The Sixer Sense
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J.J. Redick could have the biggest impact on how the Sixers play

By Christopher Kline

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 25: J.J. Redick #4 of the LA Clippers runs out before Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Utah Jazz during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 25: J.J. Redick #4 of the LA Clippers runs out before Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Utah Jazz during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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While he may not be the most talented player on the floor, J.J. Redick might provide the biggest offensive boost of any addition the Philadelphia 76ers made this offseason.

J.J. Redick is the epitome of what the Philadelphia 76ers have needed over the past few seasons. With big men aplenty and little in regards to spacing, an elite shooter who moves well off the ball is something Brett Brown has clearly lacked. Now, with the core coming together and the playoffs within the realm of possibility, he now has one at the forefront of his arsenal.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

Kyle Korver, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Those are the three names that come to mind when thinking of shooters who are in Redick’s vein. That’s it. While not a superb athlete or overly spectcular in any other facet, Redick’s perimeter shooting is as unique a weapon as you’ll find — and his impact in Brett Brown’s offense should be prevalent from day one.

Even in a league that stresses shooting, the value of a truly elite shooter often goes overlooked. Redick has the type of gravity that bends opposing defenses out of shape, and in turn opens up opportunities for players like Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz that wouldn’t be there otherwise.

Saying that Redick brings the most change to the Sixers’ offense is obviously a nuanced take. Fultz and Simmons will carry heavier loads, while thier split ball handling role and the opportunities that will stem directly from their presence as distributors will alter the dynamics of Brett Brown’s offense entirely.

Rather than T.J. McConnell pounding the ball and probing the defense, Fultz will be able to attack defenses from a variety of angles while boasting an impressive pick-and-roll game. Simmons is 6-foot-10, yet handles the ball like a guard while wielding phenomenal court vision that only manifests a few times per generation.

Redick, however, gives Fultz and Simmons — as well as everyone else on the floor — more space to operate. When analyzing prospects, people often refer to NBA spacing, which feels somewhat ambiguous on the surface. There are plenty of solid shooting teams at the collegiate level, and most rotations have at least a handful of respectable shooters.

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But the collegiate game is different. A respectable college shooter doesn’t pose a threat comparable to that of an NBA shooter, while the college 3-point line is significantly closer to the basket than the professional line. That condenses the floor, which inevitably chokes off some of the room point guards — or, in Simmons’ case, point forwards — have to operate.

Redick is a threat at virtually all times, whether it be trailing in transition or when gunning around screens in the halfcourt. He limits the defense’s ability to help onto Embiid in the interior, while also minimizing their options for containing Simmons and Fultz when they’re barreling towards the basket.

Not only is he an easy target who stays in motion and finds his way to open spots, but he leaves more room for other players to find their own spots on the floor. He gives a player like Fultz more space to finish in around the rim, while Embiid should theoretically see more isolation and mismatch opportunities when cycling into the post.

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For an offense that has always had it’s roots in ball and player movement, a shooter like Redick is an invaluable addition. He opens up more options in Brown’s playbook, all while upping the overall efficiency of a team that ranked towards the bottom of the league in perimeter shooting percentage last season.

Predicting the full extent of Redick’s production is difficult at this stage in the game. He’ll likely be a tertiary or quaternary option depending on the development of Simmons’ scoring, while his game remains limited to mostly off-ball work. Fultz and Simmons have yet to see the floor in legit NBA action as well, so a slight adjustment period as they figure out the pace of professional play is to be expected.

Regardless, though, he’s an easy double-digit scorer who makes things easier on the others around him. The same sentiment, in a vacuum, can be applied to both Simmons and Fultz as well. They all make those around them better.

Albeit in different ways, that’s the hallmark of an effective team in today’s NBA. Not only do teams need multiple playmakers (which the Sixers have), but multiple players who can make those around them better. Teammates need to compliment one another, and Redick and the remainder of the Sixers’ core have the chance to work to and fro at an extremely high level.

Next: Fit v.s. grit, Bayless or McConnell?

As the East continues to spiral downwards, the Sixers have added one of the league’s best shooters to a young, offensively-gifted nucleus. It could be an entertaining run come 2018.