The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers 2017-18 Second Unit: Post-Draft Edition

By Rusty Gorelick

Jan 21, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks to guard T.J. McConnell (1) against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 110-93. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks to guard T.J. McConnell (1) against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 110-93. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 02: Jahlil Okafor
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 02: Jahlil Okafor /

Center: Jahlil Okafor

Apparently, I am one of the few who still has any faith in Jahlil Okafor. Let me make a case for him off the bench.  He is the 2015 third overall pick and that still has plenty of value to unlock by the Philadelphia 76ers.  The challenge is how to evolve his play to reinforce  a positive effect for the Sixers as he comes off the bench.

With Richaun Holmes next to him in this lineup, Okafor will not be relied upon as the main rim protector in the second unit. We’ve all seen this tragic defensive effort from Jah, but he will not have to be the guy patrolling the paint on each defensive possession.

The best part about Okafor’s game is the fact that he stands at 6-foot-11 and weighs in at 275 pounds.  Big and strong, but he still manages to have the footwork of a ballerina. Just about no center in the NBA can shut him down when he goes one-on-one in the post. He slow the pace somewhat when he is in.  Still,  Brett Brown can showcase him for 15- 20 minutes per game.  That’s all his offensive game needs to pound the ball into the basket.  Limiting his playing time limits his need to defend.

Pass out of double coverage

Okafor struggles to pass out of double teams in his young NBA career. If he comes off the bench, opposing coaches will simply put two defenders on him. Let them come.

In this unit, with Jerryd Bayless and potential sharpshooters such as Holmes, McConnell, and Saric around him, his value will soar if he learns how to find the open man.

When against a single defender in the low-post, Big Jah is basically automatic. If he gets a good balance of time each night, he will maximize his potential. The franchise invested too much in him for Colangelo and Brown to waste his talent like they did last season. Okafor needs a chance to show his worth, and he really could thrive in this lineup while coming off the bench.