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

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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Oct 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) drives toward the net during the second quarter of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) drives toward the net during the second quarter of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

Takeaway Four: (Trend) Point guard position is still up for grabs, but hot-handed Sergio Rodriguez’s scoring is cementing his starting role with the team.

“El Chacho” Sergio Rodriguez delivered 14 points and 5 assists on 28 minutes.  He was projected deep on the depth chart, almost like an insurance policy, or even as a “in case of Emergency, break glass” feature of the team.

When Ben Simmons and Jerryd Bayless found themselves too injured to start the season, head coach Brett Brown broke the glass.  From that moment, Sergio Rodriguez has never looked back.

Surprised?  Some are.  Some are not.  If you follow the Sixer Sense, you know we projected good things for the former point guard of Ream Madrid.  In fact, long before the team announced Jerryd Bayless as the starter at point guard, we had projected Rodriguez to be more ideal to this young team for the season.  His style of play is far more compatible with that of Ben Simmons, who will eventually take over team management when he returns to health.

So far this season, Rodriguez is averaging 13.0 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game.  His 50 percent shooting from the floor is third best on the team.  It’s early in the season, and the team awaits several key players.  But no position is more critical to develop a cohesive and successful unit on the court than the point position.  So far, the team must be pleased with the showing from Rodriguez.