The Sixer Sense
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What A Difference A Year Makes For Jahlil Okafor

By Bret Stuter

Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia Is Different

In 2015-2016, professional sports in Philadelphia were at an historic low. The Phildelphia Phillies finished worst in baseball with a record of 63-99. The Philadelphia Eagles disappointed with a 7-9 record, and made a coaching change during the season before the last game. The Philadelphia Flyers played well enough to get to the playoffs with a 41-27-14 record, before losing a 4-2 playoff series to the Washington Capitals. Finally, the Philadelphia 76ers ended the year with a 10-72 record.

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But Philadelphia is turning the corner this year, and not just in basketball. So far, the Carson Wentz led Philadelphia Eagles are 2-0. The Phillies have already bested last season’s wins by six and continue to play out the season. The Philadelphia Flyers hope to build on last year’s surprise success. But the Philadelphia 76ers’ haul of the first pick in the 2016 NBA draft with a selection of point forward Ben Simmons has become the talk of the town.

With the arrival of Simmons, as well as the debut of both Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, the team has plenty of headliners for now.  And that suits Okafor just fine.

This season, he is not carrying the team, nor a weak roster.  Nor is he working in a line up without a true starting point guard.  In fact, this season the team may have multiple starting caliber point guards on the roster.