As the Summer League season ended, we started to see the Sixers regular season roster form and that got me and Patrick Koerbler excited to see which 5 Sixers would be named the starters of the 2015-16 season. See which Sixers starting lineup you would prefer!
Apr 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Isaiah Canaan (0) shoots over Washington Wizards center Kevin Seraphin (13) during the third quarter at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated Philadelphia 76ers 106-93. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
George Kondoleon:
PG, Isaiah Canaan
This pick for point guard is an unpopular one, but for the time being, it is the right one. Even though Tony Wroten will come back strong and is highly skilled, I believe Canaan serves as a better fit for this offense with his shooting ability.
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After being traded from Houston for K.J. McDaniels in the final minutes of last season’s trade deadline, Canaan stepped right onto the court in Philadelphia and saw almost double the minutes he played in Houston. He took full advantage of the increased minutes, averaging 12.6 ppg and attempted double the amount of threes, while still maintaining a consistent percentage of 36.4% from outside for the Sixers.
Canaan played just 22 games after suffering an ankle injury in the last two weeks of the season. In his short time in a Philly uniform, Canaan has proved to be an offensive force, but needs to be more selective with his shooting. He is also an average distributor, averaging 3.2 assists per game but tends to shoot first. Canaan’s outside ability in this lineup serves not only as a way to spread the floor, but can also give options for the big men while they are in the post. Canaan’s lack of court vision may hurt the wings, but fortunately for him and the Sixers the focal point of the offense will lie in the bigs’ hands. Canaan is still only 24 years old, so using this year as another developmental year to see whether or not he could blossom into an everyday point guard wouldn’t hurt.
Next: Shooting Guard
April 5, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Nik Stauskas (10) shoots the basketball against Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
SG, Nik Stauskas
Maybe I have fallen into the hype a little bit, but I’d be shocked if we didn’t see “Sauce Castillo” in the starting lineup. Stauskas has been given a second chance in Philadelphia and has been brought here through trade by Sam Hinkie for a specific reason. He was notorious in college for his incredible shooting but failed to show that in his first year with the dysfunctional Sacramento Kings.
Stauskas will be given another year to prove he isn’t a college player that can’t translate into the NBA. With increased minutes and confidence from the coaching staff, look for Stauskas to find his rhythm and to become a key scorer in this years’ Sixers lineup. Stauskas went 48 for 149 (32.2%) from 3-pt range and averaged 15.4 minutes. As Stauskas’ minutes increase, he will get comfortable in the offense and start showing us the “Sauce”.
Next: Small Forward
Apr 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) protects the ball from Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
SF, Robert Covington
After a great first year with the Sixers, expect to see Robert Covington in the starting lineup once again. “RoCo” had a stellar scoring year averaging 13.5 points and shot 37.4% from 3-pt land. Covington is already the third guy in this lineup that can space the floor, but needs to drive to the basket more often.
Cov attempted only 151 layup/dunks compared to 600 jump shots. He also shot 27.1% from 3 to 10 ft from the rim. Covington has great length and must start to use it on both ides of the ball. Covington played solid defense last season averaging 1.4 steals per game and created problems for shooters on the outside. He has had trouble defending the dribble, but can get away with it on this Sixers team. If the forward has a repeat of last year, expect him to be a Sixer for a long time.
Next: The 4 Spot
Apr 8, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) dribbles against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. The Wizards won 119-90. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
PF, Nerlens Noel
Noel had a stellar rookie season on the defensive end and even came around late in the season with surprising offense. Noel will have to serve as the defensive anchor once again this season and will have to go above and beyond in this lineup.
While he won’t hold the offensive burden in this lineup, he will get the bulk of the responsibility rebounding and on the defensive end. To work with rookie Jahlil Okafor, Noel must have to develop some sort of a mid range game.
Last season, Noel went 62 for 252 (24.6%) on jump shots and those kind of numbers will simply not cut it. Noel will have to be able to become more reliable from the mid-range and continue his blocking rampage to make this lineup work. Look for the flattop hero to make himself a consistent presence on both sides of the court.
Next: Center
Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) is congratulated by teammates on the bench during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Rookie Jahlil Okafor will undoubtedly be a starter right off the bat for the Sixers, and will be the number one option on offense. Getting the ball to Okafor in the post will be key. Okafor can work almost anyone down low and has impressive passing ability to find the shooters on the outside. Okafor’s defensive struggles will be a huge problem but he is the perfect offensive fit to a lineup like this.
Okafor will have huge success in this lineup when he is given the freedom to control the paint. Okafor will also have a stuffed stat sheet with the amount of scoring/passing opportunities he will see. The focal point of the offense will have to prove his NBA ability right off the bat.
This lineup would be fun offensively, as it allows Jahlil Okafor to really control the offense through the post, hiding the lack of star power at the guard positions. This also gives unproven guys the opportunity to have breakout years. The argument for Tony Wroten is a strong one, but I believe guards that are threats from the outside will benefit Okafor and the team as a whole in the long run.
Next: Patrick Koerbler's Prediction
Apr 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (5) reacts to a missed 76ers shot against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Bucks won 107-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
I don’t have many disagreements, and really agree with your premise that the Sixers should want to surround Okafor and Noel with three point shooters. With neither of the duo having much of a jumper, and both being talented passing big man, it could really open up the offense. I do differ in one spot though, and that’s point guard.
PG, Ish Smith
Yes, he hasn’t re-signed yet. And yes, the Sixers are bringing in both Scottie Wilbekin and Pierre Jackson to compete for the point guard spot, but I don’t think the Ish era in Philadelphia is completely over. At this point, I’m not sure that Ish is going to find the pay upgrade that he may be looking for elsewhere and could land him back with the Sixers.
Ish is replaceable, but what he did to help Noel, in my mind, can’t be understated enough. Noel was already playing better before Ish arrived, but his game was really taken to a whole other level once he got here. With another big man added to the equation, I want a point guard like Ish that will be looking to make both their lives better. And while his shooting still leaves a lot to be desired, he makes up for it with his passing ability.
Next: Shooting Guard
Mar 14, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Nik Stauskas (10) attempts a layup as Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
SG, Nik Stauskas
This one isn’t the lock that people may think it is, but it just makes too much sense to not start Sauce. I mean when you really look at the Sixers roster, there really isn’t that much in the way at shooting guard. You have JaKarr Sampson whose shot is still a mix bag of meh. And then you have Hollis Thompson who doesn’t really bring much more to the table than Stauskas.
Stauskas certainly isn’t the entrenched starter, but unless he really stinks it up in training camp, he’s the probable starter at shooting guard.
Next: Small Forward
Mar 29, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) walks off the court after an 87-86 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
SF, Robert Covington
While the other wing spot is still up for grabs, Covington seems to have this one locked up. Even with Jerami Grant, young and extremely talented in his own right, it’s tough to see RoCo losing this spot. He’s a great fit with Okafor and Noel, and should have an even better season. With more of the defenses’ attention in the post, it should open up more looks for Covington beyond the arc.
Next: Power Forward
Mar 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) drives against Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Sacre (50) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
PF, Nerlens Noel
Good old Nerlens. With a Sixers roster that’s ever changing, whether it’s due to injury or trades, Noel has been the constant of the Hinkie era. Following up on an impressive rookie season, Nerlens continued offensive development is, for me at least, the most intriguing storyline of the upcoming season.
We know he’s a terrific, game altering defensive player, but can he provide much on offense? While it’s unrealistic for Noel to come out this season and start nailing 15-foot jumpers, he’s made substantial progress since his freshman year at Kentucky that gives Sixer fans some hope.
The fact that he made 60.9 percent of free throws this season shows that he’s not totally helpless on offense, but he’ll have to continue to show more this upcoming season if he wants to be the star of the Sixers franchise.
Next: Center
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor hugs a teammate after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men
C, Jahlil Okafor
Okafor comes to Philadelphia with big expectations, and just in the few weeks that he has been a Sixer, you can kind of see the moves that the Sixers brass is making to help Okafor. Trading for Stauskas. Signing Scottie Wilbekin and Pierre Jackson. Yes, these are moves that could have happened regardless of Okafor, but you get the sense that shooting will be emphasized more and more — especially if Okafor succeeds.
With better shooters around him than he had in summer league, Okafor does have things he needs to work on himself. I feel like I’ve blabbed on about these things (getting in shape, free throw shooting, quicker decision-making, etc.) so I won’t continue to do so here. But I will say that if there is anyone who will have Okafor ready for the season it will be Brett Brown. If not the fact, he needs him ready for the season. Okafor will be carrying a heavy load from the onset, and should be the focal point of the offense. Making stat line predictions will be for another time, but there’s a reason he’s the early Rookie of the Year favorite.
Next: George's Last Words
Dec 3, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers shorts with logo against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The 76ers defeated the Timberwolves 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
George Kondoleon:
The Ish Smith decision intrigues me. He already showed great chemistry with Noel and is pretty much the only true point guard on the roster. Interesting that we both agreed on Tony Wroten off the bench. Wroten was an impact on offense with the dribble-drive, but is limited when it comes to shooting. Wroten can serve as an instant option off the bench. It’s nice to see some sort of depth forming across all positions.
Who would you guys like to see in the starting lineup? Do you see either Canaan or Ish becoming a consistent starting point guard? Comment below and make sure to follow @SixerSense on Twitter.