Philadelphia 76ers first round center Jahlil Okafor and Los Angeles Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell will be forever linked together in their careers because they came out in the same draft and the Lakers decided to select Russell rather than Okafor. The Sixers had let it be known that they wanted to draft Russell, but the Lakers beat them to it, so the Sixers grabbed the next best thing, Okafor.
Last night in Las Vegas Summer League game, Okafor led his Sixers squad against Russell and his Lakers team. Both players showed why NBA teams were so excited about drafting them. Okafor was dominant in the low post and he showed a plethora of head fakes, spins and double-pumps. He looked like a combination of former ABA and NBA great George McGinnis and current NBA great Tim Duncan.
Russell scored 14 points with eight rebounds, but he shot only 4 for 15 from the field and 6 for 9 from the free throw line. He’s got to shoot better from the field. Russell showed some of his adept passing. If you get open, this young man will get you the basketball.
The big guy had 19 points and 11 rebounds along with three assists and two blocks. He was 6 of 14 from the field, but he improved to 7 of 12 at the charity stripe, which was a major improvement.
One of his blocks was against the left-handed Russell as he drove into the lane. The former Duke standout has proven he’s a better defensive player, than people have given his credit for.
Okafor must learn to cut down on his turnovers. He had five turnovers in the game.
He makes it look so easy and he always has a counter move to react to whatever the defense is doing. Both players were aware that comparison were going to be made after the game.
“He’s a point guard and I’m a big man, you really can’t compare the two,” Okafor said CSNPhilly.com. “I am getting more comfortable. Not playing at that [Utah] altitude, I feel I had a lot more energy.
I would not call shooting 4-15, 7 turnovers and 3 assist in summer league action shining. Sounds MCW-ish.
ESPN Summer League Writer was Critical of Russell’s Play and wrote that he’s lack of explosion is going to be a real problem when facing experienced defenders in the NBA ..
I think Russell will be a complete bust. Clarkson is the clear future of the Lakers. It was a poor decision by the Lakers to take Russell over Okafor because of a perceived “it” factor Russell has according to the Laker front office. The Lakers mistake may turn out to be the best thing that happened to the 76er franchise in years, especially if Embiid is unable to play at the level expected when he was drafted.
I would not be surprised if the Lakers are able to retain their pick this year. The Lakers won’t be able to retain the pick because they look like the West Coast version of Knicks except a little better. There is no true direction. They look like they are trying to rebuild, but both teams have veteran players who are not trying to be a part of it.