Nick Mandarano
Russell or Mudiay? Mudiay or Russell? Maybe Porzingis? Sixers fans were left for weeks to debate what Sam Hinkie and his squad of misfits should do with the third pick after Minnesota takes Karl-Anthony Towns and Los Angeles takes Jahlil Okafor. The first two picks may as well have been written in stone. Then again, we probably would have had to shatter said stone about 36 hours prior to the draft. That’s when rumors began to arise that the Lakers had “increasing interest” in Ohio St. guard D’Angelo Russell. Sure, “increasing interest” could be nothing but a smokescreen (and that’s in fact what many thought it to be), but the instant Adam Silver uttered the letter D during the Lakers selection, Philadelphia was spinning.
Thus, Okafor’s a Sixer.
Let’s focus on just the first round for the Sixers, to start at least. Okafor was it. They didn’t package any of their five second-round picks to move back into the first round. They didn’t or couldn’t outmatch the Timberwolves’ two second round picks and future second round pick for Tyus Jones. Basically, they were boring.
It amuses me to hear fans complain about the Sixers’ first round. Yeah, I guess Hinkie could’ve spiced things up with a trade or two, but I doubt the man didn’t try. However, those that are complaining because we didn’t draft Russell, please explain to me how that was supposed to happen. Feel free to use the comment section below the article.
With Towns and Russell as the only players off the board, Okafor was clearly the best available talent. I was critical of Okafor throughout the entire college basketball season critiquing his lack of defense, his rebounding efforts, and his free throw percentage. However, the last big man to come out with offensive abilities at the level of Okafor’s – Tim Duncan, 1997. A talent like Okafor doesn’t come around often, as big men are bred to be rim protectors and defensive stoppers anymore. So yes, Philadelphia needs a guard because quite frankly Ish Smith just won’t cut it. I promise you though that an Emmanuel Mudiay, a Cameron Payne, a Tyus Jones, will be available in next year’s draft…and the next year…and the following.
Not to say that point guards are a dime a dozen, but they come around a lot more often than a truly talented 7-footer. For sure, it’s a guard driven league, but have we thought about why? Maybe, just maybe, it’s because that offensively skilled centers have quickly evaporated from the league. By extension, a player like Jahlil Okafor becomes infinitely more valuable. There’s no guarantee that in future drafts the Sixers can draft an Okafor, but again I reiterate that they will in fact be able to draft a Russell or a Mudiay. The Sixers made the right pick drafting the most talented, most valuable, and best player available rather than reaching for a needed guard, so the Same Hinkie first round disapproval parade can be put to a halt.
"But wait, Nick! Have you completely forgot that the Sixers already have Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid?"
Of course not, inquiring reader! The rest of my draft night was filled with texts and tweets asking what the Sixers are going to do with three 7-footers on the roster. Well, isn’t that a nice problem to have? Even if somehow, Sam Hinkie revealed his secret wizard identity and used his magic to select the draft’s best guard in D’Angelo Russell, this team was not going to compete at a championship level in the upcoming season for a multitude of reasons. But how exactly are Brett Brown and the Sixers going to handle these three 7-footers? For starters, it’s rumored and highly believed that Joel Embiid’s recovery has suffered a setback and he’s likely to sit out the entire 2015-16 season. However, for the sake of argument, let’s consider all three towers healthy.
Okafor will not be a great inside presence defensively. Remember he struggled rebounding at the college level against 6’9” opponents too. What Okafor brings to the NBA level is offense, and he’ll likely bring it at a league-best caliber. Noel and Embiid are players without nearly as much offensive capabilities. They are rim protectors, shot blockers, rebounders, and help defenders. Strategically, Okafor is a complementary big to each Noel and Embiid.
Now, all three can’t play at once, so imagine a rotation with two on the floor at a time. They’re getting rest. They’re staying out of foul trouble. The lane is always clogged. Most impressively, the Sixers will have something that no other team in the NBA has. It’s probable that they’d have something that no other team in the history of the NBA has had.
Yet, they still need a guard. I mentioned future drafts. There’s also the possibility with these three gigantic talents and Dario Saric eventually joining the team that Philadelphia becomes a more attractive place to play for free agents, especially if Hinkie can maneuver an addition of either of the two top restricted free agents this summer – Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard.
The other opportunity that drafting Okafor as a third center opens up is the ability to trade Noel or Embiid. The return for Embiid would be minimal considering he has yet to play an NBA game. Noel, however, looked good in his rookie season and fortunately for the Sixers is potentially the worst of the three. There’s not going to be any Chris Paul, James Harden, or Steph Curry coming to Philly any time soon. Although, if Hinkie could put together a package that includes Noel, perhaps he could trade for the guard Sixers fans are longing. Note that Ty Lawson is on the block and there are several other mid-level ball handlers that would be worth the value of a Noel-package.
If the Sixers drafted anybody but Okafor with their first-round pick this past draft, they would not be any better than they are now. It’s as simple as that. The addition of Okafor is an upgrade. Why Sixers fans are still whining is beyond me. The guard will come, but for now fans should enjoy the dominant inside play they are about to witness in Philadelphia.
What grade should the Sixers receive for their Jahlil Okafor selection?
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