The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Should Build Around Duke Center Jahlil Okafor

By Bret Stuter

Feb 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) holds the ball away from Washington Wizards forward Jared Dudley (1) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) holds the ball away from Washington Wizards forward Jared Dudley (1) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 4, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 123-98. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 123-98. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Mo’ Teague

After clearing the top two, the “connection” to those 1983 Sixers becomes a matter of projection and or speculation.  We have three pieces remaining, and we have some assets of the team who are projected to assume a role.  Okay, let’s go:

The remaining three pieces are the back court and the wing man: Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, and Julius Erving.  For starters, the Sixers need to find their Maurice Cheeks.

Cheeks was the type of point guard who could toss nearly 10 assists a game while pressuring the other team with a 15.1 PPG average.  That’s why this team is in need of a point guard upgrade.

Atlanta Hawk’s Jeff Teague may be an intriguing fit in this “yesteryear Sixer” template.  Teague is generating the offensive output of better than 15 points per game the past three seasons, while his assists are coming in at 6.5 for the same three years.  Teague is no sloutch on defense either, coming in this year at a very “MoCheek-like” rating of 104.

In the face of draft or trade for this critical piece, the Sixers should lean to the trade scenario.  Teague can be had for the right price, and the Sixers have plenty of currency to make a deal like this happen.

We know the Sixers pursued Teague’s teammate Dennis Schroder at the trade deadline, but with the Hawks second year of futility in post season, they appear to be ready to turn over the keys to the team to Schroder and deal Teague.  The Sixers should be ready to take that call when it comes.

Next: Buddy Up