The NBA’s game is changing. No longer are there complete sets run to the end of the shot clock, we’re running and gunning. I’d like to credit Mike D’Antoni with the ‘small ball 7 seconds or less’ tactic that transcended the game to another level. Yes, Don Nelson did make it famous with the Mavs, Steve Nash’s team before he went to Phoenix, but D’Antoni did it better. 

The simple format of: a playmaking shooting threat penetrating point, sharpshooter 2 guard, 3 and D 3man, stretch 4, and all around athletic pick and pop to roll center is now ideal for ever team to create pace and possessions for their team. Good old Mike D’Antoni….wait doesn’t he coach with the Sixers now?

 

 
The man who changed the game in one way or another on the offensive end, who’s concept has been replicated and duplicated by many, is an offensive strategist and associate head coach of the Sixers. Since his arrival, their pace has gone from 97.82 to an average of 100.62. It’s a small margin, but the acquisition of Ish Smith in replacement of Tony Wroten has helped the team push the rock. The team would be much better and more fit for the new uptempo style if they didn’t have to feed the ball and wait for Okafor to do work. 

Let’s be real, Jahlil Okafor was the best pick at the time for the Sixers. Karl- Anthony Towns was the best prospect of the draft. Once he was gone, you had a choice between Okafor or Prozingis with a slight thought of Emmanuel Mudiay. Gamble with Prozinigis and you may have a riot if he fails. But looking back now, he’s a better player and has more upside than Okafor, in today’s game. 

The NBA is now more about ball movement and spacing. Extra passes, great shots, and short use of the shot clock to get more possessions. The Warriors perfected the Run N’ Gun with elite defense anchored by their stretch 4 Draymond Green and defensive stalwart Andrew Bogut. Get up and down, get good shots, get stops, push the ball, move the ball like so:

And here’s what the Sixers look like half the time:

…… Now, if we were playing in the mid 90’s-mid 2000’s this would be acceptable. But we’re not. He slows the game down tremendously, and if he misses a shot and Noel’s not in the game, he won’t get a rebound. (He’s 7 foot and averages 7 Rebs a game and 2.3 O-Rebs a game!) 

Okafor kinda hurts the team on the court. When he’s on the court (stats: on the court vs. off the court):

• FG%-42.7 vs. 45.1
• 3FG- 7.3M/22.6A vs. 10.1M/29A
• Reb- 41.1 vs 40.6
• PTS- 90.2 vs 102.6
• +/-: -15.2 vs -5.4

The numbers don’t lie, he doesn’t work for this team or system. Now, there can be an argument for ‘he’s 20…he can develop’ yes, he can. But he’s slow, can’t defend, and can’t rebound. Literally, his team does waaaaay better when he’s out (except the rebounds but that’s small ball for ya).

Okafor was the best available at his position in the draft, but if the Sixers want to be relevant and competitive in the future they have to move him. With Nerlens Noel playing on another level and Joel Embiid hopefully making an appearance next year, ideally the Sixers are in a conundrum when it comes to front court roster space for the future. And if Dario Saric shows up next year, it gets even more crowded. But we don’t live in the world of ‘if’s’. The game has changed, and Okafor’s game doesn’t transcend into a winning formula in this league, yet.

His value is kinda high as of now, despite his off the court problems, so the Sixers should sell high on him to revamp their team to fit the league standard. Not conforming but adjusting. Even Popovich had to do it.

They have Okafor and assets. There’s only a few targets that they could try to acquire, without giving up much:

• Blake Griffin: a trade with the Clippers can give the Sixers more star power and versatility when it comes to offense and defense without giving up much. Griffins game is complete and you can build around him. The only drawback could be his health issues. But Okafor has shown that this year as well.
• Paul George: it would be a franchise cornerstone for another franchise cornerstone and kinda unlikely. However, giving up Okafor and some first rounders could sway the Pacers to help rebuild after their disastrous collapse. As with Griffin, George’s injury history and gruesome leg injury could be a drawback. But, you can build around him with a team from scratch like the Sixers.
• Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward: this team is about to make the playoffs, so it’s kinda unlikely to make this deal unless the bottom drops out and they come back to earth. But, Okafor and a player with assets included for these two budding stars would be intriguing for any team who’s looking to start over. A budding big, with a lottery pick of a potential star player of your choosing should be enticing for a team.
• Derrick Rose, Doug McDermott, Bobby Portis: The Bulls are Butler’s team, but Derrick Rose has come to his former self despite some minor injuries. He’s injury prone. Everyone knows it, but his contract’s up soon, so there’s no true commitment. McDermott is killing it right now. He has shown his true potential and could get better on defense. He’s lights out from 3 (41.6%) and a knockdown foul shooter (84.4%). Portis has been a sleeper this year. He can stretch the floor (35.3% from 3) and puts up 5.3 boards per game in limited minutes. A perfect fit for a team rebuilding with low risk and high reward.

These options are just spit balled, however they could work. Only if the teams would want to do them. 

This is nothing personal against Jahlil Okafor. He’s a phenomenal talent with supreme upside. He just does not fit in today’s NBA game or the Sixers current system with his play. He has the potential to get much better, he truly does. But with a team that’s chock full of athletic bigs that need PT and are better fits for the uptempo offense, he’s the best option to be moved based on value and optionality.

Stats provided by stats.nba.com

Cover photo courtesy of philly.com