III. Watch those wings!
It was not so long ago that the Philadelphia 76ers struggled tremendously at the wing position. While the team was still a loosely constructed group of players auditioning for an NBA career, the wing roles seemed to be the slots with the baldest tires. Opponent shooting guards and small forward unloaded season high offensive outputs on the Philadelphia 76ers again and again.
Soaring Down South
Today? The wing situation on this team may actually be a strength of the roster. Now the team boasts J.J. Redick, Nik Stauskas, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Furkan Korkmaz, Robert Covington and Justin Anderson. Either Jerryd Bayless or Markelle Fultz can move up to shooting guard if the situation calls for it, while Dario Saric can slide down to the small forward role as well. As of today, all players will likely make the 15.
Sixers wings will soar this season
James Blackmon Jr. and James Michael McAdoo round out the field, and McAdoo has the luxury of signing a 76ers Two-Way contract.
So what is the big deal?
Wings are so much better, that’s the big deal. Redick is a knock down shooter. A very gifted one at that. As such, the Philadelphia 76ers finally have that player to scheme towards with a game on the line to come out with a win. But there is so much more out there. Have you noticed the defense of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot? How about the three-point shooting of Furkan Korkmaz? When the team drafted this pair in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft, I was dumbfounded how both players were there.
TLC brings spirited defense back to the ranks. Korkmaz brings a sniper to the three-point line for the team. There is plenty of room for both. Watch them as they come in on rotations during the Heat game.