Injuries Hurt
First of all, let’s answer the most obvious question. Kendall Marshall can play in the NBA. For the right team and scheme, he not only could be productive, but could be a solid point guard off the bench. So what went wrong?
Poorly timed injury. Just as he was making a name for himself in the NBA, he injured his knee. From that point, things began to dive southwards.
Marshall had opportunity. After the injury-shortened season with the Milwaukee Bucks, he needed a fresh start. He got that with the Philadelphia 76ers.
In Philadelphia, Marshall would find a team which was both patient and needing his production. He remained out for the first 23 games of the season due to his ACL injury. When he landed on the roster, Brett Brown did not waiver in his support of Marshall. Kendall Marshall started five games for the Philadelphia 76ers at point guard. While he could distribute the ball, that was the extent of his performance.
His 3.2 turnovers per game was heartbreaking to see. His defense was worse. In fact, in his December starts against the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks, he turned in 16 turnovers, 27 points, and 24 assists.
After a six turnover performance against his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks on December 23rd, 2015, he would not start again. The Philadelphia 76ers had seen enough and decided to trade for point guard Ish Smith.
Next: Silver Lining