The Sixer Sense
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5 Things We Learned From Philadelphia 76ers Loss To Atlanta Hawks

By Bret Stuter

Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A Philadelphia 76ers cheerleader performs during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A Philadelphia 76ers cheerleader performs during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 12, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) looses control of the ball while being fouled by Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) and guard Hollis Thompson (31) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Detroit Pistons won 125-111. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) looses control of the ball while being fouled by Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) and guard Hollis Thompson (31) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Detroit Pistons won 125-111. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Takeaway Three: (surprise!) Hollis Thompson can play defense, Nik Stauskas can play offense.

In the third quarter, with the Philadelphia 76ers in desperate need of defense, Hollis Thompson delivered surprisingly persistent defense against Atlanta Hawks’ Kent Bazemore. While Bazemore is not a prolific scorer, the scrappy D from Thompson contributed to Bazemore’s ending the game at eight points, well below his 11.6 PPG average from a year ago.

It was a moment that might have parlayed into a momentum changer for the 76ers.  But it was not the night for positives.

Meanwhile, Nik Stauskas is coming off the bench in fine style so far this season. His 11.7 points per game is third best on a Philadelphia squad that is struggling offensively.

Neither veteran was guaranteed a spot on this team. In fact, the early success may have contributed to the team’s exercising the option on Nik Stauskas’ contract:

In the end, it comes down to playing the best five players. Before the start of the season, nobody expected the offensive output from Stauskas, nor the scrappy defense from Thompson.

Perhaps that is why we are not general managers of an NBA team.