Philadelphia 76ers: Anzejs Pasecniks is the perfect backup to Embiid

At 7-foot-2 and lightning quick, Anzejs Pasecniks could stylistically be the perfect backup for Joel Embiid.

Anžejs Pasečņiks is a name to watch. Late first likely. Worth moving some seconds to go grab. Poor mans Embiid with similar style as backup
— Jason Blevins (@Json_Blevins) June 19, 2017

When the Philadelphia 76ers traded Jerami Grant for Ersan Ilyasova, the Oklahoma City Thunder added a pick. That pick turned out to be a 2020 first round pick with top-20 protection on it. Should the pick fall within it’s protection (at or belowr 20) it converts to two second round picks in 2021 and 2023. At the time. this was exactly the kind of “fake first round” pick that The Philadelphia 76ers received in the Nerlens Noel trade. While seemingly of low value, I have wanted to turn it around as a part of a package as soon as possible.

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Colangelo was able to turn around and trade that asset off less than 8 months later to the Orlando Magic for the #25 pick in Anzejs Pasecniks. I love this trade for multiple reasons but no more so than stylistic continuity for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Stylistic Continuity

Here is what I mean by this. When Joel Embiid is on the floor, the Philadelphia 76ers have one of the top defensive ratings in the entire NBA. He is an absolute force in the paint and has famously dissuaded Lebron James from coming into the paint. The problem is that even within the same game, when Embiid steps off the floor. Teams immediately will start to attack the paint.
Defense
Richaun Holmes is an exciting shot blocker and a high energy player, but he is relatively undersized at the center position and due to that he has to “hunt blocks” which often takes him out of position on defense. Holmes is closer to a Jerami Grant type rim protector than a Nerlens Noel or Joel Embiid.

Anzejs Pasecniks however has the mobility and length to recover and protect the rim without taking him out of position.
Offense
in the same respect, Joel Embiid can score from any area on the floor. He is able to play as both a pick and roll and pick and pop player. With Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz, he can go full tilt at offense, knowing the basket has ample rebounding to keep the pressure on.

Big Agility

Pasecniks has the mobility and shooting touch to play in a similar manner. He has often been compared with his fellow Latvian Kristaps Porzingis, but I think he is closer to Embiid as a player. Take a look at these highlights and tell me there isnt a similarity.

Now I’m not saying Pasecniks will be as dominant a force as Embiid. He may likely never be as an effective scorer as Jahlil Okafor. But from the standpoint of what the Philadelphia 76ers want to do on the court, how they want to play, I believe he is a perfect compliment. He needs to gain some weight, at just 229 and 7’2″ to be sure. I would like to see him on the two pitchers of Shirley Temple plan along with an NBA strength and Conditioning program.

Stash or Nah?

Colangelo stated in the post draft press conference that Pasecniks was likely to remain overseas another year. I would agree that as long as Holmes and Okafor remain on the roster, it doesn’t make much sense to add another center. Adding him now would start t

he clock on his rookie contract and keep him from getting play time.

I think that Bryan does not want to give any further impression that he is a motivated seller on Okafor. But if the team really intends to compete for the playoffs this coming season, continuity and not talent will be their biggest hurdle. This team is far more loaded with talent than last season, it will be the ability to find and maintain a consistent playing style that will determine their success.

Everyone points to injuries as the biggest question mark, but I am still haunted by games where the team was deflated every time Embiid left the game and the other team made a huge run.

Next: First look at 2018 draft

The long term outlook, however, is very good. Assuming that Okafor is moved either before the season or at the trade deadline for a player who has similarly fallen out of favor on their team, Pasecniks will be available to come over for the 2018-2019 season.