The NBA is obviously a major step-up in competition from the college game, but there is also more space for players to operate. We have seen this difference put on display with Jahlil Okafor’s burgeoning face-up game:
When Okafor was at Duke, I thought of him almost exclusively as a post scorer. Very early in his NBA career, it seems like that was a mistake. Over at Upside Motor, Chris Stone has a good combination of numbers and video:
Most interesting, though, is that Okafor already ranks second in the NBA in points per possession on isolation plays, according to Synergy. His 1.46 PPP rank behind only Jimmy Butler and while three games is a small sample size, Okafor is getting plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills. His 13 isolation touches are tied for 10th in the league just behind the likes of Paul George, Rudy Gay and Kevin Durant.
Unlike most big men his size, Okafor has the ability to put the ball on the floor and take his man off the dribble. At 6-11 and 275 pounds, he has no problem facing up the defender as far out as the 3-point line and he’s already shown off a go-to move in these situations. Okafor will drive before turning, spinning towards his right shoulder and reversing back to his left shoulder for a right-handed hook shot.
Okafor is shooting 57 percent from the floor and 81 percent from the line. So far, you have to feel pretty good about what the rookie has done offensively.
Other Sixers news, notes and analysis from around the web:
Bucks vs. 76ers: Jonathan Tjarks
Tjarks is smart and he watches a ton of hoops. Here is only part of what he took away from Wednesday’s game:
Nerlens Noel needs a little refinement. He makes a lot of the right decisions but the results still aren't quite there. It feels like he doesn't have any touch around the basket, like he's just throwing the ball at the vicinity of the rim and hoping it goes in - a little softer shot and he would be a pretty good offensive player. He's also got the right idea on a lot of his passes but they aren't quite on target at the moment. He's a guy who should benefit from playing as many possessions as possible on a bad team and getting a lot of NBA reps in a low-pressure situation to develop his game.
T.J. McConnell Making A Case To Start For 76ers: Derek Bodner, Philly Mag
The numbers in favor of McConnell vs. Isaiah Canaan are pretty jarring:
With McConnell on the court the Sixers are shooting a respectable 47.5% from the field and 37.1% from three point range, good for a true shooting percentage 58.4%. With McConnell on the bench the wheels have fallen off the Sixers offense: they're shooting just 30.0% from the field and 26.9% from three point range when McConnell has been off the floor, good for a dismal true shooting percentage of 39.8%.
Will Dario Saric Join the Sixers in 2016? Hinkie Can Only Hope: Bryan Toporek, Hoop76
Here is some good perspective on Saric’s financial situation. Basically, we will just have to wait and see, no matter what he says:
If Saric decides money isn’t as important as joining the NBA as soon as he’s contractually allowed, it’d be an undeniable boon to the Sixers. It’s just too early to say whether that’s actually going to happen, despite his recent comments to the contrary.
In case you missed it at PhillyVoice:
1. Sixers Beat Podcast: We mostly talk Okafor and the point guard situation.
2. Stauskas and McConnell: Two unlikely players are getting a lot of responsibility to run the offense, and they are showing some promise.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann