The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers FA Buys Team Time To Develop Youth

By Bret Stuter

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tony Wroten (8) drives the ball during the second half as Houston Rockets guard Isaiah Canaan (0) defends at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the 76ers 88-87. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tony Wroten (8) drives the ball during the second half as Houston Rockets guard Isaiah Canaan (0) defends at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the 76ers 88-87. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Far Better Than Last Year’s Approach

The 2015-2016 roster was a thesis paper case study of how NOT to build a roster to begin an NBA season.  The team entered the new year with no starting point guard.  The roster had shooting guard Isaiah Canaan, undrafted rookie point guard T.J. McConnell, and injured guard Tony Wroten and Kendall Marshall.  What happened is that Canaan never became a point guard, Wroten never returned from injury 100%, and Marshall simply did not pan out.  The team, for all the challenges of the position, found it’s best solution in the hands of undrafted and learning as he played McConnell.

Finally, the team traded for a true point guard, Ish Smith, from the New Orleans Pelicans, and found some success.  Upon Ish Smith‘s arrival, T.J. McConnell‘s game improved considerable, even in a reduced role.  He was able to watch, learn, and then apply.  That is the key to NBA mentoring.

When the Philadelphia 76ers sign players for the back court, if the expectation was to sign elite players, that was a self fulfilling disappointment.  The team has a specific scheme, and only certain players fit that scheme.  Head Coach Brett Brown has preached the philosophy of Pace, Space and Pass constantly for three years, but seldom had the players with the proper skill-sets to deliver in that scheme.

Now they are much closer.

T.J. McConnell is a solid backup at point guard, Hollis Thompson and Nik Stauskas are talented and developing shooting guards.  None are ready to play in the NBA as a 30+ minutes starter.

Next: Carl Landry Case Study