Impressions after a quick look at the Sixers
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Impressions after a quick look at the Sixers
The media was able to watch the end of the 76ers intersquad scrimmage Tuesday at St. Joseph’s University’s Hagan Arena and the first thing that stood out was the intensity of the players.
Gone are the days when players are using camp to get in shape, at least that is the case with the Sixers.
With so many minutes up for grabs and this being the deepest team by far in coach Doug Collins’ three seasons with the team, players are taking things extremely seriously.
Here are a few impressions after watching the end of the scrimmage and then hearing the comments of assistant coach Brian James, who was designated to talk to the media after the session.
Keep in mind, we got to see about 15 minutes, so these impressions are based on a small sample size, but in that time, the players were really getting after it.
*James said after two days that Dorell Wright has been lights out as a shooter. His teammates have talked about Wright’s deadly aim from the corner three. “When he misses an open three, everybody is surprised,” James said.
*Jason Richardson looks like he has a chance to have a significant impact. James talked about how Richardson already has shown leadership, gathering the players together after the first night’s workout and telling them they were complaining too much to the officials who were working the team’s scrimmages.
Richardson is a career .372 three-point shooter so he will be able to open the court and as a 12th year veteran, his all-business attitude will have a major impact on this still young team.
*With so many players vying for perimeter minutes, it’s important that Evan Turner has a strong camp. Turner’s biggest contribution on this team could be his defense and rebounding. In the limited time we saw him Tuesday, Turner seemed to be forcing the issue offensively.
*James talked about how the team is going to put the ball even more in point guard Jrue Holiday’s hands. Remember, Holiday had a better postseason than regular season and he appears ready to pick up where he left off. In Tuesday’s scrimmage he exuded great confidence.
*Whether Villanova’s Maalik Wayns earns any minutes or not, one thing is for sure – he will make the guards work hard in practice. Wayns has a chance to be a strong on-the-ball defender and his quickness on the defensive end was evident on Tuesday.
*The Sixers had everybody but Andrew Bynum practice.
Good work out of the pen, Marc, as "impressions" is what fans want to hear...The "corner three" was such a need last season, and it's great to hear D Wright is cutting cloth, but ET trying to force the issue on offense is not. ET WILL get the minutes from DC from the get go, and as one of just two primary ballhandlers that the Sixers figure to use, I believe he needs to be in that "pass first" mode while attacking (the mid range game will come in time,for now think interior scorer and friends camped on the arc)...J Richardson showing veteran leadership was to be expected, and it's understandable that with just 9 days of practice till the first exhibition game, that many players will be going REAL hard to impress, as minutes are available. Since DC has the extra toys to potentially work into "ever changing" rotations, I'm wondering if practices during the season will also present a chance for guys to impress...Last, glad Narducci made a point I've been overloading on the past few days...Maalik Wayn's speed,quickness, and fiery energy will not only present a change of pace option down the line for DC, but daily in practice should serve as a great tool for Jrue Holiday to take that next step, as going up against whippets was a developmental aspect last season...Yes, it's raining threes, people...Go Sixers!— bearsfriend- Been a fan of Wright's for a long time and really happy to see him in a Sixers uniform. Amazing what will happen when you have a player who can play in the post and they actually have shooters to pass to? Interested to hear how both Young's performed. Not happy to hear that Evan is forcing the issue as that won't fly once Bynum is on the court. Wayns is exactly what Jrue needs out there. He will make Jrue work in practice and it sounds like we have that change of pace pg off the bench ala Lou Will, but this one plays defense. Wayns won't give you that offensive punch but he is an amazing distributor. He also will get to the line ala Lou as he loves attacking the rim. If he is part of a second unit that includes Wright, Nick Young, and Thad Young then it will be off to the races. Getting excited to see this group play!— Mattb
- Matt, many don't see Wayns getting DC's trust (and rightfully so given DC's penchant for veteran play with minimal mistakes), but I see Wayns' potential entrance into a game as critical if the Sixers are to push the envelope succesfully,trying to run...I see him paired with Thad as a future "speed team", one athletic trait the Sixers ARE NOT necessarily deep in..While ET also loves to push the pace (off his own rebounds and at his best with the ball in the open floor), I beleive his PG play will basically be in spelling Jrue, thus he'll be doing more of it later in his runs (longer shifts on the floor)..I'll be interested to see how DC looks at Wayns, as we'll see him plenty after the first few exhibition games, I'm sure.— bearsfriend
- I really want to see Arnett Moultrie do well in camp and the preseason. I understand that there will be no mins for him during the season barring injuries so this will be our only opportunity to see this guy. He is the long-term answer at the 4 spot. He will make trading Hawes and T. Young painless in the offseason to get that future shooting guard.— PhillyBoy-in-Charlotte
- Could be. Unless the injury bug hits, Moultrie might in end of the bench status..One would think a stint or two in Sioux City might make sense to keep him in playing shape. To my surprise, he only has a two year contract. Word is that he looks good after returning from his high ankle sprain. — bearsfriend
- Sorry, Arnette will get lost. It's Sioux Falls (South Dakota). — bearsfriend
- Put the ball even more in Holiday's hands? Why? He isn't a distributor and we have many more capable scorers than last year.— alwaysphil1
- bearsfriend, the DN SHOULD hire you. I learn more from than, Marc, Bob, and John COMBINED. You are the BEST! Thanks for your insight. Something tells me you are or were an NBA insider and/or played the game at some point. THANK YOU!— dudega
- Bears u had me dropping down and doing pushups for this one.I think Darrell and rich will be spectacular. Expecting a huge year for Dorrell. Like bears I also talked about how great it will be for big guard jrue, to go up against meep meep(bears coined that nickname, I'm just paying homage lol) wayans. Wayans will help jrue get ready for the Ty Lawson's and b Jennings of the world. When you think wayans, think a taller Kyle Lowry type bulldog guard. Good kid too. Just STRUCTURE alone will work words for Dorrell and swaggy p. nick will benefit from dc the way sweet Lou did, but I don't think the swag steer can completely fill the void that Lou left...it's a shame. Lookin back on FA, I would probably have rather kept Lou, and let Hawes go. What do you guys think?— johnGiam
- I think Lou was looking for a little more than the Sixers were willing to give and although extremely valuable to the team, he was a bit undersized in his role. If he was more of a PG than SG (his team leading assist to turnover ratio notwithstanding) he would have been able to garner more money from the Philly brass.— ericthered1
- Lou was looking for Thad money, and the Sixers were not going down that road...Overplaying his hand, but having a friendly fallback choice in his hometown region where he will have a similar look with the re-tooled Hawks...Wish Lou was here to play with Bynum, but DC's hoping similar points will come from N Young...On court leadership and ability to get to the line (valuable asset when behind in a game) will be missed some...Welcome back,Red. — bearsfriend
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
