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Philadelphia 76ers, Time To Invest In Jahlil Okafor

By Bret Stuter

Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and forward Dario Saric (9) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and forward Dario Saric (9) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and head coach Brett Brown against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and head coach Brett Brown against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Brett Brown Stands Behind Okafor

While Brett Brown is nearly always upbeat and optimistic, he has his way of subtly making his opinion heard.

But there is no hidden message when Brown discusses Okafor.  None.  In fact, he boldly defends his young center.  Perhaps he knows more than we do on the matter?  It makes logical sense.

In the article from Keith Pompey of Philly.com, Brown staunchly defends Okafor:

"“He is young and I think people sometimes have a hard time understanding how young he is,” Brown said Wednesday night of the 21-year-old. “There were times you saw the offensive brilliance tonight. Other times, you realize he has a long way to go defensively. He has been fantastic. He wants to be coached and I think he is getting better.”"

Coach Okafor Up

He wants to be coached, but can he be? Sixer Sense Lucas Johnson explored the possibilities in a recent article.  In that expose’, Johnson demonstrated the effectiveness of Brown upon the play of Robert Covington.  He then turns to the limited data available on Okafor so far, and there is the makings of a trend in the positive direction.  He is getting better.

Keep in mind, the past history of the team was Nerlens Noel equaled defense, and Jahlil Okafor equaled offense.  For all the talk of “he needs to improve defensively”, the team has just recently emphasized that aspect of his game.  In the end, a defensive minded coach like Brown defending Okafor’s defense should be the first clue.