Potential Realized With Philadelphia 76ers 2016 Lineup

Dec 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) scores past Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Jahlil Okafor

Center Jahlil Okafor  -“Jah”- is a young man in an NBA veteran’s body. His style doesn’t fit the team, his position was not a position of need in the draft, and nobody saw his role as making a significant difference with this team. But… Here he is, playing and scoring and proving time and time again that this young man is maturing rapidly. He is scoring 17.6 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, 1.28 blocks per game, 1.2 assists per game, and 2.5 turnovers per game in his first NBA season. Actually, his first third of an NBA season.  

OJT – On Job Training

On the Philadelphia 76ers, there is no structured disciplined team who will pick up the slack if Jahlil has an off day. There is not a significant wing man presence whose long range accuracy pulls defenders off Okafor in the post. There is not a veteran whose words will pick up the young man if he struggles. And he has struggled. Fame and fortune come at you from a different direction than opponents on a basketball court. They awaken demons inside of a person, demons who create the struggle inside. Pride and aspirations can be powerful motivators, and just as powerful detractors.  Jahlil Okafor has had to battle his demons. But in the aftermath, he’s averaging over 19 points a game, 9 rebounds a game, deadly accurate from the free throw line, and cut his turnover down to 1.8 turnovers per game.   Just one third of a season, and he’s the third most productive center in the NBA. Next year he could dominate.   The NBA has moved away from the post game, but Jahlil Okafor could bring them back to it.   The 2016 could find Jah breaking the 20 point mark, the last time that was done by a center was Al Jefferson playing for the Charlotte Hornets in 2013-2014.   He’s special enough to do it.

2016 Delivery

In the 2016 roster, you can project Okafor to see 28 minutes playing time, 50% shooting from the floor, 8.5 rebounds per game, 0.5 steals per game, 6 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per game and score 21 points per game.   His will be a key role as the lynchpin, keeping the team together as they mature and develop.

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