The Sixer Sense
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Strength of Sixers’ locker room is on display with the Okafor saga

By Christopher Kline

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 24: Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers talks with Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Washington Wizards on February 24, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 24: Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers talks with Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Washington Wizards on February 24, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jahlil Okafor attributed his sanity last season to the Philadelphia 76ers‘ coaching staff and teammates.

Last year was tough on Jahlil Okafor. For somebody who has been successful to the highest degree throughout his basketball lifetime, spending a season in and out of the rotation while losing your spot in the team’s long term plans is a difficult pill to swallow. Okafor was a top flight recruit coming out of high school before winning a national title during his lone season at Duke. He’s used to being the focal point of winning teams in an activity he has devoted his entire life to.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

At this point, all of that feels irrelevant — as does Okafor’s game. He doesn’t fit Brett Brown’s system, while his stylistic virtues are no longer valued in today’s game. As we saw in the most recent NBA Draft, bigs who can’t defend, rebound at a high rate or space the floor just don’t have roster spots.

Despite all of that, however, Okafor remains highly complimentary of his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s still training hard this offseason, while growth within the organization remains his current goal. He told Tom Moore that Philadelphia is “all [he has] known” as an NBA player, and went on to laud the city and the fan base for supporting him during his tumultuous first two years.

Okafor went on to make a point that has genuine importance on a much larger scale. In the midst of what was a lengthy discussion with Moore and reporters around the Sixers’ facility, Okafor said that he would have “lost his mind” if it weren’t for his teammates and coaches.

That in and of itself speaks to the culture Philadelphia has established, which is part of what drew in J.J. Redick in free agency. Not only does the team enjoy playing together, but they’ve obviously built a series of strong bonds throughout the organization.

Brett Brown has been praised for his basketball passion in the past, but dealing with the Okafor situation — one that  would have been a significant distraction for any professional team — showcased a great deal of control in that locker room. It also highlights just how highly these players respect Brown as a coach.

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The players also rallied around Okafor, which is a promising sign considering just how awkward his fit has been over the past couple of seasons. Okafor was sent home at the deadline under the assumption that he would be traded elsewhere — then it didn’t happen. The team still supported him upon his return, and he has remained a positive force in the locker room since.

Aside from the entertainment factor this young roster provides, the sheer maturity and togetherness they seem to display on a conitnued basis is impressive. It’s difficult to hold locker rooms together when there’s a limited veteran presence, yet the Sixers have been able to do just that.

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This Okafor saga is disheartening in many ways, but both he and the team have handled it exceptionally well.