The Sixer Sense
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Bold Prediction: Jahlil Okafor Will Compete For Top NBA Scorer

By Bret Stuter

Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempt to dribbles past the defense of Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempt to dribbles past the defense of Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempt to dribbles past the defense of Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempt to dribbles past the defense of Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

In 2015-2016, Duke rookie center Jahlil Okafor carried the Philadelphia 76ers offense. Wiser, experienced, and no longer a one-man show, Jahlil Okafor will explode offensively

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana (in The Life of Reason, 1905)

History is a tough subject for Philadelphia right now. There is little joy in losing, and for the past four seasons the Philadelphia 76ers have failed to achieve a .500 record. Whether that changes this year or not, returning center Jahlil Okafor will do his part.

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You see, he’s been suffering a debate of the limits to his basketball defense. In the process, we’ve missed a huge topic. As my bold prediction for 2017, I expect that Philadelphia 76er Jahlil Okafor will compete for the top NBA scoring title in 20160-2017.

In 53 games in the 2015-2016 season, the young man scored 17.5 points per game from a hybrid center/power forward role. But that betrays the fact that he was improving. As teammates found ways to score, his role did not recede, but flourished.  To be honest, his best month was February 2016, the month he injured his knee and eventually ended his season.  He was up to the pace of 18.5 points per game for the month, and  over 20 points per game in his last nine games.

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