There’s been much debate on who should be the Philadelphia 76ers’ starting power forward, but fans may have to wait longer to receive a true answer.
The 76ers are approaching the preseason dangerously thin at the four – a position that was already questionable. Philadelphia may be without Paul George and Trendon Watford due to injuries in its preseason-opener against the New York Knicks on October 2nd. This allows the 76ers to see what they have in two-way players Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker.
George remains limited
George emerged as the favorite to become Philadelphia’s lead four-man after revealing he’d be open to the possibility on Media Day, Friday. However, the 76ers likely won’t be able to conduct that experiment in the near future.
George said that he doesn’t think he’ll participate in training camp as he is focused on obtaining full health heading into the regular season. Although, George did complete an individual on-court workout during the team’s first practice.
“Getting healthy, [being] the Paul George that the 76ers went out and signed,” George said. “I do think I still got a lot of game in me, playing at a high level. That’s still who I am. I got to get healthy to get to that point.”
Watford endures a 76ers canon event
Still, Philadelphia’s fortune did not improve as it announced Saturday after training camp that Watford suffered a strain in his right hamstring. He participated in individual on-court work and is considered day-to-day.
Watford was Philadelphia’s main offseason addition as he inked a two-year, $5.3 million contract on July 2nd. The four-year veteran is expected to boost the 76ers’ offense with his creativity as a ball-handler and connective skills. Many have already campaigned for him to start at the four.
“[Watford] can handle, he can make plays,” Tyrese Maxey told PHLY Sports, Saturday. “He’s gonna be someone who’s pushing the ball up the court and [dribble handoff] here, and then we could play off that.”
Next man up
Nick Nurse described Dominick Barlow as one of Philadelphia’s standouts in its first practice of training camp – touting his rebounding and activity. Now, the New Jersey native may have the opportunity to prove Nurse right throughout the preseason.
While Kelly Oubre Jr. will likely temporarily slot in as the starting four with George and Watford possibly sidelined, Barlow could receive notable playing time. The preseason is an ideal setting for a player of Barlow’s caliber to showcase his skills. Developmental players tend to have a longer leash in exhibitions that allows them to play through mistakes. Walker could also benefit from the same merit.
Both players offer skills that the 76ers could greatly benefit from, namely rebounding and size. Neither would have to do much in the way of self-creation playing alongside advantage creators like Maxey, George, and Joel Embiid. Barlow or Walker must audition the skills Philadelphia requires to perhaps receive a larger opportunity down the line.