Philadelphia 76ers Rookie Report: Injury update and big man steps up
The Philadelphia 76ers get positive news regarding their top rookie and big play from their lone big man rookie this past week.
For the most part, it’s been a relatively quiet week for the rookies of the Philadelphia 76ers. Stories like Markelle Fultz’s update and Ben Simmons‘ jump shot stole the headlines for the week. Even in an uneventful week for the rookies, both Zhaire Smith and Jonah Bolden stole the show in this rookie report.
16th pick, 2018
Not only will Smith be playing with the Delaware Blue Coats as previously stated in the past, but now it appears that the Sixers’ top pick from this past draft is expected to suit up for Philadelphia at some point this season, reported by Serena Winters of NBCSPhilly. Winters also reported that Smith has been doing physical therapy, weight lifting and getting up shots in the gym. All signs are pointing in a positive direction in regards to the wing’s recovery.
26th pick, 2018
Landry Shamet has had a quiet week by his standards. He’s scored five point or less in the first two games of the week and shot poorly against the Toronto Raptors as well as against the Utah Jazz. Don’t expect Shamet to be in this low scoring slump for much longer based on how he’s played thus far this season.
Season stats: 76ers
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/28/2018.
36th pick, 2017
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Bolden easily had his best game as an NBA player against the Raptors. The team was without starter Wilson Chandler and with Mike Muscala taking over the starting power forward duties, head coach Brett Brown had no choice but to rely on the rookie stretch big. Bolden finished the game with four points, nine rebounds and four blocks. He also had a solid outing against the Jazz as well as with four points, one rebound and a block.
That game got him honorable mention in the past player of the week award. It’s also sparked discussion about Bolden getting a bigger part in the Sixers rotation, as it should. Hopefully, Brown will start relying on the big man more regularly now that he has seen his potential rebounding and defending. Bolden didn’t play in the G-League, so those stats haven’t changed since the previous rookie report.
Season stats: 76ers
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/28/2018.
54th pick, 2018
Shake Milton didn’t see any action with the Blue Coats this past week (no stats change), but he did get playing time with the 76ers. He had a good outing against the Raptors, with five points and two steals on a perfect night shooting. He didn’t get to play in the past two games against the Boston Celtics and Jazz, which could be a cause for concern.
Season stats: 76ers
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/28/2018.
Next. Sixers should make strong push for Holiday. dark
The news surrounding Smith and the good play from Bolden are both positives for the Philadelphia 76ers moving forward. Overall as the season has progressed, there have been positives coming from the Sixers rookies, outside of the Milton not getting playing time in the past two games.