Jahlil Okafor has not played in five of the six games the Nets have played since being traded to them on December 7.

Why?

Oh don’t worry, it’s definitely not because he stinks, but rather because, according to Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, Vegan Jah needs to get in game shape since he only played 25 minutes for the Sixers all season. That’s understandable, but also sort of ridiculous seeing as though Okafor is healthy and supposedly with improved nutrition, and yet can’t crack the lineup for the Nets. The Nets!

What did Jah blame it on? Oh, the Sixers of course.

From the NY Post:

“That’s why I’m happy I’m here with the actual NBA coaching staff that’s taking care of me every day. When I was in Philly I was figuring it out on my own. I had my own trainer [Rick Lewis] that I’ve been working with since eighth grade working me out. But it’s a different level when you’re actually working with an NBA staff.”

Balls. That takes balls. Three years in Philly, playing for maybe the worst team ever and then a middling playoff contender, and Okafor struggled to crack the lineup due to his downright inability to play defense and the black hole nature of his offensive game. And then he goes to the Nets, who are much worse, and still gets a DNP in five games. And he blames it on the Sixers. Why do I suspect that whatever the Sixers’ issue with Jah was, that they weren’t shunning him from team workouts in their first-class facility? Nik Stauskas seems to have no issue being in shape despite the fact that he barely played in Philly this year. And he’s not even a Vegan!

Maybe Okafor is just bad.