Okafor trending down, KAT trending up

CatBallou252

Redshirt
Dec 22, 2014
244
6
0
Many analysts are talking about Towns being the #1 pick in the NBA draft now. And with Duke taking another bad loss, that talk is getting louder....
 

UK’98UK’00

All-Conference
Mar 29, 2014
3,159
1,379
86
But okafor won't be a one and done, he's at dook. If he did come out, he'd be #1 because he's money at the free throw line. No wait, um nm.
 

MojoYamamoto

All-Conference
Jan 12, 2013
4,110
4,098
113
I think that one of the things that separates the two the most is KAT's athleticism. He is much more athletic than Okafor. While Okafor is the more polished offensive player, I feel KAT is a more well rounded player. I think both will be good NBA players though. I just think KAT has a higher ceiling. But I may be a little biased. I also haven't seen many Duke games this year and the ones I have seen they have been playing teams with undersized front lines. I would like to see Okafor go against some quality bigs.
 

BigBlueFanGA

Heisman
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,456
0
It isn't his college stats, it's his NBA level limitations that are changing things. He can bully in college, not in the NBA. If that is gone, what is he going to do? KAT's ceiling is simply much higher.
 

UKallDay

Senior
Dec 15, 2006
3,779
489
0
I'd bet the farm Okafor pulls a Jabari Parker after the NCAA's and pretends he wants to stay in school another year because Duke is so awesome and Coach K is like a father....blah, blah, blah.......then declares for the draft at the last minute.
 

UK’98UK’00

All-Conference
Mar 29, 2014
3,159
1,379
86
Towns can block, catch the lob dunk, has great offensive moves, runs the floor well, great hands,....why does he not seem athletic to me? Eh, I know, seems dumb.
 

AnarchoNeoLuddite_rivals

All-Conference
Dec 14, 2003
15,806
4,814
0
Okafor feasted on a very weak ND frontline, very weak. He hasnt domintated vs guys big and athletic. Miami, Uconn, UNC and other teams with guys like that he has been good but not studly.
 

reignof cats

Redshirt
Apr 4, 2012
5,163
24
0
JO can not make FT'sJO does not play defenseJO is protected by acc Refs
KAT can make FT'sKAT can play defenseKAT is not protected by refs
KAT gets the advantage of playing elite kids in practice everyday. UK's pro day set up a baseline at the start of the season. Pro scouts can see the improvement if I can.

JO plays against Plumblee every day in practice. I don't see much improvement in JO game from start to finish. JO can score down low in college. Can he operate in the nba like this?? He is not going to get the MJ or Kobe whistle in the league. Where is the improvement in his overall game??? He is a 2-4 year project player in the nba. Winslow is probably the best pro ready prospect that dook has got this year? GBB
 

LostinIndiana

Junior
Mar 23, 2003
1,255
390
0
If anyone played KAT like the Irish did Okafor last night he would have gone for 50. Their game plan was to cover the three point shooters and let Duke feast on the inside. Anymore if Karl isn't double teamed in the post it's good night Margie.
 

hailcats

Redshirt
Dec 5, 2014
171
0
0
Okafor is damn good. He just needs to shoot about 300 free throws a day because he is terrible at the foul line. In addition to that I think he has to worry about his defense, and his lack of athleticism (he and Dakari have about the same vertical.)
 

LaCat70

Freshman
Nov 14, 2007
6,195
56
0
Originally posted by CatBallou252:
Many analysts are talking about Towns being the #1 pick in the NBA draft now. And with Duke taking another bad loss, that talk is getting louder....
Okafor look pretty good yesterday.
 

TruBluCatFan

Heisman
Dec 21, 2001
19,325
10,135
113
Take off the blue glasses. I think Towns is better but anyone who thinks Okafor is project at the NBA level is either not very knowledgeable about basketball or blinded by their hatred for Duke.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
 

superbowls

Redshirt
Jul 20, 2006
87
2
0
I love the player KAT has become, and he probably IS just scratching the surface of his potential when you look at his role in our offense.

With that said, this board overrate's KAT's athleticism and offensive ability whenever he's pitted against Okafor.

When it comes to making baskets in the paint, Okafor is way ahead of Karl. He's not some lumbering sloth who's crafty around the basket, either. He moves with purpose and he'll have his way with anybody if you don't double-team him. KAT runs well but it's not like he's an explosive leaper. Not sure why everybody says he's leaps and bounds more athletic than Okafor.

The main difference IMO comes down to defense and passing. Karl is showing off a pro's game with these assists recently. He passes out of double-teams like a veteran. No doubt that experience with the DR team has paid dividends.

He's pretty stout defensively, much more so than Okafor. I'm not convinced that KAT is some shot-blocking savant though - he doesn't get much lift, a good % are actually goal-tends, and he's benefitted from a bunch of no-calls, especially lately. All good for UK though if he still gets this kind of favoritism in the tournament. I'm personally worried about him getting in foul trouble.

Another thing - he's been pulling down some HUGE boards over the course of the season. Some really great offensive rebounding and he's not afraid at all to mix-it-up on the defensive glass.

The more I type, the more I love KAT's game. I guess I just don't understand why anyone would point to offense (they do) and athleticism (they ALWAYS do) as KAT's main advantages over Okafor.