Philadelphia 76ers: James Ennis entrenched as the top reserve

Our understanding of the Philadelphia 76ers’ second unit is getting clearer.

The Philadelphia 76ers‘ bench is still a weakness. Not as weak as seasons prior — it’s bad, not let’s give Greg Monroe serious minutes bad — but in comparison to other NBA contenders, the Sixers lack a strong bench.

One reason is how the pieces fit. The Sixers need shooters and playmakers, yet the second unit doesn’t provide much relief over the starters in that department. Furkan Korkmaz and Trey Burke have provided nice sparks, but neither represents a viable postseason option at the moment.

Where the Sixers do have a sense of reliability, however, is James Ennis. After joining Philadelphia at the trade deadline last season, Ennis turned into a crucial rotation piece. He re-signed on a minimum deal over the summer and has continued to produce in 2019-20.

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Ennis as the top rotation piece on a contender is a risky proposition, but the Sixers can make do. Ennis doesn’t contribute in a traditional sixth man mold — he’s a so-so shooter and a below-average scorer — but, at risk of invoking a tired cliche, he makes winning plays.

Few players scream ‘glue guy’ more than Ennis. He’s present on the floor, which at times can function as a great compliment. He might not pop in the box score, but aggressive defense, a nose for rebounds, and a willingness to move the basketball all make Ennis an essential member of the rotation.

In recent weeks, Ennis has rounded into form. He started the season slow, but over his last 10 contests, the 29-year-old is averaging 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 stocks (steals + blocks) in 17.3 minutes per contest. He’s shooting 42.3 percent from deep over that span.

As the season progresses, expect Ennis’ playing time to increase. He will take precedent over Korkmaz and Matisse Thybulle when the games matter due to his aforementioned reliability. On a team littered with size, Ennis’ penchant for timely rebounds — on the offensive glass, especially — has stood out.

Ennis does the dirty work. He’s on the glass, he’s on the floor, or he’s working hard on defense. He’s an imperfect defender, but physical tools and energy is often enough to get by. He can help Ben Simmons and Josh Richardson shoulder the load against high-level wing scorers.

While the Sixers need more creators, Ennis does have utility as a functional off-ball weapon offensively. He’s very much flawed, but strong cuts to the basket, a few choppy drives to the rim, and the occasional spot-up three allows him to contribute. He excels at finding open space and occupying it — he’s constantly available as an outlet.

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Given Thybulle’s tendency to foul and his poor offensive output, in conjunction with Korkmaz’s easy-to-target defense, Ennis will continue to stand out as Philadelphia’s most important reserve. The Sixers should explore the market for more help, but for now, Ennis is exceeding the moderate expectations placed on his shoulders.