The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Position Analysis Under Brett Brown: Part II Power Forward Position

By Bret Stuter

January 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown reacts to officials while watching game action against Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown reacts to officials while watching game action against Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) looks for an opening past Los Angeles Clippers forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Clippers won 98-92 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) looks for an opening past Los Angeles Clippers forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Clippers won 98-92 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

2014: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute / Furkan Aldemir

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute did not arrive with any fanfare to the Philadelphia 76ers.  In fact, he arrived in a deficit, as his presence was the balance for the Sixers sending popular Thad Young to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the Miami Heat top ten protected first round draft pick.  So, the man arrived with virtually no expectation.  Apparently, the mixture of no expectation, coupled with a defensive minded head coach like Brett Brown did wonders for the man.  He had his career best 9.9 points per game, but his best work was defending. Players defended by Mbah a Moute shot just 32.5 percent from deep on 166 attempts.  It was his play, coupled with the rookie center sensation Nerlens Noel that gave a very bad Sixers team respectability on defense.  It was the presence of veteran Mbah a Moute that kept the teams young roster on the right track.  Even Brown lauded his contribution.

But the Sixers sign Turkish power forward Furkan Aldemir in December 2014, and were looking to get rebounds.  That’s what Aldemir brought to the US game, as his offensive rebounding rate (14.9%) tied for fifth among all players (min. 540 minutes). He also set a nice screen. But the rest of his game never seemed to develop – as his 2.3 PPG was rather paltry with an average 13.2 minutes per game.  The Sixers, anticipating the return of a healthy Joel Embiid in a center role, even began to play Nerlens Noel at the power forward position at the end of the 2014 season.

With a career high offensive production, and staunch defense, there were hopes that Mbah A Moute might be retained the following year.  Alas, the Sixers did not resign any of their free agents. Without an offer to return to the Sixers, there was a question as to where A Moute might end up.   But he is versatile, he has taken on a new role with the LA Clippers as their small forward.

And so, a short chapter in the power forward opened and closed for Luc Mbah a Moute, and subsequently for Furkan Aldemir.

Next: 2014: Noel/Holmes/Landry/Okafor