The Sixer Sense
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3 players who need to step up for 76ers in playoffs

By Justin DiVirgilio

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to James Harden #1 during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Trail Blazers 120-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to James Harden #1 during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Trail Blazers 120-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. De’Anthony Melton

De’Anthony Melton has been a tremendous acquisition overall for the Sixers. Melton was profiled as a 3-and-D guard/small wing player that the Sixers were sorely lacking last year by the time the playoffs rolled around. Even now, Melton is only one of the more reliable perimeter two-way guys on the team. Melton’s job will be exactly that as well as being a stabilizing and even disruptive force on the defensive perimeter. In his first season with the Sixers, Melton is averaging 10.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on .430/.399/.795 shooting splits in 28.2 minutes per game.

This upcoming postseason will be Melton’s first where he will be more relied upon. In two postseasons, that covers 15 games, for the Memphis Grizzlies, Melton averaged 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1 steal per game on .333/.266/.667 shooting splits in 16.9 minutes per game. The Sixers and Melton can not afford for Melton to regress on offense as that will take away space from guys like Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey. Melton needs to be attacking closeouts, shooting three-pointers without a conscience to be found, and getting out in transition for a quicker, easier offense.

On the offensive end, the Sixers are going to need the former USC Trojan to stay consistent with his three-point shooting in terms of taking and making the long-range jumpers. For four straight months from December to March, Melton has made more than 40 percent of his three-pointers on at least 3.5 attempts per game. Broadening this realm of statistics a little further as Melton has been a tremendous shooter off the catch. The 6 foot 2 inches guard is making 42 percent of his catch-and-shoot three on 4 attempts per game.

The defensive side of Melton’s game is just as important. Melton touts a 6 foot 9 inches wingspan and active hands. His active hands are proven through the number of deflections he has racked up per 36 minutes, 3.1. That number is good enough for 12th in the NBA behind All-Defense caliber players like O.G. Anunoby, Paul George, and Alex Caruso to name a few. Melton is also a large part of the Sixers’ best defensive lineup as qualified by defensive rating. The lineup of Melton, Harden, Tobias Harris, Maxey, and Embiid is posting a 105.9 defensive rating in 122 minutes played across 25 games.