Philadelphia 76ers Christian Wood Playing for Keeps

After the Philadelphia 76ers declined to extend a qualifying offer to power forward Christian Wood, the power forward has roared in two summer league games.

What motivates people?  Some are motivated by positive feedback, praise and encouragement.  They respond to the positive, and work hard to continue to earn praise.  Others are motivated by discipline, by lowered expectations. Those persons use negative reactions and feedback as motivation. “You can’t do that!” serves as fuel to show that it can in fact be accomplished.

But Christian Wood?  His motivation right now is oblivion.  The Philadelphia 76ers did not extend power forward Christian Wood a qualifying offer on June 30, 2016, essentially giving the undrafted power forward few material options to sustain his NBA career going forward.

This is the same Christian Wood who was devastated on NBA Draft night in 2015.  The image of his disappointment was so real, so tangible, that it still pains me to see it.

Scouts raved about Wood’s 7’3 wingspan, his length, athleticism and his rim protecting ability. He averaged 15.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks with the Rebels in his sophomore year and in the weeks leading up to the draft.  But on draft night, his 215-220 pound frame was a liability, considered too light to endure the pounding near the rim.

Next: Land of Opportunity