2014 Offseason Thread

[MavzMan]

I guess I haven't watched much of Okafor and don't really know his game that well. To me, he's another undersized C at 6'10" and 255 lbs but he's also not that athletic and plays under the rim. His blocks are average at best and his points has steadily gone down the last 6 years. Granted he's 30 years old which could be considered in his prime especially for a center, but you really gotta convince me he's worth $10 mill a year after all that and coming off a very serious injury where he didn't plan a single game. I was actually thinking more along the lines of Sam Dalembert money honestly, like $3-5 mill.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

I guess I haven't watched much of Okafor and don't really know his game that well. To me, he's another undersized C at 6'10" and 255 lbs but he's also not that athletic and plays under the rim. His blocks are average at best and his points has steadily gone down the last 6 years. Granted he's 30 years old which could be considered in his prime especially for a center, but you really gotta convince me he's worth $10 mill a year after all that and coming off a very serious injury where he didn't plan a single game. I was actually thinking more along the lines of Sam Dalembert money honestly, like $3-5 mill.

I think you misread spreedom's post - he said Okafor would be looking at a $10m/year payday IF he was healthy last season, but since he wasn't, he'll have to settle for much less money... But assuming he is 100% healthy, getting a player who should be worth $10m for something in the $3-5m range would be an absolute steal.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

I guess I haven't watched much of Okafor and don't really know his game that well. To me, he's another undersized C at 6'10" and 255 lbs but he's also not that athletic and plays under the rim. His blocks are average at best and his points has steadily gone down the last 6 years. Granted he's 30 years old which could be considered in his prime especially for a center, but you really gotta convince me he's worth $10 mill a year after all that and coming off a very serious injury where he didn't plan a single game. I was actually thinking more along the lines of Sam Dalembert money honestly, like $3-5 mill.

Yeah, I don't mean this in an offensive way at all but based on those statements I can tell you're pretty unfamiliar with his game. He's a great rim protector... in that sense, to me blocked shots have become very overrated. For example, DeAndre Jordan is a fantastic shot blocker, but as a rim protector he's very average... he doesn't defend well in space. Gets the good-looking plays but doesn't always rotate properly or use his body defensively. He allows the same shooting percentage at the rim as David Lee, who I think many here would agree is a terrible interior defender.

Okafor is one of those guys, kind of like Al Horford (and a good comparison defensively would be Jason Collins of about 10-12 years ago). He doesn't block a ton of shots, but he alters tons of them and defends the post exceptionally well. It's almost an intangible thing, but every team he's been a part of gets almost magically better defensively when he is on the floor... there isn't really a stat for that, but he is smart, has good footwork, rarely gets caught out of position and stays active even if/when he isn't going to be able to make an attempt at a block. He's basically a shorter, slightly more agile version of Hibbert that takes better shots, finishes better inside, and rebounds a lot better.

If Okafor was fully healthy, he'd probably be my #1 free agent, assuming you don't get any of the superstars that are potentially on the market this summer. I'm guessing he'll sign a one-year deal with a team that can offer him the most playing time so he can show that he's fully recovered from his injury. I'd love for the Mavs to get him on that one-year deal to see what he's got left... if he isn't going to be the same player again, we can always waive or trade him near the deadline for long-term deals, and if he's fully recovered, I'd love to keep him around past next year.

I cannot ing wait for the off-season.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by spreedom

Yeah, I don't mean this in an offensive way at all but based on those statements I can tell you're pretty unfamiliar with his game. He's a great rim protector... in that sense, to me blocked shots have become very overrated. For example, DeAndre Jordan is a fantastic shot blocker, but as a rim protector he's very average... he doesn't defend well in space. Gets the good-looking plays but doesn't always rotate properly or use his body defensively. He allows the same shooting percentage at the rim as David Lee, who I think many here would agree is a terrible interior defender.

Okafor is one of those guys, kind of like Al Horford (and a good comparison defensively would be Jason Collins of about 10-12 years ago). He doesn't block a ton of shots, but he alters tons of them and defends the post exceptionally well. It's almost an intangible thing, but every team he's been a part of gets almost magically better defensively when he is on the floor... there isn't really a stat for that, but he is smart, has good footwork, rarely gets caught out of position and stays active even if/when he isn't going to be able to make an attempt at a block. He's basically a shorter, slightly more agile version of Hibbert that takes better shots, finishes better inside, and rebounds a lot better.

If Okafor was fully healthy, he'd probably be my #1 free agent, assuming you don't get any of the superstars that are potentially on the market this summer. I'm guessing he'll sign a one-year deal with a team that can offer him the most playing time so he can show that he's fully recovered from his injury. I'd love for the Mavs to get him on that one-year deal to see what he's got left... if he isn't going to be the same player again, we can always waive or trade him near the deadline for long-term deals, and if he's fully recovered, I'd love to keep him around past next year.

I cannot ing wait for the off-season.

Great post Spree. I agree with just about all of this. I think Okafor would fit in really well with this group and if healthy might be option 1a this summer as you suggested.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by spreedom

Yeah, I don't mean this in an offensive way at all but based on those statements I can tell you're pretty unfamiliar with his game. He's a great rim protector... in that sense, to me blocked shots have become very overrated. For example, DeAndre Jordan is a fantastic shot blocker, but as a rim protector he's very average... he doesn't defend well in space. Gets the good-looking plays but doesn't always rotate properly or use his body defensively. He allows the same shooting percentage at the rim as David Lee, who I think many here would agree is a terrible interior defender.

Okafor is one of those guys, kind of like Al Horford (and a good comparison defensively would be Jason Collins of about 10-12 years ago). He doesn't block a ton of shots, but he alters tons of them and defends the post exceptionally well. It's almost an intangible thing, but every team he's been a part of gets almost magically better defensively when he is on the floor... there isn't really a stat for that, but he is smart, has good footwork, rarely gets caught out of position and stays active even if/when he isn't going to be able to make an attempt at a block. He's basically a shorter, slightly more agile version of Hibbert that takes better shots, finishes better inside, and rebounds a lot better.

If Okafor was fully healthy, he'd probably be my #1 free agent, assuming you don't get any of the superstars that are potentially on the market this summer. I'm guessing he'll sign a one-year deal with a team that can offer him the most playing time so he can show that he's fully recovered from his injury. I'd love for the Mavs to get him on that one-year deal to see what he's got left... if he isn't going to be the same player again, we can always waive or trade him near the deadline for long-term deals, and if he's fully recovered, I'd love to keep him around past next year.

I cannot ing wait for the off-season.

Interesting... I always wonder about Centers willingness to step up and be the "linebacker" on the court, calling out and making sure everyone is engaged. I knew that Tyson did it because I could hear it at the arena. I'm pretty sure Haywood did NOT do it because he couldn't even be bothered to move off of the free-throw line.

But an active center, who is smart and really takes the challenge of leadership seriously would be interesting.

[tap2390]

I think we should push hard for PJ Tucker. Too often Mavs opponents two-step in the lane and no one does anything about it. While a center as your enforcer is wonderful, having a tough-minded, excellent defensive wing is just as big IMO.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by tap2390

I think we should push hard for PJ Tucker. Too often Mavs opponents two-step in the lane and no one does anything about it. While a center as your enforcer is wonderful, having a tough-minded, excellent defensive wing is just as big IMO.

Don't know how effectively he can play SF, but he'd be a nice SG if we are comfortable playing Ellis at the PG.

[Floppy]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

I guess I haven't watched much of Okafor and don't really know his game that well. To me, he's another undersized C at 6'10" and 255 lbs but he's also not that athletic and plays under the rim. His blocks are average at best and his points has steadily gone down the last 6 years. Granted he's 30 years old which could be considered in his prime especially for a center, but you really gotta convince me he's worth $10 mill a year after all that and coming off a very serious injury where he didn't plan a single game. I was actually thinking more along the lines of Sam Dalembert money honestly, like $3-5 mill.

He's not 30 years old ..He will be 32 years old at the start of the season after missing a full year ....It could be disastrous if the Mavs paid Okafor $10 Million ...Sure if he came for $3-4 Million you might take the risk but at $10 Million if it doesn't work out we are screwed .

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Floppy

He's not 30 years old ..He will be 32 years old at the start of the season after missing a full year ....It could be disastrous if the Mavs paid Okafor $10 Million ...Sure if he came for $3-4 Million you might take the risk but at $10 Million if it doesn't work out we are screwed .

You guys seem to be missing the point - NOBODY is going to pay a recently-injured Okafor $10m, but if healthy, he might still be able to give you the production of a $10m player... The guy could be an excellent bargain if signed cheap.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by Underdog

You guys seem to be missing the point - NOBODY is going to pay a recently-injured Okafor $10m, but if healthy, he might still be able to give you the production of a $10m player... The guy could be an excellent bargain if signed cheap.

I still think he gets a "make good" one year deal in the 5m range. Similar to the *gulp* Kaman "deal".

I think if the mavs go the Okafor route, and it seems like a pretty strong possibility given the nature of Gortat, Sanders, Asik, Chandler, Varajao situations, then MBT would have to hedge with a 3rd capable FA Center I would think. In other words sign Okafor for 5-6m and use the savings on backup Center and PF(Jordan Hill?) and it just about equals Gortat straight up.

I think Brandon Wright is trade fodder to give the team more trade and roster flexibility.
I wont be bummed if Wright is back, i like his game in medium to small doses, but I would much rather see Wright and Ellington go before Calderon.