De’Anthony Melton has been thrust into the spotlight out of necessity and he has thrived under difficult circumstances. Possibly the best pickpocket in the NBA and a proficient spot-up shooter, Melton has been able to scale up and down depending on who’s available for the Sixers.
Derrick White remains a one-man wrecking crew on defense who can hit 3s and supply connective playmaking on offense for the NBA’s deepest team and foremost contender.
A versatile, strong-bodied defensive forward, Grant Williams has carved out his NBA niche with physicality and selflessness. His feel for the game, on both sides of the ball, far exceeds what one would expect from a 24-year-old. He can defend multiple positions, bomb open 3s, and make razor-sharp passing reads to keep the offense flowing.
His All-Star potential is buried close beneath the surface, but Jordan Poole hasn’t quite unearthed it due to a lack of consistency. He can shoot the everliving crap out of the ball, but how does he contribute when those shots aren’t falling?
He’s not the perennial All-Star who once led Toronto to multiple playoff berths, but Kyle Lowry still possesses a lot of the spunk and cleverness that makes him special. He’s the glue tying Miami’s offense together and a committed, bankable positional defender.