Three Things Jahlil Okafor Can Improve his Game Quickly

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Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Battling for Post Position

At 6’11” and 275 pounds, Okafor has no excuse for not holding his position in the post. Far too often, opponents push him out to the perimeter. In similar frequency, Okafor is content to start his post-ups near the three point line rather than hold position on the low block.

Jah can get pushed out to the perimeter on his post-ups. B/c of it, he is sometimes forced to take shots like this: pic.twitter.com/FXDIjVwE9V
— Nicholas Sciria (@Nick_Sciria) July 28, 2016

Okafor is remarkably content to be pushed out near the three point line. The subsequent need for several slow, pounding dribbles to regain ground kills his momentum and allows time for other defenders to help. In this clip, it’s unclear why Jahlil jumps outward to receive the entry pass. He is then forced to face up and dribbles himself into precarious position.

Last season, 22.7 percent of Okafor’s field goal attempts came after more than three dribbles. From those, he shot with 43.1 percent accuracy. On attempts with three or less dribbles, he shot 52.8 percent from the floor.

His inclination to start his post-ups far away from the basket lead to extra dribbles and lower efficiency. Given that Okafor is as big and strong as anyone in the NBA, I am inclined to believe that this habit is sheer lack of discipline and effort. In short, inexperience.

This, too, should improve with coaching over the course of his career.