The Sixer Sense
Fansided

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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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 /

But . . . Okafor Is Different Too

When he arrived, he was the heir apparent center for the 2015-2016 season. He was young, just coming to Philadelphia from an excellent Duke basketball program. However, throughout his rookie season, there were voices that haunted him.

The center position was already claimed by Joel Embiid, who was drafted the previous year. Unfortunately, a foot injury needed two years to fully heal.  His delayed arrival gave Jahlil Okafor the opportunity to start, but for how long?

Meanwhile, there was another center waiting in the wings in Nerlens Noel.  Noel had played the center position admirably the previous year, and had dominated the boards defensively.  In anticipation of Joel Embiid’s recovery, Noel had accepted a role as power forward of the team.

Sandwiched between players of greater potential, and greater production, Okafor was under tremendous pressure to produce points.  Not just to score, but to carry the team at times. Unfamiliar with the NBA, his teammates, his coaches, or even the Pace-Space-Pass scheme employed by head coach Brett Brown, he had to grow up in a hurry.  By season’s end, his 53 games afforded him the opportunity to score 928 points, bring down 373 rebounds, block 61 shots, pass off 65 assists, and steal the ball on 22 occasions.

And he did it at the age of 19, and as an NBA rookie.