The Philadelphia 76ers are probably the most difficult team to gauge in the NBA. While they do have the ability to beat any opponent, they are also just as capable of losing to anyone. People are still divided about their status as real contenders for the championship — and rightfully so. Still, one thing that nobody can take away from them is the fact that they managed to lure in some diamonds in the rough where nobody else was looking. Case in point? Look no further than Dominick Barlow.
Barlow somehow was available on a two-way contract, and the 76ers absolutely made the right call in taking a flier on him. However, the young big man was not always so lowly valued. In fact, the Spurs took a liking to him early in his career, although they did not commit to him enough. Now, it is Philly which is reaping the rewards of their eventual mistake.
Of course, when you got a very young nucleus led by someone like Victor Wembanyama that is also ahead of schedule (currently third in the brutal West), you are probably not going to nitpick on your omissions over the years, no matter how bad in hindsight. However, they definitely could have used someone like Barlow to bolster them on the margins. Instead, the 76ers now have him — and stand to do so — for the foreseeable future.
The 76ers are reaping the rewards of an underrated mistake made by the Spurs
Barlow spent his first two seasons in San Antonio, but he was largely stuck in the G-League. No offense to Gregg Popovich who was still at the helm back then, but he should have extended more opportunities to the spry big man to get some real action on the hardwood.
The Spurs have struggled a little bit since Christmas, and one big reason why is their poor play at the power forward position. Harrison Barnes is slowly becoming unplayable for them, whereas Barlow is still the entrenched starter at the 4 spot for the loaded 76ers despite the return of both Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford.
Barlow has become a fan-favorite in Philly thanks to the energy he brings to the floor on both ends. Defensively, he is an active and mobile stopper who can easily latch onto different players. His hustle and intangibles come naturally to him. On offense, he has become a good connective piece even though his three-point shot is still lacking, which is impressive for such a young player.
Well, the 76ers might have actually spared everyone from further dominance by the Spurs — at least on defense — by having Dominick Barlow. No matter what happens from here on out, the young big man will definitely be known as probably Philly’s biggest heist yet in recent years.