If J.J. Redick misses time, the Philadelphia 76ers are going to have a tough time filling that void.
J.J. Redick left Monday’s game against Toronto late in the fourth quarter after what appeared to be knee-to-knee contact. The injury was later classified as a left leg contusion. There’s no timetable for his return, but the 33-year-old was visably hopping/limping back to the locker room.
Don’t expect anything too severe here. Leg contusions don’t normally result in extended abscences, so Redick shouldn’t be sidelined for very long — if at all. If he does miss a game or two, however, the Philadelphia 76ers could struggle to fill his void. The depth chart isn’t exactly loaded behind him.
Redick’s value goes beyond the box score, even if he’s averaging upwards of 17 points per game. His threat as a shooter, whether it be spotting up off screens or curling around dribble handoffs, forces opposing defenses to constantly keep track of him. They can’t help off of Redick without risking an open three for one of the best shooters in the NBA.
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It’s something I’ve always referred to as the Kyle Korver effect, and Brett Brown embraces that with his scheme. A lot of their plays are designed to get Redick space on the perimeter.
His gravity as a shooter is a rare and valuable weapon, and something nobody else on this roster can come close to matching.
If the Sixers are forced to fill Redick’s spot, it seems like Jerryd Bayless would probably get the nod. He at least profiles as a capable shooter who can put the ball on the floor and create when needed, although his success this season has been limited.
T.J. McConnell is the best player in the second unit, but it’d be in their best interest to keep him with that group. You don’t want Bayless taking over point guard duties for any extended period of time.
Putting Bayless in with the starting unit means more playing time for Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot as well. We’ve preached the Sixers need for perimeter depth all season, and TLC’s lack of progress is a major reason why. I’m not sure how he’s still shooting 30.8 percent from deep — it feels like it should be lower at this point.
Justin Anderson could also see his first non-garbage time minutes since returning from shin splints. People have mixed feelings about his game, but he can’t be much of a downgrade from Bayless and TLC at this point. Perhaps a Redick injury would be a good time to give him an extended run for experimental purposes, if nothing else.
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Regardless of the direction this ends up going, the Sixers can’t replace Redick. They just don’t have the talent needed to replicate his offensive prowess. Hopefully Redick is good to go Thursday and this conversation becomes a moot point.