Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
I hope D’Angelo Russell ends up being a great player, but the Los Angeles Lakers made a severe error in judgment by choosing the guard over big man Jahlil Okafor. This is not meant to denigrate Russell. Okafor just has a truly unique blend of skill and size, and most NBA GMs would kill to build around a player like him.
The Lakers clearly didn’t know what they were seeing in the Duke Blue Devils‘ center. This is an ambidextrous young post player who can score with ease whenever he gets in the paint. It is understandable that analysts were concerned with his lack of defensive intensity in college, but they must also realize the role he was playing last season. The Blue Devils couldn’t afford for him to be on the bench in foul trouble, and they needed his offense above all else to win games.
“He’s going to be a high double-double guy in the pros,” said head coach Mike Krzyzewski to Colin Cowherd. “He’s gifted. He’s got feet and hands that you can’t teach. He’s got an attitude that’s amazing. I think he’s the best player in the draft.”
Coach K obviously stands to gain a lot of credibility from Okafor doing well, and Krzyzewski’s comments didn’t come as a surprise to me. But he went on to say that Okafor and Justise Winslow both have the chance to be stars, and I don’t remember the coach ever saying anything like that about his former players in the past. I could be wrong and maybe Russell will go on to be the best Lakers’ PG since Magic Johnson, but Okafor has once-in-a-generation talent. And the Lakers will regret passing on him one day.
Dave Daniels is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter: @AllDave_AllDay, like him on Facebook here or add him to your network on Google.
