Philadelphia 76ers Richaun Holmes: Dunkman Rises

Center Richaun Holmes has been quite effective for the Philadelphia 76ers, and deserves to be appreciated

The Philadelphia 76ers got back Joel Embiid on December 8th when they battled the New Orleans Pelicans and “The Brow”, Anthony Davis. But as the fair city of Philadelphia turns to the hero that it needs, “The Process”, I would like take the time to acknowledge the hero we deserve, but not the one need right now.

I am, of course, talking about the dark avenger, Dunkman, Richaun Holmes. In the most recent episode of 2016-2017 Season long saga, Dunkman paired with his trusty wingman , TJ McConnell tried to dunk Grit and Grind into the dust.

https://twitter.com/Sixers/status/806319558239715328

Much more impressive than the thunderous displays we see from Holmes are the crucial improvements on the defensive side of the ball. Last year according to basketball reference, only two power forwards and centers who recorded over 500 minutes had worse a worse numbers than Richaun Holmes’ 11.7 percentage Defensive Rebounding percentage. Those two players were good old Luc MBah a Moute and Lance Thomas.

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This year, Holmes has stepped up his defensive rebounding to 18.7% over 50% improvement from last year. Additionally, in 51 games played last year, Holmes has 9 games with 5 or more boards. He has equaled that mark in only 18 games so far this year. In 2015,

Dunkman

was just trying to jump out of the building like Batman trying to leap off a rooftop without a full bat suit in Batman Begins. This year, he has displayed more toys from his utility belt. While still showing the ability to get plenty of height, you see Richaun improving his instincts and positioning down low.

It is true that Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph put in serious work against Holmes this past Tuesday, (Posting 12 and 14 rebounds each) but he absolutely competed and looked like he belonged with the big boys the entire game. He took even a number of uncalled hits to the face.

Maturing Holmes

His reaction of tossing his mouth guard Hulk style was the most unprofessional moment for him all year. Despite the lack of minutes all season, Brett Brown has praised his professionalism and contributions when he does enter the game. Brown on Richaun: “He is an elite roller, when he sets a pick. He is a deer in open court. Defensively he is very underrated as a shot blocker […] his bounce, his ability to jump twice makes him in his own way a presence at the rim.” Also, as passionate as Richaun clearly is, it has to be difficult to watch other players get more playing time. But he has seemingly handled this by continuing to work hard and showing class in deferring to the other talented centers on the roster.

In a hypothetical situation where we see Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, both get traded, Holmes improvements in his second year allow you to be comfortable at the center going forward if Embiid stays healthy. The second round price tag on Holmes’ contract does not hurt the case for him becoming the primary backup to Joel Embiid either.

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So we are here in limbo. Jahlil Okafor spins for an open shot. Joel Embiid “The Process” simply outplaying competition in spite of being an NBA rookie. All the while, Richaun Holmes waits for his moment, the moment Brett Brown decides to throw up the “Dunk” signal.