A gift for every member of the Philadelphia 76ers roster.
From us here at The Sixer Sense — happy holidays, and merry Christmas! The Philadelphia 76ers started the 2020-21 season on a (mostly) positive note and are primed for another competitive season of basketball. As is tradition, I’m here to hand out Christmas gifts to every player.
This year’s roster is dramatically different from last season, but there is still plenty of room for improvement all around. These gifts — some obvious, some less so — may or may not be possible, but they would be helpful.
‘Tis the season of miracles!
Sixers Christmas gifts: Vincent Poirier — An opportunity
For Vincent Poirier, he should simply hope for an opportunity. With Joel Embiid and Dwight Howard in the center rotation, Poirier will not get regular minutes. That said, at some point, Embiid and Howard will probably miss games. Poirier should hope Doc Rivers hasn’t bought too far into Tony Bradley as the No. 3 center.
Poirier is a physical, bruising center whose calling card is on the glass. He was one of the best rebounders in Europe before making his way to America, and the Frenchman has no shortage of strength to deploy defensively. His offense isn’t special, but Poirier could feasibly outstrip Bradley for those third-string center minutes.
Sixers Christmas gifts: Tony Bradley — Improved agility
The offense for Tony Bradley isn’t terrible. He has precise footwork, soft touch, and a fair amount of confidence. He doesn’t suck up possessions, but he can punish smaller defenders when the opportunities arise. What holds him back from reliable backup status is defense.
Bradley is a slow and plodding 7-footer who struggles to defend in space. If he were better able to switch onto the perimeter and stick with more agile opponents outside the paint, he might have a compelling case for minutes — or at least a strong vise-grip on the third string role.
Sixers Christmas gifts: Terrance Ferguson — A trade
Look, man, there’s really not much room for Terrance Ferguson to grow in Philadelphia. He doesn’t fill a need, and his skill set is largely overshadowed by better players (Furkan Korkmaz, Matisse Thybulle) or more important young pieces (Isaiah Joe). He would benefit from a move to a rebuilding situation.
Sixers Christmas gift: Isaiah Joe — Confidence
Isaiah Joe’s preseason was defined by timidity — most obvious in his first 3-point attempt, which looked clunky, unsure, and nothing like the guy who launched 10.8 triples per game last season. When Joe does play, he needs to let it fly with confidence.
The Sixers need shooting, and the reason Philadelphia issued a draft night promise to Joe was his long ball. If he doesn’t shoot early and often, then there’s really no reason for him to be on the floor. If he’s not on the floor, his career won’t last long.
Sixers Christmas gifts: Mike Scott — A 40% 3-point shot
Mike Scott, fresh off signing a two-year deal for the mid-level exception, struggled mightily in 2019-20. Scott’s value is rooted almost entirely in his 3-point shooting. If he’s consistently hitting spot-up jumpers — especially if he can eclipse that 40 percent mark — Doc Rivers will continue to have a spot for him in the rotation.