will IMO be the deciding game for the no. 2 spot. As it stand the Grizzlies, Spurs and Clippers all have the same record, with the Rockets just .5 games behind. I hate divisions. Since when does a team that has won 3 games less than 3 other teams deserve to have homecourt?
I don't watch college ball. Just highlights etc Can't judge a college player till I've seen them in the nba really Sometimes players become really good who aren't top 10 picks so it very much is a lottery
Duncan is the best PF of all time if I had to start a franchise I would pick Duncan first from all past or current HOF players and yes that includes Jordan and LBJ. To have A big who is that talented offensively, great defender but overall a great leader and person cannot be matched. To even compare Oakafor to Duncan at this point or any point is crazy!!! Oakafor got schooled by Kaminsky a guy who won't even last 3 years in the NBA.
So I know Portland is locked into the 4th seed since they will win the Northwest divison but because they will have a lower record then the 5th seed does that mean they do not get homecourt in the 1st round.
Yep, whoever has the best record holds homecourt. The 4th seed is just locked so they can't drop into a 1vs 8 matchup.
You don't seem to be responding to my posts - like discussions where someone evokes a great player in describing someone's developing game and then the argument can't get away from the comparison. I didn't say I think he will be as good as Duncan - but I'm telling you that people think his offense is ahead of where Duncan was at a similar stage in his development. He should be a very effective offensive pro player if he has the work ethic to go with the talent - that's a big if. So is whether he can stay healthy. But a big man with size and offensive skill can go far in the playoffs.
Without wanting to re-read paragraphs on Okafor, what are the problems people find with Okafor? He's the best player in the draft IMO.
He sucks on defence and is a meh defensive rebounder and we're not sure to what extent the defensive problems are fixable. He also currently has problems with scoring on NBA-calibre athletes at center like Utah's Poetl, although IMO these problems are much more fixable. I'd say he projects as something like Al Jefferson in the NBA. Is Al Jefferson worth a 1st overall pick? Particularly when you have a much better defensive prospect with almost as much offensive potential as Okafor in Towns?
First of all, you definitely can be elite in this league without being crazy good on defense - just ask guys like Amar'e Stoudemire, Melo, KD, or Nowitzki. I've never heard this theory that offense is easier to learn in the pros than defense? Really? Defensive improvement is usually about effort - even guys like Melo can be passable when he cares to try. And Harden apparently has been better than awful this year. Try teaching big men what Okafor can do with either hand on offense - let's see how far you get. Teach Tyson Chandler to do anything but dunk? How about Dwight Howard? Here's another example of a big man improving on D: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...in-the-east-with-an-assist-from-patrick-ewing
WTF? onefineesq is a cool guy - and even if he wasn't we don't allow personal attacks if that's what that was.
Another big man who improved on defense apparently: http://hardwoodparoxysm.com/2014/09...dcats-defense-shot-blocking-demarcus-cousins/
Yes and no. I think he was extremely good early on in his career - whether he would have the titles and longevity? I'm not so sure.
His lack of lateral quickness and slowfootedness, which makes him generally a step behind the play, whether it's getting burned on the pick-and-roll, or being slow to help contain dribble penetration. His lack of awareness and effort at times compounds the problem. He's not a great rim protector, despite his wingspan and size, and he particularly struggles with guys that are able to face him up and drive past him. He's also not a very physical defender and often doesn't use his strength to its full extent when defending in the post.
Lol slime = bro. That reaction is priceless. All this Okafor hate. Shameful. Towns is the reverse Okafor, good D, has like one move on O (the hook) with a decent to below average mid range shot and pass. Can't create his own space or shot down low and goes cold for stretches a lot.
Yet you don't doubt Towns' defensive ability? Why not? I also strongly disagree that Okafor is slow footed. He can get to the baseline whenever the hell he wants on offense because he is quick. He can make multiple moves happen in the low post because of the agility and light feet. You can't be agile and quick on one end and not the other. His issues are mental in terms of understanding how to play there etc..
Yeah, he isn't able to pull off the stuff he did at Whitney Young at Duke, but probably will in the NBA.