The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 reasons why irrelevance of Philadelphia 76ers Jahlil Okafor is exaggerated.

By Bret Stuter

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers is seen at the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers is seen at the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers backup center Jahlil Okafor is 21 years old, played 103 NBA games, and is no longer relevant. Let’s hold off on declaring him dead just yet.

Do you believe that Philadelphia 76ers 21 year-old center Jahlil Okafor is  no longer relevant?  If so, we need to talk.  Not disrespectfully. Not insultingly. Just talk.

You see, this modern era of disposable everything drives me a tad crazy at times. It really does.  Perhaps its the 140 character tweet limit which forces us to try saying too much in too few words?  Perhaps it’s the perspective of movies, drive up service, and instant answers which forces our chronology to conclude instantly of the worth or worthless value of somebody’s future?  Perhaps is the social unrest of complete disrespect of one another from the safety shield of social media.

Unsuscribe to “Okafor out of NBA” while you still can

Whatever the case, I am not a subscriber to that way of thinking. I’m old enough to know that we get it wrong, frequently.  We traded Charles Barkley because he was unhappy with the Sixers trying to build a winner around him.  The conclusion? Not a fit.  But wow, he certainly was a fit for the Phoenix Suns, wasn’t he?

The fact of the matter is that each year this NBA changes. Injuries heal. Teams reassemble rosters. Players mature – good for younger players, bad for older players. Even coaches try new strategies, new lineups, and new training techniques. It’s a new chapter allowing for new heroes and villains.

We have to allow for the new heroes to arrive. Health is rare in the 82 game season, and when a young man who is entering the NBA runs aground of that physicality from game one, it’s difficult to sustain.  Many NBA centers struggle to stay healthy in the bump and grind post game.