The Sixer Sense
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Should the Sixers draft Miles Bridges?

By Michael Bronson

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) shoots a jump shot during the NCAA Division I Men's Championship Second Round basketball game between the Syracuse Orange and the Michigan State Spartans on March 18, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Syracuse defeated Michigan State 55-53. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) shoots a jump shot during the NCAA Division I Men's Championship Second Round basketball game between the Syracuse Orange and the Michigan State Spartans on March 18, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Syracuse defeated Michigan State 55-53. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Should the Philadelphia 76ers target Miles Bridges with the 10th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft?

It’s hard to watch Miles Bridges play and not come away impressed. He has a man’s body despite turning 20 years old on March 21 and has the type of leaping ability that allowed him to almost average a block per game despite only having a 6-foot-9 wingspan (I’m using measurements from the 2018 NBA Draft Combine).

Offensively, Miles Bridges is similar to Dario Saric, as a small forward that takes 42.7 percent of his shot from behind the three-point line but his more than capable of using post moves to score closer to the basket. Miles Bridges’ offense isn’t only three-pointers and post moves, because he has a good pull-up jumper that he uses to hit mid-range shots with a hand in his face.

Averaging 17.1 points, 2.7 assists, 7 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 2 turnovers while playing 31.4 minutes per game and making 36.4 percent of his shot from behind the three-point line and 45.7 percent of his shots overall, it’s hard to believe that a player with his level of talent and skill would still be on board when the Philadelphia 76ers select at 10, until you realize there are serious issue with his game.

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Despite his huge rebounding numbers, Miles Bridges isn’t a great defender. He doesn’t have the defensive I.Q. or wingspan that Mikal Bridges has or the ability to eventually defend elite point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards that Lonnie Walker has.

But his biggest problem is that he’s positionless in a bad way on defense. He has enough strength and quickness to defend power forwards, but lacks the height to consistently challenge their shots. His strength will keep him from pushed around by any shooting guard or small forward, but he lacks the quickness to consistently stay in front of them.

At 6-foot-7 and 220.4 pounds Miles Bridges will play shooting guard or small forward if drafted by the Sixers, but he will be a defensive liability at either position.

Miles Bridges is a year younger than Mikal Bridges and is a better offensive player, but his strongest asset for a team build around Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons is his shooting and that is something Mikal Bridges and Walker also bring, but without the defensive issues.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft Big Board 7.0

Among Miles Bridges, Mikal Bridges, and Lonnie Walker, Miles Bridges has the best chance at winning Rookie of the Year and should be taken by the Sixers if the other two are off the board, but Mikal Bridges and Walker are better short-term and long-term fits with the Sixers.