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I would even consider moving up for Chuma. I fear that his stock is rising so rapidly and our draft position keeps dropping that moving up would be the only way to get him. Azabuike would be an excellent project big.
Now that the full college regular season is in books, I think that Chuma Okeke is the Spurs' guy for their first pick. He's a legit 6'8", and could play either forward position. (He's the biggest player on the Auburn squad.) He's a damn good defender, and he can shoot the 3 right now - as opposed to all the guys who "need to work with Chip". Not that he couldn't improve from the arc, but .378 is enough to make defenses pay attention to him.
Yesterday Auburn destroyed Tennessee to win the SEC Championship, and Okeke was a beast. He put up 18 points, 13 boards, 3 steals and a block, and was 5-9 from 3P. If he has more games like that one in the NCAA, he might not even be around when the Spurs pick. I had hopes for a couple of other guys when it looked like the Spurs would be picking at 16-17. But now that they are down to 20, and looking like they might move down even more, I'm looking at Okeke as the best available. Especially since he's exactly what the Spurs need - a SF who can shoot the 3 and plays solid D.
Auburn opens up their NCAA tourney on Thursday against NM State. It should be an easy win for Auburn, and a good chance to watch Okeke play. There's a good chance that Auburn doesn't get past Kansas in the second round, so it may be one of only two chances to get a look. If Auburn did manage to get past Kansas, it's likely to be on Okeke's back, which might doom the Spurs' chance at him in the draft.
There has been a lot of talk about the defense of Matisse Thybulle. But Chuma Okeke is a damn good defender in his own right. I know it's unlikely, but if the Spurs somehow managed to draft Okeke at 20, and Thybulle at 29, the Spurs would become the best defensive squad in the league. Maybe good enough to turn the "new NBA" on it's head. There are only 5 starting positions, but their second unit would be a terror. Throw in Udoka Azabuike from Kansas with the 50 pick, and call it a day.
I would even consider moving up for Chuma. I fear that his stock is rising so rapidly and our draft position keeps dropping that moving up would be the only way to get him. Azabuike would be an excellent project big.
I'm afraid you may be right. I've been saying that SF's are going to be the hot ticket in the draft, and he's not under the radar anymore. But there's only so much room at the top, so maybe he'll be there. I hate to start new threads, but I wanted to give people a reason to watch the game and see him in action.
I think Azabuike will be at least a rotation big after a couple of years. Not many big men can come straight to the NBA and be effective, but a year in Austin, and then easing him into the rotation - I think he'd be a good use of the 50 pick. And what a name, huh? As much as people here wanted Kelenna Azabuike, and then the Udoka first name - it's almost as good as Duncan Robinson.
I'm afraid you may be right. I've been saying that SF's are going to be the hot ticket in the draft, and he's not under the radar anymore. But there's only so much room at the top, so maybe he'll be there. I hate to start new threads, but I wanted to give people a reason to watch the game and see him in action.
I think Azabuike will be at least a rotation big after a couple of years. Not many big men can come straight to the NBA and be effective, but a year in Austin, and then easing him into the rotation - I think he'd be a good use of the 50 pick. And what a name, huh? As much as people here wanted Kelenna Azabuike, and then the Udoka first name - it's almost as good as Duncan Robinson.I really wanna see that Duncan Robinson guy! Yeah, SFs will get snapped up and there will be some reaches at that position, I expect.
You think Azubuike could still be on the board at 50?
Sounds too much like Chimezie Metu, tbh.
He's on a 2-way contract with Miami. Went undrafted last year. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan...n_(basketball) You thought I made it up?
You think Azubuike could still be on the board at 50?
I don't have a clue. The mocks were showing him that low about a month ago, but they don't know any more than the rest of us outside about the top 5. I know that style of big man isn't at the top of most boards lately.
Yeah. I thought you were making a funny. It sure made me laugh! With a name like that I don't think he could ever wear the silver and black.He's on a 2-way contract with Miami. Went undrafted last year. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan...n_(basketball) You thought I made it up?
I don't have a clue. The mocks were showing him that low about a month ago, but they don't know any more than the rest of us outside about the top 5. I know that style of big man isn't at the top of most boards lately.
Even if traditional bigs are in disfavor, everybody still wants some rim protection. Heck, Boban continues to bounce around the league. I think Azubuike will get picked on pedigree alone - even before the name - around 40-50 depending...
Okeke can play perimeter defense and shoot the 3. That gets it said in one sentence.
I never liked Metu, just because he sat out the NIT Tournament so that he wouldn't risk getting injured. I know... he needed the money. But I still don't like it. Okeke has a significantly higher ceiling than Metu, IMO. But you can see for yourself on Thursday.
I'm sure he does have a higher ceiling and will keep an eye out for him in the tourney.
Just saw where Gafford is pulling the same stunt. He has also been mentioned as a potential Spur target.
I'd rather Okeke stay at Auburn, as he's just started to blossom over the last six weeks, but getting drafting by San Antonio would be a nice consolation prize for me.
The 57.7 2pt% + the 37.8 3pt% look pretty impressive. Will check him out.
Base on your description, Okeke seems to be a good addition for the Spurs. Just would like to understand what is the factor for him to slip out of the lottery pick as I understand this year is consider as a weak draft year. Is it due to him playing in a conference where usually lesser attention or he has other limitation or has some medical concern?
I like this cat and PJ Washington a lot. Most folks are labeling Washington as a small ball 4 but I think he is athletic enough to play the 3. He is a good NCAA 3 point shooter but he isn’t the greatest at the line which makes me think his shot isn’t the purest
I’m looking forward to the tournament and combine
He currently has 12 pts. | 6 boards at halftime vs NC.
Thanks, Ace3g. He's playing a good game, and Auburn has a lead at the half. He plays big, and he's got toughness that the team needs at that position. I haven't seen anything in this tournament to change my mind that he's the guy the Spurs need to draft. If the Spurs manage to keep Gay, it would be a perfect situation for him to develop, IMO.
I still think it's going to be tough to close out UNC. He's going to have to have a good second half.
He definitely has a knack for 50/50 balls - something the Spurs need.
Damn. He is playing himself out of our reach. We should move up for him.
Tigers
Player MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST PF PTS H. Spencer 0 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 2 B. Brown 0 1-4 1-4 0-0 2 1 0 3 S. Doughty 0 2-3 1-1 0-0 0 1 2 5 J. Harper 0 2-6 1-4 0-0 0 6 2 5 D. Purifoy 0 1-2 0-1 0-0 1 1 1 2 A. McLemore 0 0-2 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 A. Wiley 0 0-0 0-0 0-2 4 0 1 0 C. Okeke
0 8-11 3-5 0-0 8 2 0 19 M. Dunbar 0 4-9 2-6 0-0 4 1 0 10 J. McCormick 0 5-8 0-1 0-1 2 0 1 10
He's been a walking mis-match here in this second half. Lots of basketball left to play, but he's showcasing pretty well.
Oh man! Anyone who isn't watching this game is missing a great show! Okeke playing good team D. Smart enough to know he doesn't have to di it all himself, but also making good individual plays too.
If they had to trade up, there are probably some other players they would have to consider. But there are a lot of players to cram into the first 15 slots, so I'm still hopeful he'll still be there. But I think he'll be a good value at that spot.
I gotta be honest, Coby White is showing better handles than I thought he had.
OH !!! Okeke just went down with a knee blowout!
damn, he just went down with leg injury...
I really want Chuma. I honestly believe he has the potential to make people forget Number 2.
Damn. Went down as I was typing...
That's bad. It looks like the end of the tournament for him, at least. Damn.
Dammit. You look at his face, and he knows it's bad. .
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