Jahlil Okafor Impresses New York Knicks In First Game At MSG
Somewhat lost in all of the hoopla over Coach K making history as the first men’s coach to become Coach 1K on Sunday was Mike Krzyzewski’s best player, freshman center Jahlil Okafor, making his first appearance at the World’s Most Famous Arena.
Showing more of what he normally has to make him the most coveted potential NBA draft this coming June, Okafor came up big in his first game in the building which provided a terrific setting for Krzyzewski to reach his historic milestone.
“This is my first time playing here,” Okafor told ESPN New York’s Ian Begley afterwards. “I can’t believe I’m actually here in Madison Square Garden, making history.”
Well, even if his coach was the one who making history, it’s hard to blame the 19-year-old Okafor for being excited after scoring 17 points on efficient 7-of-10 shooting, while recording a team-high 10 rebounds (including a game-high half-dozen on the offensive glass) to post his sixth double-double of the season.
Okafor also factored in Duke’s comeback, which erased a 10-point, second-half deficit, to keep St. John’s from making Krzyzewski wait at least another game before adding a fourth digit to his career win total before any other men’s Division I coach had done so.
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With his team trailing by four points, Okafor had a key 3-point play with 6:35 left to bring Duke to within 61-60. A short while later, after Duke had taken the lead for good, by a point, Okafor added a layup and a free throw to make it a four-point game.
And with the contest still hanging in the balance (with Duke up, 69-65 and under two minutes remaining), Okafor showed his prowess at the other end of the floor, with a block and defensive rebound which led to game-sealing 3-pointer for teammate Jones.
Okafor’s not perfect, and at such a young age, may not be able to step in right away and be an immediate difference maker for whichever team will be fortunate enough to draft him.
Just as he did against St. John’s (while going only 3-for-7 at the foul line), Okafor shoots free throws poorly (he’s only at 57.9 for the season) and can fairly often be exposed defensively, while lacking some lateral quickness.
But as Mr. 1,000 said of Okafor, “He has the biggest upside in college basketball.”
Overall, the Chicago native played well enough during his first game in the Mecca of Basketball, only 20 days before the same New York Knicks’ home floor hosts the NBA All-Star Game.
Okafor’s performance got the attention of Carmelo Anthony, who admitted of the 6-foot-11, 270-pound, highly touted prospect, “I like him. He’s got a great feel for the game and a great touch. He’s a big body for sure down [in the post]. He’s a load.”
The feeling was mutual.
“I’m still 19 years old and Carmelo Anthony is one of the best players to play basketball,” Okafor said. “I’m a big fan of him.”
Knicks president Phil Jackson, general manager Steve Mills, assistant general manager Allan Houston and director of scouting Kristian Peteseric, all of whom attended the game, are likewise big fans of both Okafor and Anthony.
Ideally, they’d love to see more of what Okafor showed them repeated at the Garden for years to come, only in a Knicks uniform, and alongside Anthony.
For 8-37 New York, tied with Philadelphia, one-half game ahead of NBA-worst Minnesota (7-37), it’s a distinct possibility. And nothing that the Knicks saw of Okafor for the first time in person should have changed their minds.