The Sixer Sense
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A 10-Game Evaluation of Ish Smith as a Philadelphia 76er

By Josh Wilson

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Ish Smith has now played 10 games this season as a Philadelphia 76er, so it’s time to give him an evaluation.

Jan 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) shoots a free throw against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) shoots a free throw against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Ish Smith was brought on to the Philadlephia 76ers on Christmas Eve this season, and most fans were very excited to see how he could re-kindle a fire in Nerlens Noel, and in the 76ers offense in general. Smith has blown away expectations, but now that he’s played 10 games, it’s time to give Smith an overall grade through his first 10 games this season as a Sixer.

Smith, in his time with the Sixers, has seen a much better version of this team than existed at the beginning of this season, and that’s no coincidence. Smith has pushed the team to be better in all areas.

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Prior to getting Ish this season, the Sixers were really doing horrendous. Per game, they were putting up 91.4 points, 18.8 assists, and turning the ball over 17.8 times. In the 10 games since trading for Ish, the Sixers have scored 99.3 points, dished out 23.7 assists, and improved a bit on turnovers, only committing 17 per game. We can certainly thank Ish for a lot of these improvements, as the addition of him to this team has pushed them to improve in all of these categories.

It really is incredible what the addition of a full-functioning point guard can do for the Sixers. That was one of their biggest missing pieces, as all of their guards could either score, or pass, but not both. Smith can do both. He’s the full package.

10 games in, it’s clear Ish is happy to be back. He said, “I like it here.  Love the fans. I’m just playing.”

I’m going to look at Smith in four categories to grade his first 10 games. First, has he effectively replaced Tony Wroten? Second, his individual playing, third, how he has helped Nerlens Noel, and lastly, how he has helped the rest of his teammates.

Next: Has he replaced Wroten?