Philadelphia 76ers Should Build Around Duke Center Jahlil Okafor

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Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

No Doctor in The House, But a Guy from Aspetar Clinic

There is no way I can sell you the hope that the Philadelphia 76ers can hope to elevate the game of any prospect, veteran, or imaginary character to become our modern Doctor J, Julius Erving.

So I won’t.

But I recall Dr. J’s aerodynamics. His magic was the ability to do so much that few of his opponents could replicate. In short, he stood above his peers.

Now, we don’t have a Doctor J, but we have a Jo-Jo. If rumors and hype and two years worth of wishes from the Philadelphia 76ers fan base have any bearing, Joel Embiid is the one player that the NBA will not be able to account for.

He’s a big man with a soft touch on shooting. He’s got the mindset of a true basketball defensive player, but the shots and the dimensions of an offensive nightmare. By all measurable means available without turning the player loose on the NBA, Joel Embiid tests out in the upper echelons.

Yes, there are still many things to work out, but if the rumors are true about 2 X 2 workouts happening for Embiid as early as next week, we should begin to get some indication of how much he could bring to the basketball court.

In my hopes, it’s more than we’ve imagined. Embiid is the one true chance these Sixers have at the embodiment of someone who can score over 20 points a game, while causing such smothering defense as to frustrate any opponent in his path. I truly see Embiid as possessing enough athleticism to make the jump from the center to the power forward role.

Next: Mike Conley Would Make Sense For The Sixers

The Philadelphia 76ers are simply a team with many parts without a plan. The team needs to place a stake in the ground and begin the build towards that championship. As soon as that happens, everyone will begin to see just how close this team truly is.