Sixers vs. Spurs: 3 takeaways from a near-collapse
2. The guard play
This encompasses a lot, but generally speaking, the Sixers’ guard play was vastly improved Monday night. After Shake Milton and Josh Richardson combined for four points on 0-for-2 shooting from deep against Indiana, they combined for 35 points on 5-for-12 shooting from deep against San Antonio.
Generally speaking, the Sixers need the starting backcourt to produce a healthy number of 3-point attempts each night. Richardson is at his best when he’s confidently stepping into open shots, rather than hesitantly dribbling into crowds. Milton is the best shooter on the roster percentage-wise. He needs to play like it.
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Richardson is a strange fit on this roster, and it is at times a struggle to pinpoint his ideal role on offense. He’s not a primary creator, but he’s not naturally inclined to space the floor as a spot-up shooter. The best solution is a compromise. He needs to take open 3s when they come to him, and a healthy volume of 3s should — in theory — open up opportunities to work the in-between game, where he’s most comfortable.
Milton isn’t the most natural point guard either, but when the Sixers’ only other option is Raul Neto, you have to make due. Milton is a smart passer, he uses his length well on drives to the rim, and above all else, he can spot-up with the best of them. He has a fairly quick trigger and when he doesn’t shoot, the ball doesn’t stick. He should have a fruitful future in Philadelphia.
This was a major turnaround for Milton, who needed to rebound from an abysmal first showing in Orlando. He’s still in a fight to earn and keep his spot in the starting five, and this is the type of performance that makes him stand out.
As for Neto, he struggled massively after providing a quality 20 minutes in the Sixers’ loss to Indiana. Once the roster is fully healthy, I don’t expect Neto to receive any playing time. He’s a smart ball-mover who can space the floor and defend his position, but his limitations have been well documented here and elsewhere. He will not play in the postseason.
Alec Burks is a mixed bag. He can space the floor and create off the dribble, two traits the Sixers need and value. On the other hand, he’s not a great decision-maker. His sloppy passes and poor awareness have hurt Philadelphia on multiple occasions these past couple of games. He hasn’t been the must-play performer I expected through two games. ‘