Mar 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown walks out of a timeout huddle during the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 94-83. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
There’s no question from anyone, the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t win much last year. In fact, they only won 18 times, their worst season since 1996. To put that into perspective, I wasn’t even alive when that season happened. So, yeah, monumental years for the team have come and gone, and we’re hoping to see the team pick things up, and definitely crossing our fingers hoping there’s at least a few more than 18 wins next year. We’re certainly praying there isn’t less.
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When we look at the roster, though, it’s pretty easy to see that they’ve got pieces that can help them reach that goal of more wins. Although it doesn’t sport any truly household name veterans, they have lots of young players who are just looking for an opportunity to show the league what they’re worth. What better place than a rebuilding team?
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Sure, youth doesn’t always win games, but the thing about that is that youth only lasts so long. These guys will mature, and have already learned a lot from last year if they were with the team.
Of this youthful roster, who are the players who will be the ones forcing an impact and pushing the 76ers to more wins this year? Let’s take a look, in no particular order, at four players who are sure to have an impact on the games won (and lost if they are unable to produce).
Next: Robert Covington
Mar 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The 76ers won 99-85. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Covington is a good player who is going to get better. No doubt, he showed us what he could do last year as a Sixer with well over 10 points per game, and proved that when he gets more minutes, he can be a truly valuable component.
His rebounding is something important, that I would like to see upped even more. 4.5 per game last year was great, but 5 or 6 would be even better. That’s a possible two more possessions every single game if he can improve that much.
Expected to start, he’s going to have a shot at more minutes. I feel like Covington and his high-flying nature on offense will push him to score more, and he will be a reason that the 76ers will be on top and the end of several games.
His defensive attitude is good as well, averaging 1.4 steals per game last year. Quick hands will do well with an increase in playing time, as long as he’s able to keep focused and not get exhausted.
Covington plays with a fairly versatile style offensively. He can drive to the hoop and score in isolation plays, or he can hang around the arc and wait for a pass to set him up for a three pointer. He’s also got a pretty good handle on backdoor cuts. In addition to all these scoring plays, he’s good on defense, averaging 1.4 steals per game last year.
Next: Nerlens Noel
Mar 16, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward center Nerlens Noel (4) reacts during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
If you watched any Sixers ball at all last year, you know Noel had to be included in this discussion. He was arguably the most popular player on the team last year, for good reason. He’s obviously ready to break out as one of the great young NBA players, and one of the key players pushing the 76ers to succeed.
In just one year in the NBA, he’s averaging nearly 10 points per game, while shooting 46.2% from the field. What is odd though, is that he didn’t even attempt a single three pointer, so it’s pretty clear he isn’t too confident in that realm. He’s definitely not a player that stretches the offense all that well, as 79% of his shots last season were within 10 feet of the hoop.
Clearly, range is somewhere that Noel specializes, but we know he’ll be working on that. He does display great qualities in other areas.
In this video, every single one of the 10 top plays Noel had was either a defensive play, or an offensive score off of a lob from another teammate. Every single one. Noel is often credited with being the best defensive player from his class, and I believe that is true by a long shot.
Noel absolutely refuses to be posterized, and the number one play in that compilation above is my favorite from last year as well. James Harden boldly tried to dunk on Noel, but Noel was bold right back, and ready to show what he had to offer defensively. He averaged just under two blocks per game last season. It’s refreshing to see a player like Noel who can offer so much defensively in an offensively minded league.
Noel got a lot of minutes last year, but only attempted about nine shots. I think this is unfortunate, and feel like he has to do more offensively next season. Especially if he is able to do this, he’ll be a reason the Sixers are winning games next year.
Next: Jahlil Okafor
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) drives to the basket defended by Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) during the first half in the 2015 NCAA Men
I know, you expected this one to be on the list, too. This incoming freshman will be likely finding himself on the starting roster, and in a role playing type of position early on in his career. As I’ve mentioned before, he must take this opportunity by the horns, because not only is he laying the foundation for his career, he’s laying the foundation for the next chapter in the Sixers’ franchise.
Okafor is big. Very big. He’s big to the point where he can be an intimidating person to guard, even to experienced NBA players. It’s going to take a little bit before teams figure him out (although I’m sure Okafor will need some time to transition as well). We are absolutely unsure of what he can offer in the NBA, but we’re hoping it’s similar to what we saw from him at Duke.
He averaged over 17 points per game there, and that’s not a stat that is going to come easily in the NBA. Sure, he’ll have the minutes to do it, but certainly not the experience with just one year of college.
Okafor comes in with lots of skills. He can drive to the hoop, and find ways to dunk, even when he’s well guarded. Some bigs are hindered by needing to use their physicality, but not Okafor. Okafor can sink a turnaround jumper with no problem without needing to initiate any contact whatsoever. That was one of the first things he showed off in Summer League this year:
Consistintely during Summer League that was something I was looking for. Mid-range shots without needing to utilize physicality to score. Okafor continuously showed that, in my opinion.
He will, however, have a shot at showing how he is also a huge component of the future of the 76ers. He’s another young guy who is expected to be big, and expected to put big numbers up, even in his first year.
It’s not so much a matter of how Okafor will impact games for wins, because he was brought in with that intention as the third overall pick in the draft this year. He is expected to do so.
Next: Isaiah Canaan
Feb 27, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Isaiah Canaan (0) drives past Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario (42) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Isaiah Canaan, or “Canaan with a cannon,” as I like to call him, is one of my favorite younger guards in the NBA. Although he doesn’t have all the athleticism of some players like John Wall, he does offer a lot that a guard should offer. And hey, who couldn’t love a guy who hit one of the nuttiest shots of the year?
He’s great at getting hot and staying hot, and there are plenty of times where he was hitting threes like crazy. He went through a transition getting traded from the Houston Rockets to the Sixers last season, and improved in several categories, but unfortunately his three point accuracy dwindled down just a bit. This was to be expected though, since he attempted four more per game as a Sixer.
One thing I love about Canaan is he’s a master of handles, often dribbling people right out of their shoes, or making them look silly.
Watching highlight videos of Canaan makes it clear to see that he’s a shoot first type of guy, (which George Kondoleon confirmed in his starting lineup projection) which hopefully can change and he will be able to see some of his teammates more. Handles are good and all, but does it go to Canaan’s head? He only assisted 1.2 times per game in Houston, and only bumped that up to three times per game in Philly. Quite low for a point guard.
He’s going to have to really impress with his shooting if he wants to keep his assists that low. He’s got to keep his head up for teammates.
Canaan really did hit his groove coming to the Sixers, and doubled his points per game. He quickly became a role player on the team, and yet again is more proof of how the team is working with younger players and developing them. I believe he’ll continue to be impactful next season, and will even start for the team.
Canaan will grow as a Sixer along with a lot of the other young guys and continue to improve.
What players do you think will be making the most impact next year towards wins? Tweet us @SixerSense and let us know!
Next: Jahlil Okafor Needs To Set A Strong Foundation This Year
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