The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers 2017-18 season report cards

Rusty Gorelick|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 7: Marco Belinelli #18 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 7: Marco Belinelli #18 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Marco Belinelli

Season stats: 13.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, 49.5% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 87% FT

Grade: A

Adding Marco Belinelli midseason was the best thing Bryan Colangelo did this season. The Sixers needed a legitimate scoring threat from all three levels, and the Liberty Bel provided that. As every Philly fan knows too well, Jerryd Bayless played a major role in the blown lead phase of the season, and the Italian shooter helped end that ugly pattern.

Obviously, the discrepancies in athleticism, scoring ability, and basketball IQ stand out between Belinelli and Bayless, but the differences in their turnover percentages further prove the former Spur’s value to the team. Belinelli’s 11.7 turnover percentage is a huge upgrade on Bayless’s 14.1 turnover percentage.

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Belinelli’s efficiency in other categories helped him force his way into becoming an important part of the rotation. He shot eight percentage points higher from the field and 1.5 points higher from deep than Bayless.

The Italian struggled mightily in the second round of the NBA playoffs, though. He shot merely 31.3 percent from deep and had one game where he shot 2-10 another where he went 4-12 from the field. The Sixers needed better performances from their veteran guard with the most playoff experience out of anyone else on the roster.

The Sixers’ front office should do all they can to keep Belinelli in the red, white, and blue for next season. Decent shooting comes at a premium in today’s market, but the 32-year-old does enjoy life in Philly. Hopefully, Bryan Colangelo, Sam Hinkie, David Griffin, or whoever leads the Philadelphia 76ers’ front office this summer makes the right call and brings him back.