Ranking every Sixers player #11 — Mike Scott
A sudden barrage of clutch 3s in the preseason has Mike Scott back in the Philadelphia conscious. Leader of the Hive and longstanding fan-favorite, Scott struggled to justify his over $5 million contract last season. He may get a second chance to prove his worth under Doc Rivers, who coached him briefly alongside Tobias Harris in LA.
Scott’s value is rooted in spot-up 3s and physical defense. The Sixers lack physical defenders in the second unit, and shooting is always a positive. Scott hit only 36.9 percent of his 3s last season, but the year prior, he shot 41.2 percent from deep with the Sixers. If he can crack that number again, he will undoubtedly have a spot in Rivers’ rotation.
The Sixers have youth on the roster that should, in theory, take precedence over Scott. That said, Philadelphia is trying to win games, and if Rivers believes in Scott than development may not take precedence. Rivers is a notoriously veteran-friendly coach, and his previous relationship with Scott is a point in Scott’s favor.
In reality, Scott isn’t much of a defender. He plays the part of a tough, no-nonsense player, but it doesn’t always translate to competent defense. He’s physical, he tries hard, and he will occasionally dive on the floor or mix it up with an opponent, but Scott is still unreliable on that end of the floor. His value is tied mostly to shooting, and his shooting numbers will determine his play time this season.
— CHRISTOPHER KLINE