The Sixer Sense
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5 Ways Jahlil Okafor Refined Philadelphia 76ers Process

By Bret Stuter

Nov 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) dribbles past Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) dribbles past Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and center Jahlil Okafor (8) congratulate each other after a score against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and center Jahlil Okafor (8) congratulate each other after a score against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Reason V: He paved the way for Joel Embiid.

Finally, Jahlil Okafor was the harbinger of good things yet to come.  Despite being drafted a year previously, Joel Embiid as unable to take the floor for the 2015-2016 Philadelphia 76ers.  But in a similar fashion, the team was gearing up for an offense and defense to focus through the center position.

And that was about as against the grain as anything the Philadelphia 76ers have done in the past ten years.

The NBA is a league of mimicry, imitation, copy what works, follow the leader mentality.  In recent years, the Golden State Warriors have taken the league by storm by running a small ball offense that plays quick and long-range shooters to score.  It’s been an unqualified success.

But the Philadelphia 76ers were going big.  Big all the time.   In three years, the team landed three centers with their first overall pick.  Nerlens Noel arrived and delivered defense at the rim. But could the NBA run an offense through the center?

The Show Must Go On

From the moment he arrived on the scene, Jahlil Okafor proved an NBA team could do so. He opened the 2015-2016 season with a 26 point, 7 rebound, 2 block performance against the Boston Celtics.

The lack of a strong supporting cast allowed NBA defenses to collapse on Okafor, double and triple teaming him.  Still, he found a way to score.  He continued to score at a 50.0 percent or better clip his entire time in Philadelphia.

Some say Jahlil Okafor was a mistake. Others say he doesn’t fit.  I say otherwise.  I say Jahlil Okafor is as integral to “The Process” as the first stage of a rocket ship is to landing a spacecraft on the moon.

Next: How Three-Pointers Are Giving the Philadelphia 76ers Wins

Wherever Jahlil Okafor goes, mark this down. He will be a dominant center in the NBA for many years to come. How can I say this?  Simple.  He led the Philadelphia 76ers at the ripe old age of 19 despite playing among an injured and inexperienced roster. Imagine the upside when he lands on a healthy veteran roster and he hits his prime.