Without the Sixers big three of James Harden, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey the Sixers have been starved for offense. We already knew that Tobias Harris needed to step up in their absence, and he has for the most part but De’Anthony Melton and Shake Milton have been massive bright spots in a dim part of this current Sixers season.
Melton over the last four games has had 19, 22, 20, and 13 points and has been the go to guy when the Sixers have needed a bucket late in the game. Milton over the last four games has scored 27,16, 22, and 24 points and was one rebound away from his first career triple double against the Magic.
This offensive production will likely change when the Sixers big three comes back to full strength, but Melton and Milton should not disappear from the offense completely. Milton has shown flashes during his four previous seasons with the Sixers but has never shown any type of consistency. It is no coincidence that in his season high in minutes, Milton put up his best game of the season and perhaps his career. It has always seemed as if Milton is the type of player that needs some time to get going, he is not someone that is going to come off the bench and make an immediate impact. It is on Doc Rivers to make sure he is putting Milton in a position where he can be close to this type of player.
Unlike Milton, this is our first year seeing Melton, over this four game stretch he has made 16 three’s and if he can continue to shoot this way from behind the arch the Sixers surely have found something special.
It remains to be seen how the lineup and minute distribution will remain when Harden, Embiid, and Maxey return but it is sure nice to see players elevating their game in the meantime.
Photo via USA TODAY Sports – Sam Sharpe
