Seth Vigdor
It seems like everyone has something to say when it comes to the Jahlil Okafor saga. On Wednesday night, Coach K made a few comments about Okafor, after Duke’s game against Indiana. Everyone that has talked about Okafor to date has had nothing but great things to say about him. He’s clearly well-respected.
The one thing that seems to be missing from his life is someone to take him under their wing and show him the ropes. His family doesn’t seem to be getting the job done at this point. These incidents over the past couple of months are essentially a cry for help. But, is there anyone that will actually step in and help the kid?
An unlikely figure says that he’d like to talk to Okafor after is suspension. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Carmelo Anthony is that guy. Anthony told Berman the following:
“I wish I could reach out to [Okafor]. I had to learn the hard way. Unfortunately. I had to figure out that I had control of my own career and which direction I wanted to go in. There comes a time you sit down with yourself, have some ‘me’ time and figure out what you want out of your life and career. There was some people I was able to get advice [from] and vent to, but a lot of my experiences I had to deal with on my own.”
Anthony would also talk about the Knicks rookie, Kristaps Porzingis is lucky enough to have a few veterans in the New York locker room that can help guide him if need be.
“You can’t hold guys hands and walk them through day-to-day life. [Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis] is fortunate enough to have veterans and guys in this locker room that can talk to him and teach him. That situation with Okafor, it’s an unfortunate situation. That could’ve been anybody. It happened to be him. He’s dealing with that. I feel bad for him. I know those situations. Sometimes you can’t control those situations.”
You heard it, Sam Hinkie. Melo is available to step in and help. Make the call – before it’s too late.