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October 23, 2009
Okafor a remarkably slow healer
Marc Spears, now with Yahoo! Sports, wrote this about ex-Bobcats center Emeka Okafor -- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Am9ptZDju8ICvmiR6RLohgW8vLYF?slug=mc-okaforhornets102209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Can't say I'm surprised. When I saw Hornets general manager Jeff Bowers in Greensboro, we chatted about Mek. I told him Emeka isn't injury-prone, as some have described him, but once he's hurt he has this odd preoccupation with being perfectly healthy before again stepping on a court. He's hyper-conscious of his body, so it seems to take forever for him to feel well enough to play.
Posted by Observer Sports on October 23, 2009 at 09:43 AM | Permalink
Comments
We traded for a guy who couldn't pass a physical.
Let's keep things in perspective.
Posted by: RP | Oct 23, 2009 9:46:41 AM
Me, lack for perspective?
That guy who couldn't pass a physical wants to be on the court 24-7.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Oct 23, 2009 9:49:18 AM
He wants to be on the court 24/7 ... yay. Here's a suggestion: how 'bout he stops being such a pansy and actually does it!
Bottom line, let me know when Chandler logs 172 straight and counting. If Chandler plays over 70 games, I will be shocked.
I can see it already, the Bobcats' finish with 36-38 wins, and we're left wondering how Okafor would have added those extra wins needed to get us into the playoffs.
Trading a better, more durable player for an inferior, can't-pass-a-physical hack, isn't smart.
Posted by: RP | Oct 23, 2009 9:58:09 AM
Yo Rick, he can't get on the court if he can't pass a physical.
Posted by: dhog | Oct 23, 2009 10:08:52 AM
Thanks for playing at work Rick..... Dan Morgan wanted to be on the Field 24-7, so whats your point? Just because you desire to be on the court 24-7 doesn't mean a whole lot when it comes to injuries.
Posted by: Dave | Oct 23, 2009 10:21:37 AM
I get Ricks point...and it goes back to why Larry Brown criticized Okafor following last season. There is no questioning his skills, but he has a serious lack of passion for the game. With Chandler we get a big who wreaks passion for the game, his fans, etc. I think while the deal might not have been an equal one on the court...its hard to balk at having a guy who is showing his teammates he wants to get out there. Okafor has been cleared...yet hes still not giving it a go. You tell me which is better for a team.
Posted by: eleaf14 | Oct 23, 2009 10:41:07 AM
I'm with Rick here. I think what he is trying to say is that this whole thing is about more than just minutes or games played. It's about the kind of player okafor is compared to chandler. With a healthy okafor we would have a shot at the 8th seed. I think with a healthy Chandler we could challenge for 5th - 7th seed.
I think you could compare Okafor to Julius Peppers. Both have great frames with tons of talent. But you just don't see the heart and drive to realize all of there potential. maybe Chandler can be our Jared Allen!
Posted by: Tony Belk | Oct 23, 2009 11:01:36 AM
Okafor is a bum. good riddance.
Posted by: i used to sit near buzz | Oct 23, 2009 11:18:51 AM
I understand Tyson's passion for the game but when it comes to ankle injuries things could linger. I just how the Bobcats are being as conservative as they say the last thing you would want is for Tyson to be another Grant Hill, who by the way further hurt himself because he wanted to play so much.
Posted by: James Hamlin | Oct 23, 2009 11:28:17 AM
Also Brown said if he(oakfor) put as much into Basketball as he does his body excercising Yoga and etc. he could be a great player.
Chris Paul being asked in an interview about the trade, said "Chandler is his boy and he made his game better". Something like that...
If Okafor has been cleared and is chosing to sit... Nuff said Period.
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Oct 23, 2009 11:29:49 AM
"You can figure out why it was done -- it's not about the players."
-- Larry Brown
Anyone who thinks Tyson Chandler is a better player than Okafor, is clueless. Plain and simple.
Posted by: RP | Oct 23, 2009 11:44:24 AM
Tony, it doesn't matter what we COULD get with a HEALTHY Chandler. He can't be, and he won't be. Heart and desire are all well and good, but I'd rather a guy with "no heart" be able to suit up for 82 games (or even 75 if he has to miss the first week or two) than the guy with a heart the size of Kannapolis who plays 48 minutes the first six games and then goes down for the year because he never should have been playing in the first place. His problem isn't heart, it's that he lacks a brain.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Oct 23, 2009 11:49:19 AM
The BOBCATS are going to look brillaint for this move...
Okafor will lose the respect of his teammates very quickly....this princess needs to kick up the stretching routine!
Posted by: Scott | Oct 23, 2009 12:33:20 PM
So procton would rather sit idle for the next couple years paying okafor big money rather than make an attempt to get better and save money. I just don't understand why you think okafor is so great. Coming from a season ticket holder who watches every game (home or away) Okafor is extremely overpaid!!! We should be thanking the hornets for taking that bum off our pay roll.
Posted by: Tony Belk | Oct 23, 2009 12:44:56 PM
i like the comparison of okafor to peppers because when okafor wanted to.......he could round up double doubles in a half. but he did so very infrequently......the guy just flat out lacks passion and grit. how are you gonna have a guy like that next to a guy like ray felton or gerald wallace and expect momentum to carry over. chandler's a far better fit for the team while slightly less talented witha shorter contract. its a wash at the end of the day.
what's up with the ajinca option, these guys are really scaring me right now.
Posted by: charlottean | Oct 23, 2009 1:39:07 PM
Because Okafor doesn't go ape sh!t after basket he scores, he lacks passion.
Great logic.
charlottean:
You're delusional if you think Okafor, or ANY other player in this league, could rack up double-double's by halftime on a regular basis.
But, just so you know, Chandler has averaged a double-double ONCE in his career. So before you make absurd comments like the one previously noted, take a look at the guy we got back in this trade.
Once again, LOL at Chandler being a better basketball player than Okafor.
Michael Procton is pretty much an idiot, but his, "Don't let the facts fool you, kids" is appropriate here.
There is just NO WAY Chandler is a better player than Okafor. Oh, and this is considering Chandler IS healthy, which he isn't ...
Posted by: RP | Oct 23, 2009 2:30:22 PM
I don't belive the question is who is a better player! It's way more than that. First, it's about who is a better fit for our team and coach brown. That question should be answered this year. We will see once the season starts. The other question is where were we going with the current roster including okafor? As a fan im not ok with just fighting to possibly get the 8th seed. So then you have to look at what do you do to start changing that. Obviously tradin Nazr or diop would be ideal but nobody wants them or there contracts. So why not trade for a guy who could "possibly" be a better fit for our team and save money in the process. I think at the end of the day it was a good move by the Bobcats!
Posted by: Tony Belk | Oct 23, 2009 3:31:09 PM
Okafor's scoring numbers are a little inflated b/c he was relied on while playing on a bad team without many scoring options. Chandler had Chris Paul and David West, both all-stars and both great offensive players, so he was rarely asked to score unless he was thrown a lob or working the offensive glass. Okafor is very mechanical, doesn't finish well at the rim or on the break, and rarely plays with a mean streak. He led the league last year in blocks per shot attempt...meaning he got his shot blocked more frequently than anyone else in the NBA.
Chandler on the other hand is a finisher. I can't even tell you how many times I'd be screaming at the game or at the TV "dunk it Emeka!" as he lazily tried to lay the ball in or got his shot blocked. Chandler will be able to run up and down the floor with the likes of Felton, DJ, Diaw and Wallace, something Emeka struggled to do, and finish at the rim. Emeka also wasn't very good with the pick and roll, something that was Chandler's bread and butter in New Orleans.
Rebounding and defense is pretty much a wash. Both are great rebounders and both are great shot blockers. Emeka probably has better footwork and discipline on D, but Chandler is a couple inches taller, more athletic and has a longer wingspan, so he might match up better against the likes of Dwight Howard, who abused Okafor everytime they played.
I hated to see Emeka go, I thought he was a solid player and really represented the team well in the community, but the trade makes sense to me. Chandler, along with pretty much the entire time, is a stand up guy. If Chandler can stay healthy (no one knows if either of them will be healthy or not, so stop with all this lame speculation like you know who is going to play more games this season) I think he's a better fit.
Here's to hoping this team can finally make the playoffs! Not all "fans" in this town wake up and drink haterade every morning!
Go Cats!
Posted by: Smitty | Oct 23, 2009 3:55:01 PM
*entire team, not time
Posted by: Smitty | Oct 23, 2009 3:56:38 PM
There is one thing you cannot teach and Oakfor will never be is 7'1".
I wathced all the years Mourning was here with The Hornets and as good as he was, he struggled against some of the taller players.
Least to say I was excited about just that fact when we got Chandler.
Also Chandler everyone says is very vocal on the court, letting everyone know what is going on. Oakfor not so much.
Those two things alone should be new advantages for us this season.
Stay Healthy Chandler!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Oct 23, 2009 5:05:21 PM
Get Healthy and Stay, I should say.
Posted by: fox has to go!! | Oct 23, 2009 5:06:38 PM
I wish people would realize that Omeka wasn't taking this team any higher. The guy's talent is capped off at where he is now. And where he is now is not a "playoff-caliber" big man. Is he solid? Yes. Is he decent? Yes. Is he good enough to be an NBA starter? Yes. Can he lead you to an NBA Championship without the help of another solid big guy? NO! NO! No!
Posted by: Smitty | Oct 23, 2009 5:37:21 PM
Smitty, you're off on at least a few points.
1). When playing the inflated scoring card, you need to look at the context and use judgment. Chandler averaged 8.8 ppg this past season, and shot 56.5% from the field. Okafor averaged 13.2 ppg this past season, and shot 56.1% from the field. If Okafor was simply benefiting from a lack of scoring options around him, his FG% wouldn't be nearly identical to that of Chandler's, who, as you put it, has two All-Stars and great offensive players around him. Already you're argument here is broken, but furthermore you're ignoring the fact that teams concentrated on Okafor more than they did Chandler, since, as you said, the Bobcats' don't have the offensive weapons the Hornets' have. Also, take a look back at Chandler's years in Chicago, when he didn't have multiple All-Stars, and you'll see that he was an even worse offensive player than he was with NO.
2). The pick and roll. In New Orleans, teams are more focused on Chris Paul than Tyson Chandler, while here, in Charlotte, it was the opposite. Teams focused on Okafor more than Felton. Not to say Felton isn't a baller, because he is, but he isn't Chris Paul.
3). Okafor was 5th in the league in dunks. Asking him to go much higher than that would be asking him to dunk more than the likes of Shaq or Dwight Howard.
4). Chandler can't stay on the court long enough to defend Howard. Every time, he gets into foul trouble. Over the years, he has defended Howard better than Okafor, but Okafor's offensive + rebounding production against Howard has been MUCH better than Chandler's has. Also, Chandler will now be going up against Howard four times a season, as oppose to two or three. And Chandler's no longer a vet going up against a young Howard, as was the case in at least a few of those matchups. Okafor is a stronger player than Chandler, so to say Chandler's better equipped for Howard isn't exactly true. BTW, Howard did have 4-point and 13-point outings against Okafor this past season.
Posted by: RP | Oct 23, 2009 5:53:38 PM
Hey RP,
I'm so glad you have a stat for everything. I say lets not play this season a all since the only thing that matters is a stat. For those who watched Okafor play the last couple of years know exactly what some of us are trying to say.
Posted by: Tony Belk | Oct 23, 2009 6:57:23 PM
One national writer was talking about the trade and was scratching his head wondering what New Orleans was thinking. Okafor has terrible hands (two years ago there was a stat that 50% of the time a pass went in to Okafor, it was a turnover on the guard, block of Okafor or turnover on Okafor). Okafor EXPECTS to be feed the ball, why in the heck would Chris Paul pass it to Okafor when David West is their low post scoring threat? THAT is the biggest reason Chandler averaged 8 points a game.
The Hornets expect less out of their center position than the Bobcats ever had. If Okafor and Chandler both play the entire season, Chandler will have better stats in scoring, rebounding and net blocks (blocks less blocks against).
AND...Tyson is a better locker/morale player, he's always talking, encouraging, heck in the exhibition game the other night, he was on his feet, inches from the court clapping for his counter-part on the court. After most road games, or anytime there was a bus trip involved (to airport) the team was waiting for Okafor to finish his stretching routine.
Finally the economics of it. Tyson's deal will be up, and hopefully everything will work out and re-sign with the Bobcats for the going market-rate. And because of the falling Salary Cap, we will be paying $2-4 Million less than Okafor per season.
Best of Luck to Okafor, but...The Bobcats got the better end of this deal.
Posted by: BlockParty | Oct 23, 2009 7:49:20 PM
Okafor is a walking turnover on offense. I'm still smiling from this trade...especially since it opens up salary room next year, a key point.
Posted by: HAve2650 | Oct 23, 2009 8:15:57 PM
Whatever the situation is, we need to stop guessing these players.....they'll be fine. My only caution is the team still lack the winning spirit that this city desire from an NBA team. Their preseason performance are a prediction of what the season is going to be like. I would love for them to prove me wrong....consistency is lacking in scoring for the core players: Bell, Diaw, Wallace, Felton, Augustin, Romanodvic, and now added chandler.
I think Henderson and Brown will be good players in their first NBA season. Good luck Cats.....I'll be there to cheer up to win games......
Posted by: nunu20041 | Oct 23, 2009 10:21:40 PM
paul makes okafor an allstar
Posted by: joe cool | Oct 23, 2009 11:11:04 PM
Wow, you people really don't know anything about basketball.
Posted by: RP | Oct 23, 2009 11:21:31 PM
Tony Belk, I'm sorry, but if you throw out rubbish, I will call you out on it.
Block Party, talk about denial. Chandler averaged 8 points because he has no offensive game outside of dunks. Did you see what he did in Chicago? BTW, David West is MUCH more of a face up player than a back to the basket player. Plus, if he was such a great post up player, the Hornets would have done better in the postseason.
Your stat is bullshit, BTW. Chandler turns it over much more than Okafor, and LEGITIMATE stats back it up.
Block Party, get a PayPal set up, because there is NO WAY IN HELL Chandler averages more ppg than Okafor. That is laughable at best.
You guys are just losing credibility with these ridiculous posts.
Posted by: RP | Oct 23, 2009 11:31:05 PM
Chandler averaged 8 ppg because all he can do is dunk. Outside of that, he has NO offensive game.
Block Party, set up a PayPal, because there is NO WAY Chandler averages more ppg than Okafor this upcoming season. That's laughable at best.
Posted by: RP | Oct 23, 2009 11:35:25 PM
Delusional fans.
Posted by: RP | Oct 23, 2009 11:36:30 PM
"He wants to be on the court 24/7 ... yay. Here's a suggestion: how 'bout he stops being such a pansy and actually does it!"
I have a suggestion for you, learn to spell the word yea. Here's another word for you, douche.
Posted by: Bro D. | Oct 24, 2009 1:01:18 AM
wow i never said i expected anybody to rack up double doubles every half......i'm saying there were games when he had the intensity and games when he didn't. but it wasn't consistent by any stretch. dude would get lost in the shuffle real quick.
meanwhile did i just see sean may is starting for sacramento? is hawes hurt or is that for real?
Posted by: charlottean | Oct 24, 2009 1:12:59 AM
Chandler averaged 8 ppg because he has no offensive moves outside of dunking the ball. David West is MUCH more of a face up player than a back-to-the-basket player. You're being naive and very foolish if you think NO didn't expect more than 8 ppg out of Chandler. The Hornets' finished 13th in the league in Offensive Efficiency, meaning they were just about middle of the pack when it came to offense. MOST of that had to do with Chandler's inability to score. And, of course, you ignore the fact that he was a nonexistent scorer in Chicago. Did Chicago have All-Stars? No.
Set up a PayPal, BlockParty, because there's no way Chandler averages more ppg than Okafor next season.
As for the stretching routine, let's hope Chandler and Wallace take it up so, you know, they actually play in every game.
Posted by: RP | Oct 24, 2009 12:04:22 PM
BTW, your stat is a flat out lie; however, it is a fact that Tyson Chandler's possessions turn into turnovers FAR MORE than Okafor's do.
Posted by: RP | Oct 24, 2009 12:06:35 PM
Chandler averaged 8 ppg because he has no offensive moves outside of dunking the ball. David West is MUCH more of a face up player than a back-to-the-basket player. You're being naive and very foolish if you think NO didn't expect more than 8 ppg out of Chandler. The Hornets' finished 13th in the league in Offensive Efficiency, meaning they were just about middle of the pack when it came to offense. MOST of that had to do with Chandler's inability to score. And, of course, you ignore the fact that he was a nonexistent scorer in Chicago. Did Chicago have All-Stars? No.
Set up a PayPal, BlockParty, because there's no way Chandler averages more ppg than Okafor next season.
As for the stretching routine, let's hope Chandler and Wallace take it up so, you know, they actually play in every game.
Posted by: KD | Oct 24, 2009 12:07:19 PM
Chandler averaged under 9 ppg because he has no offensive moves outside of dunking the ball. David West is MUCH more of a face up player than a back-to-the-basket player. You're being naive and very foolish if you think NO didn't expect more than 9 ppg out of Chandler. The Hornets' finished 13th in the league in Offensive Efficiency, meaning they were just about middle of the pack when it came to offense. Most of that had to do with Chandler's inability to score. And, of course, you ignore the fact that he was a nonexistent scorer in Chicago. Did Chicago have All-Stars? No.
Set up a PayPal, BlockParty, because there's no way Chandler averages more ppg than Okafor next season.
As for the stretching routine, let's hope Chandler and Wallace take it up so, you know, they actually play in every game.
Also, that stat you claimed about Okafor was a straight up lie.
However, what is true is that Chandler has a higher TO% than Okafor, meaning he turns it over more on his possessions than Okafor does. That's especially alarming considering all he does is dunk the ball. Truth be told, for a guy who only dunks the ball, he's a turnover machine.
Posted by: RP | Oct 26, 2009 12:23:18 PM
I've always sorta liked Okafor but sounds like he's a wuss.
See this quote: “You can ask anyone that’s had a toe injury, it sounds super weak and it sounds like an insignificant thing,” Okafor said. “But that’s your foundation. You can have a nice house, and a foundation has a crack in it and then it’s all for naught. The whole thing comes crumbling down."
Uh, cracked foundations are not good but they don't necessarily crumble the house. In fact, people continue to use their houses with cracked foundations. And when your own doc say you aren't gonna do any more harm playing with a bit of pain, the play! Life hurts sometimes. So do toes.
CLT saw the best of Okafor> He had no more upside. Chandler may not end up helping but Okafor wasn't gonna help take CLT anywhere so worth the gamble.
Posted by: David | Oct 27, 2009 2:27:18 PM
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