Sixers: Who should make up Doc Rivers’ bench rotation?
Who should make up the Sixers’ bench: Furkan Korkmaz
Up until recently, I would’ve told you this is Danny Green’s spot without much hesitation. But, after a brief stint in the doghouse, Furkan Korkmaz put himself back on the map with an impressive 18-point outburst in the win over Miami. Now it’s hard to imagine the Sixers relegating Korkmaz to obscurity again.
This has been a difficult season for Korkmaz, the Sixers’ sharpshooter who until recently was just not hitting 3s. His season-long mark of 29.9 percent from 3-point range is troublesome, but if the funk is truly broken, then Philadelphia should give Korkmaz every opportunity to re-establish his rhythm and get back in the rotation.
Korkmaz has been splitting the ninth spot with Green for a couple games now. There is plenty to support the argument for Green in this battle — he’s older, more established, is shooting better from 3 on the season, and is a heady defender — but when push comes to shove, I prefer Korkmaz’s offensive dynamism.
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When he’s right, Korkmaz is the most dynamic and explosive offensive player on the Sixers’ bench. He can get hot from deep, but more than that, he proved capable early in the season of making plays off the dribble. His pump-fake is the stuff of legend, and his ability to attack closeouts with multiple avenues to success is unique among Philadelphia’s shooters. Korkmaz can hit the floater, pass out to the open shooter, or settle for the pull-up jumper.
He’s not much of a defender, but the Sixers aren’t getting consistent defense from the second unit. Danny Green is going to get roasted in the playoffs, and even if Green is the steadier hand, Philadelphia should probably ride with Korkmaz’s night-to-night upside.