#sixers fans could use a pick me up today. Here's Jahlil Okafor blocking D'Angelo Russell's shot pic.twitter.com/Zy8O6op7jO
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) July 12, 2015
Patrick Causey, on Twitter @PhillySportsPMC
A funny thing happened last night as I was working on an article reacting to the depressing news that Joel Embiid was going to miss another season because of his second foot surgery. I turned on the Sixers summer league game against the Los Angeles Lakers to catch glimpses of Jahlil Okafor versus D'Angelo Russell. I figured it would make for good background noise if nothing else.
But then I saw this:
No no no ☝️ #Sixers https://t.co/EOCQQPggOU
— Sports Are Philly (@SportsArePhilly) July 12, 2015
And suddenly I stopped typing. I became too distracted by Okafor dominating the game on both ends of the floor in a way that even I — an unapologetic Jahlil Okafor homer — did not think was possible, at least this early.
Yes, it's summer league. And yes, I have cautioned against reading too much into performances of rookies — good and bad — given the dearth of quality opponents and minimal cohesion between the players on the floor.
But, the more I watched, the less I typed, and the less depressed I became about the Embiid news.
I mean, watch this:
I’d grabbed Okafor post move on Upshaw in a gif, if people want to see it. Insane patience, footwork, and strength: http://t.co/9Cv1CCq3Te
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) July 12, 2015
Are you kidding me? That is sage like patience from Big Jah. His initial post up move was shut down, so he cut inside splitting the double team, and once he had the defender on his hip, immediately spun it back outside for the easy lay in. You rarely see that much in today's NBA, let alone from someone that is freaking 19 year's old.
And before you discount this as Okafor beating up on subpar competition, remember that this was against Robert Upshaw, a 7 footer with a 9'5 foot standing reach that led the NCAA with a ridiculous 4.47 blocks per game last year.
It invoked this type of reaction:
JESUS OKAFOR.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) July 12, 2015
And this:
That post move against Upshaw was unreal. Incredible patience, great footwork, just BULLIED him back to the rim. Ridiculous move.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) July 12, 2015
Almost to prove a point, Okafor pulled of this gem on the very next possession:
Okay, Okafor. I see you. pic.twitter.com/1xLhoTQquE
— Patrick (@PhillySportsPMC) July 12, 2015
But it wasn't just his low post moves that made me excited. It was his energy and effort on the defensive side of the ball. He was downright sluggish in the last game of the Utah summer league, a performance that had many in the greater Philadelphia area wondering if all the pre-draft concerns with Okafor's game were true.
But as Okafor pointed out after last night, the altitude in Utah likely had an impact on him: "I like it here in Vegas. Playing at this altitude is better. Playing in the altitude [in Utah] got me in better shape."
You could see the difference. He rebounded better, provided help side defense better, and protected the rim better. It was an encouraging sign from a 19-year old that seems grounded enough to know that he still has a long way to go to cement himself as one of the premier big men in the league: “It’s a long process. I’m only 19,” he said. “I don’t know if it was big progress or small progress. It was progress. Any progress is good."
Okafor finished the night with 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks on 6-14 shooting. Arguably most impressive? The rate at which Okafor is able to draw fouls. He went to the charity stripe 12 times last night, which is an effective skill in its own right. But he actually made the Lakers pay: hitting 7-12 free throws for his best shooting performance from the line so far.
Two other players stood out last night: Arsalan Kazemi and Pierre Jackson. The Sixers acquired Kazemi two years ago in the second round of the draft, but he has played overseas since that time. He is known for being a high energy guy and a rebounding machine, and he had both of those skills on display last night.
As the venerable Derek Bodner pointed out:
If there are bodies on the floor, Arsalan Kazemi is probably involved.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) July 12, 2015
While Kazemi might struggle to find minutes in the Sixers suddenly crowded front court, he is still my dark horse to make the Sixers roster this year. Sixers fans will love what he brings to the court every night.
Pierre Jackson also made an appearance. The Sixers acquired Jackson last year in a draft day trade, and he of course immediately ruptured his achilles in a summer league game. It was Jackson's first game back, and it took him a few minutes to shake off the rust.
But then he went on an 8-0 run against the Lakers by himself, and you could see the confidence coming back: “I was feeling it. I made a shots and Coach gave me a few more calls to do my thing. I was trying to spread the ball, that’s my job”
It is no secret that the Sixers need guards and they need scorers. Jackson might be able to offer some help in both regards, so keep an eye on him as we get closer to the regular season.
But make no mistake: this night was all about Okafor. He was sublime for parts of the night (even if he only gave himself a B- for his performance). If he continues to play like this, we might just stop worry about Joel Embiid.
