The Sixer Sense
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Why Amir Johnson, despite struggles, should play over Jahlil Okafor

By Christopher Kline

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 9: Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the preseason game against the Boston Celtics on October 9, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 9: Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the preseason game against the Boston Celtics on October 9, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Despite early struggles, Amir Johnson benefits the Philadelphia 76ers more than Jahlil Okafor.

Amir Johnson looks bad. The Philadelphia 76ers‘ $11 million man has struggled to convert some of his easiest looks on offense, while his defense looks a step slow as well. There’s a chance that the 30-year-old is starting to decline, and his underwhelming play has led many to demand that Jahlil Okafor take on his minutes.

That’s not exactly a flattering proposition in Johnson’s case, as Okafor has been all but excluded from the Sixers’ long and short term plans — and for good reason. Brett Brown denied any chance of Okafor taking over Johnson’s minutes, though, which should end up being the right decision.

There’s a lot of extra baggage that comes with playing Okafor. Even though he has handled his not-so-ideal run in Philly with all the grace possible, he’ll be an immediate discussion point whenever he steps on the floor. He’s also a complete shift stylistically compared to Johnson, demanding more isolation looks and throwing a wrench into an offensive setup that has worked well as a whole so far this season, despite some slight hurdles when it comes to execution.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

Johnson doesn’t necessarily score as well as Okafor, but he’s a more proficient complimentary piece — from his screen setting to the fact that he’s at least capable of attempting the occasional open three. He gives Brett Brown somebody who can run the basic components of the offense without taking too much away from those around him, whereas Okafor can find himself drifting into tunnel vision at times.

Okafor did everything possible to improve this offseason, and is certainly a much-improved version of himself. He’s showing some touch from mid-range, giving legit energy on defense and has improved the most basic fundamentals on offense.

The hard work he put in is deserving of a chance, but that chance is simply best served elsewhere. He’s the fourth string center once Richaun Holmes returns in the coming week, with Dario Saric getting some time as the small ball five to boot.

Changing things up for extended Okafor minutes solely based on early struggles from somebody who has contributed — and even started — for playoff teams since 2013 seems shortsighted. It’s an unnecessary change that, despite Johnson’s apparent decline, would still be a net negative. Okafor does more bad than good on offense, no matter how sweet his spin moves are, while his defense is still far from average by league standards.

The argument for boosting Okafor’s trade stock is a moot point as well. The Sixers have been actively trying to trade him since last year, and nothing has gotten done. He’s an outdated big without much of a place on most teams, and expecting a random two or three game sample of backup minutes to change that is borderline foolish.

There’s a legitimate chance that the Sixers never trade him, much less get a valuable return. Their leverage is gone, and it may come down to declining Jah’s option when the time comes.

Johnson has been as aesthetically unpleasing as a player can be, but he’s better suited for the purpose he’s serving than Jah. He doesn’t do too much, and that’s kind of the point. Jah is too big a change, and too big a question mark, to warrant shoving him into a rotation he doesn’t necessarily want to be a part of.

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He deserves to get out of this situation at some point. Playing him won’t really help that.