A short December left some strong impressions in this edition of the Philadelphia 76ers’ player rankings.
Despite December being a short month, with the season in full swing, it’s a better time than never to do The Sixer Sense‘s monthly player rankings of each one of the Philadelphia 76ers’ player.
Since last season, the Sixers have brought in Darryl Morey to be the team’s no president of basketball operations and Doc Rivers to replace Brett Brown as head coach. Important players from last year’s roster like Al Horford and Josh Richardson were traded during the offseason for more complimentary players.
These changes have impacted the team in a positive manner thus far, as the team went 4-1 during December. Their lone loss came when Joel Embiid sat out due to injury against an underrated Cleveland Cavaliers team. It should be noted that these rankings aren’t the same as the player rankings released prior to the season. These focus on the progress and regression of each player’s performance during each month.
17. Paul Reed
December Stats: N/A
“With four centers on the roster, Poirier was the odd man out of the rotation during December.”
The rookie combo big man didn’t make his NBA debut during December. The G-League season didn’t start during that month either so there isn’t much to write on the two-way player. Paul Reed was the only player on this month’s rankings that didn’t play a single game during December.
16. Terrance Ferguson
December Stats: GP 2| MINS 5.5| FG% 0.0| 3P% 0.0| TRB 0.5| AST 0.5| PF 1.0| PTS 0.0
Terrance Ferguson did appear in two games during December but the former first round pick didn’t look good. He went 0-3 from the field and 3-point line. That’s right in 11 total minutes during December he failed to score a single point. Despite having the physical gifts to be a versatile defender, the Philadelphia 76ers a deep wing rotation, and unless he can show something on offense when he does get minutes, it unlikely he gets consistent minutes without multiple injuries occurring.
15. Vincent Poirier
December Stats: GP 1| MINS 6.0| FG% 50.0| TRB 2.0| BKL 1.0| TOV 1.0| PTS 2.0
Vincent Poirier was a last-second addition to the Al Horford trade this past offseason but only got garbage minutes against the Orlando Magic in December. The reason why the center is ahead of Ferguson is that he made a positive contribution while he played. With four centers on the roster, Poirier was the odd man out of the rotation during December and barely got any playing time. He probably won’t be a part of the rotation moving forward.
14. Isaiah Joe
December Stats: GP 2| MINS 7.0| FG% 33.3| 3P% 0.0| TRB 1.5| AST 0.5| STL 0.5| PF 0.5| TOV 1.0| PTS 1.0
The 49th pick of the 2020 NBA made his NBA debut against the blowout loss to Cleveland Cavaliers. Isaiah Joe made one of his two shots from the floor in the game. However, the rookie failed to score in the other game he played in during that month. Joe has some potential but he will need time to grow into the potential sharpshooter he can be.
13. Dakota Mathias
December Stats: GP 2| MINS 6.5| FG% 33.3| 3P% 33.3| TRB 1.0| AST 1.0| PTS 4.0
Despite being on a two-way contract, Dakota Mathias made it to the 13th spot on these rankings. The undrafted rookie impressed at the end of the game against the Cavaliers. He had eight points in seven minutes. Now he didn’t score in the other game he played in, but it’s clear he’s a young player worth developing for the Sixers. If he becomes a consistent floor spacer, the shooting guard might be worth a roster spot.
12. Tony Bradley
December Stats: GP 1| MINS 17| FG% 28.6| FT% 0.0| TRB 8.0| AST 1.0| BKL 2.0| PF 1.0| TOV 1.0| PTS 4.0
Despite only playing in one game during December, Tony Bradley gets the 12th spot in these rankings. The reason being is because he played a vital role off the bench one game Embiid missed against the Cavs. While he didn’t score the ball well in that game, he did grab eight rebounds and two blocks during 17 minutes of play. As a third string center, the Philadelphia 76ers could do much worse than Bradley.
11. Matisse Thybulle
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 2.9| FG% 37.5| 3P% 40.0| FT% 100.0| TRB 1.0| BKL 0.4| STL 0.4| PF 0.6| TOV 0.4| PTS 1.8
In a surprising move to begin the year, Rivers didn’t have Matisse Thybulle in the regular rotation. Despite having a great rookie season as a defensive ace, the wing started the season sitting on the bench. However, Rivers preached the defender would get his chance, per Ky Carlin of SixerWire. After Furkan Korkmaz was injured Thybulle did get his chance and made the most of it. Don’t be surprised if Thybulle is higher in these rankings moving forward.
10. Mike Scott
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 16.0| FG% 33.3| 3P% 26.3| FT% 66.7| TRB 2.6| BKL 0.2| STL 0.4| PF 1.2| TOV 0.6| PTS 4.2
Considering his production and lack of need for a lot of reserve minutes at the power forward spot, it’s not a big surprise that Mike Scott is the 10th man Rivers’ rotation and in the 10th spot in these rankings. He may fall out of the rotation and rankings if health and his 3-point shooting continue to plague the veteran. In the last two games, he played during December he when a combined 0-4 from downtown.
9. Furkan Korkmaz
December Stats: GP 3| MINS 18.3| FG% 25.0| 3P% 25.0| FT% 100.0| TRB 2.0| AST 1.0| BKL 0.7| STL 0.7| PF 0.7| TOV 2.0| PTS 6.0
Furkan Korkmaz only played in three games during December for the Philadelphia 76ers. His ranking might have been better than ninth if his production would have been better than what it was. He was projected to be a key piece off the bench, but outside of the season opener where he went 3-6 from downtown, the fourth year sharpshooter struggled to find his range from downtown.
If Thybulle continues strong play during his absence, then it may be hard for Korkmaz to regain his spot in the rotation.
8. Tyrese Maxey
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 14.0| FG% 40.0| 3P% 0.0| TRB 1.2| AST 1.4| STL 0.4| PF 0.6| TOV 0.8| PTS 4.8
The rookie point guard has been one of the revelations of the 2020 NBA Draft. With his impressive training camp and preseason, he was able to carve out a small but consistent role off the bench for a contending team. The only real knock against the first year player is that he failed to convert any of his 3-pointers that month.
7. Dwight Howard
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 13.6| FG% 76.5| 3P% 100.0| FT% 66.7| TRB 5.4| AST 0.6| BKL 0.8| STL 0.1| PF 3.4| TOV 2.2| PTS 5.8
Besides making an impact as a leader, the former All-Star and future Hall of Famer has made an impact on the court during December. Dwight Howard did exactly what he’s always been able to do. Defend and rebound at a high level. While his foul numbers are a little high, it’s not a major issue as he’s in a limited role. The only complaint is that the Sixers need more production from him when he starts for Embiid, but that’s not a major issue.
6. Danny Green
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 22.2| FG% 32.0| 3P% 21.1| FT% 100.0| TRB 2.0| AST 1.2| BKL 0.8| STL 1.6| PF 1.8| TOV 1.2| PTS 4.4
It’s fair to say that Danny Green’s first month as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers started out rough when it comes to his 3-point shot. Known as an elite 3-and-D wing, Green only shot above 30.0 percent from downtown once during December. He failed to convert a 3-point attempt in two out of the five games that month. While he was still a strong presence defensively, the Sixers need his shooting to become better and more consistent moving forward.
5. Shake Milton
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 25.0| FG% 40.0| 3P% 26.3| FT% 78.6| TRB 1.6| AST 2.6| BKL 0.4| STL 1.2| PF 2.4| TOV 1.0| PTS 11.2
“If he does, averaging 20 points per game isn’t out of reach…”
The 76ers’ de facto sixth man had a great season opener against the Washington Wizards, but struggled shooting the ball from deep in particular for the rest of the month. Considering all the hype surrounding the third year guard, this result is less than ideal. Shake Milton needs to be more aggressive and more confident moving forward if the Sixers want to have a chance when the playoffs come around.
4. Seth Curry
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 28.8| FG% 52.2| 3P% 51.9| FT% 100.0| TRB 2.4| AST 3.6| BKL 0.2| STL 1.0| PF 2.2| TOV 1.4| PTS 15.2
Despite not being the superstar player like his older brother, Seth Curry’s arrival in Philadelphia has been a revelation for the franchise. He even pushed for a top-three spot in this rankings. His efficiency from deep his phenomenal. The only knock against him is that he needs to act like one of the best shooters in the game, as Christopher Kline of The Sixer Sense has already pointed out. If he does, then averaging 20 points per game isn’t out of reach for the sharpshooter.
3. Ben Simmons
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 31.0| FG% 48.9| 3P% 100.0| FT% 61.3| TRB 9.4| AST 6.4| BKL 1.6| STL 1.6| PF 2.6| TOV 3.6| PTS 13.2
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If Ben Simmons had averaged around his career average in points and assists per game during December, there would be no doubt that he’d number two in these rankings. However, he’s not being as aggressive as he use to be in the past on offense in terms of passing and scoring, outside of attempting and making one 3-pointer during the month. With that being said, Simmons is one of two players on this slide who are in the running for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
2. Tobias Harris
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 30.8| FG% 47.2| 3P% 45.8| FT% 90.9| TRB 8.4| AST 2.6| BKL 1.2| STL 1.0| PF 2.0| TOV 1.6| PTS 17.8
Personally, I struggled were to have Tobias Harris in these rankings. He had a slow start to the month, but he finished it strong. On top of that, Simmons’ numbers dropped off offensively so having Harris second just made sense. He showed signs of being a good defender and a very efficient offensive player outside of the first game against the Wizards. If this continues, Harris could have a case of becoming an All-Star this year.
1. Joel Embiid
December Stats: GP 4| MINS 32.5| FG% 52.3| 3P% 38.5| FT% 82.5| TRB 12.3| AST 2.5| BKL 1.5| STL 0.8| PF 2.3| TOV 2.3| PTS 26.5
Despite missing a game, Joel Embiid is clearly the best player on the Sixers. He, like Simmons, is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and has appeared to return to his MVP level play that he showed two seasons ago. He’s even improved an area of weakness for him in terms of passing out of double teams. As long as he’s healthy and stays in shape, there’s no reason to believe Embiid can’t continue this level of production.
That finishes up the first Philadelphia 76ers’ player rankings for the 2020-21 season. Agree with these rankings? Comment below.