The Sixer Sense
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Why Nemanja Bjelica is an upgrade over Ersan Ilyasova

By Rusty Gorelick

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 13: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on March 13, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 13: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on March 13, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers puzzled many fans when they signed Nemanja Bjelica upon Ersan Ilyasova walking after a good season. Here’s why Bjelica is better.

Ersan Ilyasova quickly became a fan favorite in Philadelphia with his charges, deceptive athleticism, and ability to hit the three. He arrived at a time in the season where the Philadelphia 76ers desperately needed some offense off the bench, and the Turkish power forward provided that. The Sixers let him walk when free agency started and signed ex-Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica as his replacement, which confused some fans.

Although Ilyasova’s all-around game exceeds that of Bjelica, the new Sixer will fit in better with the second unit. Ersan’s averages are generally better than Bjelica’s, but that’s due to Bjelica averaging four fewer minutes per game and playing in the same lineup as Derrick Rose and Jamal Crawford.

Bjelica gives the Sixers something rare in today’s NBA: good shooting at a reasonable price. Philly had to fork over $23 million last summer to sign J.J. Redick for one season, but this time around, they snagged Bjelica for just $4.4 million. The Serbian’s 41.5 percent shooting from long range puts him well above the league average, and at that price, this looks like a great value for the Sixers.

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If the 29-year-old can shoot at a similar clip in Philadelphia this season, he will add a huge threat to the second string lineup. His catch-and-shoot prowess will open things up in the middle for effective penetrators like Markelle Fultz, Wilson Chandler, and T.J. McConnell. Additionally, Brett Brown could go for a big lineup off the bench and put Bjelica beside Jonah Bolden and Amir Johnson in the frontcourt.

The Sixers severely lacked floor spacing in the second unit before they brought in Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli, and Bjelica will add even more spacing than Ilyasova did last season.

Additionally, the advanced stats show the Serbian had slightly more of a positive effect on each end of the floor than Ilyasova. Bjelica posted a 0.5 box plus/minus while Ersan posted a 0.3 BPM. Neither player is known for changing a game with their defensive ability, but Sixers fans should take solace in the fact that Bjelica has a better impact on the game, no matter how small the difference is.

Salary cap precautions were a major factor behind the decision to sign Bjelica instead of Ilyasova. Bjelica will pull in a little more than half of what the Bucks will pay the ex-Sixer this season. That bit of extra room could play a role in a possible trade for a superstar at some point before February’s trade deadline.

Since Markelle Fultz will probably run the second unit this season assuming Drew Hanlen has fixed his shot, it makes sense for the Philadelphia 76ers to pivot from the more offensively aggressive Ilyasova to Nemanja Bjelica, who prefers to catch and shoot on the perimeter.

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Bjelica won’t draw as many charges as Ilyasova did, but if he can drain the three with some consistency, he will endear himself to the city in no time.