Re: [Celtics' Stuff ] Should the Magic draft Emeka Okafor?

[CeltsSteve@xxxxxxx]

<<  Should the Magic draft Emeka Okafor? by --JOHN DENTON --

"Okafor is a dazzling player, college basketball's best big man by far. But at 6-8, you just have to wonder if he's big enough to survive in the NBA. The top position demands that you draft a star player. I'm still not convinced that Okafor will ever be able to reach such heights." - Denton>> 

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I guess another question might be: Should the Celtics trade Paul Pierce to Orlando (or whomever) for the #1 pick to get the opportunity to draft Okafor???? 

Consider this from Clark Kellogg today:




Okafor cements his legacy 
 
by Clark Kellogg, Yahoo! Sports


April 6, 2004

SAN ANTONIO, Texas b Congratulations to Connecticut, the best team in the country and a most deserving national champion. 

It was clear that the Huskies wanted to deliver a knockout blow early. They attacked at both ends of the floor, and Emeka Okafor had a real presence inside. 

Georgia Tech, meanwhile, never got into any sort of offensive rhythm. When they missed the few good shots they had in the opening minutes, it fed UConn's ability to push the ball in the open court and score in transition. 

The disaster for the Yellow Jackets came in the closing minutes of the first half when UConn couldn't hit a bucket b and still maintained the lead. From there it was a matter of time. 

When folks singled out a matchup to watch in this game, they rightfully looked at the big men, Okafor and Tech's Luke Schenscher. But the Georgia Tech guards, who had played valiantly all season, got outplayed. 

Ben Gordon ended up 5-for-17, but he and Rashad Anderson both outscored any of their Yellow Jacket counterparts. Those guys and Taliek Brown recognized what they had to do. 

Gordon might be the premier offensive guard in the country. You combine him and the greatest force in college hoops this season (Okafor), and you have a championship team. 

As for Okafor, he now takes his place among some select company. His title-game performance (24 points, 15 rebounds and countless altered shots) validates his inclusion in any discussion of the premier post players of the last 15 to 20 seasons. 

His skill and his desire b I talked to Okafor before the game and it was clear he was going to do everything in his power to lead his team to a title b set him apart. 

So what's next for UConn? If Okafor has played his last game b and he appears ready to graduate b the Huskies will have a tough road to back to the Final Four. Gordon also has pro potential and might not be back next season. 

Even if that pair isn't back, Jim Calhoun has a solid nucleus. They still look like a top-five or at least a top-10 team heading into next season.


Updated on Tuesday, Apr 6, 2004 3:09 am