Jahlil Okafor believes that Brooklyn is the right place for him to reach his potential.
“I’m pretty confident, just talking with the guys in the locker room, and it’s all been positive feedback with the coaches,” Okafor said (via Brian Lewis of The New York Post).
Okafor was seemingly on the trade block every year since being drafted by Philadelphia with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft. Immediately after the big man was dealt to the Nets, D’Angelo Russell, who went one spot ahead of Okafor in 2015, reached out to convince him that the franchise was the right landing spot.
“D’Angelo is somebody I talk with often and he loves it here,” Okafor said. “He had nothing but positive things to say to me even before I stepped foot into the facility, and everything he said is true. They really care about us, the player development has been amazing and just even off the floor it’s been a good time.”
In addition to working on conditioning, Okafor had to adjust his offensive game. Brooklyn’s defense is similar to the scheme Okafor ran in Philadelphia, but the new offense is much different.
“The offense was something that was all new to me, completely different offense, completely different pace,” Okafor said of the Nets’ 3-point-heavy attack. “It’s only been two weeks, so I don’t want to sit there and say I’ve developed an amazing 3-point shot. That’s something we’ve been working on. But in the end of the day, I know what I do; I know what I’m able to do to help this team, and that’s not going to be me shooting 3s.”
How many minutes will the big man receive upon re-entering the rotation? The team didn’t provide specifics, but coach Kenny Atkinson told Okafor that he would be eased into action.
“He didn’t tell me I was limited. He just told me he was going to work me up, build me into playing big minutes,” said Okafor. “From a basketball standpoint, it was difficult, but in the grand scheme of living life, it’s not that bad. I’m in the NBA and I was able to work on my craft every day and get better, so I’m looking forward to playing.”
I expect Okafor to drop a bunch of weight this offseason to transform himself and his game to fit today’s NBA.
I wish Okafor nothing but the best and what would be funny is if the Nets wind up with a better record than the Sixers
“Jahlil Okafor, who is expected to make his Nets debut against the Wolves on Wednesday”
He already made his Nets debut. He played 20 minutes in one game.
Thank you. It’s crazy to me that people who get paid to write don’t do any kind of research.
Man, what a difference a good coach and front office make. Guys are happy, playing better than expected, and the team is restocking the cupboards somewhat that King stripped bare. Be great to see Brooklyn become competitive, and I’m not a Nets fan.
Okafor has gone from overrated before the Draft, to underrated while in Philly, back to overrated in Brooklyn.
When he can play NBA defense on anyone but post-up centers and not get beaten routinely on rim runs, then he’ll get significant minutes. That won’t be soon.