The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Brett Brown Knows Tall PGs Can Work In NBA

By Bret Stuter

Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard JaKarr Sampson (9) attempts to shoot past Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard JaKarr Sampson (9) attempts to shoot past Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tale of Jakarr Sampson

…back in the days of the “true” Process. When the Philadelphia 76ers were focusing on draft picks, debuting new NBA faces, and flipping through players like the cards of the antiquated Rolodex.  Those were days when the Philadelphia 76ers were openly scorned in social media, by opposing coaches, and even by the NBA Commissioner himself.

It was the 2014-2015 season. The team had not yet drafted Jahlil Okafor. Dario Saric had not yet crossed the ocean. Joel Embiid  did not yet have his second foot surgery. The Philadelphia 76ers had signed a 6-foot-9 undrafted shooting guard from St. John’s University with a 6-foot-11 wingspan.  Former president Sam Hinkie loved wingspan, and Jakarr Sampson hand plenty to spare.

Jakarr To Rescue

He quickly became a favorite player of head coach Brett Brown. Both to his upbeat spirit, and his athleticism. And when the team traded Michael Carter-Williams in February 2015, the team had to scramble to fill the point guard role. That is when the team learned something very valuable. A tall player with huge wingspan can play NBA point guard.

That revelation came due to Jakarr Sampson’s surprising proficiency in the role.

Jakarr Samspon played hard that season. In the last game of the 2014-2015 season, he put up 22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block and 3 steals in 35 minutes of play.