After a tight loss that ended their four-game winning streak and unbeaten run to kick off the season, the Philadelphia 76ers bounced back in grand fashion, easily beating the Brooklyn Nets on the road, routing them by 24 points on the road. Once the visitors started catching fire in the second quarter, they never looked back and trailed again.
As usual, the 76ers enjoyed an impressive performance from Tyrese Maxey, but he was not the only standout from this game. Both Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. had big games, and VJ Edgecombe remained a steady hand for the team. However, the biggest surprise to come out from this game was the all-around performance skillfully exhibited by Trendon Watford, who had just played his third game with the team after missing the first three due to injury.
Watford, whom the 76ers signed as a free agent during the offseason, finished the night with a near triple-double in just over 25 minutes, registering 16 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. He missed just two of his nine field goal attempts and even managed to drain a three-pointer. He literally did it all in this game.
Trendon Watford gives the 76ers something they have not had in years
People who watched him in Brooklyn last season know that Watford can put the ball into the basket and capably defend multiple positions. However, while he has some useful playmaking sense, the 76ers probably did not even anticipate him having utility as a more frequent release point on the offense end.
The 76ers have not had a power forward who can really pass the rock since maybe Dario Saric (not counting the one-year cameo of Al Horford), which makes this emergence from Watford a very welcome one.
Given their current play style as a collective, the 76ers need someone from the frontcourt who can mobilize them in the open court by pushing the ball and making the right reads off of rebounds. Watford can do both of those things, and he most certainly has the necessary skill and basketball IQ to be more than just a glue guy for the 76ers.
Of course, playmaking does not always end up in assists, but given how Watford has played, he is slowly proving to everyone that he has what it takes to make the team’s life easier on both ends thanks to his unique blend of skills. Hopefully, this one continues and solidifies into a featured part of their scoring attack.