Okafor in Los Angeles-Interview

[NM Duke Fan]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-jahlil-okafor-plaschke-20150610-column.html

So, Jahlil Okafor, what do you think about the pressure of being the Lakers' probable No. 2 overall draft pick?

"Being here in Lakerland, walking around, a lot of Lakers fans say they want me here, telling me they want to win," he said. "I love it."

So, what do you think about the pressure of following in the historic footsteps of past Lakers big men?

"They were all about winning, and when they came here, they won," he said. "I'll have some big shoes to step into, but I'm ready."

[theschwartz]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-jahlil-okafor-plaschke-20150610-column.html

So, Jahlil Okafor, what do you think about the pressure of being the Lakers' probable No. 2 overall draft pick?

"Being here in Lakerland, walking around, a lot of Lakers fans say they want me here, telling me they want to win," he said. "I love it."

So, what do you think about the pressure of following in the historic footsteps of past Lakers big men?

"They were all about winning, and when they came here, they won," he said. "I'll have some big shoes to step into, but I'm ready."

I also liked the quotes in the Zagsblog article (http://zagsblog.com/articles/jahlil-okafor-to-work-out-for-lakers-amid-rumblings-he-could-fall-to-no-4/) that was linked from the front page. Really highlights Jahlil's self-awareness, confidence and maturity.


“I know I’m going to get better,” Okafor told Alex Kennedy of BasketballInsiders.com of his defense. “I can get better at everything I do, and I always improve. I don’t think my defense was as bad as people made it out to be. We did win a national championship and all of my coaches were extremely happy with the way that I played on both ends of the floor. Also, I couldn’t get in to foul trouble and with the way our defense was set up, I wasn’t really in rim-protecting situations.

“Honestly, that is one of my flaws that I can improve on, but I can also improve on the offense end. Luckily, I’m 19 years old and I think I have a lot of time to improve my game. … I think a lot of people forget that a lot of us are still 18 or 19 years old. We’re put under the microscope and expected to be perfect, on the floor and sometimes even off the floor. Oftentimes, I do think people forget how young we actually are.”

And from the BasketballInsiders.com article (http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-okafor-ready-to-play-with-the-pros/):


“I can’t say why I should be the number one overall pick,” Okafor said. “They try to have me and Karl debate with one another about why we should be number one, but we both thought the other should be number one. We have a lot of respect for each other."

I find it kinda hilarious that Okafor and Towns are both saying that the other should be the #1 pick. Does this happen in any other year except when Minnesota has the #1 pick and the Lakers have the #2?

Can't even begin to describe my excitement at the prospect of Jahlil becoming a Laker. Been a fan since '87 when my parents moved us out to Southern California. Really hoping it happens, although I'm steeling myself for the possibility that the T'wolves take him #1. I'll be fine if that happens and the Lakers end up with Towns. If Jah's available and the Lakers take anyone else, I will be furious. He is a franchise changer and I genuinely believe with the right pieces around him, can help lead the Lakers to multiple championships.

[NM Duke Fan]

Like you, I was living in the LA area during the Showtime era, and it was a lot of fun! I too think that Jah is a franchise changer, and he could be the centerpiece for a whole new era of basketball greatness for the Lakers. Overall Kupchak is a good manager, I hope he and Buss and others make that intelligent choice. But if not.. Minnesota is an up and coming team with some young talent!

[duke blue brewcrew]

I loved me some Lakers Showtime back in the 80s and Magic Johnson was why, I loved to watch him play! So when I saw his comments about Jah, it really made me smile. "I love Okafor because he's won a state championship in HS, NCAA Title at Duke and he can bring that championship pedigree to the Lakers" that's high praise from Laker Royalty! I know there's a lot of gamesmanship that goes into drafting, but I found this one particularly interesting - http://www.aseaofblue.com/2015/6/6/8740793/lakers-may-get-karl-towns-draft-trade There is speculation that the Lakers could trade up for Karl-Anthony Towns, very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing how this all plays out for sure.