Philadelphia 76ers: Jahlil Okafor Enigma May Be Unsolvable

4 of 6

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 /

Step two: Coach Okafor’s Defense up

After all, head coach Brett Brown can do some amazing things when he gets the time and focus. Now, that focus must be upon center Jahlil Okafor. But after the fact, we learn that the same knee that derailed Jahlil Okafor’s trade value likely prevented much improvement on his defense.

On one hand, no NBA player can push to optimize training with a bad wheel. On the other hand, no one has a margin of making excuses. In summary, this has come to the point of Do or Do Not. There is no more Try.

Brett Brown on if Jahlil Okafor fits #Sixers style: It's a challenge because of the way he plays. Because he's young, we can expand his game
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) April 14, 2017

But everyone loves a challenge, especially Brett Brown

Work Work Work

And if that is the case, then so much the better. In his Year-in-Review article on Sixers.com, Jahlil Okafor addressed his knee specifically:

"““The majority of the summer, I’m going to be here, working the Sixers staff, pretty much just staying here, trying to get my knee in a great place. Everything I’m doing right now is rest, and strengthening my knee.”"

That knee holds the key. You can check out his exit interview here.