OT: Emeka Looking to Return to the NBA

[TopDogs]

Looks like Emeka has been medically cleared to play again and has been in touch with a few teams about a return to the leage:

Emeka Okafor Determined To Return To NBA

 

[Kenny11]

The style of play in the NBA today has passed him by. Unless he can all of a sudden hit the 3, he probably won't play much. However, he could be a good veteran role model type of guy similar to what Ollie was at the end of his career.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Maybe a replacement for Amir Johnson in Boston? A little length and defensive prowess off the bench.

 

[Huskyforlife]

The style of play in the NBA today has passed him by. Unless he can all of a sudden hit the 3, he probably won't play much. However, he could be a good veteran role model type of guy similar to what Ollie was at the end of his career.

Not every center shoots threes, I believe the majority don't.

 

[Kenny11]

Not every center shoots threes, I believe the majority don't.

The ones that don't are the pick and roll type of athletes that Emeka is not (especially at age 35).

 

[NielsisGood]

The ones that don't are the pick and roll type of athletes that Emeka is not (especially at age 35).

Yeah it's tough to imagine Mek playing meaningful minutes on a team at this point.

 

[JSM1970]

No way, Johnson is 10x better than Okafor and can't even get on the court

He was bad at the end, injury or not. A 6-9 guy with zero handle or mid-range game is not in demand today

Maybe a replacement for Amir Johnson in Boston? A little length and defensive prowess off the bench.

 

[MexicoHusky]

Up hill battle for Emeka. Good luck

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Put that finance degree to work and spare your body. You're a young man in the business world but a dinosaur in the NBA.

 

[champs99and04]

It just me or has this been a thread for like the last five off-seasons? Not blaming the OP, it's a worthy thread, just wondering if this has been as persistent as it seems.

There is still a place for Emeka in the NBA if he's the same guy he was in 2011, but that seems unlikely. Not sure who the comp for him would be in the NBA today. Bismack Biyombo? Emeka was probably capable of giving you a little more offensively but not quite the athlete.

 

[TopDogs]

It just me or has this been a thread for like the last five off-seasons? Not blaming the OP, it's a worthy thread, just wondering if this has been as persistent as it seems.

I think with Mek it's been a will-he/won't-he thing every year since 2013. You saw the same thing with Ray Allen. They never really retired (well, Ray did recently, right?) they just kind of slipped away so every year this story will pop back up.

I'm not super surprised Mek is looking to come back but I just don't think there's much of a spot for him any more. Al Jefferson is only a few years younger than him and, while he's a different type of big man, he's had a few injuries and with his age there's barely a spot for him in the NBA anymore. For some reason this story reminds me of the story about Thabeet (last year?) when he was looking to get back in the league. Okafor has a better chance of a return to the NBA, however.

 

[jleves]

The ones that don't are the pick and roll type of athletes that Emeka is not (especially at age 35).

Holy Crap - Emeka is going to be 35 at the start of the next NBA season? That makes me feel really old. He should be like 28 in my mind. Seems like only yesterday he was walking down the court after being fouled saying 'I only need to make 1.'

He made almost $90 million in the NBA and was super smart. I'm sure he's set, but it would be fun to see him play a couple more years if only to keep UConn a little more relevant.

 

[joober jones]

Remember when Coach Reeves almost played again for Portland but was beaten by the other guy in a game of one-on-one?

Edit: I have no idea why I said Bob Sura the first time.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I think Gordon is more likely to make a comeback with his skill set than Emeka. Didn't he play in the DLeague this year? I was hoping the Cavs were gonna ressurect him when they picked up 300lb Derron Williams instead.

 

[JSM1970]

Shooting is at a huge premium in the NBA, if anyone thought BG could remotely make shots he would have been signed

He's an awful defender too, so that doesn't help

Not sure why 'Meka would want to return as a 12th man type player and play maybe 5 mins every 3rd game even if he could make a roster, which is doubtful

He never won a single playoff series

Geez, BG, did he blow all his $$?

Report: Former NBA guard Ben Gordon arrested for ... pulling fire alarms?

I think Gordon is more likely to make a comeback with his skill set than Emeka. Didn't he play in the DLeague this year? I was hoping the Cavs were gonna ressurect him when they picked up 300lb Derron Williams instead.