The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Which Philadelphia 76ers Player Emerges First?

By Bret Stuter

Jan 27, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with his team during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the 76ers 110-97. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with his team during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the 76ers 110-97. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown questions a call during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown questions a call during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Whole Greater Than Parts

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown has come under siege recently, particularly in the aftermath of losing some very close games. The ever so virtuous patience of recent years seems to have been burned off in the flames of “Let’s Win Now” mindset.

But that discontent with the head coach is misplaced.

How so?

A coach, like any craftsman, can only be as good as the materials at hand.  With the Philadelphia 76ers, the scorecard cannot be based solely on wins and losses.  The true measure of the coach rests in how well does he get better play out of his players.

On a roster filled with rookies and undrafted prospects, it’s impossible to judge how far the coach has brought the player.

But so far this season, Brown has had access to three veterans: Gerald Henderson, Sergio Rodriguez, and Ersan Ilyasova.  Point guard Rodriguez is lighting it up with assists (the key statistic for a point guard), Gerald Henderson is shooting at or near career highs for accuracy, and Ilyasova is putting up career numbers in a reserve role so far.

Next: Covington Should be Swapped in Lineup for Hollis Thompson

This season will play out, and there are already signs for optimism.  But more than a collection of players, the team has benefited tremendously from starting a stable roster. In eleven games played so far, seven games have had the same starting five.

In the end, perhaps that will be the true bright spot to emerge from the team this year.