Where is Jahlil Okafor?

[Chris76]

Perhaps there is a miniscule chance that Okafor actually learns how he should play from Amir Johnson, who would be a good role model for him.

Okafor will benefit the most from Amir. If he improves gradually, he could be a great option for a scoring big, when needed.

[the_process]

Okfafor will ALWAYS be able to get HIS points in ANY system. But that's the point. He gets points for himself. Okafor has the most advanced post skills I have ever seen from someone coming out of college. He has been an awful player so far because his style of play is archaic and he doesn't make the team better.

I agree Okafor has advanced post skills that are difficult to fit in most schemes. It will be a challenge for him to prove his worth. Anyway, Greg Monroe did well in the playoffs, last year. He has the same archaic game as Okafor. Okafor probably has more potential than Monroe. A stronger, better rebounding Okafor could earn a role to help the team better.

Many people want stretch 5s for all the obvious benefits, but a center shooting 3s can have negative effects, too. Often, you see players shooting 3s at bad times, whether it's contested or just a low % shot that they miss badly. Whereas, Okafor knows how to score down low, he could be a huge advantage against certain defenders.

If Okafor was a better rebounder, he wouldn't be struggling to get minutes. An inside scoring, weak rebounding, no rim protecting C has no place in the NBA any longer.

[BullyKing]

Perhaps there is a miniscule chance that Okafor actually learns how he should play from Amir Johnson, who would be a good role model for him.

Okafor will benefit the most from Amir. If he improves gradually, he could be a great option for a scoring big, when needed.

I think you've now hit on "Okafor will benefit the most from . . ." for every single player on the roster.

[Chris76]

Okfafor will ALWAYS be able to get HIS points in ANY system. But that's the point. He gets points for himself. Okafor has the most advanced post skills I have ever seen from someone coming out of college. He has been an awful player so far because his style of play is archaic and he doesn't make the team better.

I agree Okafor has advanced post skills that are difficult to fit in most schemes. It will be a challenge for him to prove his worth. Anyway, Greg Monroe did well in the playoffs, last year. He has the same archaic game as Okafor. Okafor probably has more potential than Monroe. A stronger, better rebounding Okafor could earn a role to help the team better.

Many people want stretch 5s for all the obvious benefits, but a center shooting 3s can have negative effects, too. Often, you see players shooting 3s at bad times, whether it's contested or just a low % shot that they miss badly. Whereas, Okafor knows how to score down low, he could be a huge advantage against certain defenders.

If Okafor was a better rebounder, he wouldn't be struggling to get minutes. An inside scoring, weak rebounding, no rim protecting C has no place in the NBA any longer.

A scoring big will always be needed in the NBA. The playoffs are always about teams making adjustments, teams like Boston and others last year could have used a scoring big like Okafor. Anyway, a healthy Okafor should look much better this year, his #s will improve. Experience and coaching usually helps young players.

[the_process]

I agree Okafor has advanced post skills that are difficult to fit in most schemes. It will be a challenge for him to prove his worth. Anyway, Greg Monroe did well in the playoffs, last year. He has the same archaic game as Okafor. Okafor probably has more potential than Monroe. A stronger, better rebounding Okafor could earn a role to help the team better.

Many people want stretch 5s for all the obvious benefits, but a center shooting 3s can have negative effects, too. Often, you see players shooting 3s at bad times, whether it's contested or just a low % shot that they miss badly. Whereas, Okafor knows how to score down low, he could be a huge advantage against certain defenders.

If Okafor was a better rebounder, he wouldn't be struggling to get minutes. An inside scoring, weak rebounding, no rim protecting C has no place in the NBA any longer.

A scoring big will always be needed in the NBA. The playoffs are always about teams making adjustments, teams like Boston and others last year could have used a scoring big like Okafor. Anyway, a healthy Okafor should look much better this year, his #s will improve. Experience and coaching usually helps young players.

Well, if nothing else, you certainly are consistent.

[Sixerscan]

Perhaps there is a miniscule chance that Okafor actually learns how he should play from Amir Johnson, who would be a good role model for him.

Okafor will benefit the most from Amir. If he improves gradually, he could be a great option for a scoring big, when needed.

I think you've now hit on "Okafor will benefit the most from . . ." for every single player on the roster.

One thing Okafor has going for him that every other player on the team doesn't have is that he won't ever have to play with Okafor.

[Chris76]

If Okafor was a better rebounder, he wouldn't be struggling to get minutes. An inside scoring, weak rebounding, no rim protecting C has no place in the NBA any longer.

A scoring big will always be needed in the NBA. The playoffs are always about teams making adjustments, teams like Boston and others last year could have used a scoring big like Okafor. Anyway, a healthy Okafor should look much better this year, his #s will improve. Experience and coaching usually helps young players.

Well, if nothing else, you certainly are consistent.

I like playmakers and shooters. Okafor does both well. A lot of people hate iso ball, but when you can score the way Okafor can, it is fun to watch. Kobe, Jordan, and Shaquille used iso ball because it was almost unstoppable, not that Okafor has their talent, but he could be one of the best scoring bigs in the NBA, today.

[Unbreakable99]

A scoring big will always be needed in the NBA. The playoffs are always about teams making adjustments, teams like Boston and others last year could have used a scoring big like Okafor. Anyway, a healthy Okafor should look much better this year, his #s will improve. Experience and coaching usually helps young players.

Well, if nothing else, you certainly are consistent.

I like playmakers and shooters. Okafor does both well. A lot of people hate iso ball, but when you can score the way Okafor can, it is fun to watch. Kobe, Jordan, and Shaquille used iso ball because it was almost unstoppable, not that Okafor has their talent, but he could be one of the best scoring bigs in the NBA, today.

Saying Okafor is a shooter that's the equivalent of saying Shaq is a shooter. Come on man. Okafor is not a shooter. He can hit the occasional 15 footer but I wouldn't exactly say he's good from there. And Okafor is not a player I like watching play. He's lazy. I can't stand watching him. He has a nice spin move but whatever. And you keep bringing up his scoring. That's all he does. He does nothing else well on the court. And his scoring doesn't help the team since the team scores fewer points with him on the court vs off. I wouldn't call Okafor a playmaker either. Everything Okafor does on the court benefits only him. How is that a playmaker? Okafor can easily average 25 points per game if he's the focal point. And if he were the focal point I guarantee that team would be horrible and one the worst teams in the league.

[GabeCerebro]

This is a moot point because Noel is actually better than Okafor. Right now Holmes has more trade value than Okafor. We traded Long to the Rockets. The Rockets didn't want Okafor. That shows you how awful Okafor has been.

lol imagine thinking that Long and Okafor are two players you would have on a similar trade value level..... They aren't even comparable. Super reach on your part. We weren't, and aren't going to trade Okafor for nothing and the Jah doubters in this fanbase continue to selectively ignore that fact. It has zero to do with how "good or bad" he is in your mind.

If anybody can help Okafor's value, it would be Ben Simmons. A 2-
way forward would be perfect for him. Also, Dario and him would make an interesting combination.

Exactly! I agree 100%, and can't wait to see a finally healthy Okafor within a solid team and system, and with a specified role for the first time in his NBA career....

[GabeCerebro]

The fact is no teams want Okafor too, otherwise he would have been traded. That said, I am fine with him to be here for one more season and give him the one last chance.

Absolutely false. Bryan wasn't going to make a trade of a 3rd overall selection that was two years into his rookie contract, for peanuts. He made that clear. On the other hand, Nerlens was also a player at a position of excess for us, and was not only about to need a new contract, but he didn't want to be here. Two completely different situations and Bryan made the right choice in keeping Jah over Nerlens.

Come on... Bennett was the first pick and it means nothing after everyone sees him suck in NBA game.

The fact you really just sat there and compared Bennett's NBA production to Okafor's shows how biased you are. You can't be serious, but I know you probably are and that's what is mind blowing. I swear the Okafor haters in this fanbase would/will hate him no matter what he does.

[TTP]

lol imagine thinking that Long and Okafor are two players you would have on a similar trade value level..... They aren't even comparable. Super reach on your part. We weren't, and aren't going to trade Okafor for nothing and the Jah doubters in this fanbase continue to selectively ignore that fact. It has zero to do with how "good or bad" he is in your mind.

If anybody can help Okafor's value, it would be Ben Simmons. A 2-
way forward would be perfect for him. Also, Dario and him would make an interesting combination.

Exactly! I agree 100%, and can't wait to see a finally healthy Okafor within a solid team and system, and with a specified role for the first time in his NBA career....

I'd argue his role is more uncertain now than it has ever been. At minimum, it's certainly more unclear now than it was his rookie year, when he was the starting center and primary offensive option.

[Chris76]

Well, if nothing else, you certainly are consistent.

I like playmakers and shooters. Okafor does both well. A lot of people hate iso ball, but when you can score the way Okafor can, it is fun to watch. Kobe, Jordan, and Shaquille used iso ball because it was almost unstoppable, not that Okafor has their talent, but he could be one of the best scoring bigs in the NBA, today.

Saying Okafor is a shooter that's the equivalent of saying Shaq is a shooter. Come on man. Okafor is not a shooter. He can hit the occasional 15 footer but I wouldn't exactly say he's good from there. And Okafor is not a player I like watching play. He's lazy. I can't stand watching him. He has a nice spin move but whatever. And you keep bringing up his scoring. That's all he does. He does nothing else well on the court. And his scoring doesn't help the team since the team scores fewer points with him on the court vs off. I wouldn't call Okafor a playmaker either. Everything Okafor does on the court benefits only him. How is that a playmaker? Okafor can easily average 25 points per game if he's the focal point. And if he were the focal point I guarantee that team would be horrible and one the worst teams in the league.

I agree with you that Okafor needs to change how he fits with the team. I could be completely wrong that it's not possible for him to change what he does. Anyway, many hope that athletic bigs are valuable for their defense, and we hope they develop offensive skills, Nerlens, Deandrea Jordan, Dwight Howard, and many others. Okafor has the offensive skills and needs to develop the defensive skills. If he works hard and gets better, we have 2 elite centers. If it doesn't work, he eventually gets waived.

[TTP]

I like playmakers and shooters. Okafor does both well. A lot of people hate iso ball, but when you can score the way Okafor can, it is fun to watch. Kobe, Jordan, and Shaquille used iso ball because it was almost unstoppable, not that Okafor has their talent, but he could be one of the best scoring bigs in the NBA, today.

Saying Okafor is a shooter that's the equivalent of saying Shaq is a shooter. Come on man. Okafor is not a shooter. He can hit the occasional 15 footer but I wouldn't exactly say he's good from there. And Okafor is not a player I like watching play. He's lazy. I can't stand watching him. He has a nice spin move but whatever. And you keep bringing up his scoring. That's all he does. He does nothing else well on the court. And his scoring doesn't help the team since the team scores fewer points with him on the court vs off. I wouldn't call Okafor a playmaker either. Everything Okafor does on the court benefits only him. How is that a playmaker? Okafor can easily average 25 points per game if he's the focal point. And if he were the focal point I guarantee that team would be horrible and one the worst teams in the league.

I agree with you that Okafor needs to change how he fits with the team. I could be completely wrong that it's not possible for him to change what he does. Anyway, many hope that athletic bigs are valuable for their defense, and we hope they develop offensive skills, Nerlens, Deandrea Jordan, Dwight Howard, and many others. Okafor has the offensive skills and needs to develop the defensive skills. If he works hard and gets better, we have 2 elite centers. If it doesn't work, he eventually gets waived.

He needs to develop the offensive skills too.

[TeamHigh]

If Okafor was a better rebounder, he wouldn't be struggling to get minutes. An inside scoring, weak rebounding, no rim protecting C has no place in the NBA any longer.

A scoring big will always be needed in the NBA. The playoffs are always about teams making adjustments, teams like Boston and others last year could have used a scoring big like Okafor. Anyway, a healthy Okafor should look much better this year, his #s will improve. Experience and coaching usually helps young players.

Then you should be a big Richaun Holmes fan instead, because he can actually play offense in the NBA.

[GabeCerebro]

If anybody can help Okafor's value, it would be Ben Simmons. A 2-
way forward would be perfect for him. Also, Dario and him would make an interesting combination.

Exactly! I agree 100%, and can't wait to see a finally healthy Okafor within a solid team and system, and with a specified role for the first time in his NBA career....

I'd argue his role is more uncertain now than it has ever been. At minimum, it's certainly more unclear now than it was his rookie year, when he was the starting center and primary offensive option.

I'd say he had a lot more opportunity then, but now he has actual talent around him, and will have no other option but to play a more restricted role. That is probably best for him, and will most likely hide some of his weaknesses. He is still super talented, and a great offensive spark off the bench. He scores a lot, quickly. It'll be that much easier for him as a bench player surrounded by real talent, where it'll allow him to see one on one matchups consistently.

[Sixerscan]

Exactly! I agree 100%, and can't wait to see a finally healthy Okafor within a solid team and system, and with a specified role for the first time in his NBA career....

I'd argue his role is more uncertain now than it has ever been. At minimum, it's certainly more unclear now than it was his rookie year, when he was the starting center and primary offensive option.

I'd say he had a lot more opportunity then, but now he has actual talent around him, and will have no other option but to play a more restricted role. That is probably best for him, and will most likely hide some of his weaknesses. He is still super talented, and a great offensive spark off the bench. He scores a lot, quickly. It'll be that much easier for him as a bench player surrounded by real talent, where it'll allow him to see one on one matchups consistently.

You keep talking about these more talented players being "around" Okafor rather than the other way around. They aren't building a lineup to complement Okafor's one on one scoring ability. Hes going to get on the court by showing he's no longer completely useless when he's being asked to set screens and be a roll guy along with having a clue on defense. Because that's what these more talented players on this team need out of the backup center.

Right now I think it's pretty clear that based on their careers to date Holmes (and johnson if they limit his minutes) is better situated to play that role. But Okafor I'm sure will have an opportunity to show he's improved on those things in camp. The issue is that I've haven't seen anything to indicate that he's actually healthy enough to get on a basketball court to work on this stuff.

[Chris76]

I'd argue his role is more uncertain now than it has ever been. At minimum, it's certainly more unclear now than it was his rookie year, when he was the starting center and primary offensive option.

I'd say he had a lot more opportunity then, but now he has actual talent around him, and will have no other option but to play a more restricted role. That is probably best for him, and will most likely hide some of his weaknesses. He is still super talented, and a great offensive spark off the bench. He scores a lot, quickly. It'll be that much easier for him as a bench player surrounded by real talent, where it'll allow him to see one on one matchups consistently.

You keep talking about these more talent players being "around" Okafor rather than the other way around. They aren't building a lineup to complement Okafor's one on one scoring ability. Hes going to get on the court by showing he's no longer completely useless when he's being asked to set screens and be a roll guy along with having a clue on defense. Because that's what the better players on this team need out of the backup center.

Right now I think it's pretty clear that based on their careers to date Holmes (and johnson if they limit his minutes) is better situated to play that role. But Okafor I'm sure will have an opportunity to show he's improved on those things in camp. The issue is that I've haven't seen anything to indicate that he's actually healthy enough to get on a basketball court to work on this stuff.

I think the Sixers had 30 different starting lineups, last year. This year roles should be more defined, which should be better for everyone.
It would be nice to hear something about Okafor practicing. I'm betting that repetition and film work could help him. He needs to come out fighting for a job.

[rzzzzz]

The issue is that I've haven't seen anything to indicate that he's actually healthy enough to get on a basketball court to work on this stuff.

seriously. even KAT and KP got stuff they need to work on, for all their talent. just like everybody coming into the league. but they're healthy. if OK4 can't play pain free, there ain't no more discussion.

[Chris76]

If Okafor was a better rebounder, he wouldn't be struggling to get minutes. An inside scoring, weak rebounding, no rim protecting C has no place in the NBA any longer.

A scoring big will always be needed in the NBA. The playoffs are always about teams making adjustments, teams like Boston and others last year could have used a scoring big like Okafor. Anyway, a healthy Okafor should look much better this year, his #s will improve. Experience and coaching usually helps young players.

Then you should be a big Richaun Holmes fan instead, because he can actually play offense in the NBA.

Holmes is great, he dunks everything. However, he is a small ball 5, PF, he would struggle against really big guys like Lopez, Gasols, and others. Okafor has the size and weight to bang with the bigger players. Also, Okafor can create his own shots around 15 feet, hopefully farther soon. He can shoot tough, contested shots and in a good system he could be very efficient. Before, Defenders quickly doubled him when they had poor shooters, I'm sure with better shooters he will get better looks.

[TeamHigh]

Holmes is great, he dunks everything. However, he is a small ball 5, PF, he would struggle against really big guys like Lopez, Gasols, and others. Okafor has the size and weight to bang with the bigger players.

Have you actually seen Okafor try to bang with bigger players? It looks a little like this...

Read on Twitter

He simply doesn't have the motor or strength to bang with the bigger players.

Also, Okafor can create his own shots around 15 feet, hopefully farther soon. He can shoot tough, contested shots and in a good system he could be very efficient.

Shooting tough, contested 15 footers is never efficient in any system.

Before, Defenders quickly doubled him when they had poor shooters, I'm sure with better shooters he will get better looks.

No, before defenders quickly doubled him because he has no ability to pass out of the post. He would take the ball into traffic, try to spin his way out of it, fail, and then pull the ball all the way out and dump off to a guard. Essentially wasting ten seconds off the shot clock and practically ensuring the team would have a poor offensive possession. He has no court vision or mind for the pass.

And you keep using the fact that Okafor would play against bench players as an excuse. Which "bigger players" would Holmes be going against on the second unit? Who are the "better shooters" that Okafor will play with on the second unit? TLC? TJ? Saric? Justin Anderson?