Philadelphia 76ers: Can Brett Brown Coach up Jahlil Okafor’s Defense?
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown is known for two things, player development and defense. Can he make Jahlil Okafor defensively savvy?
When the Philadelphia 76ers hired head coach Brett Brown, the front office brought him in for his defensive abilities and player development. When former general manager Sam Hinkie drafted Jahlil Okafor, most knew Brown would have his work cut out for him.
In college, most analysts anticipated Okafor’s defense was suspect. Early in his NBA career, that has been more than evident. With two more seasons left on his rookie contract, can Brown turn Okafor into a respectable defensive center?
Brown’s Side
When looking at Brown, let’s just go with what he has done with the makeshift roster he has had to deal while coaching the Sixers. If one reviews current Sixers and former Sixers under Brown’s tutelage it is evident that he can develop players.
Of the former players, Jakarr Sampson, Thomas Robinson, Nerlens Noel, Hollis Thompson, and Michael Carter-Williams top the list of Brown’s achievements. All but one of them are currently in the league. Noel, Robinson, and Thompson are currently playing at a higher level than when they first came to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Of the current players on the Sixers roster, Brown has two un-drafted players that are in the top 25 in the league in steals, with Robert Covington highlighting that ranking being third in the league in steals, and T.J. McConnell tied for twentieth in steals. Brown’s ability to develop players — especially defensively — can clearly seen.
If you don’t believe it, look at Covington’s progress under Brown.
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/1/2017.
If that is not convincing, then nothing will be.
Okafor’s side
Okafor was on the trading block during this most recent trade deadline last week, primarily due to his lack of defensive ability and his overall trouble to fit with the success of the Sixers. Some argue Okafor can’t play defense, but personally, I believe defense is more of a mentality, and not as much of a skill. Okafor needs to go into games with a defensive mindset. He is much more physically fit this season, and should be capable to defend better. Brown has found the right buttons to push with some players to get them to develop defensively. Has Brown made any progress in year two with Okafor?
| Season | Age | Lg | G | PER | TS% | FTr | ORB% | DRB% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | TOV% | USG% | OWS | DWS | WS | WS/48 | OBPM | DBPM | BPM | VORP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 20 | NBA | 53 | 17.1 | .536 | .248 | 8.1 | 17.8 | 12.8 | 8.2 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 12.5 | 27.3 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.2 | .037 | -2.6 | -1.5 | -4.1 | -0.8 |
| 2016-17 | 21 | NBA | 41 | 14.8 | .543 | .355 | 7.9 | 15.1 | 11.5 | 8.3 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 12.7 | 23.2 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.2 | .061 | -3.1 | 0.0 | -3.1 | -0.3 |
| Career | NBA | 94 | 16.2 | .538 | .283 | 8.0 | 16.8 | 12.3 | 8.2 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 12.6 | 25.8 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.4 | .046 | -2.8 | -1.0 | -3.7 | -1.1 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/1/2017.
It can be seen that Brown has made some progress in making Okafor better on defense. He has improved in his block percentage (BLK%) and his defensive box plus/minus (DBPM), however, there are still plenty of strides Okafor has to make in order to become a well rounded player.
Next: Is Smith An Option For Philadelphia 76ers?
With the end of season in sight and Okafor having the starting job for the rest of this season, he has to show signs of further improvement. Even with his future with the Philadelphia 76ers in question, fans still must hope that Okafor develops defensively.