Jahlil Okafor Continues To Bring In Rightful Criticisms

Jahlil Okafor‘s tenure with the Sixers has been extended, for now. The once promising big man is bringing in criticisms, and they’re not off-base ones.

When Jahlil Okafor first stepped onto the court in Cameron Indoor Stadium, he started a year-long stretch of NCAA dominance. One that was expected, of course, being the top prospect out of high school the year prior. Okafor’s offense was called “generational”, and although he was surpassed by counterpart Karl-Anthony Towns, many still viewed him as a promising prospect.

And so did the Sixers, as they drafted him third overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, adding what seemed to be another talented piece to a loaded center position. Of course defense was his main weakness, one that would plague him through his up and down rookie season where he still managed to put up numbers that placed him on the NBA All-Rookie team. His season was ended after just 53 games due to a “small meniscus tear“, continuing a streak of Sixers injuries.

There was still some promise for the once touted prospect entering his second season, even with the return of Joel Embiid and continuation of the mis-pairing between Okafor and Nerlens Noel. There was a feeling one of the centers was going to be moved, and until the day the Noel trade happened, it was believed to be Jahlil Okafor.

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Okafor’s poor second season decreased his value to something spectacularly low for a player just a season and a half removed from being a top three pick. Still, a lot of Philadelphia rallied around him after he was left out of games in hopes a trade would be announced. It’s hard not to get behind a player, that despite all the criticisms, who seemingly loved where he plays. It’s an attribute Philadelphians take to heart.

When Noel was dealt, there was obvious outrage, but there was also hidden hope that Jahlil Okafor would regain momentum. Especially after the Embiid injury as well. And he did, for one game. He dropped a dazzling season-high 28 points against the New York Knicks, nabbing 10 rebounds as well. Maybe Okafor could raise his trade value, or at least prove to be a decent backup center to Embiid.

He followed up with some shaky performances, a trend that has plagued him in his young NBA career. But one play that went viral occurred in Wednesday night’s blowout loss in Miami.

Sure, it’s one highlighted play. But it’s one that shows the entire problem with Jahlil Okafor. It’s never fair to knock a player’s effort without seeing him work behind the scenes, but this play just puts the lack of “care” he shows. It’s one thing to be a poor defender, it’s another thing to show hideous effort in an NBA game.

Okafor has worked hard to get to where he is, but now it seems like all that effort disappeared with him when he finally reached his goal. When Jahlil Okafor doesn’t have the ball, he’s disengaged from the game on both sides of the court. Off-ball, you’ll see him occasionally walk towards a screen and often failing to make contact. His only real effort is shown in gaining post position, and working with the ball in his hands.

He’s a poor rebounder, finding himself in the at the bottom of the 10th percentile in total rebound percentage for centers. His failings on the glass only exacerbates his defensive weaknesses, and it all comes back to the word effort.

For a player who’s career is already in question, you would think there’s some motivation to at least try. Unfortunately, the league only sees effort in rare occasions when it comes to his play. Maybe he’s checked out from a bad situation in Philadelphia, that has somehow gotten worse for him following a 10-win season. Or maybe he’s still feeling the effects of the meniscus injury, as he was seen icing his knees almost a full year since surgery.

Either way, watching Jahlil Okafor play this season is nothing short of painful. As someone who once lauded the big man through his college career and rookie season, it’s disappointing seeing him perform at such a low level because we’ve seen in the past what he’s capable of doing.

He needs a change real quick. Whether it’s a change of scenery or a change in play style or both. And again, he may very well be working hard in training and in practice, but the product displayed on the court is one of low effort and poor talent. A spark is needed within for him to salvage what was once deemed a promising career.

Next: Embiid Out Indefinitely

If Brett Brown, a known motivator, can’t find that spark, then all may be lost. Many, including me, are hoping to see some kind of miraculous turnaround. But from what has been displayed through this season, it seems like the Sixers and Jahlil Okafor are a broken marriage. From dominating the high school and college ranks, there still is the ever so slightest glimmer of hope that he can find his game and become a successful NBA player.

For now, it seems that outcome is far off from reality.