The Sixer Sense
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What Can Sixers Expect From Sophomore Jahlil Okafor?

By Bret Stuter

Feb 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bigger The Better

While the Sixers look to “fit” big men into the limited real estate around the basket, they are also expanding the talents of some very gifted young men. Nerlens Noel, a staunch defender who has shown flashes of offense this year, had spent last summer training to switch to the power forward role.  In fact, it was not even Jahlil Okafor, but the anticipated return to the active roster of Joel Embiid, which prompted Noel to cross-train for the four position.

Ah… but that was then, this is now.  Now, the Philadelphia 76ers, after experimenting with Okafor at center and Noel at power forward, Noel at center and Okafor at power forward, and both Noel and Okafor on the floor as center without the other on the floor, have now found themselves with both centers/power forwards injured.  Minor injuries, but with a season already dictating no chances of playoffs, and plenty of opportunity to remain with the best chances of the first round draft pick, the team is exercising major caution to both of their stars.

Next season, Dario Saric and Joel Embiid will become part of the rotation which already has Richaun Homes, Carl Landry, and the venerable Elton Brand.   While Brand will likely not remain on the roster in 2016, there is a growing belief that Landry may remain as the veteran voice among the young big men.  But while the cast of large looming titans grows larger, the bigger impact will be what our rookie center/power forward evolves into next season.

To judge our second year of Jahlil Okafor, lets take a look at some other big men who have advanced to their second season of the NBA.   We’ll start with one of our own, Nerlens Noel.

Next: Noel Sophomore Season