The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Okafor Noel Can Coexist Thanks to McConnell

By Bret Stuter

Feb 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (12) celebrates after forward Nerlens Noel (not pictured) scores during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 103-98. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (12) celebrates after forward Nerlens Noel (not pictured) scores during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 103-98. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

Jahlil Okafor to Okafour?

He has been in the NBA for less than a season. In fact, for less than half a season. But, if you judge the young man by what he’s managed to absorb in this short period, you’d think he had aged five years already in this short five months of the NBA season.    Jahlil Okafor is a 19 year old rookie center / power forward for the Philadelphia 76ers.  When the team drafted him at number three of the 2015 NBA draft, he became the third straight center drafted by the Sixers in the past three years- following similar position elections of center Nerlens Noel in 2013 (albeit via a draft) and Joel Embiid (who remains out with a second surgery to his foot).

But Jahlil’s youthful aspect  has contributed mightily to the rapid maturation of Okafor.  When the rookie was out and abound following a road loss to the Boston Celtics, he was involved in an incident which eventually led to a two game suspension and perhaps even the team signing on new executive Jerry Colangelo. Prior to the that, Okafor was presumed to be the starting center, and Noel was expected to make the painful transition over to the power forward role.

But Jerry Colangelo noted that Nerlens Noel is a rim protecting center.  Thus the team has been scrambling to get Jahlil Okafor out at the four spot.  How’s that working out?  Well, we have the video of the recent win over the Brooklyn Nets.

It was an outstanding performance of a true team effort.  But does the story have a happy ending for former Duke Jahlil Okafor?  You bet it does!

And then there is this little tidbit about the work of Jahlil Okafor, in the framework of NBA history.  A flash or a fire starting?  We’ll have time to find out.

This was a solid outing for Jahlil Okafor, who is now learning the game from the power forward spot.  Okafor also has his own personal mentor of transitioning between center and power forward from one of the NBA’s best – Elton Brand.   Despite Brand’s presense, this could be a rough go of things at times going forward, but the win against the Nets certainly brings hope that a team pairing Jahlil Okafor with Nerlens Noel could be very dangerous in the not so distant future.

Next: Noel is The Wall