Philadelphia 76ers: Josh Richardson is “secret” to starting five
The Philadelphia 76ers will need Josh Richardson to help connect a talented group.
Contenders in the wide-open Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers are defined by size, talent and physicality. Brett Brown wants to pound the interior, using the inevitable mismatches in Philadelphia’s favor.
The shortest starter is Josh Richardson, a 6-foot-6 two-guard who has spent his summer in the shadows. On a team littered with stars, Richardson has been the forgotten man. Brett Brown wants to remind fans of his importance.
"“You know, I see him switch out on a four man and like really be tough enough — although he’s wiry, he’s tough — guarding into the post if they roll him. You know, switching out easy on ones, twos and threes, stalking a ball — those are some defensive things. I think that offensively the ability to have the ball and play as a big point guard, if you will, with the ball, a playmaker — I think we’ve seen that.” — Brett Brown, via NBC Sports Philadelphia"
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At his annual media luncheon, Brown called Richardson “as important as any mortar“, as well as the Sixers’ “secret.” He’s essential, both as a smothering on-ball defender and as a secondary offensive creator. The Sixers’ success will hinge on several different factors and players, but discounting Richardson’s presence is a mistake.
Most projections feature the Sixers as a top defensive team in the league. Joel Embiid and Al Horford get credit for anchoring the interior, and for good reason. But Richardson’s renowned work on ball handlers will go a long way in rectifying the Sixers’ biggest defensive weak point of recent seasons.
Philadelphia has long struggled to contain twitchy, dynamic ball handlers at the point of attack. Ben Simmons stepped up in the postseason, but he’s still not someone to defend point guards in 82 regular-season games. He’s best utilized against the opposition’s most threatening wing.
Richardson can step in and shadow point guards. He’s 6-foot-6, but has elite lateral quickness and makes good use of his 6-foot-10 wingspan. The Sixers are going to overwhelm opponents with length across the board. It won’t be easy to establish a comfortable flow against Philadelphia in the halfcourt.
When it transitions to offense, Richardson will operate as Joel Embiid’s most prominent dribble-handoff partner. The Sixers will add in new sets and new philosophies given the personnel changes, but DHOs are a staple of Brett Brown’s playbook. It’s an area where Richardson thrives.
Obviously there are differences between Richardson and Embiid’s former DHO soulmate in J.J. Redick, but where Redick has the edge as a versatile shot-maker on the perimeter, Richardson has the advantage as someone who can turn the corner, work the in-between game, and find open teammates with his passing.
Brown mentioned using Richardson as a ‘big point guard’ of sorts. Ben Simmons still carries the mantle of point guard, but in a halfcourt setting, Richardson’s ability to handle the ball and pose a threat at all three levels is important. He can help fill some of Jimmy Butler‘s void.
In important games (especially in a potential postseason run), the Sixers won’t have the luxury of relying on Trey Burke or Raul Neto during critical stretches. Richardson will need to provide diversity as a halfcourt creatorm — someone who can pressure defenses in ways Embiid and Simmons can’t.
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It’s clear Brown and the Sixers have a great appreciation for Richardson’s skill set. He will play a large role in Philadelphia’s 2019-20 campaign.