The Sixer Sense
Fansided

8 Worst Philadelphia 76ers starters of the Joel Embiid era

By Jonathan Geib

Oct 20, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on during the anthem before action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on during the anthem before action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers
Jan 13, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) watches on from the player’s bench during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 102-93. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Jahlil Okafor (2016-17)

The former number three overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft has had a disappointing professional career in the league. If we are being honest, Okafor was born into the wrong era for playing in the NBA. In the middle of the 2010s, the league was transitioning to big men who could play away from the basket and stretch the floor, something Okafor is not known for. He is a big body who could dominate in the post and was a key reason the Duke Blue Devils won an NCAA Championship during his one year in college.

OKafor’s first season in Philly was productive.

He averaged 17.5 points and 7 rebounds per game in his rookie season which landed him on the All-Rookie team. However, Okafor was playing for a Sixers team that went 10-72, one of the worst records in the history of the NBA. Embiid had been drafted the year before but was sitting out for his second consecutive year due to a foot injury. Okafor had no competition at the center position and had a green light to play his game with the team being so bad.

In the 2016-17 season when Embiid played his first games in the NBA, Okafor started to see his role and style of play becoming extinct. His production dropped to 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and this was the beginning of the end for Okafor. He was out of the league in 2021, just six years after being a top-3 draft pick. Stockpiling centers was the fault of the Sixers’ front office, but Okafor’s not being able to adapt his game lies with himself.