5 Things We Learned From Philadelphia 76ers Loss vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Oct 21, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) attempts a lay up against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) attempts a lay up against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) dribbles past the steal attempt of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) dribbles past the steal attempt of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Sergio Rodriguez is the Sixers best Point Guard

This one is bittersweet for me. As many of you know, I am a huge T.J. McConnell fan and thought that he would have a chance to be the breakout point guard that the Sixers desperately need. After last night, the battle is put to rest – for now anyway. The Sixers best point guard is clearly Sergio Rodriguez.

Sergio Rodriguez, lovingly known as “El Chacho”,  had the crowd roaring for him.  Whether it was from his flashy passes or deadly three point shooting, Rodriguez played extremely well.  He may have been the most surprising of all Sixers players. A team can be lost without a point guard but Rodriguez was in command all 32 minutes that he was on the floor.

He ran the pick and roll flawlessly and was setting up Sixers big men left and right. El Chacho finished the night with an efficient line of 12 points, nine assists and four rebounds. He even showed off his range knocking down two 3-point shots including a deep one at the end of the shot clock.

What makes Sergio so important for the Sixers is that he is not afraid to shoot the ball and will knock it down if defenses lay off him. T.J. McConnell, on the other hand, didn’t even attempt a shot in his 19 minutes on the floor. We’ve been saying this all off-season, McConnell has to start looking to shoot more if he wants to remain a key part of the Sixers rotation. He has always been able to set up his teammates for good looks but you have to look to score when given the opportunity. That is what Sergio excels at. He doesn’t look to score first but he takes what the defense gives him and that was evident last night. If he continues to play at this high level, Jerryd Bayless will not be starting when he returns from injury.