Happy Thanksgiving: Something to be thankful for with every Sixers player

It’s Thanksgiving, and we’re giving thanks to this Philadelphia 76ers team.

All of us here at The Sixer Sense would like to wish you guys a happy Thanksgiving. Hopefully you’re at home with family and friends, enjoying good food and some primetime football (or college basketball, if you’re into that hoops thing).

We’d also like to thank the Philadelphia 76ers, for giving us a team to root for and a Process worth trusting. For many of us, the Sixers hold a special place in our hearts — and this is a holiday meant for recognizing those special things.

With that in mind, let’s revisit something the site started last year and gives thanks to every player on the Sixers 15-man roster.

Joel Embiid

Let’s all thank JoJo for the entertainment. There isn’t another personality like his in this league, and that makes covering him (and cheering for him) a wholly unique experience. He finds ways to make the game fun, and does so while pumping up his teammates as well.

Yes he’s a good player, but that’s only half his appeal.

Ben Simmons

Thank you to Ben Simmons for being everything we hoped he’d be. He’s a star, and has tracings of the LeBron James gene that so many pointed out during the pre-draft process. He was always touted as one of the best prospects of this generation, but many seemed to forget that during his year off.

He has given all of us a strong reminder of just how high his ceiling — and his floor — is.

Robert Covington

RoCo finally found his shot, and that’s something worth thanking. A 47.9 percent clip from deep isn’t sustainable, but his new role has allowed him to shoot with a sense of confidence that we haven’t seen in years past. He’s locked up on a long term contract as well, which gives the Sixers another four years of high-end 3-and-D production.

J.J. Redick

Thanks to J.J. for the veteran presence. He has continuously made it clear that he’s here to win, and that should help keep the younger players focused. Somebody who has been in high-pressure situations before is always a boost for young, up-and-coming rosters.

Dario Saric

Dario deserves thanks for his passion. He’s had some ups and downs this season, but continues to show positive energy for a team that’s finally trending in the right direction.

Amir Johnson

Amir deserves thanks for giving Brett Brown a stopgap. With Richaun Holmes missing the first few weeks of the season, there wasn’t much depth to speak of behind Joel Embiid. Johnson hasn’t been the most aesthetically pleasing player on the roster, but he filled an important role when it needed to be filled — and is still producing when given the nod over Holmes.

Richaun Holmes

Thanks to Holmes for his energy. He’s engaged in every possession when he’s on the court, whether it be galloping to the rim as a roll man or making an impressive block defensively. He’s as passionate as they come, and that’s the kind of energy teams need in reserve.

T.J. McConnell

Speaking of passion, thanks to T.J. for grinding. He wasn’t supposed to do much this season with Fultz and Bayless ahead of him, yet we’re over a month into the season and he has been the most important non-Simmons point guard on the roster.

Fultz’s injury plays into that, but McConnell’s defensive hustle and offensive smarts are more than enough to earn him a long-term spot in Brown’s everyday rotation.

Markelle Fultz

Thanks to Markelle for staying positive. He has left subtle hints regarding his confidence on Twitter, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t return to form in time. Being bogged down by a shoulder problem is a tough way to start your career, but Fultz is working hard and still carries one of the highest ceilings in the 2017 rookie class.

Must Read: Fultz can still elevate the Sixers

Jerryd Bayless

Bayless deserves thanks for hitting shots. Before his injury, the veteran was hitting on 41.3 percent of his threes, which currently qualifies as the second highest mark on the team behind Covington. His job was to play off of Simmons and space the floor, and that’s exactly what did. Let’s hope he keeps it up now that he’s back.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

Thanks to TLC for working on his all-around game. Shooting remains an issue, but he’s an excellent slasher with nice touch around the basket and the defensive chops needed to continue earning his minutes.

Justin Anderson

Anderson gets thanks for the bench mob, which he has pioneered this season. His role expanded post-Fultz injury, but his energy on the bench has been noticable on a nightly basis. That kind of support is why the Sixers’ locker room is so strong.

Jahlil Okafor

Thanks to Jah for not going crazy. Given how irritating his situation is, he has handled it as well as anyone could’ve expected. Here’s to hoping he gets a shot somewhere else before our next Holiday-themed post.

Nik Stauskas

Thanks for the Sauce, Nik. Even though his role has diminished and an ankle injury has hurt him recently, Stauskas remains a positive locker room presence who seems to enjoy the success of his team — regardless of whether or not he’s on the floor.

Next: Is Brett Brown the top COY candidate?

Furkan Korkmaz

Thanks for the patience, Furk. He’s still filling out physically and may be a couple of years away from contributing on a consistent basis, but Korkmaz has the tools needed to be an NBA player. A smooth shot, long frame and plus athleticism should translate at some point.