The Sixer Sense
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Richaun Holmes is the perfect backup center for Joel Embiid

By Daniel Stets

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 08: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers keeps the ball away from Greg Monroe #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bucks won 90-82. 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. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 08: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers keeps the ball away from Greg Monroe #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 8, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bucks won 90-82. 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. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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Two years into his career, Philadelphia 76ers center Richaun Holmes has widely outperformed expectations. What has he done to mold himself into an NBA player?

The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Richaun Holmes with the 37th pick in the 2015 NBA draft. Holmes was put in a difficult position from day one. The Sixers drafted Jahlil Okafor with the 3rd pick in the same draft. Nerlens Noel was coming off of an impressive rookie year from a defensive standpoint. Not to mention Embiid, who’s health was in limbo after a breaking his foot for the second time.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

Two years later, Holmes is the clear backup center for the Sixers.

The former Bowling Green big man has statistically been one of the best players out of the 2015 draft. Out of the 60 players drafted, Holmes ranks 7th in win shares, 5th in win shares per 48 minutes, 3rd in BPM, and 6th in VORP.

What does Holmes do that makes him so effective?

First, he’s elite In the pick and roll. Richaun Holmes scored 1.23 points per possession as a roller in the pick and roll, which puts him in the 87.6 percentile amongst qualified players. His athleticism is very noticeable on lob attempts. Holmes converts 71.4 percent of his shots in the paint, a trait invaluable for centers.

Not only is he a threat in the pick and roll, but he’s also a threat in transition. Holmes scored 1.22 points per possession in transition, which puts him in the 73.0 percentle amongst qualified players. Here is a perfect example of his transition play. He switches onto Lin, plays good defense, and nails the three as a trailer on the other end. On a side note, the center trailing in transition to hit a three is what Embiid does too. Lastly, Holmes has some ability as a pick and pop man. He isn’t a great mid range shooter, but he has potential in that area.

Defensively, Holmes is a mixed bag. On the positive side, he’s a capable shot blocker. The same athleticism that allows him to throw down some incredible dunks is the athleticism that enables him to block shots.

One big problem Holmes has is post defense against larger centers. There are many occasions of him getting bullied by players that are bigger than him, Enes Kanter being one of them. Here is another example of Brook Lopez getting to the rim fairly easily. Holmes doesn’t have the size and strength to be able to consistently handle large and talented big men in isolation. A weak side shot blocker he is, a dominant post defender he is not.

Related Story: Could Holmes be a valuable trade asset?

Lastly is Holmes’ rebounding. Sadly, I do not have access to defensive rebounding percentiles for centers from the 2016-2017 season. However, I do have access to the same statistic from the 2015-2016 season. This should give us a good baseline to view Holmes’ rebounding in a larger context.

During the 2015-2016, a center who’s defensive rebounding percentage was in the 50th percentile was 22.2 percent. Richaun Holmes’ defensive rebounding percentage last year was 20.1 percent. Holmes spent last season playing 98 percent of his time on the court at center. This is not a perfect comparison, because I’m using the mean percentile from two years ago to compare Holmes’ play last year. But it should give you an idea of Holmes’ rebounding abilities. The conclusion that is drawn from this is that Holmes is a slightly below average defensive rebounder from the center position.

Just for comparison’s sake, Joel Embiid’s defensive rebounding percentage ;ast year was 25.6 percent, and Jahlil Okafor’s was 15.5 percent.

Next: Don't expect the Sixers to make the playoffs

In the end, Richaun Holmes is the perfect backup center for Joel Embiid. Quite honestly, he’s the perfect modern NBA center. Holmes is great in the pick and roll. He is a capable shot blocker and is athletic enough to switch onto guards. And he has upside as a stretch five. Philadelphia is lucky to have him on the team.