The Sixer Sense
Fansided

8 Worst Philadelphia 76ers starters of the Joel Embiid era

By Jonathan Geib

Oct 20, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on during the anthem before action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on during the anthem before action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) controls the ball as Philadelphia 76ers guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) controls the ball as Philadelphia 76ers guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Sergio Rodriguez (2016-17)

I bet some of you forgot who Sergio Rodriguez was until this article. The former Euroleague Champion was not able to translate his success across the Atlantic Ocean. Rodriguez played five full seasons in the NBA with the Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers. The interesting factor here is the timing of his NBA career.

Rodriguez was drafted by the Trailblazers in 2006 and after a buyout from his European team, came over to the US to play. He went back to Europe though following the 2010 season and played for Real Madrid for 6 seasons. It was at this point, at the age of 30 and six years removed from the NBA, that the Philadelphia 76ers signed Rodriguez to come back and play in the league.

Why did the Sixers bring sign Rodriguez in 2016?

This question has always baffled me, as it did not seem like Rodriguez was an NBA player at this point in his career. Although in fairness, during the dog days of “The Process”, a number of players saw playing time with the Sixers that were not NBA caliber players. In Rodriguez’s case, it was not as if a 30-year-old playing in a less competitive league was going to help stabilize the point guard position for the Sixers.

Sergio started 30 games for the Sixers in 2016-17 tallying 7.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Those are decent numbers for a bench or role player on a middling team, which the Sixers were at that time. It just seemed odd for a team with a promising future to bring Rodriguez over for one year.