The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: O.G. Anunoby Deserves a Glance

By Christopher Kline

Feb 14, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) brings the ball up court during the first half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) brings the ball up court during the first half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers need to leave no stones unturned during their preparation for the 2017 NBA Draft — that means looking at O.G. Anunoby.

This year’s draft could prove to be the most pivotal one yet in regards to The Process. With Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons (ideally) returning at full health next season, the pieces needed for a competitive roster are beginning to fall into place — meaning the third pick could determine not only their timeline, but the direction they take in fulfilling that timeline.

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    • The Philadelphia 76ers, as a result, need to keep their options open. While there are definite layers in this year’s talent crop, the overwhelming consensus (and a consensus that, by all accounts, reigns true) is that this year’s lottery is deep in talent. There’s All-Star-caliber upside available in players projected well beyond the third spot, which means the Sixers can select prospects based on more factors than they may be able to in other, less talent-laden years.

    O.G. Anunoby, in a vacuum, isn’t a top three prospect — but Bryan Colangelo should still give him a look.

    I’ll preface this argument with the fact that I am not arguing in favor of the Sixers selecting Anunoby third. Based on prospect analysis and overarching skill sets, there’s a handful of players who have not only established themselves as better prospects than Anunoby, but better fits in Philadelphia’s system.

    Anunoby does, however, provide a unique bit of upside, and does his best work on the side of the ball that the Sixers excel on most — defense.

    At 6-8 with a7-2 wingspan, Anunoby’s combination of length and core strength is near-unheralded amongst most (almost) 20-year-olds entering the league. Physically,  he has the tools needed to guard all five positions at the next level, while doing so at a high level from day one.

    As somebody who has drawn some slightly-exaggerated comparisons to Kawhi Leonard, his defensive upside is clearly among the highest in this year’s class. His ability to cover ground defensively allows him to recover at ease in multiple different scenarios, while the malleability of somebody with his set of physical tools gives an already-versatile defensive unit (like the Sixers) another level of proficiency on that side of the ball.

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    The Sixers would have the potential to run out  a lineup featuring Embiid, Simmons, Robert Covington and Anunoby, four players with the potential to develop into All-NBA caliber defenders. While Simmons’ defensive success hinges on effort more so than anything else, his physique is already indicative of somebody capable of switching between all five positions. Covington was one of the league’s more under-appreciated wing defenders, while Embiid was among the most effective defensive bigs during his 31-game stint on the floor.

    Philadelphia is already trending in the direction of one of the league’s best defensive units, and Anunoby gives them a glue pieces to tie it all together. The only concern would be bugdeting time for Dario Saric off the bench — where he’s best suited — while also creating enough spacing for Simmons.

    While the latter is likely the most pressing issue, it’s one that’s has a reasonable solution. Anunoby was a 31.1 percent shooter from deep during his brief sophomore campaign, showing a shot that was rough, but most certainly projectable. He’ll need to work on consistency, but his stroke is strong enough to foresee improvement through work during the offseason.

    Covington has an inconsistent year, but has shown promise as a spot-up shooter. Embiid himself is a solid shooter from deep. Jerryd Bayless gives them a fall back option as somebody who shot 43.7 percent from three during his last full season, while other potential options (via the draft or free agency) could potentially fill in that fifth roster spot as well.

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    The Sixers have options, while Anunoby gives them flexibility aplenty on the defensive side of the ball. Given his motor and obvious will to improve, his fit within Brett Brown’s culture could be more than ideal as well.

    Should the Sixers be slotting Anunoby as their best bet at three? Likely not, but they must take the entirety of their options into consideration. A potential trade back could yield a prime opportunity to select a player like Anunoby (we’re looking at you, Sacramento), while his potential to become this draft’s most apt defensive prospect could sway the Sixers in an unconventional direction.

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    In a stud-filled lottery class, Anunoby is a top five-level talent most years, but is stuck outside the top 10 on some boards in 2017. Philadelphia needs to keep an eye on him.