Who's it going to be, Towns or Okafor at #1?

[RonSpringsdaman20]

One thing about Okafor to L.A. If he goes there, that's probably the one franchise that would commit to using him as a true back to the basket, post center. I think they would commit to running the offense through him. JMO

they will.... if they draft him, they could sure use a Taj Gibson/ Larry Nance type to go next to him.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

they will.... if they draft him, they could sure use a Taj Gibson/ Larry Nance type to go next to him.

I would not be surprised to see them go after one of the defensive centers later in the draft.

That guy could be somebody like DeAndre Jordan as well.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

I would not be surprised to see them go after one of the defensive centers later in the draft.

That guy could be somebody like DeAndre Jordan as well.

I think whomever goes next to Okafor is not only going have to be able to defend the basket, but hit the mid range.. a la Taj, Larry Nance, Ibaka.... etc...
Okafor is not going too far away from the basket on O, & can't defend 4's or rim protect well from what we've seen in college.... he carries a lot of weight, and doesn't have the fleetest foot, so I can't see him chasing down anyone on the perimeter... and I can see him being placed in pick and rolls defensively a lot. Kid better start making his free throws as well... "Hack-a-Okafor" is right around the corner.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think whomever goes next to Okafor is not only going have to be able to defend the basket, but hit the mid range.. a la Taj, Larry Nance, Ibaka.... etc...
Okafor is not going too far away from the basket on O, & can't defend 4's or rim protect well from what we've seen in college.... he carries a lot of weight, and doesn't have the fleetest foot, so I can't see him chasing down anyone on the perimeter... and I can see him being placed in pick and rolls defensively a lot. Kid better start making his free throws as well... "Hack-a-Okafor" is right around the corner.

Maybe but remember, they still have Randle who can hit the medium jumper and they have a high 2nd round pick as well. I expect that they might be interested in a guy like Jimmy Butler in FA.

BTW, nice sig and avi.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Maybe but remember, they still have Randle who can hit the medium jumper and they have a high 2nd round pick as well. I expect that they might be interested in a guy like Jimmy Butler in FA.

I'm a Randle fan... but thats a very poor defensive front line with him and Okafor..
LAL has a late first and a high second I believe.... Ronde Hollis Jefferson and Rakeem Christmas would look good in LAL uniforms.

edit: yes... gotta give respect to dusty

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I'm a Randle fan... but thats a very poor defensive front line with him and Okafor..
LAL has a late first and a high second I believe.... Ronde Hollis Jefferson and Rakeem Christmas would look good in LAL uniforms.

I'm thinking some combination of Defensive Center/PF and a guy like Jefferson or Vaughn.

 

[jterrell]

Russell cancels workout with Philly?? Weird.

 

[jterrell]

Maybe but remember, they still have Randle who can hit the medium jumper and they have a high 2nd round pick as well. I expect that they might be interested in a guy like Jimmy Butler in FA.

BTW, nice sig and avi.

jimmy butler? he is not going to leave chicago only to go to a dumpster fire for the lakers.

LAL has to build something and anything resembling a max guy going to them would be both a shock and detrimental to LAL for the following season's cap.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

jimmy butler? he is not going to leave chicago only to go to a dumpster fire for the lakers.

LAL has to build something and anything resembling a max guy going to them would be both a shock and detrimental to LAL for the following season's cap.

We don't know what players are going to do. Money talks and who knows what happens there?

The Lakers have consistently maintained that they would not be opposed to signing a Max player if he fit into their long term plans. Apparently they really like Jimmy Butler. Now, will he come, that's a different discussion but I don't know that he will or will not.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Not surprising... wouldn't be surprised if He becomes a top 4 pick...
It's never as clear cut as most would think...
from his tape, he looks really talented for someone with his height.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

And Embiid's healing process is not where Philly would like it..
:/
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source...suffers-setback-with-left-foot-014042190.html

 

[jterrell]

We don't know what players are going to do. Money talks and who knows what happens there?

The Lakers have consistently maintained that they would not be opposed to signing a Max player if he fit into their long term plans. Apparently they really like Jimmy Butler. Now, will he come, that's a different discussion but I don't know that he will or will not.

Butler is going to get MULTIPLE max offers. So it won't be money talking.
CHI is reportedly offering him their 5 year max which no one else could touch and comes from a playoff team.
Butler was the Bulls best player this year and definitely so in the playoffs.
It will almost certainly be a choice of destination/situation.

Wishing people to the Lakers doesn't get them there.

Right now that team has an aging and injured contract albatross and ball hog who can no longer defend.
An injured and unproven lottery pick and a very high pick on the way.
The youth is probably is 3 or 4 years away from playoff caliber and the cap doesn't really help for at least one more season.

the kind of big contract guys that went to bad teams: Josh McRoberts, Gordon Hayward, Lance Stevenson

That's about it. Even guys like Trevor Ariza and Chandler Parsons got big money for playoff type teams.
The Lakers didn't did accidentally end up with the 2nd pick.
That is a team at rock bottom starting over.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Butler is going to get MULTIPLE max offers. So it won't be money talking.
CHI is reportedly offering him their 5 year max which no one else could touch and comes from a playoff team.
Butler was the Bulls best player this year and definitely so in the playoffs.
It will almost certainly be a choice of destination/situation.

Wishing people to the Lakers doesn't get them there.

Right now that team has an aging and injured contract albatross and ball hog who can no longer defend.
An injured and unproven lottery pick and a very high pick on the way.
The youth is probably is 3 or 4 years away from playoff caliber and the cap doesn't really help for at least one more season.

the kind of big contract guys that went to bad teams: Josh McRoberts, Gordon Hayward, Lance Stevenson

That's about it. Even guys like Trevor Ariza and Chandler Parsons got big money for playoff type teams.
The Lakers didn't did accidentally end up with the 2nd pick.
That is a team at rock bottom starting over.

Teams usually plan in a 3-5 year cycle. To judge the Lakers for this year, would be wrong imo.
Kobe's contract is only one year, I don't see it as a burden to the overall plan, just this year, which is a rebuilding year.
The Lakers will be ok.... its gonna take a few years.... but good organizations are good for a reason. You may not trust them, but that doesn't mean their fans shouldn't. They have done it before.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Butler is going to get MULTIPLE max offers. So it won't be money talking.
CHI is reportedly offering him their 5 year max which no one else could touch and comes from a playoff team.
Butler was the Bulls best player this year and definitely so in the playoffs.
It will almost certainly be a choice of destination/situation.

Wishing people to the Lakers doesn't get them there.

Right now that team has an aging and injured contract albatross and ball hog who can no longer defend.
An injured and unproven lottery pick and a very high pick on the way.
The youth is probably is 3 or 4 years away from playoff caliber and the cap doesn't really help for at least one more season.

the kind of big contract guys that went to bad teams: Josh McRoberts, Gordon Hayward, Lance Stevenson

That's about it. Even guys like Trevor Ariza and Chandler Parsons got big money for playoff type teams.
The Lakers didn't did accidentally end up with the 2nd pick.
That is a team at rock bottom starting over.

Why do you do this JT. Nobody is wishing players to the Lakers. I simply said that the Lakers are very interested in him and would offer him a Max deal if they could sign him. You are the one who said the Lakers would not do that because the don't want to spend cap. This is not true. If the Lakers thought they could sign a player that fit into their long term plans, they would. You are the one who is supporting the whole "wish players to Lakers" thing. Nobody is saying that. Just stop with that. All it does is ruin a perfectly good discussion.

They are picking 2nd for a reason but it's foolish to think that just because they are picking at the top of the draft, they can't put together a good team. That's just ridiculous. Lakers were 21-61 this past season. In 2012, Golden State was 23-43. In 2013, Cavs were 24-58 and years prior, they had even worse records. It's foolish to say that the Lakers can not bring in decent players or change fortune through the draft. Both teams playing for the Championship right now have done it in just the past few years.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

We don't know what players are going to do. Money talks and who knows what happens there?

The Lakers have consistently maintained that they would not be opposed to signing a Max player if he fit into their long term plans. Apparently they really like Jimmy Butler. Now, will he come, that's a different discussion but I don't know that he will or will not.

you'll like this ABQ
As Butler spends time in Los Angeles this summer, a stretch that’s included an overseas “Entourage” promotional jaunt with producer Mark Wahlberg, Butler’s intrigue with signing a potential Los Angeles Lakers offer sheet has increased, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source...rsue-shorter-term-offer-sheets-212134060.html

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

you'll like this ABQ
As Butler spends time in Los Angeles this summer, a stretch that’s included an overseas “Entourage” promotional jaunt with producer Mark Wahlberg, Butler’s intrigue with signing a potential Los Angeles Lakers offer sheet has increased, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source...rsue-shorter-term-offer-sheets-212134060.html

Well, this is what I've heard for some time. The Lakers really like Butler and have interest in signing him, if possible. This doesn't mean he will do it or that they have him locked up but they are for sure interested.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

double post?

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Well, this is what I've heard for some time. The Lakers really like Butler and have interest in signing him, if possible. This doesn't mean he will do it or that they have him locked up but they are for sure interested.

He's interested as well.. and it make sense.. Most Great/ Very Good players are historians... they respect legacy. Butler knows what LA has to offer. To win and be mentioned next to West, Stilt, Magic, Kareem, Shaq, Kobe (not comparing him of course)... that holds more significance than some are willing to admit... thats why so little teams actually win championships in Football, & Basketball..... Good organization are just that... Good organizations.

 

[Christiann]

Very torn between Okafor or Russell at #2.