Philadelphia 76ers: 5 players who benefit from Doc Rivers as coach
By Uriah Young
4. Shake Milton
In Doc Rivers’ first press conference, he offered praise for Shake Milton. It only made sense that the new Sixers coach would have fine things to say about a player who lit up his former team on national television for 39 points. It is easy to compare Shake Milton to another scoring guard who used to play for the Sixers. Doc Rivers should recognize the potential of Milton being a scorer off the bench just like Lou Williams with the Clippers.
Shake Milton had a breakout year last year, and was able to earn a starting role going into the Disney bubble. His struggles were apparent with new point guard responsibilities. As compared earlier to Lou Williams, neither player is really a point guard. If Milton’s career trajectory is parallel to Williams, Doc Rivers must be the person to pull the right strings and make it happen.
Doc Rivers with simple marching orders for Shake Milton: “If you can play like you played against us in LA, I don’t have to say another word.”
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 5, 2020
Milton is still a young player. Doc Rivers knows he has the opportunity to mold Milton’s game and future. Whatever sets Rivers ran in Los Angeles for Lou Williams could fit nicely within the 76ers’ offense. With the success of Lou Williams earning two Sixth Man Player of the Year awards, the team could use that same scoring from Shake Milton.
Rivers’ main focus then should be to make Milton the sixth man and relieve him of the responsibilities of point guard. By doing so, Rivers would put Milton in a position to thrive on the Sixers, enhancing the bench production.