I like the Okafor move for two reasons:
1. It gives the Hornets a little more offense while not sacrificing defense comparatively
2. Ownership has proven they are dedicated to providing a winner now.
Okafor saves the Hornets a little over $1 million this upcoming season but is on the books for $40 million the next 3 seasons. Emeka gives Chris Paul a running mate and is the only player, other than Posey, whose contract runs fully with Paul's. There is no question that Okafor is an offensive upgrade over Tyson Chandler. If I had a nickel for every terrible low-post move Tyson has exposed to the world, I would be able to fund this country's bail-out. Okafor is not as bad on defense as everyone says he is. Watch the game footage. He seems to have trouble keeping people out of the post but the majority of the centers he will face are exterior post players. Only Howard and O'Neal still bang down low on a consistent basis. Emeka should be able to slow others with his exceptional timing and length.
The New Orleans Hornets have also finally shown that they are willing to spend money to make the team better. For a long time, it was assumed that George Shinn would only trade Tyson for salary cap reasons. Okafor shows a commitment to winning that Shinn did not display earlier this offseason. I think the Hornets still need to make another move (Michael Redd when the Bucks inevitably suck?) but for now they are a better team on paper.
Ike Diogu, one of the most tantalizing players in the NBA. Ever since he has entered the league, Diogu's per 40 numbers have been absolutely spectacular. He is the perfect backup for someone like David West. Diogu has been able to produce efficiently and hits his free throws at a nice clip. The only problem, that I see, is that he is a bit turnover prone. Of course compared to Hilton Armstrong, Diogu is Fort Knox.
(Speaking of Hilton Armstrong, I read Tip Off: How the 1984 NBA Draft Changed Basketball Forever by Fillip Bondy. In the epilogue, it talks about the 2006 NBA draft and how teams were trying to trade up to get Hilton Armstrong. Can you believe that now? Every GM who was unable to make that trade is probably breathing a big sigh of relief now. I can't believe that was the thinking.)
So for now, the Hornets have improved. We are still paying too much money but hopefully we can get rid of Antonio Daniels and others to make this team even better.
I've been saying for months now that the Hornets never gave any indication they were going to blow up the team to save money. I would have been shocked if they had.
ReplyDeleteThere are certain people who say they don't see how this move makes financial sense for the Hornets; it does if you consider that Okafor makes less than Chandler right now, and even though he has a big ole contract that goes on and on for years and years to come, Peja and the other $16-million men we have are coming off the books.
That being said, I'm pissed I spent $16 at the Wal-Mart in Port Allen on a Tyson Chandler jersey. I thought at the time it was a heck of a buy!
I think Okafor is definitely an upgrade on Defense, as well. First, he'll actually be depended on to show up on the court, and secondly, his shot-blocking skills are one of the best in the league- something Tyson Chandler has shyed away from the last few seasons..
ReplyDeleteAnd just you wait, Caleb Hogan. Hilton Armstrong will prove you and every other doubter wrong this season. Hilton has been growing and maturing as a player each year, and I believe we're now going to begin to see it really start to come together for him. His fourth year in college was his break-out year (Big East DPOY), and I expect similar leaping strides in this, his fourth NBA season. Adding a familiar face and friend in fellow Husky Emeka will surely inspire him even more to begin to realize his vast potential.
when the 76ers inevitably blow up their team, we need to trade butler, daniels, and brown for andrea iguodala. i think that would be the final solidifying move to further advance in the west
ReplyDeleteAndre' Igudola is my dream-boy for the Hornets. It'll most likely never happen, but he would put this team to instant NBA Finals mode.. Rudy Gay is another player that would send this team to the next level.. Memphis may not want to pay him next year? Sign-and-trade?
ReplyDeleteP.S.- Darius Songila is gonna go BEAST MODE on the league this year.