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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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Feb 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Sacramento Kings at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Sacramento Kings at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Buy Low, Sell High

The underlying principals of “Trusting The Process” apply here. The Philadelphia 76ers have made it a point to open opportunities to players who went undrafted. Look at the current roster.  The team is composed of players who have been injured, undrafted, drafted in 2nd rounds, or come from international teams.

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In virtually all cases, there was a flaw or flaws that needed to be worked out. Rehabbing, refining raw talent, working out old contracts, learning and developing.  But in the case of Jahlil Okafor, he arrived and was put to task in his very first game.  In a team forged of raw into refined, the expectation of Jahlil Okafor is somehow set to a much higher bar than any other player.

In another recent article, we covered the mistake of placing too much weight into the viral video of Jahlil Okafor’s defensive efforts. In fact, the point was also to place recent events into perspective.   In the conclusion of the article, the point is made.

"In the end, the current Philadelphia 76ers roster is built upon something no other team has infused: patience. The team waited three years for Joel Embiid (he’s out again). The team waited a year for Nerlens Noel, and for Ben Simmons. The team waited two years for Dario Saric."

This is the time to slow everything down, and let the play of Jahlil Okafor catch up to the anticipation, the expectation, and the role for him on this team.  In the end, the team will enjoy the services of Jahlil Okafor for two more seasons.