Looking at the Philadelphia 76ers‘ roster composition heading into the second half of the season there is one thing that is becoming clear. The addition of George Hill should have positives for the team’s young playmakers both on and off the court.
Out of Ben Simmons, Shake Milton, and Tyrese Maxey, Hill’s addition will impact Milton on the court the most moving forward. How Milton will play along Hill should have a positive impact on the combo guard’s play for the rest of the year.
Milton should improve his play for the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of the season.
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There’s no denying that up to this point in the season that Shake Milton is having a career year. He’s averaging career highs with 13.8 points and 3.0 assists. However, his 3-point shot has lost its touch from the previous year.
Last year he shot 43.0 percent from downtown and this year he’s only converting 30.3 percent from the 3-point line. Part of the reason for the drop-off is because opposing defenses are guarding him tougher, but also it’s him taking on more of a point guard role with the second unit.
Last year when he was more of a combo guard, he shot 43.9 percent on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. This season he’s only shooting 33.7 percent on deep shots. Besides defenses keying in on him before, the change to being a full-time backup point guard is the only other big change for the third year perimeter.
Having Hill take over the point guard role will allow Milton to focus on scoring and not facilitating the offense. Milton is best as an off-guard and not a primary playmaker. Taking away the point guard duties should help improve his 3-point shooting. Working under the assumption that it does, it could make him one of the best sixth men in the NBA.
Hill will make life easier for Shake Milton on the offensive end which is what the Philadelphia 76ers need for this final stretch of the season and in the playoffs.