If there's one man who has been making the most out of all the drama within the New Orleans Pelicans of late, then it has to be former third overall pick Jahlil Okafor.
The 23-year-old has been on an absolute tear of late, taking full advantage of the myriad of injuries that have affected the Pelicans' frontcourt. Head coach Alvin Gentry has definitely taken notice, and had nothing but good things to say about Okafor's resurgence.
“Well he just played — he’s been really good in what we’re trying to do,” Gentry said, via Kyle Schnitzer of the New York Post. “It’s not like we’re just taking the ball and every time throwing it to him in the post. He’s been stepping out on the floor, screening. He’s done a great job of rolling in the pocket and catching the basketball.
“He’s done a really good job at taking his time and really kind of observing what is there for him and he’s done a really good job at reading the defense so we’re not force-feeding him or anything like that. He’s just doing a good job within the confines of what we’re trying to do, offensively, and getting himself in good situations.”
Over the past five contests, since he was given the starting center spot by default, Okafor has averaged a very impressive 21.2 points (on 74.6 percent shooting), 11.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 33.0 minutes of action. He will likely fall back to earth soon, but it appears that Okafor is going to be the big winner if and when the Anthony Davis trade deal comes to fruition within the next few days.
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