Throughout the preseason Philadelphia 76ers big man Richaun Holmes has shown that not only does he deserve a roster spot, but he deserves playing time as well.
The Philadelphia 76ers had the tendency during the reign of former general manager Sam Hinkie to select big men in the draft. Perhaps Hinkie was just making sure that the Sixers would never had to trade for another Andrew Bynum. Obviously there are more reasons than that, some of which we will never understand.
The challenge that current president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo has now is what to do with the four legitimate centers on the roster. Colangelo will have an especially hard decision to make when it comes to Richaun Holmes.
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Joel Embiid is slowly becoming the center everyone wanted him to be, so he is untouchable. Jahlil Okafor is still recovering from his injury so the jury is still out on his status with the team. Nerlens Noel is not in good standings with the team, impart with his comments about the Sixers situation at center and his apparent “injury” that has made him a preseason scratch. Richaun Holmes can play both the four and the five position, and his future is still very much up in the air at this point.
Comparing Noel and Holmes is only nature in that of all the centers on the roster both are best suited for the small-ball center. Embiid has not shaken off the rust and may take some time to do so.
Even when he does, he might be too slow to defend the quicker small-ball centers in the league. Okafor simply does not have the defensively skill set in general to do what a small-ball center is required. Noel excelled the best in small-ball lineups last year when he could run the lane. Holmes has had limited experience at center, but when he has played it during the preseason he has excelled at it.
Holmes is averaging an astounding 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 24 minutes per game in the preseason. Don’t let the low rebound rate fool you, defensively Holmes is almost as good as Noel.
| Rk | Player | Season | Age | G | MP | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | 2P% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richaun Holmes | 2015-16 | 22 | 51 | 702 | .514 | 0.4 | 2.3 | .182 | .596 | .689 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 6.9 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 4.7 | 14.7 |
| 2 | Nerlens Noel | 2015-16 | 21 | 67 | 1965 | .521 | 0.0 | 0.0 | .500 | .521 | .590 | 2.8 | 7.1 | 9.9 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 13.7 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 10/12/2016.
Yes, Noel is less foul prone as well as, a better defensive rebounding and stealing the ball.
Holmes is better in virtually every other area aside from that. Unlike Noel, he has the body mass to body up bigger players on the defensive end. He can actually make a mid-range jump shot and the occasional 3-point shot, which is important when the Sixers have a two legit post presence for when the team runs it’s tall ball lineup.
His shooting ability will be absolutely essential for the the Sixers small-ball lineup. With Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and Jerami Grant as the slashers Richaun Holmes will be paired up with his shooting range will make the offense flow smoothly without clogging up the up the paint. He can run both pick and roll, as well as, the pick and pop.
Anyone that has seen Holmes play knows he can finish at the rim, but in order for him to excel his 3-point shoot has to improve. There is a good chance it will, with Simmons, once he returns, and Saric cutting to the basketball, he will be getting better looks.
Holmes will probably see an uptick in his defensive rebounds, field goal percentage, and 3-point percentage if he see time at the small-ball center. His offensive rebounds will most likely take a hit with his new responsibilities taking him away from the baskets. It is a fair trade off.
His weakness in rebounding and steals can be covered by any combination of him with any of the previously named forwards. Holmes’ foul trouble can be cause of concern, if he was going to be a starter, however, with the current roster and where he is in his stage of his career, that will not be an issue.
Unlike Noel, Holmes does not have a problem coming off the bench. When Holmes is put into the spotlight, he can shine. Holmes can carry the load offensively when needed, something Noel could never do.
This is not a hate on Noel article, but rather what Holmes could do in a back-up position if given the opportunity. He could not receive minutes if Noel is still on the roster.
One recent proposed trade scenario has Noel going to the Houston Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers receiving Brandon Knight as well as Archie Goodwin from the Phoenix Suns in a three-team deal. Trading Noel and a second round pick for those two players would be more than fair.
Related Story: Is Holmes a Player to Keep Long Term?
Holmes is the best option as the small-ball center. Either through trade or just letting Noel walk next off-season the Sixers will be fine with Holmes stepping in. His ability to space the floor and play energetic defense allows Sixers to have a versatile option at center when they decide to play small.