Where is Jahlil Okafor?

[Embiid P]

Tanked a whole season to get a backup Center.

You are the same guy who said team can't hit on every lottery pick and Okafor being a backup center is exactly what you hoped for this whole summer. Just stop making any more comments on Okafor pls its quite enough.

Okafor as Enes Kanter is about right. As for what I hoped for, you are incorrect. Okafor is a backup talent, but I never hoped for Okafor to be the back-up Center. I hoped they traded him and got something at another position that was more valuable. But since that didn't happen, him being the backup Center is about the best role for him.

I still think Okafor sees himself as a starter long-term and will thus command starter's money when he hits free agency. Assuming Embiid stays healthy, Okafor will likely be traded at some point and Noel will walk in free agency given what he'll command. That would make Holmes our long-term back-up who would come at a significantly cheaper price than Noel or Okafor would.

[ankle420breaker]

I can still eventually see him adapting to the 4 and coexisting with Embiid.

It is refreshing to see him taking a "team first" approach and accepting the role for the betterment of the squad.

Noel on the other hand...

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[Unbreakable99]

Tanked a whole season to get a backup Center.

You are the same guy who said team can't hit on every lottery pick and Okafor being a backup center is exactly what you hoped for this whole summer. Just stop making any more comments on Okafor pls its quite enough.

Okafor as Enes Kanter is about right. As for what I hoped for, you are incorrect. Okafor is a backup talent, but I never hoped for Okafor to be the back-up Center. I hoped they traded him and got something at another position that was more valuable. But since that didn't happen, him being the backup Center is about the best role for him.

I'm cautiously optimistic about Okafor as the backup Center. I think he could excel in that role.

[Sportfan73]

I can still eventually see him adapting to the 4 and coexisting with Embiid.

It is refreshing to see him taking a "team first" approach and accepting the role for the betterment of the squad.

Noel on the other hand...

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

He literally has to become pau to start at the 4. Looong shot but that would be my goal if I were him

[Unbreakable99]

It would have been better to have Porzingis over Okafor but that ship has sailed. Yes I would be more excited if we had KP but we don't. Okafor has his flaws but he has a place in this league and coming off the bench seems like that could be where he could prosper. If he gives a good 20-25 minutes off the bench he could actually be a plus during his time on the court. He is a smart player. He's just limited in what he can do defensively. It's about putting players in their best roles. Okafor as a starting center I don't like. Okafor part of a second unit I feel better about.

[LloydFree]

It would have been better to have Porzingis over Okafor but that ship has sailed. Yes I would be more excited if we had KP but we don't. Okafor has his flaws but he has a place in this league and coming off the bench seems like that could be where he could prosper. If he gives a good 20-25 minutes off the bench he could actually be a plus during his time on the court. He is a smart player. He's just limited in what he can do defensively. It's about putting players in their best roles. Okafor as a starting center I don't like. Okafor part of a second unit I feel better about.

Yeah, with Enes Kanter and Okafor facing each other on opening night, as backup Centers, I can see both of them scoring 30 points each because they should be "guarding" each other.

[spikeslovechild]

I could easily see Okafor dominate as a backup scoring center like Kanter but I would tremendously disappointed if that is all he ends up being. He has the talent to not only be a starter but a top player. It's on him and Brown to get that out of him.

I really hope it he doesn't end up like Noel where year four we all sitting here dreaming on what kind of player he'll be because he still hasn't arrived. I have hope that won't happen. Check that I know it won't happen.

[kriss73]

B+ today per BB.
Kid has to study harder and get the A asap

[76ciology]

..hopefully it translates to better on court performance

[Kolkmania]

..hopefully it translates to better on court performance

I hate that weird hesitation before he shoots. He would be so much more effective when he's able to shoot quicker, defenders can sag off knowing his release is so slow.

Love the work he puts in though, looking slimmer than ever.

[Eta Carinae]

Jahs attitude is really great to see. If we just leave the Oak/Noel debate aside for a moment it is ecouraging to see that he seems to be engaged on and of the court. Nice that the coming of the bench situation rubs the right way.

[76ciology]

I could easily see Okafor dominate as a backup scoring center like Kanter but I would tremendously disappointed if that is all he ends up being. He has the talent to not only be a starter but a top player. It's on him and Brown to get that out of him.

I really hope it he doesn't end up like Noel where year four we all sitting here dreaming on what kind of player he'll be because he still hasn't arrived. I have hope that won't happen. Check that I know it won't happen.

Me too. But if you look at things with a larger scale, the promise of Biid/Simmons&one of those picks materializing plus having Jah being a scoring machine off the bench puts the team in a really good position.

[Kobblehead]

Okafor seems so small out there. Especially with the trimmed down figure. Definitely not a 5.

His quickness with the jab steps was outright scary.

[ankle420breaker]

Okafor seems so small out there. Especially with the trimmed down figure. Definitely not a 5.

His quickness with the jab steps was outright scary.

That little turn & faceup step-back jumper from the baseline is a great move for him.

He's so adept at putting it on the floor and taking his man off the dribble so those jab step j's just allow him to pick his poison.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[cksdayoff]

I don't think Okafor looked that good last night, performance wise. In my eyes, he does look bigger and ready to handle the more physical aspects of the game and dominate the post. He looked a little rusty out there, wasn't very efficient and just didn't have a good grip on the basketball, literally (ball slipped out of his hands too many times).

His touch is beautiful though. A lot of wings and guards don't have that kind of shooting touch. And yea, that step back is a thing of beauty.

[ankle420breaker]

Aside from his first stint in the game, he was off and noticeably out of rhythm. Not too concerned about him getting it together.

On the other hand, I thought he showed more hustle than usual. Still a work in progress on the boards, but it's refreshing to see him getting after it.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[76ciology]

[76ers]

You could tell Okafor was rusty. He was visibly frustrated at himself for missing a few close shots that he was almost automatic from last year. The whole rebounding aspect is still concerning, but I'm willing to wait and see how he performs with more minutes in his 2nd year here.

[76ciology]

Haha reminded me of this..


Jah needs to improve his rebounding technique. He likes to rebound single handedly with his right

[NJ SixerFan]

Jah will also defer rebounds to sixers teammates. There's times where he's in position to collect a rebound but will just let a teammate collect it where as embiid gobbles up everything in his area.