Philadelphia 76ers Okafor Wood Incident Raises Questions

Bret Stuter

Nov 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) moves into the zone in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia 76ers Okafor Wood Incident Raises Questions

Yesterday, a video taped outside of a Boston nightclub showed a young brash and irate version of Jahlil Okafor, the 6’10” 271 pound rookie center sensation for the Philadelphia 76ers. The video begins in a middle of a confrontation, and remains trained on Okafor the entire time as multiple fanatics swarm and engage in a verbal confrontation. In the video, Jahlil Okafor rushes at one male, punching him, while a second man begins punching Jahlil Okafor from behind.

As of today, the Philadelphia 76ers organization has advised that they are investigating the report, and will not comment until they uncover further information.

This report is incomplete, but it leaves many questions. I will try to answer the questions as best as I can for you based on what we know:

(1) Was Jahlil Okafor alone?

No, he was reported to be accompanied by another Philadelphia 76ers player.

(2) Who was the other player?

A unnamed source (yes, I hate that too) informed ESPN that Okafor was with fellow Sixer forward Christian Wood.

(3) How old are Jahlil Okafor and Christian Wood?

Jahlil Okafor is 19 at the time of the incident. Christian Wood is 20 at the time of the incident.

More Questions

(6) Do you have a streamfeed of the video?

Yes. Please keep in mind the footage is raw and the language is not suitable for work or for young children.

(7) What time did this incident occur?

In a telphone interview with the Philadelphia inquirer’s Mike Sielski, Officer Rachel McGuire of the Boston Police Department indicated that police received a 911 call at approximately 2 a.m. Thursday from an unknown woman who “didn’t give much information.”

(7) Were any arrests made?
In a telphone interview with the Philadelphia inquirer’s Mike Sielski, Officer Rachel McGuire said that when officers arrived at the scene, “there was no one there.” So no arrests were made.

(8) Are any arrests planned?
In the interview, McGuire went on to say that she had seen the video, but “as far as the Boston Police Department was concerned, there’s not much we can pursue. Nobody was there when we arrived. We unfortunately don’t have the identity of the alleged victim. But if the victim wants to come forward and file a police report, he or she is encouraged to do so.”

(9) What were Jahlil Okafor, 19, and Christian Wood, 20, doing outside of a Boston nightclub at 2 AM unescorted by anyone from the Philadelphia 76ers?
That is the first of many important questions which are likely being asked by the Philadelphia 76ers today.

(10) What is the legal drinking age in Boston Massachusetts?
On December 4, 1984, Governor Michael S. Dukakis signed a bill raising the drinking age from 20 to 21 in Massachusetts. The legal drinking age of 21 remains in effect today.

(11) So the Storyville Nightclub is just a bar?
No, it’s a nightclub with a full dining menu and VIP table service. But when reading the reviews, it’s apparent that the highest marks occured from those who did not stand in line to enter. Poor marks were made by those who had to wait in a long line or who never made it in. The reviews were entirely about drinks and drink service. Of 22 comments made only one indicated the quality of the food service, and was quite negative about the experience.

(12) Why is the 2 AM time frame important?
The Storyville Nightclub closes at 2 AM. The incident occuring outside of the nightclub just after 2 AM suggests that both Okafor and Wood were present in the nightclub until after last call.

(13) Kids will be kids, right? What’s the big deal?
The big deal is that the process of rebuilding the Philadelphia 76ers is keystoned around the concept of building via youth. The Philadelphia 76ers are the youngest team in the NBA at 23.4 years of age. They are also one of the most inexperienced teams in the league. Young adulthood is an incredibly powerful time for a person. A well conditioned youth can perform at a high level with less sleep. But the young men of the NBA are millionaires, and sometimes wisdom does not temper the energy inherent in this period of a person’s life. Experience is in short supply, so mistakes in judgement can occur.

(14) Where was head coach Brett Brown?
Brett Brown is stretched far too thinly these days. Embedded in a prolonged losing streak, in the midst of a long road trip, he is likely already exhausted at the end of his day. While he can set a curfew, there is no way the organization can place him into a 24 hour vigilance over the actions of his players. He is trying to keep them motivated in a positive manner.

(15) So what triggered the conflict?
Reports are sketchy and heresay. Per TMZ, the incident began when Christian Wood became engaged in a physical confrontation outside Storyville, and that Okafor “was being heckled from the moment he left the club and felt threatened because people swarmed him on the street.”
Other reports from ESPN by unnamed sources close to Okafor claim the incident began when fans began heckling Okafor and Wood with ‘The 76ers [stink], and you guys are all losers. You’ll never win a game.” Neither report rules out the other, so its conceivable that both could be true.

(16) What questions does this raise about the Sixers plan?
Let’s consider the questions in categories: Timing, Youth movement, Discipline, Sports Science and Analytics.

Next: Timing

Nov 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) boxes out against Minnesota Timberwolves center

Karl-Anthony Towns

(32) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Timberwolves win 100-95 over the 76ers. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Timing

The timing of the incident is in the midst of a losing streak in the midst of a road trip in the midst of a team rebuild. Yes, this is year three, but this incident immediately follows the #SaveJahlil video released earlier in the week. While the video is a parody of sorts, the exit scene of Jahlil Okafor banging off the tunnel walls left a deep impression on me. He is frustrated. If heckling by fans of the opposing team can incite him to a flash point, that is a second indication of the fragility of the team’s mindset.

Losing happens, but it takes the wisdom of experiencing losing to understand that it’s part of a competitive sport, and is necessary to grow, develop, and improve both an individual and team dynamics. Are the two incidents related? Was heckling a major component of the blow up? If this reaction was this strong in one 76er player, how many are powder kegs just waiting for the wrong word or event to blow up? Is this team falling apart, or is this experience bringing about a circling of wagons?

Are we witness a team forming before our eyes, or the disintegration of one?

Next: Youth Movement

Nov 20, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with guard

T.J. McConnell

(12) during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the 76ers 113-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Youth movement

The Philadelphia 76ers are the youngest team in the NBA. The process involves placing as many gifted young men on the team simultaneously to grow both team dynamics as well as individual skills. Positive progress together would be a huge bonding force that will cement this team for years to come. Or so the theory goes. But that type of positive bonding does require wisdom and maturity above the age of 23.4 years to master.

The team has gone beyond the point of no return. They did not resign any player who became eligible for free agency. New trumps experienced is one message being sent to the players. With a busload of new prospects foreseen for the team in the 2016-2017 season, do the players on the current roster have enough incentive in the possible one and done future with the Sixers?

The hope was that the mentoring and positive feedback of a head coach so strong in player development as Brett Brown would be enough to make it all come to pass. But have the Sixers asked too much of Brett Brown? The team is losing games in a tailspin. How much will players buy into a plan without seeing evidence of it on the court? It only takes one doubting Thomas. What if that doubter was the star center?

Next: Discipline

Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center

Joel Embiid

(21) before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center. The Cavaliers won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Discipline

The Philadelphia 76ers are build on the hope of young talent, and with youth comes the inherent challenge of focusing all that raw youthful energy to basketball in a positive way. We know this is a vulnerable area to the Sixers. After news broke of Joel Embiid’s need for a second surgery to heal his foot, reports surfaced that Embiid did not strictly adhere to his regiment following his first surgery. The need to keep Embiid on track is so great that the Sixers have brought on Zydrunus Ilgauskas, former Cleveland Cavaliers career leader in rebounds and blocked shots, who also endured numerous foot surgeries.

"“His story is real,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said. “And it really resonates with Joel on the pitfalls of it all and the mental side of it all and the discipline to take of your body to get back onto the court. So far Joel (Embiid) is doing great and is also doing fantastic in his mind. He is so determined to do everything that he has to,” Brown said, “everything that people are telling him that he has to do to get it right. There was a real progression in his maturity and seriousness to understanding truly what needs to be done for him to give him every chance to get back on the court ”"

Joel Embiid is less than two years older than Jahlil Okafor. In the past two years, he has matured rapidly, out of necessity. Sometimes, the process of maturing is not encountering adversity, but learning how to successfully manage and overcome that adversity. Right now, that is the challenge facing the entire Philadelphia 76ers active roster.

Next: Sports Science And Analytics

Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie (far left) watches as center Joel Embiid (21) walks out of the tunnel on crutches prior to a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Sports Science And Analytics

The Philadelphia 76ers are strong participants and advocates of basketball innovations: from the hiring of sports science guru Dr. David T. Martin, to the expansion of their basketball analytics department, to Sports Psychology, to an entirely new basketball training center and support staff. From the moment a new player encounters the Sixers, they are given the premier package in terms of support.

But the team is a network of resources. The team has and will continue to create the tools needed to give immediate feedback; to measure, record, and analyze nutrition, hydration, sleep, shot selection, physical training, and pscyhological health techniques. But much like a library, the information is available. The challenge is two fold: persuading players to adopt the latest and greatest methods in sports science – despite the fact that much of the advice will come from persons who DO NOT PLAY THE GAME OF BASKETBALL. Would you make life changes about your investments if your advisor has never invested a dime of their own money?

The second question is will the Philadelphia 76ers players continue to adapt, and eventually wholesale modify their playing style despite the lack of initial success?

Before this incident, these questions were unasked. There was a plan. There is a timeline. Until yesterday, that plan and timeline were in nearly perfect synchronization. But today, it’s clear that the message to the players may be less than what we hoped it might be.

This could be a team of “Network” anchors, who are mad as hell . That movie didn’t end well. Discontent has a way of spreading like a wildfire in a windstorm. Let’s hope the Sixer’s outcome is far different.

Bret Stuter

Bret Stuter is the site expert for Ramblin Fan who has covered the Los Angeles Rams for 5 years. Swept up into loving professional sports from a family that listened to games on the radio, he is at home cheering for HC Sean McVay and the Rams. Articles have been featured on B/R, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, Sporting News, and Washington Post. Bret loves to fish, and watch games at sports bars over pizza.