Okafor back in NBA with Pacers after 4 years; fans share thoughts
Jahlil Okafor is back in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers for the first time in four years after he played against the New York Knicks.
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OKAFOR BACK IN NBA AFTER 1,367 DAYS, PLAYS SCRUB MINUTES AGAINST KNICKS
Okafor was back in the NBA after 1,367 days to be exact, after he played scrub minutes for the Pacers against the Knicks.
Furthermore, the 29-year-old Nigerian-American center had a rebound and an assist in three minutes in the Pacers’ 115-128 home loss to the Knicks.
Moreover, Okafor was signed to a 10-day contract by the Pacers after toiling with Indiana’s G League squad Mad Ants.
Indiana signed him after an earlier bid to acquire Alex Len didn’t push through, prompting the Pacers to search for a reserve big man.
Okafor was a No.3 overall pick by the Philadelhpia 76ers in the 2015 NBA Draft and played there for three seasons.
He then went to the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans before last playing for the Detroit Pistons in 2021 as injuries slowed him down.
PACERS COACH DEFENDS BIG MAN SIGNING, REWARDS ‘LOYALTY’ TO FRANCHISE
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defended his latest big man signing, as he cited the importance of “loyalty” to a franchise.
Moreover, Carlisle had a need for a center after starter Myles Turner went down with a neck injury.
Furthermore, the coach opted to look for someone from their own backyard after the Len deal fell through.
Len eventually went to the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers.
“He (Okafor) can reound, he’s a guy that can score, he can finish. This is sa great opportunity for him,” Carlisle said.
“We’re taking care of our own here. That’s loyalty to show to someone who’s shown loyalty to us, which is great,” he added.
FANS SHARE THOUGHTS ON BIG MAN’S NBA RETURN ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans shared their thoughts on the big man’s NBA return on social media after Okafor played against the Knicks.
Furthermore, most fans gave their positive feedback on the player who once averaged 17.5 points per game in his rookie year with the Sixers.
Moreover, most shared Carlise’s statement that Okafor deserved another chance after he averaged 18.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists with the Mad Ants this season.
One fan noted the big man “played in China, Spain, Mexico, and Puerto Rico before finding his way back.
Another imagined Okafor matchup with Knicks big man Karl Anthony Towns, which would’ve been a hit nearly 10 years ago.
It remains uncertain if Okafor sticks with the Pacers once Turner returns from injury.
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