The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers 2017-18 season report cards

By 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 – APRIL 6: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball past Rodney Hood #1, Tristan Thompson #13, and JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 6, 2018 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Richaun Holmes;Rodney Hood;Tristan Thompson;JR Smith
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 6: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball past Rodney Hood #1, Tristan Thompson #13, and JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 6, 2018 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Richaun Holmes;Rodney Hood;Tristan Thompson;JR Smith /

Richaun Holmes

Season stats: 6.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.6 blocks, 56% FG, 12.9% 3PT, 66.1% FT

Grade: D

Rich Homie ‘Chaun lost his spot as the preferred backup center to Amir Johnson this season. He only appeared in 48 games, nine fewer than he played in last season. Additionally, his three-point percentage dropped from a mediocre 35.1 percent to a downright bad 12.9 percent. So, not a great year for the Bowling Green product.

Standing at 6-11 with a high motor and the ability to make exciting plays, Holmes seems like a prototypical second-unit center for the modern NBA. Oddly enough, Brett Brown sometimes opted to use Ersan Ilyasova ahead of the 24-year-old as a center in the playoffs. It’s unclear whether that is more a reflection on Brown’s belief in Ilyasova or his lack of belief in Holmes, but it’s an intriguing choice, considering Holmes’ ability to block shots and slam a momentum-shifting dunk.

Although Holmes has the ideal length and athleticism to become an effective rim protector, he looked lost on the defensive end of the floor frequently this season. He posted a defensive box plus-minus of just 1.9, which Johnson dwarfed by posting a 3.1 rating in that statistic. Additionally, Johnson doubled Holmes’s victories over a replacement player metric, with the vet posting 1.5 and Holmes posting 0.7.

The statistics prove that Johnson made Holmes obsolete, and if Brett Brown calls upon the springy center next season assuming Johnson leaves, he will have to return to the level he showed in the 2016/17 season.