The Sixer Sense
Fansided

The Philadelphia 76ers Subtle Small Ball Success

By Bret Stuter

Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with guard T.J. McConnell (12) during a break in the action against the Orlando Magic in the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with guard T.J. McConnell (12) during a break in the action against the Orlando Magic in the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

A Moment of Truth

Eventually, any discussion about the Philadelphia 76ers winds up at the draft. That is not coincidence, as virtually all of the Sixers current scheme of getting from the worst team in the NBA to the best must begin at some point. I had hope it would have already begun by now, but I was dishearteningly wrong.  So the Sixers languish in another nosedive as the season draws to a close.  Once more, the team seems to be more about questions than answers.  Once more, the team is counting on draft picks to align and bless the cursed lot of the Philadelphia 76ers by giving them a dared-hoped-for opportunity to get two of the top five NCAA prospect NBA hopefuls this year.

But what does the NBA draft hold?   Does it give the Philadelphia 76ers THE players who fit, glue the roster together and make it all rocket on the tracks of progress to that distant goal of being an playoff winner?   Well, draft analysis will be coming soon, but for now, let’s see what Philadelphia executive Jerry Colangelo has to say about the upcoming draft?

"“This draft is a draft of smalls. It’s really not a draft of bigs. That’s kind of interesting. You need to weigh all of these factors. When do you really pull the trigger. When is the right timing? – Jerry Colangelo"

Smalls. Again with the smalls. Haven’t the Sixer given up that small game?  Well, a recent piece of Brian Seltzer on Sixers.com discussed the team going small ball, when Brett Brown had run out a three-guard backcourt configuration featuring T.J. McConnell, Ish Smith, and Isaiah Canaan. McConnell is listed at 6’2” tall, while Smith and Canaan both stand at 6’0” tall. He goes on to highlight that lineup was first featured in the almost-upset win over the Golden State Warriors, and the same group surfaced with good success in the loss to the Orlando Magic. The group was responsible for cranking out the bulk of a 21-7 spurt that trimmed the Sixers’ 29-point deficit to 15 points in the third period.

So the team has been getting success with smaller guys.  But the team planners seem to be building a bigger team.

Something has to give.

Next: One More Angle