The Philadelphia 76ers have a rare chance to experiment at the center position with their franchise big man out with injury.
With the recent news coming out that the Philadelphia 76ers starting center Joel Embiid will be out with a sore knee, the franchise has a chance to see what it has at the center position. Now Embiid could return as soon as next week, so the Sixers can’t waste much time in seeing what they have.
The only player that head coach Brett Brown fully knows at this point is Amir Johnson, but right now, the veteran is more valuable in the locker room than on the court. Brown is somewhat familiar with rookie Jonah Bolden, but obviously the rookie could/should continue to grow as the season progresses.
Then there’s recently traded for Boban Marjanovic, the 7-foot-3 big man with the gentle hands near the rim. Brown had been using Marjanovic as a primary back up to Embiid since the trade and outside of the game against the Boston Celtics, the European big man has played well. In the Sixers first game with Embiid out, Marjanovic started in his place and had a great night.
He finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and one block in 27 minutes against the Miami Heat. He also made NBA history in the start.
Boban Marjanovic reached 1,000 career points in 1,574 minutes of playing time. From @EliasSports, that's the 2nd-fewest minutes needed to reach 1,000 career points among active players. Only Joel Embiid reached the mark in fewer minutes (1,271). pic.twitter.com/e0SjFhIo3s
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 22, 2019
This is an impressive feat to be sure. However, Marjanovic’s effectiveness is based on matchup, which play a role once Embiid returns as well.
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While the one-two punch of Marjanovic and Bolden should yield positive results once Embiid returns, it doesn’t mean that Brown should explore all of his option with playing time available. Now is the time that the Sixers should bring Justin Patton up from their G-League.
Patton was part of the Jimmy Butler trade earlier and prior to being traded when he had foot surgery in September. He’s been rehabing with the Sixers and their G-League affiliate the Delaware Blue Coats ever since the trade. He made his debut with the Blue Coats in te beginning of February and for the most part, he has been playing well.
He’s only had two bad games to go along with a couple of good games and one great game. His great game came against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants with 20 points. On the season he’s averaged 17.3 minutes, 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks with the Blue Coats.
He has potential for him becoming a rotational player if given the opportunity. Patton’s taller than Bolden and quicker than Marjanovic. Patton gives Brown a good medium between the two current primary backups. The opportunity for minutes is there with Embiid being out and it appears that Patton is ready for some NBA.
This isn’t to say that Patton should jump Bolden or Marjanovic on the depth chart in the long haul, but it’s good for Brown to know what all he has at center entering the last stretch of the regular season. If injury were to occur at any level, Patton may have to step up and it’s better to know if he can be relied upon now versus in a playoff series.
From a talent evaluation stand point, it makes sense for Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown to play Patton during this stretch. Hopefully, Brown gives Patton a chance in the near future.