The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Bold Prediction: Jahlil Okafor Will Compete For Top NBA Scorer

By Bret Stuter

Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempt to dribbles past the defense of Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempt to dribbles past the defense of Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

Held His Own

The team was never designed to provide Jahlil Okafor with a scheme he would thrive in.  To be honest, the team was focused on the healthy return of center Joel Embiid, and upon learning complications had developed, selected Okafor in the 2015 draft as insurance.

While many expected this move to result in an immediate trade, the team held fast with the intent to play Okafor as Embiid continued to rehab.  But Okafor was selected after another center that year. The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Karl Anthony Towns number one overall.  Get used to it.  Jahlil Okafor will be compared to Karl Anthony Towns his entire career.  So how did Okafor do in a head on clash?  25 points to Towns’ 6 points.

But Okafor faced some of the NBA’s best, and performed very well.  In this video, he faced DeMarcus Cousins, and nearly kept pace with the veteran center.  For Cousins’ 28 points, Okafor put up 26 points.

In the end, Jahlil Okafor held his own against the NBA’s best, both present and future.  Keep in mind that his team was not built to his specs.  He did much of his season on his own.

Next: Best Scenario