The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers’ Core: Ultimate Roster Analysis and Predictions

By Bret Stuter

Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 18, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) dribbles the ball against Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) dribbles the ball against Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Gerald Henderson

Status: guard /small forward. Emotional leader of locker room. Passionate motivated player.
Contracted Through: 2018
Current 2016-2017 Salary:  $8,801,956
Trade Value: Solid contributor veteran.

Strengths: He is a veteran shooting guard who can start, but played a reserve role last season.  Known as a stronger defender, he is actually a solid two way player. He is also an emotional leader, strong in competitive passion, and rises to the occasion in competitive moments during the game. He is also familiar with the area.
Offense:  Consistently in the  15 plus points per 36 minutes, his 2015-2016 offense declined as he was forced to adjust to a reserve role.  In fact, recovering from injury, it wasn’t until February 2016 until Henderson returned to scoring better than ten points per game.
Defense: Defense is where Henderson is expected to shine, and likely will, for the Philadelphia 76ers. Henderson arrives as the finished product, the example of what Brown is trying to coach in the play of Stauskas, Covington, and Thompson.  Perhaps the roster will keep the younger players on board if nothing more than to see how quickly they can develop as teammates of a strong basketball defender.

Weaknesses:  Henderson wants to start. Brett Brown likes to rotate his players, even starters, to ensure his roster remains fresh.  In his past, if Henderson had played, he had started. This will be a curious dynamic to keep an eye on this season.
Offense:  Henderson settles for a baseline jumper way too much, rather than attacking the rim. He also is a streaky shooter and if the shots aren’t falling, he tends to fade out of games.  Brown is the perfect coach for that. Hopefully Henderson remains tuned in to his coach when that occurs.
Defense:  Henderson is good defensively, but he has the tools to be great. It can very well be that a change of scenery, a roster of young men eager to learn from a veteran, and a coach who cherishes his skills, may give him a renewed dedication and lease on his NBA career.

Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: 100 percent.  If the team does not “shift” positions to get a tall ball lineup, he’s the likely starter for shooting guard on opening day.

Next: Summary