Have Philadelphia 76ers Bubble Players Turned The Corner?

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Mar 4, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with guard Hollis Thompson (31) against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. The Miami Heat won 112-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Fading Fast

Equal to the fade of Nik Stauskas, Hollis Thompson has wilted in the spotlight. In December 2016, despite consistent 19.8 minutes per game, Thompson’s production has faded quickly.

In December, he averaged just 3.5 points per game, on 23.8 percent shooting from the floor, while shooting 30.0 percent from three-point range. Rebounds fell to 1.5, assists down to 1.0, and steals declined to .5 per game. Only blocks maintained at .3 per game.

December has been a difficult month historically for Thompson. But last year’s number were double those of this year. He averaged 7.7 points per game on 37.6 percent shooting and averaged 24.8 minutes per game.

If this was Thompson’s rookie or sophomore season, it could be waived off as “growing pains”. But this is Thompson’s fourth season, his “contract year”, and it’s the year to deliver as much as he possibly can to entice the Philadelphia 76ers or another NBA team to offer an optimal contract to have his services for the next four years.

Thompson is simply one more player who is struggling in transition from former president Sam Hinkie’s “Trust The Process” squad, along with Robert Covington and T.J. McConnell, into Brian Colangelo’s “Build”.

Stauskas, while delivering a solid showing in November 2016, simply hasn’t had enough track record on the positive to fit as “fading”.