The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Ranking the Philadelphia 76ers’ 5 best defenders

By Rusty Gorelick

The Miami Heat's Goran Dragic, right, has his shot blocked by the Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid late in the fourth quarter in Game 4 of the first-round NBA Playoff series at the AmericaneAirlines Arena in Miami on Saturday, April 21, 2018. The Sixers won, 106-102, for a 3-1 series lead. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat's Goran Dragic, right, has his shot blocked by the Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid late in the fourth quarter in Game 4 of the first-round NBA Playoff series at the AmericaneAirlines Arena in Miami on Saturday, April 21, 2018. The Sixers won, 106-102, for a 3-1 series lead. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SC – JANUARY 27: South Carolina Gamecocks forward Maik Kotsar (21) drives to the basket against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Zhaire Smith (2) during the first half between Texas Tech and South Carolina on January 27, 2018 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jim Dedmon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – JANUARY 27: South Carolina Gamecocks forward Maik Kotsar (21) drives to the basket against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Zhaire Smith (2) during the first half between Texas Tech and South Carolina on January 27, 2018 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jim Dedmon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 4: Zhaire Smith

2017-18 defensive stats (NCAA): 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks, 6.4 defensive box +/-, 2.2 defensive win shares

Smith might not have played in the NBA yet, but he cracks the top five thanks to his lockdown play in his one season at Texas Tech. He posted a stellar 6.4 defensive box plus/minus, which was the fourth-highest of any Big 12 player last year.

He will mostly get time off the bench as a two-guard, but Smith mostly played as a 6-foot-4 small forward. Playing against taller players evidently never daunted him as he blocked 42 shots last season, good enough for 10th-best in one of college basketball’s toughest conferences. Going from that level of competition to defending NBA role players should mitigate the shock factor as he adjusts to pro ball.

Smith’s explosive athleticism nullifies his lack of size. He can jump out of the gym and will instantly be one of the league’s fastest players, so get ready for a lot of chase-down blocks this season between him, Simmons, and Fultz.

The Texas native might not provide much of a threat in the halfcourt offense, but he will certainly add a dependable defensive presence with the capability of changing the momentum of a game with a steal and a slam, and every competitive team requires a few players on their roster with that sort of game-breaking athleticism.