Sixers: Ranking the Sixers’ reserves in order of importance

Ranking the Sixers’ reserves — 1. Furkan Korkmaz

Furkan Korkmaz’s shooting percentages have been in the gutter lately, but he’s a prime example of process over results. The shots will fall eventually, and Korkmaz has been otherwise brilliant for extended stretches this season.

Doc Rivers’ faith in Korkmaz is nothing new. When Danny Green went down in the playoffs, it was Korkmaz who replaced him in the starting five. When everyone is healthy, no reserve — aside from maybe Niang — will have more minutes consistently allocated to him than Korkmaz. He’s the second unit’s most dynamic 3-point threat, and on top of that, he has made major strides as a playmaker this season.

The Sixers’ offense revolves around Embiid, and more specifically, it revolves around shooters revolving around Embiid. Korkmaz has established excellent chemistry with the Sixers’ MVP candidate, to the point where that two-man game is a staple of the offense. Korkmaz has displayed a similar telepathy with Drummond.

It’s easy to point to Korkmaz’s recent efforts from 3-point range (2-for-12, for example) and lampoon his inconsistency. And that’s true, Korkmaz has long been prone to hot streaks and cold spells. That said, he’s the kind of secondary talent that Philadelphia’s offense is designed to elevate, and he has the unwavering support of Doc Rivers. He’s not getting bumped from the rotation any time soon.