The Sixers’ New Look Suits Them Well
Once again, the Sixers fell to a beatable team Monday night. However, this loss felt better than the losses earlier in the season. With the return of Ish Smith, the Sixers have gone 1-1, scoring 101 PPG and allowing 99 PPG. Smith’s pace has been a major factor for Nerlens Noel as Noel has averaged 16 points, 3.5 blocks, and 8.5 rebounds. The Sixers are playing exciting basketball, including a breakout career game from Richaun Holmes, who had 18 points against the Utah Jazz.
The one variable that could shake up things in the near future would be the return of Jahlil Okafor, who has been out for the past two games due to soreness in his right knee. The former Blue Devil has been a star for the Sixers, posting team highs 17.6 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game.
Okafor has been starting at center for the Sixers, while fellow big-man Noel has been switching between power forward and center. Coach Brown stated, “I’m so influenced by matchups. You can’t force-feed defensive matchups. So my motive is for sure to grow those two [Noel and Okafor]. But it’s highly influenced by matchups on the court.”
It will be interesting to see how Coach Brett Brown sends out the starting line up for the rest of the season. Okafor has yet to find chemistry with Smith, but we’ve already seen an improvement in Noel’s play when Noel plays center. Okafor is better suited for an offensive forward, but that would leave a hole in the defense.
Noel started over Okafor in last night’s 110-105 win against the Kings. Noel had 20 puts and 9 rebounds. Okafor had fewer minutes due to his knee, but still managed to produce 10 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie Holmes was quiet after his career game against the Jazz.
The Sixers are still looking for their true identity, but this second win in three games shows they’re heading in the right direction. Once the trade deadline comes around later this season, Noel could potentially be dealt, given his performance thus far.
This may or may not be the answer to solving the frontcourt issue, however, the Sixers are going to have to keep improving if they want to get back to being title contenders.
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Categorized:Sixers