Where is Jahlil Okafor?

[Ericb5]

I'm concerned because I don't really know why. He's the backup and still treated as the 4th option in alot of cases and when he does get the opportunity isn't making the most of it.

He had another good game today and I'm sort tired of saying the talent is there because it is and pardon my french those who can't see how talented Okafor is are fools. The question is why isn't that talent showing up on the court on a regular basis.

I think that it IS showing up on a regular basis throughout his career with the Sixers. He just got healthy again, and I expect his next month to be filled with good performances. We shall see what happens.

You can't compare him to a franchise player in Embiid. He isn't capable of protecting the rim like Embiid, and if his perimeter defenders stink then he is even more at a disadvantage.

On offense, if we could get more playmakers around him, and continue to develop his skills in space then he is going to be a very effective offensive player, even at the 4. He clearly has he gift.

I know that I'm a broken record on this, but he is 20 years old, and people expect him to play like a 25 year old all the time, and it just isn't fair to the kid.




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I wasn't comparing him to Embiid.

I'm also not denying his gifts. We've seen them time and time again displayed in stretches. We've also seen him utilize his length to block shots. Part of his improvement on defense is some pretty basic fundamental stuff he is doing. His hands up don't shoot for example.

But what concerns me isn't raw talent. It's getting him to display and utilize that raw talent on the court. There is no reason for his size he is as a poor rebounder. He grabbed 9 boards today that should be the norm not an outlier. Especially being matched up against backup bigs.

His offensive numbers haven't just declined inregards to efficiency but also inregards to volume. He simply needs to be more aggressive and demand the basketball. I too have criticized his teammates but he's a backup now. At some point if he wants to remain with the team he is going to have to be more demonstrative.

Even today he took what 11 shots? He is averaging about 3 shots less per 100 possessions and 2 shots less per 36 minutes then last year. Now that he is the backup he should be getting more opp not less. Everytime he is on the floor the offense should be going through him. I understand some of that is how much he's struggled but like I said even today 11 shots.

Inconsistency is a hallmark of young players.

I would say that he has just gotten back to health, and is still effectively on a minutes restriction since he is only being played when Embiid is off the court, and Embiid has the restriction.

Let's watch him over the next few months and see how he plays. I expect him to improve, but lets see if he does.

[Kolkmania]

ORPM and DRPM of Holmes: -0.91 and 0.46 in 2016/2017 and -0.20 and -1.64 last year
ORPM and DRPM of Okafor: -2.70 and -0.20 in 2016/2017 and -3.72 and -1.56 last year

Okafor's main offensive repertoire is ISO scoring, already one of the best big man in the league. Holmes is a better roll man, can stretch the floor, sets better screens, is a more willing passer, demands less USG% and shows signs of becoming a better offensive rebounder. Okafor's ORTG this season is 95 and 98 for his career in comparison with Holmes' 116 and 112.

Defensively I think both prospects are poor in defending pick and roll situations. Holmes has better block and steal percentages, higher motor and hustle and had ORTG's of 109 and 103 in comparison with Okafor's 110 and 108. Okafor was the better rebounder last year, Holmes is the better one this year, let's see if his huge improvement in DREB% is sustainable.

Combine these stats with every game I've seen the last 1.5 years and I'm concluding that Richaun Holmes is a better player for the Sixers than Jahlil Okafor.

At what point are we going to ignore the draft positions of Jahlil Okafor and Richaun Holmes and actually compare their skill sets and potential? Okafor is ~2 years younger than Holmes, is it realistic to expect major improvements in about every aspect of the game except ISO scoring?

Do we stick with spending most of the minutes budget on Jahlil Okafor hoping for a miracle to boost his trade value, or are we going to invest in Richaun Holmes at some point, since he's our best shot at delivering an usable player on a contending team.

[LloydFree]

ORPM and DRPM of Holmes: -0.91 and 0.46 in 2016/2017 and -0.20 and -1.64 last year
ORPM and DRPM of Okafor: -2.70 and -0.20 in 2016/2017 and -3.72 and -1.56 last year

Okafor's main offensive repertoire is ISO scoring, already one of the best big man in the league. Holmes is a better roll man, can stretch the floor, sets better screens, is a more willing passer, demands less USG% and shows signs of becoming a better offensive rebounder. Okafor's ORTG this season is 95 and 98 for his career in comparison with Holmes' 116 and 112.

Defensively I think both prospects are poor in defending pick and roll situations. Holmes has better block and steal percentages, higher motor and hustle and had ORTG's of 109 and 103 in comparison with Okafor's 110 and 108. Okafor was the better rebounder last year, Holmes is the better one this year, let's see if his huge improvement in DREB% is sustainable.

Combine these stats with every game I've seen the last 1.5 years and I'm concluding that Richaun Holmes is a better player for the Sixers than Jahlil Okafor.

At what point are we going to ignore the draft positions of Jahlil Okafor and Richaun Holmes and actually compare their skill sets and potential? Okafor is ~2 years younger than Holmes, is it realistic to expect major improvements in about every aspect of the game except ISO scoring?

Do we stick with spending most of the minutes budget on Jahlil Okafor hoping for a miracle to boost his trade value, or are we going to invest in Richaun Holmes at some point, since he's our best shot at delivering an usable player on a contending team.

Okafor should be moved, but Holmes' presence isn't even a top 5 reason why he should be gone. Okafor is just an ill-fitting, mediocre basketball player, regardless of what Holmes or Noel bring to the table. I'm just thankful we have Embiid, and I pray he stays healthy until they decide to end this. If Okafor was ever our starter, we'd be going down the same dead-end that Brooklyn and the Magic have experienced with Vucevic and Lopez.

[76ciology]

ORPM and DRPM of Holmes: -0.91 and 0.46 in 2016/2017 and -0.20 and -1.64 last year
ORPM and DRPM of Okafor: -2.70 and -0.20 in 2016/2017 and -3.72 and -1.56 last year

Okafor's main offensive repertoire is ISO scoring, already one of the best big man in the league. Holmes is a better roll man, can stretch the floor, sets better screens, is a more willing passer, demands less USG% and shows signs of becoming a better offensive rebounder. Okafor's ORTG this season is 95 and 98 for his career in comparison with Holmes' 116 and 112.

Defensively I think both prospects are poor in defending pick and roll situations. Holmes has better block and steal percentages, higher motor and hustle and had ORTG's of 109 and 103 in comparison with Okafor's 110 and 108. Okafor was the better rebounder last year, Holmes is the better one this year, let's see if his huge improvement in DREB% is sustainable.

Combine these stats with every game I've seen the last 1.5 years and I'm concluding that Richaun Holmes is a better player for the Sixers than Jahlil Okafor.

At what point are we going to ignore the draft positions of Jahlil Okafor and Richaun Holmes and actually compare their skill sets and potential? Okafor is ~2 years younger than Holmes, is it realistic to expect major improvements in about every aspect of the game except ISO scoring?

Do we stick with spending most of the minutes budget on Jahlil Okafor hoping for a miracle to boost his trade value, or are we going to invest in Richaun Holmes at some point, since he's our best shot at delivering an usable player on a contending team.

Defensively, I think it's closer than most think. Although if I'm not mistaken, Holmes was a much better rim protector last season and he has definitely more upside on the defensive end.

Offensively, it's like comparing Patty Mills and Rajon Rondo. Rondo is more skilled but is a big negative on offense, while Mills' game is more simple but has more impact. It's just hard to accept at this point that a player as skilled as okafor is can't be a positive on the offensive end.

The question is similar to explore/exploit dilemma, and the answer is relative depending on the amount of time before you need to make a decision. If I have to decide now, I'd be objective and go with Holmes but if I have more time, I'd stick with developing Okafor.

[spikeslovechild]

The problem I have with Holmes is he doesn't have size to play center and we are already maxed out at the PF position. Even if we trade both Okafor and Noel how many minutes are really there for him. Simmons becomes the full time PF. Saric comes off the bench.

He is signed to a hinkie special so there is no reason to move him but I'm not moving Saric or Simmons off position to find minutes for him.

[76ciology]

The problem I have with Holmes is he doesn't have size to play center and we are already maxed out at the PF position. Even if we trade both Okafor and Noel how many minutes are really there for him. Simmons becomes the full time PF. Saric comes off the bench.

He is signed to a hinkie special so there is no reason to move him but I'm not moving Saric or Simmons off position to find minutes for him.

I like Holmes at PF, specially now that his shooting is at uptrend. He'd be good with either Simmons or Biid. The thing that limits Holmes at C is the popular belief that a C needs to anchor a team's D, which really depends on the scheme/unit he is playing with.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

If we can get Okafor established as a sixth man coming off the bench, I don't see why we wouldn't keep him. He's been inconsistent to start the year, but he has put together two decent games now. Lets see if he can keep it going. So many were ready to crucify Stauskus and now in his third season he seems to be figuring things out. A big is going to take some time, whether you like Okafor or not, it's ridiculous to expect him to be a complete basketball player before he even hits the legal drinking age. This isn't like Evan Turner who we gave four years to. Okafor was still rehabbing the entire first month. I just hope he gets it going, because we need him as a scorer off the bench. If the goal is to win, that's how he should be used and valued. I also want to see him with Simmons before making a call, and he really needs three years. I've been saying this for a while.

[76ciology]

I notice Jah has been much better in drawing defense and kicking out to open shooters. But I find those hand offs to be inefficient (non threat at elbow and set poor quality screens) and just burns the shotclock.

Needs a big leap in FTr and drive frequencies.

[Unbreakable99]

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[ET Da Gawd]

Embiid/Okafor tonight finally

[PhilasFinest]

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I don't buy it. All of them were of "thicker" build heading into Duke.They are still kids going into and during freshman year. Sure maybe some bad food choices being readily available doesn't help, but at the end of the day its on the athlete to train/eat well.Im sure Duke has the same food availabilities that most major colleges across the country have.

Okafor is in the NBA now. He has millions of dollars and access to elite trainers, specialists, nutritionists etc. Hell, he can afford someone to specifically cater to all of his needs and cook for him. There is no excuse for being in poor shape outside of serious injuries.

[SelfishPlayer]

Okafor's knee is damaged. He doesn't have full range of motion in it. It's odd seeing him play on it trying to pretend that it's healthy. He looks gimpy out there.

[PhilasFinest]

Okafor's knee is damaged. He doesn't have full range of motion in it. It's odd seeing him play on it trying to pretend that it's healthy. He looks gimpy out there.

Not doubting it and what you see, He certainly looks off and at times lost. But If his knee was damaged why would medical professionals lift a minutes restriction on him and open the doors for a full workload???

The Sixers medical staff has been extremely cautious and precautionary with all of its players and injuries....not sure why all of a sudden they would drop the ball and throw Okafor to the wolves hurt.

[ProcessDoctor]

Okafor's knee is damaged. He doesn't have full range of motion in it. It's odd seeing him play on it trying to pretend that it's healthy. He looks gimpy out there.

Not doubting it and what you see, He certainly looks off and at times lost. But If his knee was damaged why would medical professionals lift a minutes restriction on him and open the doors for a full workload???

The Sixers medical staff has been extremely cautious and precautionary with all of its players and injuries....not sure why all of a sudden they would drop the ball and throw Okafor to the wolves hurt.

They're showcasing him for a trade. There's no guarantee that they'll find fair value for Noel.

[SelfishPlayer]

Okafor's knee is damaged. He doesn't have full range of motion in it. It's odd seeing him play on it trying to pretend that it's healthy. He looks gimpy out there.

Not doubting it and what you see, He certainly looks off and at times lost. But If his knee was damaged why would medical professionals lift a minutes restriction on him and open the doors for a full workload???

The Sixers medical staff has been extremely cautious and precautionary with all of its players and injuries....not sure why all of a sudden they would drop the ball and throw Okafor to the wolves hurt.

They are letting Bayless play with damaged ligaments in his wrist that will require surgery in the offseason. Nerlens Noel elected to get surgery that the medical staff did not suggest. Okafor playing hurt would be consistent with what I'm seeing from those two guys.

[LloydFree]

This is another showcase game for Okafor in front of one of the league's dumber GMs. He's 1 for 1 so far, putting up some points in front of Grunfeld. Hopefully he can get a season high in front of Divac.

[PhilasFinest]

Okafor's knee is damaged. He doesn't have full range of motion in it. It's odd seeing him play on it trying to pretend that it's healthy. He looks gimpy out there.

Not doubting it and what you see, He certainly looks off and at times lost. But If his knee was damaged why would medical professionals lift a minutes restriction on him and open the doors for a full workload???

The Sixers medical staff has been extremely cautious and precautionary with all of its players and injuries....not sure why all of a sudden they would drop the ball and throw Okafor to the wolves hurt.

They're showcasing him for a trade. There's no guarantee that they'll find fair value for Noel.

Showcasing a player who is injured would be completely stupid on the Sixers end. You have to pass a physical to complete a trade, and the knee is going to be the 1st thing any other organization looks at.

[PhilasFinest]

Okafor's knee is damaged. He doesn't have full range of motion in it. It's odd seeing him play on it trying to pretend that it's healthy. He looks gimpy out there.

Not doubting it and what you see, He certainly looks off and at times lost. But If his knee was damaged why would medical professionals lift a minutes restriction on him and open the doors for a full workload???

The Sixers medical staff has been extremely cautious and precautionary with all of its players and injuries....not sure why all of a sudden they would drop the ball and throw Okafor to the wolves hurt.

They are letting Bayless play with damaged ligaments in his wrist that will require surgery in the offseason. Nerlens Noel elected to get surgery that the medical staff did not suggest. Okafor playing hurt would be consistent with what I'm seeing from those two guys.

Bayless' injury might eventually require surgery, but its also an injury that is simply based on tolerance. If he wants to try and gut it out, then they likely will give him the green light too, but if its hindering his ability to play (like now) he will be out.He has missed multiple games from it.Its not like he has a torn ACL and they are forcing him to play.

Noel had a somewhat simple clean up done on his knee...Its something that he obviously elected to do, but was also something that likely needed to be done eventually and him opting to do so immediately was smart considering he is in a contract year and unhappy with the team to begin with.

If Okafor has any type of damage or an injury that could worsen through playing, then I HIGHLY doubt the Sixers would be lifting medical/minutes restrictions on him and parading him out there nightly. He may be out of shape, or struggling with recovering....but I really don't think the Sixers are going out of their way to play an injured player. It stands to gain nothing for either party.

[76ciology]

Yeah. Minutes retriction lifted means nothing to worry about Jah's knee. I believe he even played despite not having green signal from team when he spent time at Duke. I'd say his rustiness is more because of his limited workouts during offseason.

Hell, it even seems like his ft shooting took a step back.

[SelfishPlayer]

Not doubting it and what you see, He certainly looks off and at times lost. But If his knee was damaged why would medical professionals lift a minutes restriction on him and open the doors for a full workload???

The Sixers medical staff has been extremely cautious and precautionary with all of its players and injuries....not sure why all of a sudden they would drop the ball and throw Okafor to the wolves hurt.

They are letting Bayless play with damaged ligaments in his wrist that will require surgery in the offseason. Nerlens Noel elected to get surgery that the medical staff did not suggest. Okafor playing hurt would be consistent with what I'm seeing from those two guys.

Bayless' injury might eventually require surgery, but its also an injury that is simply based on tolerance. If he wants to try and gut it out, then they likely will give him the green light too, but if its hindering his ability to play (like now) he will be out.He has missed multiple games from it.Its not like he has a torn ACL and they are forcing him to play.

Noel had a somewhat simple clean up done on his knee...Its something that he obviously elected to do, but was also something that likely needed to be done eventually and him opting to do so immediately was smart considering he is in a contract year and unhappy with the team to begin with.

If Okafor has any type of damage or an injury that could worsen through playing, then I HIGHLY doubt the Sixers would be lifting medical/minutes restrictions on him and parading him out there nightly. He may be out of shape, or struggling with recovering....but I really don't think the Sixers are going out of their way to play an injured player. It stands to gain nothing for either party.

I've heard that this is a different medical staff than the one that was around for the Bynum trade, and if that's so, what's their experience with professional athletes? Sam Hinkie was a genius all the way up until he was fired. I suspect the Sixers medical staff will also be considered competent all the way up until they are replaced. Nerlens Noel elected to get surgery, what was his option? Play through pain? Why? That's incompetence. I believe that we are seeing Okafor play through pain and his knee may never heal properly. The news about his knee was murky. This is a secretive organization when it comes to injuries a little like the Patriots, but why are the players given such great latitude to play with an injury? Bayless and Noel were okay'd to play with injuries that could be fixed through surgical means.