Jul 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center
Jahlil Okafor(8) holds the ball away from New York Knicks forward
Alex Kirk(53) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Third is the big man situation. Coming into this offseason, it was an optimistic feel for all that we would finally see the front court take shape, finally seeing Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid take the court together. Well, apparently destiny had other plans for the Sixers this year.
Initially, it was reported that Embiid was having setbacks with his foot, but this turned into something much worse. His navicular bone was re-broken, which put him out for the rest of this season.
I know, this is seeming like one of the negative parts of the offseason, and it is, but it was somewhat overshadowed by a replacement that the Sixers picked up in the draft, former Duke Blue Devil, Jahlil Okafor.
Okafor is a dominant big man who is going to get a chance to start right away in his rookie season, and get a shot at revitalizing a dying franchise. He’s a huge piece of the rebuild.
The issue comes to mind: who is going to get the minutes when both Okafor and Embiid are healthy? I’m not sure this really should be a pressing issue at the time. Embiid will be out for at least all of this season, and will be recovering and on limited minutes next season. It could be two years down the road before both of these players are at full health at the same time.
Next: Successful Offseason? Or Not...